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Ballwin man invited to White House for Eid al-Fitr celebration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Like most people, Nauman Wadalawala is accustomed to junk email. So one can understand his initial reaction to a recent message in his inbox.“I opened my email, and all of the sudden, I just see, ‘The President and Dr. Biden request the pleasure of your company at a celebration,’” he said.It turns out that the email was the real deal. The White House invited Wadalawala and about 400 other Muslims across the United States to an Eid al-Fitr celebration to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.So of the nearly 3.5 million Muslims in the United States, why was this man from Ballwin, who is also a husband and father, selected?Wadalawala, 37, works as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. He prosecutes federal crimes and is a member of the office’s Violent Crimes Unit. Prior to that, he worked on narcotics cases. Trending -- Officers save llama on the loose in north St. Louis County However, the invitation to the White House had nothing to do w...

Illinois lawmakers, advocacy groups react to Supreme Court denying emergency challenge on state assault weapon ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court declined issuing any emergency order to stop Illinois' assault weapons ban, prompting many reactions from Illinois lawmakers and advocates on both sides. Supreme Court won’t put Illinois gun law on hold while court challenge continues Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) said he's pleased with their decision to let the law he signed earlier this year stand while courts continue to hear legal arguments."The gun lobby has insisted on every legal maneuver to block this law, refusing to acknowledge that lives will be saved by this important piece of legislation," the governor said. "Despite these challenges, I remain confident that the assault weapons ban will be upheld and will create a safer Illinois for our residents."Other lawmakers who advocated for the ban applauded the Supreme Court's decision. “The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a positive step toward further ensuring military-style weapons – designed for w...

Denver Museum of Nature and Science will close “problematic” American Indian Cultures Hall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

Denver Museum of Nature and Science officials are preparing to close their North American Indian Cultures Hall this summer, deeming it “problematic” despite years of consultations with Native American representatives, updates, and changes meant to improve displays.“We understand that the Hall reinforces harmful stereotypes and white, dominant culture,” museum vice president Liz Davis said in a letter sent to members on Wednesday.“Despite collaboration with Indigenous representatives during its creation and ongoing efforts by curators, conservators, and others to update and improve various parts of the Hall, we acknowledge that it remains problematic,” she added. The Hall was first created in the 1970s.For now, the museum has posted a “healing statement” at the front of the Hall — written “after taking into account the concerns expressed by the community,” Davis said in the letter.“Within this space, the Museum p...

Pasadena doctor 'purposely drove off' cliff, wife says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

The wife of a Pasadena radiologist accused her husband of intentionally trying to kill his family by driving their Tesla off a cliff along Highway 1 in San Mateo County, according to a newly unsealed search warrant affidavit. Dharmesh Patel, 41, his wife and their children, aged 4 and 7, were heading south on Highway 1 on Jan. 2 when their car plunged over the side of a cliff and fell more than 250 feet. The Patel family had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency services. Court documents say that while aboard a rescue helicopter, Patel's wife told officers, “He drove off. He’s depressed. He’s a doctor. He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He purposely drove off.”San Mateo County District Attorney Steven Wagstaffe told KTLA sister station KRON4 that multiple people heard her statements, "There were multiple emergency people there who heard the statements as well as the CHP officer."In this photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, emerge...

Lake Mead water level rising steadily as Lake Powell surges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

Over the last three weeks, Lake Mead's water level has risen 4.6 feet thanks mainly to extra water being released from Lake Powell beginning on April 24, KTLA sister station KLAS reports. On the morning of May 17, Lake Mead's water level appeared to level off but its rise is expected to continue through at least the end of May.In fact, Lake Mead has actually risen 11.05 feet since hitting a low mark of 1,040.71 feet above sea level on July 27, 2022. Currently, Lake Mead's water level is at 1,051.76 feet.California gets more than 58% of Lake Mead’s lower basin water, according to the Las Vegas Sun.Lake Mead's water level is at 1,051.76 feet above sea level as of 8 a.m., May 17, 2023. (Image: lakelevels.info)Since the beginning of May, Lake Mead has been rising approximately three inches a day, which is great news for people who make a living at the lake and for anyone who boats, fishes, or swims there. However, three inches a day is nothing compared to how fast Lake Powell's water le...

