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California could protect sex assault victims facing lawsuits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers voted Thursday to protect sexual assault survivors from retaliatory lawsuits, years after a former state lawmaker sued a woman over her sexual misconduct allegations against him.Supporters of the legislation hope it will counteract efforts to silence victims.The bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly with bipartisan support, would make it clear that a victim’s comments about sexual assault or harassment are protected against defamation lawsuits if the allegation is not knowingly false or made recklessly. It would also help a victim who successfully defends themselves in a defamation lawsuit to recover attorney’s fees and damages.Pamela Lopez, a lobbyist who accused a lawmaker of sexual assault in 2017, said a defamation lawsuit used as a retaliation tactic goes beyond trying to disempower survivors.“It is also an attempt to take away the power of every person who wants to be part of a conversation with survivors a...

Biden, Colombia’s Petro meet amid growing policy differences

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden hosted Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday for talks at the White House amid deep differences on U.S. drug policy and Venezuela but a shared desire to deepen cooperation on climate change, migration and energy policy. The leaders, in remarks before reporters at the start of the Oval Office meeting, tried to keep the focus on areas of agreement, including strengthening their democracies and building economies less dependent on carbon sources.“We are going down the same river, a river that leads us to ever-greater democracy and ever-greater freedom,” Petro said. He added: “We have a common agenda and a lot of work to do.”Biden said the countries shared a goal to build a “united, equal, democratic and economically prosperous” Western Hemisphere. “Colombia is the key to the hemisphere,” he said.The two even joked about their ages; Petro turned 63 on Wednesday and Biden, at 80, is the oldest U.S. president in history. But their ...

14-year-old shot while inside vehicle on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old was shot in the chest while inside a vehicle on the city's South Side, Chicago police said Thursday.The shooting occurred just before 1 p.m. in the 2300 block of E. 80th St. in South Chicago.The teen was rushed to South Shore Hospital. His condition is unknown. Man hit by vehicle, then robbed at gunpoint and shot on West Side No one is in custody. Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Former WWE wrestler charged with theft of millions from Mississippi welfare

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — On Thursday, a federal indictment was unsealed in Mississippi charging former professional wrestler Theodore "Ted" Marvin DiBiase Jr., 40, with misappropriating millions in federal safety net funds for needy families and low-income individuals in Mississippi.According to court documents, DiBiase, along with co-conspirators John Davis, Christi Webb, Nancy New, and others, are alleged to have fraudulently obtained federal funds, including from the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Federal sentencing delayed in Mississippi welfare fraud case DiBiase, son of WWE superstar Ted DiBiase, Sr., (also known as "The Million Dollar Man") was a WWE wrestler in the 2000s and 2010s. According to NBC News, DiBiase signed with the company in 2007 and wrestled under WWE until 2013.Davis was the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).As part of the alleged scheme, after ...

APD investigating suspicious death in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a suspicious death in south Austin near the Gaines Creek Greenbelt area Thursday.APD said officers were on the scene in the 4900 block of West US Highway 290.Officials said delays should be expected around the area.APD is expected to hold a briefing later regarding the investigation.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more information.

LIVE BLOG: Potential severe weather causes Central Texas cancellations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

(KXAN) -- Severe weather with the potential for hail is expected throughout Central Texas Thursday afternoon and evening.According to the KXAN First Warning Weather team, storms will initially carry a high risk for large hail, but as individual storms develop into a line the hail threat will transition to a straight-line wind risk. KXAN First Warning Weather forecast A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for all of Central Texas until 10 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of storms.Weather ResourcesHow to talk to your kids about severe weatherWatches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeTraffic mapLive Central Texas radarCentral Texas rainfall totalsDownload KXAN Weather AppSign up for KXAN daily forecast newsletter and severe weather alerts newsletterFollow along in our weather blog belowSevere weather live blog2:40 p.m.A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all of Central Texas until 10 p.m.12:20 p.m.The City of...

Airline employee dies on tarmac at AUS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An American Airlines employee died Thursday at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to AUS officials.First responders arrived at the Austin airport shortly after 2 p.m. for a person with traumatic injuries on the tarmac, Austin-Travis County EMS said. ATCEMS later confirmed the person died at the scene.The cause of death has not yet been announced.This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

'We're making progress on it': APD Chief gives update on improvements in handling sexual assault cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It's been five months since a report came out that detailed improvements the Austin Police Department needed to make with how it handles sexual assault cases. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Progress made but APD needs improvement in handling sex assault cases, report states The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) report was 182 pages evaluating APD's handling of sexual assaults reported to the department from 2012 to 2020. It found a variety of issues like interviews with victims, suspects and witnesses were often delayed or not happening at all. It also said detectives weren't able to get video evidence or take victims to and from interviews because they didn't have enough vehicles. 'It continues to be a priority'"We're moving forward on all the measures that came out in the PERF report," said Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Chacon said he doesn't have an updated list of improvements that have been made just yet, but that there are some in progress. One of them is the ...

SpaceX Starship launches, self-destructs over Gulf of Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX’s giant new rocket blasted off on its first test flight Thursday from Boca Chica Beach, but failed minutes after rising from the launch pad.SpaceX later said multiple engines on the 33-engine booster were not firing as the rocket ascended, causing it to lose altitude and begin to tumble. The rocket was intentionally destroyed by its self-destruct system, exploding and plummeting into the water.Elon Musk’s company was aiming to send the nearly 400-foot Starship rocket on a round-the-world trip from the southern tip of Texas. It carried no people or satellites; both the booster and spacecraft on top were to be ditched into the Gulf of Mexico.Plan for the launch. Photo: SpaceX websiteAfter the blast, SpaceX posted on Twitter, "As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation.""With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve...

Pearl Jam set to return to Xcel Energy Center for a pair of concerts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:32:47 GMT

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pearl Jam will return to St. Paul for the first time in more than eight years when they headline Xcel Energy Center on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program, which requires advance registration and is open through 7 p.m. April 25. Tickets will then go on sale at 10 a.m. April 28 through Ticketmaster. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced ticket prices.As usual, the band is selling “the majority of tickets to Ten Club members” who had already joined the fan club prior to the concert announcement. They’re also selling what they’re calling PJ Premium tickets through Ticketmaster. They make up about 10 percent of all seats, are located in “preferred locations” in the arena and are priced at market rate. All tickets are non-transferable, with listed prices including all additional fees.Formed in Seattle in 1990, Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut album, “Ten,” spawned three hit sing...