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SAFE-T Act saga nears end: Illinois Supreme Court hears final arguments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) - The legal battle over the SAFE-T Act is reaching its final chapters. The Illinois Supreme Court officially took the case under advisement Tuesday morning after hearing oral arguments from both sides. A group of state's attorneys are suing the state over the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act. The law was signed by the governor in 2021, and it was supposed to eliminate cash bail on January 1, 2023. FACT CHECK: What does the SAFE-T Act really do? The state's attorneys allege the only way the state can go about eliminating cash bail is through a constitutional amendment, since Article 9 of the 1970 Illinois Constitution states that "All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties." "The simple way for the legislature to accomplish all of these reforms. Take the question, put it on a ballot, propose it to the people let them vote on it," Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe said in the courtroom.The Attorney General's office argues it's wrong ...

Missouri man arrested in KC with 2,300 fentanyl pills now charged

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri man arrested in Kansas City carrying 2,300 fentanyl pills faces drug charges.A grand jury indicted 42-year-old Walter Antwine Moore, of Columbia, Missouri, with charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute, gun possession, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.According to an affidavit, officers contacted Moore when he arrived at a Kansas City train station Feb. 10, 2023. MoDOT asks for volunteers to pick up trash The document shows Moore became confrontational with a police detective and tried to run away. Other officers helped the detective detain Moore.The officers found the 2,300 fentanyl pills on the floor close to where Moore was questioned, according to the affidavit.Court documents show Moore was also detained in St. Joseph on Jan. 7, 2023.The affidavit shows police responded to a convenience store after Moore allegedly tried to sell drugs and stole...

Broncos giving two-year deal to RB Samaje Perine, a veteran third-down back with playoff experience

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

Day 2 of the NFL’s negotiating period didn’t bring any further blockbusters for the Broncos, but it did deliver some backfield help.Denver on Tuesday agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract with Cincinnati running back Samaje Perine, a league source confirmed to The Post, adding a veteran back to the stable of players general manager George Paton and company have added in the first two days of de-facto free agency.The league year doesn’t begin officially until 2 p.m. Wednesday, but when it does the Broncos now have six new players expected to sign contracts – Perine, offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers, tight end Chris Manhertz, quarterback Jarrett Stidham and defensive lineman Zach Allen – in addition to agreeing to a three-year deal with returning linebacker Alex Singleton.Perine checks another box Denver figured to try to fill via free agency considering running back Javonte Williams is attempting to return from a serious knee injury sustained Week 4 against Las ...

Grand Junction man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

A Grand Junction man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, with a life term of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of children.Benjamin David Harbin, 33, exploited children in the production of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado.Harbin used “Instagram accounts to communicate with minor females online, several of whom were between seven and nine years of age,” according to the release, and persuaded children to send him sexually explicit images of themselves.He was sentenced Monday, after a plea agreement, by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello for enticing minors to engage in the production of child pornography. The FBI investigated the case.“The sexual exploitation of children is a despicable crime that causes immense harm to the victims and their families,” U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan said in the release. “We will not tolerate the predatory behavior of those who...

Biden visits Monterey Park, issues order to strengthen gun background checks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday aiming at increasing background checks to buy guns, promoting more secure firearms storage and ensuring U.S. law enforcement agencies get more out of a bipartisan gun control law enacted last summer. The Democratic president was to address his latest efforts to curb gun violence in a speech in this suburban Los Angeles community, where a gunman stormed a dance hall and shot 20 people, killing 11, following a Lunar New Year celebration in January. He was also meeting with families of victims and with first responders from that day. Biden’s rhetoric has grown ever stronger about guns — he routinely calls for banning assault weapons — in pushing a vocal gun-control platform even tougher than during the Obama administration when he was vice president. He has been emboldened by the midterm electiions when his regular talk of gun control didn't result in massive losses, and he's expected to continue to a...