Watch live: Law enforcement warns public to not drive 'Fast & Furious'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

With "Fast X," the newest entry in the Fast Saga, debuting Friday, officials are warning the public of the dangers of street racing.On Thursday, representatives from the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will be among those who stress the hazards of unsafe driving at a press conference on Melrose Avenue."To help bring awareness to the issue and put the brakes on illegal activity behind the wheel, the CHP and its public safety partners are teaming up for a life-saving education and zero-tolerance enforcement campaign," the CHP said in a news release.

Tammi Lee Ann Truschke-Harpster Arrested after Fatal DUI Crash on Highway 108 [Sonora, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

DUI Traffic Collision near Draper Mine Road Left 39-Year-Old Angels Camp Man DeadSONORA, CA (May 18, 2023) – Late Thursday afternoon, police arrested Tammi Lee Ann Truschke-Harpster following a fatal DUI collision along Highway 108.According to CHP, the crash occurred around 5:08 p.m. on Highway 108 just west of Draper Mine Road.Investigators said a 2019 Kia Optima traveling west on 108 slowed down to make a turn on a private driveway. At the same time, a 30-year-old Sonora man drove east in a Ford F-350 and a woman traveled west in a 2020 Dodge Ram 2500.However, the Dodge rear-ended the Kia and sent it into the path of the F-350. As a result, the Ford hit the right side of the Kia.Police said the driver of the Dodge, 49-year-old Tammi Lee Ann Truschke-Harpster, exited her vehicle on the north shoulder.Eventually, paramedics arrived and airlifted the 39-year-old male driver of the Kia from Angels Camp to Doctors’ Medical Center in Modesto.Unfortunately, the Kia driver succumbe...

One Killed, Two Injured in Two-Vehicle Accident on North Durango Drive [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

One Killed, Two Hurt Following Two-Vehicle Accident near Brent LaneLAS VEGAS, NV (May 18, 2023) – Wednesday morning a two-vehicle accident on North Durango Drive claimed one person’s life and left another two injured.The incident happened on Apr 20th at the intersection of North Durango Drive and Brent Lane.The impact of the collision left 45-year-old Jennifer Martinez, sustaining minor injuries.The driver of the Nissan Rogue, 84-year-old Cynthia Moore-Stancil, sustained serious injuries, while the 74-year-old passenger of the Nissan Rogue succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.Paramedics arrived at the scene and extracted at least two patients from the wreckage who sustained minor injuries. In addition, one occupant succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead.Police do not suspect impairment in the crash.At this time, the identity of the deceased was not yet released and an active investigation is ongoing by LVMPD’s Collision Investigation Section.Sweet Jam...

Ethan Paul Thompson Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Highway 101 [Atascadero, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

Pedestrian Versus Vehicle Collision near Santa Rosa Road Left One FatalityATASCADERO, CA (May 18, 2023) – Early Tuesday morning, Ethan Paul Thompson was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident on Highway 101.The collision happened around 2:19 a.m. along northbound 101, just north of Santa Rosa Road.According to CHP, a pedestrian in the center median stepped out into the roadway for unknown reasons. As a result, the pedestrian was struck by a Toyota Tacoma traveling north at an undetermined rate of speed.Police said the driver, identified as 32-year-old Ethan Paul Thompson of Atascadero, pulled over and contacted 911.Meanwhile, the 25-year-old male pedestrian sustained significant injuries and died at the scene. However, his identity remains undisclosed to the public pending notification from the next of kin.At this time, the CHP is investigating to determine if the man stepped into traffic intentionally or accidentally.Atascadero Officials encourage witnesses to the pedestrian...

Kurtenbach: Jordan Poole is the odd-man out for the Warriors — here are four trade proposals for him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:25 GMT

Someone has to go.The Warriors cost too much and won too little to run back the entire roster again in 2023-24.So who’s going to be shown the door this summer?I know we’re all thinking the same thing.Jordan Poole’s playoffs were a disaster. His regular season wasn’t much better. This past offseason, the Warriors bet $128 million that Poole would be an elite sixth man, but with that four-year extension poised to start his upcoming season, the deal he signed looks more like hush money following Draymond Green’s punch of the guard.Warriors coach Steve Kerr said this week that he still believes Poole is a foundational player on this team, but did he seem “foundational” in the postseason, when his scoring prowess was needed?  He averaged 8.3 points per game in the playoff series with the Lakers.“The playoffs are nothing like the regular season. They are two completely different sports,” Warriors president of basketball operations (for...