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Boston dean who shot student gets 18 years for racketeering

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — A former Boston high school dean serving a 26-year sentence in state prison for shooting a student he had recruited to deal drugs has received an additional 18 years or more on a federal gang-related charge. Prosecutors said that Shaun Harrison, 63, lived a double life, portraying himself as an anti-violence activist and mentor for troubled teens while hiding his own gang ties and luring students into drugs and violence.In 2022, Harrison pleaded guilty to a count of racketeering conspiracy, also referred to as a RICO conspiracy. Harrison is serving time after his 2018 conviction for attempting to kill a student who was selling marijuana in the high school at Harrison’s direction, authorities said. The 17-year-old was shot in the back of the head after a dispute over declining drug sales, prosecutors said. The student survived but suffered partial face paralysis, permanent hearing loss and other injuries. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said Harrison e...

Jan. 6 prosecutors seek 25 years for Oath Keepers’ Rhodes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

The Justice Department is seeking 25 years in prison for Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors described as a violent plot to keep President Joe Biden out of the White House, according to court papers filed Friday. A Washington, D.C., jury convicted Rhodes in November in one of the most consequential cases brought in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, when a mob of then-President Donald Trump’s supporters assaulted police officers, smashed windows and temporarily halted Congress’ certification of Biden’s victory. Rhodes was convicted of plotting an armed rebellion with members of his far-right extremist group to stop the transfer of presidential power from Trump to Biden.Prosecutors asked the judge to impose the quarter-century sentence, noting Rhodes had been convicted of multiple crimes — which also carry hefty sentences — in addition to seditious conspiracy, which calls for up 20 years in prison.They asked...

NYC to send asylum-seekers upstate to deal with influx

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

New York City’s mayor announced plans Friday to send hundreds of asylum-seekers to two hotels north of the city for up to four months as it tries to cope with a surge of arrivals, antagonizing officials in the largely suburban area.Democratic Mayor Eric Adams’ administration said up to 300 single, adult men under the city’s care will be transported on a volunteer basis to a hotel in Orangeburg in Rockland County and another in Orange Lake in neighboring Orange County. Adams has denounced Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for busing asylum-seekers to New York City without prior coordination, and officials representing the areas north of the city lodged similar complaints against Adams on Friday. The mayor also has repeatedly pleaded for more state and federal help to deal with an influx of asylum-seekers, many of whom were bused to the city by out-of-state governors. He said the program would help the city handle the more than 37,500 asylum-seekers currently in the city’s care.The a...

Is it illegal to not pick up after my dog in Illinois?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) -- Many dog owners know the feeling of taking their pet for a long walk, only for them to squat down, leave present on your neighbor's lawn, and as you go to reach for your 'poop-bag', you quickly realize you're all out. The questions race through your head, Do I leave it? Do I cover it? Do I come back?One question you may not necessarily ask yourself, but possibly should, is, Is it illegal not to pick up after my dog?That question varies by state. Is it illegal to get my dog high in Illinois? These laws are commonly known as "Pooper Scooper Laws," and they require that all pet owners pick up after their animals both on private and public property. This includes neighbor’s yards, sidewalks, parks, school, and others.If someone violates the pooper scooper law in Illinois, they could potentially be subjected to fines in the range of $50 to $500. LIST OF FINES FOR POOPER SCOOPER VIOLATIONS IN SOME STATES:New York City, New York- Fine: $250San Francisco, Cal...

Illinois watchdog calls proposed Nicor rate hike 'unjust and unreasonable'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Citizens Utility Board is calling Nicor's $321 million rate hike request "unjust and unreasonable."In January, the gas utility asked for the increase, but CUB says the amount should be slashed by $106 million, based on expert testimony by independent analysts.In a statement, Nicor said the increase would be necessary to run their business because of inflation and global impacts, such as the war in Ukraine.Nicor said their request for a hike would add just over $9 a month to the average customer's monthly gas bills. More migrants expected this weekend in Chicago Nicor offers energy assistance programs to help low-income residents.Illinois has announced an additional $300 million in funding to help Illinois residents pay their energy bills.The money comes from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and is available for families who meet criteria to receive natural gas, propane, or electricity bill assistance.A chart with eligi...

