A Texas woman convicted of killing a professional cyclist as part of a love triangle has been sentenced to 90 years in prison. Kaitlin Marie Armstrong‚ 35‚ was sentenced on Friday to the lengthy prison term for fatally shooting Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson in Austin‚ Texas‚ back in May 2022. The same Travis County jury that found Armstrong guilty deliberated for about three hours before recommending 90 years in prison. Judge Brenda Kennedy accepted the recommendation. “Other than the prosecution team‚ there really are no winners here‚” the victim’s father said after the sentencing was handed down‚ according to NBC News. “This is not a time for celebration but a time for prayer‚ a time to pray for our family‚ her friends and [the] Armstrong family and their friends.” Armstrong killed Wilson because the professional cyclist had briefly dated Armstrong’s on-again-off-again boyfriend while the two were on a break. Armstrong’s ex-boyfriend‚ professional cyclist Colin Strickland‚ testified at the trial about Armstrong’s jealousy and their “tumultuous” relationship. Strickland said that he once loved Armstrong but wasn’t sure about a long-term relationship with her‚ which caused tension. The couple lived together even though they took breaks in their relationship‚ ABC News reported. During these breaks‚ Strickland said‚ Armstrong would confront him if she found out he was talking to other women. In October 2021‚ Strickland met Wilson at a cycling race in Bentonville‚ Arkansas. He testified that he and Armstrong broke up shortly after the race. Strickland began dating Wilson when she was in Austin for a race. He then learned that Armstrong had confronted the other woman about the relationship‚ which Strickland said was “strange and unnerving” since he didn’t remember telling Armstrong about Wilson. When Wilson left Austin for another race‚ she and Strickland stopped dating but remained friends. Strickland and Armstrong got back together by December 2021. During this time‚ he would text with Wilson on a “professional” basis – discussing gear‚ races‚ and sponsorship opportunities‚ he said. But to “avoid conflict” with Armstrong‚ Strickland testified that he deleted his messages with Wilson and changed her name in his phone to “Christine Wall.” On May 11‚ 2022‚ Strickland met with Wilson‚ who was in Austin again for a race. The two went swimming‚ ate burgers‚ and drank beer before he dropped her off at a friend’s house. He didn’t tell Armstrong about his day with Wilson but knew Armstrong had access to his Apple account and was able to view his messages with her. The next day‚ police arrived at Strickland’s home to tell him Wilson had been murdered. He was brought in for questioning‚ but police soon turned their attention to Armstrong. An affidavit filed in relation to the federal case against Armstrong described evidence that Armstrong had committed the murder. “According to a witness‚ Armstrong expressed a desire to kill [Wilson] in January 2022‚ based on a personal grievance toward [Wilson]‚” the affidavit said‚ according to the Boston Globe. “A surveillance camera recorded what appears to be Armstrong’s vehicle near the scene of [Wilson’s] murder at the approximate time the murder occurred.” CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE The filing also said that a pistol belonging to Armstrong had been retrieved from her home during a search and that “Laboratory test-firing of Armstrong’s pistol confirmed that it fired the spent shell casings that [Austin police] found at the scene of the murder.” Wilson was a star skier through college before switching to cycling and gravitating toward “gravel racing‚” described as a sport sitting between road cycling and mountain biking. She was favored to win a 157-mile race on May 14 but was shot and killed days earlier‚ on May 11. Police quickly honed in on Armstrong and brought her in for questioning. Days later‚ on May 14‚ Armstrong flew from Austin‚ Texas‚ where Wilson was killed‚ to Houston‚ and then from Houston to LaGuardia Airport in New York. From there‚ she traveled to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and then flew to San Jose‚ Costa Rica. A homicide warrant for Armstrong’s arrest was issued on May 18‚ the day she flew to Costa Rica. On May 25‚ a federal warrant charged her with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Armstrong was found at a hostel in Santa Teresa Beach in Provincia de Puntarenas‚ the Globe reported.

