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Kremlin critic Navalny expects a lengthy prison term as court readies his extremism trial verdict

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

MELEKHOVO, Russia (AP) — Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is preparing to hear the verdict Friday in his latest trial on extremism charges. The prosecution has demanded a 20-year prison sentence, and the politician himself said he expects to receive a lengthy term. If the court finds Navalny guilty, it would be his fifth criminal conviction, all of which his supporters see as a deliberate Kremlin strategy to silence its most ardent opponent. Navalny is already serving a nine-year sentence for fraud and contempt of court. He also was sentenced in 2021 to two and a half years in prison for a parole violation. The extremism trial has taken place behind closed doors in the penal colony east of Moscow where he is imprisoned. The 47-year-old Navalny is President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest foe and has exposed official corruption and organized major anti-Kremlin protests. He was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agen...

Teenager charged after throwing gas on a bonfire, triggering explosion that burned 17

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin teenager has been charged with triggering a bonfire explosion that injured more than a dozen people. Prosecutors in northeastern Wisconsin’s Shawano County charged Sam Armstrong, 18, on Thursday with 13 counts of injury by negligent handling of explosives or fire in connection with the Oct. 14 explosion outside the community of Pulaski, WLUK-TV reported.Armstrong was attending the bonfire with other teenagers when he threw a barrel containing a gasoline-diesel mix into the fire, sparking an explosion that burned at least 17 people, according to the criminal complaint.Armstrong, who was 17 at the time, later told police he didn’t know his actions would cause an explosion and injure anyone, according to the complaint. He told investigators he had been drinking beer.Armstrong waived his preliminary hearing Thursday. Judge William Kussel set a $100,000 signature bond, and Armstrong is due back in court Sept. 13 for an arraignment.Greg Petit, ...

Telus announces 6,000-person layoff, reports 61% drop in Q2 net income

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

VANCOUVER — Telus Corp. says it is cutting 6,000 jobs. The Vancouver-based telecommunications company said the reduction announced Friday includes 4,000 workers at its main Telus business and another 2,000 at Telus International.The cuts were made with “a very heavy heart” and prompted by the “evolving regulatory, competitive and macroeconomic environment,” Darren Entwistle, the company’s president and chief executive, said. “Against the backdrop of rapid transformation in our industry and the ways in which our customers want to engage with us, today we are announcing a significant investment in an extensive efficiency and effectiveness initiative across Telus,” he said in a news release.He added that Telus will also offer early retirement and voluntary departure packages.The company had 108,500 workers at the end of last year, financial markets data firm Refinitiv said.Telus’ plans to reduce its workforce were announced at the same time as ...

College Board shelves AP psychology class in Florida over guidance on gender content

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

The College Board says schools in Florida should not offer its Advanced Placement course in psychology to students, citing guidance from state officials to exclude content on sexual orientation and gender identity.The call to shelve the course marks the College Board’s latest clash with the administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has pushed to regulate how schools deal with subjects such as race and gender.“We are sad to have learned that today the Florida Department of Education has effectively banned AP Psychology in the state by instructing Florida superintendents that teaching foundational content on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal under state law,” the College Board said in a statement Thursday.Florida’s Department of Education rejected the assertion that it had banned the course.“The course remains listed in Florida’s Course Code Directory for the 2023-24 school year. We encourage the College Board to stop playing games with Florid...

'Asking for prayers': Steve McMichael admitted to ICU amid ALS battle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — Bears legend Steve McMichael was admitted to the ICU Thursday night for sepsis amid his ALS battle.According to a statement from family, "like the tough warrior he is" McMichael is now awake after being admitted to the hospital unconscious.In Jan. 2021, McMichael was diagnosed with ALS and the Bears community and beyond has stood by his side in support.Last month, WGN's Larry Hawley spent time with McMichael and his wife Misty at their Homer Glen home.His wife said "Mongo" still has "a lot of personality in there.""He flirts with me, he does with his eyebrows,” Misty said. “He can be mad, too. Sometimes we’ll give him too much drugs and he’ll give us the ‘bulldog’ to let us know he’s had too much."Misty is asking for prayers.“He needs to see himself enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Please pray for him to get through this,” Misty said.McMichael was recently named one of the 12 players in the Seniors category that have moved on to the next round of voting for the Hall...

