Richard Miles set out to find a job after his release from a Texas prison in 2009 with a collection of newspaper clippings about his wrongful murder conviction as his resume. No one would hire him, including warehouses and fast-food restaurants.

It was a period of painful rejection that is familiar to exonerees. Some see their own struggles reflected in Calvin Duncan, who won elected office in New Orleans after clearing his name but likely won’t serve. Louisiana lawmakers sent a bill to the governor’s desk Wednesday abolishing his job.

“We’re still kind of like looked at as an inmate that did a particular crime. It further deteriorates our ability to believe that the system can heal itself,” said Miles, who eventually found a job through a minister at his church. “When cases like in Louisiana occur, it just shows us that the system is not healing itself.”

The fight in Louisiana has touched a nerve among exonerees in the U.S. who see Duncan’s plight as reflective of the biases and stigmas they have to confront as they try to rebuild their lives.

Duncan served nearly 30 years in prison before his murder conviction was vacated in 2021 after evidence emerged that police officers had lied in court. He was elected to become the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court in November, vowing to fix the system that failed him. He had been set to take office May 4.

Louisiana Republicans who want to dissolve the office say it isn’t about Duncan’s past but a necessary step toward government efficiency.

“Even if they are seen as somebody who is exonerated, there is still a stigma as somebody who has been in prison,” said Jon Eldan, the founder and executive director of After Innocence, a California-based nonprofit.

Nonprofits and others offer help to exonerees

According to the National Registry of Exonerations, more than 3,800 people have been exonerated in the U.S. since 1989.

But unlike those released on parole or probation, exonerees don’t have access to government-provided services such as employment or housing assistance and mental health services.

“I was turned down by many prisoner reentry organizations because they said, ‘Look, you’re not on parole, you’re not on probation,’” said Jeffrey Deskovic, who was wrongly convicted of rape and murder in Peekskill, New York, and spent 16 years in prison before being freed in 2006.

Thirty-eight states have laws that compensate wrongfully convicted people. But it can be years before they receive that money.

After Innocence works to connect exonerees with organizations that help with job training, housing, medical and dental care. It also tries to clean up their records to accurately represent what happened in their criminal cases, Eldan said.

Miles, who spent more than 14 years in prison, now runs Miles of Freedom, a nonprofit in Dallas that helps formerly incarcerated individuals, including exonerees, rebuild their lives.

The challenges Miles faced as an exoneree looking for employment — including a lack of work history, viable skills and training — are not unusual, but it also appears some employers simply don’t want someone who has been behind bars on their workforce.

There are no government statistics that track the employment rate of exonerees. Multiple studies have shown the unemployment rate for people who were in prison is much higher than the national rate. A 2018 study from the Prison Policy Initiative found that formerly incarcerated people are unemployed at a rate of over 27%. A 2021 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that 33% of federal prisoners released in 2010 did not find employment for four years. Nationally, the unemployment rate in March was 4.3%.

Finding employment remains a challenge

Deskovic used the compensation he received five years after his 2006 release from prison to start the Deskovic Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit that helps free wrongfully convicted people. He later got a law degree so he could represent them in court.

Exonerees tell Deskovic little has changed since the years following his release when he applied for jobs, including as a doughnut shop worker and a weekly newspaper reporter, but could never find consistent work.

Supporters of exonerees point to Duncan as someone who has rebuilt his life and won elected office but still faces pushback about his innocence and post-incarceration accomplishments.

“If he wasn’t an exoneree, would they be doing this to him? I’m sure that they would not,” Deskovic said.

Groups push for legislative help for exonerees

Eldan’s organization worked with a state senator to help write and pass a law in Delaware that provides compensation for wrongful imprisonment, as well as a stipend and help with housing, food benefits, and health and dental insurance. It also provides exonerees with a certificate from the state saying they were wrongly incarcerated and found innocent.

Eldan said his group is working with several other states, including California and New Mexico, to get laws passed to provide similar innocence certificates and update exonerees’ criminal records.

More states should fund programs to help exonerees after their release, Eldan and Miles said.

