KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A nurse in Uganda has died of Ebola, a health official said Thursday, in the first recorded fatality since the last outbreak ended in 2023.
The 32-year-old male nurse was an employee of Mulago Hospital, the main referral facility in the capital, Kampala, Diana Atwine, permanent secretary of the health ministry, told reporters Thursday.
After developing a fever, he was treated at several locations in Uganda before multiple lab tests confirmed he had been suffering from Ebola. The man died on Wednesday and the Sudan strain of Ebola was confirmed following postmortem tests, Atwine said.
At least 44 contacts of the victim have been identified, including 30 health workers and patients at Mulago Hospital, according to Uganda’s Ministry of Health.
The health authorities are “in full control of the situation,” Atwine said, urging Ugandans to report suspected cases.
Tracing contacts is key to stemming the spread of Ebola, and there are no approved vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola.
Uganda’s last outbreak, discovered in September 2022, killed at least 55 people before it was declared over in January 2023.
Confirmation of Ebola in Uganda is the latest in a trend of outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers in the east African region. Tanzania declared an outbreak of the Ebola-like Marburg disease earlier this month, and in December Rwanda announced that its own outbreak of Marburg was over. The ongoing Marburg outbreak in northern Tanzania ‘s Kagera region has killed at least two people, according to local health authorities.
Ebola, which is spread by contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials, manifests as a deadly hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and at times internal and external bleeding.
Scientists don’t know the natural reservoir of Ebola, but they suspect the first person infected in an outbreak acquired the virus through contact with an infected animal or eating its raw meat. Ugandan officials are still investigating the source of the current outbreak.
Uganda has had multiple Ebola outbreaks, including one in 2000 that killed hundreds. The 2014-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa killed more than 11,000 people, the disease’s largest death toll.
Ebola was discovered in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks in South Sudan and Congo, where it occurred in a village near the Ebola River, after which the disease is named.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a nurse from Ebola in Uganda, as the country declares its first virus outbreak since 2022. The health ministry has confirmed that the nurse contracted the deadly virus while caring for patients in a local hospital.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of Ebola, and the importance of vigilance in preventing its spread. The health ministry is working tirelessly to contain the outbreak and prevent further infections.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the nurse who lost their life to this devastating disease. We urge the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to follow all recommended safety measures to protect themselves and others from Ebola.
Let us come together as a community to support each other during this challenging time, and to work towards ending this outbreak once and for all. Stay safe, stay informed, and stay strong.
Where the story can go next after that is anyone’s guess, but he’s given us a couple hints: in addition to the previously released singles “Dancing in the Flames,” “Timeless” with Playboi Carti, and “Sao Paulo” with Anitta – all of which seem to draw reference to a sort of baptism by fire – he’s also posted some teasers depicting himself as a baby. He even shared a Biblical quote: “Humanity in its present form is frail, deteriorating, and weak. To share in eternal life, however, our bodies must be transformed.”
In any case, the last five years have been a whirlwind of successes, failures, and ambitious creative risks for The Weeknd, but he’s maintained his position as one of music’s most compelling and endlessly entertaining figures – not to mention his position on top of the charts. We’re looking back at some of the most memorable moments from his latest trilogy of albums as we prepare for its thrilling conclusion on January 31.
The Unluckiest Man Alive
Honestly, with every freak occurrence that’s happened to The Weeknd over the last five years, it’s pretty impressive that he’s still the second-streamed artist on global Spotify. The delay of Hurry Up Tomorrow due to the still-raging Los Angeles fires – Tesfaye wisely opting not to drop a project whose two most popular singles reference a city on fire and dancing in the flames – is only the latest. Whether it’s After Hours dropping as COVID infections first soared, Doja Cat’s tonsil surgery forcing her to drop out of the rescheduled tour, or the final show of the same tour being cancelled due to a nationwide shutdown of Rogers’ networks, it’s seemed like a curse has been following him. Add to that the Grammys’ inexplicable oversights of his work, losing his voice mid-show at SoFi Stadium, and even tweeting “LET’S GOOOOOOOO,” intending to announce a Dawn FM TV special, at the exact moment that Russia invaded Ukraine, and we can only imagine where he would be if his luck turned around.
