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Justice Department ends probe into police beating of man during traffic stop in Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its review of the case of a drug suspect who was repeatedly punched, elbowed and kneed by police officers during a traffic stop in northeast Florida, officials said Friday.James Felte Jr., Justice Department criminal section chief, wrote in a letter to Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters that the arrest of Le’Keian Woods does not give rise to a prosecutable violation of federal civil rights laws.Attorneys for Woods had asked for the federal investigation shortly after his Sept. 29 arrest.“While it is unfortunate that the DOJ’s Special Litigation Section has chosen to close its review so quickly despite the clear evidence before them, it is not surprising,” attorney Harry Daniels said in a statement. “At the end of the day, that’s why we have the civil courts where a jury will ultimately decide justice.”Woods suffered a ruptured kidney, vomiting and migraine headaches following the confrontation, his attorneys said. Mug...

Panama president signs into law a moratorium on new mining concessions. A Canadian mine is untouched

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama’s President, Laurentino Cortizo, signed into law an indefinite moratorium on new mining concessions Friday. The law also prohibits renewing existing concessions. Panama’s National Assembly approved the bill Thursday. An article was removed, however, that would have revoked a controversial mining contract that sparked nationwide protests over the past two weeks. The new law will still allow Minera Panama to operate an open-pit copper mine in the state of Colon for 20 years, with a possible extension for another 20 years. Environmentalists argue the mine threatens to destroy more of the dense jungle surrounding it and imperils local drinking water.Minera Panama is a local subsidiary of Canadian mining company First Quantum.Some lawyers welcomed the decision, warning that revoking that contract could have left the government open to multi-million-dollar legal liabilities. However, experts said those could be avoided if the country’s Supreme Court rules the ori...

Culture Change: Urban Alchemy aims to end homelessness in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fight to end homelessness in Austin has led to a number of organizations banding together.Some small organizations, other larger with more resources, but the ultimate goal is to get people off the streets and into permanent housing.One of the newest organizations to help combat homelessness in Austin is Urban Alchemy, which moved into the Arch space in downtown Austin."Nobody can drive by here and say they don't see a difference," said Kirckpatrick Tyler with Urban Alchemy.Tyler said when they took over the space, which used to be run by Front Steps, they wanted to change the culture surrounding the space."First we just began to engage people that were around and tried to figure out who is here because they need support and who is here because they are praying on people who need support," said Tyler.He says changing the culture was step one, then they made moves to make the space more inviting so clients would trust them.They opened up the common area and turned...

Alamo Cenotaph under 'Structural Integrity Investigation'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A "Structural Integrity Investigation" of the nearly 85-year-old Alamo Cenotaph will be conducted by the Alamo Trust, Inc. beginning in early November, according to a news release from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham's office.When Buckingham was a state senator, she led a legal challenge to keep the Cenotaph in its place and passed legislation to protect Texas' historical monuments.“This investigation is needed to make educated decisions to fortify the Cenotaph’s foundational integrity. The General Land Office is committed to the transparency of this investigation through open communication and public engagement throughout the entire process," Buckingham said in the release.For the better part of a decade, the state and the city of San Antonio have worked on a major project to restore the Alamo and surrounding plaza to a more historically accurate site. The placement of the Cenotaph, and potentially moving the monument, has been a source of debate.For more h...

Mckenna Wucherer, Taylor Landfair lift Gophers volleyball over Ohio State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

Mckenna Wucherer and Taylor Landfair finished with double-doubles to lead the Gophers volleyball team to a four-set victory over Ohio State on Friday, winning the Big Ten match 25-21, 14-25, 25-22, 25-18 at Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio.The victory improved Minnesota’s record to 11-10 overall and 7-6 in the Big Ten with seven regular-season matches to go. The Gophers have won seven straight matches at Ohio State.Wucherer had 16 kills and 10 digs, and Landfair had 14 kills and 11 digs for the Gophers. Lydia Grote added six kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Kylie Murr had 17 digs, and Phoebe Awoleyeh added seven blocks. Melani Shaffmaster finished with 31 assists, 10 digs and five blocks in the Gophers’ balanced attack.Landfair passed 1,000 career kills with her fifth kill of the match. She now has 1,009 in her career at Minnesota.As a team, Minnesota hit .195 with 44 kills, 12 blocks, 60 digs and eight aces, while Ohio State hit .133 with 48 kills, five ...