“But it’s hard to write into a statute, something that actually translates into real benefit for these people,” Eldan said. “It’s not because the state is bad, but because the state just is not particularly good at delivering those services.”

Ben Spencer spent 34 years in prison for a murder in Dallas he didn’t commit before being exonerated and released in 2021. He applied for jobs at an Amazon warehouse and as an airport baggage loader but failed to secure a position.

Eventually, someone who had taken an interest in his case helped get him a job as a facilities engineer, doing repairs for a company. He’s worked there five years.

“I think I’m kind of settling in a little more now. I’m still trying to figure out the cellphone and computers,” Spencer said. “When I walked out of the jail, it was like waking up out of a coma or a bad dream. And of course, I still had to try to get some financial stability. I guess I won’t say I’m there now, but I’m closer to where I wanna be now than I was.”

___

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One claimed: “It’s better than the Karcher in almost every respect. It’s small, sturdy, doesn’t fall over and provides plenty of power.”

With the summer months just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get gardens into shape for the season ahead. From muddy pathways to grimy gutters, a pressure washer can take much of the hard graft out of refreshing outdoor spaces.

For those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, the Bosch High Pressure Washer EasyAquatak 110 has been reduced on Amazon to £60.49, down from £89.99. A 33% saving on what buyers have described as ‘an outstanding bit of kit’, the portable cleaning tool can tackle everything from stubborn dirt to everyday cleaning tasks.

The compact design makes this pressure washer straightforward to move around the garden, while built-in accessory storage keeps everything neatly in one place. It’s built with convenience in mind, meaning you can get straight down to cleaning right out of the box.

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The portable high-pressure washer works by pulling in water and pushing it out at high speed through a small nozzle, creating a powerful jet that blasts away dirt and grime. It’s easy to use and much quicker than scrubbing by hand, making outdoor cleaning feel far less of a chore.

A selection of nozzles combined with a 110-bar pump delivers flexible cleaning power for a range of jobs from rinsing down surfaces to tackling tougher dirt. The 450ml high-pressure detergent nozzle helps cover surfaces with soap quickly, saving time on bigger clean-ups.

The EasyAquatak 110 unit comes complete with a high-pressure gun, a lance, a three-meter hose and multiple nozzles. A water filter is also included, the Express reports.

If this make and model isn’t quite what you are looking for, Argos is selling the Karcher K3 Classic Pressure Washer with £20 off RRP. On sale for £110, Karcher is one of the biggest names in home power washing, with this particular model offering a 1600W motor that delivers 120 bar pressure for effective cleaning, a power lance and accessories.

For buyers on a budget, the Living and Home Electric Handheld Pressure Washer Cleaner is now £23.99 at Yimbly (the online store owned by Reach plc). Fuss-free but effective, the high-power hand tool attaches directly to the hose pipe and can be used for smaller chores like washing the car, cleaning gutters or giving outdoor furniture a good going over.

Shoppers have been raving about the impressive capabilities of the Bosch High-Pressure Washer. With over 12,000 reviews on Amazon, the garden tool has been given a 4.5 out of five-star rating.

One customer who left a five-star review said: “My first time using a power washer. I wanted one that was easy to work with and light enough. This machine is perfect. Love using it. Easy to put together. Done the front of my house and done tarmac a bit too, so far.”

Another added: “I’ve had a few pressure washers over the years, but this Bosch Aquatak 110 is by far the best. I’ve cleaned the patio and block paving. Also comes with a handy car wash brush.”

A third buyer compared it to a brand leader, saying: “It’s better than the Karcher in almost every respect. It’s small, sturdy, doesn’t fall over and provides plenty of power. All attachments are secure without being a pain to get on and off. Nozzles are very easy to adjust. Simple operation and no leaks.”

Some buyers were less impressed, however, with one saying: “Seemed excellent for domestic use. Cleaning patio and cars etc. But I found that the gun had become faulty and leaked.”

Another glowing review, however, exclaimed: “Was not expecting too much for the price, but wow was I surprised. Its an outstanding bit of kit. Well pleased.”