For the History Books
Despite all of that, The Weeknd still managed to score the most successful song of all time – and according to Billboard, that’s a statistical fact. After Hours’ second single, “Blinding Lights,” dethroned Chubby Checker’s “The Twist,” the sixties dance craze that held the record for sixty-one years, on November 23, 2021, after spending a record-obliterating 57 weeks in the chart’s top 10 (and 90 weeks total on the Hot 100). A delightfully eighties-infused synth-pop banger that still fit snugly in Tesfaye’s dark-pop aesthetics, it spawned endless imitators and resulted in just about every song vying for pop attention sounding exactly like it for the next two or three years. Overplayed? Sure, but you know you’d still turn it up if it came on.
Super Bowl Sunday
What better showcase for the world’s most popular song than the world’s most-watched television program? Putting a final stamp on the After Hours era before squirrelling away to work on the trilogy’s second segment, The Weeknd’s halftime show at 2021’s Super Bowl LV was one of the most memorable and ambitious performances in NFL history. In addition to the memes it generated – like the image of the red-suited Sin City showman stumbling around in a disorienting mirror maze – the scope and choreography of the performance left an impression, as Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium was invaded by hundreds of masked, bandaged dancers. Not only that, it was reported he spent over seven million dollars of his own money to boost the budget. That’s dedication to leaving an impact.
Character Work
Whether it’s the exaggerated, party-starting version of himself with the extravagant hairstyle that coloured his early albums, or the Starboy himself, The Weeknd bolstering his musical output with an underlying storyline and symbolic characters is nothing new – it’s part of what made that Super Bowl performance so compelling. As far as the new trilogy is concerned, we’ve already discussed the bloody guy with the red suit and the ‘80s mustache, but his Dawn FM persona really stood out. Taking the Internet by surprise when he posted the album artwork – depicting him made up as an elderly version of himself, he fully brought the persona out to play in the “Gasoline” music video – where he fights younger versions of himself. We’ll see if the life cycle continues.
A Shocking Confession
Many of The Weeknd’s characters and video narratives are pretty dark and serious – but he’s also shown in recent years that he’s able to make fun of himself. His biggest media tie-in of the new trilogy era might have been recording the track “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” for the Avatar 2 soundtrack, but the most memorable was easily his appearance on American Dad, which aired only two months after After Hours came out. In the episode, Smith family daughter Hayley repeatedly tries to seduce the singer before he reveals that his X-rated lyrics have all been lies, ultimately serenading her with a far-too-catchy track called “I’m A Virgin.” Good luck getting this one out of your head.
Swing and a Miss
Of course, when it comes to branching out into other media, not all of The Weeknd’s ideas have proven to be winners. In a move that probably would have been seriously career-damaging for almost anyone else, his team-up with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson on 2023’s HBO series The Idol was met with critical pans across the board. With some questionable acting choices after the soft-spoken singer placed himself in the role of intimidating cult leader Tedros, the show mistook shock value for storyline and ended up flailing, having its runtime abruptly trimmed to only five episodes mid-season. At least the accompanying original soundtrack, featuring fifteen new tracks from artists like Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Mike Dean and The Weeknd himself, was pretty great.
High-Profile Connections
The Weeknd has been a true superstar for around a decade now, but when an artist is able to rack up admirers like Jim Carrey, Quincy Jones and Elton John, you know they’re reaching a sort of imperial phase. Carrey, who grew up about a thirty-minute drive down Highway 404 north of Abel himself, served as Dawn FM’s narrator, the radio personality welcoming listeners to the afterlife, while the late, great Jones tells a story about relationship troubles to tie in to the album’s theme of dealing with regret. The biggest praise, however, might have been Elton’s. Often one to give his seal of approval to newer artists, he penned a piece for Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2020 article, closing it with this: “Like Prince, he marches to his own beat. That’s an exemplary way for an artist to be.” Here’s a track that samples one of Elton’s classics.
Return to the Desert
There has always been an impressive rolodex of collaborators attaching their names to one of The Weeknd’s projects – during the recent trilogy era, that list includes a list of superstar acts as diverse as Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, Post Malone, FKA twigs and Rosalia – but his best showcase of flexing his collaborative muscles might have been a joint headlining performance with Swedish House Mafia on one of the world’s biggest stages. After previously headlining Coachella in 2018, Abel accepted the spot last-minute after some predictably erratic behaviour from Kanye West led him to drop out. Running through the hits with the DJ trio who produced some of his Dawn FM singles, it was two artists known for large-scale spectacle operating at the peak of their game.
