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Jurors get first glimpse of undercover videos in Ed Burke Trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

CHICAGO — At the Ed Burke Trial Tuesday, jurors got the first glimpse of the undercover videos secretly recorded by former alderman Danny Solis, the tapes of which have been described as key evidence in the case against the powerful former alderman.It was 18 degrees in downtown Chicago when former 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke walked into the Dirksen Federal Building. Inside the 25th floor courtroom where his historic trial was taking place, the proceedings heated up Tuesday.Charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion, prosecutors began their presentation by presenting evidence of Burke's alleged extortion of the developers of one of Chicago's most iconic buildings, The Old Main Post Office, from January 2016-20.New York-based developer "601 West" took on the nearly $600 million project to bring the behemoth of a building back to life along the Eisenhower Expressway in the South Loop.It had been laying vacant since the U.S. Postal Service moved to a new building in the m...

Certification program at Cook County jail teaches inmates how to weld

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

CHICAGO — According to industry experts, there’s an enormous demand for welders nationwide, with experienced union workers earning more than $80,000 annually.It's a development that caught the attention of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and piqued the interest of many individuals in custody."I never thought I would experience this at the Cook County jail," said Christopher Sliwinski, who has been in custody on an identity theft case for a year and a half. But thanks to an innovative training program, the 32-year-old hopes to be certified by the American Welding Society and ready to step into a job and new life once released. Johnson unveils plan to move migrants into churches as tent camp construction to begin "I just had a son and I really want to be able to provide for him and have a good, stable life," he said. "I think with this certification, I can really do that."Welding instructor Lee Bugg described the goal behind the training and certification program, which was developed b...

How much have 2024 presidential candidates raised, spent?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

(NewsNation) — The 2024 presidential election so far has garnered nearly $269 million in fundraising for candidates across the board.Collectively, Republicans are by far spending the most, having run through $115.2 million so far. That’s compared to the $28.09 million spent by Democrats, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. Republicans are also raising the most. So far, they’ve collectively raised $192.6 million compared to Democrats’ $59.7 million.Individually, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have raised the most money, raking in $60.5 million and $56.8 million, respectively, according to the FEC. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in a distant third place with $31.6 million raised, followed by fellow Republicans Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, according to FEC reports. NewsNation to host fourth 2024 GOP presidential primary debate It’s Biden’s campaign, however, that has spent the most money so far. The ca...

Texas women who could not get abortions despite health risks take challenge to state's Supreme Court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday scrutinized efforts to clarify exceptions to the state's abortion ban, which a growing number of women say forced them to continue pregnancies despite serious risks to their health.The Texas lawsuit is among the biggest challenges to abortion bans in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. In July, several Texas women gave emotional testimony about carrying babies they knew would not survive and doctors unable to offer abortions despite their spiraling conditions.A judge later ruled that Texas' ban was too restrictive for women with pregnancy complications, but that order was swiftly put on hold after the state appealed.The decision now rests with Texas' highest court, and during arguments Tuesday, one justice on the all-Republican panel signaled concerns about potentially giving physicians too broad discretion to provide exceptions.“This very well could open the door far more wid...

Texas Supreme Court hears challenge to abortion ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a case brought by women challenging the state's near-total ban on abortion, marking the latest development in a long legal battle spurred by women who said the ban nearly cost their lives.Twenty-two women are suing the state in Zurawski v. Texas. Many of the plaintiffs nearly died due to pregnancy complications they said could have been prevented with a medically-necessary abortion. But they argue the abortion ban's medical exceptions are unclear, tying doctors' hands and threatening them with life in prison if they perform an abortion the state deems premature.The lead plaintiff, Amanda Zurawski, said she nearly died of sepsis last year after her doctor delayed terminating her pregnancy. She developed cervical insufficiency, and her daughter would not live."My doctors didn’t feel safe enough to intervene as long as her heart was beating or until I wassick enough for the ethics board at the hospital to co...

