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Mississippi GOP governor and Democratic challenger spar over crime, courts and trans care

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

FLOWOOD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and the Democrat who is trying to unseat him this year, Brandon Presley, traded barbs about crime, courts and transgender health care Friday in separate appearances before newspaper editors and publishers.Reeves, seeking a second term, said at the Mississippi Press Association convention that Presley has failed to answer questions about two bills that Reeves signed into law. One bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. The other expands the role of state police in Mississippi’s capital city and creates positions for some judges who are appointed in a state where most judges are elected.Reeves said people tell him they worry that “the lines between boys and girls are disappearing,” and he shares those concerns.“We signed bills in Mississippi to prevent children from getting life-altering, experimental procedures,” Reeves said.Reeves’ language echoes that of groups that oppose LGBTQ+ right...

Home and camper on the wish list for Victoria, B.C., couple after $35M lotto win

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

VANCOUVER — A couple from Victoria, B.C., are $35 million richer after claiming the whopping sum at a B.C. Lottery Corp. celebration in Vancouver.  Lahsen Rezrazi and Debbie Ramsay say they plan on buying a home and a camper van with the prize money after splitting the $70 million jackpot with another winner in Ontario for the June 6 draw.Rezrazi says he stopped at a grocery store for milk and cream on his way to pick up Ramsay from work where he checked his lottery tickets. He says he initially won a modest $10 dollar prize and a free play before scanning the jackpot-winning ticket, and then called his wife with the news. Ramsay says she could hardly contain a scream, and even went back to the store to scan the ticket for herself, also double-checking it with the lottery corporation’s mobile app. The couple says they are going on an “epic” cross-Canada road trip with plans to surprise family members along the way with cash gifts.This report by The Canadian Press w...

Letters containing suspicious white powder sent to lawmakers, officials across Kansas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Letters containing suspicious white powder have been sent to lawmakers and other public officials across Kansas, officials announced Friday.No injuries have been reported, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. It had counted more than 30 letters as of late Friday afternoon. The news release didn’t provide details about the consistency of the white powder.In emails sent to legislators and obtained by The Topeka Capital-Journal, Tom Day, director of Legislative Administrative Services, said the Kansas Highway Patrol had informed his office of the letters, which contain a return address of either Kansas City or Topeka.The letters were sent to legislators at their homes and have been turned over to the KBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Day wrote.Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of the State Fire Marshal and local police and fire departments.Kansas Attorney General ...

Severe storm kills 3 in southern Brazil, 12 still missing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Authorities of the southern Brazil state of Rio Grande do Sul said Friday that three people died and 12 were missing after a winter storm swept through the region. Gov. Eduardo Leite said two people died in the city of Sao Leopoldo and one was killed in Maquine, on the state’s coast.“Our priority at the moment is to find those missing and save people who might still be isolated due to the floods,” Leite said on Twitter. He said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva offered federal help to handle the crisis.Several roads were still blocked in Rio Grande do Sul, flights to the state’s main cities were cancelled throughout the day and electricity was out across state.Mayors of cities that were affected said twice as much rain fell in 24 hours than would normally be expected for the entire month of June.The mayor of Maquine said on his social media channels that precipitation in his city surpassed 29.4 centimeters (about 11 inches) in one day.Experts said the ...

Balloons, tears and hugs as family of girl who died in Border Patrol custody holds New York funeral

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Balloons with rainbows and Minnie Mouse surrounded the casket of an 8-year-old girl who died in Border Patrol custody as dozens of people gathered Friday to remember Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez in New York City. Her family had been heading to the city last month before their journey across the southern U.S. border ended in tragedy. The child’s death has put the U.S. government under new scrutiny over the care given to thousands of detained migrants.The girl’s mother, Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, hugged almost every guest at the R.G. Ortiz Funeral Home, thanking them for coming to honor their daughter. She grabbed a handful of tissues to wipe her eyes and nose.Anadith had a history of heart problems and sickle cell anemia, her mother has said. An internal investigation found that Border Patrol medical personnel were informed about the girl’s medical history but declined to review the file before she had a seizure and died May 17, her family’s ninth day i...

