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Disney hits DeSantis over public records

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney has filed a lawsuit claiming that the oversight government for Walt Disney World, which was taken over by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, has failed to release documents and properly preserve records in violation of Florida public records law.Disney said in the lawsuit filed Friday that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, often referred to as CFTOD, has been so slow in fulfilling its public records duties that it has failed to respond completely to a request the company made seven months ago when it paid more than $2,400 to get emails and text messages belonging to the five district board members appointed by DeSantis.Disney, DeSantis and the DeSantis appointees already are battling for control of the government in two pending lawsuits in federal and state court.The public records lawsuit is asking a judge to review any documents that the district claims are exempt from being released, declare that the district is violating state...

Apple battling to bring watches back to market

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

Apple filed an emergency motion seeking court permission to begin selling two of its most popular watches again until a final decision on its broader appeal in a bitter patent dispute is decided.The company cut off sales right before the Christmas holiday and in a motion filed Tuesday, Apple said it would suffer “irreparable harm” if previous court orders remain for the two weeks that it said the U.S. International Trade Commission will take to respond to its appeal.The disruption will likely cost Apple about $300-400 million in holiday-season sales, estimated Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. That’s a relative drop in the bucket for Apple, given that industry analysts are expecting the company to generate nearly $120 billion in sales this quarter, which includes the holiday shopping season.On Oct. 26, the ITC determined that Apple infringed on two patents owned by Masimo Corp. and Cercacor Laboratories, both U.S. companies. After a 60-day review, the ITC’...

Alleged drunk, wrong-way driver from New York City kills grandfather, grandson in crash on Somerset bridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

A New York City man accused of killing a Seekonk grandfather and grandson when he drove the wrong way on a Somerset bridge allegedly drunk late Christmas night, is being held on $100,000 cash bail.Adam Gauthier, 41, of New York City, appeared for arraignment Tuesday afternoon from his hospital bed at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, less than 24 hours after he allegedly killed Floriano Arruda, 73, of Seekonk and his 15-year-old grandson Jacoby Arruda, also of Seekonk.Floriano’s wife and Jacoby’s grandmother, Donna Arruda, 68, remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.“This is a terrible tragedy, especially when it occurred on Christmas night,” District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a release. “My heart grieves for the victims and their family for their terrible loss.”Authorities arrested Gauthier, whom they say is a former Somerset resident, shortly after the 11 p.m. crash.Gauthier is bein...

Family sues in death of 87-year-old linked to Miguel's Cocina E. coli outbreak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

SAN DIEGO — The family of an 87-year-old man who died after eating at a Miguel's Cocina in 4S Ranch during the E. coli outbreak earlier this year is suing the restaurant and its parent company for wrongful death and negligence.The lawsuit was filed with the county Superior Court last Wednesday on behalf of John Ferber, who died on Oct. 26 due to E. coli-related complications less than two weeks after eating at the popular Mexican chain restaurant with his wife.His family's suit is the third to come out following the outbreak at Miguel's Cocina that was linked to 35 E. coli infections, including 10 hospitalizations. Those who fell ill reported eating at the location between Oct. 6 and Oct. 18. Santa visits San Diego NICU babies In the complaint, Ferber's family says he and his wife went to the restaurant on Oct. 14 to eat dinner. They reportedly became sick shortly after, both suffering from "severe gastrointestinal distress" that caused diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.Ferber's...

Prosecutors oppose Sen. Bob Menendez’s effort to delay May bribery trial until July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday urged a judge to reject U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s request to delay his bribery trial scheduled for next spring by two months, until July.Prosecutors argued against the postponement a week after defense lawyers offered multiple reasons why they say a trial of the Democrat and codefendants, including his wife, should be delayed.The senator gave up his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after his September arrest. Prosecutors said the original May 6 trial date was appropriate and drew no objections when it was announced even though circumstances were the same.“The schedule was and remains reasonable, and in accord with the strong public interest in a speedy trial,” prosecutors wrote.Defense lawyers cited over 6.7 million documents to be reviewed, an “unprecedented” foreign-agent charge and complex legal questions to be addressed as they asked for a delay of a trial now scheduled for May 6. They said a two-month adjo...

