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Hunter Biden’s plea deal on hold after federal judge raises concerns over the terms of the agreement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The plea deal in Hunter Biden’s criminal case unraveled during a court hearing Wednesday after a federal judge raised concerns about the terms of an agreement that has infuriated Republicans who believe the president’s son is getting preferential treatment.Hunter Biden was charged last month with two misdemeanor crimes of failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes from over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018 and had been expected to plead guilty Wednesday after he made an agreement with prosecutors, who were planning to recommend two years of probation. But U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, raised multiple concerns about the specifics of the deal and her role in the proceedings. The plan also included an agreement on a separate gun charge — Biden has been accused of possessing a firearm in 2018 as a drug user. As long as he adhered to the terms of his agreement, the gun case was to be be wiped ...

Partial settlement reached in lawsuit against Calgary Stampede over abuse of boys

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

CALGARY — A partial settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Stampede alleging the organization allowed a performance school staffer to sexually abuse young boys.Phillip Heerema received a 10-year prison sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring. Heerema admitted to using his position with The Young Canadians, which performs each year in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, to lure and groom six boys into sexual relationships. The offences took place between 2005 and 2014, as well as in 1992. In court, lawyers forthe plaintiffs and the Stampede announced the settlement involving negligence and breach of duty, but it must still be approved by a judge.The Stampede admitted to full liability and would pay damages that are to be worked out later this summer.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2023.The Canadian Press

Not all heat warnings are equal: 5 things about Canada’s alert system for hot weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

MONTREAL — Environment Canada has issued heat warnings this summer for parts of the country used to baking in the heat, but also in places unaccustomed to extended periods of hot weather. Earlier this month, the Northwest Territories and northern Quebec were under heat warnings as temperatures climbed into the 30s. On Wednesday, warnings were in effect not just in southern Ontario but in much of Nova Scotia, northeastern Newfoundland and even Old Crow, Yukon, north of the Arctic Circle.But the temperature that leads to a heat warning in one province could be lower than the temperature that triggers an alert in another part of the country.Here are five things to know about heat warnings in Canada:What exactly is a heat warning?Environment Canada issues heat warnings when temperatures begin posing a health risk. Generally, the warnings act as forecasts that include daytime highs and nighttime lows above a specific threshold for two consecutive days.Heat can be dangerous because it for...

Rob Manfred’s term as baseball commissioner extended until 2029 by MLB owners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred’s term was extended until 2029 on Wednesday by major league owners.The decision to give Manfred a third term in charge of the sport was made during a vote in a telephone conference call with the 30 team owners. The extension keeps Manfred in place until Jan. 25, 2029.Manfred, 64, succeeded Bud Selig in January 2015 and was given a five-year term. Owners voted in November 2018 to offer Manfred a new deal through the 2024 season. Manfred has overseen a period of on-field change for the sport, including instituting a pitch clock and limits on defensive shifts this season. Game times have dropped by about a half-hour and offense by left-handed batters has increased.He presided over the deal with players that led to pandemic-shortened 60-game schedule in 2020, the institution of automatic runners at second base in extra-inning games that began that year and a 99-day lockout last year that ended with a five-year labor contract that r...

McConnell freezes at briefing, concerning colleagues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) froze for almost 20 seconds while delivering his opening statement at a leadership press conference Wednesday afternoon, prompting murmurs of concern among his colleagues and the assembled press corps.  McConnell told reporters the Senate was on a path to complete work on the annual defense authorization bill and praised what he called “good bipartisan cooperation” before freezing mid-sentence and staring straight ahead without an uttering another word.  The awkward and potentially scary moment prompted a couple members of his leadership team to reach out to see if he was OK. “Are you good, Mitch?” asked Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairwoman Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), putting her hand on the back of his arm. “Are you okay, Mitch?” asked Senate Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a doctor, who put his hand on McConnell’s right forearm. “Anything else you want to say? “Let’s go back to ...