A college hockey star is a common Blues scratch. Why?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS - As the St. Louis Blues navigate through a tough start to the new season, one youngster has been noticeably absent from the lineup more times than not.Defenseman Scott Perunovich won the Hobey Baker Award in 2020, an honor bestowed to college hockey's top player each year. Drafted by the Blues in 2018, Perunovich shined in three seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and, at times, has drawn comparisons to former captain Alex Pietrangelo through his balanced approach. Perunovich made his NHL debut in 2021, but he hasn't had the chance to play much at the top level. He's been a bit unlucky, missing several months of action due to wrist and elbow surgeries. That said, the 25-year-old defenseman has a clean bill of health this year and even maintained rookie eligibility heading into the 2023-24 campaign. After this weekend, the Blues will have completed ten games in the young season. Perunovich has only played twice, and he served as a healthy scratch for each of th...

Several items stolen from CU Buffs locker room at Rose Bowl returned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

Several items stolen from the Colorado Buffaloes locker room during a football game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl have been returned to players, according to city officials in Pasadena, California.At least five players had their jewelry or other valuables stolen during the Sept. 28 match-up against the Bruins, which Colorado lost 28-16.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Keeler: Deion Sanders, what are you thinking? Pencil Pat Shurmur won’t fix what ails CU Buffs offense, Coach Prime College Sports | CU Buffs vs. Oregon State Beavers football: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions College Sports | Kiszla: Sorry, Coach Prime. But the real football miracle worker in Colorado is Troy Calhoun. College Sports | Football: Colorado Buffaloes preparing for physical contest with Oregon State College Sports | Keeler: Deion Sanders’ son Shilo Sanders is hurting CU Buffs more than opponents by trying fo...

CU Buffs look to get back on track against No. 16 Oregon State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

Game at a GlanceMatchup: No. 16 Oregon State Beavers at Colorado BuffaloesKickoff:  8 p.m. MTWhere: Folsom Field in BoulderCapacity: 50,183. Playing surface: Grass.TV: ESPNRadio: KOA (850 AM)Odds: Oregon State by 13Series: Oregon State leads 7-6Before wrapping up a postgame press conference at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., last week, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was asked if he anticipated going through the difficult time the Buffaloes are enduring right now.Related Articles CSU Rams vs. Wyoming football: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions Football: Colorado Buffaloes preparing for physical contest with Oregon State Welcome to Denver’s Rivalry Weekend: Bronze Boot, Gold Pan, Commander in Chief trophies all up for grabs Kiszla: Sorry, Coach Prime. But the real football miracle worker in Colorado is Troy Calhoun. CU Buffs notes: Trevor Woods embracing switch to linebacker The 28-...

LBPD expands public safety resources amid rising crime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

The Long Beach Police Department is taking action to address crime and enhance public safety in the community amid increasing crime incidents in the downtown area.On Friday, the organization announced that it launched a plan to “reallocate Police Department resources in order to supplement current proactive and preventive patrol measures in the South Division area.” “Reducing crime and enhancing safety throughout our entire city remains a top priority for the Long Beach Police Department." said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "Our police officers and professional staff have worked tirelessly, made numerous scheduling adjustments, and responded to a variety of department needs in order to help keep our community safe.”LBPD will increase its security presence by deploying additional officers from several different safety units including the Neighborhood Safety Bike Team, Quality of Life Team, Motor officers, as well as Drug Investigations detectives, crime analysts, and a public i...

California launches guaranteed income pilot programs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:37 GMT

California launched its first-ever state-funded guaranteed income pilot programs on Friday.The programs will serve Ventura and San Francisco counties, providing $1,000-$1,200 per month to 150 former foster youth.The pilot programs served through the Department of Social Services, will provide “unconditional, individual, regular cash payments intended to disrupt poverty, advance equity, and support the basic needs of recipients,” state officials said.“Guaranteed income programs help level the playing field and will give these former foster youth the support and resources they need to pursue their California dream,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.The Ventura County Human Services Agency was awarded $1,538,758 and will provide recipients with $1,000 per month for 18 months.The City and County of San Francisco were awarded $3,439,090 and will provide recipients with $1,200 per month for 18 months.Officials said the former foster youth recipients who will benefit have already been identified...