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Appropriate for Alberta premier to discuss COVID case with accused, deputy says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

EDMONTON — An Alberta deputy premier says it was appropriate for his boss to phone up a pastor and discuss his upcoming criminal trial on charges stemming from protests over pandemic restrictions. Kaycee Madu says Premier Danielle Smith has a broad mandate to reduce divisions over the COVID-19 pandemic while helping the province grow. Madu says in pursuing that mission, Smith is free to contact whomever she wants.Smith is coming under renewed criticism over a leaked phone conversation she had in January with protester and Calgary street preacher Artur Pawlowski about his approaching trial.During the call, Smith commiserates with Pawlowski over her government’s legal tactics and offers to make inquiries on his behalf while telling him the Crown’s charges are politically motivated.The phone call was leaked to the Opposition NDP and shared with reporters earlier this week.Madu is a former Alberta justice minister who was moved out of the portfolio under former premier Jason Kenne...

A look at how the largest US counties gained or lost people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

Several large, urban counties across the United States gained residents or stemmed population declines in the year ending last July after losing residents in the previous 12-month period amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates released Thursday.Population change is driven by migration, both within the U.S. as people move around inside the country, and from international trends as people arrive from abroad. It also depends on whether births outpace deaths, or vice versa.Here’s a look at what drove population change in the 10 largest U.S. counties from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022.LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — The most populous county in the nation lost more than 90,000 residents last year and now has a population of 9.7 million people. Los Angeles County gained almost 34,000 residents from abroad and another 18,000 people from births outpacing deaths. But it wasn’t enough to offset the almost 143,000 residents who le...

Gwyneth Paltrow's widely watched ski crash trial nears end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Attorneys for Gwyneth Paltrow and the 76-year-old suing her over a 2016 ski collision used closing arguments to describe their clients as aggrieved victims participating in a yearslong legal battle to take a stand for truth, sending the case to the eight-member jury to make a decision.During closing arguments, Paltrow’s attorneys asked jurors to disregard the opposing side's emotional pleas for sympathy of Terry Sanderson over the state of his relationships. They said that for Paltrow, it would’ve been easier to simply write a check, settle the lawsuit and put the crash behind her.“But what would that teach her children?” attorney Steve Owens asked jurors Thursday.Accompanying his remarks were high-resolution animations depicting Paltrow's version of events, which have been shown throughout the trial in the Park City courtroom.“It’s not about the money. It’s about ruining a very delicate time in a relationship where they were trying to get their kids together,...

Carole Baskin plans to sell Big Cat Rescue, send animals to Arkansas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It's the end of an era on Easy Street in Tampa. Carole Baskin's Big Cat Rescue sanctuary has merged with a wildlife refuge based in Arkansas. The rescue is preparing to transport most of its cats to "The Natural State," and they will sell the property once there are no cats left, Baskin's husband, Howard, said in a press release Monday.Joining forces with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge will allow the rescue to cut overhead costs and "devote the remaining resources of our sanctuary to the 'in situ' projects being conducted around the world to avoid [big cat] extinction," Howard Baskin explained.He noted that the cub petting industry has gradually declined over the past 11 years thanks in part to the rescue's efforts in lobbying for the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA), which prohibits the private possession of big cats and restricts direct contact between them and the public. ‘Tiger King’ announces 2024 presidential bid "In particular, some of the 's...

$20K reward in case of missing former Hogan aide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

(The Hill) – The FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service are offering a combined reward up to $20,000 for information that can lead to the arrest of a former chief of staff to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), according to an announcement published Tuesday. Roy McGrath, 53, served as chief of staff to Hogan for about two months before he resigned in August 2020. An arrest warrant was issued for McGrath after he failed to appear for trial on wire fraud and embezzlement charges on March 13, and the FBI now considers him a fugitive and an "international flight risk."In October 2021, McGrath was indicted for wire fraud as well as theft or bribery from programs receiving federal funds. He pled not guilty to the charges and was released before his trial on the condition that he would show up for all his court dates, according to the FBI. In June 2022, McGrath was also charged with destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations. His trial was supposed to b...

