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Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted of corruption charges at historic impeachment trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted Saturday of all charges at a historic impeachment trial that divided Republicans over whether to remove a powerful defender of former President Donald Trump after years of scandal and criminal charges.The verdict reaffirmed Paxton’s durability in America’s biggest red state and is a broader victory for Texas’ hard right after an extraordinary trial that put on display fractures within the GOP nationally heading into the 2024 elections. In the end, Paxton was fully cleared by Senate Republicans, who serve alongside his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton.Angela Paxton was not allowed to vote. But she attended all two weeks of the trial, including the reading of the verdict, when all but two of her fellow Republican senators consistently voted to acquit her husband on 16 impeachment articles that accused him of misconduct, bribery and corruption.Ken Paxton, who was absent for most of the proceedings, did not attend the ve...

Comedian Russell Brand denies allegations of sexual assault published by 3 UK news organizations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Three British news organizations reported Saturday that comedian and social influencer Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and abuse based on allegations from four women who knew him over a seven-year period at the height of his fame.Brand denied the allegations and said that all of his relationships have been consensual.The Sunday Times, The Times of London and Channel 4’s “Dispatches” said that one woman alleged she had been raped, while three others accused him of sexual assault. One of the women also said he had been physically and emotionally abusive.The women said that they only felt ready to tell their stories after being approached by reporters, with some citing Brand’s newfound prominence as an online wellness influencer as a factor in their decision to speak.Before the stories were published, Brand posted a video online denying the allegations, which had been outlined in two “extremely disturbing letters” from a “mainstream media” television company and ...

3 people shot in Chicago Lawn

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Three people were shot Friday night on Chicago's Near West Side, according to police.The shooting was reported around 8:30 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Western Avenue. Man, 41, charged after 2 men stabbed on North Side: CPD According to the Chicago Police Department, all three people, two women and a man, are in good condition.The details surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, but Chicago police said they were shot at from a distance by two men.No one has been arrested yet in connection with the shooting.Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives.

2 officers injured after being hit by wooden stick in Little Village

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Two Chicago police officers were injured after they tried to subdue someone early Saturday morning in Little Village.The incident happened around 1 a.m. in the 2500 block of South Homan Avenue. 14-year-old boy fatally shot after Hillcrest HS football game ID’d: Police One of the officers was hit with a heavy wooden stick, according to the Chicago Police Department.Both officers who were injured were taken to a hospital and are in good condition, police said.Charges are pending against two people who were taken into custody.

Russell Brand denies sexual assault allegations published by UK news organizations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) – Three British news organizations reported Saturday that comedian and social influencer Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and abuse based on allegations from four women who knew him over a seven-year period at the height of his fame.Brand denied the allegations and said that all of his relationships have been consensual.The Sunday Times, The Times of London and Channel 4’s “Dispatches” said that one woman alleged she had been raped, while three others accused him of sexual assault. One of the women also said he had been physically and emotionally abusive.The women said that they only felt ready to tell their stories after being approached by reporters, with some citing Brand’s newfound prominence as an online wellness influencer as a factor in their decision to speak. Ashton Kutcher steps down from anti-child sex abuse group after Danny Masterson pushback Before the stories were published, Brand posted a video online denying the allegations, which...

How to pick a pumpkin that won’t rot on your porch (at least not right away)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Nothing dampens the mood of an early autumn afternoon like finding out your pumpkins are prematurely rotting on the porch.Well, that, or finding out you’re running low on limited-edition pumpkin-spice-scented trash bags. That’s a real bummer too.Picking out a hardy pumpkin isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are a few steps that folks can take to ensure a longer-lasting gourd, according to Dr. Rebecca Nelson Brown, the chair of Plant Sciences and Entomology at the University of Rhode Island.“The key here is that you want the pumpkin to be as fresh as possible. And that means buying a locally grown pumpkin, and not one from the supermarket that has been picked a month before showing up at the store.” Scary movies set to hit theaters ahead of Halloween Brown, who runs URI’s crops program and teaches its field production classes, has plenty of experience in pumpkins. She even spearheaded the university’s “Project Pumpkin,” which was designed to solve problems faced by...

Charley Walters: Winless Vikings could be on the verge of a rebuild

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

After the Minnesota Vikings’ inglorious 0-2 start this season, some concerned rooters are describing the team’s state as one of “panic” heading into its next game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 24 in Minneapolis.PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles the ball as he is hit by Josh Sweat #94 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)A better, more appropriate word than “panic’ might be “resignation.”The Vikings, one keen observer reasoned, should come to terms with who they are. Should the team lose to the Chargers, the organization probably has to seriously consider a sort of rebuild, much the same as the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have done.—The Vikings could gut the whole team, which would be painful for at least a couple years. The other option would be to trade players this season ...

Saratoga Book Festival returning in October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Friends of the Saratoga Public Library announced they will be presenting the third annual Saratoga Book Festival. The event will run from October 12 through October 15. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Saratoga Book Festival will offer a literary marketplace, workshops, presentations and engaging conversations, all held across nine venues in Saratoga. More than 60 authors will be featured, and the festival will also include a local author showcase. “Home to Yaddo, two colleges, three bookstores and a vibrant community of passionate bookreaders and writers, Saratoga Springs is the perfect setting to celebrate reading and the powerof books to open minds and hearts,” said festival founder and co-chair Ellen Beal. “During thismoment, when community ties are strained, intolerance is on the rise, and book reading on thedecline, the Saratoga Book Festival gathers authors and readers together for ...

Colorado weather: Sunny and 75, with clear skies all day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Clear skies all day will make for almost perfect weather Saturday before things heat up next week.The high is 77 degrees in Denver. Light wind of about 6 mph is possible.Dry and mostly sunny conditions are forecast Saturday with highs near or below normal. #COwx pic.twitter.com/hsIrsRxjuJ— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) September 16, 2023Up the road in Boulder, football fans can expect clear skies and a 75-degree high before the Rocky Mountain Showdown starts, then a chill 49-degree low later that night.Above-normal temperatures return Sunday, with highs in the 80s through Wednesday. Sunny weather will stick around through Tuesday when slight storm chances develop in the afternoon.Sunday night and Monday will be fairly windy, with up to 17-mph gusts.Cooler temps with high in the 70s return Thursday.Related ArticlesWeather | Denver weather: Cool, rainy, fall-like Friday before weekend warm-up Weather | Colorado weather: Rotating thunderstorm passes over Ar...

After two surgeries, San Jose Sharks prospect is again all smiles. What’s next for the 20-year-old?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Defenseman Gannon Laroque could be excused for having a little extra enthusiasm this week as he and other San Jose Sharks prospects got ready for the six-team Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas.After all, it had been about nine months since he last played a game.“My smile is probably the biggest you’ve ever seen,” Laroque said Friday after he had a goal and an assist in the Sharks team’s 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. “It was fun to be out there again.”Laroque, a fourth-round draft pick by the Sharks in 2021, is coming off a challenging 2022-2023 season in which he had two surgeries – followed by two grueling rehabs — with just four games played for the WHL’s Victoria Royals.After he was drafted, Laroque enjoyed a breakout season with the Royals with 52 points in 63 games. A right-shot defenseman, Laroque was suddenly considered one of the organization’s top prospects — certainly, he was the most improved — and the Sharks announced on June 1, 2022, that they ha...