Raccoons steal more than just our trash: when they let their personalities show‚ they also steal our hearts! Videos from River Bandit Wildlife Rescue demonstrate just how loveable raccoons can be‚ especially when they feel safe and secure. The nonprofit’s TikTok page is filled with adorable clips of these four-legged troublemakers enjoying a life of leisure. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite raccoons being cute below! It’s important to remember that‚ while the raccoons in these videos may look cute and cuddly‚ it’s never a good idea to approach one of these creatures in the wild. Staff members at River Bandit Wildlife Rescue are trained professionals who know how to handle these animals. Let’s just leave the raccoon wrangling to them! 1. Who could resist that face? @greenewildlife Orphan Baby Raccoon #riverbanditwildliferescue #raccoons #wildlife #rescue ♬ Rescue – Lauren Daigle 2. If at first you don’t succeed… @greenewildlife Keep going #riverbanditwildliferescue #raccoons #wildlife #rescue ♬ Come and Get Your Love – Redbone 3. That’s one relatable raccoon! @greenewildlife Too Hot To Care! #HottRaccoonSummer #raccoon #sunsoutbunsout #wildlife #riverbanditwildliferescue ♬ original sound – River Bandit Wildlife Rescue 4. He might have gotten some on his face… @greenewildlife Funny Wildlife #Raccoons Bella&;Bailey ♬ original sound – River Bandit Wildlife Rescue 5. Who’s up for a pool party? @greenewildlife Wildlife Fun! #riverbanditwildliferescue #raccoons #summertime ♬ Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice We hope these adorable raccoons brighten your day as much as they brightened ours! Raccoons being cute can improve just about any mood‚ so share with someone who needs a boost! You can find the source of this story’s featured images here and here. The post 5 Times Raccoons Won Us Over With Their Charisma: WATCH appeared first on InspireMore.

The bond between a woman and her horse is palpable. But the bond between a woman’s horse and a baby? Absolutely unmatched. This horse-loving mom has brought her baby to meet her horse and her equine friend was instantly obsessed. This image is from TikTok. As the clip goes on‚ you can see the horse sticking her face as close to the baby as she could. Mom had to butt in there‚ but the intent was clearly loving! Her horse is protective and loving‚ immediately adopting this sweet baby as one of her new family members. Hundreds of thousands of folks have fawned over this adorable clip of the horse and her new best friend. The comment section is full of oos and aaahs. “The horse and baby are absolutely adorable!! She is so protective of the baby! She is like ‘Girl you better stop‚ that baby is all mine!'” said one fan‚ totally understanding where the horse was coming from. “Omg love this!! My in-laws horses donkey and all her farm animals are this way with our 1 year old!! They love our girls especially the baby‚” said another viewer‚ relating to the sentiment. This duo is unbelievably precious. They’re a true testament to the way that friendship can conquer all barriers. Regardless of age or species‚ this horse has this child’s back for forever! @kierandonalds0n Its her world and we’re just in it. #horse#baby#momsoftiktok#equestrian#funny#mare#equine#horses#horsesoftiktok ♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger The featured image for this post is from TikTok. The post Woman Has A Baby And Her Horse Instantly Becomes Obsessed. appeared first on InspireMore.

