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Kim Foxx: 'We're on the right side of history' with Illinois becoming first state to eliminate cash bail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN/AP) — Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail as a condition of pretrial release from jail on Tuesday when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionally of the law abolishing it.The 5-2 ruling overturns a Kankakee County judge's opinion in December that the law violated the constitution's provision that “all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties." Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, writing for the majority, decreed that the law honors the constitution's balance between the rights of victims and defendants."What I am celebrating is a system that is designed to keep our community safe, where people who are a danger to the public don't get to get out simply because they have access to cash and people who are not a threat to the public are not incarcerator because they are poor," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said. Illinois Supreme Court rules cash bail can be eliminated Proponents of eliminating cash bail describe it as a...

Should some veterans be blocked from buying guns?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) -- Illinois Congressman Michael Bost said his bill to require a court order before the Veterans Administration can report vets to the FBI National Background Check Database and block their gun purchases is aimed at protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans.The Republican lawmaker said veterans rights are being violated because some who are appointed a trustee to help manage their benefits are also blocked from buying guns."We're punishing our veterans for simply seeking help," Bost said. "The VA should not be able to take away a veteran's 2nd Amendment rights because they need help managing their benefits."But Democrats like California Rep. Mark Takano say the current process is saving lives. The VA agrees."They have 8 times greater likelihood of suicidal ideations," Takano said. "At least a third of veterans in the fiduciary program are identified as potentially schizophrenic. Nearly as much are identified as with serious bipolar."Statistics show 17 veter...

Investigators: Guns, life-sized doll found in accused Gilgo Beach killer's home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

(NewsNation) — Investigators have been searching the home of Rex Heuermann, the man charged in three Gilgo Beach killings, with no sign of finishing soon. Officials have pulled more than 200 guns from the home, as well as a life-sized doll in a glass case. Criminal justice experts told NewsNation the doll inside the home could indicate a fetish — many of the victims discovered on Gilgo Beach were sex workers.Heuermann, 59, was arrested last week and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. 2011 suspect profile matches Gilgo Beach arrest: criminologist The women make up three of the ten people whose bodies have been found in the Gilgo Beach area in New York. It was an investigator with the New York State Police Department who initially identified Heuermann as a potential suspect in March 2022, according to a New York State Police Long Island troop commander. That investigator, whose name...

WATCH: Wynonna Judd brings Kentucky girl, 9, on stage to perform song

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

SOMERSET, Ky. (WDKY) — No one else on earth could close out the 30th annual Master Musicians Festival like Wynonna Judd, organizers say.Emily Bhatti, 9, and her mother, Melissa Bhatti, knew that they had to attend MMF in Somerset, Kentucky, this year when they heard that Judd was coming to town. Melissa said that Emily knows every word to most of the icon's songs.“We wouldn't have missed Wynonna for the world,” Melissa told Nexstar's WDKY. Las Vegas police search home in connection with Tupac Shakur murder Emily arrived at the festival field carrying a hand-painted poster that read, “Can I sing with you?” She toted it proudly on the railing for over four hours, awaiting Judd's headlining set. Before she knew it, she was on stage with a microphone in hand.“She was star-struck at first,” Melissa recounted. “It may have helped that I was dancing like a fool behind Emily.”Wynonna caught a glimpse after a song or two and started to motion for Emily to join her on stage. Emily awaiting ...

Michigan AG charges 16 'fake electors' in 2020 scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

Michigan’s attorney general Tuesday charged sixteen "fake electors" for their alleged roles in a plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Each defendant faces six different charges, from conspiracy to commit forgery to conspiracy to uttering and publishing. Prosecutors in court filings alleged the individuals met in the basement of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters and signed documents claiming they were the electors for the state, which was won in 2020 by then-presidential candidate Biden, and later showed up to the Michigan Capitol.“That was a lie,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) said in a video announcing the charges.“They weren’t the duly elected and qualified electors, and each of the defendants knew it,” she continued. “They carried out these actions with the hope and belief that the electoral votes of Michigan’s 2020 election would be awarded to the candidate of their choosing, instead of the candidate that Michigan voters actually chose....

