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Morale down, cronyism up after DeSantis takeover of Disney World government, ex-employees say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Morale and trust within the Walt Disney World government has deteriorated since allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took it over earlier this year, according to many employees who have departed in recent months saying the governing district has been politicized and cronyism now permeates the organization.More than 30 out of about 390 employees have left the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District since it was taken over in February, raising concerns that decades of institutional knowledge is departing with them, along with a reputation for a well-run government. “When I first joined the District, I found an organization that strived to be the very best at serving our community, sought the very best employees and valued those employees above all else,” a former facilities manager with three years of experience said in an employee exit survey last week. “I find myself leaving a completely different District. A District that prioritizes politics above all else a...

Oldest black hole discovered dating back to 470 million years after the Big Bang

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Scientists have discovered the oldest black hole yet, formed a mere 470 million years after the Big Bang. The findings, published Monday, confirm what until now were theories that supermassive black holes existed at the dawn of the universe. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory teamed up to make the observations. Given the universe is 13.7 billion years old, that puts the age of this black hole at 13.2 billion years. Even more astounding to scientists, this black hole is a whopper — 10 times bigger than the black hole in our own Milky Way. It’s believed to weigh anywhere from 10% to 100% the mass of all the stars in its galaxy. That is nowhere near the miniscule ratio of the black holes in our Milky Way and other nearby galaxies, scientists said.“It’s just really early on in the universe to be such a behemoth,” said Yale University’s Priyamvada Natarajan, who took part in the study published in Nature Ast...

A new survey of wealthy nations finds favorable views rising for the US while declining for China

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Public opinions in 24 countries — mostly rich nations — have grown more favorable of the United States than of China, according to the latest survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center.The gap in favorability of the world’s two largest economies widened after views of the U.S. rebounded since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, the report found. Favorable views of both countries fell in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, but the ratings for China remained low during the latest survey, the Pew center said, “leading to some of the largest gaps in these views we have seen in our polling.”The report, released Monday, comes as the two countries are intensely competing for global influence. President Xi Jinping wants China to be respected and trusted around the world, while Biden has made it a priority to mend relationships with U.S. allies.“This year, overall views of the United States are much more positive than views of China in most places sur...

Father of Highland Park parade shooting suspect receives jail time, probation in guilty plea agreement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

CHICAGO — The father of the accused Highland Park parade shooting suspect pleads guilty to helping his son get a FOID card, according to prosecutors. The seven counts of reckless conduct will be reduced to seven misdemeanor of reckless conduct charges with two years probation and 60 days in the Lake County Jail.The judge must consider what did the father know, when did he know it and what would a reasonable person done in that situation. Highland Park mass shooting suspect says attack staged by federal agents: Sheriff’s office The trial comes 16 months after the July 4th Highland Park parade shooting that claimed seven lives.Prosecutors will try to prove Crimo Jr. knew his son was unstable years earlier They say three years earlier, Crimo III threatened his family and said he was going to kill everyone. Prosecutors originally wanted to show video of Crimo III's seven-hour police interrogation during the trial, but the judge will only allow reading o...

Jury selection underway in Ed Burke corruption trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Jury selection is underway Monday in the federal corruption trial of Chicago's longest-serving former alderman — Ed Burke.Among the questions jurors will decide is whether Burke, 79, allegedly used his power amassed during his 54-year career representing the 14th Ward to illegally steer business toward his own law firm.Burke arrived to the Dirksen Federal Building just before 8:45 a.m. Monday and went to a courtroom on the 25th floor where jury selection is taking place.He is facing charges of racketeering, bribery and extortion. Burke's co-defendants are Peter Andrews, a longtime political aide, and Charles Cui, a real estate developer.Potential jurors are answering questions from the judge and attorneys Monday and 12 will be selected.Burke is specifically accused of withholding city permits to strong arm developers and businesses into using his private law firm — which handled tax appeals. The career of Ed Burke: Power personified It's been nearly five years since the...

Trump clashes with New York judge as fraud trial devolves into chaos: Live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

Former President Trump clashed frequently with the judge overseeing his New York fraud trial as the former president took the witness stand earlier Monday.Trump's highly-anticipated testimony grew chaotic, with the judge asking Trump's attorney to take control of his client. The former president also ticked off his political grievances from the witness stand, to which the judge responded that the court hearing was "not a political rally."The trial puts Trump's long storied career as a real estate mogul and business executive in major jeopardy. At stake are Trump's business licenses and the potential for him to lose control of some of his most famed properties. Follow below for live updates from The Hill's Ella Lee in New York.

Albany restaurant, The Delaware, sets opening date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Delaware Restaurant & Bar has set its official opening date. The restaurant will be opening for dinner on Friday, November 17. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The restaurant is in the former The Kitchen Table space at 300 Delaware Avenue in Albany. The Kitchen Table, previously known as New World Bistro Bar, permanently closed its doors in July 2022 as the owners decided to retire.The Delaware is owned by Daley Hospitality Group, who also own a catering business, Daley’s On Yates in Schenectady, Daley’s On Crooked Lake in Averill Park. The group also owns the ice cream stand The Snowman in Lansingburgh. Inside The Galway Local, the community’s new grocery store and café The head chef of The Delaware is Elliott Vogel, who is also the head chef at Daley’s on Yates. The menu includes soups, salads, pasta, oysters, ribs, beef wellington, Cornish hen, pork tenderloin, scallops, burgers, and more.Yo...

VSP: Bennington inmate stole medication from medical room

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (NEWS10) -- An inmate at the Southern State Correction Center in Springfield, Vermont, was found in possession of several controlled substances missing from the center's medical room. Louis Tobin, 36, of Bennington, was issued a citation. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Vermont State Police say a joint investigation with the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and staff members from the Vermont Department of Corrections was conducted after several missing medications were reported from a medical room. Police say the investigation found Tobin entered the medical room in the "GHI" wing of the prison after finding an unsecured door. He was then found in possession of the controlled substances.Tobin remains in custody due to existing matters not related to this charge.

Gov. Hochul launches bridge strike prevention campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a new campaign to prevent and raise awareness of bridge strikes in New York. Between 2021 and 2022, 808 bridge strikes were reported across the state. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! As part of the program, state police will be coordinating enforcement details with local commercial vehicle inspectors and patrolling areas of known bridge hits with a goal of preventing overpass collisions. In conjunction with police, the Department of Transportation will be raising awareness through social media with their "Check Your Height, Know It's Right" campaign, in an effort to remind drivers that it is their responsibility to know their vehicle height and to avoid bridges that their vehicles are too tall for. “Bridge strikes are potentially hazardous to motorists and first responders and have caused needless inconveniences for local communities – but these incidents are...

Suspect flees after chase in Troy, police searching

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:17 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Police are currently searching for a suspect in a car chase in Troy who fled their vehicle on foot near the Uncle Sam Bikeway. Police say there is no reason to believe there is any threat to the public at this point. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to New York State Police, around 8:51 Monday morning, police tried to pull over a car on State Route 40 in Easton. The car failed to comply, prompting a car chase.The pursuit ended near Northern Drive in Troy when the suspect drove their car onto the Uncle Sam Bikeway. Police say the suspect fled the moving car on foot and the car continued to roll off the bike path into a tree. Duo arrested on firearm, drug charges after Schodack traffic stop Police did not find the suspect after searching the area and are still investigating. No one was injured during the incident.