CNN

By Alisha Ebrahimji, Caroll Alvarado, CNN

(CNN) — Hours before a destructive arson fire at the oldest synagogue in Mississippi, the 19-year-old suspect posted an antisemitic meme on Instagram, an account that appears to belong to him shows.

Stephen Spencer Pittman, identified by the FBI as the person responsible for an early-morning fire Saturday at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, attacked the historic site – leaving its walls severely charred and forcing it to close indefinitely – “due to (the) building’s Jewish ties,” according to an FBI criminal complaint.

By evening, the 19-year-old was arrested at a hospital and charged with “arson of property used in interstate commerce or used in an activity affecting interstate commerce” after his father called the bureau, saying his son confessed to him, the complaint filed Monday said. If convicted, Pittman could face between five and 20 years in prison, the Department of Justice said in a news release.

CNN has reached out to Pittman’s family and attorney for comment.

Here’s what we know about the teen:

An academically gifted baseball player

As a student, Pittman was a high achiever. He made honor roll in high school at St. Joseph Catholic School in nearby Madison more than once and his grades in college earned him a spot on a National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Team, which recognizes student-athletes for their academic commitment.

“The actions attributed to the accused individual are senseless, reprehensible, and wholly incompatible with the values taught by the Catholic Church and upheld in our Catholic schools,” the high school told CNN on Tuesday of its former student, without mentioning Pittman by name. The school said it stands in solidarity with Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish community.

After high school, Pittman attended and played baseball at Coahoma Community College in northwest Mississippi, its president, Valmadge T. Towner, told CNN.

“We condemn hate crimes and acts of violence in all forms,” Towner wrote in a statement.

A Facebook post made by the college in January 2025 described the suspect as a freshman outfielder majoring in biology.

What technology and social media tells us

Surveillance footage from inside the building shows the fire was started early Saturday by someone in a hooded sweatshirt holding a gasoline container, the complaint says.

While at the building, Pittman texted his father a photo of the back of Beth Israel Congregation with the following messages: “There’s a furnace in the back,” “Btw my plate is off,” “Hoodie is on,” and “And they have the best cameras,” according to the complaint.

Over text, Pittman’s father pleaded for him to return home but the teen replied he was due for a “homerun” and “I did my research.”

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week.

We will remain in the high 70s through Thursday and Friday, with mostly clear conditions through Saturday.

Cooling and more clouds arrive on Sunday and Monday.

We will return to the 60s next Tuesday.

Any end-of-month rain chances will not show up until after the 21st.

A wind advisory is in effect for Ventura County until Wednesday afternoon with Santa Ana gusts up to 45mph.

The post Toasty Wednesday, warm through the weekend appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Hellame // Shutterstock

The “winter blues” are real. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects roughly 5% of U.S. adults, and nearly 4 in 10 people say their mood reliably tanks in winter. Less sunlight, shorter days, and melatonin going into overdrive all play a role.

While SAD may be a convenient scapegoat for every low mood between November and March, its symptoms—like fatigue, irritability, low motivation—can also be driven by hormone imbalances.

“Hormonal changes affect serotonin, dopamine, sleep, metabolism—essentially all the systems people assume are disrupted by winter,” says Natalie Kunsman, M.D., an integrated health advisor and physician specializing in family medicine, regenerative medicine, and hormonal health in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “So anytime someone struggles with low mood, hormones should always be part of the diagnostic conversation.”

Hone Health explores the connection between seasonal affective disorder and hormonal imbalances.

SAD 101: Why Winter Hits Like a Ton of Wet Snow

SAD is a subtype of depression with a fairly predictable pattern. Symptoms typically emerge in late fall, peak in winter, and improve as daylight returns. The usual drivers include shorter days disrupting circadian rhythm, seasonal drops in serotonin activity (less light hitting the retina alters brain chemistry), and increased melatonin production (darkness extends the time your body spends producing it).

These shifts explain classic SAD symptoms: low energy, heavier sleep, Read more

RecCameraStock // Shutterstock

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is sometimes flung around casually in conversation. But it’s more than just feeling sad when the winter and darker days set in.

SAD is classified as a major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. About 25% of people living with serious mental health conditions, including SAD, deal with addiction.

Similarly, if you have bipolar disorder, symptoms of depression may worsen seasonally. Women are also more likely to develop SAD. Professional support can help you manage the overlapping symptoms of SAD and SUD. In this article, Rula covers the relationship between the two disorders.

Key Takeaways

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and substance use disorder (SUD) often co-occur.
• Wintertime and diminishing light can bring on SAD symptoms.
• A mix of social and professional support can help treat SAD and SUD.

Can weather impact SUD?

As you experience fewer daylight hours and colder temperatures, you might find yourself often having a drink after work or frequently visiting bars with friends. This isn’t your imagination. A study found that, globally, as temperatures and the hours of sunlight decrease, drinking goes up.

Drinking can also make you feel warmer because it temporarily widens blood vessels, which allows more blood flow. In colder climates, this could motivate people to drink more — along with the temporary euphoric feeling that alcohol can bring.

Cold and dark weather can also cause serotonin to plunge. This neurotransmitter can make you feel happy and emotionally stable. Alcohol increases levels of serotonin and dopamine (known as the “happy hormone”), which might lead to improved moods for a temporary period.

Seasonal and light changes, and artificial ones too — like daylight saving time — can disrupt circadian rhythms. These changes to our internal body clocks can contribute to a budding addiction or worsen an existing one.

Does seasonal depression lead to increased substance use?

The relationship between SAD and Read more

iQoncept // Shutterstock

Auto insurance costs continue to rise nationwide, reflecting factors such as increasing claim severity, repair costs, and state-specific insurance regulations.

Cheap Insurance, a consumer-focused insurance comparison website, investigates the premium cost averages for minimum liability and full coverage auto insurance across the U.S., including state-by-state breakdowns.

Keep in mind that these are averages. The only way to determine your exact car insurance premium is to provide accurate information for an auto insurance quote about the driver(s), including age, location, driving record, and in some states, credit score. Vehicle information and the level of coverage you choose also play a major role in car insurance premium costs.

The figures below show average monthly costs for liability-only and full coverage auto insurance by state based on consumer auto insurance premium data provided in January by MoneyGeek.com. 

Full coverage auto insurance protects your vehicle from collisions, theft, and other unexpected damages, not just liability to others. It’s essential for newer or valuable cars and helps drivers avoid costly out-of-pocket repairs after an accident.

For context, minimum required liability coverage differs by state. For example:

• California requires at least 30/60/15 (bodily injury/property damage in thousands).
• Florida requires 10/20/10 for liability coverage.
• New York requires 25/50/10.

These minimums ensure drivers carry a basic level of financial protection, but many drivers opt for higher coverage to protect against accidents, property damage, or comprehensive claims. Consumer Reports recommends liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $100,000 for property damage. These limits tend to offer solid protection for most drivers without the higher cost of full coverage policies, but drivers with higher assets or those involved in a serious accident with multiple injuries may benefit from carrying higher liability limits.

Cheapest National Average Premiums Top 5

Full Coverage

• Travelers: $1,158/year ($97/month)
• GEICO: $1,177/year ($98/month)
• National General: $1,340/year ($112/month)
• Amica: $1,381/year ($115/month)
• State Farm: $1,448/year ($121/month)

Liability-Only Coverage

• GEICO: $514/year ($43/month)
• National General: $579/year ($48/month)
• Travelers: $601/year ($50/month)
• State Farm: $63