Takeaways from the scathing report on Minneapolis police after George Floyd’s killing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

The Justice Department on Friday issued a scathing assessment of Minneapolis police, alleging that racial discrimination and excessive force went unchecked before George Floyd’s killing because of inadequate oversight and an unwieldy process for investigating complaints.The probe began in April 2021, a day after former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the May 25, 2020, killing of Floyd, a Black man. Floyd, who was in handcuffs, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe before going limp as Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes. The killing was recorded by a bystander and sparked months of mass protests as part of a broader national reckoning over racial injustice.Here are six takeaways from the report:WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION?The focus of the probe was to examine whether there has been a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing in the Minneapolis Police Department. It examined the use of force...

Chicago police sergeant acquitted of battery, misconduct for pinning teenage bike theft suspect

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. (AP) — A judge found a Chicago police sergeant not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct Friday in a case in which he pinned down a teenage boy and pressed a knee to his back when he suspected the boy of stealing his son’s bicycle.Cook County Judge Paul Pavlus acquitted Sgt. Michael Vitellaro during a bench trial, local news outlets reported.Vitellaro, who was off duty at the time of the July 1 altercation in suburban Park Ridge, said he was using proper technique to take down a suspect in the theft of a bike belonging to his son. The boy was 14 at the time.Vitellaro’s son testified he left his bike unlocked at a library and later spotted it near a shop where his father detained the boy, who was holding the bike there.The boy’s family and their attorney, Antonio Romanucci, provided video that allegedly showed Vitellaro grab him, pin his arms behind his back on the sidewalk and put a knee on his back.“He’s taking my son’s bike,” the man is heard sayi...

USPSI offering reward up to $50,000 after May armed robbery of letter carrier in Chicago

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

CHICAGO — A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information on the five people wanted in the armed robbery of a letter carrier last month.According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the men, described as being in their late teens or early 20s, surrounded the carrier on May 19 in the 1000 block of North Hamlin Avenue. ‘Outraged’ letter carriers demand action to stop robberies The men displayed weapons and robbed the carrier before leaving the area in a silver Jeep or Ford SUV.On Friday, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. US Postal Service taking new steps to prevent carrier robberies, stolen mail Anyone with information is asked to call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455, say "law enforcement" and reference case number 4043101.The USPSI said all information will be kept strictly confidential.

Man charged in deadly shooting on Eisenhower Expressway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was arrested Wednesday and charged in connection with the death of a man shot and killed last month on the Eisenhower Expressway.According to Illinois State Police, Curtis Sheppard, 25, of Chicago, was charged with First Degree Murder after a 27-year-old man was shot and killed on May 16. 1 dead, 1 hurt after shooting on Eisenhower; inbound lanes closed The shooting happened on the Eisenhower Expressway near Cicero Avenue.On Friday, Sheppard was denied bond in court and is being held at the Cook County Correctional Center.

Severe thunderstorm watch for Austin metro

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another day in June, another day with triple digits and feels-like temperatures over 110º in many areas. It was the hottest day of the year with highs in Austin at Camp Mabry reaching 103º. Some areas had "feels like" temperatures close to 120º in our eastern counties!! Expert: Texas heatwave 'driven by climate change' An Excessive Heat Warning continues for the Austin-metro and eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m. Heat index values could reach up to 115°+. A Heat Advisory is in effect for all of the Hill Country until Sunday evening as well where feels-like temperatures will only be slightly lower.Extreme Heat Warning issued for all of the Austin-metro & eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m.Dangerous heat and humidity will continue to be the top concern areawide - be sure to frequently check in on friends, family and neighbors, particularly seniors, children, those working outdoors, etc.Severe storms possibleA few isolated storms will continue to be a risk th...