Rabid bats found in Chicago area; IDPH issues warning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

The Illinois Department of Public Health is warning residents of the dangers of rabies after several cases of rabid bats have been reported.IDPH said so far this year, 27 rabid bats have been reported in the state with several of those in Chicago-area counties. There have been five rabid bats each in Kankakee and Lake counties, four in Cook County and three in McHenry County.“Bats are the most common source of potential infection in Illinois, and exposures from bats tend to be more frequent during the summer months, especially July and August,” the department said in news release Wednesday. “Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If someone wakes up to find a bat in the room, that is also considered an exposure even if they cannot identify a bite.”IDPH said rabies can be prevented in a number of ways including:Vaccinating petsBeing cautious around wildlifeSeeking medical care immediately a...

WATCH LIVE | Federal Reserve raises its key rate for 11th time by a quarter-point in its drive to slow inflation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate Wednesday for the 11th time in 17 months, a streak of hikes that are intended to curb inflation but that also carry the risk of going too far and triggering a recession. The move lifted the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate from roughly 5.1% to 5.3% — its highest level since 2001. Coming on top of its previous rate hikes, the Fed’s latest move could lead to further increases in the costs of mortgages,auto loans, credit cards and business borrowing.Though inflation has eased to its slowest pace in two years, Wednesday’s hike reflects the concern of Fed officials that the economy is still growing too fast for inflation to fall back to their 2% target. With consumer confidence reaching its highest level in two years, Americans keep spending — crowding airplanes, traveling overseas and flocking to concerts and movie theaters. Most crucially, businesses keep hiring, with the unemployment rate still near half-century lows. I...

Lawmakers call for centralized reporting, more investigation on UFOs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NewsNation) — Lawmakers conducting hearings into UFO sightings promised to continue to look into how the government handles such information but little new information was revealed by witnesses.Ultimately, lawmakers pledged to continue efforts to investigate allegations the government was concealing evidence of non-human craft and operating without Congressional oversight as well as working to create more ways for service members and civilians to report suspicious sightings.The U.S. House Oversight Committee heard from three witnesses Wednesday morning after a whistleblower filed a complaint claiming the U.S. has been concealing evidence of non-human aircraft. The hearings were a rare show of bipartisanship, as members of both parties pressed for answers on the issue. UFO hearing: Lawmakers, witnesses call for centralized reporting system Much of what was revealed in the hearings had been shared before, including claims from whistleblower David Grusch that the go...

Flooding damage assessments underway in western suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

CICERO, Ill. — Emergency response teams are out in force attempting to get a handle on all the flooding damage from the severe storms earlier this month.Local, state and federal officials provided an update at Morton College in Cicero Wednesday, on how things are progressing in the aftermath of the storms and what their teams will be doing.In early July, there were about 18,000 reports of flooding. Some areas saw almost nine-inches of rain fall, with all the water unable to drain causing backups in basements.The hardest hit areas being Cicero, Berwyn, Stickney and the Austin neighborhood.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson went door to door Tuesday, and Wednesday, five assessment teams will be doing the exact thing in suburbs and five in the city.The teams are trying to speak with residents to get a clearer idea of the extent of the damage. West Side communities recovering from days of severe flooding Once compiled, Gov. JB Pritzker will make an official request for federal support and ...

Man possibly struck by lightning at Rockford cemetery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:21 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A man was rushed to the hospital after a suspected lightning strike while visiting a cemetery on Wednesday morning.According to witnesses, landscapers heard the man screaming for help after the strike at the Willwood Burial Park, at 7000 W. State Street around 10 a.m.The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and ambulances responded to the scene.Witnesses said the man was responsive at the time. His current condition is unknown.A thunderstorm moved through the Rockford area Wednesday, bringing heavy a downpour, high winds, and lightning. Rabid bats found in Chicago area; IDPH issues warning Lightning strikes often result in a condition known as keraunoparalysis, a temporary paralysis of the lower limbs, or damage to ear-drums or eyes. Injuries can range from a mild burn to damage to the brain or death.The National Weather Service says a typical lightning flash holds 300 million volts and 30,000 amps. In comparison, a typical household socket current holds 120 v...