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Further federal probes into false Connecticut traffic stop data likely, public safety chief says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut’s public safety commissioner on Wednesday told state lawmakers to expect a federal investigation into a recent audit’s findings that showed hundreds of state troopers submitted false information from 2014 to 2021 on at least 26,000 traffic stops — information ultimately reported to a racial profiling board. State legislators from two committees called the legislative informational meeting after data analysts with the University of Connecticut said the traffic stop reports resulted in too many drivers being identified as white.The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which oversees the Connecticut State Police, is already complying with a subpoena related to the traffic stop matter issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation, department head James Rovella confirmed. The DOT intends to determine whether the false data was used to secure federal money, he said.“I don’t think that’s...

Man pleads not guilty in fatal road rage shooting in Washington state

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

GORST, Wash. (AP) — A 26-year-old man pleaded not guilty to a murder charge on Wednesday in connection with a road-rage shooting Monday in Washington state. Mark Keith Smith of Burien was initially charged with assault in Kitsap County Superior Court after the confrontation west of Seattle in Gorst. Prosecutors filed a second-degree murder charge against Smith on Wednesday after 68-year-old Patrick Weems died at a hospital. Smith pleaded not guilty Wednesday, and his bail remains set at $1 million, The Kitsap Sun reported.Efforts to reach a lawyer for Smith weren’t immediately successful. Smith is claiming self-defense, KING-TV reported.Washington State Patrol officials say the shooting stemmed from interactions between the men while driving on Interstate 5 before both exited onto state Route 16.Witnesses told investigators that they saw both men pull over their vehicles in Gorst and that Weems got out of his vehicle with a bat in hand and Smith got out with a gun, according t...

Woman claims CPD officer sexually assaulted her at police station, COPA investigating

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

CHICAGO -- A woman was arrested for retail theft at a downtown department store, and she claims she was sexually assaulted by a Chicago police officer inside of a station.In a lawsuit filed late Tuesday, "Jane Doe" says she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a Chicago police officer inside of the CPD's 18th district building in River North.“This is a very crazy situation," the Jane Doe said. “My god this is happening. I can’t believe this is really happening.”On May 22, she was arrested for retail theft at the Nordstrom department store downtown.“I got arrested for retail and there was a female officer and a two male officers. They came in and they was just doing the paperwork, and I was crying because I didn’t want to go to jail.”The officer is personally named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as is the city of Chicago.Surveillance video shows Jane Doe being walked into the 18th district’s holding area by a female officer. The video shows a male officer later entered the room and – ...

At nation's oldest magic shop, new magicians learn old tricks in 'magic camp'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

CHICAGO — In an unassuming red brick building situated on the corner of North Wolcott and West Lawrence Avenues in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood is Magic, Inc., the oldest magic shop in North America. “It’s one of the oldest – if not the oldest magic shop on the planet,” manager Pedro Nieves Bosque said.For one week each summer, in the back of the shop behind a burgundy curtain, the shop hosts a popular magic camp for children from ages 7 to 15.The campers spend an intense week, learning a series of tricks and illusions under the expert tutelage of Los Angeles-based master magician and comedian Dave Cox.But, Cox said the real lessons don’t involve concealing cards or waving wands. More from Mike Lowe: Retirees create cable access powerhouse in Palos Heights “Here at magic camp, we’re developing not just magic skills and the ability to do magic,” he said. “But it’s about confidence and being able to stand up and speak and be understood.”The skills include learning public ...

A new millipede species with 486 legs has been found in the US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The City of Angels, a metropolis of freeways and traffic, has a newly discovered species named in its honor: The Los Angeles Thread Millipede.The tiny arthropod was found just underground by naturalists at a Southern California hiking area — near a freeway, a Starbucks and an Oakley sunglasses store.About the length of a paperclip but skinny as pencil lead, it's translucent and sinuous like a jellyfish tentacle. The creature burrows four inches below ground, secretes unusual chemicals and is blind, relying on hornlike antennas protruding from its head to find its way.Under a microscope, the millipede with its 486 legs and helmet-like head resembles a creature in a Hollywood monster film.“It’s amazing to think these millipedes are crawling in the inner cracks and crevices between little pieces of rock below our feet in Los Angeles,” said entomologist Paul Marek of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was part of the research team that included scientists from Wes...

