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Witnesses face intense questioning in Paxton Impeachment Trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Day three of the impeachment trial saw two key whistleblowers take the stand, sharing fears and shedding tears as they recounted their experience under suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, who they reported to the FBI for bribery and corruption.The day opened with Rusty Hardin, the lead prosecutor for the House's impeachment team, examining witness Ryan Bangert. Bangert is a former deputy first assistant attorney general who reported Paxton to the FBI.Bangert's testimony provided a new eyewitness account of how whistleblowers believed Paxton was pressuring the office to improperly benefit Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor and Paxton campaign donor. Bangert said Paxton was adamant the office hire outside counsel to interfere in Nate Paul's private legal troubles. BACKGROUND: Who is Nate Paul, and how is he involved with Paxton "The attorney general was insisting that we move forward with outside counsel," Bangert said. "It was clear to me that hiring ou...

Driver’s written test appointments for those without citizenship documents now available

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

Written test appointments under Minnesota’s new Driver’s License for All initiative are now available online, the state Department of Public Safety said Thursday. The initiative eliminates the need to show proof of citizenship to get a standard driver’s license in Minnesota.Although the program takes effect Oct. 1, Minnesotans can now schedule appointments for the written test for a state class D driver’s license, instruction permit or standard identification card. Although people don’t have to show proof of being in the country legally, they still must be Minnesota residents, provide proof of identification, and take the required tests.Appointments for the written test can be made online up to 30 days in advance and are required when applying for a driver’s license or ID card.“Driver’s License for All is an important step to increasing licensed, trained and insured drivers,” said Department of Vehicle Services Director Pong Xiong in a news release. “It...

30 years later: Remembering Mark Whiten's four-home run game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - On the eve of the anniversary of Mark McGwire's record-breaking home run comes another homer-happy milestone five years earlier. On Sept. 7, 1993, exactly three decades ago, "Hard-Hittin" Mark Whiten slugged his way into the history books with the only four-home run game in St. Louis Cardinals history. Whitten hit four round-trippers in the nightcap of a road doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at the now-defunct Riverfront Stadium. In order, the big blasts came as followed: First inning: Grand slam, two outs vs. Larry Luebbers (4-0 Cardinals lead)Sixth inning: Three-run home run, no outs vs. Mike Anderson (8-2 Cardinals lead)Seventh inning: Three-run home run, two outs vs. Mike Anderson (12-2 Cardinals lead)Ninth Inning: Two-run home run, one out vs. Rob Dibble (15-2 Cardinals lead)The Cardinals won in blowout fashion, 15-2, and Whiten ended up with 12 RBI in the game. It tied a record for the most RBI in one single game, fittingly matching a mark from former Cardi...

UPDATE: Police arrest Clayton kidnapping and sexual assault suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - As of Thursday evening, Clayton police have arrested a man wanted for kidnapping and sexual assault in Oak Knoll Park last week. The Clayton Police Department shared an update earlier Thursday starting that detectves were looking for Jose Gomez-Velasquez, 25. He was wanted on several charges. Gomez-Velasquez was taken into custody Thursday in south St. Louis. While searching for him, police increased patrols of Oak Knoll Park and surrounding neighborhoods. ‘It didn’t seem real’: Friends reflect on loss of teens in fatal crash Court documents state that the victim was walking in a Richmond Heights neighborhood on Aug. 30 when she was taken against her will to a nearby gas station. Gomez-Velasquez is accused of punching her in the face and then committing sexual assault in a secluded area of Oak Knoll Park.Gomez-Velasquez choked the woman there before abandoning her. She spoke with police from an area hospital with the help of a translator. The victim is an immigrant ...

Kiszla: Beating the hated Raiders is must win for new Broncos coach Sean Payton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

After throwing everybody in Broncos Country except Miles the Mascot under the bus and seizing control of a $4.65 billion NFL franchise like he owns it, irascible Sean Payton has no choice but to get this retooled orange-and-blue bandwagon rolling in high gear right out of the gates.Coach Crabbypants won’t be granted a second chance to make a big first impression.Beating da hated Rai-duhs in his debut as Broncos coach is nothing less than a must-win game for Payton.Things have changed around here and Payton has all the answers?Well, prove it, Coach.Not next month. Immediately. On Sunday. Against Las Vegas.“Obviously,” Payton said, “you want to play well. It’s a home game. It’s a division game. It’s our first game.”I expect the Broncos to not only end their six-game losing streak to the Raiders, but beat Vegas so badly that little Josh McDaniels suffers five-day bruises to his ego.Like Payton, my expectation is for this Denver team to make the playoffs.But no matter how I do the math,...

