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No charges in deadly 2019 Hard Rock hotel building collapse in New Orleans, grand jury rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A grand jury in Louisiana has decided against indicting anyone in the deadly collapse four years ago of a Hard Rock Hotel that was under construction in New Orleans.The panel, which heard evidence in the case over several months, met once more on Thursday. It was the last chance to file criminal charges before a four-year window closed to pursue gross negligence charges under state law.Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams decided to have the panel hear testimony and vote on potential charges, rather than directly filing them, and it returned a “no true bill” verdict, meaning at least nine jurors did not find sufficient evidence to establish criminal liability. Williams said in a statement that the grand jury did not hear enough evidence to meet the threshold for a criminal case.“Unfortunately, criminal negligence carries a much higher burden than civil negligence, and upon deliberating, the jurors decided there simply wasn’t enough certainty to proceed,...

YNW Melly murder trial delayed after defense attorneys accuse prosecutors of withholding information

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Defense attorneys for rapper YNW Melly say South Florida prosecutors committed felony obstruction of justice by not revealing that the lead detective in the rapper’s double-murder case had been previously accused of being willing to lie as he gathered evidence.Attorneys for Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, on Friday asked Broward Circuit Judge John J. Murphy to remove the Broward State Attorney’s Office from the case and potentially dismiss it entirely, the Sun Sentinel reported. Jury selection in the retrial of the 24-year-old rapper was set to start next week, but the judge pushed it back a week on Friday and set hearings for next week to deal with the obstruction allegations.The request from the defense attorneys comes after Assistant State Attorney Michelle Boutros, who works for the Broward office, testified Friday that she overheard Miramar Police Detective Mark Moretti, lead investigator in the case against Demons, ask a Broward County de...

Chicago-area man charged in connection to Juneteenth party shooting where 1 died and 22 were hurt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago man has been charged in connection with a June shooting where one person died and 22 others were injured, authorities said Friday.The 19-year-old Aurora man is charged with one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.The man was denied pretrial release during a court appearance Friday, Berlin said.AP isn’t naming him until we have reached him, his lawyer or other representative for comment.The shooting occurred June 18 at a strip mall parking lot in Willowbrook where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate Juneteenth, authorities said.The man charged was with a group of individuals standing outside a beauty supply store when he began shooting a .45-caliber handgun in the direction of other people at the celebration, Berlin said. After the shooting, the man fled the scene, the prosecutor said. DuPage County sheriff’s deputies took...

Mississippi Democrat Brandon Presley aims to rally Black voters in governor’s race

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s gubernatorial election could hinge on turnout among Black voters, who haven’t wielded political influence commensurate to their share of the state population, the Democratic nominee said Friday.At a campaign event in the 80% Black state capital of Jackson just over one month before Election Day, Brandon Presley said Black voters could help carry him to victory. He also accused incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who is seeking reelection, of hoping they stay home. “Black Mississippi and white Mississippi have been purposefully, strategically and with intent divided over racial lines. Intentionally divided for two things: Money and power,” Presley said. “Tate Reeves and that sleazy little crowd he runs around with are sitting over there today hoping that Black voters do not come vote in November.” Speaking to a crowd at a blues club in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District, Presley said the interests of Mississippi’s ...

'She's with you every step of the way': A Chicago Marathon runner honors mother, raises awareness for suicide prevention

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Everyone who steps to the finish line and then runs 26.2 miles through 29 neighborhoods on Sunday is doing so for a reason. Claire Radler has hers as she takes part in the 45th Chicago Marathon, with every step on the course taking a step towards her healing from a family tragedy, doing what she can to prevent that from happening again. (Courtesy: Claire Radler)The 26-year-old is raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, doing so in tribute to her mother Katherine, who took her own life in 2019 after dealing with postpartum depression."Spread the word, remove the stigma, because they're so much stigma around this type of depression," said Radler of her motivation to run the marathon. Her passion for doing so has shown in her fundraising for the Chicago Marathon, collecting over $15,000 in donations ahead of the October 8 race. Radler said she could barely run a mile in January but has joined 200 others raising money for the American Foundation for S...

