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New York lawmakers pass bill that considers reparations for slavery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York would create a commission to consider reparations to address the lingering, negative effects of slavery under a bill passed by the state Legislature on Thursday. “We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies,” said state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages before the floor debate. “This is about beginning the process of healing our communities. There still is generational trauma that people are experiencing. This is just one step forward.”The state Assembly passed the bill about three hours after spirited debate on Thursday. The state Senate passed the measure hours later, and the bill will be sent to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration. New York is following the lead of California, which became the first state to form a reparations task force in 2020. That group recommended a formal apology from the state on its legacy of racism and discriminatory policies and the creation of an agency to provide a wide range of services for Blac...

Trump indicted: What to know about the documents case and what’s next

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Donald Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in Justice Department history.The federal charges represent the biggest legal jeopardy so far for Trump, coming less than three months after he was charged in New York with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?Trump has been charged with seven counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment but not authorized to speak publicly about it. The charges themselves are unclear and remain under seal, one person said.Trump announced on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday night that DOJ lawyers had informed his legal team that he had ...

Social media helps invent, then circulate info on DIY air purifiers amid wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Social media users are sharing a surprisingly effective way to protect yourself indoors from the toxic wildfire smoke blanketing much of the East Coast: a box fan, four air filters and a whole lot of duct tape.As searches for “air purifiers” spike on Google, people are posting on TikTok and Facebook about how to build the DIY air purifier. The technique, known as the Corsi-Rosenthal method, has gained attention in recent years amid the pandemic and raging western U.S. wildfires.Some East Coast residents are learning about the box fan method for the first time, unlike their West Coast counterparts who are accustomed to wildfire smoke. Seattle resident Angel Robertson, 34, posted a video on a New Yorker’s TikTok demonstrating how to put it together. In her video, which has amassed more than 600,000 views, Robertson duct tapes four 20-by-20 air filters into a box shape and attaches the fan on top. The whole apparatus costs under $100. “It works extremely well and will s...

FBI arrests Texas businessman linked to impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — FBI agents have arrested a Texas businessman at the center of the scandal that led to the historic impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton, jail records show.Nate Paul was booked into an Austin jail Thursday afternoon after being taken into custody by federal agents, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office online inmate listings. It was not immediately clear what charges led to his arrest and the jail records said only that he was being held on a federal detainer.Paul’s entanglements with Paxton were central to the GOP-led state House of Representatives’ overwhelming vote to impeach the Republican last month.Paul’s troubled real estate empire has been the focus of federal scrutiny for years and agents searched his Austin offices and palatial home in 2019.The next year, Paxton involved his office in the federal case, a move that prompted his top staff to report him to the FBI.Their allegations of bribery and abuse of office by Paxton prompted sep...

Canada’s Corey Conners tied for lead at RBC Canadian Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Metaphorical clouds of controversy and literal clouds of smoke continue to swirl around the RBC Canadian Open.Canada’s Corey Conners was in a four-way tie atop the leaderboard after a 5-under 67 in Thursday’s first round. England’s Aaron Rai and Americans Justin Lower and Chesson Hadley were grouped with Conners at the top of the leaderboard in the morning wave and no one caught them up.Conners, from Listowel, Ont., was not able to speak with reporters after his round because he had to deal with an urgent personal matter. His caddy Danny Sahl said they were happy with Conners’s bogey-free round.“Really disciplined off the tee, we didn’t try to do too much,” said Sahl, who is from Sherwood Park, Alta. “But he had tons of fairways, missed maybe a couple in the first cut.“Corey’s just tee-to-green hitting greens, in regulation, made some good putts, just strong all around.”Lower said that to stay atop the leaderboard on ...

Live updates | Trump Classified Documents Indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Follow along for live updates on former President Donald Trump, who announced Thursday on social media that he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. The Justice Department did not immediately publicly confirm the indictment.___What to know:— Signs that Trump could face criminal charges began to pile up this month— Who is Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing probes into the retention of classified documents?— In spite of legal woes and crowded GOP field, Trump has remained Republicans’ frontrunner for 2024___AP SOURCES CONFIRM INDICTMENTTwo people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to discuss it publicly said Trump’s team had been informed that he’s been indicted on seven counts and that prosecutors had contacted lawyers to advise them of the indictment shortly before Trump announced it himself on his Truth Social platform.“This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America,” Trump po...

Nevada Senate adjourns without voting on proposed A’s stadium in Las Vegas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — An anticipated vote in the Nevada Senate on a financing bill for a proposed $1.5 billion Las Vegas Strip stadium for the Oakland Athletics will not occur until next week, pushing the special legislative session further amid negotiations over whether to contribute $380 million in public funding to the project.The measure can still be amended by lawmakers, and if it passes the Senate it would still need approval from the Assembly before going to the desk of Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who has expressed support for it. In a hearing that began Wednesday and stretched into the early morning hours Thursday, lawmakers peppered tourism officials and a representative from a firm partnering with the ball club with questions about the feasibility and benefits of financing such a deal.Public funds for the stadium would mainly come from $180 million in transferable tax credits and $120 million in county bonds. Backers have pledged that the creation of a special tax dis...

Here are the other investigations Trump has to worry about

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Donald Trump’s legal problems appear to have escalated significantly on Thursday with federal charges over the retention of top secret documents, but investigators aren’t done yet.The former president faces a string of inquiries in various states and venues as he campaigns for a second term in the White House. He’s already been charged in a 34-count indictment in New York in a hush money case. The others include federal and state investigations into his efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election and a civil case that threatens his ability to ever again do business in New York.Trump, a Republican, has denied any wrongdoing and says he is being targeted by Democrats trying to keep him from reclaiming the presidency in 2024.Here’s a look at the top probes:HUSH MONEY SCHEMETrump became the first former U.S. president in history to face criminal charges when he was indicted in New York in March on state charges stemming from hush money payments made during ...

Is the Canadian wildfire smoke expected in Chicago?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The smoke from the wildfires in Canada have left parts of the United States under an air quality alert.Some and haze is expected in Chicago and parts of Illinois on Friday, but most of the heavier smoke is expected to continue in the east and as far south as North Carolina. Here’s how you can check the air quality in Illinois An air quality action day was issued on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for all of Indiana due to the smoke. Should you run your air conditioner when it’s smoky outside? According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, there are high levels of fine particles in Friday's forecast. IDEM said the particles include microscopic dust, soot and liquid that can settle into the lungs and can be hard to exhale.The National Weather Service said people with chronic respiratory illnesses should limit their time outdoors.Air quality alerts have been issued in 24 states. What are the health concerns with poor air quality? The sun rises over th...

Mother says teen was target of racially motivated attack in Wicker Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A teen's mom said he is the victim of a racially motivated attack in Wicker Park.Around 8 p.m. Wednesday night, the teen said a man followed him home and attacked him. Man found dead at Chicago shelter for migrants identified The teen's mother said her 16-year-old son was headed home after playing basketball at Wicker Park.Along the way, she said the man followed him home near Ellen Street and Marion Court.That's when she said it escalated and the man got out of his vehicle and began physically attacking the teen.Nicole Harvey said the man accused the teen of trying to create problems, carjack and rob people and called him a racial slur. "Like it was just really mean and hateful," Harvey said. Docs: Logan Square woman found nearly decapitated in duffle bag; boyfriend had cleaning supplies Her two other sons, who had just arrived home, saw the fight and went to break it up and call police."No one knew," Nicole Harvey said. "If they wouldn't have pulled up, he could've b...