Vandal breaks into vacant Indiana hospital, posts medical records on YouTube

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

La PORTE, Ind. — A hospital in Northwest Indiana has informed its patients that some of their medical information may have been uploaded on YouTube after a vandal broke into the former La Porte Hospital — which is scheduled for demolition — and took video of medical records that were still on site. According to Northwest Health-La Porte, the hospital learned of the incident in early March after a video was uploaded to a YouTube account that showed the medical records. Former Indiana councilman accused of illegally entering home and performing sex act in homeowner’s bedroom The hospital said the medical records were illegally removed from locked shredding bins that were still being stored at the old La Porte Hospital. The records were scattered on the ground by the vandal(s) and filmed for the video that would eventually be uploaded to YouTube.The old hospital is vacant and scheduled for demolition but not all the hospital property has been removed from the site yet, Northwest Hea...

These are the most obese states in the US, report finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

(WTRF) – Obesity is a common, chronic disease among many U.S. adults and children, but some states have higher rates than others.US News & World Report factored CDC adult obesity rates into the outlet's annual state rankings and found that West Virginia is the most obese, with a 40.4% rate."Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat," according to the Mayo Clinic. "Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers." The 100 best brunch restaurants in the US, according to Yelp The CDC defines obesity as "weight that is higher than what is considered healthy for a given height." To classify as obese, and not overweight, one's body mass index (BMI) – or one's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters – must be 30.0 or higher.The adult obesity rate is one of six metrics U.S. News used to ...

Austin Police Oversight: What you need to know heading into Election Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin will vote on two individual police oversight measures Saturday. The two measures, one backed by a political action committee that focuses on public safety and the other by the police association, have very similar language but oppose each other. The propositions are expected to be decided by less than 10 percent of voters, said Brian Smith, a professor of political sciences at St. Edward's. He also noted people in Leander that also fall within Austin city limits could impact the results. "They have a bond election that affects people's taxes, that affects how much they're paying, that affects their schools. So that part of the city has more incentive to come and vote because not only are they voting on police oversight, but on the future of their school district," Smith said. Breaking down the ballot measuresOne petition was put forth by the advocacy group Equity Action. It calls for, among other things, the Office of Police Oversight to have more access to c...

Missouri lawmakers pass $50B state budget, key step to expand Interstate 70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Interstate 70 will be expanded to three lanes across the state as part of a roughly $50 billion state budget approved Friday by lawmakers.Republican lawmakers took up GOP Gov. Mike Parson's January call to pour money into I-70 this year, and they went even further than he initially requested.Instead of targeting only the most congested areas of the highway in urban areas as Parson proposed, the Legislature went big and set aside $2.8 billion to complete lane expansions from St. Louis to Kansas City. Trending: Kim Gardner supporters upset; some not surprised by her resignation “This represents the single greatest investment into our transportation network in the state's history,” Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.The governor appears likely to sign off on the highway plan. Parson's spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, in a Friday email said funding for the project is “well spent money.”The budget also prioritizes funding for pre-K...

Strawberry season starts strong for St. Louis-area farmers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:36 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - Early May is the start of the fruit crop seasons here at our local farms, many which are gearing up for people to pick their own strawberries as soon as this weekend. At Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, strawberry season offically kicks off Saturday. “It looks like a great crop, which I think then is a great indicator for the rest of the year," said Jill Tantillo, Vice President at Eckert’s. If the strawberries are good, then the rest of the year’s going to be great.”  Top Story: St. Louis circuit attorney resigns amid controversy Tantillo says that they love bringing families out to the farm, so they can see how strawberries are grown and of course do some sampling right off the bush. “You can’t get any better than that," said Tantillo. "The strawberries we buy the rest of the year in the store, they’re good. But there’s nothing better than right off the plant,” she said. Tantillo says they’ll be open this weekend, but their full season starts next weekend, along w...