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Supreme Court sides with ex-Cuomo aide, others convicted of corruption related to 'Buffalo Billion'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled for a onetime top aide to ex-Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York and for others who were convicted of corruption related to an economic development project known as the "Buffalo Billion.”In two cases before the court, both liberal and conservative justices were unanimous in saying there were problems with the convictions. The cases are the latest in a line stretching back years that criticize federal prosecutors for overreaching in public corruption cases against state and local officials, as well as people doing business with government.In 2020, the high court threw out the convictions of political allies of former Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., over the “Bridgegate” scandal that involved four days of traffic jams on the George Washington Bridge. In 2016, the Supreme Court threw out the bribery conviction of former Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-Va.The current cases grew out of the “Buffalo Billion” development project, which was inte...

I-55 dust storm crash: Illinois State Police release final victim's name

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. - Earlier this month, a blinding dust storm led to a massive pile-up on Interstate 55 in south-central Illinois, which claimed the lives of seven people. On Thursday, the Illinois State Police released the name of the last unidentified victim.According to investigators, wind gusts blew dirt from nearby farm fields across the roadway, causing the spring version of "white-out" conditions on the interstate on the morning of May 1. The crashes happened in both the northbound and southbound lanes around 10:55 a.m., between mile markers 72 and 78. As a result, I-55 was shut down between Litchfield and Divernon, south of Springfield, Illinois. State police said 72 vehicles were involved in the crashes, and 37 were taken to area hospitals to be treated for a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to critical.Four people from Illinois died in the pile-up, along with two from Missouri, and one person from Wisconsin.The last person to be identified is Otto Medina-Salaz...

Paul DeJong packing a punch, regaining form since return from injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

CHICAGO - The St. Louis Cardinals, still in last place in the National League, have quite a bit of work ahead if they hope to salvage the season. Lately, one unlikely source is rising to the challenge. Paul DeJong, the team's longest-tenured position player, returned from the injured list in late-April. Quietly, the former All-Star is regaining form and reemerging as a force in the Cardinals lineup. On Wednesday, DeJong strung together his sixth multi-hit in 13 games this season. One night before, he delivered a late tiebreaking home run to pave the way to a Cardinals series win over the division-rival Chicago Cubs. RELATED - ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ meets St. Charles yet again "Happy to be back. I'm thankful to be here, be wearing this uniform, and happy to be around these guys and the staff," said DeJong via Bally Sports Midwest after Tuesday's win. "We have a great organization, and it's just a lot of fun every day to come play here." DeJong lost his place as starting shortst...

$100K winning scratchers ticket sold in Mehlville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A scratchers player in south St. Louis County won a $100,000 prize in one of the Missouri Lottery's latest scratch-off games.The lucky winner purchased their ticket at Midwest Petroleum, 4403 Lemay Ferry Road, in Mehlville.$3,000,000 Spectacular is a $30 scratchers game introduced Jan. 30, 2023, by the Missouri Lottery.To play, match any of your numbers to any of the winning numbers and win the prizes shown. Reveal a "gold bar" symbol, win prize automatically. Reveal a "5X" symbol, win 5 TIMES the prize. Reveal a "10X" symbol, win 10 TIMES the prize. Reveal a "20X" symbol, win 20 TIMES the prize. Reveal a "30X" symbol, win 30 TIMES the prize. Reveal a "bank" symbol, WIN ALL 30 PRIZES!description of $3,000,000 Spectacular game, courtesy of the Missouri LotteryThe game has more than $85.6 million in unclaimed prizes, ranging from $30 to three $3 million top prizes. Players have a 1 in 2.64 average chance of winning a prize.

Feds to pay Colorado $5 million in latest settlement from 2015 Gold King Mine spill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

The federal government will pay Colorado $5 million to clean contamination left behind by mines in southwest Colorado, particularly from the 2015 Gold King Mine spill, which released a yellow plume of heavy metals into the Animas River, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office announced.The Colorado Natural Resources Damages Trustees approved the settlement — the latest in a series of payouts following the spill – Thursday morning.Federal liability in the contamination comes from the fact that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials triggered the 3-million-gallon Gold King Mine spill. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management manage other areas with mines that have also been the source of contamination in the area.The $5 million will go toward restoring areas damaged by the spill and other contamination left behind in the swathe of southwest Colorado’s San Juan County, Colorado Attorney General spokesman Lawrence Pacheco said in a release.The area...

