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The Supreme Court signals support for a Republican-leaning congressional district in South Carolina

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to preserve the Republican hold on a South Carolina congressional district against a claim that it treats Black voters unfairly. The outcome could shape the fight for partisan control of the House of Representatives.The court’s six conservative justices signaled skepticism with a lower court ruling that ordered South Carolina to redraw a coastal district that is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace.Chief Justice John Roberts said a ruling for Black voters who challenged the district “would be breaking new ground in our voting rights jurisprudence.”When Mace first won election in 2020, she edged Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham by 1%, under 5,400 votes. In 2022, following redistricting driven by the 2020 census results, Mace won reelection by 14%. She is one of eight Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.With Republicans holding a thin margin in the U.S. House, the loss or gain of one s...

After a hard fight to clear militants, Israeli soldiers find a scene of destruction, slain children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

KIBBUTZ BE’ERI, Israel (AP) — Trudging down a cul-de-sac turned to rubble, an Israeli army commander stopped in front of one scorched home, its front wall blown wide open. Look at what Hamas militants have done, he said, to this close-knit community that only days ago brimmed with life.“Children in the same room and someone came and killed them all. Fifteen girls and teenagers, they put (them) in the same room, threw in a hand grenade and it’s over,” Major Gen. Itai Veruv said. ’This is a massacre. It’s a pogrom,” he said, recalling the brutal attacks on Jews in Eastern Europe in the 19th and early 20th century.The Israeli military led a group of journalists, including an Associated Press reporter, on a tour of this village a few miles from Israel’s fortified border with Gaza on Wednesday, following an extended battle to retake it from militants. Before Israeli forces prevailed, the attackers killed more than 100 residents, Israeli officials said.Be’eri, a settlement of a litt...

Man being sued over Mississippi welfare spending files his own suit against the governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — One of the people being sued by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over allegations of misspending welfare money has filed a separate lawsuit against Gov. Tate Reeves, saying the Republican is trying to protect political allies including a former governor.Austin Garrett Smith filed the suit Wednesday and described himself in court papers as “politically powerless.” Smith’s suit says Reeves should sue Republican former Gov. Phil Bryant, who was in office when prosecutors say money that was supposed to help some of the poorest people in the U.S. was instead spent on projects pushed by wealthy and well connected people.“Reeves has actively shifted the focus of the MDHS lawsuit away from Bryant, despite overwhelming evidence of Bryant’s involvement,” Smith’s attorney, Jim Waide, wrote.Reeves press secretary Shelby Wilcher said in response to questions about Smith’s lawsuit: “The State of Mississippi is fighting to claw back every s...

Train car derails in Elk Grove Village, striking building

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — No injuries were reported following a train derailment Wednesday in suburban Elk Grove Village. Just before 4:40 p.m., emergency crews alerted the public of their response in the area of the 1200 block of Kirk St.For reasons unknown at this time, one of the train's cars veered off the track and crashed into a nearby building. Elk Grove Village police added the train was not carrying any hazardous materials. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines SkyCam9 flew above the scene.

City spending rises, as does skepticism, amid Johnson's first budget address

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

CHICAGO — With budget season underway, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is increasing city spending by $236 million. While the city leader does so without raising taxes, City Council members are skeptical.Johnson called his first budget proposal a down payment on his progressive agenda. Rather than pursue $1 billion in investments, as he promised on the campaign trail, the mayor is taking a more modest approach – closing a projected $538 million gap while holding the line on property taxes. "My budget team and department heads have been hard at work developing a plan that not only closes the budget gap but makes strategic investments in people and communities," Johnson said Wednesday. Restraining order filed against Chicago to block Amundsen Park Fieldhouse migrant shelter The mayor has proposed money for youth employment - 4,000 more opportunities for summer jobs - bringing the total to 28,000. Johnson also wants $250 million in homelessness support, additional funds for the city’s ...

