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Former University of New Mexico athletic director found not guilty of embezzlement charges

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Former University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs has been found not guilty of embezzlement charges that stemmed from accusations that he used public money for a lavish golf trip that he said was meant to strengthen relationships with donors. The verdict was reached just after 10:30 a.m. Friday following a trial in state district court. Krebs raised his head in relief as the verdict was read, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.“We think justice was done. It was a long, slow process, but we’re glad it’s over,” Krebs’ attorney, Paul Kennedy, told The Associated Press in a brief phone call after the verdict. “He’s a good man, and it’s the correct verdict that he should be acquitted.”Krebs left the university in 2017 amid questions over spending and was later indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges. Weeks before the trial, prosecutors dropped all but two of the embezzlement counts following a review of the case.Kennedy told jurors at t...

The Trump Organization and former fixer Michael Cohen settle his lawsuit over unpaid legal bills

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over Cohen’s claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after getting entangled in investigations into the former president.Lawyers for the two sides disclosed the settlement during a video conference with the judge Friday, three days before Cohen’s 2019 lawsuit was slated to go to trial in a Manhattan state court. Details of the agreement were not made public.Cohen said Friday the matter “has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties.” Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Trump’s company, the Trump Organization.The legal fees lawsuit was one of the more obscure branches of the thicket of legal troubles surrounding Trump and his company. Still, the trial stood to give a platform to Cohen — an ardent Trump loyalist who became an outspoken antagonist — and to put the ex-president’s son Donald Trump Jr. on th...

At UN, Trudeau hails European values as source of global strength in troubled times

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the United Nations where he is bestowing a special award on the European Commission and its president. Trudeau is presenting the World Peace and Liberty Award to Ursula von der Leyen on the final day of the World Law Congress.He says European values, forged 80 years ago in the cauldron of the Second World War, have never been more important. And he says Canada and Europe are kindred spirits that champion democratic values and understand the power of diversity. Trudeau and von der Leyen have become close allies since she became the commission’s first female president in 2019. He describes her as someone who is principled and formidable, but who drives outcomes through respect and consensus. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2023. The Canadian Press

Police, agents search party offices of Guatemalan presidential candidate

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan agents and police raided the offices of the Seed Movement of presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing in the party’s formation.Andrea Reyes, a lawyer and party member, confirmed that the agents and police had come to search for documents. The Attorney General’s Office also confirmed the search.The raid followed allegations earlier Friday by Guatemalan electoral authorities that a number of state actors were attempting to interfere with the country’s presidential election. The electoral authorities sought an order from the country’s highest court to protect the electoral process.The country’s political system has been in disarray since the progressive Arévalo placed a surprising second in an initial round of voting June 25 — setting him on course to face conservative former first lady Sandra Torres in a runoff in August. Certification of last month’s results were delayed fo...

A third hazing lawsuit has been filed against Northwestern

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — For the third time this week, a lawsuit has been filed in the wake of a hazing scandal at Northwestern University. Once again, it lists a number of current and former employees of the school as defendants. Chicago-based lawyer Patrick A. Salvi II of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard and Denver-based lawyer Parker Stinar of the Stinar Law firm announced that a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a "John Doe 3."It's the third such lawsuit to come from the attorneys this week, with it being officially filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County on Thursday afternoon. Former Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips speaks out amid hazing scandal This former football player was on the team from 2018-2022 and lists Northwestern University, current president Michael Schill, former president Morton Schapiro, the Board of Trustees at the school, current athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, former athletic director Jim Phillips, and former head coach Pat Fitzgerald as de...

'Help me' sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in California

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas and sexually assaulted was rescued in Southern California when passersby saw her hold up a “help me” sign in a parked car, police and federal authorities said.The rescue occurred July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when officers responded to a trouble call and found the “visibly emotional and distressed girl,” police said in a press release Thursday.“Through their investigation, officers learned the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding up a piece of paper with ‘help me’ written on it. They acknowledged the note and immediately called 9-1-1,” police said.On the morning of July 9, 2023, Sablan parked his Nissan Sentra in a car lot in Long Beach and took their clothes to a laundromat. While he was inside, the girl scrawled a message for help on a piece of paper and tried desperately to get someone’s attention. (DOJ)Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, w...

2-year-old boy dies from brain-eating amoeba in Las Vegas

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) - A family is grieving the loss of a two-year-old boy who passed away from a rare brain-eating amoeba.Woodrow Bundy died Wednesday morning. Those close to his family told KLAS he was being treated at Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas.They said he contracted the brain-eating amoeba, also known as Naegleria fowleri, a few weeks ago while swimming in Ash Springs, which is near Alamo located about 100 miles north of Las Vegas. The family recently moved to Alamo from Mesquite, Nevada.According to the family, Woodrow's health began spiraling last week when he experienced flu-like symptoms. Trump classified documents trial date set for May 2024 “We have medications that we can use against these types of diseases, but by the time we find it, it's usually progressed pretty far,” Dr. Brian Labus, epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health, said.Dr. Labus said the brain-eating amoeba thrives in warm ...

Map shows which areas of the US will be underwater in 2050

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Residents of the northeastern U.S. saw firsthand this summer the devastation flooding can cause in a community. Unfortunately, scientists predict flooding will only become more common as the years go on. A map created by Climate Central, an organization of scientists and journalists focused on studying the impacts of climate change, shows what the future may hold for coastal communities as sea level rises.In the first map (below), we set the projections to include sea level rise and typical annual flooding (weather that can be expected every year). We set the map to include what would happen with "unchecked pollution" between now and 2050. That setting most closely matches the current path we're on, Climate Central said. What U.S. cities will look like with sea level rise, according to scientific projections For luck, we set the bar to "medium," which reflects the middle range of possibilities predicted by scientists. While Manhattan is largely spared under these...

AARP, Texas Consumer Association petition for moratorium on power shutoffs, calls it 'death sentence' amid heat danger

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- AARP Texas and the Texas Consumer Association sent an emergency petition to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) on Thursday, asking for a moratorium on "all electric service disconnections of residential premises for bill arrearages or lack of payment until on or after September 15, 2023, as a public safety matter," citing concerns about heat-related illness and death. Related: Dangerous prison heat conditions on display at Texas Capitol The groups write that "extended heat wave conditions," combined with Texans' energy insecurity, creates the possibility of heat-related illness and death. "During a hot Texas summer and heat wave, living in low-quality, inefficient housing with no airconditioning or refrigeration for food and medicine could be a death sentence for seniors, young children, medically vulnerable citizens, and others," the petition reads, "Many households face the risk of disconnection month after month, so an electricity disconnection mor...

Burn restriction issued for City of Austin parks, greenbelts, preserves

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:59:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Parks and Recreation Department has issued a burning restriction effective immediately. The restriction means no grilling or fires are allowed in any City of Austin parks, greenbelts and preserves. This includes the use of wood or charcoal BBQ pits/grills/smokers. Propane stoves are allowed in designated picnic areas only, according to a release from the city. Smoking is always prohibited in city parks.  Travis County leaders talk about wildfire dangers, preparations PARD issued the restriction to "ensure the safety of park patrons and surrounding communities while minimizing the wildfire risk in the city's parks and greenbelts," the release said. Park rangers will enforce the burning restriction in the city’s parks and greenbelts. Violations may result in a fine between $300 and $500, according to the city. Austin Parks and Recreation will continue to evaluate fire conditions and will lift the burning restriction as soon as it is safe to do so. Fo...