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Trump ally Steve Bannon appeals conviction in Jan. 6 committee contempt case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s longtime ally Steve Bannon on Thursday appealed his criminal conviction for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.Bannon’s attorney argued he didn’t ignore the subpoena, but was trying to avoid running afoul of executive privilege objections Trump had raised. “Mr. Bannon acted in the only way he understood from his lawyer that he was permitted to behave,” attorney David Schoen said, adding that Bannon was wrongly blocked from making that argument at trial. Prosecutors, though, said Bannon was no longer working at the White House during the runup to Jan. 6 and refused to work with the committee to determine if there were questions he could answer. “Stephen Bannon deliberately chose not so comply in any way with lawful congressional subpoena,” said prosecutor Elizabeth Danello.The U.S. ...

Carr: Durant’s win a welcome change for MassGOP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

A losing streak is no fun in any endeavor, but going five years without a single victory is almost unimaginable.Unless you’re the Massachusetts Republican party.Finally, on Tuesday, the local GOP posted a “W,” in a special state Senate election to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of a Democrat legislator.The winner was state Rep. Peter Durant, R-Spencer. He got 11,985 votes to 9,813 for the Democrat candidate, who is also an incumbent state rep. No recounts necessary. It was a clear victory, the first GOP takeaway of a Democrat seat since 2018, maybe longer.The lesson is, even though Massachusetts won’t be a two-party state again any time soon, maybe the Republicans don’t have to lose every single election, forever.Unless, of course, Jim “Jones” Lyons or one of his deranged followers returns from exile next year to reclaim control of the GOP state committee.Lyons lost his House seat in 2018, so he decided to take over the state committee. As the old saying goes, the job nee...

Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers: Everything you need to know about the Week 10 game before kickoff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

The 2-7 Chicago Bears will play the 1-7 Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in a Week 10 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (7:15 p.m., Prime Video, FOX-Ch. 32).Still time to prove he’s the QB of the future?Perhaps if the Bears were not in the Thursday night national television slot for the second time in five weeks, Justin Fields would have been able to give it a go against the Panthers.But coach Matt Eberflus announced undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will make his fourth consecutive start, saying Fields is not medically cleared to return from a dislocated right thumb after another limited practice session Wednesday.It’s a solid bet Fields will return for the Nov. 19 NFC North game at Ford Field against the Lions. At that point seven games will remain in a season that began with intense focus on whether the former first-round pick is indeed the franchise’s quarterback of the future.It’s looking increasingly unlikely the Bears will ride w...

Former top prosecutor for Baltimore convicted in perjury case tied to purchase of Florida homes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN (Associated Press)GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A former top prosecutor for the city of Baltimore was convicted on Thursday of charges that she lied about the finances of a side business to improperly access retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the money to buy two Florida homes.A federal jury convicted former Baltimore state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby of two counts of perjury after a trial that started Monday.Mosby served two terms as state’s attorney for Baltimore. A federal grand jury indicted her on perjury charges before a Democratic primary challenger defeated her last year.James Wyda, a lawyer for Mosby, declined to comment, citing a gag order. The U.S. Attorney’s office won’t have a comment on the verdict, said spokeswoman Marcia Lubin.Mosby gained a national profile for prosecuting Baltimore police officers after Freddie Gray, a Black man, died in police custody in 2015, which was Mosby’s first year in office. H...

LeBron James’ rise to global basketball star to be displayed in museum in hometown of Akron, Ohio

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James’ path from basketball prodigy to NBA scoring champion is being memorialized where it began.LeBron James’ Home Court, a museum dedicated to James and his many milestones, will open in Akron on Nov. 25.A multimedia experience, the museum will include a re-creation of the apartment where he and his mother, Gloria, lived along with items from his childhood, high school playing career and championship runs with Cleveland, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers.The museum is at House Three Thirty, a facility started by James’ foundation to serve the community where he was raised.“My dream was always to put Akron on the map, so to have a place in my hometown that allows me to share my journey with my fans from all over the world means a lot to me,” James said. “I’ve been known to hang on to a lot of things over the years, and I always knew there would be a time and place to bring them out.”Among the items on display will be the all-white su...

