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Jury deliberations underway in double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly in South Florida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jurors in a South Florida courtroom began deliberating Thursday afternoon in the double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, and the 24-year-old artist could face a possible death sentence if convicted of the fatal shooting of two childhood friends. The jury recessed after a few hours and was set to resume deliberations Friday morning.Broward County prosecutors delivered their closing argument Thursday morning in the October 2018 shooting deaths. They reminded jurors that the fatal shots came from inside a Jeep where the victims had been shot, and by every account, from the seat where YNW Melly was sitting, the Sun Sentinel reported. Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, had his breakout in 2017 and went on to work with Kanye West on “Mixed Personalities,” which was released in January 2019, a month before Demons was arrested on murder charges.Killed were Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collectiv...

Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest begins in Florida Keys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Almost 140 bearded men who resemble Ernest Hemingway converged on Key West, the late author’s home during the 1930s, to compete in the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest that began Thursday evening.The challenge is a highlight of the island’s Hemingway Days festival that salutes the literary talent and adventurous life of the Nobel Prize-winning writer.During his Key West years, Hemingway penned classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.”The three-night look-alike competition is held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where Hemingway often spent time with local and literary friends.Closely observed by a judging panel of previous winners including 2022’s Jon Auvil, of Dade City, Florida, contestants take turns pontificating and parading across Sloppy Joe’s stage.Many are repeat contenders who bring their own cheering sections, and most attempt to copy the “Papa” persona and appearance adopted by Hemingway in his later years.The contest’s second prelimin...

Three suspects arrested in connection to shooting death at Denver apartment complex

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Three suspects have been arrested in connection to an exchange of gunfire at a Denver apartment complex that left one man dead and four people wounded.The incident happened about 8:45 p.m. May 10 at 9600 E. Girard Avenue, according to the Denver Police Department, where a brief altercation erupted into gunfire.On Wednesday three suspects were taken into custody, according to a DPD news release.Richard Kemp, 25, is being held on investigation of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, police said. Jasmine Marin, 30, is being investigated for accessory to crime for first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The third suspect, a juvenile, is being held for investigation of first-degree murder.Press Release: Denver Police Arrest Suspects for May 10th Homicide and Shooting at 9600 E. Girard Ave. pic.twitter.com/0e5FdptE24— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 20, 2023 Killed in the shooting was 22-year-old Rodney Jackson. Eme...

Controversial policy would require parent notification of transgender students in Chino Valley

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Hundreds are expected to attend a Chino Valley Unified School District meeting as they vote on a controversial policy that would require parent notification if a child identifies as transgender.The policy would require staff to notify all parents in writing within three days after a student requests to identify with a gender different than what is on their birth certificate.The notification also applies to a student who requests a pronoun change or to be called a different name that is not listed on official school records. The request to use a different bathroom will also activate the notification policy.The board will vote on the policy Thursday night. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, will also be in attendance and speaking during the public comment period.The controversial policy has stirred up heated debate from both supporters and critics while gaining national attention.“You can never say what another board member is going to do or vote, but I feel ve...

Los Angeles man found dead at Death Valley National Park identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

A Los Angeles man who was found dead at a trailhead in Death Valley National Park was identified on Thursday.The hiker was confirmed to be Steve Curry, 71, from Sunland, according to the Inyo County Coroner’s Office.Curry was found collapsed outside of a restroom at Golden Canyon around 3:30 p.m. amid a blistering heatwave as temperatures hit 121°F in the area.National Park Service officials believe Curry had likely just been hiking on the popular trail shortly before he died.Earlier in the day, Curry was interviewed at Zabriskie Point by a reporter with the Los Angeles Times. He was photographed “slathered in sunscreen, huddled beneath a metal interpretive sign that afforded a small amount of shade,” officials said.According to the article, Curry had hiked to Zabriskie Point from Golden Canyon which was about two miles away. At some point, Curry left the point and hiked back to the Golden Canyon trailhead where he had parked his car.A sign warns people of extreme heat in multiple l...

Alaska Airlines adding new Burbank to San Francisco flights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

Alaska Airlines is continuing to expand its flight options in the greater Los Angeles area, now with a new nonstop flight between Burbank and San Francisco.The West Coast-based airline will begin offering three daily flights from Hollywood Burbank Airport to San Francisco International Airport beginning Dec. 14. The service will be offered year-round upon launch, Alaska said.The news comes on the heels of other major announcements by the nation's fifth-largest airline.Just last month, the airline announced it was adding new flights between LAX and the Bahamas, and last week it announced new service between LAX and Guatemala City — the first flights the airline has ever offered to the Central American country.Neil Thwaites, Alaska Airlines’ regional vice-president for California, said the company was focused on growing a stronger network for California-based travelers.“We’re excited to give people more ways to connect nonstop between Southern and Northern California with the launch o...

Sen. Grassley releases full FBI memo about Hunter Biden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley released an unclassified document Thursday that Republicans claim is significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden as they delve into the financial affairs of the president and his son, and revive previously debunked claims of wrongdoing.Grassley of Iowa has been working alongside House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., as Republicans deepen their probe of President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, ahead of the 2024 election. Comer had issued a subpoena for the document from the FBI.While lawmakers on the Oversight Committee have already been able to partly review the information, this is the first time the full document — which contains raw, unverified information — is being made public. Called an FD-1023 form, it involves claims a confidential informant made in 2020 about Hunter Biden’s alleged business dealings when he served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Top ...

Alameda County D.A. Price defends record amid recall attempt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – When elected to be the District Attorney of Alameda County, Pamela Price committed to taking aggressive steps to restore public trust within Alameda County’s criminal justice system. That includes pursuing comprehensive alternatives to incarceration and establishing programs to address criminal violations committed by youth between the ages of 18 and 25."Every community has the experience of people making mistakes,” she said. “If it's your child, do you want me to throw your child away because your child made a mistake... Forever?"KRON4 told Price that comments such as the one above cause some people to think she is more compassionate to criminals than their victims. Price responded.  Suspect exits car on freeway, hit by vehicle on I-80 near Berkeley: sheriff "I am very concerned about particular harms that people suffer,” she said. “We're not here to say anybody can do anything to anybody. Trust me. We are prosecuting people across this county every ...

Missing Santa Rosa man found

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

UPDATE: Tewelde has been found, according to police. (KRON) -- The Santa Rosa Police Department is searching for a missing man.Yohan Tewelde, 30, of Santa Rosa, has not been seen since he walked away from his home on Fairfax Place. He has autism, but he is verbal and will respond to his name, police said.Police described him as a Black man who stands 6 feet tall with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt and white shorts. Tewelde is known to spend time around the Target located at 1980 Santa Rosa Ave. Anyone who sees him is asked to call (707) 528-5222.

How a three-digit phone number has changed mental health and crisis services in Maryland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:52 GMT

In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)(AP/Jenny Kane) In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)(AP/Jenny Kane) This content was republished with permission from WTO...