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Thompson and Guest to run for reelection in Mississippi, both confirm as qualifying period opens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Two influential members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi — Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson and Republican Rep. Michael Guest — confirmed to The Associated Press that they will run for reelection as a state qualifying period began Tuesday for candidates seeking federal office. Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security who also chaired the now dissolved House Jan. 6 committee, has represented central Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District since 1993. Guest chairs the House Ethics Committee and recently oversaw the committee’s probe into former Rep. George Santos of New York. Guest has represented Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District, which covers parts of central and east Mississippi, since 2019. Qualifying began Tuesday for candidates seeking one U.S. Senate seat and all four of the state’s U.S. House seats in the 2024 election. Jan. 15 is the qualifying deadline for presidential candidates, and Jan. ...

In Texas case, federal appeals panel says emergency care abortions not required by 1986 law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Biden administration cannot use a 1986 emergency care law to require hospitals in Texas hospitals to provide abortions for women whose lives are at risk due to pregnancy, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. It’s one of numerous cases involving abortion restrictions that have played out in state and federal courts after the U.S. Supreme Court ended abortion rights in 2022. The administration issued guidance that year saying hospitals “must” provide abortion services if there’s a risk to the mother’s life, citing the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, which requires emergency rooms to provide stabilizing treatment for anyone who arrives at the emergency room.Abortion opponents have challenged the guidance in multiple jurisdictions. In Texas, the state joined abortion opponents in a lawsuit to stop the guidance from taking effect and won at the district court level. The Biden administration appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Cou...

Cause still undetermined for house fire that left 5 children dead in Arizona, authorities say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. (AP) — The cause of a house fire in northwestern Arizona that left five children dead last month is still unknown and could take months to determine, authorities said Tuesday.Bullhead City police said the analysis of the fire debris is being conducted in a federal laboratory by chemists and electrical engineers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The father of four of the children left them and a young relative at home for about 2 1/2 hours on Dec. 16 so he could buy Christmas gifts and groceries returned to find the charred remains of the family’s home.Authorities haven’t released the man’s name and will not say if he is facing any charges in the fatal fire in a close-knit community near the Colorado River and the Nevada border.Investigators said the fire began in the downstairs foyer area of the two-story duplex, and the flames and smoke traveled up the only staircase inside the home, preventing the children from escaping.The bodies of...

'Those officers were heroes': 2 adults, toddler pulled to safety after crashing car into pond in Naperville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — A man, a woman and a 2-year-old girl are safe on Tuesday afternoon after they were pulled to safety by first responders after crashing their car into a pond in the west suburbs.Authorities say crews were called to the scene of the crash in the 3300 block of Cedar Glade Road in Naperville just before 1 p.m.Officers who were nearby when the call came in rushed to the scene and found the white SUV partially submerged in the retention pond near the 95th Street Library. Honeymooning couple shares story of being in cab that crashed into tree near Millennium Park ice rink "From the radio call, we knew there was a baby in the water, but we didn’t know of any other occupants. Officers quickly responded, got in the water, and found that there were two adults along with a two-year-old child in the car.” Commander Michaus Williams, from the Naperville Police Department, said. Three responding officers jumped into the water and were able to bre...

Fundraiser created to help keep St. Bede School open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

INGLESIDE, Ill. -- No final decision has been made yet on the future of St. Bede School in Ingleside, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.St. Bede School in Ingleside could be forced to close their doors due to financial shortfalls, but a GoFundMe page and dedicated volunteers are helping to fight keep the school open.“We’re coming together and doing what we can and we’re just praying for a miracle," St. Bede graduate Susan Lutzke said. Annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge draws big crowd to raise money for a great cause The St. Bede School administrators announced they need to raise $400,000 by Friday, Jan. 26. If not, the school may have to close its doors for good.The Chicago Archdiocese Office of Schools released the following statement:"We appreciate the efforts of Saint Bede school, it's parish community, and the generosity of all donors as we work together to make Catholic schools available to those who choose them."The Chicago ArchdioceseThe Ingleside Catholic school was ...

