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Aide: North Dakota Gov. Burgum planning run for GOP presidential nomination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

Two-term North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a former computer software entrepreneur, is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination, a political aide familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Friday, putting him in an already crowded field dominated by ex-President Donald Trump.The aide said Burgum plans to launch his campaign with a June 7 event in Fargo, the largest city in North Dakota. The aide was speaking on the condition of anonymity because the event had not been publicized yet.The 66-year-old Burgum is jumping into a field that includes fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, seen by some Republicans as the strongest alternative to Trump. Other candidates include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considered a likely presidential candidate but has not yet announced a bid.The eventual GOP nominee ...

Shots fired on Chicago's North Avenue Beach hours after opening for the summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Shots were fired on Chicago's North Avenue Beach hours after it opened on Friday for the summer.According to information from the Chicago Police Department, about 80 teens were at the beach when a fight broke out around 1:30 p.m. Chicago’s new leaders’ Memorial Day weekend public safety plan Shots were fired during the fight and no one was injured, police said.One person, who hasn't been identified yet, was eventually taken into custody, police said. Boating safety tips this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago Officers were checking bags before people were allowed on the beach.The beach is closed while officers are investigating.On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago police officials shared their safety plans for the holiday weekend.

Bears approved to start first part of Arlington Park demolition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have gotten the go-ahead to begin the demotion of the former Arlington Park racecourse. Per their website, the Village of Arlington Heights has approved the permit for Phase 1 of the demolition of the former horse racing facility as the NFL franchise continues its efforts to build a new stadium on the property.This permit allows for interior demolition to begin for the grandstand, office, and jockey buildings located on the site. Permits for demolition of the exterior demolition of buildings will require approval from Arlington Heights along with Cook County. An early Bears’ Arlington Park stadium bill on hold Per the village, there will be increased traffic around the Arlington Park site as the interior demolition begins. It's expected there will be 20-to-30 trucks per day with most of the material from the demolition going to West Chicago with another transfer site in Rolling Meadows. There will be access for commuters to the Metra Ar...

2 Indianapolis brothers sentenced for gun trafficking conspiracy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Indy brothers have been convicted of federal felonies for their scheme to illegally sell "straw-purchased" firearms.28-year-old Jacob Tomlin was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to two counts of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. 21-year-old Ryan White was sentenced in January 2023 to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to dealing firearms without a license.Court documents show during the Summer of 2021 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the source of firearms located at crime scenes in Indianapolis and Chicago. The gun investigations found that weapons from multiple crime scenes were purchased by Tomlin from federally licensed dealers in Indiana. Who killed Alexandra Anaya in 2005? FBI doubles reward to $20,000 for the answer. The ATF investigation revealed that from May 19 to June 8, 2021 Tomlin lied on federal firearms purchase documents to illegally...

Brookfield Zoo Mexican wolf puppies arrive in wild dens of Arizona, New Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

CHICAGO —  The Brookfield Zoo is helping re-establish the Mexican wolf population in the southwestern US and Mexico. Six of seven Mexican wolf puppies born at the zoo last month were placed days later in wild dens as part of a federal recovery program.   Brookfield Zoo announces summer concerts series featuring Macy Gray, Vertical Horizon and more Seven Mexican wolf puppies were born at Brookfield Zoo on April 27. On May 6, six of the puppies were flown to Arizona to be placed with wild wolf packs as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, which helps enhance the genetic diversity of the overall Mexican wolf population. (CZS-Brookfield Zoo)Dr. Lily Parkinson, a clinical veterinarian at Brookfield Zoo, examines a 9-day-old Mexican wolf puppy. The puppy was one of six flown to Arizona to be placed with wild wolf packs as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. (CZS-Brookfield Zoo)Dr. Lily Parkinson, a clinical v...

