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Retirement talk surrounding Thomas, Alito raises stakes for 2024 election 

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

(The Hill) – Lawmakers are looking ahead to the 2024 election as a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of the Supreme Court because of the possibility that conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, 75, and Samuel Alito, 73, could retire.  Democrats are worried that if Biden loses and the GOP wins the Senate majority, it could allow a GOP president to replace both men with younger conservatives who could rule far into the future.  “It’s critical. President Biden, who I feel confident will be reelected, needs to be able to put more judges on the bench, federal judges, including Supreme Court. It is absolutely critical that the Senate remain in Democratic hands,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who will retire at the end of next year.    Alito caught in crosshairs of latest Supreme Court scandal Stabenow warned that if Republicans flip the White House and Senate and replace Thomas and Alito with younger conservatives, “it would be devastating for anyone who ...

Simone Biles returning to gymnastics competition in August for 1st time since 2020 Olympics

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

Simone Biles is back.The gymnastics superstar plans to return to competition at the U.S. Classic outside Chicago in early August, her first event since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist and the 2016 Olympic champion, is part of the women's field for the single-day event set for Aug. 5 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.Biles has taken most of the last two years off following her eventful stay in Japan, where her decision to remove herself from multiple events to focus on her mental health shifted the focus from the games themselves to the overall wellness of the athletes.She served as a cheerleader as her American teammates won the team silver then sat out the all-around, vault and floor exercise finals she had qualified for while dealing with what is known as “the twisties” — a gymnastics term for when an athlete loses their spatial awareness when airborne.Biles returned for the balance beam final, where she won a bron...

Dogs rescued from China's meat trade arrive in California

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

(KTLA) – Nearly two dozen dogs rescued from China's meat trade arrived in Southern California on Tuesday, their first stop before heading to their forever homes scattered across the United States.  Animal lovers, activists and city leaders came together in Inglewood for the grand opening of Rue’s Kennels at Los Angeles International Airport. The shelter, which organizers say is the first of its kind, is a nonprofit animal care facility built to help rescue dogs from around the world.  “So, the animals will be examined by me, and they will receive another rabies vaccine, even if they came in with paperwork,” veterinarian Karen Dochalligan told Nexstar's KTLA.   Sick sea lions biting people at California beaches The latest so-called “freedom flight” carried 16 golden retrievers, two corgis, a poodle and a malamute, all of whom were rescued from the meat trade in China.  While the practice of consuming dog meat is unthinkable in North America, it can be somewhat common in...

Sheriff's Office: 3 arrested, charged in Travis County mail theft ring

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) -- Three people were arrested and charged in connection to what the Travis County Sheriff's Office said was an organized mail theft ring. The suspects were each charged with theft of mail ID info and engaging in organized criminal activity, which are first-degree felonies, according to TCSO. Cases of check fraud escalate dramatically, with Americans warned not to mail checks if possible The suspects were identified by TCSO and are listed below:Adam Timothy Liveoak, 45Amy Deanne Liveoak, 46Andrew Timothy Liveoak, 25Adam Timothy Liveoak, 45Amy Deanne Liveoak, 46Andrew Timothy Liveoak, 25Left to right: Adam Timothy Liveoak, Amy Deanne Liveoak, Andrew Timothy Liveoak. All three were arrested and charged in connection to what the Travis County Sheriff's Office said was an organized mail theft ring. (Travis County Sheriff's Office Photos)TCSO said the three are suspected of stealing mail containing victims' personal identification and credit card information. Inves...

Police say Moorhead teen’s fatal shooting was accidental, occurred while youths handled gun

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy last week in Moorhead has been ruled an accident, police said.Police identified the victim as Zain Hussein Mezher of Moorhead.The teenager died of an “accidental gunshot wound” on Friday, police said.“The incident is tragic, and our sympathies go out to the family and friends of those involved,” the Moorhead Police Department said Monday. “There is no danger to the public, and the incident is still under investigation.”Police responded at about 6:10 p.m. Friday to a report of a shooting in the 1000 block of 19th Street South.A group of youths had obtained a handgun and had it in a wooded area near Romkey Park when it went off, police said.The bullet hit Zain, police said. Emergency workers tried to save his life, but he died of his injuries.Authorities are investigating how the children acquired the weapon, Moorhead Police Capt. Deric Swenson said. The gun was recovered by police, police said.It’s unclear if charges will be f...

