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Rep. Gabe Amo, the first Black representative from Rhode Island in Congress, is sworn into office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — New Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo, the first Black representative from Rhode Island in Congress, was sworn into office Monday.Amo, a Democrat, won a special election in November to replace Democratic Rep. David Cicilline, who stepped down this summer to lead a nonprofit foundation.The House chamber burst into applause as Speaker Mike Johnson swore in the new lawmaker.The son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, Amo worked most recently as a senior adviser to President Joe Biden. He previously worked in state government and in the Obama White House.The Associated Press

Canadian feared taken hostage in Hamas attack dead, reports say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

There are multiple reports that a Canadian peace activist believed to have been taken hostage during the Hamas attack in Israel five weeks ago is dead.CBC is quoting Vivian Silver’s son as saying the remains of the 74-year-old woman had been found in the kibbutz where she lived but were only identified now.Israel’s consul general in Toronto, Idit Shamir, says on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Silver has been confirmed dead.Women Wage Peace, an organization Silver worked with, also confirmed her death on X.More coming.

CP NewsAlert: Canadian feared taken hostage in Hamas attack dead, reports say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

OTTAWA — There are multiple reports that a Canadian peace activist believed to have been taken hostage during the Hamas attack in Israel five weeks ago is dead.CBC is quoting Vivian Silver’s son as saying the remains of the 74-year-old woman had been found in the kibbutz where she lived but were only identified now.Israel’s consul general in Toronto, Idit Shamir, says on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Silver has been confirmed dead.Women Wage Peace, an organization Silver worked with, also confirmed her death on X.More coming.The Canadian Press

Defense digs into Manuel Ellis’ drug use at trial of Washington officers accused in man’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A lawyer for one of three Washington police officers charged in the death of Manuel Ellis — a 33-year-old Black man who was punched, shocked with a Taser, then put in a chokehold and held face-down as he pleaded for breath — urged jurors Monday to focus on Ellis’ drug use and prior arrests.The opening statement from Casey Arbenz, an attorney representing Tacoma officer Matthew Collins, came seven weeks into the trial, after prosecutors rested their case last Thursday. Collins and Officer Christopher Burbank face second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, while Officer Timothy Rankine is charged with manslaughter in Ellis’ death in Tacoma on March 3, 2020.Three witnesses have testified that they saw Collins and Burbank attack Ellis as he walked past their vehicle, and two of them recorded cell phone video of the struggle. But Arbenz highlighted two previous arrests — in 2015 and 2019 — when Ellis was under the influence of methamphetamine, suggest...

2 men released from custody after initial arrest in the death of a Mississippi college student

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Two men who were arrested and charged in the death of a college student in Mississippi have been released from custody. Joshua Brown, 19, was released Friday from the Hinds County Detention Center after initially being held on a murder charge in the killing of 21-year-old Jaylen Burns, a student at Jackson State University. Surveillance footage obtained by WLBT-TV appeared to show Brown out of town when Burns was shot and killed. Then on Monday, Jamison Kelly Jr., who was arrested on suspicion of accessory to murder after the fact, was released from jail after Hinds County Judge James Bell said there wasn’t enough probable cause to charge him. “He was on the ground when the shots took place. We don’t have evidence that Kelly knew (someone) with him picked up a gun or fired a gun, or evidence that (the shot) that hit Mr. Burns,” the news station reported Bell saying. “It fails to meet the minimum standard.”Jerry Campbell, Kelly’s attorney said the charges ...

'He was a light of sunshine': Chicago firefighter dies after battling fire in Lincoln Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A procession was held on Monday afternoon for a Chicago firefighter who died after battling a blaze that broke out at a tavern in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood on Monday morning. Fire officials confirmed his death in a post on X on Monday morning and said in part: "On behalf of the Fire Commissioner, it is my sad duty to report the passing of our member injured this morning at 2430 Lincoln.The firefighter, who has been identified as 39-year-old Andrew Price, joined the department in March 2009 and was assigned to Truck 44 in 2015.  FDA approves first vaccine for mosquito-borne disease — and more Price, who would have turned 40 in January, was known as "Drew" by co-workers who described him as a health nut who loved his job. Fire officials say the blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. in the kitchen of the Lincoln Station Bar and Grill in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue."Our apartment was filled with smoke and we heard the alarms going off," Ka...

