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Louisiana governor says he intends to veto anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including ban on gender-affirming care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said Thursday he intends to veto a package of bills passed by the GOP-dominated legislature that targets the LGBTQ+ community, including a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and the state’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Edwards has said throughout the legislative session, which ended Thursday, that he opposes the series of LGBTQ+ bills. If Edwards blocks the bills, lawmakers can convene for a veto session. Overriding a veto requires support from two-thirds of both the House and Senate — and Republicans hold a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Louisiana legislators have only convened for two veto sessions since 1974.While the main job of lawmakers for the past two-months has been to pass a state budget, debate over the contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bills has gained statewide and national attention this session. Marked by misinformation, religious arguments, hours of emotional testimon...

‘Dollarization’ of North Korean economy, once vital, now potential threat to Kim’s rule

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Before fleeing North Korea in 2014, Jeon Jae-hyun kept U.S. dollars as a store of value and used Chinese yuan to make everyday purchases at markets, restaurants and other places. He used the domestic currency, the won, only occasionally. “There were not many places to use the won, and we actually had little faith in our currency,” Jeon said during a recent interview in Seoul. “Even the quality of North Korean bills was awful as they often ripped when we put them in our pockets.”North Korea has tolerated the widespread use of more stable foreign currencies like U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan since a bungled revaluation of the won in 2009 triggered runaway inflation and public unrest.The so-called “dollarization” helped ease inflation and stabilize exchange rates, enabling leader Kim Jong Un to establish a stable hold on power after he inherited that role in late 2011. But the trend poses a potential threat to Kim as it has undermined his government’s control ...

Trump indicted: What to know about the documents case and what's next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

Donald Trump's indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in Justice Department history.The federal charges represent the biggest legal jeopardy so far for Trump, coming less than three months after he was charged in New York with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump says he’s been indicted in classified documents probe Here's a look at the charges, the special counsel's investigation and how Trump's case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?Trump has been charged with seven counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment but not authorized to speak publicly about it. The charges themselves are unclear and remain under seal, one person said.Trump announced on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday night that DOJ lawyers h...

New Trier eyes state title for all-time wins coach Mike Napoleon with Kerry Wood's help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

NORTHFIELD, Ill. - Mike Napoleon didn’t want to talk about 'the number.'"My sons always kind of knew about it. My wife, Melanie, she goes 'Okay. How many is it? 14 more? Or 15 more?' I’m like, 'Stop!'"951 was taboo for the New Trier head coach – the number of wins unparalleled in Illinois high school baseball history.But the reality was Coach Naps, who started his career in 1985 at Notre Dame, was on pace to break the record this year. "I did all my research the night before, looking at all the wins going by coaches," explained Trevians senior third baseman Graham Mastros. "It's pretty spectacular what he did."On April 27th, the Trevians shut out Glenbrook North, lifting Napoleon alone atop the record books.“I’m super competitive and the kids know that. Hopefully, that runs true throughout all the teams I've ever coached. That they're competitive, but they also play the game right. They win with dignity. They lose with dignity. I think that is why a lot of opposing co...

Blue Bell reveals limited-time ice cream flavor with a coffee kick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

(KARK) - Fans of Blue Bell’s coffee flavor now have another one to get hooked on this summer.Blue Bell announced their new flavor, Java Jolt, has officially hit store shelves across the nation. Blue Bell brings back ‘highly requested’ ice cream flavor for limited time The company said the new flavor combines their coffee ice cream flavor with dark chocolate chunks and a coffee fudge swirl. The limited-time flavor is available in pint size.Blue Bell executive Joe Robertson said the idea for the new flavor came from fan reaction to the coffee flavor.“Our Coffee Ice Cream is a fan-favorite, so it is the perfect base for our new Java Jolt,” Robertson said. “We think coffee lovers will be very pleased with this combination!” Blue Bell, Dr Pepper team up to release new ice cream flavor Recently, Blue Bell also released their Dr. Pepper Float flavor, a collaboration between the two Texan brands. That one is available in pint size, as well as a half gallon.

