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US prosecutors accuse ex-Tennessee lawmaker of delaying sentencing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Thursday accused a former Tennessee state senator of intentionally delaying his sentencing after the Republican unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw his guilty plea to federal campaign finance laws.Earlier this spring, Brian Kelsey announced that he pleaded guilty with an “unsure heart and confused mind” due to events in his personal life — his father had abruptly died in February, and he and his wife were caring for their twin sons born in September. He has since replaced his legal team and sought to prove that he was given bad legal advice. Kelsey had entered a guilty plea before a federal judge in November in the case related to a failed 2016 congressional campaign. Kelsey had previously pleaded not guilty — often describing his case as a “political witch hunt.” But he changed his mind shortly after his co-defendant, Nashville social club owner Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty to one count under a deal that required him to “c...

Nearly two months into his term, Nigeria’s leader finally proposes his Cabinet to legislators

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Thursday forwarded 28 ministerial nominees to federal legislators for confirmation as he seeks to finally set up his Cabinet to lead Africa’s most populous country.The long-awaited list featuring six women was presented to the Nigerian Senate by Tinubu’s chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila, a day before the deadline and nearly two months after the Nigerian leader took office. On the list with no assigned portfolios are four former governors and three presidential aides. It also features prominent professionals such as Muhammed Ali Pate, a former Nigerian health minister and former director at the World Bank who recently turned down an appointment to lead the global vaccine alliance Gavi.Tinubu on May 29 took the reins of Africa’s largest economy, a nation of more than 210 million people, after promising to build on the achievements of his successor and end chronic bad governance that has stifled development. In addition to ...

Supreme Court allows construction to resume on the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed construction to resume on a contested natural-gas pipeline that is being built through Virginia and West Virginia.Work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline had been blocked by the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, even after Congress ordered the project’s approval as part of the bipartisan bill to increase the debt ceiling. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in June.The high court’s order came as a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was hearing arguments in the case.The Biden administration backed the company in calling for the Supreme Court’s intervention.“All necessary permits have been issued and approved, we passed bipartisan legislation in Congress, the president signed that legislation into law, and now the Supreme Court has spoken: construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline can finally resume, which is a major win for American energy and American jobs,” West Virginia ...

Justice Dept announces broad investigation of Memphis police practices after Tyre Nichols death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday it is investigating the patterns or practices of the police department in Memphis, Tennessee, seven months after the violent beating of Tyre Nichols by five officers after a traffic stop.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division made the announcement in Memphis. The investigative tool can look collectively at an agency’s stops, searches, or arrests; use of excessive force; possible discriminatory policing; potential violations of suspects’ constitutional rights; and more.Clarke said the probe will look into the city and its police department. She mentioned Nichols’ death, but said the investigation is not based on a single event, or a single unit with the police agency.The five officers have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges including second-degree murder in the Jan. 7 beating of Nichols after a traffic stop — and his death three days later. Caught on police video, ...

Man charged with buying gun in murder of Jaslyn Adams receives probation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — The man who was charged with supplying the gun used in 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams' murder at a McDonald's drive-thru on Chicago's West Side received probation.In Oct. 2021, federal authorities announced that Eric Keys Jr., then 23, of Indianapolis, straw purchased two guns that ended up in Chicago. He was subsequently charged with the following two counts; making a false statement during purchase of a firearm and making a false statement with respect to information required to be kept by a licensed firearms dealer.He pleaded guilty and on July 7, a federal judge in Indianapolis sentenced Keys Jr., to two years of probation. According to the Sun-Times, who obtained a transcript of the sentencing hearing, the judge told Keys Jr. prison "would be counterproductive to the progress he is making in his life."Prior to that, the judge mentioned that a "child is dead" because of his actions and lambasted Indiana gun trafficking to Chicago, the outlet reported.One of the guns was ...