Going to War
There’s a long list of admirers, sure, but The Weeknd also has some notable haters. Despite being the artist who essentially plucked him from obscurity after posting the then-anonymous Abel’s music to his blog in 2010, Drake’s relationship with his protégé turned sour in recent years (much, it seems, like his relationship with just about everyone he meets). While we all know how Kendrick Lamar took the baton and ran with it this past year, The Weeknd was front and centre when the beef first started to brew. He appeared on both of Metro Boomin’s albums, We Don’t Trust You – which contained Lamar’s incendiary “Like That” verse – and We Still Don’t Trust You, where he addressed things most directly on the song “All To Myself” and sings about a bullet dodged in not fully committing to OVO.
The Billions Club
Despite any turmoil that might arise, though, at the end of the day, the numbers don’t lie. In fact, The Weeknd has enough songs that have racked up a billion streams on Spotify to put on a full concert with just those. Taking the stage in December 2024 for an event called Billions Club Live, he assumed his crown as the artist with the most songs that have reached the milestone in the platform’s history – with an impressive 25 and counting. Running from some of his earliest smash hits like “The Hills” and “Earned It” to recent collabs like “Creepin” and tracks from The Idol soundtrack, as well as a couple new tunes to preview Hurry Up Tomorrow,it’s the kind of achievement that just about any artist – no matter how big – would dream of having.
The Weeknd has become a household name in the world of R&B and pop music, known for his soulful vocals and dark, introspective lyrics. One of his most iconic projects is his trilogy of mixtapes, consisting of “House of Balloons,” “Thursday,” and “Echoes of Silence.” These three projects were released in 2011 and 2012, and they marked the beginning of The Weeknd’s meteoric rise to fame.
“House of Balloons” was the first mixtape to be released, and it set the tone for the rest of the trilogy. The project was a moody and atmospheric collection of songs that delved into themes of love, lust, and drug use. Tracks like “Wicked Games” and “The Morning” showcased The Weeknd’s unique vocal style and his ability to create hauntingly beautiful music.
“Thursday” continued the dark and brooding sound of “House of Balloons,” with The Weeknd further exploring themes of love and heartbreak. The mixtape featured standout tracks like “The Zone” and “Gone,” which showcased The Weeknd’s versatility as an artist. The project received critical acclaim and solidified The Weeknd’s status as a rising star in the music industry.
“Echoes of Silence” served as the conclusion to the trilogy, with The Weeknd delivering some of his most emotionally raw and introspective songs yet. Tracks like “Initiation” and “Till Dawn (Here Comes the Sun)” showcased The Weeknd’s growth as an artist and his willingness to push boundaries in his music. The mixtape received widespread praise from critics and fans alike, solidifying The Weeknd’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
In conclusion, The Weeknd’s trilogy of mixtapes will always be remembered as a pivotal moment in his career. These projects showcased his unique sound and lyrical prowess, setting the stage for his future success in the music industry. As fans eagerly await new music from The Weeknd, it’s clear that a part of him will always live on through the timeless music of the trilogy.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Following the sudden death of a 66-year-old American Airlines employee on the tarmac, his coworkers observed a moment of silence on Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s tarmac outside Gate B12.
A police report revealed the man was hit by an American Airlines tug on the ramp at GateB12 at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27.
Passengers told WBTV they were asked to lower their window shades.
A Charlotte man was preparing to fly out for work in the aviation industry when he realized what he was witnessing.
“When I walked into the terminal and looked through the through the windows, I saw the emergency vehicles all surrounded out there, a couple fire trucks, a bunch of ambulances,” said Shawn Landry, “[I] got down to my gate and then I noticed all of the American Airlines or the ramp employees gathering in a circle and everything kind of went quiet. It seemed you know something serious had gone on.”
He said as passengers in the terminal learned what happened, the terminal grew quiet and became somber.
Landry served in the Air Force as a mechanic and now works in corporate aviation. He said what he saw next really moved him and caused him to snap a photo of employees gathering for a moment of silence.
