Buffalo Wild Wings is free to keep calling its popular menu item “boneless wings” after a federal judge dismissed a consumer lawsuit challenging the name.

At the heart of the case was a simple but surprisingly heated question: Are boneless wings really wings—or just chicken nuggets in disguise?

In a detailed ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Tharp made it clear that the terminology does not amount to consumer fraud. Most notably, A judge has ruled that Buffalo Wild Wings can continue marketing its chicken as “boneless.”

The Lawsuit: Nuggets or Wings?

The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 by Illinois resident Aimen Halim. He claimed the restaurant violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act by labeling the item “boneless wings” rather than calling them what he believed they truly are—chicken nuggets.

Halim argued that when he visited a Buffalo Wild Wings location in January 2023, he expected to receive actual chicken wings that had been deboned. Instead, he said he was served pieces of white meat chicken formed and fried—more similar to nuggets. He suggested the company should use alternative names such as “chicken poppers.”

Judge Tharp, however, was not convinced that reasonable consumers would be misled by the wording.

Judge Says Consumers Know What They’re Ordering

In his 10-page opinion, Judge Tharp acknowledged that boneless wings are “essentially chicken nuggets.” But he emphasized that the term “boneless wings” has been widely used in restaurants and grocery stores for more than two decades.

According to the judge, the phrase is a common, everyday menu term—not a technical description requiring detailed interpretation.

He wrote that boneless wings are not a specialty product that demands careful research to understand. Instead, the name has become part of standard restaurant language.

Although Halim was found to have legal standing—because he claimed economic injury—the court determined that he failed to show that reasonable customers are genuinely deceived by the label.

In the judge’s words, Halim did not present enough factual evidence to demonstrate that consumers believe they are getting deboned traditional wings when they order the item.

Reference to Ohio Supreme Court Ruling

Interestingly, Judge Tharp referenced a 2024 ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court to reinforce his reasoning.

That ruling addressed what diners can reasonably expect when reading menu descriptions. The Ohio court pointed out that someone ordering “boneless wings” would not reasonably assume the restaurant is guaranteeing the absence of bones in a literal, anatomical sense—just as a person ordering “chicken fingers” would not expect actual fingers.

The comparison highlighted how certain food terms are understood colloquially rather than literally.

Case Not Entirely Closed

While the judge dismissed the current complaint, the case is not entirely over. Halim has been granted permission to amend his lawsuit by March 20. If he can provide additional details showing that he personally experienced deception or that consumers are generally misled, the court may reconsider aspects of the case.

As of now, Buffalo Wild Wings has not issued a public comment regarding the ruling.

A Broader Food Labeling Debate

This case adds to a growing list of lawsuits challenging food labeling practices—from “all natural” claims to product names that stretch literal definitions.

However, in this instance, the court made it clear: menu language must be interpreted the way ordinary customers understand it, not through hyper-literal definitions.

For now, diners can continue ordering “boneless wings” at Buffalo Wild Wings without any changes to the menu—and without the restaurant needing to rebrand them as nuggets.

A major rescue effort is underway in the Sierra Nevada after Ten skiers are unaccounted for and six others are stranded following an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California. Authorities say the slide struck Tuesday in a popular backcountry skiing area, leaving families anxiously waiting for updates as crews battle severe weather to reach the site.

Avalanche Strikes Popular Backcountry Route

The avalanche occurred near Castle Peak, a well-known backcountry destination northwest of Lake Tahoe and close to the town of Truckee. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, a total of 16 people — including four professional mountain guides and 12 skiers — were caught up in the slide.

Officials confirmed that six individuals survived the avalanche and remained at the scene, awaiting rescue teams navigating dangerous terrain. The remaining 10 skiers were still missing as of Tuesday evening.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation,” said Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff’s office. He added that authorities were in the process of notifying family members of those involved.

Emergency Alerts and Rescue Response

The avalanche was first reported around 11:30 a.m. by a mountain guide service. Around the same time, authorities also received a separate distress signal from an emergency beacon device in the area.

By Tuesday night, approximately 46 rescue personnel were making their way toward the avalanche zone. However, blizzard conditions and unstable snowpack slowed their progress, and they had not yet reached the group by late afternoon.

Officials remained in contact with the stranded skiers through a satellite messaging service, allowing survivors to send text updates while awaiting assistance.

Guided Tour Group Caught in Slide

In a statement released Tuesday evening, Blackbird Mountain Guides confirmed that the affected group included 12 clients and four of its professional guides. The group had been wrapping up a three-day guided backcountry ski trip and was heading back toward the trailhead when the avalanche struck.