Ammonia leak led to hazmat situation at Home City Ice facility on SW side: CFD

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago fire responded to a level 2 hazmat situation of an ammonia leak near Home City Ice in Chicago Lawn Thursday morning. The shelter that was in place has been lifted and the reported leak stopped. The cause of the leak has yet to be determined.CFD reported a 911 call around 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning of an ammonia leak from an internal tank at Home City Ice facility located in the 3600 block of West 59th Street Street. Firefighters were able to respond promptly with the fire station directly across the facility. Hazmat teams were also called to turn the main ammonia valve off. Streets and sewers were flooded by opening several hydrants to help dispel the ammonia. Neighbors in the area told WGN about the strong odor circulating the community. After four hours of response, the Chicago Lawn neighborhood was able to breathe clean air. Home City Ice told WGN that they immediately took steps to get the leak contained and that they will be doing a thorough inspection and ta...

CTA running historic 'L' train cars in Loop Saturday to mark 100th anniversary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

CHICAGO — To celebrate its 100th anniversary of the rollout, you can hop aboard a vintage "L" train this weekend in the Loop.On Saturday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., historic 4000-series rail cars will depart from the Washington/Wabash inner loop. At around 11 a.m., they will be making all stops in the Loop.The normal $2.50 fare still applies.“The 4000-series railcars and the entire Heritage Fleet are a treasure not just in CTA’s history, but the City of Chicago’s history too, and Chicagoans of all ages are welcome to come out and experience this century-old gem,” said CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.The two preserved rail cars, numbered, 4271 and 4272, were built in 1923 and ran in Chicago for 50 years. Video shows crop dusting plane nearly clipping semi-truck in Northwest Indiana The CTA will also be distributing a limited quantity of commemorative posters from a table at the Washington-Wabash station.

'Skip-the-Line' program coming to all Illinois DMVs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

ILLINOIS — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is implementing a Skip-the-Line program across Illinois.Giannoulias first discussed the idea for such a program two years ago when he was simply a candidate for the Secretary of State position. In his announcement at the time, he described an online booking system available at all driver's license facilities in Illinois which would allow user to make an appointment and avoid walk-in lines. He added walk-in customers would still be welcome. Thursday Forecast: Heat Advisory issued for parts of area, isolated storms possible tonight His predecessor had implemented a pilot of a similar program at some suburban DMVs, however Giannoulias wants to see the online scheduling statewide in addition to increasing the number of services offered online and over the phone.The Secretary of State is scheduled to announce details of the Sept. 1 program launch Thursday morning.WGN plans to livestream the announcement within this story beginning at appr...

LeBron James sends thanks, says family is 'safe and healthy' after Bronny's cardiac arrest

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James said his family is “safe and healthy” three days after his oldest son, Bronny, went into cardiac arrest.The top scorer in NBA history posted the message of thanks on social media Thursday. Bronny, his 18-year-old son, was hospitalized Monday morning after a basketball practice with his team at the University of Southern California.“I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” LeBron James wrote. “We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!”He concluded his message with the hashtag “JamesGang,” his nickname for the tightknit family unit built around their three children by James and his wife, Savannah.Bronny James spent only a brief time in intensive care, a positive sign for his long-term recovery after the episode at USC’s Galen ...

Can the Cubs do enough not to be sellers before the trade deadline?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:26 GMT

CHICAGO — Over the last week the Cubs have done what they can to make the argument not to be sellers at the trade deadline. But will it end up being enough? That's up to president Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins to decide. Against teams below them in the standings, the Cubs have won seven of their last nine games, including finishing off a sweep of the White Sox in a 10-7 win on Wednesday night. That's put them just a game under .500 at 50-51 and six games out of the lead in the National League Central division.In the Wild Card, however, they're 4 1/2 behind the last spot, keeping them in striking distance of a possible playoff spot. The question is whether or not that will be enough for the Cubs to refuse a trade for one of their players heading into the last year of his contract. Does the team see enough in this group presently constructed to retain pitchers Marcus Stroman and Kyle Hendricks, or the hot-hitting Cody Bellinger? Hoyer and Hawkins have until Tuesday afte...