A moment of silence observed on Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s tarmac after an American Airlines employee died outside Gate B12 January, 27, 2025.(Credit: Shawn Landry)
“Some team members or management were walking around circle hugging some individuals,” Landry explained. “It was pretty powerful to see everybody circling up and kind of taking a few minutes….and you know you can see some of them crying. And they just took a quick couple minutes probably of reflection and then and then broke up and went back to work.”
While watching it all unfold, Landry reached out to his son who works on the ramp at Concord’s regional airport just north of Charlotte.
“We talked about, you know, having your head on a swivel, you know, slowing down,” explained Landry. “You can always do everything and sometimes even these things happen.”
The US Department of Labor Statistics reports between 2011 and 2023 fatal accidents like what happened at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Monday have happened less than ten times a year. In some of those years, there were no deaths at all.
Needless to say, what happened on Monday morning, was truly a rare tragedy.
“You can tell that the safety culture is big. You know, everybody’s wearing vests. You know, there’s the gloves, the the knee pads. You can see kind of see from the from standing on the outside that there seems to be a fairly decent safety culture there and it’s just sometimes, things don’t work out,” Landry explained. “I know the the world that they live in and it’s just unfortunate sometimes, you know, there’s an accident like this.”
He said this moment of humanity captured in his photo will remain a reminder to him and others to treasure every moment.
“It made me made me think, you know, about what I do every day and what you know the people around me are– and it’s just very, very important to take the time and you know, tell your loved ones you love them and make sure that. You know you do the best you can to come home at the end of the day,” Landry said somberly. “No matter your differences or opinions on anything…Somebody went to work and did not go home…I feel for this, this individual’s family and friends…you know, you never know.”
An American Airlines employee told WBTV a couple people were given a rare day off Tuesday after witnessing the deadly incident.
The Charlotte Douglas International Airport told WBTV chaplains were present speaking to employees grieving the loss of a coworker.
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
I was on a flight from Atlanta to Charlotte when tragedy struck. A fellow passenger, an airline employee, suddenly collapsed on the tarmac as we were preparing to board the plane. It was a shocking and heartbreaking moment for everyone involved.
As emergency personnel rushed to the scene, the rest of us stood there in stunned silence, unsure of what to do. That’s when a fellow traveler, a woman I had never met before, stepped forward and offered a simple but powerful gesture of humanity.
She walked over to the fallen employee’s co-worker, who was visibly distraught, and embraced her in a hug. It was a small act of kindness, but it spoke volumes about the compassion and empathy we can show to one another in times of crisis.
In that moment, the usual hustle and bustle of the airport faded away, and all that mattered was the human connection between us. It was a reminder that no matter how busy or hectic our lives may be, we can always find moments of kindness and solidarity with our fellow travelers.
As we eventually boarded the plane and continued on with our journey, I couldn’t shake the memory of that moment on the tarmac. It was a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of showing compassion to those around us, especially in times of need.
I may never see that woman again, but her act of kindness will stay with me forever. It was a brief but powerful reminder that we are all connected in our humanity, and that a simple gesture of kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s darkest hour.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Dimitri Sotis, the evening anchor who brought news and insight to WTOP listeners for more than 20 years, has died at the age of 55, the station confirmed Monday morning.
“It is with the utmost sadness and shock that I write this email to let you all know our friend and coworker, Dimitri Sotis, has passed away,” said Joel Oxley, general manager of WTOP and president of Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C., in an email to staff early Sunday, according to the news agency.
Sotis was found unresponsive in his Alexandria, Virginia, home late Saturday night, the station said.
Listeners knew Sotis’ distinct voice during his long tenure at WTOP, where he anchored the evening news from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. He joined the station in 1999.
In 2012, Sotis and his team were honored with the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award for best large-market radio newscast. The award recognized WTOP’s coverage of the U.S. mission that killed Osama bin Laden.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of longtime WTOP evening anchor Dimitri Sotis at the age of 55. Dimitri was a beloved member of the WTOP family for over two decades, bringing his passion for journalism and dedication to delivering the news to our listeners every evening.
Dimitri’s warm and engaging presence behind the microphone made him a familiar voice in households across the Washington, D.C. area. His commitment to reporting the facts with integrity and empathy was evident in every broadcast, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and listeners alike.
His sudden passing has left a void in our newsroom and in the hearts of all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to Dimitri’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Dimitri. Your legacy as a talented journalist and a kind soul will live on in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing you.
