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Judge enters not guilty pleas for suspect in stabbing deaths of 4 University of Idaho students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge entered not guilty pleas Monday for a man charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, setting the stage for a trial in which he could potentially face the death penalty.The Nov. 13, 2022, killings stunned the rural community of Moscow, Idaho, and prompted many students to leave campus early, switching to remote learning for the remainder of the semester.Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested late last year and charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with with the slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus.Kohberger refused to enter pleas in Latah County District Court, prompting the judge to make them on his behalf.The judge set the trial date for Oct. 2, although it could be delayed.He was a graduate student studying criminology at nearby Washington State University at the time, but prosecutors have not released any...

Herndon High School Band celebrates 75 years with free concert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley salutes 75 years of Herndon High School Band (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); The Herndon High School Band is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Fairfax County, Virginia.You can join The Pride of Herndon for a free concert in the auditorium this Thursday at 7 p.m.“We would love to have people from all over come celebrate with us,” Band Director Kathleen Jacoby told...

Woman arrested in active shooter threat call at Hazel's in Boulder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Boulder Police Department says a large law enforcement presence at a liquor store Saturday night was in response to a call that a masked person was inside a bathroom with an assault rifle.BPD said a person called dispatch at 10:23 p.m. and reported there was an active shooter situation at Hazel's Beverage World at 1955 28th St., which closed at 10 p.m. When will the hazy skies get clearer? Police arrived at the store at 10:25 p.m. and went into the store."Without hesitation and not knowing what they would find, officers entered the store within seconds and began their coordinated response just as our continued training as taught us," BPD shared.BPD said they quickly determined the threat was not credible.“We are very thankful this turned out not to be a real active shooter call, but our officers clearly demonstrated that if it would have been, their extensive training, bravery, and commitment to protecting our community would have kept the community safe,” Dep...

Fatal collision involving Brightline, FEC train and pedestrian in Deerfield Beach under investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are currently investigating a collision that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Deerfield Beach on Sunday morning. The incident involved a Brightline train, a Florida East Coast (FEC) train and an individual walking along the tracks.At approximately 9:07 a.m., Broward County Regional Communications received multiple reports of a crash near Dixie Highway, just north of Hillsboro Boulevard. BSO deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, where a female pedestrian was pronounced dead.According to detectives, witnesses stated that the pedestrian had deliberately bypassed the protective barrier on Hillsboro Boulevard. Ignoring the safety precautions, she proceeded to walk northbound on the Brightline train tracks. At that very moment, an FEC Railway cargo train was passing on the adjacent east side track, traveling southbound. The Brightline train, heading southbound on its designated track, struck the pedestrian. The impac...

Pro-Ukraine Russian soldiers storm border region, claim ‘liberation’ of villages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

KYIV — Two Russian military groups reportedly fighting on Kyiv’s side of the war in Ukraine — Legion of Free Russia and Russian Volunteer Corps — said they entered Russia’s Belgorod region on Monday and overran villages.“The Legion and the RVC completely liberated Kozinka village, Belgorod Oblast. Forward units have entered Graivoron. Moving on. Russia will be free!” the Legion tweeted.The Russian groups claimed the liberation of at least two villages — Kozinka, and Gora-Podol — in the region bordering Ukraine. Local Russian Telegram channels and media reported heavy fighting in several villages next to the border, including Graivoron, a town where a Russian military base is located.“Ukrainian Armed Forces saboteurs group entered the territory of the Graivoronsk district. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation together with the Border Service, the Russian Guard, and the FSB [intelligence service] are taking the necessary measures to eliminate the enemy,...

Sen. Gobi Tapped For New Healey Admin Post

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Veteran Sen. Anne Gobi will leave the Legislature to fill a newly created post in the Healey administration, triggering a special election in the central Massachusetts district she represents.Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday that she tapped Gobi to become the state’s first director of rural affairs. The Spencer Democrat will serve “as a dedicated advocate and ombudsman cultivating economic development within rural communities,” Healey’s office said.Gobi will start her new job June 5, according to Healey’s office. Her Senate departure date is unclear.The Senate this week plans to meet over several days to advance its $55.8 billion fiscal year 2024 state budget.“We are building an economy that benefits all communities, businesses, and people in Massachusetts, particular [sic] those that are too often overlooked and underrepresented like rural and small towns,” Healey said. “Senator Gobi’s fierce advocacy of rural equity, agricult...

Turning grief into purpose: Woman and local org look to end stigma around discussing suicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a woman from Boston has made it her mission to help people who are struggling.Samantha Joseph was devastated when her aunt Gail died by suicide.“She was a giant – everything she did really had magic.” she told 7NEWS. “Losing her to suicide was so painful.”A publicist and comedy division manager who worked with the cast of “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” Gail Joseph was a titan in the comedy business and also very close to her niece when she died in Nov. 1999 at age 39.For years, Samantha searched for answers.“Really trying to piece together as much information as I could about what might have happened or how much pain she was in that we really didn’t understand,” she explained.She said the journey to healing has been a long one and took her all across the U.S.“The ‘why?’ haunted me for many years. It took me to California to meet her friends – to t...

The world’s most expensive, cheapest passports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Australia is the most expensive country in the world when it comes to passport fees in 2023.Expat insurance provider William Russell recently analyzed the costs of identification and travel documents across the globe to reveal which countries’ documents are the most expensive and cheapest to secure.At a total cost of $230, Australia’s travel document is by far the most expensive. What’s more, Australia charges the most for a student visa with an average fee of $452.Australia is followed by Mexico at $170. Switzerland ($140) and Italy ($135) aren’t far behind, narrowly edging out the United States. At a total cost of $130, the U.S. is the fifth-most expensive country when it comes to passport fees. The U.S. also charges the most for a tourist visa at an average fee of $127.It’s worth pointing out that the country charging the least for a student visa is Mexico, with an average fee of $36.On the other end of the spectrum, a Czech Republic passport costs j...

4 questions ahead of Jets OTA practices this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Monday marked the beginning of voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) for 20 teams, including the Jets.Although Gang Green has been participating in on-field work since last month, the OTA portion of the offseason will be a bit different. Phase Three of the offseason will allow the Jets to get on the field for non-contact practices.That will consist of three weeks of practices without full pads. However, teams can have 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills without contact. The Jets will also hold mandatory minicamps from June 13-15 before having a five-week break before the start of training camp near the end of July.The media will have availability access during four OTA practices beginning on Tuesday. Here are the four areas worth watching during the next few weeks.How does Rodgers look in his new neighborhood?With the addition of Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have been projected not only to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but possibly to contend for the Super Bowl.Of course, ...

Interest rates on federal student loans to be highest in decade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

College will cost more for students borrowing during the 2023-24 academic year as federal student loan interest rates climb to heights not seen in a decade or longer.As of July 1, undergraduates who take out new direct federal student loans will see interest rates rise to 5.50%, the Education Department’s Federal Student Aid office said Tuesday — up from 4.99% in the 2022-23 academic year and 3.73% in 2021-22.Interest rates on graduate direct loans, available to graduate and professional students, will rise to 7.05% from 6.54% the year prior. PLUS loans, which parents and grad students can use to fill in education funding gaps, will jump to 8.05% from 7.54%. Here are the higher 2023-24 rates for each type of federal student loan, compared with the 2022-23 academic year:Undergraduate direct loans: 5.50%, up from 4.99%.Graduate direct loans: 7.05%, up from 6.54%.PLUS loans: 8.05%, up from 7.54%.Undergraduate direct student loan interest rates haven’t been this high since 2013. Interes...