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Biden tells a Broadway theater packed for fundraiser that Trump is determined to destroy the nation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday told a packed Broadway theater full of big-name stars hosting a fundraiser in his honor that he was running for reelection because Donald Trump was determined to destroy the nation. Democracy is at stake, he told the audience at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Hate groups have been emboldened, he said. Books are being banned. Children go to school fearing shootings. “Let there be no question, Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy,” he said, referring to the former president’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “And I will always defend, protect and fight for our democracy.”Biden also accused Trump and his allies of bowing down to authoritarians: “I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t.” It was the among the president’s strongest rebukes of the Republican front-runner and former president, who is facing criminal c...

Phoenix racetrack to end live racing, which means its OTB sites will close

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Turf Paradise, a racetrack that has been a staple of horse racing in Arizona for decades, announced Monday it will cease live racing. Jerry Simms, the longtime owner, announced he is retiring to spend more time with family. There will be no live racing or simulcasting from the north Phoenix racetrack starting Oct. 1. This also means the 37 Off Track Betting sites Turf Paradise runs, which make up more than half of OTB sites statewide, will close. OTB sites televise live races and simulcasts from other racetracks nationwide for wagering. They are inside bars and restaurants. But live racing is a requirement for operating off-track betting facilities.Turf Paradise opened in January 1956. Simms has been at the helm since 2000. The Associated Press

B.C. Sikhs ask for protection after Trudeau links Nijjar killing to India

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

SURREY — Harkirat Kaur said she had a relationship with Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar that was like “father and daughter” before his killing in Surrey, B.C., in June.The 19-year-old Sikh activist said she was initially relieved to hear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tell Parliament on Monday that “credible” intelligence linked India’s government to the shooting death of Nijjar, who supported an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab province.But that soon turned to “resentment” about why it took months to acknowledge what the community had been saying since Nijjar was shot dead in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara where he was president.“Why did it take so long? Why did it take someone to be killed for us to have a little bit of acknowledgment of what is happening?” Kaur said outside the gurdwara.Trudeau’s announcement is spurring calls from B.C.’s Sikh community to better protect its members.British Columbia Premier...

Browns running back Nick Chubb carted off field after suffering knee injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb was carted off the field with a left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.Chubb collided with Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at the end of a 5-yard run early in the second quarter. Chubb's legs bent awkwardly underneath him while being tackled by Fitzpatrick.After the play, a teammate grabbed Chubb's hand to try to help him to his feet, and Chubb shook his head while clutching his left knee. He undid his chinstrap and rolled over onto his side.Chubb suffered a serious injury to the same knee in 2015 while in college at Georgia — a dislocation with three torn ligaments. Like the previous injury, the one Monday night was difficult to watch, and ESPN declined to show replays of the play where he was hurt.Chubb remained on the ground for several minutes while teammates gathered in prayer nearby. He eventually left on a cart. Chubb ran 10 times for 64 yards before getting hurt.He was replaced by Je...

Best grocery store in Illinois? 'The Daily Meal' weighs in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Everyone has a go-to grocery store, and for those who live in Chicago, preferences might look a little different based on your home state. The Daily Meal, an online food and drink publication, recently released a list naming "The best grocery store in every state." It includes a mix of local grocers and national chains. Selections are ultimately based on four criteria: Stock, innovation, value, and contribution to the community. Not everyone who shops for groceries values all four, but generally speaking, they're all important parts of the experience. According to The Daily Meal list, Aldi was named the best grocery store in Illinois.As for Aldi, the discount-grocery chain has quite a large presence in Illinois with more than 200 locations. Writers tout their organic fruit and vegetable choices, plus say they have a generous return policy in the case of spoiled food. "Of course, in many instances, a great supermarket chain has locations in many states. In order to give t...

