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Clerk denies tampering or influencing jury that found Alex Murdaugh guilty of murder

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The clerk of court accused of tampering with the South Carolina jury that found Alex Murdaugh guilty of two counts of murder denied asking jurors if they thought he was guilty before deliberations or suggesting she thought he killed his wife and son.The sworn statement from Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill was filed Tuesday by prosecutors telling a judge there is no need to hold a hearing where jurors, Hill, other court employees and even the trial judge could be questioned under oath and their messages and texts subpoenaed.Defense attorneys said Murdaugh deserves a new trial because of Hill’s alleged actions. Murdaugh’s six-week murder trial, which concluded in March, became a sensation with its mix of privilege, brutality and power. The judges, lawyers and Hill herself all became minor celebrities.On Tuesday, prosecutors included statements from nine jurors and an alternate nearly contradicting what four jurors, one dismissed before deliberat...

Jury selection in Burke federal trial moving slowly

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

CHICAGO — With the judge hoping it would be wrapped up by the end of Tuesday, the jury selection process in Ed Burke's federal corruption trial appears to be moving slowly.At the speed things are going, opening statements may not start until Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke walked into the Dirksen Federal Building by himself on Tuesday morning for day two of jury selection.He is facing 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion. Burke’s co-defendants are Peter Andrews, a longtime political aide, and Charles Cui, a real estate developer.So far on Tuesday, only a handful of potential jurors have been questioned with Burke listened in seated at the center table.He is specifically accused of withholding city permits to strong arm developers and businesses into using his private law firm — which handled tax appeals. Previous: Jury selection underway in Ed Burke corruption trial It’s been nearly five years since the FBI raided Burke’s offices in...

Former convent now housing City Colleges of Chicago students

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Several City Colleges of Chicago students who were experiencing housing insecurity now have a new place to stay.A building that was once a convent for Holy Innocence in the city’s West Town neighborhood has been configured to house six non-traditional college students. The majority of the building sat empty for some time and in a matter of nine months was made it move-ready for the students. City Colleges of Chicago and Depaul USA partnered for this opening which is the latest part of their latest Dax program.  Up Next: Lincoln Ave businesses targeted in North Side burglaries The students will be provided with fully furnished rooms and share common areas like the kitchen. WGN’s Christine Flores has more.

Newborn syphilis cases at highest level in 30 years: CDC

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

(The Hill) – Cases of newborn syphilis are rising rapidly in the U.S., and federal health officials are sounding the alarm and urging action. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show cases are at the highest level in at least 30 years. There were more than 3,700 infants born with syphilis in 2022, a tenfold increase over the past 10 years. Syphilis during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, infant death and lifelong medical issues for both mother and baby. However, syphilis is easily preventable if people can be reached with screening and treatment.  Benzathine penicillin G is the preferred treatment for syphilis during pregnancy, and it is currently in short supply. Pfizer, which is the only company manufacturing the drug, said it would take until at least the second quarter of 2024 to increase production enough to end the shortage. Nearly 90 percent of newborn syphilis in 2022 might have been prevented with timely testing and tre...

Netflix price hikes are coming: Here's when, and how much you'll owe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — In what feels like an annual trend, Netflix is getting more expensive. Last month, the streaming giant told shareholders it would be raising prices on some of its subscription plans. At the time, Netflix said the adjustments would be "starting today," impacting both new and existing customers. The changes did not, however, seem to take effect that day, October 18. Users reported paying the same amount in October and even this month, not the newly set prices. Netflix does however list the new prices on its website, affecting new subscribers. Netflix has three pricing tiers available to customers: An option with ads, “Standard” and “Premium.” Some customers are also grandfathered into a “Basic” plan, but it’s not an option people can choose now. More expensive tiers allow customers to stream on more devices and add members in other households. ‘Strong’ El Niño winter coming: Here’s where we could see more snow The new price hike is hitting Netflix’s “Basic” and “Premium”...