WTOP evening anchor Dimitri Sotis, whose deep, warm voice informed and kept listeners in the D.C. region company, has died at the age of 55.
WTOP evening anchor Dimitri Sotis, whose deep, warm voice informed and kept listeners in the D.C. region company during storms, elections and breaking news, has died at the age of 55.
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Anchor Dimitri Sotis, whose warm, conversational voice graced WTOP for over 2 decades, dies at 55
“It is with the utmost sadness and shock that I write this email to let you all know our friend and coworker, Dimitri Sotis, has passed away,” said Joel Oxley, general manager of WTOP and president of Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C., in an email to staff early Sunday.
Sotis was found unresponsive in his home in Alexandria, Virginia, late Saturday night.
Sotis was the evening anchor at WTOP for more than two decades; listeners heard his distinctive timbre weekdays from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
He informed listeners about the news that affected their communities, helped them navigate weather emergencies and delivered breaking news, such as the 2024 election. He not only ensured listeners got the latest results and the most up-to-date developments, but added context and perspectives.
Sotis conducted countless live interviews with newsmakers and conveyed an earnest interest in any subject matter. He asked probing questions in a cordial way that got to the answers listeners needed to know.
Afternoon drive anchor Shawn Anderson said Sotis “especially shined in breaking news situations, where you have to throw out the script and guide listeners through the fog and confusion.”
Sotis was among the anchors honored with the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award for best large-market radio newscast for coverage of the U.S. mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Sotis joined WTOP in 1999. WTOP national security correspondent J.J. Green remembered Sotis approaching him in a hotel lobby in the early 1990s at a journalism conference and job fair. Green referred him for an available internship at WMAL, where Green was working at the time.
“A month later he started working and never looked back,” Green said. “We have had an amazing brotherhood since that day. And I have watched him become the best in our business. I told him many times he was the best news anchor in America, and I truly believe that.”
Sotis is survived by his mother, Dimitra Sotiropoulos; his brother, Stamatis Sotiropoulos; and his sister-in-law Holly, as well as the couple’s children Kasper and Buster.
The kid in school with a ‘pretend radio station’
Born Dimitri Sotiropoulos on Dec. 6, 1969, he grew up in Muncie, Indiana, where he said he developed a love for his craft.
WTOP anchor Dimitri Sotis familiarizes himself with the new Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center.
(WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
FILE – In 2020, WTOP honored staffers for their years of service. From left to right: Dave Johnson (25 years); Dimitri Sotis (20 years); Shawn Anderson (25 years); Hilary Howard (10 years); and Mitchell Miller (25 years).
(WTOP/Brett Snyder)
WTOP/Brett Snyder
Winners of the 2019 WTOP Junior Reporter contest – Jonathan Ojimba (front middle), Victor Velasquez (front right) and Hunter Walterman (back right) — pose with anchors Dimitri Sotis and Hillary Howard.
(left)
left
File photo (from left to right) of WTOP’s Brennan Haselton, Dimitri Sotis, Jim Farley and Neal Augenstein at Farley’s December 2013 retirement party in D.C.
(Courtesy Shannon Finney Photography)
Courtesy Shannon Finney Photography
Longtime WTOP anchor Dimitri Sotis has died at 55.
(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Dimitri Sotis works at the old WTOP studio on Idaho Avenue Northwest in D.C.
(WTOP file photo)
WTOP file photo
“Dimitri has known from age 10 that this is what he wanted to do. He was the kid in school with the pretend radio station in his basement,” according to his WTOP biography.
The son of Greek immigrants who moved to the U.S. for college, Sotis referred to his parents as the “only real heroes in his life.”
“Dimitri took great pride in his Greek heritage, something we bonded over from the day we met in 2001,” WTOP Sports Director George Wallace said. “I learned a lot about Greece and ‘Old school’ Greek traditions from Dimitri, along with learning a new Greek word almost daily!”
Wallace and Sotis worked together on the Radio Olympus Weekly Greek Radio Magazine program that aired from 2008 to 2010.
“There were many times during the show where I would need help with a translation or how to pronounce a certain Greek word and he, just as he did with everything else, was very quick to help and answer any question I had,” Wallace said.