They had been staying at Frog Lake Backcountry Huts since Sunday. The company said it is fully cooperating with local authorities and search-and-rescue teams to support ongoing recovery operations.

Survivors Taking Shelter in Harsh Conditions

Rescue officials said the surviving skiers had moved into a wooded area nearby to seek protection from the elements. They were using a tarp to construct a makeshift shelter as they waited for help.

“It’s a very difficult area,” Greene explained. “We have to move carefully to avoid triggering additional avalanches. That risk is significant enough that we’re hesitant to send in snowmobiles.”

The danger of secondary slides remains high, forcing rescuers to proceed cautiously.

Blizzard Conditions Complicate Search

Truckee, a mountain town of roughly 17,000 residents near California’s eastern border with Nevada, has been experiencing severe winter weather. Blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, and whiteout visibility have hampered rescue efforts.

The nearby Boreal Mountain Ski Resort reported nearly 30 inches of fresh snow within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warned that snowfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour were occurring in parts of the Sierra Nevada.

Forecasters cautioned that hazardous road conditions, poor visibility, and whiteout periods would likely continue through the night. Interstate 80 was closed due to near-zero visibility, further complicating emergency response.

“It obviously slowed our response,” Greene said.

Avalanche Warning Had Been Issued

Before the avalanche occurred, the Sierra Avalanche Center had already issued a warning for the Tahoe region due to intense snowfall and unstable snowpack.

The bulletin warned of “HIGH avalanche danger” across backcountry terrain, noting that natural avalanches were likely and human-triggered slides were very likely. Experts also warned that avalanches large enough to bury vehicles or severely damage structures were possible.

Meteorologists were particularly concerned about a storm slab avalanche — a type of slide caused when heavy new snowfall accumulates on top of a weak, sugary layer of older snow left behind after a recent dry period.

The Risks of Backcountry Skiing

Backcountry skiers typically carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes. Avalanche transceivers allow skiers to emit and detect signals in the event someone is buried beneath snow.

During rescue operations, searchers use these devices along with long aluminum probes to pinpoint buried victims. However, time is critical in avalanche situations.

Victims can suffer traumatic injuries during a slide, but suffocation remains the leading cause of death. Survival rates drop sharply after 15 to 20 minutes of burial beneath dense snow.

According to national avalanche data, the United States has averaged approximately 27 avalanche-related deaths per year over the past decade.

A Community on Edge

As night fell over the Sierra Nevada, families of the missing skiers waited for news while rescue teams pushed forward despite dangerous conditions. Authorities emphasized that updates may change as crews reach the site and assess the situation more clearly.

For now, the focus remains on safely locating the missing individuals and bringing the stranded survivors out of the mountains.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of winter storms — and the heightened risks that come with venturing into the backcountry during periods of extreme avalanche danger.

A terrifying scene unfolded at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket on Monday night, when gunfire erupted inside the stands of the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. What began as a celebration quickly turned into chaos — until a quick-thinking spectator intervened.

A man says he seized a firearm and wrestled with the suspect who began shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island, potentially preventing even greater tragedy.

Celebration Turns Into Chaos

Michael Black, 58, had been sitting in the stands with his wife and close friends, cheering on a friend’s son during his high school hockey game. The event was meant to mark “senior night” for the Blackstone Valley Schools cooperative team, which was facing off against the Coventry-Johnston cooperative team.

At first, Black thought the sharp popping sounds were balloons bursting nearby. But when a third pop echoed through the arena, he realized something was terribly wrong.

“All I saw was this person had a gun pointed at the people in the second row,” said Black, who lives in North Smithfield. Without hesitation, he told his wife to run.

A Split-Second Decision

Black said instinct took over. He lunged toward the shooter and grabbed the weapon. During the struggle, his left hand became caught in the slide of the gun, preventing it from firing properly.

“I was on top of him,” Black later recalled, describing the moment he tackled the gunman.

Other spectators quickly joined in, piling on top of the suspect as he attempted to press the trigger again. According to Black, the firearm malfunctioned because his hand blocked its movement.

Authorities identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also reportedly used the first name Roberta. Police said Dorgan fatally shot his ex-wife and their adult son during the attack. Another son, who was playing in the game at the time, was not injured.

Three additional individuals — the ex-wife’s parents and a family friend — were wounded and remained in critical condition following the shooting.

A Second Weapon and a Final Shot

As bystanders restrained him, Dorgan reportedly managed to reach into his jacket and pull out a second firearm.

“He had this scared look on his face,” Black said, recalling the moment.

Before anyone could react, Dorgan used the second gun to take his own life, according to both Black and law enforcement officials.

The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said search warrants were being executed as authorities work to determine what led to the deadly violence.

