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Who’s Bob Menendez? New Jersey’s senator charged with corruption has survived politically for years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Sen. Bob Menendez’s defense against new federal corruption charges against him, his wife and business associates Friday, revealed he’s adopting the same defiant stance he took when he faced federal accusations nearly a decade ago. A three-term senator who has held office at every level across New Jersey’s rough-and-tumble political landscape, Menendez vowed to fight the latest set of charges and questioned the veracity of the indictment. In almost the same language he used in 2017 after a mistrial on federal corruption charges, he cast the indictment Friday in political terms and vowed to continue his work in the Senate. “For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave,” Menendez said in a statement. It was an echo from six years earlier, when he addressed “those who were digging my political grave” and told them he would not forget who they were.It’s a sign, those who know Mene...

Pope decries indifference toward migrants, as he prays for the dead in the French port of Marseille

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Pope Francis blasted the “fanaticism of indifference” that greets migrants seeking a better life in Europe, as he arrived Friday in the Mediterranean port of Marseille amid a new influx of would-be refugees from Africa that has sparked a backlash from some of Europe’s increasingly anti-migrant leaders.Opening a brief, overnight visit to the French port, Francis presided over a silent moment of prayer at a memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants lost at sea. He was surrounded by leaders of Marseille’s varied faith groups and representatives of migrant rescue organizations that have increasingly come under fire from Europe’s populist politicians.The visit, scheduled months ago, came as Europe’s migrant dilemma is again in headlines. Last week, the Italian island of Lampedusa was overwhelmed by nearly 7,000 migrants who arrived in a day after paying smugglers in Tunisia for passage, more than the island’s resident population.“Cruelty, a lack of h...

Revamped 3 Floyds taproom coming back to Munster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

MUNSTER, Ind. — The beloved Northwest Indiana brewery 3 Floyds, which has gained worldwide acclaim, is bringing back its shuttered taproom in a major expansion project.According to documents from their attorney, they want to nearly double the size of its brewpub to around 5,200 square feet. The brewpub, located at the brewery in the block of 9700 Indiana Parkway, closed in May 2020 due to the pandemic.The Munster staple did not reopen as the company focused more on distributing its award-winning beers across the country.In addition to expanding the brewpub, 3 Floyds plans a beer garden, covered patio area, a game room and an outdoor bar.Attorney Scott Yahne wrote that the prior setup was a challenge to 3 Floyds as the brewery got more attention."As patrons of the prior iteration of the Taproom are aware, the prior configuration was extremely cramped and could not meet the demand that followed 3 Floyds world renowned beer and distilled spirits, not to mention the extraordinary food c...

Police: 2 teens killed in Palatine shooting were victims of targeted, gang-related incident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

PALATINE, Ill. — Police are offering new details on a shooting that left two teen boys dead in Palatine last week.Palatine police say the two teen boys appear to have both been targeted as a result of a gang-related incident. The apparent suspect vehicle has also been recovered, but police say no one is currently in custody in connection to the deadly shooting. Woman killed in hit-and-run on South Side Officers say the investigation began after police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1800 block of Green Lane North in Palatine on Friday, Sept. 15. Officers arrived on the scene just after 10 p.m. and found two boys who had both suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds.According to police, one of the boys was pronounced dead on the scene and the other was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. UAW strike expands to GM, Stellantis plants in suburbs The two teens were later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as 16-year-...

Substantial amount of lawn equipment stolen from Soldier Field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A substantial amount of lawn equipment to help maintain the Soldier Field campus was stolen this week. According to a spokesperson for the venue, a few riding mowers along with John Deere "Gators" were taken from an enclosed space inside the Waldron Parking Deck in the early hours of Thursday morning. Fences that were around it were torn off their foundation and taken down to the ground by an unknown group of offenders and taken from the site. Courtesy: Soldier FieldCourtesy: Soldier FieldThe estimated value of the equipment is $100,000 and belonged to a landscaping contractor, not the Chicago Bears, the City of Chicago or the Chicago Park District, according to the spokesperson.So far there is no one in custody and Chicago Police Area 3 detectives are investigating the theft. At the moment, Soldier Field is in the midst of hosting the seasons of both primary tenants: The Chicago Bears and Chicago Fire FC. The MLS team is scheduled to play at home on Saturday against the N...