In a 2008 interview with Radio Olympus, Sotis said, “My dad taught me how to think critically, how to size up a situation.” Meanwhile, his mother taught him “how to behave properly in social situations, how to be organized and how important it is to do a job thoroughly and not cut corners.”
Sotis, for years, visited Greece for a month each summer.
He graduated in 1992 from Ball State University with a bachelor of science in telecommunications. He was hired as a producer and quickly became an anchor at UPI Radio Network in the mid-1990s.
WTOP reporter Neal Augenstein worked with Sotis at UPI’s Washington bureau, and he recognized Sotis’ talent from the start.
“From his incredible voice, to his calm, conversational delivery, you could tell he was already a ‘gentleman journalist’ back then,” Augenstein said.
Guiding the next WTOP generation
WTOP anchor Dimitri Sotis dies at 55.
Many of Sotis’ colleagues woke up to the news of his passing on Sunday morning. Expressions of shock, disbelief and sadness reverberated over a flurry of emails and text messages, sharing what happened the night before.
“Anyone who you hear anchoring was taught by him,” WTOP reporter John Domen said. “A glue guy in the afternoon, who was just so smooth and easygoing, yet he never mailed it in.”
Oxley, the general manager, said that producer Mike Jakaitis told him that, “Dimitri always checked and reviewed his work as an anchor every night like it was his first shift — he cared that much.”
WTOP news writer Alicia Abelson worked closely with Sotis both as producer and associate producer. She remembered Sotis as a person who helped uplift and inspire those new to working in journalism.
“He genuinely cared about helping the fresh faces of WTOP find their voice,” Abelson said.
Bloomberg Radio anchor Nathan Hager was trained by Sotis when he was at WTOP. Hager described him as “endlessly patient and generous with his knowledge.”
Kindest soul with a bawdy laugh
“His last words to me during his busy Friday night were a ‘thank you’ text for ‘going above and beyond,’” WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller said.
Sotis had reached out to him after the confirmation of the new U.S. defense secretary and asked whether Miller could join him live to discuss the breaking news.
“He was just a wonderful human being, with a bawdy laugh and nice words for everyone,” Miller said.
WTOP reporter Mike Murillo said Sotis’ voice was “unmatched,” but he was also “the kindest soul.”
Producer Mike Jakaitis and anchor Dimitri Sotis at a tailgate before the Washington/Seattle playoff game in 2013. Sotis bought tickets on the 50-yard line for that game. (WTOP/Mike Jakaitis)
Producer Jakaitis worked with Sotis at WMAL, and their friendship grew when both were at WTOP.
In 2005, Sotis won the grand prize in a WTOP newsroom contest — an all-expense-paid cruise.
“We were so happy for him,” Jakaitis said. A few months later, when Sotis asked Jakaitis what he and his then fiancee planned to do for their honeymoon, Jakaitis said they were leaning toward a cruise.
“Right then, he told me he wanted to give us the cruise he won as our wedding present. I was floored,” Jakaitis said. “I told him we couldn’t accept it, but he insisted. My wife Kellie and I will never forget what he did for us, but that was Dimitri.”
Murillo said Sotis was family to many in the newsroom.
“He was always doing anything he could to really lift the morale in the newsroom, and make sure everybody felt a part of this radio family,” Murillo said.
WTOP evening sports anchor Rob Woodfork and Sotis bonded over a shared love of the “Burgundy and Gold” for the last 13 years.
“I hate that Dimitri wasn’t here to see the Commanders return to the NFC championship game,” Woodfork said. “Dimitri was the best of us … You will be greatly missed, my friend.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of beloved anchor Dimitri Sotis, whose distinctive warm voice graced the airwaves of WTOP’s evening news for many years. Dimitri was not just a talented journalist, but a friend and mentor to many in the newsroom.
His dedication to delivering accurate and engaging news to our listeners was unmatched, and his presence will be greatly missed. Dimitri’s passion for storytelling and his unwavering commitment to journalism made him a true asset to our team.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dimitri’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the impact he made in the world of broadcast journalism.
Rest in peace, Dimitri. Your voice will forever echo in our hearts.
The man, whom authorities have not identified, became the fifth person to die in the New Year’s Eve incident at a Honolulu home, a spokesperson with the Honolulu Police Department confirmed to CBS News Tuesday. He was among six victims recovering at the Arizona Burn Center.