State authorities detail SWAT team shooting of suspect in St. Joseph

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released the names of the people involved in a police use-of-force incident on June 21 in St. Joseph.Jason Patrick Cully, 38, of St. Joseph, was shot once when members of the Stearns/Benton County SWAT Team served a warrant for his arrest, according to a Minnesota Department of Public Safety news release.Stearns County Deputy Tyler Thunstedt fired his department rifle, striking Cully, according to the release. Thunstedt, who has eight years of law enforcement experience, is on standard administrative leave.St. Joseph police officers responded June 20 to reports of a man making threats of violence, according to the release. When they made contact, the man, identified as Cully, pointed a gun at officers and then ran away. Officers could not find him. Cully repeatedly called the police department that night and continued to make threats of violence. The Stearns County Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Cully̵...

Airline delays and cancellations are bad. Ahead of the holiday weekend, they’re getting worse.

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)Travelers are getting hit with delays at U.S. airports again early Wednesday, an ominous sign heading into the long July 4 holiday weekend, which is shaping up as the biggest test yet for airlines that are struggling to keep up with surging numbers of passengers.As of early morning, nearly 1,300 flights have been delayed in the U.S., according to FlightAware. Cancellations neared 700 flights.Cancellations and delays were most severe along the East Coast early and were growing worse rapidly. Disruptions are expected to spread West.The delays are being compounded by thunderstorms that raked the Northeast on Tuesday. At various times, the Federal Aviation Administration held up flights bound for LaGuardia Airport in New York and Reagan Washington National and Baltimore-Washington airports near the nation’s capital.About 6,500 flights were delayed and about 1,900 canceled on the East Coast Tuesday. United Airlines, with a major hub in Newark, New Jers...

Loons interested in signing English left back Ethan Bristow

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

Minnesota United is interested in English left back Ethan Bristow, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.English transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke with Football Insider reported the Loons are the first club to make a move for Bristow, with “several” English Football League sides also keen on the young player.The Loons are looking to add an athletic, attacking fullback in the summer transfer window, which opens July 5, and Bristow fits the mold. Wyscout said Bristow’s contract expires June 2024.Bristow, 21, also could take MNUFC’s third and final Under-22 Initiative slot. Bongi Hlongwane and Sang Bin Jeong occupy the other two spots.Bristow was a workhorse for Tranmere Rovers in England’s League Two last season, playing 4,140 minutes across 46 matches. He had one goal and two assists.Bristow was with Reading for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, playing mostly in the Premier League 2 and the Championship. He was credited with 12 shot-creating actions in t...

Underground Railroad Education Center gets $2 Million for new Interpretive Center

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany is getting significant new funding for their Interpretive Center. State lawmakers and other community leaders announced the $2 Million boost from the New York Capital Assistance program, explaining how the money will push the center’s development forward. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The museum plans to use the new interpretive center to expand their exhibits and provide a community space for children, guest speakers and artists interested in learning more about the area’s history. “The interpretive center was a dream that began with the sitting board of directors in 2008 so it has been hovering for a long time," Mary-Liz Stewart, Co-Founder of the Underground Railroad Education Center, said. Underground Railroad Education Center plans community expansion “When I say I get chills every time I read about Steven and Harriet Myers, part of the ...

Lake Luzerne woman arrested for SNAP fraud

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:19:25 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A Lake Luzerne woman was arrested on Monday for welfare fraud. The Warren County Sheriff's Office arrested Gina Mitchell after an investigation by the county Department of Social Services.Mitchell, 36, was found to have received $8,936 in benefits for which she was not eligible. The county investigation found that she had railed to report wages on a recertification form for SNAP benefits. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Mitchell was arrested on counts of 3rd-degree welfare fraud, offering a false instrument for filing, and 3rd-degree grand larceny. She was arraigned in Queensbury Town Court and released pending court appearance.