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US often didn’t screen workers at migrant centers: Watchdog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The federal Health and Human Services Department often failed to perform required background checks on workers at emergency holding centers for migrant children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone during a surge in 2021, the agency’s internal watchdog has found.The inspector general’s report released Thursday raises questions about how better prepared authorities will be for the next emergency, especially with coronavirus pandemic-related asylum restrictions scheduled to end this coming week and expected to result in more arrivals. The report, based on a sampling, found that 200 workers did not have background checks for child abuse or neglect and only 29 did, though 20 of those were not done in a “timely manner.”Investigators found 174 did not have FBI fingerprint background checks while 55 did, but 25 of those were not done in a “timely manner.” Checks against the Justice Department’s sex offender registry, which were required less often, we...

Oakland teachers union on strike; schools open without them

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — More than 3,000 teachers and other workers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike Thursday, saying the district failed to bargain in good faith on a new contract that asks for more resources for students and higher pay for employees. The district’s 80 schools remained open for the roughly 34,000 students and office staff were tapped to “educate and supervise” the students, administrators said.The teachers union, the Oakland Education Association, called a strike late Wednesday, demanding higher wages, smaller classes, more guidance counselors, improved services for students with disabilities, additional mental health help for students still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and support for Historically Black Community Schools. “Oakland’s teachers are the lowest paid in the Bay Area and have not had a new contract since prior to the pandemic,” the union said in a statement. “Meanwhile, rising inflation and a steep rise in the cost of r...

Donald Trump seeks to move NY criminal case to federal court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump ‘s lawyers have asked a federal court to take control of his New York City criminal case. They argued Thursday that the former president can’t be tried in the state court where his historic indictment was brought because the alleged conduct occurred while he was in office.In court papers, Trump’s lawyers said the criminal case “involves important federal questions,” including alleged violations of federal election law. Federal officers, including former presidents, have the right to be tried in federal court for charges arising from “conduct performed while in office,” the lawyers argued.Echoing Trump’s claims that his indictment is “politically motivated,” lawyer Susan Necheles urged the federal court to exert its “protective jurisdiction” and seize the case from the state courts where Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg routinely practices. Such requests are rarely granted in criminal cases, although Trump’s request is...

How Oklahoma rapist got out of prison early, then killed 6

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

Questions mounted Thursday about why an Oklahoma sex offender who authorities say shot to death his wife, her three children and their two friends and then killed himself was freed from prison early, despite facing new sex charges in a separate case.Those questions include how he was released on good behavior when the new charges were for solicited nude images from a teen while he was imprisoned, why was he released on $25,000 bond, and how was a man convicted of raping a teenager able to live with teenage girls?If things had gone differently in the Oklahoma criminal justice system, family members of the victims said, maybe their loved ones would still be alive.Jesse McFadden, a 39-year-old convicted rapist, was scheduled to be in court on Monday for the start of a jury trial on charges that while in prison for rape he used a contraband cell phone to solicit a 16-year-old girl and exchanged nude photographs with her.Those new felony charges were filed in 2017, more than three years ...

50 Cent coming to Chicago's United Center this summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

Rapper 50 Cent is set to embark on a multi-city world tour that includes a stop in Chicago, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the mogul's debut album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin."The second-to-last stop of the US/Canada portion of the 'Final Lap Tour 2023,' brings 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, to the United Center on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Busta Rhymes and Jeremih are also scheduled to appear. Erykah Badu coming to Chicago this summer Pre-sale tickets will be available for purchase on Wednesday, May 10 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available for the general public beginning Friday, May 12 at 10 a.m. LL Cool J, first tour in 30 years, to stop in Chicago The 2003 album, which has sold more than 9,000,000 million copies in the United States, includes the hits 'In da Club,' '21 Questions,' 'P.I.M.P' and 'Many Men.' Rolling Stones ranked the album among their '500 Greatest Albums of All Time' list.Click here for ticket information and other tour dates.

