Alberta Premier Smith hopes funding for Flames arena won’t become election issue

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Alberta Premier Smith hopes funding for Flames arena won’t become election issue CALGARY — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a day after linking $330 million in provincial money for a Calgary NHL arena project to her United Conservatives getting re-elected, told reporters Wednesday she hopes it doesn’t become an election issue.But Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley says Smith doesn’t get to take it back.Notley said Smith has openly and directly tied the $1.2-billion project to the ballot box and is now obligated to give voters as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision.That includes, said Notley, the secret financial details of who is on the hook for what in the deal involving the province, the City of Calgary and the owners of the Calgary Flames hockey team.“It’s a confidential agreement between all three parties that outline additional financial exposure, additional financial obligations and opportunities for all three parties, including the potential of more exposure for the public and for taxpayers,” Notley said.“People on my team w...

Mississippi jail escapee dead after armed standoff

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Mississippi jail escapee dead after armed standoff CONWAY, Miss. (AP) — A man who escaped from a Mississippi jail and is suspected in a Monday night killing died after barricading himself in a home and setting it on fire during an armed standoff with deputies, authorities said Wednesday. Plumes of smoke emanated from the charred remains of the home in Conway, hours after a body was recovered. Dylan Arrington, 22, perished inside the home, setting it ablaze after shooting a deputy in the leg, Leake County Sheriff Randy Atkinson told The Associated Press. “He inflicted that kind of terror after escaping from jail, killing people and shooting law enforcement. But that guy won’t be killing anyone else,” Atkinson said.In a statement posted online in the evening, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said the remains had been positively identified as Arrington. The cause of death was under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Authorities have been pursuing Arrington and three other inmates who broke out over the weekend fr...

Kansas sets trans athlete rule; gender-affirming care saved

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Kansas sets trans athlete rule; gender-affirming care saved TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas board decided Wednesday that high schools and middle schools must see transgender athletes’ first birth certificates to decide what teams they can join, while an effort in the Legislature to end gender-affirming care for transgender minors failed.The Kansas State High School Activities Association’s executive board took a key step in helping the state enforce a ban on female transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. It replaced a policy that allowed decisions to be made athlete by athlete with one that says transgender girls will not be allowed to compete on girl’s teams, starting July 1.The new policy follows a law enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature earlier this month over a veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The governor vetoed five GOP bills rolling back transgender rights, and Republicans are headed toward overriding three more, including a veto of a sweeping bathroom bill.But GOP conservatives...

'What do you think you're doing?': Bar owner's wife yells at burglar over intercom amid string of West Side bar break-ins

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

'What do you think you're doing?': Bar owner's wife yells at burglar over intercom amid string of West Side bar break-ins CHICAGO — Several bars and restaurants in West Town and the Near West Side fell victim to break-ins early Tuesday morning.Around 3:40 a.m., surveillance video at the Cobra Lounge showed a man in a hoodie wearing a mask throw a brick through the window of a rear patio door. Then — holding a flashlight — he moved behind the bar, breaking into the bar's point of sale system before stealing two cash drawers and walking out.It's the second break-in at the Cobra Lounge this month.Not far away, another bar suffered a similar fate."We got a call from the alarm company about 4 a.m. saying the motion sensor is going off," said Declan Morgan, owner of the Noble Irishman Pub. Some Streamwood residents concerned after reports of car break-ins Morgan said a man smashed a window in front of his pub with a brick around 4:10 a.m.Footage from inside the bar showed him wandering around, before going into the basement. Shortly thereafter, he came back upstairs behind the bar, Morgan's wife yelling at...

Bill to force IDOT to make a decision on South Suburban Airport project moves forward

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Bill to force IDOT to make a decision on South Suburban Airport project moves forward WILL COUNTY, Ill. — A move to force the Illinois Department of Transportation to finally make a decision on the South Suburban Airport is one step closer to happening.A Senate committee passed a bill requiring IDOT to seek interest from qualified developers of a cargo airport within six months. The next step is a full vote in the state Senate.It doesn't require the airport to be built. Few projects have cost more and produced less than Chicago’s phantom third airport The airport project near Peotone has been talked about for decades. State Rep. Will Davis (D-30th District, East Hazel Crest), introduced the bill earlier this year.“Let’s see who has the capacity to do it,” Davis previously told WGN-TV News. “If no one responds then no one responds.”IDOT has spent nearly $100 million buying more than 4,500 acres over the years.

