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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted of defrauding crypto customers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s spectacular rise and fall in the cryptocurrency industry — a journey that included his testimony before Congress, a Super Bowl advertisement and dreams of a future run for president — hit a new bottom Thursday when a New York jury convicted him of fraud in a scheme that cheated customers and investors of at least $10 billion.After the monthlong trial, jurors rejected Bankman-Fried’s claim during four days on the witness stand in Manhattan federal court that he never committed fraud or meant to cheat customers before FTX, once the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, collapsed into bankruptcy a year ago.“His crimes caught up to him. His crimes have been exposed,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon told the jury of the onetime billionaire just before they were read the law by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan and began deliberations. Sassoon said Bankman-Fried turned his customers’ accounts into his “personal piggy bank” as up to ...

Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs could have been a rocket scientist. Those study habits are helping him now.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

Josh Dobbs admitted he was a bit of a procrastinator at the University of Tennessee.As the starting quarterback for the Volunteers back in the mid-2010’s, Dobbs had a lot on his plate, and thus, he often found himself cramming for tests at the last minute. Not exactly the easiest thing considering his major in aerospace engineering.That said, Dobbs still managed to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, and eventually parlayed his degree into an internship with NASA.He could have been a rocket scientist. He chose NFL quarterback for the time being. Now the 28-year-old Dobbs is hoping the former can help the latter.After being acquired by the Vikings this week at the trade deadline, Dobbs might as well be back in college, cramming for a test at the last minute. He will be the backup on Sunday when the Vikings play the Atlanta Falcons on the road, and while he’s not expected to know the whole play book, he’s hoping his study habits from the past can help him lea...

Wisconsin boys soccer: Somerset bows in Division 3 state semifinal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

MILWAUKEE — Somerset boys soccer coach Karsten Grover was worried about his team getting off to a slow start.Unfortunately for the Spartans, his worst fear was quickly realized.Somerset, which had allowed three goals in a match just once all season, gave up three scores in the opening 20 minutes and dropped a 5-0 decision to Plymouth in the Division 3 semifinals of the Wisconsin boys soccer state tournament Thursday.“We have a tendency to be a second-half team,” Grover said. “We have a tendency to start games slow. We talked about it a lot before the game. But I think a lot of nerves. First time this team’s ever been this far. Bigger pitch than we’re used to by a lot. I know the guys were talking a lot about that before the game. So, a lot of new things for us to figure out.“We just had a slow start,” Grover said. “The first 20 minutes kind of cost us.”The third-seeded Spartans (23-2), making their first state tournament appearance, never got untracked against the second-seeded Pant...

East Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Hill-Murray’s Jacob Dinzeo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

In the week of the boys soccer state tournament semifinals and championship game, Hill-Murray senior midfielder Jacob Dinzeo took a break from writing college essays, of all things, to speak with a reporter.Welcome to his life.Dinzeo is as well-rounded as they come, sporting a grade-point average of over 4.0 amid a rigorous course schedule, while also volunteering in the community and, yeah, guiding the Hill-Murray soccer program to incredible heights.The senior midfielder continued his efforts in the latter Wednesday, tallying two assists in Hill-Murray’s 6-1 Class 2A state tournament semifinal victory over St. Cloud Tech at U.S. Bank Stadium.Dinzeo has 20 goals and 16 assists this season while leading Hill-Murray to its second consecutive state championship appearance. Hill-Murray, which lost in last year’s state title match, will battle top-seeded Orono at 12:30 p.m. Friday for state supremacy.All of that makes him the 2023 Pioneer Press East Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year....

'Clean Up, Build Up' campaign aims to revitalize St. Louis neighborhoods

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Cleaning up neighborhoods in an effort to build them up: It's a plan the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is putting in place to make them safer for everyone. Three-time world boxing champion Devon Alexander joined the Urban League and others Thursday morning to promote the “Clean Up, Build Up" campaign and an upcoming cleanup event this Saturday. “To be honest, these belts right here mean nothing [compared to] the work you’re about to do for this neighborhood,” says Alexander, born and raised in St. Louis. Florida kidnapping victims rescued from downtown St. Louis hotel "Clean Up, Build Up," previously known as Clean Sweep, is a neighborhood revitalization initiative through which construction workers, neighborhood stakeholders, and volunteers from the region demolish vacant properties beyond repair and clear vacant lots and alleys around the City of St. Louis. On Thursday, representatives from the Regional Business Council and Spire also joined Alexander and t...

