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Death toll from blinding May 1 dust storm crashes in Illinois rises to 8

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The death toll from numerous crashes on Interstate 55 that occurred amid a blinding May 1 dust storm has risen to eight, a coroner said Wednesday.Ruth Rau, 81, of Sorento, who was a passenger in a car that crashed in the dust storm, died of blunt force injuries Tuesday night at a Springfield hospital, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said.The crashes involved a total of 72 vehicles, with at least 37 people taken to hospitals.High winds had kicked up dangerous clouds of blinding dust off farm fields, police have said.The crashes closed I-55 in both directions in Montgomery County, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of St. Louis. Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the scene as horrific. Winds at the time were gusting between 35 mph (56 kph) and 45 mph (74 kph), the National Weather Service said.The Associated Press

Connecticut lawmakers, shaken by death of a collegaue, pass bill to deter wrong-way drivers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers, shaken by the death of a colleague killed in a wrong-way crash earlier this year, unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that attempts to curtail the growing problem of wrong-way drivers.The legislation calls for the installation of detection and notification systems on at least 120 high-risk highway exit ramps statewide. It also requires a new public education campaign to teach drivers how to reduce wrong-way incidents and handle an encounter with a wrong-way driver on the road.“This has been a difficult year for a lot of us. And it’s been a difficult year for a lot of Connecticut families across our state who have seen this dramatic increase,” said Democratic Rep. Roland Lemar, noting there were 13 wrong-way crashes in Connecticut in 2022, resulting in 23 fatalities. That was the most on record for the state. “I believe we have a bill before us that positions Connecticut to be proactive in addressing this issue,” the New Hav...

Effort to expel Santos falters as Republicans vote to send measure to Ethics Committee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A resolution to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress was referred to the House Ethics Committee on Wednesday as Republicans successfully sidestepped an effort to force them into a vote that could have narrowed their already slim four-seat majority.The House voted along party lines, 221-204, to refer the matter to the ethics panel, with Santos himself joining his GOP colleagues in voting to do so. The freshman congressman has been charged with embezzling money from his campaign, falsely receiving unemployment funds and lying to Congress about his finances. He has denied the charges and has pleaded not guilty.Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., introduced a resolution in February to expel Santos, something the House has only done twice in recent decades. He sought to force a vote on that resolution under a process that left three options for Republicans: a vote on the resolution, a move to table, or a referral to committee. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy chose the...

UN expert: Myanmar military imported $1 billion in weapons since 2021 coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Myanmar’s military has imported at least $1 billion worth of weapons and related material from Russia, China and other countries since its February 2021 coup, some of which it has used to carry out atrocities against civilians, according to a U.N. report released Wednesday.The weapons continue to flow to the military despite overwhelming evidence of its responsibility for the atrocities, including some that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, said Tom Andrews, the U.N. independent investigator on human rights in Myanmar.As an example of what he called the junta’s brutality, Andrews pointed to its April 11 airstrike using a Russian Yak-130 fighter jet on a ceremony attended by some 300 opponents of army rule, which was quickly followed by an attack by Russian Mi-35 helicopters on those who came to help. He said at least 160 people were killed, including many children.In addition, the machine guns and bombs used in the attacks included parts and mat...

Ecuador’s president dismisses legislature as it tries to oust him, in a move that promises turmoil

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The president of Ecuador dismissed the legislature Wednesday in a move that promised more turmoil around a conservative leader who has been unable to enact a business-friendly agenda as the South American country experiences an alarming rise in crime.In disbanding the National Assembly, Guillermo Lasso made first use of the Ecuador presidency’s nuclear option under the constitution in conflicts with the legislative branch. His first move was to push a package of tax cuts, but criticism was swift and an appeal to stop him was filed hours after he announced his decision in a televised message in which he accused lawmakers of focusing “on destabilizing the government.” “This is the best possible decision,” he said after describing his move as a way to give Ecuadorians “the power to decide their future in the next elections.”Armed soldiers then surrounded the National Assembly in the capital. Lasso had been locked in a showdown with legislators who wanted to impeac...