See Chicago pro sports best No. 4's on 'May The 4th'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

CHICAGO — This is a day usually thought of for Star Wars fans, but those who love sports can have a little fun, too."May The 4th" arrived on Thursday and has been celebrated by the supporters of the long-running franchise of films that started in the 1970s and continues to this day. But it's the number "4" we focused on here at WGN News Now as we thought we'd take a look at a number of memorable professional athletes in the city that have worn the number through the years. Here are a few we've spotlighted on May 4.(Getty Images) Bulls - Jerry SloanA member of the Bulls is in the running for the greatest player to wear No. 4 in Chicago pro sports history.Jerry Sloan, often known as "The Original Bull," was selected by the team in the 1966 expansion draft and played with the Bulls for the next ten seasons. Sloan was a two-time NBA All-Star and made the NBA's All-Defensive team four times as he helped the Bulls to seven playoff appearances, including the 1974 & 1975 Western Confere...

A list of the Bears' 2023 undrafted free agents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

LAKE FOREST — For the most part, people will judge the Bears' front office for the ten players they selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. But here and there, teams can find productive contributors from the pool of athletes who weren't picked by a team during the final weekend in April. That's why the selection of undrafted free agents can help to fill a team's roster for an upcoming season and beyond.This year, Ryan Poles has signed 14 of those players ahead of the 2023 campaign, and the list of those was officially released on Thursday. Here is the official list of Bears undrafted free agents from 2023 ahead of this weekend’s minicamp at Halas Hall..It includes Lake Forest native and former Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/NPOQsm34rm— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) May 4, 2023The players joining the Bears include.Nick Amoah - Offensive Lineman - UC DavisTyson Bagent - Quarterback - Shepherd University (WV)Micah Baskerville - Linebacker - LSUJustin Broiles - Defen...

Kaitlin Armstrong's murder trial date moved

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County court records showed the jury trial date for 35-year-old Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, a woman accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson, was moved.Armstrong was originally set to appear in court June 22, but the date was moved to Oct. 30, according to court records. Latest updates on Moriah Wilson’s murder Armstrong faces a first-degree murder charge for the May 2022 incident, and as of Thursday, she remained booked into the Travis County jail on bonds of more than $3.5 million.RELATED COVERAGE:TIMELINE: What we know so far about pro-cyclist murder caseKaitlin Armstrong pleads not guilty; attorneys request speedy trialKaitlin Armstrong captured in Costa Rica, records show bail set at $3.5 millionSearch warrant: Kaitlin Armstrong had $6k plastic surgery receipt from Costa Rica, sister’s passportThe incident took place May 11, 2022, APD said. Wilson was sho...

Texas House passes bill that removes Ashe Juniper tree protections, concerning environmentalists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A bill filed by Texas House Rep. Ellen Troxclair, (R-Austin), that would remove municipal protections for Ashe Juniper trees across Texas, was passed by the Texas House of Representatives Wednesday, making it one step closer to becoming law. Some activists worry if this bill is successful, it will have grim repercussions for an already endangered bird and the Hill Country ecosystem at large.HB 2239 would change the state law to add the Ashe Juniper, the tree associated with “cedar fever,” to the list of trees already permitted for removal. Dead or diseased trees and trees that pose an imminent danger are already on the list of trees that can be removed without backlash from a local government.  PREVIOUS: Bill would remove city protections for ‘cedar fever’ Ashe Juniper trees “Just as Ashe Juniper pollen notoriously drifts across Texas each spring, restrictive local policies tend to spread unless stopped,” Troxclair told KXAN’s Cora Neas in March 2023. “S...

Transfers from schools in Texas now playing for Longhorns men's hoops program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball program picked up two more players from the transfer portal Thursday.Guard Chendall Weaver from UT Arlington and Ze'rik Onyema, a power forward from UTEP, are the newest Longhorns as Rodney Terry fills out the roster ahead his first official season as the head coach.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWeaver averaged 9.5 points per game in his freshman season for the Mavericks, playing 29.5 minutes per game. He appeared off the bench in the first six games of the season and was part of the starting lineup the rest of the season. He scored a career-high 21 points Feb. 4 against Sam Houston that started a streak of six consecutive games in which he scored double figures. He shot 40% from 3-point range for the season.Onyema will be a junior next season and played 20.1 minutes per game for the Miners this past season. He sho...