There is almost nothing on Earth more enjoyable than watching kids accomplish new feats. This compilation of kids taking their first steps is seriously as cute as it gets. These kiddos were surrounded by support when they took their first official trot. Celebrate with these families watching their little ones take their first steps! Click through these videos for an incredible reminder of where we all start. It’s hard to believe we were once so small! Just take a gander at these cute kids first steps: 1. Watching the dad’s facial expressions makes this video so stinkin’ cute. @mamaechthe2nd Can’t believe we just witnessed our son taking his first steps. Love this kid #fyp #blacktiktok #family #boymom #firstimemom #firststeps ♬ Moments We Live For – Acoustic Version – In Paradise 2. Watch Millie accomplish a milestone in style! @themisterfamily Just when we thought she couldnt get any cuter #babylove #milestones #babywalking #babysfirst #parentsoftiktok #momsoftiktok #dadsoftiktok #babiesoftiktok #parenthood #familytiktok ♬ Love – Revember 3. This cozy baby was on the move! @_jademeadows Im emotional @ZackTTG ♬ original sound – . 4. This little lady just had to get to her dad! @amandanichols6 She took her first steps and she was walking to her daddy! So awesome! #walking #firststeps #baby #mybabygirl ♬ original sound – Amanda Nichols 5. I think these first steps count! @alexiadarby Would you consider those his first steps? #auntiesbelike #babiesfirststeps #fyp #fypã‚· #9monthsold #nephewlove #foryou ♬ 3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb) – Russ How incredible! These little goobers are pretty amazing. What a joy to watch them learn! The featured images for this post are from TikTok (here and here). The post These 5 Kids Just Took Their First Steps And Everyone’s Celebrating! appeared first on InspireMore.

Have you ever wanted to do something nice for someone but worried that they might not actually like it? Here’s a story that might change your mind next time! A woman on Tumblr recently shared a post about a handmade gift for a coworker that ended up going over way better than she expected. However‚ she almost decided not to give it to her! She gifted her pregnant coworker a handmade blanket‚ but was concerned about the gift. “I made a baby blanket for a pregnant woman at work and I went back and forth about it like‚ ‘is this weird? To like hand make something for someone when we’re like friendly acquaintances not like bffs‚'” wrote the original poster. Photo by freestocks on Unsplash Despite her fears‚ the woman ended up presenting the blanket to her coworker after all. She wasn’t expecting to get a picture of the newborn baby wrapped snugly in her gift! “Wow. She loved it so much she took it with her! To the hospital! To give birth!” concluded the post. “People will love the things you make them. Because you thought of them and you cared.” You can read the original post here‚ but please be aware that it contains NSFW language. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post “Is This Weird?” Mom-To-Be Cherishes Surprising Gift From Work Acquaintance. appeared first on InspireMore.

Every day‚ the InspireMore team works to share positive‚ uplifting stories from around the world — but this doesn’t mean we want to ignore the tragedies of the world. Rather‚ we aim to shine a light on those very stories in a way that raises both awareness and hope. That is why we’re collaborating with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF). With a focus on changing the lives of the most vulnerable communities around the world‚ we’re happy to spread the word about their life-changing work. We’ve already shared a few of their stories‚ and today I’m here to share another. This one is about a young woman we’ll call Natalie‚ though her name has been changed for her protection. Like far too many others‚ she and her brother were sold for sex when they were still children‚ something their parents did to support their drug addiction. For Natalie‚ this began at around 4 or 5 years old. Annie Spratt/Unsplash Each time she and her brother were taken out of their home by social services‚ they were sent back. Natalie would endure being trafficked for sex until the end of high school. Despite her struggles in school‚ she graduated. And with the help of a teacher‚ she earned a college scholarship. But Natalie’s past was always right behind her. She suffered from depression‚ anxiety‚ PTSD‚ and disassociation. She found an escape through alcohol‚ and her classes became too much. She tried to become independent‚ but her family drained her of any resources she had to do so. Kristina Tripkovic/Unsplash And so she enlisted in the military. She excelled briefly but was eventually put on mental health leave for depression and alcohol abuse. Without a job and living in her car with her dog‚ Natalie was desperate for help. That’s when two older men offered her a helping hand. They set her up in their house in a middle-class neighborhood. She was promised a room and food until she got on her feet. But as soon as the door to her room shut‚ they made her a prisoner. sebastiaan stam/Unsplash For months‚ Natalie was not allowed out of the room‚ even to use the bathroom or shower. She was fed alcohol for days at a time. Buyers of sex and drugs abused her endlessly. Then‚ one day‚ she was allowed out for a sandwich. Her captors assumed she’d be too weak to escape‚ but she ran with every bit of energy she still had in her body. She made it outside before she fell to the ground and vomited. Neighbors took notice and called 911. This is the moment Natalie’s life changed for the better. Stephen Andrews/Unsplash A social worker at the hospital she was taken to identified Natalie as a trafficking victim‚ admitting her into a residential recovery program. Since then‚ she’s become certified by a nursing program and is working to get her associate’s degree. Natalie works at the same hospital that saved her life. Natalie’s story gives us hope. But as Tim Tebow points out in a video sharing her story‚ there are 40 million stories like hers‚ and not all of them turn out well. That’s why TTF partners with organizations both in and outside of the United States to tackle human trafficking and child exploration in three ways: Prevention‚ Rescue‚ and Survivor Care. YouTube In taking a thorough approach‚ TTF is able to not only help those who are currently being trafficked‚ as was the case for Natalie‚ but they can also prevent others from even reaching that point. You can learn more about their work to end human trafficking and child exploitation on the TTF website. There is no singular person or group who can single-handedly help survivors like Natalie. But in supporting organizations like TTF‚ who work tirelessly with those on the same mission‚ countless lives can be saved. Before you go‚ watch this video to learn more about Natalie’s story. Help Tim Tebow Foundation fight for the Most Vulnerable People around the world living in chaos and crisis. Join the Fight! Help Tim Tebow Foundation fight for the Most Vulnerable People around the world living in chaos and crisis.Donate Now The post At 4 Yrs Old‚ Natalie Became A Sex Trafficking Victim — Now‚ She’s A Survivor. appeared first on InspireMore.

