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Alabama sets execution as state resumes lethal injections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Supreme Court has authorized the execution of an inmate this summer as the state attempts to resume lethal injection s following a series of troubled executions. The Alabama Supreme Court last week issued a death warrant for James Barber, 54, authorizing the state to carry out his execution sometime after June 2. It is the first execution scheduled in the state after Gov. Kay Ivey paused executions last year to conduct an internal review. The exact date of the execution will be determined later, under new rules established during the review.“According to the Alabama Supreme Court’s order, the execution time frame set by the governor must begin sometime after Friday, June 2, 2023, and Governor Ivey will work with the Alabama Department of Corrections to establish this time frame,” Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola wrote in an email. Barber was convicted of the 2001 beating death of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. Prosecutors said Barber, a handyman who knew E...

Afroman hosting 2024 presidential campaign show in Lombard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

LOMBARD, Ill. -- Another celebrity has thrown their name into the 2024 presidential race.Rapper Afroman announced his 2024 presidential campaign during his concert in Poplar Bluff, Missouri in Dec. 2020, TMZ reported. He will hold a campaign concert at Brauer House in Lombard on July 7.The rapper said he plans on running against former President Donald Trump, current President Joe Biden, and "whomever may run for president in 2024." ‘Tiger King’ announces 2024 presidential bid Afroman would not be the first rapper to run for president.Chicago-native Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, announced his presidential campaign in 2020. According to The Hill, Ye said he also asked former President Donald Trump to be his running mate in 2024.But, former President Trump announced his own presidential campaign for 2024 on Nov 15, 2022. Here’s who is running for president in 2024 Afroman became widely known after his Grammy Award-nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance for his 2002 hit "Beca...

Wife of Utah man killed in tragic accident discovers pregnancy only hours later, family says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

SANTAQUIN, Utah (KTVX) -- Just hours after a young father was killed in a tragic accident when a truck rolled on top of him at his Santaquin, Utah home, his wife discovered she was pregnant, family members say. Jonathan Rodriguez, a 23-year-old father, and his 47-year-old mother were reportedly cleaning up the yard of the home Saturday, May 6, when police say the Rodriguez's child climbed into the vehicle and pulled on the gear shift. PREVIOUS STORY: Santaquin man run over, killed after son accidentally changes gears of truck The gear was reportedly broken and able to move despite the truck’s engine being off, and the truck rolled backward onto Rodriguez and his mother.The grandmother was reportedly airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries. Officers performed life-saving measures on Rodriguez, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.After the incident, his wife, Daisy Rodriguez, found out she is pregnant with their third child, according to her sister Sara Munoz.Munoz orga...

Popular US breeds that have never won the Westminster Dog Show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

Which dog training tools are best?IN THIS ARTICLE:Acme Plastic Dog WhistleCool Runners Agility Weave PolesPacific Play Tents TunnelThe Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the preeminent authority on what makes a good dog. There have been 115 winners so far. Of those winners, none have come from the three most popular breeds in America: French bulldog, Labrador retriever or golden retriever. Widening the popularity to the top 20 breeds sees only eight with a trophy, including bulldogs and beagles. If you want to be the one to break the streak, you need the right tools and the right rewards for your future Best in Show.State of the ShowThat isn’t to say there isn’t much hope for the top three dog breeds. In fact, a French bulldog named Winston was the runner-up last year. Afterward, he took the top prize at the National Dog Show. According to NewsNation, Winston is among the most-awarded show dogs. He’s even a favorite to take home Best in Show this year.Best dog training whistlesAcme...

Ray Liotta's cause of death revealed 1 year later: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

(WJW) — It's been nearly a year since Ray Liotta, best known for his roles in "Goodfellas" and "Field of Dreams," died unexpectedly in his sleep while in the Dominican Republic. Initially, the 67-year-old's cause of death wasn't released. But now, documents obtained by TMZ from officials in the Dominican Republic listed the reason for Liotta's death as respiratory and heart issues. Ray Liotta dies at 67: reports The actor, who was in the Dominican Republic filming the thriller "Dangerous Waters," was found May 26, 2022. At the time, the death was not considered suspicious in nature. Documents obtained by TMZ said he had a condition called atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of cholesterol plaque in the arteries leading to blood flow problems. Following his death, the actor's daughter Karsen Liotta took to Instagram saying, “Those who knew him, loved him. You are the best Dad anyone could ask for. I love you. Thank you for everything.”Liotta was bo...