'That's in the past:' Matt Nagy talks about facing the Bears this week with Chiefs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

KANSAS CITY — Just over 21 months after he was fired by the Bears, Matt Nagy will be facing his former team for the first time in the regular season. Is that a big deal for the current offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs?"For me, it's not about that. It really isn't," said Nagy when asked about the significance of facing the Bears on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium at 3:25 p.m.He's in his second year back with the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid after a very eventful four seasons as the head coach of the Bears. Nagy was the NFL's Coach of the Year in 2018 after they went 12-4 to win the NFC North division. But offensive inconsistency plagued his teams the next three years, as the Bears went 8-8 the next two seasons, squeezing into the playoffs in the seventh Wild Card spot in 2020. After a 6-11 season in 2021, Nagy along with general manager Ryan Pace were fired in January 2022.Returning as offensive coordinator in Kansas City soon after, which was the role he held before t...

Biden Administration launches youth climate workforce program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - As natural disasters intensify across the U.S., a new workforce program aims to tackle the climate crisis. This week the Biden Administration launched the American Climate Corps to train tens of thousands of young people in clean energy and conservation jobs. Growing up in Florida, John Paul Mejia saw the impacts of natural disasters, like hurricanes, up close.  More than 30 new Florida laws to take effect October 1 "I saw cars crushed by trees like soda cans. I saw roofs stripped off homes. I saw people in pain," Mejia said. Now he's a climate activist who serves as the spokesperson for the youth run Sunrise Movement. The group fought for the Biden Administration to create the American Climate Corps, and they're celebrating the launch of the program. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the corps will train tens of thousands of young people in green jobs. Their work will focus on clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience. "...

APD identifies man killed in south Austin shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the man killed in a shooting at a south Austin apartment complex that occurred Thursday.The man was identified as Juan Davila, 32, according to police.At approximately 5:32 p.m., 911 received multiple calls about a disturbance involving a gun at the SOCO Park Apartments, located in the 7200 block of South Congress Avenue, said APD Public Information Officer Alexandra Parker during a Thursday media briefing.When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man, later identified as Davila, with gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the apartment homes, APD said in a news release. He was pronounced dead on the scene at approximately 5:45 p.m., according to police.According to police, Davila and another man were involved in a disturbance in the parking lot after a road rage incident. Davila pulled out a handgun, and police said he was "subsequently shot" and killed by the other man, who was not identified Friday in the AP...

Hays CISD substitute teacher sentenced for assaulting student

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A former substitute teacher was sentenced Monday in connection with the assault of a Lehman High School student in 2019.According to Hays County court documents, 36-year-old Tiffani Lankford was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.Lankford was convicted by a court after pleading guilty to the charge and waiving a trial. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but her confinement was suspended in place of community supervision for that time. PAST COVERAGE: Hays CISD substitute teacher arrested for allegedly assaulting Lehman High School student According to documents, the assault occurred Nov. 8, 2019.In addition to the sentence, Lankford must also pay a $1,000 fine.Lankford also received a jail credit of two days, according to documents.

Paxton tells House Republicans who went against him on impeachment to 'get ready'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:44 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is threatening retribution for the House Republicans who went against him on impeachment, in a post-acquittal media blitz on a variety of conservative talk shows. Speaking with Dallas radio host Mark Davis, Paxton said he would  “absolutely” support and fund primary challengers, emphasizing he will spend "a lot of time" in Beaumont, Kerrville and Collin County. Beaumont is House Speaker Dade Phelan's hometown and Kerrville is a town in Rep. Andrew Murr's district — Murr chaired the House impeachment managers and also chairs the House General Investigating Committee, which started the impeachment process. Collin County is where Paxton resides and has built his political career, but is also home to several House Republicans who voted against him.Paxton had a specific message for one of his former allies, Rep. Jeff Leach — who gave an emotional speech during closing arguments, asking senators to also consider making the same "di...