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Memphis prosecutors to seek death penalty against man charged with kidnapping and killing teacher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against a man charged with kidnapping a Memphis, Tennessee, school teacher during an early-morning run and killing her.Cleotha Abston is charged with snatching Eliza Fletcher from a street near the University of Memphis on Sept. 2 and putting her in an SUV. Her body was found days later near an abandoned house. He has pleaded not guilty.Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has filed notice with the court that prosecutors will seek the death penalty, Judge Lee Coffee said.No trial date has been set.Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

Mass expulsions and mistreatment of migrants reported in Tunisia as tensions spike in port city

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tensions spiked dangerously in a Tunisian port city this week after three migrants were detained in the death of a local man, and there were reports of retaliation against Black foreigners and accounts of mass expulsions and alleged assaults by security forces. The people suspected in the slaying of a 41-year-old Tunisian were under investigation for premeditated murder, according to Faouzi Masmoudi, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in the seaside city of Sfax. Twenty-two migrants from sub-Saharan countries in Africa also were detained for questioning in connection with crimes in the area, Masmoudi said Wednesday. Sfax, on Tunisia’s eastern coast, is a main departure point for migrants and refugees planning to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Thousands of people, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, have poured into the city to set out in unprecedented numbers for dangerous crossings to Italy in small boats. After the burial Tuesday of Nizar Ben Bra...

17-year-old charged after 'despicable vandalism' found on Chesterton sign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

CHESTERTON, Ind. — A 17-year-old has been charged after "despicable vandalism" targeting the LGBTQ+ community was found on Chesterton's municipal sign.The sign was found defaced on the morning of June 20.The Northwest Indiana Times reports "kill all (homophobic slur)" was spray painted on the sign outside the town's complex in the 1400 block of Broadway.A 17-year-old boy has been charged with criminal mischief. “At the Town Council’s June 26 meeting,” Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson said. “Chesterton resident Erin Collins read an eloquent statement urging the Town Council to recognize June as Pride Month, as a response to the graffiti. The Town Council promptly did so. At the time I asked everyone not to let this crime define our community but to define it instead by the events which followed: an outpouring of support for the LBGTQ+ community, the public’s diligence in contacting the CPD with tips, the assistance of advocacy organizations in advising us on ways to navigate t...

Powerball jackpot nears record size: What are your odds of winning?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Another near-record Powerball jackpot is growing after no ticket matched the numbers picked Wednesday night. Numbers drawn were 17, 24, 48, 62, 68, and Powerball 23, and the multiplier was 2X. Three tickets — one each in Florida, New York and Ohio — missed the jackpot after failing to match the red Powerball number. Still, each ticket was worth $1 million. Now, the estimated jackpot has reached $590 million, Powerball officials said Thursday. Because jackpots can grow between drawings (here's how they calculate the jackpots), it's possible the grand prize will become the 10th largest — a $590.5 million prize won in Florida more than 10 years ago — ahead of the next drawing. Not sure how to play Powerball? Here’s what you need to know Here are the 10 largest Powerball jackpots in history:$2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022 (California)$1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)$768.4 million: March 27, 2019 (Wisconsin)$758.7 million: Aug. 23, 2017 (Massachu...

LIVE: Arrest made after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Several agencies plan to announce the arrest of a suspect almost five years after a deadly fire at a San Marcos apartment complex. According to a news release from the City of San Marcos, someone is now in custody after the fire that killed five people at the Iconic Village apartments on July 20, 2018. City leaders are not yet sharing the suspect's name or what led authorities to this person. However, they plan to put out more details at a news conference Thursday at 10 a.m. "It brings a lot of those memories back," said Matthew C Smith, who lived at the apartment complex at the time of the fire. "Just remembering those screams during that night, and personally, sometimes I do have nightmares."While we won't know the details surrounding the arrest until Thursday morning, a fire and arson investigation instructor based in Austin says it's not uncommon for an arson case to take this long. He says it's possible someone turned in a new tip or investigators got...