She credited the swift actions of bystanders with preventing further loss of life, saying their intervention likely saved others in the arena.

An Unthinkable Night on Senior Night

Chief Goncalves emphasized that there had been no warning signs leading up to the incident. Dorgan had attended youth hockey games before, and nothing about the evening suggested impending violence.

“It was their senior night, and there was no expectation or indication that there was going to be any type of violence,” she said during a press conference.

The game, meant to celebrate graduating seniors, instead became a scene of unimaginable heartbreak for families and the broader community.

Picking Up the Pieces

In the aftermath, Black has received an outpouring of support from friends, including firefighters and law enforcement officers. Many have reminded him that emotional recovery will take time.

Still, Black is determined not to let the incident define his future. He has a planned college visit with his son and refuses to cancel it.

“This guy has disrupted so many lives,” Black said. “I made the decision he’s not going to disrupt mine.”

A retired business owner with no prior experience in confronting violence, Black praised the rapid response of Pawtucket police officers, first responders, ambulance crews, and hospital staff.

He recalled a quiet, emotional moment at the hospital when a nurse asked how he was doing. Tears welled up in both their eyes.

“It was just a moment that helped,” Black said softly. “I was human again.”

The tragedy at Dennis M. Lynch Arena has left a deep mark on the community in Pawtucket. Yet amid the sorrow, the bravery of ordinary citizens like Michael Black stands as a reminder of how courage and quick action can make the difference between life and death.

Peru’s Congress removes the president over undisclosed meetings tied to China, deepening the political instability that has defined the Andean nation for nearly a decade. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted to remove President José Jerí just four months after he took office, marking yet another dramatic leadership change in the country.

The vote was decisive: 75 legislators supported his removal, 24 opposed it, and three abstained. The decision makes Jerí the third consecutive Peruvian president to be forced from office and paves the way for the country’s eighth president in just eight years.

A Swift and Decisive Vote

Jerí’s removal did not follow the traditional impeachment route, which requires a supermajority in Peru’s 130-member Congress. Instead, lawmakers used a censure mechanism — a process requiring only a simple majority — to strip him of his role as head of Congress. Because Jerí had ascended to the presidency as part of his role in Congress, losing that title automatically ended his presidency.

Jerí has publicly stated that he will respect the outcome of the vote.

The next step now falls to Congress. Legislators are set to elect a new head of Congress, who will automatically assume the presidency under Peru’s constitutional framework. Current congressional leader Fernando Rospigliosi, who would typically be next in line, has declined to take on the role, leaving lawmakers to select a new figurehead.

The “Chifagate” Scandal

At the heart of the controversy is what local media has dubbed “Chifagate,” referencing “chifa,” a popular Peruvian term for Chinese restaurants.

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The scandal erupted after Jerí was filmed entering a restaurant late at night, reportedly wearing a hood, to meet with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang. Yang is known to own retail outlets and holds a concession connected to an energy project in Peru. The meeting was never publicly disclosed, raising concerns about transparency and potential influence-peddling.

Critics argued that the secrecy surrounding the encounter undermined public trust, particularly in a country already weary of corruption allegations.

Ruth Luque, one of the lawmakers who supported Jerí’s removal, said the country needs a leader who prioritizes public safety and transparency over hidden dealings.

“We want to end this agony,” she said, calling for a transition free from secret interests and shadowy negotiations. “Citizens deserve clarity and security — not backroom agreements.”

A Familiar Cycle of Instability

Jerí’s fall follows the removal of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, who was ousted in October amid corruption scandals and mounting public frustration over rising crime. At the time, Jerí was serving as head of Congress and stepped into the presidency due to the absence of a vice president.

This pattern of rapid leadership turnover has become alarmingly common in Peru. Political analyst Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, suggested that electoral calculations — not necessarily principle — may have driven the decision.

“There’s little sign of higher ideals here,” Shifter observed. “Many lawmakers likely concluded that backing Jerí could damage their electoral prospects, so they acted.”

With national elections scheduled for April 12, political maneuvering is intensifying. The presidential field is already crowded, and polling indicates that a significant portion of voters remain undecided.

Echoes of Past Crises

Peru has faced similar constitutional upheavals before. In 2020, Francisco Sagasti rose to the presidency after being selected by Congress during a period of mass protests that followed Manuel Merino’s brief five-day tenure.

The current transition mirrors that earlier episode, highlighting how Congress has repeatedly become the central force in reshaping Peru’s executive leadership.

Public Distrust and Political Calculations

While lawmakers argue that removing Jerí was necessary to preserve integrity and restore public trust, critics say the repeated removals have eroded confidence in democratic institutions.