Another buyer who compared it to a more expensive brand also made a comparison: “I love the Bosch, the power is excellent, the shape and size are great, and the fan of the spray made cleaning the patio a joy. If you’re moving from a Karcher and are concerned that it won’t be as good, or that it seems too cheap (as I did), don’t. It’s great, I think it’s better than my Karcher. Extremely pleased.”

The long-lost episode was thought to be lost forever and will broadcast on BBC Four onext month.

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Fans of The Morecambe and Wise Show have reason to celebrate as a long-lost episode is scheduled to broadcast on the BBC imminently.

The episode, unseen for decades and presumed lost permanently, will air on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer on 14 May.

This transmission date marks what would have been Eric Morecambe’s 100th birthday. Alongside the special episode, the broadcaster will also present The Perfect Morecambe and Wise to commemorate the occasion.

A charitable organisation called Film Is Fabulous! uncovered the lost episode within the estate of a former television industry professional. It has since been returned to the BBC.

The rediscovered episode is the third from Morecambe and Wise’s inaugural series, following their return to the BBC after a stint with commercial television, reports the Mirror.

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It features sketches penned by Sid Green and Dick Hills, with Ann Hamilton appearing as Pauline in a sketch situated in a nudist colony.

Additionally, Jenny Lee-Wright stars as Eric’s niece who is also a balloon dancer. BBC audiences will also enjoy a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who were prominent in the 1960s.

Discussing the rediscovered episode, Noreen Adams, Director of BBC Archives, expressed considerable enthusiasm.

They commented: “Morecambe and Wise are one of the UK’s most loved comedy duos. Thanks to Film Is Fabulous!

“We’re delighted to share this comedy gold that we thought was lost forever with viewers across the UK. It’ll be broadcast on BBC Four and available to watch whenever you like on BBC iPlayer from 8pm on Thursday May 14.”

Gail, Eric Morecambe’s daughter, expressed her delight at the episode’s transmission, noting how marvellous it was that the broadcast aligned with her father’s centenary celebrations.

She commented: “What a lovely surprise this is, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years. It’s excellent to hear that skilled people are actively going through the Archives and discovering ‘lost’ programmes.

“Not just Morecambe and Wise, of course. I am especially thrilled that it coincides with my father’s centenary year. Really wonderful.”

Gary Morecambe, Eric’s son, remarked: “I’m so thrilled and surprised by the discovery of a Morecambe and Wise show that hasn’t been seen since 1968. I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful.

“Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was twelve years of age.”

The long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is available to watch on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer from May 14.

Benefit and state pension payments could be affected

Benefit recipients and state pensioners may notice several alterations to their payments in May, as annual uplifts come into force for the first time for some claimants, while bank holidays could result in thousands receiving payments several days ahead of schedule.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced which payment dates will be modified in May due to the two forthcoming bank holidays. Those awaiting payments on Monday 4th May and Monday 25th May might find themselves caught off guard as a consequence.

Since banks and DWP offices are normally shut on these dates, payments will not be processed and those expecting benefit or state pension instalments will receive their money on the final working day before the bank holiday instead.

For those scheduled to receive payments on 4th May, the final working day beforehand is Friday 1st May. Similarly, those due payments on 25th May will receive them on 22nd May instead, the DWP has announced.

Benefits that will be affected by both bank holidays:

• Universal Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Child Benefits
• Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance State pension payments will also be affected by both bank holidays. Those anticipating these early payments need not do anything, as their payments will return to their normal schedule from June onwards.

Managing finances can become considerably more difficult when payment dates are changed, meaning the same amount of money must stretch over four extra days before your regular payment date arrives, particularly given that April’s bank holidays also caused disruption.

The vast majority of benefits are paid out every four weeks, making it unlikely that a single person would be affected by both the April and May bank holiday disruptions. That said, those in receipt of the state pension could well be impacted.

Ordinarily, the state pension is paid every four weeks, although recipients can request weekly payments if they prefer. The day on which you receive your payment corresponds to the final two digits of your NI number.