How do other states do education savings accounts?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Throughout the intractable impasse over Gov. Greg Abbott's priority education savings accounts, lawmakers on each side of the contentious issue have pointed to other states' models, finding both cautionary tales and lessons to emulate.ESAs around the nation:All highlighted states have implemented voucher-like programs. Red states are led by Republican governors.Of the 20 states that have established programs similar to Texas' pending legislation, eight offer nearly "universal" school choice programs. Fifteen are led by Republican governors. The issue has become a rallying point for conservatives and a coveted résumé point for top Republican officials.Nearly all of these states' programs started small, often reserved for low income households and children with special needs. Tennessee, for example, is operating a pilot program that offers subsidies to students in just three counties. Gov. Bill Lee is expected to announce a plan to expand that statewide on Tuesday,...

Wild players sad about Dean Evason, excited about John Hynes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

The Wild have had a couple of wake-up calls this season, first after losing four of five in late October, then after taking a three-game skid into Minnesota’s NHL Global Series trip to Sweden.Each time, the Wild responded — first with their only two-game win streak of the season, then with a pair of hard-fought overtime losses in Stockholm. But, obviously, neither of those stuck.On Monday, Wild players got their biggest bracer when head coach Dean Evason was fired 19 games into the season after a 4-1 loss in Detroit extended Minnesota’s losing streak to seven games.“It’s not fair, but at the same time, it’s a wake-up call,” said Marcus Foligno, “and we’ve had enough of these this year to understand what’s needed and we need to get out of it. It’s playing simple. It’s on us.”Wild players were stuck in an odd limbo Tuesday after their morning skate, feeling guilty that their rough start to the season cost Evason his job yet excited for what might be triggered under new head coach John...

Dane Mizutani: If the Vikings bench Josh Dobbs, it should be Jaren Hall under center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

It feels like the Vikings could have a new starting quarterback when they return to Minnesota after their bye week.Asked about a potential change after the Vikings embarrassed themselves on Monday Night Football with a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, head coach Kevin O’Connell declined to commit to journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs moving forward. He instead mentioned both veteran quarterback Nick Mullens and rookie quarterback Jaren Hall as options while leaving the door wide open for speculation.“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate,” O’Connell said. “We are trying to go out and win every football game we play.”That’s nearly impossible to do when the man under center is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. As fun as the past month has been with Dobbs leading the charge, he has eight turnovers in four games, and that can’t be overstated given the circumstances. Frankly, it’s reason enough for the Vikings t...

Stillwater Twinkle Party and tree lighting set for Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

A 48-foot white spruce tree arrived in downtown Stillwater’s Chestnut Street Plaza on Tuesday morning — just in time for the city’s annual Hometown for the Holidays’ Twinkle Party and tree lighting.The tree was donated by Jeff and Missy Hause, of Somerset, Wis. This is the 10th year that the Hauses have found a large tree growing in the St. Croix River Valley, purchased it and organized its transport to downtown Stillwater.Jeff and Missy Hause pose in front of the 48-foot spruce tree they arranged for Stillwater’s annual Hometown for the Holidays’ Twinkle Party. (Courtesy of Jeff Hause)“Nobody was doing it, and we decided to take it on, and we’ve just really enjoyed doing it,” Jeff Hause said. “We thought it would be a fun thing to do for the community.”Linda Besk Turrentine, the mother of Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski, actually made the initial request, Hause said. “She said, ‘You’re the only one I know crazy enough to take something like this on,’” he said. “It’s pretty fun...

Pioneer Bank donates $20K on Giving Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Giving Tuesday is a day when people give to a charity of their choice ahead of the holidays. The Associated Press projects more people are likely to donate this year compared to last. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! One local bank participated in giving. Pioneer Bank made four $5,000 donations to community non-profits. The bank is also collecting winter hats and gloves for kids in need.Donations can be made at any Pioneer Bank branch.