Trump hits Ohio governor over veto on proposed gender-affirming health care ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

(The Hill) — Former President Trump went after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for vetoing a proposed ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender minors Saturday.“DeWine has fallen to the Radical Left,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “No wonder he gets loudly booed in Ohio every time I introduce him at Rallies, but I won’t be introducing him any more. I’m finished with this 'stiff.' What was he thinking. The bill would have stopped child mutilation, and prevented men from playing in women’s sports. Legislature will hopefully overturn. Do it FAST!!!”The bill, House Bill 68, also had the aim of preventing transgender women and girls from competing as part of female school sports teams. The Ohio governor said Friday he had spent the last two weeks since the bill was delivered to him on a “fact-finding mission," saying he traveled to the Buckeye State and talked to medical professionals and the families of transgender children. He also said he talked to those who are against ...

New owners of Jeffrey Epstein's New Mexico ranch protest property value

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The new owners of Jeffrey Epstein's "Zorro Ranch" property in New Mexico are protesting the property's value. In a complaint filed in Santa Fe County District Court just before Christmas, the new owners of the roughly 8,000-acre ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, are asking for a refund in taxes paid on the property.The New Mexico ranch was sold to San Rafael LLC last year for an undisclosed amount. However, according to the property's Notice of Value statement from 2023, Santa Fe County values the property at $21,130,201. The most recent estimated property tax amount listed is $151,475.Court documents show the new owners are now arguing the property is worth much less than that, at $9 million. Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘Zorro Ranch’ sold in New Mexico "We like to see any information they have," said Isaiah Romero, Santa Fe County Assessor."I know this sold last year, we want to see the closing documents, we want to see what was included in the sale, and that's a ...

'Black Panther' actor seriously injured in NYC crash on New Year's Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) — "Black Panther" actor Carrie Bernans was pinned under a food truck early Monday morning when she was hit by a wrong-way driver during a police chase in Manhattan, her mother announced on social media.Bernans' mother, Patricia Lee, shared several updates on her daughter's condition via her Instagram account, including several graphic photos of her injuries. She called the crash "traumatic," and said her daughter was knocked unconscious and suffered broken bones, fractures, and chipped teeth.The social media post ended with a note that Bernans' son was not with her and was safe with his family."I'm in so much pain," Bernans said in a video posted to her Instagram story Monday, adding that she "still can't really walk right now." In another post to her story later in the day, Lee said Bernans "was able to walk a few steps assisted." ‘Hooliganism’: Actor Ian Ziering addresses Hollywood mini-biker brawl Nine people, including Bernans and a police officer, ...

Nationwide warrant issued for man after woman killed in Colorado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Police have issued a nationwide warrant for a man in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman in Colorado.On Dec. 30, police were called to a possible stabbing outside the Tuscan Heights Apartments in Federal Heights, located about 12 miles north of downtown Denver.When police arrived, they transported the woman to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries. ‘Finally free:’ Gypsy Rose Blanchard has busy first week after release Police identified the victim as 20-year-old Sachely Diaz. Federal Heights police said the suspect knew Diaz. Now, a nationwide warrant has been issued for the arrest of 35-year-old Adrian Carracedo-Vega, pictured below.Carracedo-Vega may be heading to Texas or attempting to cross the border into Mexico, Federal Heights Police said Tuesday. However, police do not know what vehicle he is in.A $2 million cash bond has been issued for Carracedo-Vega, who is now wanted for homicide.Additional details about the investigation ...

Westlake hospital closes ER with little notice, emergency leaders say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center announced Friday it would be closing its emergency department that evening. Local emergency leaders said they were given little notice about the closure which could impact paramedics and nearby medical facilities.A message to our ReportIt tip line said the center was closing abruptly Friday night. The hospital's website confirmed its emergency department would be closed by 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29.Douglas Havron with the Capital Area of Texas Regional Advisory Council (CATRAC) said he became aware of the ER's closing through local EMS. The CATRAC oversees trauma and emergency response across 11 counties, including Travis County.A representative with Austin Travis County EMS said one of its ambulance crews was on route to transport a patient to the hospital Friday afternoon when it learned the ER would only be open for a few more hours.Havron said CATRAC received the official documentation about the ER's closure the same night it ...