Is 'The Simpsons' planning to drop a long-running gag?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

(KTLA/NEXSTAR) – Is Homer Simpson finally seeing the error of his ways?Fans of “The Simpsons” are debating whether a recent episode of the animated sitcom had hinted at the end of a long-running gag that involves Homer wringing his son Bart's neck. The scene was more common in earlier episodes, though later seasons continued to depict, and acknowledge, Homer's physical abuse of Bart. But a comment Homer made in the Oct. 22 episode is making headlines for suggesting that viewers won't ever see him strangle his son again.The episode, titled "McMansion & Wife," sees Homer and Marge meeting their new neighbor Thayer. The neighbor commends Homer on his strong handshake, at which point Homer turns to Marge and says, "See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off."“Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore," Homer quickly tells the neighbor. "Times have changed." ‘Ferris Bueller,’ ‘Succession’ actor crashes into Hollywood pizza shop: TMZ The scene caught the internet's attention when it was po...

California man walking dog robbed at gunpoint; bulldog stolen, cash left behind

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

(KTLA) -- A California man is devastated after his dog was stolen from him at gunpoint near his West Hollywood apartment building. The dog’s owner, Justin Garcia, told Nexstar's KTLA that he was walking his English bulldog named Capone while he went to retrieve belongings from his car around 11:45 p.m. Monday.  Three thieves then pulled up, jumped out of a black four-door Jeep, and pointed a gun at him. According to Garcia, one of the gunmen told him to “give [him] the dog or [he dies].”  Historic hangar at former air base in Orange County engulfed in flames While one thief took Capone to the back of the Jeep, another jumped into Garcia’s car and ransacked it, throwing his belongings around. Garcia said all that was stolen was an old security badge and that a wad of cash in the car was not taken. The thieves eventually sped away. Garcia tried to chase them but was unable to catch up to them. Capone is a 1-year, 10-month-old English Bulldog that was stolen at gunpoint fr...

Boeing considering $1.8B St. Louis County expansion

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Boeing is considering a substantial expansion in St. Louis County. The plan includes a $1.8 billion investment and the creation of over 500 jobs. The State of Missouri, in partnership with various organizations, is offering some incentives to encourage the aerospace leader to invest in the area. Incriminating comment helps solve 1993 cold case Arnold, Missouri murder Boeing's St. Louis manufacturing facility, the country's second-largest defense contractor, is at the heart of this initiative. More than 16,000 Missourians help produce advanced Boeing aircraft and technology in St. Louis. The state boasts a thriving aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, with over 100 aerospace manufacturers employing about 80,000 Missourians.To facilitate Boeing's expansion, the Missouri Development Finance Board has approved incentives, including the BUILD Program, the Missouri Works Deal Closing Fund, and Missouri One Start, to fuel this endeavor. These incentives will help driv...

Illinois Lottery player wins $1 million on scratch-off

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

PHILO, Ill. (WMBD) -- One lucky Illinois Lottery player won the top prize on a scratch-off lottery ticket.According to an Illinois Lottery news release, the winner, who requested to remain anonymous, bought the ticket at Phillips 66, located at 102 S. Lincoln Street in Philo, a town about eight miles south of Champaign.“It’s the craziest thing to ever happen to me - I still can’t stop shaking,” the winner said. “My wife was just saying ‘You’ve got to stop buying those things.’ So you can imagine how ecstatic I was to be able to tell her I won!”The winning scratch-off was a $2,000 Multiplier ticket. The winner said it was part of their daily routine to pick up a coffee and a lottery ticket before heading to work.“I was on my way to work when I realized my scratch-off ticket was a $1 million winner, and I pulled a U-turn in the middle of the road to go back home and tell my wife,” the winner said. “When I showed my wife the winning ticket, she did a triple-take. She then asked me if s...

Syphilis cases in US newborns skyrocketed in 2022. Health officials suggest more testing.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:24 GMT

By MIKE STOBBE and KENYA HUNTER (Associated Press)NEW YORK — Alarmed by yet another jump in syphilis cases in newborns, U.S. health officials are calling for stepped-up prevention measures, including encouraging millions of women of childbearing age and their partners to get tested for the sexually transmitted disease.More than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022 — 10 times more than a decade ago and a 32% increase from 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. Syphilis caused 282 stillbirth and infant deaths, nearly 16 times more than the 2012 deaths.The 2022 count was the most in more than 30 years, CDC officials said, and in more than half of the congenital syphilis cases, the mothers tested positive during pregnancy but did not get properly treated. The rise in congenital syphilis comes despite repeated warnings by public health agencies and it’s tied to the surge in primary and secondary cases of syphilis in adults, CDC o...