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Compromise on long-delayed state budget could be finalized this week, top Virginia lawmakers say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A compromise deal on a state budget is likely to be reached in the next few days, a bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers who have been leading this year’s drawn-out negotiations said Wednesday. “I’m quite sure we’re going to have a deal,” said Democratic Sen. Janet Howell. “Probably by the end of this week.”Her Republican counterpart, Del. Barry Knight, agreed. “We’re all working as hard as we can on that. Nobody’s stalling anybody,” he said.Knight, Howell and Howell’s Senate Finance and Appropriations co-chair, George Barker, spoke with reporters after a joint meeting of their respective committees in Richmond. They declined to share the framework of the potential agreement or discuss the remaining sticking points in detail but insisted a deal was imminent. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signaled that he’s open to a compromise plan that would include one-time taxpayer rebates but not the permanent tax cuts he’s b...

Urban Outfitters, Apellis rise; Foot Locker, Peloton Interactive fall, Wednesday, 8/23/2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that are trading heavily or have substantial price changes Wednesday:Foot Locker Inc. (FL), down $7.07 to $16.13.The footwear and clothing retailer slashed its earnings and sales forecast for the year.Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP), down 23 cents to $67.11.The auto parts retailer said Shane O’Kelly will succeed Tom Greco as CEO in September.Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), up 71 cents to $34.80.The clothing and accessories retailer reported strong second-quarter financial results.Peloton Interactive Inc. (PTON), down $1.68 to $5.31.The exercise bike and treadmill company gave investors a weak sales forecast for the current quarter.Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (APLS), up $9.64 to $40.40.The biopharmaceutical company gave investors an encouraging update on rare safety issues with its eye condition treatment Syfovre.Driven Brands Holdings Inc. (DRVN), up 42 cents to $14.78.The automotive services company announced a $50 million stock buyback plan.Abercrombie & Fi...

Chiefs’ Andy Reid: ‘no communication’ with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones amid holdout

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday there has been no communication with Chris Jones, one day after the All-Pro defensive tackle indicated on social media that his contract holdout could stretch well into the regular season.Jones is entering the final year of a four-year, $80 million deal. The Chiefs had been talking with his representatives about a long-term contract, but those negotiations have seemingly grown more contentious as the sides dig in, and with their Super Bowl title defense beginning in a little more than two weeks against the Lions.“There’s been no communication so I don’t know what’s going to happen there,” Reid said after the last practice open to reporters before the Chiefs’ preseason finale Saturday against the Browns. “The game goes on. That’s how it works.”Jones posted a photograph of a chalkboard on social media Tuesday with the message, “If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind...

Disney World workers criticize DeSantis appointees’ decision to eliminate free passes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

Employees of Walt Disney World’s governing district on Wednesday confronted new board members appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis over a decision to eliminate their access to free passes and discounts to the theme park resort, saying it makes park visits unaffordable. During a monthly board meeting, several current and former district firefighters spoke emotionally about how the free passes to Disney parks were a benefit for them and their families that played a major role in their decision to work for the 56-year-old district, which provides municipal services like mosquito control, drainage, wastewater treatment, planning and firefighting to Disney World.“The removal of this benefit takes away, for some, their entire reason for working here,” said firefighter Pete Simon. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District earlier this week said that $2.5 million in season passes and discounts on hotels, merchandise, food and beverages that their Disney-supporting predecessors provided the d...

DC’s Medium Rare restaurant begins nationwide expansion — with focus on NFL cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

Medium Rare co-owner Mark Bucher said the expansion plans are focused specifically on cities with professional football teams. (Courtesy Medium Rare) Medium Rare co-owner Mark Bucher said the expansion plans are focused specifically on cities with professional football teams. (Courtesy Medium Rare) Prix fixe steak frites restaurant Medium Rare has opened its first location outside of the D.C. area, in New Orleans — and it is the first of several restaurants planned for what could be dozens of national locations.The Big Easy outpost is in Uptown at 5538 Magazine Street. It is open nightly for dinner and brunch on weekends.Medium Rare co-owner Mark Bucher said the expansion plans are focused specifically on cities w...