Washington County commissioner to undergo open-heart surgery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron will be out of commission for the next few weeks as he recovers from quadruple bypass heart surgery.Miron, 69, of Hugo, is scheduled to undergo surgery early Wednesday at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood. Miron told his fellow board members on Tuesday that the timing of the operation was good because the board does not meet on June 25 and other meetings have been canceled due to the annual meeting of the National Association of Counties Friday to Monday in Austin, Texas.Three members of the board — Karla Bigham, Julie Clasen and Stan Karwoski — will be attending NACo.“I wish I was going to NACo, but I’m going to be laid up for a while,” Miron said. “It’s going to be, hopefully, a short recovery, but obviously there is going to be a period of time that I won’t be able to be in attendance for things that they’ve got scheduled. I would appreciate any prayers and support during that time.”Board Chairman Gary K...

In ‘Barbie’ vs. ‘Oppenheimer,’ the real winner may be the box office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

It’s a matchup for the ages, up there with Ali vs. Frazier, the Hatfields vs. the McCoys and Athens vs. Sparta.Well, let’s not get carried away.But it is fair to say that with “Barbie” vs. “Oppenheimer,” Hollywood has not captured the popular imagination in this way for quite some time. On Thursday night, the two wildly incongruous Hollywood megamovies arrive in theaters after weeks of internet meme-ification and questionable marketing tie-ins. (We’re looking at you, Barbie-inspired Burger King sandwich topped with what looks like chewed bubble gum.) Together, the movies could generate the biggest crowds at North American multiplexes in four years, numbers not seen since before the pandemic, box office prognosticators said.“‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ are basically the perfect frenemies at the box office this weekend,” said Dave Karger, the Turner Classic Movies host. “Yes, they’re technically competitors, but they’re largely going after different audiences, and the Barbenheimer hype...

Economic Impact of Saratoga County Fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Tuesday was the opening day for the Saratoga County Fair. For the 182nd year the event run by the county's Agricultural Society remains an economic staple for Saratoga. Fair General Manager Jennifer Flinton crunched the numbers for us: MORE NEWS from NEWS10"We bring in probably about 15 million throughout the year of revenue for the village of Ballston Spa."For fair organizers like Jennifer, preparation is key.A lot of effort that goes into making sure that we have enough vendors, enough rides, enough safety, enough animals, the whole nine yards.This downstate family ventured from Queens to Ballston Spa. Despite having Coney Island in their own backyard they wanted to see what Saratoga had to offer.History of the Saratoga County FairBut we had to make an experience. We always come up by Lake George and stuff so we had to stop in and see what the whole life was aboutBut for youngsters Urell and Ethan Elder, there was a lot at the fair for kids to enjoy!...

Police continue to look for person of interest in fatal gas station shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The search continues for three suspects accused of shooting and killing a gas station clerk.The deadly shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday at the BP gas station on Hampton and Berthold avenues, just off Highway 40.Authorities identified the victim as 22-year-old Izez Ahmed. Police said the clerk confronted the suspects when they tried to break into his vehicle. They then opened fire at Ahmed.Jataveion Scott, 19, is a person of interest in the clerk's death. He escaped from police custody while handcuffed and is currently on the run. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, dark jeans with a tear on the right, and no shoes. Clerk shot and killed at St. Louis City gas station Those who frequent the BP gas station are stunned by the news.“It could have been anybody; I come here every day, I know the guy that works overnight," said Vance Lake. It anybody in tragic situation."The owner of the BP gas station was too distraught to go on camera but they said Ahmed work...

East Coast severe weather causes delays for passengers arriving at St. Louis Airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Severe weather on the East Coast has created travel headaches, delays, and cancelations. Some stranded passengers were hoping to get to St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Tuesday.According to flight tracking website FlightAware, nearly 3,000 flights were canceled Sunday.Severe weather prompted ground stops at John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York, and Newark Airport in New Jersey, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.John Foster arrived at St. Louis Airport from Norfolk, Virginia, for a convention for Black theater professionals. He’s waiting on his friends to arrive from Washington D.C.“We were scheduled to meet at the same time. I came in smooth. My flight, my connections, were great," he said. "But apparently, the weather, something is affecting them. So, I’m waiting at least, well, over an hour for them.” Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Dai...