A golden retriever wandered into the show area during a professional Taekwondo demonstration. While onlookers were enthralled by the flying kicks‚ sticks‚ breaking boards‚ and synergistic choreographed moves‚ the golden retriever only had one thing on his mind watching the Taekwondo performance… “STICKS! OMG‚ flying sticks! OH BOY‚ OH BOY‚ OH BOY!!!” Or at least‚ that’s what we think his inner monologue was saying. Image from TikTok. The overjoyed golden retriever bounced all around the demonstration area. As each new board sent sticks flying from well-placed kicks‚ the happy dog tried to catch them all. The demo was fast-paced‚ and the golden got an intense workout. Image from TikTok. The golden was busy waiting and watching as the professionals set up for each new trick. The boards were flying so fast‚ and with such force the poor pup never managed to wrangle one. Trying to be everywhere all at once‚ the golden flew around the mats in a flurry of energy. Image from TikTok. The performers leaped‚ spun‚ kicked‚ and flipped spectacularly. Image from TikTok. While it was a fantastic Taekwondo demonstration‚ our eyes were on the golden retriever‚ trying to grab all the sticks. Watch the hilarity below! @sovjetdogs Trying to catch the sticks #dogs ♬ original sound – Dog Videos You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Golden Retriever Makes The Best Taekwondo Partner: WATCH appeared first on InspireMore.

How do you entertain yourself when you’re feeling under the weather? This dog seems to enjoy licking the windows of his recovery area! A vet tech named Gabby on TikTok recently shared a hilarious video of one of her patients enjoying this unusual activity after surgery. Footage of the dog with his face pressed up against the glass with his tongue hanging out has gone viral online! I mean when a dog licks the window at a vet’s office with that face‚ you can’t help but stare! “T is in the hospital with us while he recovers from his surgery‚” reads the caption. “His favorite way to pass the time is licking the windows while staring at everyone.” Screengrab from @spicy.spectre/TikTok Gabby has uploaded several videos of the dog’s bizarre habit with a variety of different audios. Her most popular post has reached over 50 million views! Watch the video below to see the goofy pup that the internet is falling in love with. @spicy.spectre Part 2 since everyone loves the first one so much here’s a little backstory: T is in the hospital with us while he recovers from his surgery. His favorite way to pass the time is licking the windows while staring at everyone the last two videos are donated graciously from the person tagged #vetmed #vetmedlife #animals #funny ♬ Mii Music but It Makes You Uncomfortable – lukeitslukas You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Loopy Dog Hilariously Mauls Window At Vet’s Office: WATCH appeared first on InspireMore.