Man stabbed on Metro platform in downtown Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

A search is underway in downtown Los Angeles where a male suspect allegedly stabbed a person on a Metro train platform at Pershing Square and then fled the scene on Thursday.  Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of the stabbing at the station, located near the intersection of 5th and Hill streets.At the scene, authorities requested a canopy and crime scene tape. The victim is an approximately 30-year-old male, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It is unclear what condition the victim is in, but authorities said so far, no one has been taken to the hospital.  Officers with LAPD are investigating a stabbing at Metro's Pershing Square station in downtown L.A. on Sept. 7, 2023. (KTLA)Police say the suspect, described as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with black hair, black clothing and a black backpack, was last seen on the stairs of the platform and was armed with a knife that has not been recovered.  Commuters o...

What we know about the mysterious deep-sea golden orb

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

Scientists are trying to unravel the mystery of the golden orb.Researchers with NOAA’s Ocean Exploration discovered the orb-like organism while operating a remote-controlled submarine off the coast of Alaska at a depth of roughly two miles on Aug. 30.“It’s like the beginning of a horror movie,” one crew member said when they first encountered the specimen. “Pretty sure this is how the first episode of the X-Files started,” said another.A screenshot of the orb-like specimen found on the ocean floor on Aug. 30, 2023. (NOAA)So what is it?Initial thoughts range from a dead sponge attachment to coral, to an egg casing.“This golden orb … struck an imaginative chord for many watching,” NOAA tweeted.Scientists are looking forward to examining the specimen in a laboratory once NOAA ship, Okeanos Explorer, returns to shore.It's unknown if the orb is associated with a known species or perhaps an entirely new one.This unidentified specimen, photographed in the wet lab of NOAA Ship Okeanos ...

First West Nile death of the year reported in L.A. County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

The first death from West Nile Virus in Los Angeles County this year was reported on Thursday.The patient who died was a resident of the San Fernando Valley area, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In 2023, a total of 19 cases of West Nile virus have been documented in L.A. County.“Human infections will likely continue to occur through the rest of summer and fall, with the highest number of cases typically arising in September,” officials said. “West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes and dead birds have been identified across Los Angeles County.”Some symptoms those infected may experience include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Older individuals and those with existing health issues are most likely to develop severe symptoms.Those most susceptible to complications from infection include anyone over 50 years old, people with diabetes, cancer, hypertension, k...

Company pulls spicy One Chip Challenge from store shelves as Massachusetts investigates teen's death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The maker of an extremely spicy tortilla chip sold as the One Chip Challenge and popularized as a dare on social media is pulling the product after the family of a Massachusetts teenager blamed the stunt for his death.The cause of Harris Wolobah's death last Friday hasn't been determined and an autopsy was still pending as of Thursday, but the 14-year-old's family blames the challenge. Since his death, the Texas-based manufacturer, Paqui, has asked retailers to stop selling the individually wrapped chips — a step 7-Eleven has already taken.The One Chip Challenge chip sells for about $10 and comes wrapped in a sealed foil pouch that is enclosed in a coffin-shaped cardboard box. The package warns that the chip is made for the “vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain,” is intended for adults and should be kept out of reach of children.Paqui, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company, said in a statement posted on its website Thursday that it was “deeply saddened by...

Fulton County DA rips Rep. Jordan for ‘partisan misrepresentations’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:11:52 GMT

By Kate Brumback | Associated PressATLANTA — The district attorney who brought charges against former President Donald Trump and others over their efforts to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 election sent a scathing letter to U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan on Thursday, accusing him of interfering in a state case and pushing “outrageous partisan misrepresentations.”The letter from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to Jordan, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a close ally of Trump’s, came in response to one he sent last month expressing concerns about the motivations behind her investigation and demanding that she provide certain documents by Thursday. Instead, Willis sent him a nine-page retort detailing the “inaccurate information and misleading statements” in his letter.“Its obvious purpose is to obstruct a Georgia criminal proceeding and to advance outrageous partisan misrepresentations,” Willis wrote. &...