Schenectady Police increasing patrols after home invasion

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Schenectady Police increasing patrols after home invasion SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Woodlawn is known as a quiet neighborhood, but people have noticed increased crime in recent months. Now they want police to get involved, especially around kings road.In the last month, there were 16 robberies and a home break-in where police say two people in the home were armed and ended up shooting and injuring one of the intruders.“Again, I’m not bashing the police. But we want help on Kings Road,” one resident said.There is also an issue on the road with the current speed limit.“We’re now asking for stop signs on Kings Road. Because [a person’s] son and granddaughter almost got struck just getting out of their car. Kings Road is a nightmare now.”Adam Nowicki is a Traffic Commande for Schenectady Police, and he says that adding stop signs or speed cameras is not a quick fix, but they’re working on it.“We recognize Kings Road is a hotbed as far as speeding is concerned. We are doing what we can in enforcing it,” he said.Mayor Gary McCarthy says there...

Tucker Carlson breaks silence after Fox ouster: ‘See you soon’

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Tucker Carlson breaks silence after Fox ouster: ‘See you soon’ Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson posted a cryptic video message to his Twitter profile late Wednesday evening — his first public comments since his ouster from Fox News this week. During the just over two-minute message, Carlson said he had realized after "stepping outside the noise for a few days" how many "genuinely nice people there are in this country." "The other thing you notice when you take a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates on television are," he continued. "They're completely irrelevant. They mean nothing. In five years, we won't even remember we had them. Trust me as someone who has participated in them." Carlson was ousted from his perch at Fox News on Monday in a shocking move that continues to ripple through the media industry and Republican party. Fox has given no reason for its parting ways with Carlson beyond a statement thanking him for contributions to the network. The former top prime time host's video on Wednesday was published ju...

Broncos great Demaryius Thomas posthumously inducted into Colorado Sports HOF

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Broncos great Demaryius Thomas posthumously inducted into Colorado Sports HOF Former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on Wednesday was posthumously inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, headlining a class of five.Thomas, who died at 33 years old in 2021, established himself as one of the best pass-catchers in Broncos history over his nine years with the franchise. He caught 665 passes for 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns in his tenure with Denver, helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2015 and also became revered as a teammate and community member off the field.Thomas, a Roswell, Georgia native who starred at Georgia tech before the Broncos selected him No. 22 overall in the 2010 NFL draft, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and made second-team All-Pro twice.Thomas’ mother, Katina Smith, and father, Bobby Thomas, were on hand Wednesday night, as was Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning awarded the first ever 18-to-88 scholarship, named for his number and Thomas’, to Ben Miner of Swink High in the southeast corner of the s...

Man arrested in alleged kidnapping that was caught on camera in Commerce; victim found

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Man arrested in alleged kidnapping that was caught on camera in Commerce; victim found A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping that was captured on camera in Commerce Tuesday afternoon.At 4:21 p.m., a woman was quickly walking down Couts Avenue while talking on a cell phone when a man pulled up, the LASD said in a news release.The man, who exited his silver 2016-17 Kia Rio with a handgun, pistol-whipped the woman as she was trying to get away and dragged her into the car's passenger seat before driving away, the LASD added.The unidentified man was taken into custody around 2 p.m. and was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and abduction. His vehicle was also located and taken as evidence. The victim, who was described as having "dark brownish red hair" and was wearing a black dress and sandals, was not found for several hours. Just before 7 p.m., authorities with LASD confirmed to KTLA that she had been located, though her condition is currently unknown. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department released this image of an alleged kidnapping v...

Authorities search for man missing out of El Monte

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Authorities search for man missing out of El Monte Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in locating a 44-year-old man missing out of El Monte.  Peter Ramirez was last seen Monday, April 17, at the intersection of Dufree Avenue and Valley Boulevard.  Described as a Hispanic male, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds, Ramirez was last seen wearing a black jacket, black Adidas sweatpants and a black beanie. Peter Ramirez, 44, was last seen April 17 at the intersection of Dufree Avenue and Valley Boulevard in El Monte. (LASD)“Mr. Ramirez’s family is concerned about his well-being and are asking for the public’s help,” the LASD missing person’s bulletin noted.  Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.