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Jury poised to deliberate death penalty or life sentence for gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A jury is set to deliberate whether to impose the death penalty or a sentence of life in prison without parole on a truck driver who spewed antisemitic hate before fatally shooting 11 worshippers at a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.The same jurors who convicted 50-year-old Robert Bowers in June on 63 criminal counts listened to closing arguments Monday in the penalty phase of his federal trial, held nearly five years after the truck driver from suburban Baldwin perpetrated the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.Bowers defiled a place of worship when he entered the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, shooting everyone he could find in a mass murder clearly motivated by religious hatred, said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan. Bowers raved incessantly on social media about his hatred of Jewish people, using a slur for Jewish people some 400 times on a social media platform favored by the far right...

Raptors sign Garrett Temple to 1-year, $3.2M deal: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

The Toronto Raptors agreed to a one-year, $3.2-million contract with veteran forward and guard Garrett Temple, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.Temple, 37, will be playing in his 14th NBA season with the Raptors. The contract counts as a 10-year-plus veteran minimum and will only count for $ 2 million against the salary cap.Raptors now at 15 guaranteed spots (if Temple is guaranteed). He’s a cool guy, good room presence. Raps about $1.9M clear of tax (and 3.1M clear if we exclude “unlikely” bonuses for a few guys), so a tiny bit of flexibility to cut a guarantee if, say, Dowtin earns a spot. https://t.co/aD1nPdUDvv— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) July 31, 2023The Raptors will be Temple’s 12th team, as he’s bounced around a lot in recent years. He most recently played with the New Orleans Pelicans, appearing in 25 games last season, averaging two points a game and shooting 42 per cent from three.Temple was waived by the Pelicans on July 5.The 37-year-old...

Children get $50 for college costs from Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- Starting this year any child born or adopted, will get 50 dollars put into their account. The state set aside $2.5 million to initiate two college savings programs, 'Bright Start' and 'Bright Directions.' The official name of the program is 529 -- like a 401K but for educational expenses. The money grows tax-free and then in turn can be used for tuition, books, room, boarding and other costs. A University of Kansas study shows that students are much more likely to attend college of they know even a slim amount is saved up for it. Hundreds of Loretto Hospital workers on strike Monday The Illinois State treasurer Michael Frerichs says he wants his kids to pursue their educational career without being crushed by debt. "It's a downpayment for the future of Illinois children living up to their greatest potential," former state senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas said. She said it is a game changer for working families who hold their greatest hopes for their children for post-sec...

VIDEO: Police in Texas catch suspect thanks to their high-visibility vest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

ARANSAS, Texas — Police in a south Texas town got help finding a man wanted for theft from the suspect himself, and his high-visibility vest.A drone video posted by the Aransas Pass Police Department shows the suspect attempting to hid among green shrubbery while wearing a bright orange vest and blue jeans. Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight The video was posted alongside the following description and hashtags:“NOTE TO THIEVES: Might be wise not to dress like a road crew worker while running from the police in a stolen car and then trying to hide in heavy brush.#WheresWaldo #FindingThievo #OurEyeInTheSkySeesYou #BrightOrangeAndReflective #ThankYouForMakingItEasyForUs #101HowToGetCaughtQuicklyByThePolice #MostOfAllHappyForTheSafeEnding"Though the video has no sound, it shows the suspect cooperating with police after he's been found. He is then subsequently handcuffed.Video Credit: Aransas Pass Police via Storyful

Biden says he doesn't watch TV, shares 'worst advice' he ever got

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

(The Hill) - President Biden is opening up about the crummiest advice he’s ever gotten, saying holding grudges “gets you nowhere.”“I guess the worst advice I’ve ever received was holding a grudge — because lots of times when people do something that is really not good, it’s because they were fearful when they did it. Not fearful of you, but their circumstance,” Biden said in an interview on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast released Monday.“It gets you nowhere, which means people will doubt that I’m really Irish,” Biden quipped.“But all kidding aside,” the 80-year-old president continued, “Remembering is important, but holding a grudge is not helpful.”The best advice Biden said he’d been given was to “show up.”“My mother used to say, ‘Joey, get up. Never bow, never bend. Just get up.' But showing up, that's a big part,” he said.In the wide-ranging chat focused on grief and mental health, Biden also revealed he’s definitely not serving as the country’s TV viewer in chief.As...

Jason Aldean: Boston exemplified 'Try That in a Small Town' response after marathon bombing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

(The Hill) - Country singer Jason Aldean defended his controversial song “Try That in a Small Town” in Massachusetts over the weekend, saying the message of the track was demonstrated by the city of Boston after the devastating marathon bombing 10 years ago.Speaking to fans at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, about 40 miles from where the terrorist attack occurred, killing three and injuring hundreds, Aldean told fans the message of his song has been "overshadowed by all the bulls---.""I was lying in bed last night and I was thinking to myself, you guys would get this better than anybody, right,” Aldean said, according to NBC News. “Because I remember a time, I think it was April 2013, when the Boston Marathon bombings happened, you guys remember this right?" he asked the audience."The last time that happened was a whole, not a small town, a big-ass town came together, no matter your color, no matter anything,” he continued. “No matter if you’re anything. The whole country...

Austin's 24-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 2nd-longest in recorded history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing one of the longest stretches of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means, as of Saturday, temperatures have reached the century mark for 24 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that ranks as the second-longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak to 31 days. That would surpass 2011 as the longest of all time. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The record streak currently stands at 27 days, set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Air...

Blue Hole awarded 'Travelers' Choice' by Tripadvisor for third year in a row

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley was awarded by Tripadvisor for the third year in a row.The park was given the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice of 2023 award, making this the third consecutive year the park was named for the award. The award places Blue Hole in the top 10% of attractions worldwide, according to a social media post from the park.Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley, Texas (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Blue Hole Regional Park recognized by Tripadvisor for second year in a row The award is based on traveler reviews and opinions. "The Travelers' Choice awards honor travelers' favorite destinations, hotels, restaurants, things to do, and beyond, based on the reviews and opinions collected from travelers and diners around the world on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period," according to Tripadvisor's website. Blue Hole Regional Park is a natural, spring-fed swimming hole lined with Cypress Trees located in the Texas Hill Country, according to the C...

Jury finds one St. Paul officer used excessive force in 2017 fatal shooting; other not liable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

Jurors deliberating over a federal lawsuit said Monday that a St. Paul police officer used excessive force and wrongfully caused the death of a 29-year-old he shot in 2017. The jurors found another officer who shot Cordale Handy not liable.Kimberly Handy-Jones, Handy’s mother, filed the lawsuit. The trial began last Monday.The jurors found St. Paul Officer Nathaniel Younce, who fired just before Officer Mikko Norman, violated Handy’s constitutional rights by using excessive force and that he’d wrongfully caused his death. They did not find the same for Norman.Younce testified that he fired because Handy was pointing the gun at his police partner, Norman.After closing arguments, jurors received the case late Thursday morning. They didn’t deliberate Friday and returned Monday to complete their work.The officers responded to a 911 call in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood about 2:20 a.m. on March 15, 2017, at an apartment building in the 700 block of ...

John Oates concert to benefit Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:59 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- John Oates, of the band Hall & Oates, is putting on a concert to help support Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. The non-profit organization supports retired racehorses. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The concert is set for September 8 at 7 p.m. at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga at 683 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. The organization expects it to be a sold-out show.Oates is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. As part of Hall & Oates, he is best known for the songs "You Make My Dreams (Come True)," "Rich Girl,' and "Maneater." The Tailored Tea in Latham up for sale Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 1. For more details and ticket information, you can visit the Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Facebook page on Tuesday.