Ex-DOJ official Jeffrey Clark acted within the scope of official duties in Georgia case, lawyer says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Ex-DOJ official Jeffrey Clark acted within the scope of official duties in Georgia case, lawyer says ATLANTA (AP) — Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark was acting within the scope of his official duties when he wrote a letter expressing concern about alleged problems with the 2020 election in Georgia, his lawyer said Monday as he sought to move charges against Clark to federal court.Clark is charged along with former President Donald Trump and 17 others, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election victory and keep the Republican Trump in power. All 19 defendants have pleaded not guilty.U.S. District Judge Steve Jones presided over the hearing on Clark’s attempt to move his case to federal court from Fulton County Superior Court. Jones earlier this month rejected a similar effort from Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Unlike Meadows, who testified at his own hearing last month, Clark was not in court as his lawyer argued on his behalf.Clark’s attorneys last week submitted a declaration...

Gusty winds complicate B.C. wildfire fight, but human-caused blazes also a factor

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Gusty winds complicate B.C. wildfire fight, but human-caused blazes also a factor VANCOUVER — Gusty winds and unsettled weather in parts of British Columbia helped kick up several wildfires over the weekend, forcing a number of evacuation orders and alerts.Four regional districts, from the Sunshine Coast to the Cariboo, central Okanagan and Peace River, issued or upgraded evacuation orders between Friday and Sunday.The most recent order covers the Glen Lake fire west of Peachland, a suspected human-caused blaze spotted on Saturday that the BC Wildfire Service says has burned more than four square kilometres and forced the evacuation of eight recreational properties.The other three evacuation orders affect a total of 54 rural properties around the Horn Lake fire west of Williams Lake, the Clowhom Lake blaze northwest of Sechelt, and the Stoddart Creek fire north of Fort St. John.As a gusty cold front swept through B.C. over the weekend, the Peace River Regional District upgraded orders and alerts on the northeast corner of the Stoddart Creek blaze, which has charr...

‘El Chapo’ son Ovidio Guzmán López pleads not guilty to US drug and money laundering charges

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

‘El Chapo’ son Ovidio Guzmán López pleads not guilty to US drug and money laundering charges CHICAGO (AP) — Ovidio Guzmán López, a son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, pleaded not guilty Monday to drug trafficking, money laundering and other charges during his first court appearance since being extradited to the U.S. from Mexico. Guzmán López was extradited Friday, five months after U.S. prosecutors unsealed sprawling indictments against him and his brothers, known collectively as the “Chapitos.” The indictments laid out how following their father’s extradition and eventual life sentence in the U.S. in 2019, the brothers steered the cartel increasingly into synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and the powerful opioid fentanyl.Mexican security forces captured Guzmán López, known as “the Mouse,” in January in Culiacan, capital of Sinaloa state, the cartel’s namesake. His arrest set off violence that left 30 people dead, including 10 military personnel. Mexico's army used Black Hawk helicopter gunships against the cartel’s truck-mounted .50-caliber...

Woman accused of battering 4 CPD officers in the Loop, police say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Woman accused of battering 4 CPD officers in the Loop, police say CHICAGO - A 24-year-old woman is accused of battering four Chicago police officers in the Loop early Sunday morning. The incident occurred in the 200 block of N. Wabash Ave. just before 2:40 a.m. Police did not reveal what led to the alleged attack. According to police, Esmeralda Aguilar, of Cicero, faces four felony counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer. Chicago man charged after woman shot in Lower West Side home: CPD She was due in court on Monday.

AG Todd Rokita charged with complaint by Disciplinary Commission of Indiana's Supreme Court

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

AG Todd Rokita charged with complaint by Disciplinary Commission of Indiana's Supreme Court INDIANAPOLIS -- The Disciplinary Commission of the Indiana Supreme Court has filed a disciplinary complaint against Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita in relation to comments he made to media outlets and other public statements he made between July 2022 and September 2022 surrounding an investigation into Dr. Caitlin Bernard. According to documents filed Monday, the commission claimed that Rokita violated various portions of the Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct when he spoke about the pending investigation into Bernard to Fox News host Jesse Watters on July 13, 2022, as well as to other media outlets and through public statements from the Indiana Attorney General's Office. Officials with the Indiana Supreme Court said that the commission investigates and prosecutes allegations of attorneys accused of violating the Indiana Professional Rules of Conduct. What led to this disciplinary complaint? According to previous reports, Bernard, an Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist who...

