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Mississippi sheriff aims to avoid liability from federal lawsuit over torture of Black men

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi sheriff who leads the department where former deputies pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for the torture of two Black men has asked a federal court to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him. Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker were abused in a case of extrajudicial violence that even the sheriff they’re suing called the worst case of police brutality he had ever seen. But Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey’s attorney argues Jenkins and Parker’s $400 million lawsuit against Bailey should be dismissed because the sheriff is entitled to “qualified immunity,” a legal concept that often shields police officers from civil penalties for alleged abuses. Court records show that attorney Jase Dare asked to dismiss the lawsuit on Oct. 6, just one day after a settlement conference was filed with the court. A settlement conference is scheduled when the parties in a lawsuit try to settle a case before trial. ...

Law restricting bathroom use for Idaho transgender students to go into effect as challenge continues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho law restricting which bathrooms transgender students can use in schools will go into effect while a court challenge plays out. Chief U.S. District Judge David Nye on Thursday denied a request by a plaintiff who is challenging the law to keep it from being enforced until the lawsuit is resolved, The Idaho Statesman reported. In August, Nye had placed the law on hold in August pending his decision.The law will go into effect 21 days after his ruling.It prohibits transgender students from using public school restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. It also allows other students to sue their school if they encounter a student using a bathroom that doesn’t align with their sex assigned at birth. Nye said the plaintiff failed to show their challenge would succeed. He noted the law is “substantially related to the government’s important interest in protecting the privacy and safety of students” while using a restroom or a changing room....

Schumer says he’s leading a bipartisan group of senators to Israel to show ‘unwavering’ US support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ahead of a trip to Israel this weekend, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says an upcoming administration request for wartime funding could include aid for both Israel and Ukraine. Schumer — the first Jewish Senate majority leader and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. — is leading a bipartisan delegation of senators to Israel this weekend to express support for the country amid its week-old war against Hamas. He told The Associated Press in an interview that he wants to make clear that the United States stands with Israel and also show bipartisan support. “To have a bipartisan delegation, led by the majority leader saying strongly and unequivocally we’re with Israel is going to make a big difference to Israelis,” Schumer said. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mitt Romney of Utah and Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona will also be on the trip.Schumer also plans to discuss with high-level offi...

Lexi Thompson makes run at PGA Tour cut in Vegas, but 2 late bogeys stall her bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Lexi Thompson delivered star-power moments built for a stage like Las Vegas, and when she poured in a pair of long birdie putts Friday, she was on the verge of history.Thompson was 4 under with seven holes to play. She was on the verge of becoming the first woman in 78 years to make a 36-hole cut on the PGA Tour.One poor swing, one mediocre chip and one missed putt at the end left her on the outside of the cut at the Shriners Children’s Open, but no less proud of two days she won’t soon forget. She wanted to inspire kids to chase their dreams, and she did all of that at the TPC Summerlin.“Playing with the guys — amazing feeling,” Thompson said after a 2-under 69. “Growing up with guys, I’ve always wanted to be out on a PGA Tour event and tee it up. But the biggest thing was seeing the kids out there outside the ropes and then meeting a few of the Shriners ambassadors. That was the most special.”Her golf was a close second.Thompson made five birdies...

Forest Practices Board investigates planned back burn in B.C.’s Shuswap region

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

British Columbia’s forest watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the province’s response to wildfires that ripped through small communities on the shores of Shuswap Lake in August, destroying or damaging more than 200 properties.A statement from the Forest Practices Boardon Friday says it launched the probe after receiving a complaint about the BC Wildfire Service’s use of a planned ignition aimed at reducing forest fuels between populated areas. At the time the back burn was lit on Aug. 17,two blazes, the Lower East Adams Lake and Bush Creek wildfires, had been steadily moving toward the northern shore of Shuswap Lake after igniting about five weeks earlier.The board says it has notified the wildfire service and it’s arranging for investigators to visit the area this month near Lee Creek and neighbouring Scotch Creek, in B.C.’s southern Interior. Lee Creek resident Jim Cooperman says he filed the complaint with the board, alleging “gross negl...

