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Missouri inmate convicted of killing cop says judges shouldn’t get to hand down death sentences

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

A man awaiting sentencing for killing a Missouri police officer is challenging the constitutionality of a state law that allows judges to hand down the death sentence.A jury in June convicted 45-year-old Ian McCarthy of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Clinton Police Officer Gary Lee Michael Jr. during a 2017 traffic stop. After days of deliberation, the jury informed the judge that it couldn’t decide between the state’s only two sentences for first-degree murder: life in prison without parole, or death.Missouri and Indiana are the only states that allow judges to sentence people to die.McCarthy’s attorneys filed a motion last week asking a Jackson County judge to declare the state law unconstitutional and to sentence McCarthy to life in prison. Judge Marco Roldan will consider the motion at the sentencing hearing on Friday.The motion calls Missouri “a clear outlier” and states that the law violates the Eighth Amendment guarantee against cruel and unusu...

US slips to fifth in 'best country' list

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

(The Hill) -- U.S. News and World Report on Wednesday released its new annual Best Countries rankings, which this year saw Switzerland winning the top ranking and the United States slipping from fourth to fifth place.Switzerland, which also topped the rankings last year, ranked No. 1 for being "open for business," and also ranked high for its entrepreneurship, its cultural influence and its overall quality of life. It was followed in second place by Canada, which moved up a spot; Sweden, which jumped two spots to third place, and Australia, which jumped three spots to fourth place. The fall of the U.S. in the rankings is the first time the country has slipped since 2018. The U.S. was ranked No. 1 for entrepreneurship, power and "agility," a measurement that considers a country's ability to adapt to change. It ranked third in cultural influence. The U.S. was ranked just 33rd for adventure, which measures a country's ability to let someone "fill their wanderlust." That's just below Pe...

Pet food company recalls dog food over salmonella concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

(WGN) - A Texas-based company is recalling a brand of its premium dog food over possible salmonella contamination.Mid America Pet Food, of Mount Pleasant, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The recalled dog food, which was distributed throughout the U.S., includes 644 cases of 5-pound bags with lot code 1000016385 and a best-by date of April 30, 2024. (FDA)The recall was issued after a random sample of the dog food was tested by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and came back positive for salmonella.No illnesses - human or pet - have been reported so far, the FDA said. More information on latest recalls here Salmonella infections in pets can cause lethargy, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Infected pets can infect other animals and even humans, who could experience symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and f...

Target shoppers flee 'suspicious' fire in kid's section of California store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

(KTLA) – A Target store in California was evacuated and closed after a suspicious fire broke out in the children's section on Tuesday.Authorities received a call reporting the fire at a Target in Buena Park at about 7:15 p.m. The store was open at the time, prompting dozens of employees and shoppers to evacuate the building. “We thought it was a Halloween prop,” said witness Guillermo Santander. “All of a sudden the flame got bigger, so I started recording … It got pretty big real quick." 6-foot long boa constrictor found in Target shopping cart The video, published at Nexstar's KTLA, showed flames bursting toward the ceiling from a children's clothing rack. The sprinkler systems also appear to activate, while a Target employee with a fire extinguisher attempts to snuff out the flames.Fire crews soon arrived to find a hazy, smoky scene, but discovered the fire had already been extinguished, Orange County Fire Authority Battalion Chief Erik Miranda said.No injuries were report...

'Mr. Brightside,' 'Shake It Off,' 'Jolene' among 2024 GOP candidates' favorite songs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

(The Hill) – “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Shake It Off” and “Fast Car” are among the songs that some of the 2024 GOP presidential candidates say bring them “instant joy.”About half of the 13 Republican White House hopefuls answered an inquiry from Politico Magazine published Wednesday about a viral social media post that asked users on X (formerly Twitter) to share 20 of their “all-time fav tracks.”“Not the ‘best’ songs, the ones that bring you instant joy the second you hear the first note, the ones that give other people the best insight into what stirs your soul,” the August post said.Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie heavily represented the Garden State with his musical picks, selecting Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road.” Also making the cut on Christie’s list: The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Pressure” by Billy Joel, “Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran, and The Eagles’ classic “Hotel California.” Biden campaign predicts...