George Washington University begins process of arming some campus police officers amid controversy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

George Washington University in D.C. will officially move forward with the process of arming campus police officers, the school announced Monday.According to a university news release, GW Police Department executive supervisory officers Chief James Tate and Captain Gabe Mullinax will be armed in the coming weeks — “the first of a multi-phase implementation process.”Rising gun violence rates nationwide and the need for campus police to respond quickly to “life-threatening emergencies” are factors driving the policy, the release said.After the university’s Board of Trustees directed administrators to equip specially trained GWPD officers with firearms in April, school leadership started to seek community feedback on how to best implement the measure.The news release said officials met with student groups, faculty, staff and other campus stakeholders throughout the spring semester to get community input on the matter. Over the summer, comments submitted th...

Former Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson moving from Chip Ganassi Racing to Andretti Autosport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former Indianapolis 500 champion Marcus Ericsson is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing and moving to Andretti Autosport after this season.Andretti Autosport made the announcement Wednesday, adding Ericsson to a lineup that features Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood. Ericsson is in the final year of his contract at Ganassi and seemed eager to land a paying ride instead of bringing his only sponsorship to a team.Ericsson has four victories in 77 career IndyCar starts, including last year’s Indy 500 and this year’s season opener. He also finished runner-up at Indy in May.“Like everyone else, we have paid close attention to Marcus’ success in the NTT IndyCar Series and have been impressed with how quickly he proved that he belonged with the frontrunners in what is arguably the most competitive IndyCar field ever,” said Michael Andretti, CEO at Andretti Autosport. “It’s no secret that we want to win races and championships and to do that we need drivers like M...

Hallan en Baltimore a adolescente que habría sido víctima de “grooming”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

Una adolescente de 15 años que desapareció en el condado Montgomery, Maryland, fue encontrada en un centro comercial de Baltimore el martes, seis semanas después de su desaparición, informaron las autoridades.La joven fue “reconocido por un empleado del centro comercial”, quien se comunicó con seguridad el martes por la tarde, dijo la policía del condado Montgomery. Luego, la seguridad del centro comercial contactó a la policía y ella se reunió con su familia.La menor salió de su casa en North Bethesda el 11 de julio. Sus padres le dijeron a nuestra cadena hermana News4 a principios de este mes que temían que alguien que conoció en las redes sociales la hubiera atraído fuera de su casa.“Creemos que alguien la atrajo en línea, y tenemos evidencia de eso en las redes sociales”, indicó su madre. “Y eso, sí, ella se fue, puede haber sido voluntariamente, pero ahora ha sido secuestrada o está en algún lugar donde no creemos que tenga el control de su situación”.La adolescente...

Accused King Soopers shooter found competent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The man accused of a mass shooting inside a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder has been found competent.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is charged with 115 counts in the March 2021 shooting that killed 10 people, including a responding police officer. Full coverage: Boulder grocery store shooting Alissa was being held at a state mental health facility, but prosecutors accused him of feigning his condition to avoid trial.On Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Human Services announced a determination that he did not have a mental or developmental disability that prevented him from working with his lawyer.“Our office will continue fighting for justice in this case," 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in an emailed statement.Dougherty's office said it has contacted the court asking them to make a judicial finding following CDHS's report and begin the trial process as soon as practical.Families of the victims have been notified about this finding, accor...

Gunfire in Pittsburgh prompts evacuations, draws large police response

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:39:44 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities evacuated neighbors from a Pittsburgh neighborhood on Wednesday after someone reportedly facing eviction began firing from inside a home, with witnesses saying they heard what sounded like hundreds of shots fired.The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office said its people were trying to serve the eviction notice when the occupant began firing in the city's Garfield neighborhood. Witnesses reported that hours into the siege, more gunfire erupted after what sounded like hundreds of shots earlier.A sergeant leading the eviction notice detail suffered an injury unrelated to gunfire and is doing OK, sheriff's office spokesman Mike Manko said.A state police spokesperson said drones were being used. A large number of police and other first responders were at the scene.The shooting occurred a few blocks from a children’s hospital.