Man found slain in downtown Montevideo, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

Police are investigating a suspicious death after a man’s body was found Monday in downtown Montevideo.According to a news release from the Montevideo Police Department, a postal worker found the body around 6:30 a.m. Monday in the grassy area next to the post office parking lot in the 300 block of First Street.The man had a stab wound, the news release said. His name will be released once his identity has been confirmed and his family has been notified.There is no known threat to the public, according to police in the west-central Minnesota community of 5,400.The investigation is in the very early stages, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting the Montevideo Police Department.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Impaired driver sentenced to prison for St. Paul crash that killed girlfriend Crime & Public Safety | 19-year-old going more than 100 mph on freeway later crashes, injures 2 in St. Anthony Crime & Public...

Judge: Moorhead man, 25, not competent to stand trial in mother’s fatal stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Court proceedings will be halted for a Moorhead man accused of killing his mother after he has been declared mentally incompetent.Clay County District Judge Tammy Merkins ruled last week that James Diawo Kollie Jr., 25, cannot reasonably consult with his own attorney or help in his own defense against first- and second-degree felony murder charges. Prosecutors alleged he stabbed his 56-year-old mother, Receia Kollie, to death on Dec. 2 at her Moorhead home.The ruling suspends all court proceedings in the case until James Kollie’s competency is restored. He is likely to be committed to a mental health treatment facility.A misdemeanor domestic assault charge that accused him of threatening to kill his mother five days before her death was dismissed due to the ruling.James Diawo Kollie Jr.Two court-appointed psychologists testified on Aug. 25 during a three-hour hearing that James Kollie could not stand trial due to his mental illness. He demonstrated delusional think...

200 WINS! Adam Wainwright caps career with long-awaited milestone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Welcome to the 200-win club, Adam Wainwright! In one of the last scheduled starts of his decorated MLB career, Wainwright reaches a long-awaited milestone. Wainwright and the Cardinals defeated the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 for Waino's 200th career win. Wainwright allowed four hits and struck out three in seven innings.With the victory, Wainwright becomes just the third pitcher in history to win at least 200 games with the St. Louis Cardinals and just the sixth active hurler to reach 200 victories. After 18 MLB seasons and two decades in the Cardinals organization, Wainwright will retire at the end of the 2023 campaign. He entered his sendoff season with 195 wins, so naturally, needing only five over a full season didn't seem like too tall of a task. Cardinals announce Wainwright farewell plans, including concert and ceremony Fortunes changed quickly, and Wainwright bent but didn't break in pursuit of 200. Wainwright suffered a major setback just before...

Professors explain letter criticizing CU Boulder administration for firing Patty Limerick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

Patty Limerick, former faculty director and board chair for the Center of the American West at CU Boulder.More than 300 professors and historians signed a letter dated Aug. 10 criticizing the University of Colorado Boulder administration for the abrupt firing of Patty Limerick from her position as director of the Center of the American West.Limerick was removed from her position on Sept. 23, 2022 as director of the center, which she co-founded in 1986. More than nine months after her removal, the letter said, no evidence has been revealed about why Limerick was fired and the impact of the decision has been “irreparable and far-reaching.”“The motivations of the dean to fire Limerick from her directorship will likely always remain mysterious,” the letter said. “What is clear is the damage and loss his decision has caused.”The letter was addressed to CU President Todd Saliman, CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano and CU Boulder Provost Russell Moore....

Median home price hits 15-month high in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:22 GMT

Home prices in California continue to rise, reaching a 15-month high in August, according to the California Association of Realtors.The trade association blames the soaring costs on the usual culprits: rising mortgage rates and the state's ongoing shortage of homes on the market.Among the biggest takeaways from August, single-family home sales totaled 254,740 — down 5.3% from July and down 19% from last August. Home prices also jumped 3.3% across the state from July, and were up 3% from last year.Year-to-date home sales in California were also down 29.2% in August.C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine said a "re-acceleration" of interest rates and an increasingly tight housing inventory pushed California home sales down to a seven-month low. Levine argues that, despite the alarming numbers, the market should start improving in the last quarter of the year."Mortgage rates should begin to ease, albeit gradually, in the next couple months, and provide a much-ne...