Report: lifeguards turned away because of technological glitch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every Summer the City of Austin relies on hundreds of lifeguards to watch over city pools.The hiring process begins in November and to successfully run all 34 pools the city needs about 860 lifeguards.In 2022, over 1,000 people applied to be lifeguards, PARD hired about 422, and over 200 lifeguards returned from earlier seasons, but some qualified candidates received an inaccurate notice of non-selection according to a recent report.The report states: “We found that 95% of lifeguard applicants received notices that they were not selected for the position. These notices were not usually an accurate reflection of the applicant’s status. For example, 93% of the 422 lifeguards eventually hired by PARD received an inaccurate notice of non-selection.”There is a process that potential candidates must go through which includes a background check, a lifeguard certification course and addit...

Daniel Perry trial day 3: Witnesses recall deadly shooting at Austin protest testify

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Day three of the trial for the man accused of shooting and killing Garrett Foster in July 2022 began Thursday morning with testimony from people who were at the protest where it happened. Daniel Perry, an Army sergeant and part-time Uber driver, was indicted in the case in 2021 on felony charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of deadly conduct. Perry entered a not-guilty plea Tuesday.  MORE: Daniel Perry trial day 2: Fiancé of killed BLM protester testifies During opening statements, state attorneys said Foster was out protesting police violence every day in the summer of 2020. Foster was shot and later died while out protesting the night of July 25, 2020. The defense's argument from the beginning is that Perry — swarmed by protesters — had to defend himself. Several witnesses admitted they kicked, hit and even banged on ...

Atmospheric rivers bring record breaking snowpack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Atmospheric rivers have been stealing the headlines over the past several months as California has experienced a relentless amount of rain and snow. An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture or water vapor in the atmosphere. They can stretch hundreds to even thousands of miles in length while usually being much narrower in width (less than 500 miles or so). As this water vapor gets pushed up the mountains along the West Coast, this moisture is forced upwards creating cooling, condensation and a continuous torrential train of falling heavy precipitation. The faster the atmospheric river, the more intense these precipitation rates can be.The Sierra Nevada mountains supply nearly a third of California’s water supply. Our partners over at Climate Central plotted the annual snow water equivalent (the amount of water that forms after the melting of snow) for snowpack of the west coast over the last 50 years. Years with more atmospheric river e...

Two arrested following drug complaint in Cohoes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Monday, the Cohoes Police Department arrested two individuals following an investigation into a drug activity complaint. Officers witnessed a hand-to-hand transaction between Phillip Harris, 45, of Troy, and an occupant in a gray vehicle near Manor Avenue Suites. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! When officers approached, Harris tried to flee on foot. Both Harris and the individual in the vehicle were taken into custody.Harris was found to be in possession of narcotics. Police charged him with:Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree with Intent to SellTwo counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree weighing one-half ounce or moreOne count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree, Hallucinogenic Substance One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree weighing one-eighth ounc...

Jumpin' Jacks in Scotia opens for 2023 season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:09:19 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Employees at Jumpin' Jacks were flipping patties and swirling cones for opening day Thursday morning. Diners lined up hours before—none faster than Arthur Fleming. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "When I saw there was no one in line, I just made a run right for the spot," said Fleming. It wasn't his first time beating the crowds, either. "I've been doing this pretty much my entire life," he continued. "It's been a family thing of mine to come here on opening day and get some Jumpin' Jacks." Mark Lansing has owned the shop for more than 30 years. He told NEWS10 his fans are some of the best in the region. Easter restaurant specials in the Capital Region "We have some faithful people, for sure," Lansing remarked. "And they'll be coming in all day long, I'm sure. Especially as the weather gets a bit warmer today." Those fans crave more than just burgers and fries. For many, it's about the experience...