The agency responsible for managing the New York State Fair has made a quick U-turn to allow off-duty law enforcement members to continue to carry firearms at the upcoming state fair, according to a department spokesperson. “The fair’s long-standing rules of conduct state that firearms are prohibited on the Fairgrounds, with exceptions for members of…

HOUSTON—An off-duty Texas deputy sheriff has been killed in a shooting on the northern outskirts of Houston when he interrupted three men apparently trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle, authorities said. Deputy Darren Almendarez, 51, was fatally shot Thursday night in a grocery store parking lot, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed…

LOS ANGELES—An off-duty Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer was killed in an apparent exchange of gunfire with three armed robbery suspects in the unincorporated Firestone-Florence neighborhood, and authorities are seeking public help on Jan. 11 to solve the crime. Sheriff’s deputies responded about 9:15 p.m. Monday to the 8700 block of Beach Street, west of South Gate, where…