Hays CISD 'heartbroken' after elementary student passes away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - A Camino Real Elementary school student died on April 28, according to Hays CISD. In a Facebook message posted Monday, the district said it is heartbroken for the family of the young boy, Jonathan Velazquez. They said he was a first-grader. Hays CISD linked the family's GoFundMe page to help with memorial and funeral expenses. A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she lives in the same subdivision as the family. She said Jonathan drowned in the subdivision's pool. "We were in mourning. I mean, it hits so close to home. It was in the community pool, right next door where there were a lot of people present," she said.The neighbor said she attended a vigil for the family last Thursday where dozens came to give their condolences. "The family needs more support. They need financial support. They need emotional support," she said.The Hays County Sheriff's Office said it received a call of an unresponsive 7-year-old who was found in the community pool at...

Nurses, advocates of hospital staffing requirements decry Mayo Clinic’s ‘blackmail tactics’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

Minnesota Nurses Association members and sponsors of legislation to require hospitals to establish staffing levels took aim at Mayo Clinic on Monday for what they called “blackmail tactics” over the bills.Late last week, a Mayo Clinic official in an email to Gov. Tim Walz and lawmakers said the health system would cancel billions of dollars in investments in Minnesota if the state enacts staffing requirements and a health care cost board. The Minnesota Reformer revealed the email in a story published Friday.At a Monday news conference, Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, and union members railed against Mayo for deciding to outright oppose the bills and deliver an “ultimatum” at the “11th hour.” There are just two weeks left of the 2023 legislative session. Murphy said she hoped Mayo would stay in Minnesota and help be part of the solution to ongoing nursing shortages beleaguering the health care system.“It’s not the first time that a powerful corporation has threatened to leave M...

Up-and-coming mixed martial arts performer killed in Fargo-Moorhead crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

MOORHEAD, Minn. — A two-vehicle crash on the Interstate 94 bridge that links Moorhead and Fargo, N.D., killed a Breckenridge woman who was a standout high school athlete and rising star in mixed martial arts.Shalie Lipp, 21, died as a result of the crash in the eastbound lanes of the interstate, reported at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.The Minnesota State Patrol has not explained the circumstances surrounding the crash, but in an updated report Monday, the agency said Lipp was the only person involved who was not restrained by a seat belt.The crash occurred between a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, with Lipp being a passenger in the Chevrolet. All other occupants of the two vehicles were wearing seat belts and were not injured, the patrol said.The patrol’s updated report added that the Chevrolet made contact with the Jeep.Lipp trained at the Academy of Combat Arts in Fargo and was scheduled for an amateur fight on May 20 on the “No Mercy 11” MMA card at ...

Lawmakers pass tax breaks for Missouri seniors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's senior homeowners would be spared from rate hikes on property taxes under a bill passed by state lawmakers Monday.If signed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson, it would be up to counties to approve the property tax breaks. The freeze on property tax rates would only apply to the primary residences of people age 65 and older.“Our seniors need that safety to know that when they're paying into that system, they should be able to get it on the back end and enjoy a secure retirement," Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher said in a rare speech on the floor. Cherokee Street shooting: Police release images of suspects The legislation also would end state taxes on Social Security benefits beginning in 2024. Currently, Missouri residents only pay taxes on Social Security if they make more than $85,000 a year or, if married, they make $100,000 a year or more. Lawmakers extended the tax break to all seniors.“It helps some of our seniors who need that help, a...

Video shows Columbia, Missouri officer punch man on ground 5 times

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Two police officers in Missouri are under investigation after someone posted video online showing one of the officers repeatedly punching a man as police had him pinned to the ground.Columbia police Chief Geoff Jones said in a statement Monday that he asked the Boone County Sheriff's Department to conduct a criminal investigation into his officers' actions early Sunday morning while they were responding to a disturbance outside a bar. The Columbia Police Department will also conduct an internal investigation.The video last about 9 seconds and shows one officer pinning a man to the ground while a second officer punches the man in the face five times, causing the man to bleed. Check the radar - Severe weather expected In the background, someone can be heard saying, “He's punching him in the face. Oh my God.”Jones said he is thankful that someone brought the officers' conduct to his attention.“Police use of force must be reasonable,” Jones said. ”We have a high e...