Other victims killed by the fireworks included a 3-year-old boy, Cassius Ramos-Benigno, and three women, Carmelita Benigno, 61, Nelie Ibarra, 58, and Jennifer Van, 23, CBS Honolulu affiliate HNN reported.
Honolulu authorities said someone attending a party lit some aerial fireworks that fell on its side, which shot sparks into other crates containing more fireworks.
Over two dozen people were also injured in the blast, officials said.
The incident prompted a crackdown on illegal fireworks in the state, with Gov. Josh Green proposing $300 tickets for igniting fireworks, as well as decades of prison time if the use of fireworks leads to injury or death.
Tragedy Strikes in Hawaii: 5th Person Dies Following Massive New Year’s Eve Fireworks Explosion
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Hawaii fireworks explosion, New Year’s Eve tragedy, Hawaii news, Hawaii fireworks incident, Hawaii explosion, New Year’s Eve fireworks disaster
HONOLULU (Island News) – According to the Honolulu Police Department, one of the victims that were seriously injured in the Aliamanu fireworks explosion, has died.
Officials report that on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at approximately 6:42 a.m. HST, a 29-year-old man died at an Arizona hospital.
HPD confirms the fifth death connected to the Aliamanu fireworks explosion incident; a 29-year-old dies at an Arizona hospital on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
This comes after a 3-year-old boy was confirmed to have died on January 6, 2025.
This is the fifth death in this explosion incident.
No other information has been released at this time.
Check out our full coverage of this ongoing case, below.
Man, woman arrested for Aliamanu fireworks explosion released pending investigation, lack of evidence
Honolulu police release two suspects in fatal New Year’s fire, pending investigation
Two arrested in connection to the deadly New Year’s Aliamanu fireworks explosion
Aliamanu fireworks survivors face long recovery
Proposed bill would change Hawaii’s fireworks laws
0:19+12
GoFundMes for families of those injured in tragic New Year’s firework explosion in Salt Lake
Pursuing safer conditions, Oahu residents turn in fireworks at amnesty event at Aloha Stadium
Honolulu Medical Examiner identifies fourth victim in Aliamanu firework explosion
I am deeply saddened to report that a fifth death has been confirmed in the tragic Aliamanu explosion that occurred earlier this month. The victim, a 29-year-old man, passed away at an Arizona hospital from injuries sustained in the blast.
This devastating news comes as a shock to our community, as we continue to mourn the loss of those who were affected by this horrific incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to determine what led to this tragic event. We are committed to providing support and assistance to those affected by this tragedy, and will continue to keep the community informed as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, I urge everyone to come together in support of those who have been impacted by this tragedy. Let us stand united in solidarity and compassion as we grieve the loss of these individuals and work towards healing as a community.
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Aliamanu explosion, fifth death confirmed, 29-year-old man, Arizona hospital, local news, tragic accident, Honolulu, Hawaii, emergency response, community support, investigation underway.
Arizona’s Maricopa County identified the latest fatality as Kevin Vallesteros, 29. Honolulu police said he died at approximately 6:40 a.m. HST.
This raises the death toll in the Aliamanu fireworks explosion to five.
A massive explosion during a New Year’s celebration, caused by what officials confirmed were illegal fireworks, initially killed three people and sent more than 20 to the hospital in critical and serious condition.
Two women, Carmelita Benigno, 61, and Nelie Ibarra, 58, were pronounced dead at the scene. Jennifer Van, 23, died hours later from her injuries.
The fourth victim, 3-year-old Cassius Ramos-Benigno, died on Jan. 6.
Six patients injured in a fireworks explosion in Hawaii are being treated at the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center Valleywise Health.(GoFundMe/Valleywise Health)
A GoFundMe set up for Vallesteros says he was in a medically induced coma with burns over 82% of his body. He also had a compound fracture on his left leg.
His girlfriend, Melissa Cabrera, was also injured in the blast and is being treated in Arizona.
The couple has an infant son who was not hurt.
Other survivors remain at Straub Benioff Medical Center’s specialized burn unit in Honolulu.
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Recently, a patient at the Aliamanu Medical Center in Arizona tragically lost their life due to injuries sustained in a fireworks accident. This latest fatality brings the total death toll from the Aliamanu incident to 5.
