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Man on trial denies charges of kidnapping woman, her son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont man on trial for kidnapping a New Hampshire woman and her 4-year-old child more than four years ago testified Monday in his federal court trial that he took the two vehicles he is accused of stealing and taking across state lines, but he denied kidnapping the woman or her son.Everett Simpson, who is representing himself in the trial, wrote the questions that were asked by his standby attorney. U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions told the jury that Simpson had provided the questions that were being asked of him.After the day’s testimony, Sessions said closing arguments would be held on Tuesday, after which the case would be given to the jury. If convicted of the kidnapping charges, Simpson could be sentenced to life in prison. Simpson answered “I do,” several times after Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Lasher asked questions, including whether he had taken the alleged victim and her son from New Hampshire to Vermont and whether...

Police shooting of Jayland Walker might face more scrutiny

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

The deadly police shooting of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, by eight officers last summer sparked protests in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and led to calls for a federal investigation. Ohio’s attorney general announced Monday that a grand jury had declined to indict the officers and said that Walker fired at least one shot at police during a pursuit.Walker’s family called it a brutal and senseless shooting. A police union official said the officers thought there was an immediate threat and that their actions were in line with their training.WHY DID POLICE CHASE WALKER?Police said the chase began when they tried to pull Walker over for minor equipment violations on June 27 and he failed to stop. They said he then fired a shot from his car 40 seconds into the pursuit. The chase began on a city street, continued onto a freeway and ended on a street where police had set up a roadblock.Less than 24 hours before the pursuit, an officer in a nearby township had tried...

Rep. George Santos announces reelection bid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos, the New York Republican whose lies about his background and wealth helped propel him into office, announced Monday that he’s running for reelection.More than perhaps any incumbent, Santos enters the race as an underdog — abandoned by many fellow Republicans while facing investigations over a myriad of allegations about falsehoods during his last campaign.During that race, Santos portrayed himself as a graduate of prestigious colleges who had gone on to have a successful career on Wall Street while amassing a real estate investment portfolio. In reality, he didn’t go to college, didn’t work for the Wall Street firms where he claimed to have made big deals and had struggled in recent years to pay his rent.In his campaign announcement, Santos didn’t mention any of that and instead highlighted his zeal in fighting for conservative principals in Washington and his background as “a poor boy of immigrant parents in Queens.”“W...

South Elgin man charged after allegedly stabbing mother to death in front of shared home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. — A South Elgin man appeared in Kane County bond court Monday, and was charged in the stabbing death of his mother.Michal Wybraniec, 30.Michal Wybraniec, 30, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed violence, all of which are Class X felonies in the state of Illinois.According to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, Wybraniec allegedly stabbed his 53-year-old mother, Beata Wybraniec, multiple times inside the South Elgin residence they shared Sunday.The state's attorney's office said Beata Wybraniec then attempted to flee from her son, but he caught her outside and resumed stabbing her, leading to her death.Home security footage obtained by WGN captured a black truck stopping in the road as the incident happened, shortly before the driver of the black truck hits the suspect to stop him from getting away.The home security footage then shows the driver get out of the truck with his own knife, telling the suspect to wait there un...

Mundelein PD and Working Bikes, bringing smiles to kids from Chicago to Lesotho

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

MUNDELEIN, Ill. — What was old is about to be new for hundreds of kids, as a shipping crate packed with generosity and a little love is making its way from the Chicagoland-area all the way to Africa.The shipping crate — stuffed with bikes gathered in Mundelein — is off to its target destination of Lesotho, but one might ask, what does Mundelein have to do with Lesotho?More than you might imagine at first. ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ helps bring sunshine to seniors It all began years ago at the Mundelein Police Department where, over time, abandoned or turned-in bicycles would accumulate in their evidence garage."We used to send the bikes to auction," said Jason Seeley, Deputy Chief of Operations at Mundelein PD. "But then COVID hit, the auction shut down and we were trying to find a way that the bikes could be useful."That's when their wheels started turning and a special idea began to culminate, leading to a partnership in the community."Bikes are great, right? Because [what] they do i...

