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Alaska House Republicans confirm Baker to fill vacancy left when independent Rep Patkotak resigned

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska House Republicans have confirmed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s appointment of Republican Thomas Baker to the state House. Baker was sworn in Monday, the Republican-led House majority said. Dunleavy had appointed Baker to replace independent Rep. Josiah Patkotak, who resigned last month after being elected North Slope Borough mayor.Because Patkotak was an independent, Dunleavy was not bound by party affiliation in choosing a replacement, but there were questions around who would be involved in confirming his pick. Dunleavy’s office had said Baker’s name would be sent to Republican House members for a confirmation vote. Provisions of law dealing with vacancies were tweaked under a 2020 ballot measure. Scott Kendall, an attorney and an author of that measure, has said the confirmation should be voted on by members of the House majority, regardless of their party affiliation.Patkotak was one of four rural lawmakers — independents and Democrats — who this year j...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs legislation to sanction Iran, protect Jewish institutions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday that puts sanctions on Iran and protects Jewish institutions.Lawmakers were in Tallahassee earlier this month for a special session, just two months before the Legislature’s regular annual session is set to begin. They approved bills to provide $45 million in grants to secure Jewish institutions and other places that could be a target of hate crimes, as well as legislation to strengthen sanctions already in place against companies that do business with Iranian companies.DeSantis also signed measures on Monday to provide hurricane recovery money and expand a program to allow developmentally disabled students attend private school with taxpayer money.DeSantis, who is running for president as a Republican, has campaigned on his support for Israel as it mounts an offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,400 people. The Legislature passed the measures Wednesday just hours be...

Former Fox News reporter says in lawsuit he was fired after challenging Jan. 6 coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Fox News reporter says in a lawsuit he was targeted and fired for pushing back against false claims about the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.In the suit filed in federal court Monday, producer Jason Donner said he was part of a “purge” of employees who refused to only report information that would “appease” former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Donner was inside the Capitol when the mob of Trump supporters breached the building. When he heard Fox News reporting that rioters were “peaceful” and “severely disappointed,” he called the control room, using expletives as he said, “you’re gonna get us all killed,” the suit states. A spokeswoman for Fox News did not immediately return an email message seeking comment on the lawsuit.Donner also debunked Tucker Carlson’s “Patriot Purge,” a program on the Fox Nation streaming service that argued Jan. 6 was used as a pretext for persecution of conservative Americans.Fox managers...

South Korea’s Yoon will warn APEC leaders about the risks of a Russia-North Korea arms deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol slammed the purported illicit arms deal between North Korea and Russia, saying he’ll emphasize its far-reaching security implications and discuss international response during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco this week.In written responses to questions from The Associated Press ahead of the APEC meeting, Yoon also said that North Korean provocations will invite immediate retaliation by South Korean and U.S. forces. There are concerns that North Korea might miscalculate and make a move against the South while the world is focused on the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. “An effective way to prevent North Korea from miscalculating is to demonstrate our robust deterrence capabilities and determination towards North Korea based on the solid ROK-U.S. joint defense posture,” Yoon said, using the initials of South Korea’s formal name, the Republic of Korea.“North Korea’s provocations will no...

3 injured in shooting in Grand Crossing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

CHICAGO — Three men were hospitalized on Monday evening after a shooting on the city's South Side, police say. According to Chicago police, the shooting happened just before 5:40 p.m. in the 7100 block of South State Street in Grand Crossing. ‘He was a light of sunshine’: Chicago firefighter dies after battling fire in Lincoln Park Police say three men, a 36-year-old, a 62-year-old and a 66-year-old, were standing outside in the area when they were all shot by an unknown individual. Officers say the three men were all then taken to the hospital in good condition and an investigation is underway.According to police, it is currently unclear what led to the shooting and no arrests have been made.  Long-stalled Navy Pier marina gets green light Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.Tips for police can also be filed at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

Alcohol and caffeine together have a surprising effect on sleep: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A new study evaluating the combined effects of alcohol and caffeine found that both substances, when used together, have an "unexpected" effect on sleep. Researchers at the University of Washington and University of California-Berkley hypothesized that combining caffeine and alcohol, “the two most popular psychoactive drugs in the world,” would decrease sleep quantity and quality.For six weeks, 17 study participants -- who worked in financial trading -- logged their drink consumption and their quantity and quality of sleep. ‘Superbug’ cases rising in Nevada over past two months: health officials The study, which was published Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE, found that on average caffeine reduced sleep quantity by 10 minutes per cup consumed the previous day. Those who drank alcohol the day before reported a 4% decline in their sleep quality on average, according to the study.However, researchers discovered when the participants drank both caffeine and al...

2 men released from custody after initial arrest in the death of Jackson State student

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Two men who were arrested and charged in the death of a college student in Mississippi have been released from custody.Joshua Brown was released Friday from the Hinds County Detention Center after initially being held on a murder charge in the killing of Jaylen Burns, 21, of Country Club Hills. ORIGINAL: Student from Chicagoland killed in shooting at Jackson State University Burns was a student at Jackson State University. Surveillance footage obtained by WLBT-TV appeared to show the 19-year-old Brown out of town when Burns was shot and killed.Jamison Kelly Jr. had been arrested on suspicion of accessory to murder after the fact, but was released from jail Monday after Hinds County Judge James Bell said there wasn’t enough probable cause to charge him.

Portland Public Schools teachers strike enters third week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- There was no bargaining Monday in the ongoing Portland teachers strike, but both the Portland Association of Teachers and the Portland Public Schools said that is not a sign of trouble.Bargaining is expected to resume on Tuesday, but once again PPS students will have another day without classes.PPS officials released their latest offer on Sunday, which they said "is a significant offer, and it is not without trade-offs. Absent any new revenue, budget cuts will be unavoidable and we will need to implement significant cost-saving measures."Angela Bonilla, the president of the PAT, called the PPS proposal "unconscionable and it's negligent. We've put forward cost-neutral proposals over the table that the district has rejected." Electric air taxi flight takes off from NYC heliport Teachers, parents and students were back on the picket lines Monday in front of schools and the district office. Pay, planning time and capping class sizes are the main points of con...

Ramsey County to unveil plaque dedicated to lives lost to COVID-19 pandemic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

Ramsey County on Tuesday will unveil a plaque commemorating the people who died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The plaque will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. in the great hall of the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown St. Paul, and the event will be livestreamed on the county’s Facebook page, according to a news release issued Monday afternoon.“This event will also recognize the extraordinary efforts of county employees and volunteers who work tirelessly and respond to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic,” the news release said.The event will be attended by Ramsey County Board Chair Trista Martinson, County Manager Ryan O’Connor and Chief Human Resources Officer Annie Porbeni.Related ArticlesNews | Charges: St. Paul man on probation for bank robbery hits another bank, a pharmacy and a convenience store (twice) News | I-94 closes this weekend for Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit construction work News | Mounds View sa...

Maria College spreads kindness on World Kindness Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:34:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Monday was World Kindness Day, and a local college spent the day bringing kindness to the community. Five teams of students and staff from Maria College in Albany stopped by hospitals, schools, grocery stores and other places around the Capital Region.They dropped off snacks, gift cards, and posters with uplifting messages. They hope to show that small gestures can make a big difference. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We hope people feel good," Maria College Pres. Dr. Lynn Ortale said. "There's a lot going on in the world, and we want to make sure we're taking the time to care for each other."The college did something similar during Random Acts of Kindness Day in February. They hope other people will pay it forward with their own good deeds.