Those with an NI number ending between 00 and 19 receive their payments on a Monday. Given that all of next month’s bank holidays fall on Mondays, weekly state pension recipients could find themselves affected on more than one occasion.

Should the bank holidays pass without you receiving the correct benefit or state pension payment, you may need to get in touch with the DWP or HMRC helpline. The DWP does recommend thoroughly checking your award notice before making any contact.

Benefit payments and state pension rates officially increased on 6th April at the start of the new tax year, though some recipients may notice a mix of both old and new rates in their payments, as their benefit covers a four-week period.

Those on Universal Credit in particular are unlikely to see the higher rates reflected until their May or even June payments, as the updated figures only kick in once a full assessment period that began after 6th April has passed.

The party is also hoping to win a constituency seat in the Scottish Parliament for the first time ever – with Edinburgh Central, where SNP Culture Secretary Angus Robertson is standing, and Glasgow Southside, which was previously held by former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, two of the constituencies where the Greens hope to make a breakthrough.

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said in the statement: “As the indictment lays bare, the Sinaloa cartel, and other drug trafficking organisations like it, would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll.”

T-shirts worn by the teens featured a variety of sexual messages on including ‘I love doggy style’, ‘I love big as**s’, ‘I love drunk girls’ and ‘I love MILFS’.

A youth football club has slammed a photo of its young players wearing t-shirts with slogans such as: ‘I love big t***’ and ‘I love sluts’.

The teens aged 14-15 wore tops with a variety of sexual messages on including ‘I love doggy style’, ‘I love big as**s’, ‘I love drunk girls’ and ‘I love MILFS’. Members of the Musselburgh Windsor 2011 team were taking part in a tournament in Barcelona for six days over the Easter holidays.

On one of the evenings an image appeared on the team’s Instagram page. The club has slammed the “explicit, sexualised and misogynistic” slogans as “wholly unacceptable”.

It is believed the t-shirts were bought for the players by some of their parents, who had accompanied them on the trip.

Someone close to a parent of a player in the club’s girls’ section told the Courier in Scotland they found the incident to be “not simply a matter of poor taste” but also raising broader questions about “the safeguarding culture” and “standards of behaviour being modelled to young players”.

They said: “This is very inappropriate for minors and raises serious concerns about the judgment and safeguarding awareness of the adults responsible.”

The Instagram post was removed shortly afterwards and the full page is now listed as private.

Scott Robertson, president of Musselburgh Windsor FC, told the Courier that, while the coaches were out for a meal with their own families and “unaware” of what was happening, “it appears that some of the parents took it upon themselves to purchase the t-shirts and take photographs”.

He said that a parent had also posted the photo to the team’s public Instagram page. When the coaches returned to the hotel, the lead coach was made aware and he “immediately deleted the image”, Mr Robertson explained.

He said: “All the players and the parents were summoned to a meeting whilst in Spain and it was made clear that it was wholly unacceptable.”

One comment on the original Instagram post said that those responsible should be “utterly ashamed” of themselves for sharing the image publicly.

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Eliseo was born prematurely at 28 weeks and has had 13 surgeries, primarily on his brain, in his short life

A young boy left brain damaged following a meningitis infection has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in his limbs just as his twin brother is beginning to walk.

Eliseo and his twin brother Luca were born prematurely at 28 weeks and while Luca has progressed into a healthy young boy without any difficulties, Eliseo has faced constant difficulties after being diagnosed with hydrocephalus and had to have a series of operations, primarily on his brain.

He also developed cysts on his brain following a meningitis infection caused by a blocked shunt and requires constant care from his worried parents who are determined to do all they can to improve his quality of life.

In February they launched a fundraising appeal to help secure stem cell treatment for Eliseo which has proved to be very successful, with over £30,000 raised so far which has helped the young boy.

However, he recently received further “devastating” news when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in all four of his limbs.

Speaking to Belfast Live, his mum Shauna O’Reilly said that the diagnosis came at a time when the family were feeling more optimistic about his future as Eliseo has been making big improvements at physiotherapy and his brother Luca had just started walking.

