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IRS agent alleges Hunter Biden probe is being mishandled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — An IRS special agent is seeking whistleblower protection to disclose information about what the agent alleges is mishandling of an investigation into President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, according to a letter sent to members of Congress. Mark Lytle, the attorney for the IRS whistleblower, wrote to lawmakers Wednesday that his client has information about a “failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate disposition” of a criminal investigation related to the younger Biden’s taxes and whether he made a false statement in connection with a gun purchase. “Despite serious risks of retaliation, my client is offering to provide you with information necessary to exercise your constitutional oversight function and wishes to make the disclosures in a nonpartisan manner to the leadership of the relevant committees on both sides of the political aisle,” Lytle said in a letter, obtained by The Associated Press, that was sent to the chairm...

India military: 5 soldiers killed in rebel ambush in Kashmir

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Five Indian army soldiers were killed on Thursday when rebels fighting against Indian rule ambushed a military vehicle in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the military said.Militants attacked the army vehicle with gunfire in the southern Rajouri sector near the highly militarized Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, a military statement said. It said five soldiers died in the attack and another was seriously injured.The statement said the “unidentified terrorists” took “advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area.”“The vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists,” it added.There was no independent confirmation of the incident.Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir’s independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan.Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal o...

House passes trans athlete ban for girls and women's teams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House passed a bill Thursday that would bar federally supported schools and colleges from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male to compete on girls or women's sports teams.The legislation approved by a 219-203 vote is unlikely to advance further because the Democratic-led Senate will not support it and the White House said President Joe Biden would veto it. Supporters said the legislation, which would put violators at risk of losing taxpayer dollars, is necessary to ensure competitive fairness. They framed the vote as supporting female athletes disadvantaged by having to compete against those whose gender identify does not match their sex assigned at birth. Opponents criticized the bill as ostracizing an already vulnerable group for political gain. The House action comes as at least 20 other states have imposed similar limits on trans athletes at the K-12 or collegiate level.The bill would amend landmark ci...

Chicago launches youth summer jobs, activities program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

CHICAGO — With the end of the school year just weeks away, city leaders are looking to help Chicago's youth stay busy through the summer.Thursday the Department of Family Support and Services (DFSS), Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and community partners joined Chicago Public Schools (CPS) "to announce opportunities for Chicago’s youth and officially kick off the City of Chicago’s summer programming," according to a CPS press release. SpaceX giant rocket explodes minutes after launch from Texas Employment and enrichment opportunities for Chicagoans ages 14-24 are already posted through the One Summer Chicago and "My CHI. My Future" websites. There are also summer programs in place for kids as young as preschool.This story will be updated, check back later for additional details.

Girl, 6, shot after basketball rolls into neighbor's yard in North Carolina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

GASTONIA, N.C. (WJZY) - A manhunt is underway in North Carolina for a man accused of shooting his neighbors, one of whom is a 6-year-old girl.Robert Louis Singletary, 24, is believed to be responsible for shooting and injuring several people around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Gaston County Police Department. He should be considered "armed and dangerous," the department said.(Photo courtesy of the White family)The mother of the 6-year-old victim told Nexstar's WJZY that the suspect started shooting after a child walked into his yard to retrieve a basketball that a group of kids had been playing with nearby."I heard the 'pow, pow, pow, pow,' and I thought it was fireworks," said Ashley Hilderbrand, the mother of a shooting victim. "Then I heard the 'pow, pow, pow,' and everybody started yelling, 'Get in the house!'"Hilderbrand's daughter Kinsley White was struck in the cheek, and White's father William was shot multiple times."And when [William] went to the ground, the guy con...

Sales tax holiday this weekend for emergency preparation supplies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you need to purchase supplies for emergency preparation, this weekend is a good time to do so. Saturday and Sunday are the 2023 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, meaning some items will be exempt from taxes. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 24.The following items are eligible for tax exemption: Less than $3000Portable generators.Less than $300Emergency ladders.Hurricane shutters.Less than $75Axes.Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt).Can openers - nonelectric.Carbon monoxide detectors.Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric.Fire extinguishers.First aid kits.Fuel containers.Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits.Hatchets.Ice products - reusable and artificial.Light sources - p...

Timberwolves ran a lot of pick and rolls in Game 2, and it worked

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

DENVER — Anthony Edwards went off to the tune of 41 points. Rudy Gobert was a legitimate offensive impactor, scoring 19 points on just 11 shot attempts. The Timberwolves shot 51 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point range.Minnesota’s Game 2 offense Tuesday was efficient and effective in every respect.“I definitely much preferred the rhythm and the preface of our offense (Wednesday) than I did (in Game 1 on Sunday),” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “So I thought that was a big step forward for us.”And much of that success was rooted in a pick-and-roll offense. It’s the most common NBA concept, but it isn’t something the Wolves have resorted to much during the Finch era. The coach’s rhythm-and-flow offensive philosophy is centered on “randomness” in that you can run pick and rolls, but what occurs on a possession-to-possession basis is determined by the players and what they see unfolding on the floor.But that see...

Tipster told police fatal shooting outside St. Paul Target was retaliation for killing of pregnant woman, murder charge says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

The fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man outside a St. Paul Target store was retaliation for a homicide of a pregnant woman last month, a tipster told police, according to a murder charge unsealed Thursday.Jadonn Taylor died after the shooting in the parking lot of the Target on Suburban Avenue just south of Interstate 94 on April 6 about 9:50 a.m.Taylor’s fiancée reported he’d “been acting weird since” his friend, Paul Dwayne Harris, was charged with the murder of Gabriella Dehoyos, 21, according to a new criminal complaint.  Harris is accused of shooting into a vehicle that Dehoyos, her boyfriend, another man and Dehoyos’ three young children were in.Dehoyos was in a car with a gang member from YFN, which is affiliated with St. Paul’s East Side. Harris and Taylor were associated with the Looney Land/Time For Money gang, which is connected with St. Paul’s West Side, the complaint said.Taylor was not a suspect in Dehoyos’ killing, thoug...

Ministers discuss impact of Bill C-75 on rural crime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South News“Rural crime is at a tipping point,” Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis told reporters during a rural media roundtable on April 12.Joined by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Tyler Shandro, the Ministers spoke to rural reporters about Budget 2023’s impact on safety, policing, and justice in rural communities.Budget 2023 announced $1.2 billion in annual funding to operating expenses for Public Safety and Emergency Services, $709 million for public security in 2023–24, $34 million in 2023–24, $37 million in 2024–25, and $40 million in 2025–26 for correctional services. The budget also includes $15 million in funding over two years to operate the newly created Chief Provincial Firearms Office, and $65 million over three years in funding to help strengthen First Nations policing, a portion of which will support the Blood Tribe Police Service.According to Minister Ellis, “Budget 2023 boosted funding to the Alberta Sher...

County to hold public hearing on advertising bylaw

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:26 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County is looking to formalize methods for advertising public notices in Lethbridge County and will be holding a public hearing on May 18 to hear input on the proposed bylaw.Bylaw 23-013 passed first reading during the April 6 regular meeting of Lethbridge County Council. According to the report presented to Council, the proposed bylaw “reflects current practices in County advertising and public notifications.”As per the Municipal Governance Act, a municipality must advertise certain matters in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks or mail notices directly to affected landowners. The MGA stipulates announcements may be advertised via alternative methods including electronically such as websites, emailed notices, social media, apps, notice boards or newsletters. If passed, the bylaw would allow the County to use alternative means to advertise without the requirement to use a newspaper or mailed letter, “as long as the methods used coul...