Fifth House Democrat calls on Feinstein to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

A fifth House Democrat on Friday called for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign her seat after her return to Washington following a prolonged absence due to shingles. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) argued lawmakers should resign if they become "a shadow of your former self.""I think if you're a member, and you become a shadow of your former self, you should resign," Torres told Insider this week, calling for Feinstein to step aside for the first time. "Once you're no longer the best person to represent your state, you have a duty to move on."Torres joins Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in calling for Feinstein to leave the upper chamber.Feinstein, 89, has had a distinguished 30-year career in the Senate but in recent years has come under scrutiny for her mental acuity and, in the past couple of months, her ability to fulfill her senatorial duties.The New York Times reported recentl...

What we know about possible impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Republican-led House is now poised to vote Saturday on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton within the final days of the legislative session.The House General Investigating Committee presented the articles of impeachment to members late Thursday night, after unanimously adopting a formal recommendation to move toward impeachment. The five-member panel, with a conservative majority, revealed on Wednesday that it had been investigating the embattled attorney general since March.Although misconduct allegations have plagued Paxton since his first term in office, the committee’s investigation started after a proposal emerged to use state funds to pay $3.3 million to settle Paxton's whistleblower lawsuit filed by four former employees who accused him of wrongdoing. If Paxton is impeached, he'll join two other state officials on the Texas history books who have been formally ousted. Here's what we know about how the process works:Texas impeachment process d...

Recipes: Here’s what to grill for your Memorial Day weekend cookout

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

Many would categorize Southern California as a grilling mecca, a spot where home cooking grill-side is welcomed 365 days a year. But with so many rainy days, local backyard barbecues may have gotten a little neglected.Hopefully, Memorial Day will be sunny and bright, warm with gentle breezes and hungry guests. It’s a great opportunity to dust off the ‘cue and host an alfresco celebration. I’m going to use it as motivation to spruce up the yard and put out splashy, outdoor party fare. The dishes will be  bursting with flavor, much of which will be fresh off the grill.Ah, come on sunshine. The barbecue needs a refresher.Louis Lamb Chop ‘Lollipops’Lamb chops can be turned into delectable finger-food “lollipop” appetizers that you cook on the grill. (Photo by Curt Norris)Ten years ago, Personal Chef Katherine Louis Boucher joined me in my kitchen to show me how to turn lamb chops into irresistible Greek style “lollipop” appetizers. The chops are cut from the lamb rack, and each has a cu...

Aerial Powers’ role with Lynx continues to fluctuate early in season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

Aerial Powers appeared to be a non-factor in terms of the Lynx’s rotation. In the team’s season-opening loss to Chicago, Powers — a starter a year ago who led the team in total minutes played — was on the floor for just five minutes against the Sky.After an up-and-down two years as a focal for Minnesota, the guard was on the outside looking in at the rotation.The winds quickly started to change, however, as Powers produced in her first-half stint against Atlanta in the second game of this season. The playing time didn’t follow in the second half, but Powers finished with 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting in nine minutes.What changed?“She had two good days of practice. I told them that’s where you earn playing time,” Reeve said after the loss to the Dream. “AP had two good days of practice, she got the opportunity in the first half.”Powers’ standing clearly wasn’t solid, as demonstrated by the lack of second-half playing time. Reeve noted she didn’t like what that group was doing offensi...

What’s in MN’s $72B budget and what else lawmakers approved

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

One thing is clear: Minnesota never has had a state budget like this before.Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members approved a historic, nearly $72 billion spending plan for the coming two years by tapping a $17.5 billion budget surplus and raising billions more in tax revenues. DFLers say the 38 percent increase in spending over current levels is part of their progressive vision for Minnesota’s future.Most of the new spending is ongoing, and the state will have to hire new workers to implement some of it. Lower- and middle-income residents will see $1.1 billion in tax rebates and about $1.4 billion in expanded tax credits.“We’re leaving no one behind,” Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday as he signed what House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, called “the best budget in 50 years.”It took a “team effort” to hold the party’s one-seat advantage in the Senate and approve what Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, ...