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New rules for repurposed WWII-era duck boats aim to improve safety on 16 in use after drownings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

Five years after 17 people died when a duck boat sank on a Missouri lake, the U.S. Coast Guard has issued new rules for the amphibious World War II vessels retrofitted for tourist excursions.But the new rules have limited impact: Only 16 applicable vessels are still in use.The interim rules posted Monday require removal of window coverings and canopies, or installation of a canopy that doesn’t keep passengers from escaping if the boat floods or sinks. The Missouri vessel, and an Arkansas duck boat that sank in 1999, killing 13 people, had overhead roofs or canopies that the National Transportation Safety Board warned could greatly increase the risk of passengers becoming trapped and drowning.The new rules also include requirements for passengers to wear personal flotation devices, requirements for alarms and pumps, and they strengthen inspection regulations.The rules apply only to repurposed World War II-era Army vessels now used for land-and-water tours — not newer vehicles bu...

'They knew better,' Mitt Romney blasts Josh Hawley, other GOP colleagues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

WASHINGTON - Mitt Romney, the Republican Party's presidential nominee in the 2012 election and current U.S. Senator representing Utah, announced Wednesday he will not seek reelection as a senator next year. Along with his announcement came some critical comments about fellow GOP colleagues, including U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley (Missouri), Ted Cruz (Texas) and J.D. Vance (Ohio). Hawley was one of several U.S. Senators who objected to certifying results from the 2020 presidential election. Thousands stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 as Congress met to certify results in the election. Girl’s path to school: speeding cars, sex offenders, dangerous crosswalk Romney, after announcing his plans to not seek reelection next year, revisited some previous comments in which he called it "disingenuous" for Senators to challenge election results. When first asked about Hawley and Cruz, Romney offered these comments..."I really do believe many of the people in leadership, meaning elected offi...

Charges in St. Louis more than doubled after embattled circuit attorney resigned

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Criminal prosecutions have more than doubled in St. Louis since the city's progressive prosecutor resigned under fire, a newspaper analysis found.The St. Lois Post-Dispatch found that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore filed more than 1,400 case over the three-month period that started with his May 31 swearing-in. That compares to 620 cases filed over the same period when Kim Gardner led the office.Gardner, a Democrat, was elected in 2016 to become the city’s first Black circuit attorney. She was part of a movement of prosecutors who sought diversion to mental health or drug abuse treatment for low-level crimes, pledged to hold police more accountable, and proactively sought to free inmates who were wrongfully convicted.But she announced in May that she would resign as she faced an ouster effort by Missouri’s attorney general and scrutiny from Republican state lawmakers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inb...

19 current and former USPS workers from across Illinois indicted for wire fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- Nineteen current and former U.S. Postal Service employees who worked around Illinois were indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud.According to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release, the 19 allegedly committed fraud related to the Paycheck Protection Program administered through the Small Business Administration. The 19 indicted individuals came from Springfield, Champaign, Urbana, Danville and Savoy Illinois:31-year-old Dominique Alexander was charged in September for allegedly committing two counts of wire fraud.42-year-old Tenneil Baskin was charged in September for allegedly committing two counts of wire fraud.28-year-old Breanea Brown was charged in September for allegedly committing one count of wire fraud.33-year-old Rachaundra Donaldson was charged in September for allegedly committing two counts of wire fraud.25-year-old Maya Egbejima was charged in September for allegedly committing two counts of wire fraud.35-year-old Larry Eubanks was c...

Missouri plans 'ShakeOut' earthquake drill in October

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The state of Missouri is preparing to hold an earthquake drill next month and is calling on residents to participate. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said recent disasters in Morocco and Turkey are reminders that earthquakes can be destructive -- and deadly. Thousands have died in both quakes. When will the fall colors peak in Kansas, Missouri? The agency also noted that one of the United States' most active earthquake zones is in Missouri: the New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri. In 1811-12, the New Madrid zone produced some of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history, SEMA said. If it were to happen again today, it would be felt across the Midwest, and there would be major damage and destruction. Already, the New Madrid Seismic Zone is one of the most active zones in the country, with over 200 small quakes per year. That's why SEMA wants Missourians to be prepared. The agency is encouraging residents to register ...

