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Sharp drop in illegal border crossings continues in February

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharp drop in illegal border crossings along the Southwest border that started in January after the Biden administration announced stricter immigration measures continued into February, the administration announced Wednesday.The data released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection paints a picture of who is attempting to enter the country at a time of intense political controversy with Republicans seeing immigration as a potent issue with voters and accusing President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of not doing enough to secure the southern border.U.S. Border Patrol officials encountered migrants 128,877 times trying to cross the border in February between the legal border crossings. That’s about the same as January’s number — 128,913 — and is the lowest number of encounters per month since February 2021, the agency said.The numbers of encounters doesn’t necessarily equate to individual people since some migrants try...

Five Below: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Five Below Inc. (FIVE) on Wednesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $171.3 million.The Philadelphia-based company said it had profit of $3.07 per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $3.06 per share.The discount retailer posted revenue of $1.12 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Eleven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.11 billion.For the year, the company reported profit of $261.5 million, or $4.69 per share. Revenue was reported as $3.08 billion.For the current quarter ending in April, Five Below said it expects revenue in the range of $723 million to $735 million. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had expected revenue of $634.1 million.The company expects full-year earnings to be $5.25 to $5.76 per share, with revenue ranging from $3.49 billion to $3.59 billion._____This story was generated by Automated ...

Tree branch falls on benches at San Antonio Zoo; 7 hurt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Seven people were injured, one seriously, when a large part of a tree broke off and fell on some occupied benches at the San Antonio Zoo on Wednesday, authorities and a witness reported.The branch “unexpectedly” fell at around noon, the zoo said. City Fire Department spokesman Joe Arrington said those hurt included children and adults. One person had significant injuries, he added, while the others were taken to the hospital as a precaution.Witness Brandy Lorraine, who was visiting the zoo with her 9-year-old daughter, told the San Antonio Express-News that she was on a bench next to the tree when she heard a cracking noise. She said a large part of the tree fell on top of benches where people were sitting.“It was a freak accident. It was so scary,” Lorraine told the newspaper. “I saw a woman running for help with blood on her hands. I heard people screaming. I just hope everyone is OK. Thinking about it now is even scarier because any little detour could have put...

ACLU of Alaska sues over prison involuntary medication rules

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The ACLU of Alaska is asking a judge to strike down as unconstitutional a state Department of Corrections policy on involuntary medication of people who are incarcerated, saying the policy does not adequately protect due process rights. The organization said it filed a lawsuit against state corrections officials Wednesday on behalf of a man serving a 99-year sentence at a prison in Seward. The lawsuit says the man, who has been in department custody since 2001 and has had mental health issues while incarcerated, had been taking antipsychotic medication voluntarily but beginning in 2018 felt he no longer needed the medication.The lawsuit alleges the man has been “forcibly injected” with medication over the past five years. It asks that he be given a judicial hearing at which evidence can be heard and he can have an attorney present before being administered any psychiatric medication “against his will.”Melody Vidmar, an attorney with ACLU of Alaska, said t...

AP source: Commanders signing veteran QB Jacoby Brissett

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

Jacoby Brissett has agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract worth $10 million with $8 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not announced the contract.Brissett becomes the experienced veteran quarterback the team wanted to bring in to push and compete with projected starter Sam Howell. Brissett threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions last season with Cleveland Browns, starting 11 games for them while Deshaun Watson served his suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Now 30, Brissett has played 76 and started 48 NFL games for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Browns since entering the league in 2016. He fills a void created by the release of Carson Wentz and the departure of Taylor Heinicke, who got a two-year contract worth up to $20 million from the Atlan...

Oklahoma City bombing figure’s son guilty in Nevada robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The troubled son of imprisoned Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols pleaded guilty Wednesday in Las Vegas to kidnapping and armed robbery in a case that will get him at least five years in a Nevada prison.Joshua Isaac Nichols and a co-defendant, George William Moya III, each took plea deals that avoided trial next month in Clark County District Court on felony charges in a February 2020 attack on a man in suburban Henderson.Moya, 27, pleaded guilty to robbery with a deadly weapon and is expected to receive a sentence of four to 15 years in state prison.Nichols, 40, could end up serving more than 17 years in prison, according to his written plea agreement.Both men remained jailed Wednesday, although Nichols’ plea deal allows him to post $50,000 bail to be released on high-level electronic monitoring pending sentencing June 14.“We are satisfied with the outcome, and Joshua is looking forward to spending some quality time with his family,” Augustus ...

Tutor Perini: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

SYLMAR, Calif. (AP) — SYLMAR, Calif. (AP) — Tutor Perini Corp. (TPC) on Wednesday reported a loss of $92.9 million in its fourth quarter.The Sylmar, California-based company said it had a loss of $1.80 per share.The construction company posted revenue of $906.6 million in the period.For the year, the company reported a loss of $210 million, or $4.09 per share. Revenue was reported as $3.79 billion.Tutor Perini expects full-year earnings to be 45 cents to 65 cents per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TPC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TPCSource

Franco-Nevada: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — TORONTO (AP) — Franco-Nevada Corp. (FNV) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net income of $165 million.On a per-share basis, the Toronto-based company said it had net income of 86 cents.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 85 cents per share.The precious metals streaming and royalty company posted revenue of $320.4 million in the period.For the year, the company reported profit of $700.6 million, or $3.66 per share. Revenue was reported as $1.32 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FNV at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FNVSource

March Madness: Unbeaten South Carolina chasing third title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

March Madness is here! Here is what to know about the women’s NCAA Tournament, including the favorites and underdogs as well as key games and how to watch: TOP SEEDSThe top four seeds in the tournament are South Carolina, Indiana, Virginia Tech and Stanford. Each is in a region, some tougher than others (on paper). We break them down for you:SOUTH CAROLINA (32-0): The defending national champions are the No. 1 overall seed and the Greenville I Region breaks down favorably. It includes two teams in No. 2 seed Maryland (25-6) and No. 4 seed UCLA (23-9) who the Gamecocks beat earlier this season. South Carolina is loaded, with two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year Aliyah Boston and leading scorer Zia Cooke. INDIANA (27-3): After a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament semis, some wondered if the Hoosiers might miss out on a top seed. They landed it in the Greenville II Region and start against either Tennessee Tech or Monmouth. Mackenzie Holmes leads Indiana with 2...

March earns Brighton 1-0 win over Palace with timely goal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:12 GMT

BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Solly March’s timely goal boosted Brighton’s bid for European qualification as the south-coast team beat big rival Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday.March scored the winner in the 15th minute — on March 15 — to move Brighton level on points with sixth-place Liverpool with a game in hand.It also provided a double celebration for Brighton owner Tony Bloom, after his horse Energumene won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival hours earlier.The problems are mounting for 12th-place Palace, though, after its winless run stretched to 11 matches.Palace manager Patrick Vieira was forced to hand teenage goalkeeper Joe Whitworth a professional debut with regular No. 1 Vicente Guaita and deputy Sam Johnstone both injured.At 19 years and 15 days, Whitworth was the youngest goalkeeper to appear in a Premier League game since Ben Alnwick played for Sunderland in December 2005.The former Palace ballboy made a nervous start with an unc...