Blackhawks have 1 more thing to look forward to this spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

CHICAGO — At the end of the day, the goal was to finish as low in the standings as possible.Well, the Blackhawks did finish near the bottom of the NHL, but not as far down as they ideally would have hoped. It puts even more stress on a very important day for the franchise in early May.With the season coming to a close on Friday, the Blackhawks officially finished third-to-last in the league. In other words, they have the third-best chance to get the No. 1 overall pick, also known as the chance to select center Connor Bedard, one of the best draft prospects in years. Getting to the bottom was the goal for general manager Kyle Davidson as he continues in the early stage of the Blackhawks rebuild, and he almost was able to do that. Their 59 points were tied for the franchise's lowest in an 82-game season, yet it wasn't enough to secure the best odds to get Bedard. The Ducks got that with 58 points, as a win by the Blackhawks over the Penguins in the second-to-last game of the year alon...

Kansas City teen out of hospital after shooting, homeowner charged

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Clay County prosecutor has charged an 84-year-old man in the shooting of a Kansas City 16-year-old who went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings last week. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced Andrew Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. A warrant has been issued for the man's arrest; his bond has been set at $200,000. The news came shortly after the Kansas City Police Department said it has submitted its case file on the shooting of Ralph Yarl to the Clay County Prosecutor's Office to review for possible charges. Paul Yarl confirmed to FOX4 earlier Monday that his son Ralph is out of the hospital Monday and on the road to recovery.Lester allegedly shot Ralph Yarl Thursday night after the teen went to the wrong home to pick up his younger siblings. Kansas City police said just before 10 p.m. April 13, Ralph meant to go to a home on N.E. 115th Terrace when he mistakenly went to a house on N.E. 115th S...

Fake love: Illinois cracks top-10 list for romance scams in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

CHICAGO — When it comes to romance scams in the state of Illinois, a new study shows Illinoisians are falling hard. According to Social Catfish, Illinois ranks No. 10 with 506 victims losing $17.8 million in 2022. The state finished 24th among states with the highest average loss per victim at $35,137. The reverse search technology company compiled a list using data from the FBI and Federal Trade Commission. SEE ALSO | Where Illinois ranks among states that increased taxes the most over the last 4 decadesThe 10 states that lost the most money include:1.) California2.) Texas3.) Florida4.) New York5.) Arizona6.) Virginia7.) Washington8.) Ohio9.) North Carolina10.) IllinoisNearby Michigan and Wisconsin ranked 11th and 13th, respectively. Other key findings of the study suggest that crypto is the leading payment method for romance scams. As for how? The study found being “sick, hurt, or in jail” or “I can teach you how to invest” as the top reasons many get duped. Top 20 richest peop...

Calling all Kyles: Texas city to attempt world record for largest same-name gathering

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Is your name Kyle? Do you know anyone named Kyle? If so, get ready to gather 'round in Kyle, Texas. The city, located 20 miles south of Austin, is hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering. So, if your name is Kyle and you've wanted to break a world record, your time to shine is Sunday, May 21. There just needs to be more than 2,325 Kyles in Kyle at 4 p.m. that day. The same-name record has been held since 2017 by Kupreski Kosci in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a total of 2,325 participants named Ivan. McDonald’s making these 4 changes to its burgers by 2024, company says The gathering will be held at Lake Kyle Park the last day of the Kyle Fair, and it'll be the city's fourth attempt at the record. According to the city, in previous years, Kyles have come from as far as Massachusetts to participate. There is no cost to participate and entry to the Kyle Fair is free. The only rule is that participants' names must be sp...

Semi fire caused traffic delays near U.S. 183/I-35 interchange in central Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A semi tractor-trailer was on fire in central Austin Monday, causing delays with traffic.The crash occurred on the Interstate 35 south exit ramp off southbound U.S. Highway 183.KXAN viewers began sending in images and video of the semi on fire with black smoke also visible.A tractor-trailer on the southbound Interstate 35 exit ramp off southbound U.S. Highway 183 Monday, April 17. | Photo courtesy Katie RoyA tractor-trailer on Interstate 35 Monday, April 17. | Photo courtesy Katie RoyA tractor-trailer on Interstate 35 Monday, April 17. | Photo courtesy Katie RoyA tractor-trailer on Interstate 35 Monday, April 17. | Photo courtesy Katie RoyThe severity of the incident was reported as minor, according to KXAN's traffic map.Lanes 1-4 were listed as cleared, but Lane 5 was still blocked, according to TxDOT.It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, which remained under investigation Monday.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.