A judge presiding over the New York state case against Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ruled on Monday that some evidence gathered by law enforcement cannot be presented to a jury. The decision came during a hearing that also drew attention for events outside the courthouse.

Molly Crane-Newman, a reporter for the New York Daily News, recorded video of several attendees making incendiary statements to the press. One attendee, Lena Weissbrot, claimed that Thompson's children were "better off without him" and that they "needed to learn to not be like their dad." Thompson was fatally shot in December 2024.

Another individual, who identified themselves only as Ashley, also made remarks that were captured on video. The content of Ashley's statements was not detailed in the report. The judge's evidentiary ruling and the courthouse comments mark the latest developments in a case that has drawn significant public attention.

The murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, occurred in December 2024. Luigi Mangione was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The case is being handled in New York state court.

Monday's hearing addressed the admissibility of evidence collected by police during their investigation. The judge determined that certain pieces of evidence could not be shown to a jury, though the specific items or their nature were not disclosed in the ruling.

The video recorded by Crane-Newman outside the courthouse has since circulated, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the case. The remarks from attendees have sparked discussion about the public's reaction to the high-profile murder.

Mangione's legal team has not publicly commented on the judge's evidentiary ruling. The prosecution is expected to proceed with the remaining evidence as the case moves toward trial. No trial date has been set.

The hearing took place on May 18, 2026, as noted by the pool photograph credit. The case continues to unfold in New York state court, with further proceedings anticipated.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is bringing his office to the streaming platform Twitch with a new series titled "Talk with the People." The show will feature Mamdani responding to questions submitted by viewers through the chat feature, according to a report from Polygon. The first episode is scheduled to air later today at 4PM ET.

Mamdani described the initiative as a way to meet New Yorkers where they already spend their time online. "With the launch of 'Talk with the People' we're bringing City Hall to the platforms where New Yorkers already are - speaking directly with the people," he told Polygon in a written statement.

The series is being billed as the first recurring cross-platform stream hosted by an elected official in the United States. Mamdani emphasized that the live format on Twitch will allow for a direct line of communication between the mayor and residents.

During the streams, Mamdani plans to address a range of topics submitted by the audience. The interactive nature of Twitch's chat function will enable real-time engagement, with the mayor fielding questions as they come in.

The move marks a notable expansion of Mamdani's digital outreach strategy. By leveraging a platform popular among younger demographics, the mayor aims to increase accessibility to city governance.

"Talk with the People" will stream on Mamdani's official Twitch channel. The schedule for future episodes has not been announced, but the series is expected to continue on a recurring basis.

Mamdani's office confirmed that the streams will also be shared across other social media platforms to maximize reach. The first episode airs today at 4PM ET on Twitch.

Google announced a new YouTube Shorts Remix feature that leverages Gemini Omni to allow users to creatively reimagine existing clips. The update introduces a "reimagine" option when users click the remix icon at the bottom of a YouTube Short. This tool enables prompts that transform videos into various styles, including pixel art, anime, or found-footage horror films. Users can also modify content by inflating heads, inserting background actors, dressing people in pirate costumes, or even placing themselves into the clip. Creators retain control over whether their videos can be reimagined, with an option to enable or disable the feature. This move expands YouTube's remix capabilities, which previously focused on simple editing and collaboration. The feature is rolling out to users gradually, with availability on both mobile and desktop platforms. Google has not specified a full release date but confirmed the feature is live for some users now.

Status AI, a startup aiming to reimagine social media as interactive entertainment, announced Tuesday it has secured $17 million in combined seed and Series A funding. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Y Combinator, LightShed Ventures, and Abstract. The company plans to use the capital to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development.

The platform, currently in beta, moves beyond the traditional feed-based model by offering users a gamified experience where they can create and participate in interactive content. Status AI describes its product as a "new kind of social entertainment" that blends elements of social media, gaming, and live events. Users can build custom avatars, join virtual spaces, and engage in real-time activities such as trivia, polls, and challenges.

Co-founder and CEO Alex K. said the inspiration came from observing how people increasingly seek more engaging and participatory online experiences. "The passive scroll is giving way to active play," he said. "We're building a platform where social interaction is the entertainment itself, not just a backdrop." The company has been testing the platform with a small group of users since late 2024.

Status AI's approach differs from conventional social networks by prioritizing real-time, synchronous interactions over asynchronous content sharing. The platform features "rooms" where users can gather for live games, watch parties, or collaborative storytelling. A proprietary recommendation engine surfaces activities based on user preferences and social graph data.

The funding round includes $5 million in seed financing raised earlier this year and a $12 million Series A closed in December. General Catalyst partner Niko Bonatsos said the firm was drawn to Status AI's vision of making social media "more fun and less passive." He added, "The team has a strong track record in gaming and social products, which gives us confidence in their ability to execute."

Status AI plans to launch publicly in the second quarter of 2025. The company will initially focus on the U.S. market, with a mobile-first experience available on iOS and Android. A web version is also in development. The platform will be free to use, with monetization expected through virtual goods, premium rooms, and brand partnerships.

"We're not trying to replace social media entirely," Alex K. said. "We're offering an alternative for moments when you want to do something together, not just watch what others are doing." The company has 15 employees and is hiring for engineering, design, and community management roles.

Status AI's announcement comes amid a broader shift toward interactive and immersive social experiences, with competitors like Discord and Roblox also vying for users' time. However, Status AI differentiates itself by focusing on short-form, drop-in activities rather than persistent worlds or long-form communication. The company believes this approach lowers the barrier to participation and encourages spontaneous social connection.

The $17 million funding round closed in December 2024, with the company disclosing the details on Tuesday. Status AI is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded in 2023 by Alex K. and a team of former gaming and social media executives.