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Election officials see a range of threats in 2024, from hostile countries to conspiracy theorists

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — For election officials preparing for the 2024 presidential election, the list of security challenges just keeps growing.Many of the concerns from four years ago persist: the potential for cyberattacks targeting voter registration systems or websites that report unofficial results, and equipment problems or human errors being amplified by those seeking to undermine confidence in the outcome.Add to that the fresh risks that have developed since the 2020 election and the false claims of widespread fraud being spread by former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Death threats directed at election workers and breaches of voting equipment inside election offices have raised questions about safety and security. Some states have altered their voting and election laws, expanded legislative control of local elections and added penalties for election workers who violate rules.The turmoil has contributed to a wave of retirements and resignations among election staff...

Bulgaria and Romania overcome Austria’s objections and get partial approval to join Schengen Area

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria and Romania have received permission to join Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area starting in March, the governments of the two countries said. The move initially will apply only to travelers arriving by air and sea, while Austria has committed to continuing negotiations over the need for border checks when crossing from the two countries by land, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov told reporters Thursday.Austria previously blocked Bulgaria’s and Romania’s entry into the Schengen Area over concerns about illegal immigration but reached an agreement in principle with the two fellow European Union members.“Negotiations with Austria will be combined with substantial support from the European Commission to protect the EU’s external borders with Turkey and Serbia in order to reduce the flow of illegal migrants to Europe,“ Denkov added.Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed the admission of his country into the border-free travel zo...

Surveillance video released of 3 wanted in killing of Chatham security guard

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Surveillance video has been released by Chicago police of three people wanted in the slaying of a security guard outside of a Chatham store last week.On the afternoon of Dec. 20 at around 1 p.m., officers responded to DTLR, located in the 700 block of East 87th Street, on the report of a shooting.Edward Creamer, 53, of Calumet City, who was working as a security guard for the store at the time, was involved in an altercation with two males and a female.CPD said one of the suspects shot Creamer three times. He later died at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Previous: Security guard fatally shot in Chatham ID’d Surveillance footage below, released by police Wednesday night, shows the two males and female stealing merchandise from the store prior to running out.The group fled in a Nissan Maxima, stolen on Dec. 19, with Illinois plate number CW 25426.No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

California police can no longer ask common question at a traffic stop starting in 2024

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

(KTLA) — Potentially millions of California drivers have been asked the same simple question by an officer after being pulled over: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"However, starting in January 2024, officers cannot start the interaction with that question and instead must state the purpose of the traffic stop before asking any other questions. The same goes for any stops conducted on a pedestrian. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2773 in the fall of 2022 and it goes into effect on Jan. 1. According to the text of the law, the only time that officers can skip stating the reason for the stop is if the officer deems it necessary "to protect life or property from imminent threat." ‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson begins lengthy sentence at California prison The law was created to reduce "pretextual stops," in which an officer stops a vehicle or pedestrian for something minor with the intent of searching the driver and vehicle to determine if a larger crime is evident, such as exp...

Pierce Brosnan cited for alleged incident at Yellowstone National Park

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

(WJW) – Actor Pierce Brosnan will have to appear in court over an incident that allegedly happened at Yellowstone National Park.According to a court document obtained by People and CNN, the James Bond actor was cited for entering protected areas of the park in early November.Brosnan has been accused of "foot travel in all thermal areas and [within] Yellowstone Canyon," as well as "violating closures and use limits." The docket, filed in U.S. District Court in Wyoming, lists the charges as a petty offense, according to People and CNN. National parks can ban you from visiting: Here’s how Brosnan, 70, has been ordered to appear at the Yellowstone Justice Center on Jan. 23. It's unclear what exactly prompted the charges; representatives for Brosnan have yet to comment on the incident.Officials with Yellowstone National Park didn't immediately respond to Nexstar's request for additional information. Gypsy Rose Blanchard released from prison Yellowstone National Park is well-known for...

APD: Female recruitment increasing 'faster than anticipated' under Chief Henderson

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department pledged in 2022 to work toward having women make up 30% of the police force by 2030. It's called the "30x30" initiative. "With a consistent effort passionately supported by Chief Robin Henderson, we have increased the numbers faster than anticipated," APD said in an email response to our questions about the progress of the initiative. "The Austin Police Department will remain steadfast in advancing the representation of women in policing for the foreseeable future." Chief’s Run features 25 APD cadets graduating next week Below is a breakdown of the female recruitment numbers spanning from the class that graduated in November 2022 to the current cadet class still going through the academy.APD provided female recruitment data broken down by cadet class applicants and hires. (Credit: APD)"The most recent class, which started in September, started at 29% female," APD said. "The four classes prior showed a combined average of 16% f...

City working to reduce crashes at south Austin intersection

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin is moving on to the next phase of a project at South Congress Avenue and Stassney Lane, adding safety improvements and mobility upgrades to one of the city's most dangerous intersections. South Congress Avenue between William Cannon Drive and Ben White Boulevard is listed as one of the 13 roadways in the High Injury Network. In the past four years there have been eight serious crashes at or near the intersection of Congress and Stassney that resulted in three deaths. Austin city leaders approve agreement to fund fix for ‘high-crash’ intersection Planned improvements The city said it is planning to add more left-hand turn lanes to both sides of Congress Avenue while also raising concrete medians. The project will come with expanded bike and walk paths along with restriped, high-visibility crosswalks to help with mobility and pedestrian safety. The project will also come with improved signal infrastructure and six new Capital Metro bus stops. Wor...

Travel Alert: Closures on I-87 scheduled for January 6

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Thruway Authority is alerting drivers that on January 6, 2024, at 7 p.m., the northbound lanes of the Thruway (1-87) from exit 17 in Newburgh to exit 18 in New Paltz will be fully shut down to all traffic for at least 12 hours. The closure will allow for a portion of the damaged Brookside Road overpass in New Paltz to be removed over the northbound lanes, weather permitting. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The Plattekill Service Area will be closed as a result. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes while the operation takes place.

Massive fire guts Los Angeles home leaving 1 dead, 2 critical

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

One person is dead and two others are in critical condition after a fire raged through a home in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles Thursday morning. The fire was reported at a one-story, single-family home in the 700 block of South Street Louis Street near Hollenbeck Park shortly before 4:30 a.m. Arriving firefighters found the home fully engulfed and were initially forced into a defensive mode, a Los Angeles Fire Department news alert stated.It took more than 50 firefighters 25 minutes to finally extinguish the flames. Crews determined that five people had been inside the home at the time of the fire. One person, who made it out of the home and was located on a porch, was "beyond medical help and determined deceased on scene," the news alert stated. Two patients were pulled out of the fire and transported in critical condition, according to the Fire Department. Massive surf to peak along Southern California coast Thursday Two other occupants were found outside the ho...

Dangerous surf to peak along Southern California coast Thursday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:02:00 GMT

Residents and beachgoers are being warned about the dangers of a massive swell that is expected to reach its peak along the Southern California coastline Thursday.The high surf and flooding dangers are of particular concern in Ventura County and at Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service. Waves of 10 to 15 feet with sets to 20 feet are expected along the Ventura County coast. A high surf warning and coastal flood warning are in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Saturday. “Most dangerous conditions are expected later today (Thursday),” KTLA’s Omar Lewis said.Beachgoers are being urged to use caution as high surf hits the Southern California Coast Thursday. (National Weather Service Los Angeles)Surf near Point Conception and Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches will reach 7 to 12 feet with sets between 15 and 20 feet, according to the Weather Service. “We’re all excited,” said Manhattan Beach resident Rub...