She said: “The past few weeks have been full of mixed emotions, it has been crazy. On the one hand Eliseo has been doing really well with his physiotherapy and the improvements he has made with her have been incredible only for us to get the devastating news about his cerebral palsy.

“We have been trying to absorb this while at the same time being excited to see Luca starting to walk and make great progress in his development.

“This has all been going on while we have been trying to raise funds to get Eliseo vital stem cell treatment, and the support that we have received for it has been amazing. It is actually overwhelming how many people have reached out to help us and we have now raised over £30,000 which will allow Eliseo to begin his treatment in Mexico.

“Early intervention is key if we are going to give Eliseo the best quality of life possible and we are so thankful to everyone who has donated to our fundraiser and helped us over the past few weeks, it really means the world to us.”

If you would like to donate to the appeal to help Eliseo please follow this link.

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Climat in Manchester city centre has become the latest eatery to close

An award-winning Manchester rooftop restaurant has announced its closure, blaming a ‘perfect storm’ of rising food inflation, an increasing tax burden and a stagnant economy.

Climat, perched on top of Blackfriars House in the city centre, has won a series of awards since its opening in November 2022, with diners attracted to its French food, selection of more than 400 wines and panoramic views of Manchester.

Critics Jay Rayner and William Sitwell raved about the restaurant which has been nominated in the Manchester Food & Drink Awards numerous times, and was included in the Michelin Inspectors Guide.

A statement on its Instagram page said: “I’m heartbroken to announce the closure of Climat with immediate effect. Sadly, we are yet another casualty of the times we’re living in.

“The reasons for closure will echo those of many of our peers. Ultimately, a stagnant economy and the persistent cost of living crisis, combined with rampant food inflation and the ever increasing tax burden for small business has created the perfect storm for hospitality – an industry so reliant on high staff numbers and costly, well-positioned locations – both of which have received significant tax increases over the last two budgets

“During Climat’s first 13 months in business, we were billed over £112,000 for electricity alone, almost 400% more than budgeted. Since opening the doors in December 2022, wages have increased by 33% alongside the more recent increases in Employers National Insurance Contributions. Our business rates payable in 2023/24 were £12,000p/a, today they sit at £38,000p/a. All these increases alongside reduced footfall are spelling disaster for so many.

“Whilst I wanted to highlight these reasons for closure, in the naive hope the Government will start to listen before it’s too late for others, I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of our team over the last 3.5 years. The closure does not do justice to their efforts and dedication. I’d also like extend a huge debt of gratitude to our guests for their support, enabling us to build a nationally recognised wine list – our raison d’être.“I wish everyone the very best of luck in these challenging times.”

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are on a four-day trip through the United States

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King Charles III was seen happily shaking hands with Zohran Mamdani, despite the New York City Mayor having previously stated that he would urge the royal to return the Koh-i-noor diamond to India if they spoke.

Mamdani spoke at a press conference hours before the 9/11 ceremony saying: “If I were to speak to the King separately from that, I’d probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond.”

The diamond, originating in the Kollur mine in present-day Andhra Pradesh, India, is set into a royal crown on display in the Tower of London. Seized by the East India Company after its victory in the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1849, the gem was given to Queen Victoria and has remained part of the Crown Jewels ever since.

But countries including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have all claimed ownership, The Mirror reports. The Koh-i-noor diamond wasn’t used during King Charles III’s coronation, allowing Buckingham Palace to sidestep the controversy surrounding a gem acquired during the age of Empire.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial, where they met with first responders and the families of victims of the September 11 attacks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony, which comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

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Mamdani and the King were captured shaking hands at the event sharing a friendly conversation. The royal couple’s swing through the city comes midway through a four-day trip marking 250 years of American independence.

It will be the first trip to New York by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2010. The four-day trip is Charles’ first state visit to the U.S. since he became king.

His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the U.S. Monday, the king and queen joined President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for tea at the White House.

On Tuesday, Charles and Trump had a closed-door meeting in the Oval Office. The king then delivered a rare speech before Congress, the first by a British monarch since his late mother in 1991, followed by a formal state dinner at the White House.

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