Neighbors next to decomposed body say they smelled pungent odor for weeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. - As the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation of a decomposed body found in the area, those who live right next door say they're set to own the property in just a few days. After weeks of smelling something peculiar, neighbors said they were lucky they weren't the ones who found the remains.Rodger and Reggie Evans are long-time residents of the area; their mother purchased the house right next to Wednesday's body recovery over 30 years ago. The Evans said that after smelling something peculiar for some time, Rodger decided to investigate the property, especially since it was soon to be theirs."I had a walk-through three weeks ago and smelled this odor so bad I had to walk with my shirt over my face," Rodger said.The brothers said they have dealt with the odor for over a month. Revisting Mike Shildt’s comments on his Cardinals departure "I get a phone call saying, 'Hey, there's a dead body in the house next door to you guys," Reggie said.S...

New DU women’s soccer head coach Julianne Sitch eager to take program to new heights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

For the first time in over three decades, the University of Denver women’s soccer job opened up last month. Soccer circles noticed.Even with 33 NCAA Division I women’s soccer jobs open in this hiring cycle, “a very deep pool of applicants” raised their hands when the DU gig became available in May after the athletic department announced Jeff Hooker would not return after 31 seasons, per a department spokesman. Julianne Sitch, 39, who was announced as the program’s head coach Wednesday, had one of the deepest résumés of them all.“Coach Sitch, put simply, is the most exceptional fit we could find for DU Athletics competitively, academically and socially,” Josh Berlo, DU vice chancellor for athletics, said Thursday at Sitch’s introductory news conference. “She’s had success everywhere she’s gone … She’s the perfect fit for the University of Denver.”Sitch made headlines last fall at the University of Chi...

Police in pursuit of suspected DUI driver in Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department are in pursuit of a driver in a pickup truck suspected of driving recklessly and being intoxicated. Police initiated the pursuit in the Santa Monica area with the suspect traveling westbound on the 10 Freeway before exiting at Lincoln Boulevard and eventually transitioning to the traffic-congested northbound 405 Freeway. As the pursuit continued, the driver exited at Burbank Boulevard, but continued straight to stay on the 405 Freeway. The driver is reportedly a female and there may be a child in the vehicle. Sky5 is overhead.

Dozens of luxury cars burglarized along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

In a brazen burglary spree, thieves have been targeting dozens of luxury cars along the Pacific Coast Highway near Las Flores Canyon, leaving some residents fearing for their safety.  People living along that stretch of PCH woke up Memorial Day weekend to a knock at the door by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy informing them of the break-ins. “Walking out and just seeing everything vandalized was just traumatizing,” a resident identified only as Leah told KTLA. “It’s like you don’t feel safe in your own home. Malibu is so peaceful everyone loves coming here.”  Surveillance cameras from Leah’s home captured the thieves breaking into her Range Rover, which was parked in the driveway. Once the burglars had taken some of her personal items from the SUV, they can be seen in the video wiping their prints off the car, so as not to leave any evidence behind.  “It just hurts to see that these guys would have the audacity to break in and get away with it, just walk away, get in...

Pleasanton: Portion of southbound I-680 to be shut down this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:41 GMT

By Bay City NewsCaltrans plans to close a portion of all southbound lanes of Interstate 680 in Pleasanton this weekend.The I-680 freeway will be closed in the southbound direction between Sunol Boulevard and Koopman Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday.The closure is being done to replace a portion of deteriorated roadway with new pavement. The work will make roads safer for drivers, while reducing the need for nightly closures, according to a Caltrans advisory.Caltrans will place signs warning of the closure to inform motorists and they will stay in place throughout the weekend. California Highway Patrol officers will also be available to guide drivers.Northbound I-680 will remain open and will not be affected by the closure.In the case of rain or unanticipated developments, the closures will be rescheduled.