TDCJ on lockdown to search facilities after increase in contraband, inmate deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Sept. 6, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) said it was implementing an immediate lockdown and comprehensive search of all correctional facilities within TDCJ.On Wednesday, the TDCJ said it was taking immediate action to address a rise in dangerous contraband and drug-related inmate homicides. Records: 20 Texas corrections officers, incarcerated people diagnosed with heat-related illness this summer The TDCJ said illegal narcotics entering the system increased over the last five years, and this year, the number of inmate-on-inmate homicides has increased.“It is believed that the majority of the incidents are tied back to illegal drugs,” the TDCJ said.According to the TDCJ, it was taking additional measures to detect and prevent the entry of dangerous contraband into its facilities.The systemwide lockdown will help each facility limit the movement of inmates and their contact w...

How I-35's expansion could provide 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to UT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the Texas Department of Transportations gears up for the start of construction on its Interstate 35 expansion project next year, the University of Texas at Austin is eyeing ways to bolster campus amenities as part of it.TxDOT's I-35 Capital Express Central project is a $4.5 billion, eight-mile plan designed to expand the roadway. State officials say the project will help address ongoing congestion and mobility issues along the interstate. What's the latest on I-35's expansion project? As part of that expansion effort, city leaders have proposed deck plazas on top of sunken portions of the interstate to help improve connectivity between east Austin and downtown, while also adding community amenities to the area. Our Future 35 is the city's initiative at developing that public infrastructure, which isn't funded as part of TxDOT's project.Dan Allen serves as executive director of real estate planning and strategy at the University of Texas at Austin. He said the p...

Candidate forums start Thursday for St. Paul city council, school board races

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

Several candidate forums will be held in the coming weeks as organizations and voters try to learn more about the many names that will be on November ballots for St. Paul city council and school board.Thirty candidates have lined up for the seven council seats, and there will be no incumbent in four of those races.That means a majority of the city council will turn over as the body grapples with such issues as rent control and potential sales tax increases for major road and park projects and subsidies for childcare providers — not to mention the implementation of new state marijuana laws, housing density, crime and the future of downtown in an era of remote work.Meanwhile, seven candidates — but just two incumbents — are running for four seats on the St. Paul school board.The election is Nov. 7, and there will not be a political primary to narrow the field for either the council or school board.The candidate forums are moderated but typically lack much direct back...

‘Field of Bands’ fundraiser to aid veterans and troops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

Classic rock cover band Arch Allies will headline a fundraiser this month for the Yellow Ribbon Alliance of the Lower St. Croix Valley.“Field of Bands” will be held 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Baytown Township. Also playing: SKUZZ, Wayward Boyz Klub, GNO (Girls Night Out) and Westside.The event will celebrate veterans and service members and honor the memory of former Lakeland Shores mayor Randy Kopesky, who helped found the Yellow Ribbon Alliance of the Lower St. Croix Valley, an organization that raises money to provide the annual Veterans Day dinner along with support and assistance for active military members and veterans and their families residing in the Lower St. Croix Valley area.Kopesky, who died in November 2019 when he was struck by a driver on the shoulder of Interstate 94, was “a driving force in the creation of the alliance, and he is missed immensely,” said Cindie Reiter, a member of the alliance.Tickets are $20 in advance (on...

Gov. Hochul awards first round of $30 Mil Empire State Teacher Residency Program during back-to-school week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- Governor Kathy Hochul is celebrating back-to-school week with the announcement of new legislation and critical investments to support educators in New York State. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Gov. Hochul issued the first round of funding awards for the $30 million Empire State Teacher Residency Program on Wednesday, Sep. 6, at an event at the United Federation of Teachers.The first round of funding includes multiple school districts and BOCES who will receive a total of $11.9 million in funding to create two-year residency opportunities for graduate-level K-12 teacher candidates. Program participants will gain real teaching experience under the supervision of mentors. “Teachers take on the vital role of educating and preparing our children for a successful future, and we have the responsibility to ensure they have the necessary resources and training to support them in this important task,” Governor Hoc...