LIVE: Texas lawmakers speak on property tax relief plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

A live stream of the 9:30 a.m. news conference will be available in the video player above.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas state representatives are expected to speak Thursday regarding a plan for property tax relief to all Texans.Rep. Ana-María Ramos is expected to join Rep. John Bryant and other members of the Texas House to discuss the plan.“The agreement delivers significant property tax relief in a fair and equitable plan,” Ramos said in a release.According to Ramos, Bryant’s plan:Increases the basic allotment by $1,000 and indexes it to inflation, resulting in a permanent increase in teacher salaries of $4,300 per year.Establishes a homestead exemption of the higher of $100,000 or 25% of their home's appraised value, up to a cap of $200,000.Extends tax relief to the 38% of Texas households who rent their homes with a cash rebate of up to 10% of the rent paid in the previous year.Implements a six-cent reduction of school maintenance and operation taxes. A balance between the House and Se...

Blue Bell debuts a 'monster' of a new flavor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

BRENHAM, Texas (FOX 44) -- Blue Bell is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with the release of something monstrously delicious. The company's new Monster Cookie Dough ice cream is now in stores. This is a creamy vanilla ice cream with bits of brown sugar loaded with peanut butter monster cookie dough pieces, candy-coated chocolate pieces and dark chocolate chunks. Monster Cookie Dough is available in the half-gallon and pint sizes for a limited time. Meanwhile, Blue Bell's Dr Pepper Float Ice Cream is still in stores. This is a creamy vanilla ice cream swirled together with a Dr Pepper-flavored sherbet. This is also available in the half-gallon and pint sizes.For coffee fans, Blue Bell recently introduced Java Jolt Ice Cream. This flavor combines delicious Coffee Ice Cream with dark chocolate chunks and a coffee fudge swirl. The flavor is sold in pint-size but only for a limited time.For more information, you can visit www.bluebell.com.

Eagles will say ‘Goodbye’ at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Nov. 17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

If you are an Eagles fan, this might not be the time to “Take It Easy.”Because: The band, which was formed back in 1971, announced on Thursday that their upcoming tour — “The Long Goodbye” — will be their final tour.The 13 shows initially announced include St. Paul, where the Eagles are scheduled to play at the Xcel Energy Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17.The Eagles also announced that Steely Dan will join them on tour.The band was last in St. Paul in 2021, when they drew about 13,000 fans to the X for an evening devoted to their hit, “Hotel California.”That song, which begins, “On a dark desert highway …” was a hit back in 1976. A lot has changed since then. Following the 2016 death of co-founder Glenn Frey, fellow co-founder Don Henley said the Eagles were history. But soon after, Henley reversed course, hired Frey’s son Deacon and country legend Vince Gill and hit the road.During “The Long Goodbye,” the Eagles as they ar...

Adirondack road work starting in town of Chester

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

CHESTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Drivers heading into the Adirondacks this weekend should take note of ongoing road work. Paving work is set to start on Warren County Route 19 starting next week. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Work begins on Route 19, more commonly known as Olmsteadville Road, starting on Monday, July 10. Olmsteadville Road connects to the Essex County town of Minerva, and the hamlets of Olmsteadville and Pottersville. The road will remain open, with delays and reduced speed in work zones. Lake Luzerne tubing attraction growing like the tide The work is part of a larger road rehabilitation project, starting from Olmsteadville Road's intersection with Hidden Lake Road in North Creek, and running as far as the Essex County line. The work started in April, and should be expected to continue into the fall.

New brewery, beer garden opening in Hudson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:42 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new brewery, taproom, and beer garden is set to open at 716 Union Street in Hudson. Union Street Brewing Company will be opening on Saturday, July 15 at noon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Owners Emma and Paul O’Donnell converted the dilapidated 1930s warehouse at that location into Union Street Brewing Company. The building now had a 2,000-square-foot taproom, a 2,500-square-foot brewery space, a 1,000-square-foot event space on the lower level, and an outdoor beer garden that'll be open in the spring, summer, and fall.“We have a passion for craft beer and the Hudson Valley, and have been developing beers using local ingredients for many years,” said Paul O’Donnell. Activewear, outdoor gear store to open in Colonie Center “When we found the site on Union Street, everything fell into place, and we knew we also had the perfect name for the brewery,” said Emma O’Donnell. “Our name reinforces our...