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On the brink of a federal shutdown, the House passes a 45-day funding plan and sends it to Senate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — On the brink of a federal government shutdown, the House on Saturday swiftly approved 45-day funding bill to keep federal agencies open as Speaker Kevin McCarthy dropped demands for steep spending cuts and relied on Democratic votes for passage to send the package to the Senate.The new approach would leave behind aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but the plan would increase federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting President Joe Biden’s full request.With hours to go for the midnight deadline to fund the government, the Senate was also in for a rare weekend session and prepared to act next.“We’re going to do our job,” McCarthy said ahead of voting. “We’re going to be adults in the room. And we’re going to keep government open.”With no deal in place before Sunday, federal workers will face furloughs, more than 2 million active-duty and reserve military troops will work without pay and programs and services ...

Disney, DeSantis legal fights ratchet up as company demands documents from Florida governor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week.The Florida governor asked that the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the governor’s office in a separate state court lawsuit originally brought by DeSantis appointees of Walt Disney World’s governing district.The legal filings marked an escalation in the battle between the entertainment giant and DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The confrontation started last year when Disney publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, and DeSantis retaliated by taking over the governing district that provides municipal services for the 25,000-acre (10,117-hectare) Disney World theme park resort in Florida.Disney has sued DeSantis in federal court, claiming the governor violated it...

Does San Diego County owe you money? It's now or never to find out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- There's good news for San Diego County taxpayers who have unclaimed money that’s owed to them. Regional Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister announced Monday the deadline to reclaim $543,171 collectively has been extended.The previous deadline of Sept. 21, has been pushed to Friday, Oct. 6, which means time is of the essence. Two San Diego-area restaurants among best in the country: Tripadvisor  “Don’t trash your cash," said McAllister. “It pains us greatly to see people walk away from money. So far, only a handful of people have filed claims. There is still over $500,000 unclaimed. Because of that, I have extended the deadline and we are expanding our outreach efforts to reach those who may be owed money."Finding out if you’re owed money by the county is easy. All you have to do is scroll the register online, which is in alphabetical order, to see if your name is listed.“My staff and I are working hard to return this money to the citizens of San Diego,” said McAlli...

18-year-old arrested following series of ATM robberies in Brampton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

Investigators from Peel police’s Criminal Investigation Bureau have arrested and charged an 18-year-old man following a series of ATM robberies in Brampton.Between Sept. 22, and Sept. 28, the accused attended several financial institutions in Brampton and robbed victims while they were at the ATM.There were minor injuries reported in two of the incidents, but no other injuries were reported.On Sept. 28, Eli Roberts, 18, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with five counts of robbery.Anyone with information, or possible video surveillance, is asked to call investigators.

Virginia ex-superintendent convicted of misdemeanor in firing of teacher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia jury has convicted a former schools superintendent on a misdemeanor charge in connection with what prosecutors said was the retaliatory firing of a teacher who reported that an elementary school student inappropriately touched her. Former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler was acquitted on a separate misdemeanor count after the five-day trial, local news outlets reported. The charges stemmed from a special grand jury commissioned by Attorney General Jason Miyares that investigated the school system’s widely criticized response to two sexual assaults committed by a high school student against female classmates in 2021.“Justice has finally been served in Loudoun County,” Miyares said in a statement. Ziegler faces up to a year in jail, in addition to a possible fine, according to the attorney general’s office. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4.WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. reported Ziegler and his attorney left the c...

Maldives opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz wins the presidential runoff, local media say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

MALE, Maldives (AP) — Opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz won the Maldives presidential runoff on Saturday, securing more than 53% of the vote, local media reported.The election has turned into a virtual referendum on which regional power — India or China — will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.Mihaaru News reported that incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had received 46% of the vote and that Muiz had won by more than 18,000 votes. Official results were expected later Sunday. It is a surprise win for Muiz, who entered the fray as an underdog and was named only as a fallback candidate closer to the nomination deadline after the Supreme Court prevented his party’s leader and former President Abdulla Yameen from contesting because he his serving a prison sentence for money laundering and corruption. “Today’s result is a reflection of the patriotism of our people. A call on all our neighbours and bilateral partners to fully respect our indepen...

Pedestrian seriously injured when struck by vehicle in Mississauga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

A pedestrian has been seriously injured when struck by a vehicle in Mississauga on Saturday afternoon.Peel police responded to reports at approximately 12:23 p.m. of a two-vehicle collision in the Britannia Road and Millcreek Drive area.A pedestrian was also involved and was taken to SickKids hospital with serious injuries.Both vehicles remained on scene and Britannia Rd eastbound is closed at Joymar Drive.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku burned on face, arm in home accident while lighting fire pit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku suffered burns to his face and arm in an accident at home while lighting a fire pit.Njoku was added to the injury report on Saturday and listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.It’s not immediately known when the accident took place or the severity of Njoku’s injuries. However, his agent Malki Kawa, posted on social media that the 27-year-old tight end “is OK.” Kawa thanked “everyone for reaching out.”Njoku, who is in his seventh season with Cleveland, has 10 catches for 92 yards this season. He’s a solid blocker and coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Njoku has been a major contributor on several big plays through three games.Njoku’s injury further complicates things for the Browns (2-1), who could be without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Ravens. Watson was limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury and is also questionable.If Watson can&...

Shots fired during armed robbery attempt at gas station in River North

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Gunfire was exchanged during an armed robbery attempt when a man was at a gas station in River North Saturday morning. According to police, the 48-year-old man was at the gas station near the 700 block of North Wells Street at around 10:14 a.m. when a gray sedan approached and parked next to him. 2 stabbed during altercation in Chicago’s Loop A number of individuals entered the man's car and took property from within. The man noticed what was happening and confronted the individuals when there was an exchange of gunfire. No one was shot and the group fled eastbound. There were no other injuries reported and police are investigating. WGN is actively following this incident and will update as more information is received.

Multiple fatalities confirmed after Illinois crash involving semi-truck carrying ammonia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

TEUTOPOLIS, IL (WTWO) – The Illinois State Police have announced multiple confirmed fatalities after a crash near Teutopolis involving multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck that was carrying anhydrous ammonia.The crash also resulted in a leak of the hazardous material.The incident took place just before 9:30 p.m., a release from the Illinois State Police (ISP) said. At the time, ISP confirmed "multiple fatalities." How hot is too hot for the human body? Kim Rhodes, the Effingham County Coroner, had later confirmed that five people, including two children, died as a result of Friday night’s crash and subsequent ammonia leak, Nexstar's WCIA reported. Both children and one adult were confirmed to be from the same local family; the other fatalities involved victims from Missouri and Ohio.Five other people were airlifted to nearby hospitals, including the driver of the truck that was carrying the ammonia, WCIA reported.The surrounding area was since evacuated out of an abundance o...