Ameren offers tips to prevent electrical fires as colder weather arrives

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - With temperatures dropping below freezing last week, some St. Louisans have began to pull out their space heaters, electric blankets, and other items. Let it also serve as a reminder, it’s about time to start getting the holiday decorations up. Ameren has some advice on how to stay safe and prevent electrical fires this season.Our first blast of cold air had us reaching for all things cozy and warm, but some of those items increase the risks of fires during the colder months if not used properly. “The most fire deaths in the U.S. happen during the winter months, so this is the time when we’re most prone to lose lives unfortunately, said Tim Frankenberg, the fire safety engineer for Ameren.  Florida kidnapping victims rescued from downtown St. Louis hotel As you’re preparing that big holiday meal, there are some things to consider. Don’t put too many appliances in a single outlet. The electrical load needs to be distributed. “If an outlet’s hot or a cord starts getting ...

Legal Lens: Explaining the impact of a $1.8B verdict in realtor liability case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A federal jury in Kansas City recently found realtors liable for inflating commissions. The jury ordered a payment of $1.78 billion to home sellers in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas.  In this week’s Legal Lens, Brown & Crouppen (www.GetBC.com) attorney Andrea McNairy takes a closer look at the significance of this case and what’s expected to happen before home sellers can receive any compensation.

Avs coach Jared Bednar after scratching Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin: “We’re going to need everyone”

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

Aside from the two guys who haven’t been with the club all season and a couple of missed practices, the Colorado Avalanche has been a healthy team in the first month.Seventeen of the 18 skater positions were filled by the same guy in each of the first eight games — Andrew Cogliano replacing Kurtis MacDermid after the opener representing the lone change. Alexandar Georgiev started all eight games in net.Avs coach Jared Bednar made his first major alterations to the lineup Wednesday night when Colorado defeated St. Louis 4-1 to snap a two-game skid and improve to 7-2 this season. Veteran newcomers Tomas Tatar and Jonathan Drouin were scratched, with MacDermid and Riley Tufte replacing them.“Obviously, there’s disappointment,” Bednar said of the discussions with Tatar and Drouin. “Players want to play, right? I tried to ensure them that it is more of an overall team view. It’s not that I’m super disappointed in their play or something. I feel that both of those guys h...

Police investigating shooting near The Grove in Fairfax District

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

Police were investigating an alleged shooting near The Grove in the Fairfax District Thursday, authorities confirmed to KTLA.  Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the intersection of The Grove Drive and Beverly Boulevard at around 3:20 p.m. on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and shooting.  Details are limited and it’s unclear what exactly led to the alleged shooting. However, one witness told KTLA's John Fenoglio that the shooting occurred after an argument or altercation between two men in a nearby parking garage that spilled out onto the sidewalk. At the scene, police were unable to locate a possible victim, but they were checking with local hospitals for potential gunshot victims.  Aerial footage captured by Sky5 showed an area on The Grove Drive cordoned off with crime scene tape while investigators canvassed the area for evidence.  L.A. police on the scene of an alleged shooting near The Grove in the Fairfax District on No...

Lanes Closed after Multi-Vehicle Collision on Interstate 5 [San Diego, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:25:04 GMT

Multi-Vehicle Accident near Del Mar Heights Closes Lanes on I-5SAN DIEGO, CA (November 2, 2023) – Early Monday morning, lanes were closed after a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 5.The incident occurred on the morning of October 30th, at approximately 4:45 a.m., within the northbound lanes of the interstate at Del Mar Heights Road. According to the CHP, the collision resulted in the complete blockage of all lanes. It remained unclear how many vehicles were part of the incident and whether any injuries had occurred. Furthermore, two lanes and a HOV lane were reopened by 6:30 a.m., and three other lanes were still blocked. All lanes have been reopened since.No additional information was given by the authorities, more details will be updated as they become available.One small driving mistake can lead to multi-vehicle accidents. That is why it is important always to keep your attention on the road and your surroundings when you’re behind the wheel. Always anticipate wha...