Court record: Wife says California doctor purposely drove family off cliff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) — The wife of a California radiologist accused of trying to kill his family when he drove his Tesla off a cliff along the Northern California coast told rescuers her husband was depressed and needed a psychological evaluation, according to a newly unsealed search warrant affidavit. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday that Neha Patel repeatedly told rescuers that Dharmesh Patel intentionally drove off a San Mateo County cliff on Jan. 2 in a bid to kill her and their two children, ages 4 and 7. All four survived in what one official called an “absolute miracle.”Dharmesh Patel, a Pasadena radiologist, said he pulled off the road to check on a possibly flat tire, according to the warrant. Witness testimony does not appear to back up his account.“He drove off. He’s depressed,” Neha Patel told a California Highway Patrol officer as she was flown away from the crash site, according to the Chronicle. “He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He...

Woman's death at Yellowstone under investigation, man arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. (KTVX) -- Authorities are investigating after a woman was pronounced dead following a crash at Yellowstone National Park.Yellowstone rangers responded to the incident on Craig Pass Saturday night, around three miles south of Old Faithful, according to a press release.Rangers reportedly saw a car that had gone into a snowbank and a man standing beside it.In the vehicle, authorities found a woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman's cause of death remains under investigation. These are America’s deadliest national parks: data The man, who was not identified, was arrested for drug possession and other traffic-related charges. NPS officials didn't provide any additional details but noted investigators from its Investigative Services Branch, Yellowstone's Law Enforcement Division, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the Teton County Coroner's Office are still reviewing the case. Motor vehicle crashes are the second-most common cause of dea...

MLB pitcher accidentally kills bird with pregame throw

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers aspire to be like Randy Johnson.Zac Gallen unintentionally got really close in emulating the Hall of Famer.While warming up in the outfield before Arizona's game at Oakland on Wednesday, Gallen threw a curveball that hit a bird in midflight, killing the animal.“I don’t really know what happened, honestly,” Gallen said. “I just know that the ball changed directions really. I saw what happened. It's kind of a freak accident. It's unfortunate.”The throw was captured by cameras for Diamondbacks' broadcaster Bally Sports Arizona. MLB pitcher has skull fracture, concussion after taking line drive to the head Johnson infamously killed a bird during a spring training game in 2001. While throwing a pitch against the San Francisco Giants, a bird crossed in front of home plate and was destroyed by the baseball.Gallen was only 5 when that happened.“I don’t remember it as a kid,” he said. “But I've seen the clip many times.”Gallen'...

Democrats rally for paid sick, medical leave legislation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – Democrats held a rally on Capitol Hill to push for paid medical leave for all workers and say doing so would put the U.S. on par with every other major nation.Democrats say the U.S. needs to guarantee paid sick days and family leave for all workers.“Paid family leave should be a national priority because our families should be a national priority,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said.Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) added, “at a time of record-breaking corporate profits and exorbitant CEO pay, the idea that the richest country in the history of the world cannot guarantee paid leave for its workers is an international embarrassment.”Democrats are proposing legislation that would guarantee seven paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family medical leave to all American workers. Supporters say the move would benefit the economy and help with employee retention.“No worker should be forced to make an impossible choice between keeping their job and taking care of their...

Indiana man charged with selling gun eventually found during arrest connected to officer's death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:28 GMT

CHICAGO — An Indiana man is facing a federal charge after he allegedly sold a firearm bought in Indiana to a person in Chicago and was recovered during an arrest made in connection with the death of Officer Aréanah Preston.Corey Gray, 21, of LaPorte, was arrested Wednesday morning and is charged with one count of knowingly transferring a firearm to an individual who was neither a licensed dealer nor an Indiana resident, according to court documents. Funeral services held Wednesday for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston According to a federal complaint, one of Gray's relatives bought the Glock 17 from a licensed dealer in April 2021 in Valparaiso and gave it to him.A few months later, Gray told ATF special agents he gave the gun to a person he knew as "Lil' Pooh" for $1,200 in Chicago, according to the complaint.The man Gray sold the gun to is only identified as Lil' Pooh and Individual B in the complaint, but an ATF special agent wrote the man was 19 and died in April.It's not clea...