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Afghan refugee in Oregon training flight crash that killed 3 ignored instructor’s advice, NTSB says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A former Afghan Air Force pilot training for a commercial license in Oregon ignored his flight instructor’s advice to not return to a small airport because of low visibility. The plane later crashed, killing the pilot and the other two passengers on board, according to a preliminary federal report of the accident released Friday.All three men killed in the accident Dec. 16 were former Afghan pilots who fought with the American military. Local nonprofit Salem for Refugees said it resettled the men in the Salem area last spring. The pilot, Mohammad Hussain Musawi, 35, and the two passengers, Mohammad Bashir Safdari, 35, and Ali Jan Ferdawsi, 29, died in the crash near Independence, a small city in the Willamette Valley about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of Salem.The National Transportation Safety Board’s report said an examination of the airframe and the engine of the Cessna 172G airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures.The plane’s own...

Prosecutors say there’s no need for a second trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A second trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried on charges not in the cryptocurrency fraud case presented to a jury that convicted him in November is not necessary, prosecutors told a judge Friday.Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in a letter that evidence at a second trial would duplicate evidence already shown to a jury. They also said it would ignore the “strong public interest in a prompt resolution” of the case, particularly because victims would not benefit from forfeiture or restitution orders if sentencing is delayed.They said the judge can consider the evidence that would be used at a second trial when he sentences Bankman-Fried on March 28 for defrauding customers and investors of at least $10 billion.Bankman-Fried, 31, who has been incarcerated since several weeks before his trial, was convicted in early November of seven counts, including wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and three conspiracy charges. He could face decades in prison.Las...

Oakland officer killed while answering burglary call; shooter being sought, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — An Oakland police officer was shot and killed Friday while answering a report of a burglary at a marijuana dispensary, authorities said.The officer was one of several who responded to a report of a burglary in progress at the cannabis business near Jack London Square at about 4:30 a.m., about 3 1/2 hours after an earlier burglary was reported at the same business, authorities said.The arriving uniformed and plainclothes officers saw several people leaving the business and one opened fire several times, hitting the officer, who was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked car, interim Police Chief Darren Allison said at a news conference.Other officers took the wounded officer to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about four hours after the shooting. His name wasn’t immediately released but he had been with the department for four years, Allison said.No officers returned fire, the chief said.No arrests were immediately made, but Allison said investig...

Shirley Bassey and Ridley Scott are among hundreds awarded in UK’s New Year Honors list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Singer Shirley Bassey, director Ridley Scott and Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for England’s women’s soccer team, were recognized Friday in the U.K.’s New Year Honors list, which celebrates the achievements and services of more than 1,000 people across the country.Bassey, 86, who is already a dame — the female equivalent of a knight — was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honor for her services to music. The Welsh singer, best known for her “James Bond” theme songs “Goldfinger” and “Diamonds Are Forever,” became the 64th living member of the order, a special status held by no more than 65 people at any one time.“Entertaining audiences for over 70 years has been a privilege,” she said. “My heart is full of emotion and I am truly humbled.”Scott, whose films include “Gladiator,” “Alien” and more recently “Napoleon,” was awarded for his services to the U.K. film industry. He was made a Knight Grand Cross, upgrading his previous knightho...

WGN at 75: Siskel and Ebert go commercial; WGN's hand in creating thumbs up/thumbs down review

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

In the final segment of our year-long series celebrating WGN-TV’s 75th anniversary, we’re looking back at the Chicago icons who taught millions how to watch the movies and the important role Channel 9 played in their history.The PBS yearsIn November of 1975, a new show called “Opening Soon at a Theatre Near You” debuted on Chicago’s PBS affiliate, WTTW. Gene Siskel sporting a mustache and Roger Ebert wearing plaid jacket was about as flashy as the show would get.Ebert was a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic at the Chicago Sun-Times. Siskel was his formidable and fierce competitor at the Chicago Tribune.The two newspaper critics were new to television – and it showed. They read from legal pads, displaying none of the energy or chemistry that would later define them. “If you're a fan of Siskel and Ebert, but you've never seen these, it might be a little bit of a shock to the system because they were a little stiff at first and they were sometimes reading from notes or very rehearsed,...

