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Opening statements set to begin in trial of boat captain for 2019 fire that killed 34 passengers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors are set to begin their opening statements Wednesday in the trial of the captain of a scuba dive boat that caught fire in 2019, killing 34 people on board and becoming the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history. Captain Jerry Boylan is charged with one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a pre-Civil War statute colloquially known as “seaman’s manslaughter” that was designed to hold steamboat captains and crew responsible for maritime disasters. He faces 10 years behind bars if convicted.He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. His federal public defenders did not return The Associated Press’ repeated requests for comment, and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment.Twelve jurors and three alternates were sworn in Wednesday morning. Both sides are scheduled to make their opening statements in the afternoon.The National Transportation Safety Board blamed Boylan for the tragedy, saying h...

76ers tell James Harden to stay home ahead of season opener in Milwaukee

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers added another wrinkle to their messy relationship when the team told the disgruntled guard to stay home instead of traveling for Thursday’s season opener against Milwaukee.Harden — who issued an offseason trade demand — did not play in the preseason and skipped practice last week for what was officially called a personal matter before he showed up Wednesday at the team’s complex in Camden, New Jersey, ready to play.Coach Nick Nurse said he was told Tuesday night that Harden had arrived in town. Nurse said Harden was involved in practice early and late but not in the game preparation part for the Bucks.The opening matchup pits NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion Joel Embiid against Milwaukee’s two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million extension this week with the Bucks.“We have to get ready for our game tomorrow with the guys that are going to be playing,” Nur...

Pro Picks: Bills should get back on winning track vs. Buccaneers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.___The Buffalo Bills haven’t looked like Super Bowl contenders in a month.Since whipping Miami 48-20 in Week 4, the Bills (4-3) have lost twice and barely beat the Giants thanks to a pair of stops at the 1-yard line.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) present an opportunity for Buffalo to get back on track.With Baker Mayfield under center and a dismal run game, the Buccaneers have struggled on offense. Their top-10 defense has kept them in games.They’ll need that D to step up Thursday night in Buffalo.Despite slow first-half starts in the past three games, the Bills have a dynamic offense behind Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.“We’re very aware that we haven’t played up to our standard and our potential the last couple of weeks and we’re looking to fix that,” Allen said. “So any opportunity that we get to play this game, you know, we’re going to jump...

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts likely to start with knee injury Sunday against Washington

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts is expected to start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday against Washington while playing through an injury to his left knee.In the second half of a 31-17 victory over Miami, Hurts played with a brace on his left knee yet still led the Eagles on a go-ahead drive. Hurts clearly hasn’t been himself this season. The game-breaking runs have been kept in check and his eight interceptions are two more than he threw a season ago.“Just taking it day by day,” Hurts said Wednesday.Hurts didn’t specify when he was injured except to say it wasn’t in the game against the Dolphins.“I don’t want to make it bigger than what it is,” Hurts said. “I think it’s something that comes with every player in this league. Things happen in this league and you just try to avoid them.”The defending NFC champions are 6-1 and surely can’t afford to lose Hurts for any length of time. They started 13-1 last season before Hurts sprained his right shoulde...

Breeders’ Cup Classic to pit Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, with Bob Baffert entry, too

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo head a full field of 14 horses for the wide-open Breeders’ Cup Classic, with trainer Todd Pletcher pre-entering two for the $6 million race that includes horses from the barns of Bob Baffert and Rick Dutrow.The Classic field was among the 205 horses, including 59 from overseas, pre-entered Wednesday for the over $31 million, 14-race world championships on Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita. The track is hosting for a record 11th time on the event’s 40th anniversary.Baffert has won the Classic won four times — all with 3-year-olds. Baffert will saddle Pacific Classic winner Arabian Knight on his home track at Santa Anita.Dutrow has Whitney winner White Abarrio, his first Breeders’ Cup runner since 2010. He won the 2005 Classic with Saint Liam. He regained his trainer’s license in February, having served a 10-year suspension after being charged with numerous medication and administrative violations.After ...

Colorado lawmakers react to U.S. House speaker election

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KDVR) -- After a grueling 22-day stint, the House GOP overwhelmingly backed Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) in his bid for House speaker. He was elected with 220 votes.This is the fourth Republican candidate in three weeks, causing many to worry about an impending time limit for the federal government's budget. Here's how Colorado's lawmakers reacted. Johnson captures Speakership, with strong GOP support U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)“For three weeks, House Republicans have wasted the American people’s time and put politics ahead of the urgent needs of our country. Instead of working with Democrats to find a bipartisan path forward, they chose to cave to the far-right, fringe members holding their party hostage. Today they chose extremism and elected Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House.“Johnson led the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election and still will not acknowledge the legitimacy of Joe Biden as President. He wants a nationwide ban o...

Cold on the way, Colorado allotted $54 million to help keep homes warm just in time

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Families in Colorado, struggling to pay their heating bills, could be seeing relief after Colorado received $54 million to assist low-income families. “No Coloradan should have to worry about keeping their home warm this winter,” U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper said in a press release Wednesday. “LIHEAP keeps working families and seniors on a fixed income safe.” View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 FOX31 and Channel 2 were able to talk with Theresa Kullen, the Colorado LEAP (Low-income Energy Assistance Program) manager, on Wednesday following the announcement of the millions now here to help Coloradans who qualify. "When we get that first cold blast we see an increase with people realizing they need help in paying the bill," Kullen said. She said they open the online application process this upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 1st. Kullen explained there are requirements for applicants to meet in order to be approved to receive the heating bill...

Airbnb using AI to curb house parties during Halloween

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- If you're trying to rent a house on Airbnb to host your Halloween party, you may have been blocked by artificial intelligence.Last year, Airbnb implemented an AI across the U.S. and Canada to help reduce the risk of disruptive and unauthorized parties over the holiday weekend. CSP warns motorists to stay sober or off the road this Halloween weekend The company says this AI tries to identify higher-risk one-night and two-night bookings for entire home listings and prevent them. The technology looks at the booking attempt for signs it is a higher risk for a disruptive or unauthorized party incident, including the length of the trip, the distance to the listing and whether the booking is last-minute.“While disruptive parties are rare, we want to try to reduce the risk of them even more," Naba Banerjee, Airbnb's head of trust and safety, said in an email. "Our AI anti-party system is an important tool in helping us to do that, and we’re optimistic it will have a posit...

Police search for suspects accused of armed robbery at Family Dollar store in NW Miami-Dade

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

Police are looking for the thieves behind an armed robbery in Northwest Miami-Dade.Four people entered the Family Dollar store on Northwest 79th Street near 21st Avenue and demanded money.According to police, at least one of them opened fire towards the clerk before they all took off with the cash tray.The clerk wasn’t hurt.If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Miami man indicted for murder in Monroe County overdose death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:49 GMT

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – A 56-year-old Miami man was arrested in April for leading an extensive fentanyl distribution ring in Monroe County, has been indicted for murder for his involvement in an overdose death, officials said.According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a grand jury has charged Melvin Anthony Howard with first-degree murder for supplying the fentanyl that led to the overdose death of 53-year-old Amanda Roberts of Grassy Key on Sept. 2, 2022.In a related case, Alexis Joy Sather, 23, of Marathon, Florida, was arrested for murder in March 2023, connected to Roberts’ death. Authorities said Sather had purchased fentanyl from Howard and subsequently sold it to Roberts.Howard is also facing charges of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.Howard’s initial arrest in April followed a 15-month investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Special Invest...