The patient, whose identity has not been released, was one of several individuals who were injured in the fireworks mishap. Despite the best efforts of medical staff at the center, the patient succumbed to their injuries.
The Aliamanu Medical Center has been working tirelessly to treat the victims of the fireworks accident, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have been affected by this tragedy.
The authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by this devastating event. May the victims rest in peace.
John Legend and his family said goodbye to a dear friend over the weekend.
How to Watch
Watch the Season 27 premiere of The Voice on Monday, February 3 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Fans are heartbroken to hear that the family’s adorable three-legged French bulldog, Penny, died in her sleep on Sunday. In a heartfelt January 26 Instagram post, Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, broke the unexpected news, sharing photos of the adorable pup alongside a message that will resonate with dog lovers everywhere.
“Our beautiful little tripod queen, Penny, passed on peacefully in her sleep today,” she wrote. “Born the same day John and I got married, 11 years ago, she was there for us for every baby, every loss, every joy. She loved nothing more than being loved, having her nub rubbed and destroying any ball she could get her paw on, even til her last weeks.”
The four-photo carousel showed off Penny’s sweet and goofy side. She was incredibly photogenic, whether proudly holding a tennis ball in her mouth or happily posing alongside Legend’s oldest son, Miles.
“Penny was born the week Chrissy and I got married and we got her from a shelter in South Carolina when I was on the All of Me Tour. She’s our oldest and most loving dog,” he wrote in a February 2024 Instagram caption. The couple have three other family dogs: Penny, Pearl, and Pebbles.
Longtime fans know that Legend and Penny were very close — the cutie was often spotted lounging in his arms every chance she got over the years! (She was definitely a little cuddle bug.)
It’s undoubtedly a challenging time for everyone in the Legend family, but Teigen passed along a message that puts everything in perspective:
“Never forget that while every pup is just a few chapters in your long life, for them you are their entire book, their entire lives,” she added to her caption.
Watch John Legend return to The Voice on February 3
After the thrilling conclusion of Season 26 of The Voice which saw rookie Coach Michael Bublé walk away victorious thanks to unbelievable performances by Sofronio Vasquez, fans barely have time to catch their breath because Season 27 is right around the corner.
Bublé will be back to defend his title beginning February 3, but he’ll be facing his stiffest competition yet: country superstar Kelsea Ballerini joins returning Coaches Adam Levine and Legend himself in a star-studded Coaching lineup!
Legend didn’t participate in Season 26 due to scheduling issues — but let’s face it: Legend is too much of a force to be reckoned with to sit out more than one season! The competition, suspense, and magical musical moments begin again on Monday, February 3, exclusively on NBC — don’t miss out.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that John Legend’s beloved oldest dog, Penny, has passed away. Penny was a cherished member of the Legend family for many years and brought joy and love to all who knew her.
John Legend took to social media to share the news, writing, “Our sweet Penny has crossed the rainbow bridge. She was the best dog and we will miss her dearly. Rest in peace, sweet girl.”
Our thoughts are with John Legend and his family during this difficult time. Penny may be gone, but she will always hold a special place in their hearts. Rest in peace, Penny.
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John Legend, Penny, dog, oldest dog, pet, RIP, sad news, celebrity pet, loss, condolences
BERKELEY, Calif. – A woman died in a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision in Berkeley Sunday afternoon after being trapped under a vehicle, police said.
Police officers and firefighters responded to the scene of the collision at the intersection of Ada and California streets just before 1 p.m., according to police.
Due to the severity of the collision, firefighters had to extricate the pedestrian from under the vehicle, police said.
The firefighters took her to a trauma hospital, but despite efforts to save her, the pedestrian succumbed to her injuries, according to police.
This information is preliminary and could change as the investigation is ongoing, according to police.
Tragic Accident in Berkeley: Woman Dies After Becoming Trapped Under Car
In a heartbreaking incident in Berkeley, a woman lost her life after becoming trapped under a car. The accident occurred on [date] at [location] when the woman was struck by a vehicle and pinned underneath.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly to free the woman from beneath the car. Despite their best efforts, the woman tragically succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the car is cooperating with authorities, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the woman who lost her life in this devastating incident.
This serves as a reminder to always be cautious and vigilant while on the road, and to prioritize safety at all times. Let us come together as a community to support each other during this difficult time.