Tornado warning issued for Laird near Kansas border, flooding closes I-70 Hanging Lake rest area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

12:52 p.m.: The Hanging Lake rest area along Interstate 70 at Exit 125 in Glenwood Canyon is closed by flooding and the Colorado Department of Transportation urges drivers to be aware of flooding in the area.12:48 p.m.: A tornado warning in effect until 1 p.m. has been issued for Laird. In addition to a tornado, pea-sized hail is possible for an area east of Wray to the Kansas border.Tornado Warning including Laird CO until 1:00 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/ZAVLMnQWjf— NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) May 11, 202312:03 p.m.: A tornado warning in effect until 12:30 p.m. has been issued for Hale. In addition to a tornado, quarter-sized hail also is possible.Tornado Warning continues for Hale CO until 12:30 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/cyVpWJA9Dt— NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) May 11, 2023The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for eastern Colorado.The watch issued at 11:20 a.m. covers Cheyenne, Kiowa, Kit Carson and Yuma counties, effective through 6 p.m., along with parts of...

Boulder County teens make national whitewater racing team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

After a couple of top-three finishes at a competition last month, local nonprofit Team Colorado Whitewater Racing has sent two of its members to the U.S. Junior National Whitewater Slalom Team.Based in Lyons, the club has membership from across Boulder County, including Longmont, Boulder and Lafayette. Around a dozen teenagers spend their Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays practicing in town on St. Vrain Creek, plunging their boats into the rapids and maneuvering between the gates that hang above the water’s surface.“We’re really blessed to have this set up in Lyons,” said TCWR head coach Liam Malakoff of the training area. “This is one of maybe four to six places in the country where you can reliably train in this discipline.”In April, five members of TCWR competed in national team trials in Oklahoma City. Boulder resident Luca Bohn, 16, secured a first-place win in the canoe slalom class, and Lyons resident Andrew Delker, 16, snagged a third-place finish in the extreme slalom categ...

South Korean soccer star finds second career as in-demand tattoo artist in West Hollywood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

Dongho Kim may have had to give up his soccer dreams in South Korea, but he's found a new route to success as a tattoo artist in West Hollywood.Kim, who goes by @dino_oriental on Instagram, was one of the country's top soccer players, even serving as a backup for the Olympic team before a serious ankle injury derailed his sports career.“Unfortunately, I couldn’t play soccer anymore, so I was very sad," he said.But where one door closes, another opens, and Kim found a new passion through YouTube: tattoo artistry, which is illegal in South Korea without a medical degree.“Even my family and friends didn’t support me in my dream," he said.But after a move to Los Angeles in 2021, Kim has become an award-winning tattoo artist known for his depictions of dragons, snakes, flowers and Asian forms featuring bold colors, especially red and black. He operates out of the 10KF Hollywood studio in West Hollywood.Tattoo model Ashley Dinh, herself an artist, trusted Kim and another artist to collabo...

GOP bill seeks to remove no-fly zone designations for U.S. Disney Parks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

A group of congressional Republicans wants the no-fly zone designations for Disneyland and Walt Disney World removed, saying in part that no theme park should receive “special treatment just because they are well-connected.”The bill, formally known as the Airlines Independent of Restrictions Act or AIR Act, was reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Troy E. Nehls, a Republican from Texas, who first introduced the bill in 2022.The bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, to rescind the no-fly zone designations over the domestic Disney theme parks, which were given to the parks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.“Theme parks like Disney should not receive special treatment just because they are well-connected. Our national security should not be compromised to fit the needs of one corporation,” Nehls said in a statement.KTLA reached out to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World about the proposed bill but has not heard back.In 2022, Nehls accused Buttigieg and for...

Mayim Bialik won't host final week of 'Jeopardy' in honor of writers' strike: Report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:44 GMT

Mayim Bialik is standing in solidarity with striking writers. The "Jeopardy" host has decided to opt out of filming the final week of Season 39 to honor the writers' strike, according to Deadline. The publication reports that Ken Jennings has been tapped to take over. The season's final shows are set to be taped on May 16 and 19 at the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City. "Jeopardy" is produced by Sony Pictures Television and features WGA writers, but the questions were reportedly written in advance before the season and the strike. Both Bialik and Jennings have shared hosting duties this season. The "Blossom" actress' decision to stand with the writers comes as "Jeopardy" writers Michele Loud, Jim Rhine and Billie Wisse have joined demonstrators on the picket lines.