Child taken away from Georgetown home in attempted abduction, police say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Child taken away from Georgetown home in attempted abduction, police say Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 18, 2023GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The Georgetown Police Department is investigating a reported attempted child abduction that happened in the 3100 block of Northwest Boulevard, the department said in a social media post Monday afternoon.Police said a male suspect allegedly knocked on the door of a residence, and that a nine-year-old girl answered the door. Police added the suspect "reportedly grabbed the 9 year old and carried her off from the residence."Officials added the suspect released the girl at some point before running into the woods near the intersection of Whisper Oaks Lane and Northwest Boulevard.Police describe the suspect as a Black man with a large build and who is approximately 5'10". He is said to have been wearing a baseball cap, a long sleeve black shirt and gray sweatpants, as well as having an "undescribed tattoo" on one of his arms.The child is now safe and police added detectives are wor...

Central Texas is not done with the heat

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Central Texas is not done with the heat AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today and tomorrow are Ozone Action Days for Travis, Bastrop, Williamson, Caldwell, and Hays Counties. This is a good day to carpool or ride your bike. Those sensitive to the ozone/fine particulate matter might need to limit being outdoors today and Tuesday.The day started with very calm and comfortable conditions with most lows in the middle to upper 60s. Camp Mabry's low was 67°.The rest of the afternoon will be partly cloudy as the sky saw an increase in these fair-weather cumulus clouds beginning late this morning.Today's normal high is 91° NEW BLOG: El Niño into 2024: What that means for winter and spring Central Texas will be rain-free for these last days of summer. This follows a week where some 2 to 3" rain totals were measured. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS The first fall cold front heads here during the weekend to give us a slight increase in our precipitation forecast. Low rain chances are in the forecast Saturday night to Monday. The hope is that thi...

Austin Fire responding to gas line hit in south Austin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

Austin Fire responding to gas line hit in south Austin AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department is working to respond to a gas line hit in the 3000 block of Menchaca Road in south Austin Monday afternoon.Officials said in a social media post the line was hit by workers, with no road closures reported as of 1:37 p.m. In a follow-up post, AFD said it was a large line that had ruptured and Texas Gas Service was also responding to the incident.

NY Thruway Authority passes new toll price hikes

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

NY Thruway Authority passes new toll price hikes ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The New York State Thruway Authority voted Monday afternoon to pass proposed toll price hikes.According to the Thruway Authority, the statewide tolls will remain frozen through the rest of 2023. On the first of January in 2024 and 2027, E-ZPass holders will see rates increase by five percent from prior levels — from 4.5 cents per mile to 4.9 cents in 2027.The 2024 increase will be the first toll price adjustment in 14 years — with the most recent change happening in 2010. NYS Thruway Authority discuss need for increased funding For those who do not have an E-ZPass, the standard toll rates and the tolls by mail rates will increase to 8.6 cents by the year 2027.According to the proposal, the current toll rate per mile from Rochester to Geneva is $1.07. In 2024, this will go up to $1.12 and then will be at $1.17 by 2027.The Thruway Authority authorized the first step of the process back in December 2022 and held meetings throughout the summer for public comme...

State Police investigate fatal crash in LaGrange

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:06:27 GMT

State Police investigate fatal crash in LaGrange LAGRANGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York State Police are investigating a fatal crash on State Route 55 on Friday afternoon. According to police investigations, a 17-year-old driving a Honda CRV was traveling eastbound when they fell asleep behind the wheel. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The CRV crossed into the westbound lane and struck a 2021 Kia Sorrento head-on. The driver of the Sorrento, Gabriel T. Bovenzi, 54, of Shirley, was transported to the Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Investigations are ongoing. The LaGrange Fire Department assisted by providing medical treatment and transporting the victim to the hospital.