Colorado Rapids, Josh Kroenke address supporters’ frustration as Centennial 38 letter hits home for fans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

The Colorado Rapids’ largest independent supporters group did not mince words with an open letter Thursday. Hours later, neither did the vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Josh Kroenke.In the open latter, Centennial 38 called the 2023 season “the worst year we have experienced as supporters in our Colorado Rapids history.” It called out KSE’s lack of investment in training facilities and stadium upgrades, as well as increasing ticket prices for an on-field product that has not delivered. Colorado is on track to have its worst season in team history: The Rapids sit at the bottom of the 29-team Major League Soccer standings at 3-13-10, 19 points and just 16 league goals all season.The badge, the players, and the fans deserve better.#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/DtCbm4Syz7— Centennial 38 (@C38sg) September 14, 2023The letter demanded that ownership step up and put proper financial resources into the Burgundy Boys. Colorado has one of the lowest...

Skechers opened a restaurant at its Gardena store — it's an overnight success

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

For the last four months, lines have been building outside the Skechers store in Gardena, and it's not the shoes that everyone is buzzing about.The warehouse outlet store, which was the second brick-and-mortar location the company opened decades ago, is now home to a concession stand offering uncomplicated but high-quality cheap eats. The local business community, and even some well-known social media influencers, can't seem to get enough of it.Skechers has opened an elevated concession stand at its outlet store in Gardena and the project has become an overnight success. (KTLA)It's called the Food Spot and the outdoor eatery is attached to the side of the unassuming store in the bustling shopping center on the corner of Vermont Avenue and West 190th Street.It's been described by many as a "Costco-style" concession stand that's a bit tastier and a touch more expensive, but one that doesn't require a membership to eat there.It offers some of the affordable classic Costco fare you know...

L.A.-based priest charged with possession of child porn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

A priest with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 38, of Long Beach, allegedly possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material, including pictures and videos of minors under 12, officials said.Martinez-Guevara is a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and is associated with several churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard.He was under investigation after several reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, officials said. Investigators later determined that Martinez-Guevara was allegedly in possession of the images, which mostly included boys.Martinez-Guevara was arrested on Wednesday, and search warrants were served at the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in Long Beach where he lives. The religious institution is next to St. Maria Goretti Church and the church’s school.Investigators be...

After Pride flag ban, could a school board recall in Sunol succeed?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

After the Sunol Glen Unified School District school board banned the school from flying a Pride flag on Tuesday, parents immediately turned their attention toward a potential recall of the board members, Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley, who voted for the resolution, which passed 2-1.“A lot of average parents are about to learn a lot more about recall,” said Matthew Sylvester, a parent at the Sunol Glen school. “It’s a really big possibility.”But how would a recall in Sunol actually work? Historical numbers show that, even when there appears to be momentum to recall a local official, the process is far easier said than done.According to Ballotpedia, there were an average of 34 recall efforts against an average of 80 school board members each year nationwide between 2009 and 2022. Those recall campaigns–spurred by a variety of allegations ranging from bad behavior to mismanagement of funds–resulted in just 10% of the targeted school board members being removed from office....

Suspect in wheelchair sought in East Oakland shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:45 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was shot Thursday morning in East Oakland and a suspect in a wheelchair was being sought, authorities said.The condition of the victim, who was shot more than once, was not immediately available. His age was also not available and it was not known if he lived in the area.The shooting happened about 11:39 a.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of 85th Avenue, a mostly residential area.It was not immediately known if the man shot and the suspect were acquainted or what motivated the shooting.The suspect was able to flee in a wheelchair before police got to the scene.Th shooting happened not far from an elementary school but the school was not placed on lockdown, officials said.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3426 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.