More than 200 fireworks complaints made to Austin 311 in December, before NYE holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin has already received 265 calls regarding fireworks complaints throughout December, ahead of what will likely be an even busier New Year's holiday weekend. Austin 311 reported receiving the most calls for service about fireworks on Christmas Day, with 142 calls. Christmas Eve raked in 85 calls of the same nature this month. South Austin had the most fireworks complaints over Fourth of July holiday According to the city, fireworks are illegal to possess or use in the city limits unless a permit has been issued for a professional display. Some devices, such as sparklers, glowworms, and trick noisemakers are permitted. Other fireworks are allowed on private property in the unincorporated areas of Travis County, but county officials still urge people to use caution. Fireworks are illegal in Austin, here’s who to call if you see them "Whether it's a bottle rocket or Roman Candle or even a sparkler, all of those fireworks can cause severe damage to ...

2023 in photos: The Pioneer Press captures life in and around St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

A lot of people in the Twin Cities will remember 2023 for its snowy start. I know I will, as I photographed people shoveling and playing in one of our snowiest winters on record.That snow — will it ever come again? — melted from our memories as spring and summer took hold. That’s when I photographed people enjoying water in a different form, including splash pads and lakes.Despite some atypical weather patterns, 2023 was in other ways like most other years — full of triumphs and tragedies, joy and pain.As a photojournalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, I was honored to witness and document some of those moments in our community.With that said, here are my favorite photos from 2023.Happy New Year! I hope there is much joy ahead to document in 2024.Related ArticlesLocal News | Local nonprofits report flat or falling donations as demand rises in the face of inflation Local News | Metro Transit routes free on New Year’s Eve R...

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, OLB Baron Browning won’t play vs. Chargers due to concussions; “flu bug” making its way through team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

The Broncos on Friday ruled out wide receiver Courtland Sutton and outside linebacker Baron Browning for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.Both are working their way through the league’s concussion protocol. Sutton was injured in the first quarter Christmas Eve against New England and Browning later in the game.Denver also ruled out tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski (knee) from returning from injured reserve this weekend.Denver has an illness going around the team, head coach Sean Payton said, that left receiver Jerry Jeudy and running back Dwyane Washington questionable. Safety Justin Simmons said illness hit him hard Thursday when he missed a day, but he was back to work Friday.“We’ve had a few guys dealing with the flu bug, more so this week than what I can recall,” Payton said. “Some of them will be listed as questionable because hopefully they will be able to go. A little more on the injury report this w...

Loved ones search for missing L.A. County teen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

Loved ones are searching for a missing girl who disappeared in Lawndale Wednesday.The at-risk juvenile was identified as Perla Mena, 16, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.She was last seen on the 14000 block of Osage Avenue at around 2 p.m.Mena is described as a Hispanic female standing 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 118 pounds. She has long brown hair and brown eyes.The teen told a family member that she was taking a trip with her school, possibly to the mountains.  Her family has not heard from her since and are concerned for her well-being, authorities said. They’re hoping the public may have spotted her somewhere.Perla Mena, 16, in a 2023 photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.Anyone who knows Mena’s whereabouts or has additional information is asked to call the LASD’s South L.A. Station at 310-820-6700. Anonymous tips can be submitted to "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Ohio Gov. blocks bill banning transition care for minors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

By Samantha Hendrickson and Julie Carr | Associated PressCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a measure Friday that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors, casting the action out of step with many in his own party as thoughtful, limited and “pro-life.”He simultaneously announced plans to move to administratively ban transgender surgeries until a person is 18, and to position the state to better regulate and track gender-affirming treatments in both children and adults.At a news conference, DeWine said he hoped the hybrid approach could win the support of legislative Republicans — who immediately signaled they’re considering a veto override — as well as serve as a national model to states, as gender-affirming care restrictions enacted across the country in recent years face lawsuits.The vetoed bill also would have banned transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports.DeWine said he listened to peopl...