12/31/23: At Las Vegas wedding chapels, this ‘specialty date’ creates a New Year’s Eve surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — For better or for worse, a wave of couples saying “I do” in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve could set a record for the city’s busiest wedding day ever.That’s because 12/31/23 is known in the massive Las Vegas wedding industry as a “specialty date,” thanks to the repeating 1-2-3 1-2-3 pattern, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.The icing on the cake? This specialty date falls on a holiday famous for blowout celebrations.“It’s a double whammy,” said Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings, which operates multiple venues. “Anytime you get these specialty dates, they’re always hugely popular. But tie that in with New Year’s Eve and it’s a showstopper.”The number to beat on New Year’s Eve is 4,492 — the single-day record for marriages in Las Vegas set on July 7, 2007. The second-most popular specialty wedding date on record with the county’s marriage bureau is Nov. 11, 2011, when 3,125 couples tied the knot.Typically, New Year’s Eve has drawn...

New Orleans Pelicans and Smoothie King renew their arena naming rights agreement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans and Smoothie King have agreed to renew their arena naming rights contract, the club announced Tuesday.The arena will “retain its distinctive identity as the Smoothie King Center for the foreseeable future,” the Pelicans said in a statement.Neither the club nor Smoothie King released details on the specific length or value of the agreement. The initial agreement, reached in 2014, ran for 10 years through the current NBA season and reportedly had an estimated value approaching $40 million.The Pelicans’ lease at the 24-year-old arena is due to expire next summer. But the club has said it intends to exercise an option to remain in the Smoothie King Center through at least the end of the current decade while exploring longer-term plans that could include proposals for a new arena or extensive renovations to the current building.“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Smoothie King and maintain the iconic Smoothie King Cente...

All lanes of I-94 near Portage closed after crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

PORTAGE, Ind. — A crash along I-94 in northwest Indiana brought the highway to a halt on Tuesday afternoon, officials say. According to the Indiana Department Of Transportation (INDOT), the crash happened in the westbound lanes between Jensen Drive and State Road 149 near Portage and crews have shut down all lanes between the two roads while they work the crash. Vehicle plunges from bridge over I-55, resulting in life-threatening injuries: State police Officials say the closure, which went into effect around 4 p.m., will likely last for about two hours.Official have not provided details on how many vehicles were involved or if anyone was injured. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates. 

CTA to offer free rides on buses, trains on New Year's Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

CHICAGO — The new year is quickly approaching and those looking to celebrate across the city can save a few bucks on the ride home thanks to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).The CTA is offering free rides on all buses and trains on New Year's Eve to help the public get home safely and reliably after ringing in the new year.SEE ALSO | New Year’s Eve in Chicago: Where to watch fireworks across the cityAccording to the CTA, free rides will be available from 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.Yellow line service remains suspended following a crash in mid-November, so riders will need to find an alternate route.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Visit the CTA website for details on schedules and routes or to plan your trip.

Police in Texas searching for pregnant 18-year-old who is past her due date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVEO) — Police on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas, are searching for a pregnant 18-year-old, Savannah Nicole Soto.Family say Soto is pregnant and is past her estimated delivery date. She was last seen at 2 p.m. on Friday in Leon Valley.A CLEAR alert, which stands for coordinated law enforcement adult rescue, was issued for Soto after her family reported that she was missing. Photo: Texas DPSAccording to police, Soto missed an essential medical appointment. CBS News reports she was scheduled to have labor induced on Saturday.Soto is described as being 5'1 and weighing 115 pounds. The Texas Department of Public Safety says she has brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities believe she could be traveling in a 2013 gray Kia Optima, license number 4289D57. Photo: Texas DPSThe Leon Valley Police Department has initiated an investigation into her disappearance and detectives are actively seeking additional witnesses for information. They ask anyone with information...