Video shows suspect firing shots through apartment door

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

A man from Santa Barbara has been arrested and charged with attempted murder nearly two weeks after a doorbell video caught him shooting into a home in Highland. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies at the Highland Station, 34-year-old Gabriel Arce was arrested on Monday after he fired “approximately four rounds from a handgun through the front door” of a home in the 7000 block of Central Avenue in Highland on Feb. 28. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Gabriel Arce, is seen firing a round into the front door of the residence in Highland on Feb. 28. (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)The victim was inside the residence and sustained a gunshot wound to their leg, to which they were able to apply a tourniquet before authorities arrived and continued with medical treatment. Arce was on parole for possessing a weapon while in prison and was originally sent to prison on a robbery conviction. The suspected firearm used during the shoo...

Insurance Exchange Building in downtown L.A. to be turned into affordable housing  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

The historic Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Los Angeles is getting a makeover.The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which bills itself as the largest global AIDS organization, has purchased the 99-year-old building under its Healthy Housing Foundation banner to make way for homeless and low-income housing. AHF closed on its purchase of the 12-story building on March 7 for $21.25 million. It will be the first office building that AHF will renovate and adds to the 13 other buildings the organization has purchased or renovated since 2017, the organization said.The new residence will be called Angel Tower and is set to offer 251 new living spaces. “We know firsthand the fight for affordable housing is fought one door at a time,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein in a news release. “This building offers the potential for two-hundred fifty-one brand-new doors in its incarnation as Angel Tower.” The Healthy Housing Foundation has spent more than $18...

Chipotle unveils chicken al pastor on menus worldwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

Chipotle customers can now customize their tacos, burritos, salads and quesadillas with a new protein option.The Newport Beach-based company announced Tuesday that it’s adding chicken al pastor to its menus worldwide for a limited time. The debut of chicken al pastor marks the first time Chipotle launched a new menu innovation globally, a news release said.Chipotle calls Chicken al pastor "a new, craveable protein at Chipotle featuring the savory, satisfying flavor of adobo, Morita peppers and ground achiote with a splash of pineapple and fresh lime." (Chipotle) The company didn’t announce how long chicken al pastor would be available.“Guests are looking to restaurants for unique menu items they cannot make at home, and al pastor has been gaining mass appeal in recent years,” Chris Brandt, Chipotle's chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "We've put our own spicy spin on al pastor with our freshly grilled chicken and have created a truly delicious menu item that fans wil...

Marlon Wayans reveals Ben Affleck called him to appear in 'Air'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

When Marlon Wayans got the phone call from Ben Affleck to star in his movie, "Air," the comedian jumped at the chance."He talked to me for about 45 minutes about what the role was, and I said 'Ben, you had me at hello. You did 'Argo.' You're taking 45 minutes too long," he explained to KTLA 5's Sam Rubin. "Just say 'Marlon be in the movie.'"He was, however, surprised to get the call from the "Good Will Hunting" star."Me and J.Lo were on the same show! She doesn't call me! So how the hell did he get my number? We were on 'In Living Color' 40 years ago, how come he got my number and she doesn't? He's Batman, that's why!"Affleck not only stars in "Air" but directs it as well. Other big names on the project include Jason Bateman, Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis.The film is about how the Air Jordan sneaker came about and helped Michael Jordan become the richest basketball player ever. Wayans himself is a sneaker enthusiast and the Air Jordan is one of his favorites. While Nike ...

Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on Shoemaker Avenue [Santa Fe Springs, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

Man Killed at Bus Stop in Hit-and-Run Crash on Shoemaker Avenue near Telegraph RoadSANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (March 14, 2023) – Saturday afternoon, a hit-and-run crash on Shoemaker Avenue claimed a man’s life.The collision happened on March 11th, at around 4:10 p.m., at a bus stop at the intersection of Shoemaker Avenue and Telegraph Road.According to reports, a man was waiting at the bus stop when a vehicle struck him. The impact of the collision left the victim with serious injuries. The involved driver fled the scene on foot before authorities arrived..First responders to the accident pronounced the male pedestrian dead at the scene. At this time, his identity has not been disclosed to the public.No further details regarding the Shoemaker Avenue hit-and-run have been released. Those with further information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. The team at Sweet James sends their deepest cond...