Sam's Club cuts membership to $15 before the holidays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Sam's Club has cut the price of its annual membership by 70%, just in time for the holidays. The standard Sam's Club membership is currently only $15 for the first year. It's normally $50.Meanwhile, the Plus membership, which offers free shipping and other perks, is currently $55 for the first year, compared to its usual $110 price. Judge gives $725M Facebook settlement final approval Sam's Club said this is the best Plus membership offer of the year. "We’re offering an incredible value with our October membership promotion by giving shoppers access to our Plus membership at its lowest price of the year just in time for the holiday shopping season," Scott Ludwig, Sam's Club vice president of membership, said in a release.But you'll have to act fast. The sale only lasts until Sunday, Oct. 15. Customers can snag the deal online here or in store. Sam's Club is also currently holding a "Super Savings Event" online -- just as Amazon holds its Prime Days....

'Emotionless answers': Parents of Gabby Petito react to the Laundries' depositions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — The second day of depositions with Brian Laundrie's parents was filled with more tension and more revelations about the aftermath of Gabby Petito's death."We learned a lot in the last two days that we didn't know before," said attorney Pat Reilly.Roberta Laundrie, Brian's mother, was questioned by Reilly on Wednesday in Venice, Florida, ahead of the civil trial slated for May. Brian's father, Christopher Laundrie, was deposed Tuesday. ‘Gut-wrenching’: Parents of Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie meet for first time since Petito’s murder Questions were said to surround the infamous “burn after reading” letter that Roberta purportedly wrote Brian. In the letter, she allegedly offered her son a shovel and garbage bags if he needed to dispose of a body."There is pure evil in this world," said Nichole Schmidt, Gabby's mother, after listening to Roberta's deposition over Zoom. "I have witnessed it firsthand."Joe Petito, Gabby's father, said the Laundries refused to loo...

Algonquin woman pleads guilty but mentally ill in stabbing deaths of her boyfriend's parents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

ALGONQUIN, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois woman has pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the 2020 stabbing deaths of her boyfriend's parents.Arin M. Fox, 42, pleaded guilty last week in McHenry County to one count of murder in exchange for prosecutors dismissing three additional murder counts and charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery and domestic battery, The Daily Herald of Arlington Heights reported.Authorities allege that Fox stabbed Noreen S. Gilard, 69, and Leonard J. Gilard, 73, to death in November 2020 inside their Algonquin home. They were the parents of her boyfriend at the time. She then drove their car to Douglas County, Colorado, where she was arrested. ORIGINAL: Woman charged in murders of elderly couple found dead inside Algonquin home A stipulation signed by Fox says all parties agree that Fox, also of Algonquin, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia by three doctors. That document quotes a clinical psyc...

New Jersey mom worries for son fighting in Israel: 'So many feelings all at once'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

WYCKOFF, N.J. (WPIX) - A New Jersey mother is anxiously waiting for her son to come home as he serves in the Israel Defense Forces."There's so many feelings all at once," Nancy Dubin explained to Nexstar's WPIX. "I am proud of him, I am so proud of this kid. You can be proud of somebody and still feel abject terror at the same time, right?"Dubin describes the feeling as an out-of-body experience. Her son, a 20-year-old infantryman in the IDF, is fighting for his country amid war and turmoil. After Ari Dubin graduated from high school in New York City a few years ago, he moved to Israel to serve in the nation's army. Thousands attend rally in support of Israel in NYC "Something in his kishkas (gut) told him that he wanted a true Israeli experience," said Nancy, who recently became a cantor at Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff, where she also serves as a teacher at its religious school.Since the attacks in Gaza and Israel that began on Saturday, her worry for her son has ratcheted up, a...

WATCH: Video appears to show murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong running from corrections officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cell phone video appears to show murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong running from Travis County corrections officers when officials said she tried to escape custody after a south Austin doctor's appointment Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said officers caught up to her and restrained her within about 10 minutes. BACKGROUND: Kaitlin Armstrong captured in Costa Rica, records show bail set at $3.5 million In the video from KXAN viewer Theresa Rangel, you can see what looks like Armstrong - with her hands restrained - running on a hill next to the medical office's parking lot with an officer chasing her. You can also see the woman in the video try to jump over the fence. Watch the full video at the top of this article.Armstrong is accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson at an east Austin home in May 2022.Armstrong was questioned by police after the deadly shooting but was not arrested. After a warrant was issued for her arres...