Evanston city council tables vote on Northwestern University stadium project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Leaders in Evanston are expected have tabled a final vo te on a proposal to build a new Northwestern football stadium.The council tabled the vote, which was expected to happen Monday evening, until a special city council meeting on Nov. 20. This comes after getting more information about a new deal from the university.Northwestern University is proposing to tear down Ryan Field, the 97-year-old stadium that looms over an upscale residential neighborhood, and replace it with a privately funded $800 million facility that the university envisions as a venue for concerts and other events.The university originally requested a zoning amendment allowing for 15 concerts, but in the face of opposition, it dropped that number to six, which authorities told the commission is the minimum number it needs to bring in the revenue to sustain the stadium’s operations. More: Evanston residents protest Ryan Field renovations for 2nd straight day Some residents are concerne...

'Love Has Won': New HBO series to highlight cult headquartered in Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — HBO is releasing a docuseries on Monday that dives into the world of the Love Has Won cult in Saguache County, Colorado."Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God," will be released on the streaming platform on Nov. 13 at 9 p.m.According to HBO, the docuseries will chronicle the life and death of Amy Carlson, also known as Mother God. Carlson is described as a self-proclaimed spiritual savior who built a cult through her online manifestos and live-streaming sessions. Colorado professor breaks down cult behavior following ‘Love Has Won’ arrests The three-part docuseries is told through the eyes of Carlson's Love Has Won devotees and archival footage. Love Has Won Colorado connectionLove Has Won has been described as a cult by former members. Crestone in Saguache County would become the headquarters for Carlson's new group. According to her estranged son Cole Carlson, she left him when he was 10 years old to become the leader of Love Has Won.Carlson would produce daily vi...

Faith leaders join Johnson in call for patience amid Chicago's migrant relief efforts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

CHICAGO — As a sense of urgency grows, with winter fast approaching, Chicago’s mayor says he is looking to shore up support with influential pastors as the city efforts migrant relief.On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged the concern.SEE ALSO: CPD officers helps migrant kids write new stories with donated books “We hear the frustrations. We hear the concerns. And getting to the other side of this is going to take all of us,” Johnson said.  Amid scores of protests across the city, some locals oppose the construction of migrant shelters in their neighborhoods. Moreover, many have expressed to WGN News that they feel the city has left them behind. "The pain and frustration that the people of Chicago, particularly Black Chicago, are experiencing, I recognize that," Johnson said. Addressing the latest concerns at the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God in Bronzeville, Johnson was joined by Bishop Simon Gordon with the Triedstone Church of Chicago. Gordon asked Chic...

Anticipation builds as residents debate the pros and cons of F1 in Las Vegas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:52 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As Formula One fans begin filtering into the Las Vegas valley ahead of Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix, many are asking where the crowds will park as the race takes over The Strip.One of those with parking at the forefront of his mind is Yves Barroukh, who is visiting Vegas from Miami."I know exactly what's about to happen," Barroukh said. "It's going to be a mess." Electric air taxi flight takes off from NYC heliport Barroukh, familiar with the pros and cons of an F1 race, suggests Las Vegas locals give the race a chance, adding that the first year of any Formula One event can be "a toss-up.""This is what happened in Miami and then they get much better the next year," Barroukh said.He isn't the only one with that perception as standard parking options along the Las Vegas Strip tighten their rules. For instance, Fashion Show Las Vegas, usually a source of free parking, will be charging anywhere from $40 to $75 during the F1 event unless validated with purch...