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North Dakota lawmakers must take ‘painful way’ as they try to fix budget wiped out by court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers were already scrambling to fill a giant hole in state government operations left by a surprising state Supreme Court ruling that voided a major budget bill, and their job got even tougher this week when the court issued a new ruling rejecting a request to give officials more time to deal with the budget mess.Lawmakers might be back at the state Capitol as soon as the week of Oct. 23 for a three- to five-day session, Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue told The Associated Press on Friday.After the court’s Sept. 28 decision put funding for parts of the state government in jeopardy, the justices on Thursday issued a subsequent opinion denying the Republican-controlled Legislature’s requested delay of the court’s decision. The court also rescinded a previous stay that a majority of the justices had apparently granted until Oct. 28.The upcoming session is likely to pull Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, who is running for president, off t...

US cities boost security as fears spread over Israel-Hamas war despite lack of credible threats

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Police in New York, Los Angeles, and other U.S. cities increased patrols, authorities put up fencing around the U.S. Capitol and some schools closed Friday amid fears of violence inspired by the Israel-Hamas war. But law enforcement officials stressed there were no credible threats in the U.S.A former Hamas leader’s call for a day of rage put American Jewish communities on edge, and sparked heightened security around houses of worship, schools and cultural institutions. The jitters were a sign of just how much the war between Israel and Hamas is reverberating around the world, striking fear in communities even in the absence of a credible threat.Law enforcement officials said they were on high alert for violence driven by antisemitic or Islamophobic sentiments in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel. Jewish and Muslim groups have reported an increase of hateful and threatening rhetoric on social media. “We cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas o...

Man admits stealing ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers from museum in 2005, but details remain a mystery

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged in the museum heist of a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the “The Wizard of Oz” pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that could keep him out of prison due to his failing health, but only cleared up some of the mystery that dates back 18 years.Terry Jon Martin, 76, pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered by the FBI in 2018. No one was arrested until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged this year. During his change-of-plea hearing in federal court in Duluth, Martin said he used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He said he thought the slippers had real rubies and that he had hoped to sell the gems. But when a fence told him the rubies were glass, he said he got rid of the slippers.Martin did not say how he got rid of them or...

1 of 2 former DCFS workers found guilty in connection to death of 5-year-old AJ Freund

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. -- A McHenry County judge found one of the two former DCFS workers guilty of ignoring signs of child abuse in the case of 5-year-old A.J. Freund. Carlos Acosta was found guilty. Andrew Polovin was found not guilty.The State's attorney said A.J. should be getting ready to celebrate his 10th birthday which would have been Saturday had Acosta and Polovin made any effort to protect the child. They are accused of ignoring signs of abuse and failing to remove 5-year-old A.J. Freund from his Crystal Lake home despite multiple police reports indicating the situation. "At the end of the day, this and I'm speaking right now to Mr. Acosta, is a refusal to investigate. I therefore find you guilty of neglecting and endangering the welfare of a child. Counts one and two," Judge George Strickland said. "Regarding you, Mr. Polovin, you have been somewhat of a phantom in this case. And I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing, as I suspect it's a bad thing."Both Polovin and...

Chicago officer who threatened to kill ex-lover suspended, not fired

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer in the midst of a messy break-up threatened the lives of a former romantic partner and that person’s family; but the department says that’s not enough to fire him.  City inspector general Deborah Witzburg made the revelation in her quarterly report documenting cases her office has investigated.“While the former partner was moving out of the apartment they shared... [the officer] told them to ‘call everyone they loved and tell them goodbye,’” the IG’s investigation determined.  More Coverage: WGN Investigates The officer then threatened to kill his former lover and the person’s entire family if they showed-up at the apartment that evening, according to the IG’s findings.The Chicago inspector general recommended the firing of the officer and placement on the city’s “do not hire” list. However, police brass refused. Instead, they suspended the officer for 60 days.CPD defended the decision not to seek termination by claiming the officer did not viol...

Man admits stealing 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers from museum in 2005, but details remain a mystery

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged in the museum heist of a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the “The Wizard of Oz” pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that could keep him out of prison due to his failing health, but only cleared up some of the mystery that dates back 18 years.Terry Jon Martin, 76, pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor's hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered by the FBI in 2018. No one was arrested until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged this year. During his change-of-plea hearing in federal court in Duluth, Martin said he used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He said he thought the slippers had real rubies and that he had hoped to sell the gems. But when a fence told him the rubies were glass, he said he got rid of the slippers.Martin did not say how he got rid of them or to wh...

White Sox make some coaching staff changes for 2024

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

CHICAGO — After a tumultuous 2023 season in which they lost 100 games for just the fifth time in franchise history, the White Sox are making some changes to their coaching staff. Since it was already declared by the front office that manager Pedro Grifol was safe for 2024, the cuts came to other parts of his staff.The White Sox have made official a few coaching staff changes..First base coach Daryl Boston & hitting coach Jose Castro are out..Bullpen coach Curt Hasler & assistant hitting coach Chris Johnson have been offered positions in White Sox development system..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/FORuWwaKO2— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 13, 2023Two members of the staff are out after this past season as first base coach Daryl Boston and hitting coach Jose Castro have been let go. It brings the end of a decade-long run for Boston with the White Sox as he initially joined Robin Ventura's staff in 2013. A former player for the White Sox from 1984-1990, he would also serv...

Election 2023: Hastings School Board (Elect 4)

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

Voters in Hastings will elect four board members to their school board on Nov. 7 from a pool of nine candidates.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Matt BrunsMatt Bruns of Hastings, candidate for ISD 200 School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 35What qualifies you to hold this position? With 14 years of hands-on education experience, an administrative education, and a personal stake as a parent in the district, I possess the unique blend of expertise, dedication, and empathy needed to drive positive change and ensure our schools meet the needs of every child.What would your top priorities be if elected? If elec...

Wild’s Filip Gustavsson starts season ‘on his head’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

TORONTO — The Wild weren’t exactly concerned about what they would see from Filip Gustavsson on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. After all, head coach Dean Evason chose to start him in the regular-season opener.Still, the Wild were thrilled with what they saw from their goaltender in the Wild’s 2-0 victory over Eastern Conference champion Florida.Against a fast, aggressive offense that came in waves all night, Gustavsson made 41 saves — many of them on Grade A chances from a good Panthers forecheck.All around, it was exactly what the Wild were looking for early after starting last season 0-3 with a combined 17 goals against.“It was important for our hockey club for everyone to play well defensively, but (Gustavsson) in particular,” Evason said. “I hope he’s gained a lot of confidence from the way that he played. Such a quality person; he praised the box outs and what happened in front of him. He did his part, but the team did its part, too.”Acquired in the trade that sent Cam T...

Glenville taxidermist pleads guilty to violations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:19 GMT

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The owner of a taxidermy business in Glenville pleaded guilty to Environmental Conservation Law violations committed in April. According to Environmental Conservation Officers, the business failed to properly dispose of animal parts, keep taxidermy records, and report game harvest. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In addition to the guilty plea, the defendant was required to pay a $525 fine. The defendant and their attorney are cooperating with the Glenville Police regarding multiple petit larceny charges and an alleged scheme to defraud taxidermy customers.