Peru’s Congress itself remains deeply unpopular, often accused of prioritizing political survival over long-term reforms. Crime and corruption continue to rank among voters’ top concerns, yet frequent leadership changes leave little time for meaningful governance.

With yet another interim president poised to take office, many Peruvians are questioning whether the cycle will finally break — or simply repeat itself once again.

Economic Stability Amid Political Chaos

Despite the political turbulence, Peru’s economy has shown surprising resilience. The mining-driven economy recorded 3.4% growth in 2025, while inflation remained relatively low at 1.7%. These figures suggest that economic fundamentals have so far remained insulated from the political drama unfolding in Lima.

Still, prolonged instability carries risks. Investors and citizens alike may grow wary if leadership uncertainty continues, particularly as election season approaches.

What Comes Next?

As Congress prepares to choose a new leader who will temporarily guide the country until elections, Peru stands at another crossroads. The upcoming vote will not only determine the next interim president but could also shape the tone of the April 12 elections.

For many Peruvians, the pressing question is not simply who will lead next — but whether the nation can finally escape a decade-long cycle of political upheaval and restore stability to its democratic institutions.

In a significant development for global media, Radio Free Asia announces that it has resumed its broadcasts to China, marking a comeback after severe funding disruptions last year forced the U.S.-backed outlet to scale down much of its operations.

The organization’s leadership confirmed Tuesday that programming aimed at audiences inside China is once again on air. The return follows months of uncertainty that began when funding cuts under the Trump administration dramatically impacted the broadcaster’s ability to operate.

A Sudden Halt and Political Controversy

For years, Radio Free Asia (RFA) and its sister networks — including Voice of America (VOA) — were financed through congressional allocations. Oversight was provided by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal body responsible for supporting U.S. international broadcasting efforts.

However, in 2024, Kari Lake, a former news anchor appointed by Donald Trump as acting CEO of USAGM, terminated the grants that sustained RFA and related outlets. She cited concerns about alleged misuse of taxpayer funds and claims of political bias.

The move sparked immediate backlash. Media advocates and bipartisan lawmakers warned that cutting support for U.S.-funded international broadcasters could weaken America’s global voice — particularly as China expands its state-backed media presence worldwide. The funding cuts resulted in widespread layoffs and temporary shutdowns across several platforms.

Leadership Confirms Comeback

RFA President and CEO Bay Fang shared the news of the network’s revival in a public statement, expressing pride in restoring broadcasts in Mandarin, Tibetan, and Uyghur.

According to Fang, the restart became possible through private contracting arrangements for transmission services. While she did not provide specific details about the agreements, she emphasized that long-term sustainability would depend on consistent congressional funding moving forward.

The outlet now delivers some of the only independent reporting available in these languages, particularly in regions where press freedom is heavily restricted.

Funding Restored — But at a Lower Level

Earlier this month, President Trump signed a bipartisan spending bill allocating $653 million to USAGM. While this figure is lower than the $867 million appropriated annually in the previous two years, it is significantly more than the $153 million originally requested by Trump to wind down the agency entirely.

Lawmakers from both major political parties argued that dismantling U.S. international media outlets would undermine Washington’s global influence at a time when Beijing is increasing its international media footprint.

Beijing Responds

A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington declined to weigh in on what he described as U.S. domestic policy decisions. However, he criticized RFA’s reporting record, alleging longstanding bias against China.

Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu accused the broadcaster of spreading misinformation and urged American media outlets to provide what he characterized as more balanced coverage of China and U.S.-China relations.

Notably, Chinese state media had previously welcomed the funding reductions last year.

A Long History of Investigative Reporting

Human rights advocates argue that RFA has played a crucial role for decades in highlighting alleged abuses in China and other authoritarian nations. The outlet has reported extensively on sensitive issues, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims and restrictions on civil liberties.

On Friday, RFA spokesperson Rohit Mahajan confirmed that the organization has secured private broadcasting arrangements not only for China but also for audiences in Tibet, North Korea, and Myanmar.

Currently, RFA’s Mandarin-language audio programming is available online, with plans to resume over-the-air broadcasting soon. Tibetan, Uyghur, Korean, and Burmese radio programming has already returned via short- and medium-wave frequencies. However, satellite transmissions that were previously supported by USAGM have not yet restarted.

Looking Ahead

The revival of RFA’s broadcasts underscores the ongoing debate over the role of government-funded international media. While the restored funding offers a lifeline, the reduced budget means rebuilding will take time.

Still, with Radio Free Asia announces that it has resumed its broadcasts to China, the organization signals a renewed commitment to delivering independent reporting in regions where access to uncensored information remains limited.