Justin Fields leads in the NFL in an offensive category after strong Thursday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — For once, Bears' fans can feel the joy of a victory in 2023, which has been pretty rare the past month.What's even more unusual, and even more exciting, is to see a player at the top of an NFL offensive category. But that's where Justin Fields sits after five games and a memorable night at FedEx Field.The Bears' quarterback now leads the National Football League in touchdown passes with 11 on the 2023 season before play resumes on Sunday. He got to that total thanks to four touchdown throws against the Commanders in a 40-20 victory on Thursday evening that snapped the Bears' 14-game losing streak.Fields is currently tied with Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who host the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sunday. Chicago's third-year quarterback had his second-straight solid game against Washington, going 15-of-29 for 282 yards and four touchdowns without an interception."I saw poise the entire time. You can see him being comfortable in the pocket, going thr...

Police: Indiana man admitted to choking neighbor for allegedly mistreating dog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WXIN/WTTV) – A Bloomington, Indiana man is charged after admitting he “beat the [expletive]” out of his neighbor, whom he accused of mistreating a dog, police said.Bloomington police said they were called to North Arlington Park Drive on Oct. 1 around 4 p.m. Officers said they found a man with his shirt off, who appeared sweaty and had grass stains on his pants.Chase Anthony Warfel booking photo (Monroe County)The man was identified as 22-year-old Chase A. Warfel. Police said Warfel immediately claimed he did it. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce opens up about Taylor Swift, getting older Court documents explained Warfel admitted the [altercation] was his fault because he was tired of the other man mistreating his dog, not feeding him or taking him outside.Nexstar's FOX59/CBS4 reached out to police and they could not confirm the dog's condition nor if the dog was removed from its owner's possession.Investigators said they also spoke with neighbors who live in the same comp...

Talks over controversial Southern border wall resume in D.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) -- After announcing that construction of the border wall would continue, the Biden administration says it's not happy about that fact.The administration says it would prefer other border security measures and asking congress to act.Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the 100 million people currently displaced around the world creates a huge global problem, calling it "the largest migration challenge of all time."That migration is why the Department of Homeland Security recently filed paperwork stating there is an "Acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers" along the southern border.But in a seeming contradiction, administration officials also insist a border wall won't work."Our position has never wavered," DHS Secretary Alexandro Mayorkas said. "The language in the federal register notice is being taken out of context."The administration says it's forced to continue building the border wall because of legislation Congress passed under President...

Byron Buxton hoping to make Twins’ decisions ‘a little harder’ as team sets ALDS roster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

HOUSTON — The Twins will not use the same 26 players in the American League Division Series that they had on their Wild Card Series roster.That much is clear.But as to how many changes they’ll make — whether it’s just swapping pitcher Bailey Ober, who will start Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, in for someone or whether Byron Buxton, who has been used as designated hitter all season, might be in the picture — they gave no hints on Friday.Buxton, who participated in live batting practice as part of the team’s workout at Minute Maid Park on Friday, hit a home run off teammate Jorge Alcala.“Just getting in there felt good seeing pitching after not seeing pitching for a few days,” he said. “It felt good to get in the batter’s box and compete.”Buxton has not played in a major league game since early August when he strained his hamstring. He had a flair-up with his knee while on his rehab assignment, bringing it to a halt. He returned to play in some minor league rehab games before the Tri...

Vikings running back Cam Akers is all about words of affirmation. Just ask his teammates in the huddle.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:38:59 GMT

There was something very specific that stood out about running back Cam Akers in his team debut, and it had nothing to do with him carrying the ball.Allow quarterback Kirk Cousins to explain.“He was hilarious,” Cousins said. “He was in the locker room talking to himself like, ‘Come on, Cam.'”It continued when Akers finally got on the field for the Vikings against the Carolina Panthers.“He’s in the huddle and he is doing the same thing,” Cousins said. “I called run and he’s like, ‘You got this, Cam.’ It was awesome. I was like, ‘This guy is really good for morale.'”It kept going from there.“We called a pass and I thought, ‘He probably won’t,’ ” Cousins said. “He did it again like, ‘We got this. Let’s go.’ ”The words of affirmation have been a calling card for Akers throughout his career. He prides himself on being somebody who brings energy every single time he step...