Two die days after apartment building fire on NW side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two people who were in critical condition after an apartment building fire Monday have succumbed to their injuries. The medical examiner's office identified the victims as 45-year-old Ismael Romano and 63-year-old Margarita Romano. The fire started on the third floor of an apartment building located in the 2100 block of North Marmora Street around 5:00 a.m. Boy, 15, injured after drive-by in Roseland Fire officials said smoke detectors were working because one resident heard the alarm go off. The male resident was able to get most tenants out, while suffering from smoke inhalation.Firefighters had to rescue people from inside the building. One person was found collapsed on the floor and another was found in bed.Both individuals were taken to area hospitals in critical condition and suffered cardiac arrest. They were able to be revived but eventually succumbed to their injuries. The third person is still in fair condition. CFD is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Sarah Jindra's last day on WGN Morning News

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Today is WGN Traffic Reporter Sarah Jindra's last day on WGN Morning News.Don't worry, she's not leaving the station! Sarah will be the co-host of the new Spotlight Chicago show, alongside Ji Suk Yi, at 3 p.m. starting in September. WGN-TV names Sarah Jindra and Ji Suk Yi to host afternoon show Spotlight Chicago this fall In honor of her last show, the WGN News team celebrated Sarah all morning long with surprises and special guests! She will be missed and we wish her the best on her next chapter. Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Bears, DE Yannick Ngakoue agree on 1-year, $10.5 million contract

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

Veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue has agreed with the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press on Thursday night.Ngakoue, a Pro Bowl pick in 2017 with the Jaguars, bolsters the league’s worst pass rush. The Bears had only 20 sacks in 2022. Ngakoue had 9 1/2 sacks last season for the Colts and 10 in 2021 for the Raiders.Ngakoue, who joins his fifth team in four years, has had at least eight sacks in each of his first seven seasons. More Bears coverage A third-round pick in 2016, Ngakoue has 65 sacks and 21 forced fumbles in his career.ESPN first reported the deal between Ngakoue and the Bears.

Boy, 15, injured after drive-by in Roseland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 15-year-old boy is in fair condition after he was shot in Roseland early Friday morning. According to police, the boy was walking near the 100 block of West 111th Street around 5:06 a.m. when someone in an unknown vehicle opened fire. 5-year-old girl dies after being struck by starting gate at harness race The boy sustained a gunshot wound to the right arm and abdomen and was dropped off at Roseland Hospital before being transported to University of Chicago Medical Center. He is in fair condition.There were no other injuries reported and there is no one in custody at this time. Police are investigating the incident.

Expelled Tennessee lawmakers win back state House seats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:25 GMT

(The Hill) – The two Tennessee House members expelled in April over a gun control protest have won back their seats.Reps. Justin Jones (D) and Justin Pearson (D) defeated their special election rivals on Thursday and will fully rejoin the state legislature.Jones defeated Laura Nelson (R) in the House District 52 race, encompassing much of eastern Nashville. Jones had received about 80% of the vote as of 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the Associated Press.Pearson defeated Jeff Johnston (Indep.) in House District 86 in Memphis, winning about 93% of the vote. UFO-curious lawmakers brace for a fight over government secrets Jones and Pearson were two of three House lawmakers who interrupted proceedings for a gun control protest following a mass shooting at a Nashville elementary school in April. The pair, both of whom are Black, were expelled from the legislature while Rep. Gloria Johnson (D), who is white, was not.The protest gained national attention after Jones and Pearson were expel...