Chicago City Council passes resolution condemning Hamas attacks in Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago City Council passed a resolution condemning the attacks by Hamas in Israel during a special meeting on Friday afternoon.Heated debate and fiery comments filled the city council chambers over Ald. Debra Silverstein's (50th Ward) resolution condemning the Hamas attacks.While reading her resolution and sharing comments, Ald. Silverstein, the only Jewish alderperson in the city council, faced criticism from many in the public chamber who adamantly opposed her her “Israel Solidarity” resolution, which she initially wanted to bring to the floor on Wednesday."I want to be clear, the current conflict and this resolution is not about Israel and Palestine," Silverstein said. Project Dynamo helping rescue people stuck in Israel – Hamas war Prior to alderwoman Silverstein’s comments, members of the public shared their voices on the conflict between Israel’s military and Hamas."We stand here in support of Alderman Debra Silverstein's resolution that asks this council to c...

'It’s just so senseless:' Friend remembers man killed in attempted armed robbery in Humboldt Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

CHICAGO – Police are investigating after a local rapper, former TV host and beloved grandfather was killed in a shooting Tuesday on the West Side as he tried to stop an attempted armed robbery. The shooting happened near North Lawndale and West Wabansia around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday morning in the city’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.Family and friends of the victim, identified as Keltule Meeks, said the 48-year-old leaves behind two daughters and a grandson. His life was defined by selflessness, generosity and his passion for music.“He was truly one of the best men you could know in life,” John Daniel said. 1 of 2 former DCFS workers found guilty in connection to death of 5-year-old AJ Freund Daniel met Meeks, better known by his rap moniker, Rus T Blade, about 13 years ago through their work with Urban Grind TV. It was from there that a brotherhood and inseparable bond was forged.“You would think he would have this gruff exterior, but he was the most joyful, outgoing, friendly person y...

Florida man wins over $4M on scratch-off game, says he'll 'get a place to live'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Broward County man is now a multimillionaire after he spent just $10 on a scratch-off ticket, the Florida Lottery said Friday.Harrison Porter, 46, of Fort Lauderdale took home $4,070,000 after purchasing his winning $250,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE scratch-off ticket from a Publix located at 18341 Pine Boulevard in Pembroke Pines. The retailer will get an $8,000 bonus commission for the sale. Florida man first to win $1M in one of the newest lottery scratch-off games “One of the first things I’m going to do is get a place to live,” Porter said, after revealing the winning ticket arrived during some challenging times. The $10 ticket offers over $176.4 million in prizes, including four top prizes of $250,000 a year for life. The odds of his win are 1 in 6.04 million.Florida scratch-off games have generated over $18.09 billion for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.

T-Mobile planning to move customers on older phone plans to newer, pricier ones

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

(KTLA) – T-Mobile will be moving some of its customers on older phone plans to the company’s latest options, which could result in customers paying more on their monthly bills. Customers impacted will see a change in their phone bills starting in November unless they call customer care to opt out. T-Mobile confirmed the reports to CNET, who first broke the news. Customers on the company’s older One, Simple Choice, Magenta and Magenta 55 Plus plans will be moved to newer options. AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile? Maps show which cell provider gives your area best coverage Customers impacted by the change will be sent notices beginning on Oct. 17. T-Mobile told CNET that “there will be an increase of approximately $10 per line." The spokesperson added that customers who sign up for AutoPay can save $5 per line (there is a maximum of eight lines per account).“We're always looking for ways to give our customers more from our services, so we're moving a small number who were on older rat...

Video shows man dragged down street by LAPD vehicle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:25 GMT

(KTLA) - Police have released video of a 22-year-old man being dragged down a street by a Los Angeles Police Department patrol vehicle last month, authorities said Wednesday. The incident, which was captured on nearby surveillance cameras, as well as officers’ body-worn cameras, happened on Sept. 11 in the 6000 block of Sunset Boulevard just after 12:30 a.m. Officers with LAPD’s Hollywood Division responded to calls of a battery suspect at the location. At the scene, police saw the suspect, later identified as Los Angeles resident Robert Thompson, being escorted by security guards out of a bar located on the second floor of a multi-unit shopping center, police said in a news release.  Police believed Thompson, who was being cooperative, was intoxicated, but because they could not find the victim of the alleged battery, they told the 22-year-old to leave the location. After the officers got into their vehicle and drove to the south end of the parking lot, video shows T...