Man wanted for alleged sexual assault aboard TTC bus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Police are searching for a man wanted for an alleged sexual assault aboard a TTC bus in north Etobicoke.Investigators say the incident occurred in the area of Kipling Avenue and Dixon Avenue just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.Police say the man boarded a TTC bus and sat close to the victim. After another passenger seated beside the victim got up and left, the man asked if he could sit next to the victim. He then allegedly sexually assaulted them.The man is described as five-foot-three, between 50 and 60 years of age, with a medium build, short black hair balding on top and a black moustache. He was last seen wearing a black coat, beige shirt, black pants, black running shoes and carrying a black backpack.

Women’s prison in Mexico plagued by food poisoning and bad care is hit by a wave of 8 suicides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A women’s prison in Mexico plagued by food poisoning and poor medical care has now hit by wave of 8 suicides in the last 4 1/2 months, authorities confirmed Thursday. The federal prisons bureau confirmed the suicides in a statement, and said it was taking steps to improve the situation at the women’s prison in the state of Morelos, south of Mexico City.The office said it had changed prison managers and increased sports, cultural and handicraft activities for the prison’s approximately 1,000 inmates. Reports from earlier this year found that conditions were harsh at the prison, with inmates often served rotting food. The governmental National Human Rights Commission said 400 inmates suffered food poisoning in outbreaks in 2022. That report said the women were not given appropriate medical care after falling ill; many were not given medications because none were available. A statement issued in July by a coalition of rights and advocacy groups said the lack of...

Former New Mexico State players charged with sex crimes in locker-room hazing case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Three former New Mexico State basketball players were charged with multiple sex crimes Thursday related to a series of alleged assaults of teammates that led to the disbandment of the team in the middle of last season.A New Mexico grand jury indicted former Aggies Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr. and Doctor Bradley with multiple counts of criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual conduct and false imprisonment. Washington and Bradley could face 27 years in prison if convicted on 13 charges apiece. Aiken could face 24 years on 11 charges. In announcing the indictments, the state attorney general did not release the names of the victims. Earlier this week, two former players and a student manager filed a civil lawsuit against the school, athletic director Mario Moccia and former coaches, along with Washington, Aiken and Bradley, contending they were sexually assaulted and threatened with guns in the New Mexico State locker room. Those allegations were similar to others lodged b...

4 taken to hospital after construction accident at former site of Robert Bateman HS in Burlington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Four people were taken to hospital and the Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation after a construction accident at the former site of Robert Bateman high school in Burlington on Thursday.According to reports corroborated by police, a section of ceiling collapsed during work at the city-owned property at 5151 New St.The City acquired the property from the Halton school board in a deal that was finalized in 2022.The Ministry of Labour confirmed with CityNews that four workers sustained injuries, but didn’t provide further detail.“As the ministry’s investigation is ongoing, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are not able to share further information at this time,” a spokesperson for the Ministry said.

Oakland A’s fans are sending MLB owners ‘Stay In Oakland’ boxes as Las Vegas vote nears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry will soon receive a special “Stay In Oakland” box from Bay Area fans packed with a green Athletics cap, a baseball card featuring his likeness and a note telling him all the reasons he should vote no on the team’s planned relocation to Las Vegas.They will try to sway Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees, too — another owner identified as someone who could be convinced to vote against Vegas. They hope Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno might be an ally. Or perhaps Ray Davis of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. Maybe the Seattle Mariners’ John Stanton.The devoted fan group chose 15 owners to receive the box, selected because maybe — just maybe — there’s one more chance to keep the A’s in Oakland.This last-ditch effort includes a big assist by clothing company Last Dive Bar, a loyal A’s supporter. It made the boxes and a snazzy, colorful “Keep the Athletics in … OAKLAND” postcard. “T...