Attorneys for APD officer request change of venue for upcoming October trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Attorneys for the Austin police officer accused of murder are asking a judge for a change of venue for the upcoming trial in October.Attorneys claim Christopher Taylor will not get a fair trial in Austin because of "biased" media coverage of the investigation. The motion claims the case too widely known locally for an impartial jury to be selected. Court proceedings earlier this month indicated the trial would take place Oct. 16. New trial for APD officer charged with murder set for October Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020.Austin Police said on that day, officers responded after a 911 call reported someone dealing drugs in a car and that the man had a gun.APD said when officers arrived at the scene, Ramos was directed to get out of the car.After getting out of the car, police say the incident escalated and an officer hit Ramos in the ...

Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition hosts "love picnic"

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition joining together outside the Burdett Birth Center with the community for a “love picnic”. Advocates coming together to show some support to the center run by Saint Peter’s Health Partners set to close in the future.One mother coming to the event to share her story with the center. “I had my son, Ben, here five months ago. It was a really great experience. We are working really hard to ensure that the Burdett Birth Center stays open. We know that folks will be sent to Albany Med. Which will be across the river. That’s if they have beds at all for these folks," described Ashley Saupp. Resolution approved to call on Hochul to keep Burdett Birth Center open Doulas like Esther Patterson help make the birthing experience as smooth as possible outside of a hospital setting. “Midwives and doulas are loving and saving lives here. They’re doing it right. They have low surgical birth numbers, really low surgical birth numbers," sta...

Park Officials spread awareness of flash flood dangers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

HUNTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) — After Forest Rangers rescued a dozen people at Kaaterskill Falls during a flash flooding on Tuesday, park officials want everyone to take flash flood warnings more seriously. Forest Rangers responded to reports of people stranded by flash flooding, and Ranger Seamus Peterson knew he had to spring into action quickly. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I was able to wade across and eventually made contact with the subject and basically had him hold onto my back while I waded across and rejoined him with the rest of his friends,” Ranger Peterson said.Forest Ranger Rob Dawson said that Ranger Peterson carried one person across the water to safety, then headed to Fawn’s Leap off Route 23A to help seven others stranded on the side of the creek.“What we had was along Kaaterskill Creek, several groups that were caught across the stream from the road, so they weren’t able to get out just because the water went up ...

WATCH: Golden native, USWNT captain Lindsey Horan levels the score at 1-1 vs. Netherlands

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

When the United States Women’s National Team needed a big-time player in Wednesday’s game against the Netherlands, it was Golden native and team captain Lindsey Horan who delivered it.The 29-year-old midfielder leveled the score in the 62nd minute off a corner kick. Moments earlier, she had to exit the game after she was taken down and checked out by trainers.After re-entering the field of play, she and Daniëlle van de Donk had a talking to by the official after there was pushing in the box. Horan got the last word on the next play as she made a darting run on a corner kick from Rose Lavelle and headed home the equalizer.The Netherlands controlled the game in the first-half and opened the scoring in the 17th minute off of Jill Roord.Horan also scored against Vietnam in the group-stage opener last Friday. It was her fourth-career World Cup goal.LINDSEY HORAN SENDS THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE THE @USWNT HAS LEVELED IT pic.twitter.com/IV7hnG4CyK— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) Jul...

Older sow walks 46 miles back to Steamboat to den, give birth

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:06:00 GMT

An older black bear sow, now known by ear tag 1036, was determined to make her way back home to Steamboat Springs.Related ArticlesColorado News | Opinion: Watson is free! Animals deserve more no-kill options in Denver shelters Colorado News | 6 malnourished horses rescued in Parker, owner cited for animal cruelty Colorado News | Woman dead after apparent grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone Colorado News | Another Western state says it won’t send wolves to Colorado, citing “enormous price” of managing the species Colorado News | A bison gored an Arizona woman in Yellowstone, the park’s first such attack in 2023 After being relocated in September to near the Wyoming border, she walked some 46 miles back to Steamboat to den and then give birth to three cubs this spring.That sow, thought to be a longtime local bear in her late teens based on her teeth condition, was found Sept. 1 ins...