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Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

A former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign cash for the embattled New York Republican.Sam Miele was caught soliciting donations in late 2021 under the alias Dan Meyer, who was then chief of staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, when the former House speaker was the Republican minority leader, according to Santos. Federal authorities still have not confirmed that Meyer was the aide who Miele impersonated. Miele, who had been indicted on four wire fraud charges and one count of aggravated identity theft, is scheduled to be sentenced April 30. He faces more than two years in prison, according to estimated sentencing guidelines, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office said.He also acknowledged he committed access device fraud involving credit cards that resulted in losses totaling about $100,000, John Marzulli, the spokesperson, said.Miele&#...

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler, who spent big in pursuit of a World Series title, dies at 63

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres owner Peter Seidler, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to bring a long-elusive World Series championship to San Diego, died on Tuesday, the team announced. He was 63.A cause of death wasn’t disclosed. Seidler, a third-generation member of the O’Malley family that used to own the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, was a two-time cancer survivor. The team announced in mid-September that Seidler had an unspecified medical procedure in August and wouldn’t be back at the ballpark the rest of the year.The Padres planned to open Petco Park on Tuesday afternoon for fans who wished to gather to pay respects.“Today, our love and prayers encircle Peter’s family as they grieve the loss of an extraordinary husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend,” Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in a statement. “Peter was a kind and generous man who was devoted to his wife, children and extended family. He also consistently exhibited heartfelt...

Albertans should not want to lose benefits of Canada Pension Plan, head of CPP says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

The head of CPP Investments says Albertans should not want to lose the benefits of the Canada Pension Plan.CEO John Graham, who leads the professional organization that manages the Canada Pension Plan Fund, made the pitch to a Calgary business crowd Tuesday.He said there is a strong business and public policy case for Albertans to stay with what he called an established global investment fund with a proven track record.He said as a large fund, the Canada Pension Plan offers the benefit of risk pooling and diversification, which helps it weather economic downturns and changing demographics.WATCH: Alberta receives warning letter about CPP exit He added the CPP is also portable, meaning Albertans can take their pension with them if they choose to retire out-of-province. Under Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta is taking a look at a plan for the province to exit the Canada Pension Plan and set up its own provincial alternative. 

Man arrested in death of hockey player whose neck was cut with skate blade during game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Police in England arrested a man Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate during a game.Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers on Oct. 28 when he was struck by an opponent's skate blade in the Elite Ice Hockey League game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.South Yorkshire Police did not name the suspect or provide his age. He was in police custody.Matt Petgrave, 31, who plays for Sheffield, was the other player involved in the grisly incident that reverberated around the hockey community and led to moments of silence in the NHL.Video of the incident shows Johnson skating with the puck toward the Steelers net. Petgrave skates toward Johnson and collides with another Panthers player. Petgrave's left skate kicks up as he begins to fall and the blade hits Johnson in the neck.Both players land on the ice. Petgrave immediately got to his feet. J...

Suburban man accused of kicking down woman's door, beating her

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. — A suburban man is facing charges after allegedly kicking down the door of a woman's apartment and then beating her during a home invasion Sunday morning.At around 8 a.m., Willowbrook officers responded to the woman's apartment on the report of a home invasion.Officers found the woman, who is more than 60 years old, with visible red marks and blood on her face.Following an investigation, authorities believe Abelardo Zapata, 33, of unincorporated Willowbrook, was walking with someone else at the apartment complex when he kicked in the door of the woman's apartment.Once inside, Zapata allegedly struck the woman in the face and slammed her head against a cabinet. Her phone was stolen, but the woman was able to call 911 from another phone.Zapata was taken into custody at a McDonald's one block away. Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on drunken pursuit to get to girlfriend’s house He was charged with home invasion, robbery and aggravated battery.Zapata was d...

Howard Brown Health workers begin 2-day strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Hundreds of employees for a health care system, that's been a longtime provider of care to the LGBTQ community, are striking Tuesday.This strike is happening in the shadow of negotiations for the very first union contract for a majority of the employees at Howard Brown Health. This contract would cover about 360 of the nearly 600 employees of Howard Brown at its six clinics, three Brown Elephant thirft store locations, The Broadway Youth Center and some of the workers at Howard Brown headquarters in Uptown.The union says that Howard Brown management recently made its “last, best, and final offer.“ It included pay raises of at least 4 1/2% for higher paid staff, and upwards of 19% for some of its lowest paid staff. That amounts to a few dollars extra an hour.It also includes an extra paid day off. But the union says Howard Brown can afford to do more and also needs to treat all locations, both North and South sides, equally. CTU boss fined, billed for back taxes In a...

MedWatch Digest: Illinois ranks 16th worst in lung rates for 2023 — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

For Tuesday, Nov. 14, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Women continue to outlive men and the gap is wideningAccording to new research published in JAMA, men currently die nearly six years before women. In 2021, life expectancy for women was 79.3 years, compared with 73.5 years for men. It's the most significant difference since 1996. Researchers say Covid was the leading factor in the gap's growth. Additionally, unintentional injuries and poisonings, primarily by drug overdose, as well as accidents and suicide, are also contributing. The trend is occurring alongside a decrease in overall life expectancy in the U.S.Illinois ranks 16th worse in lung rates for 2023Lung cancer cases in Illinois this year are among the highest in the nation. A new report by the American Lung Association ranks Illinois as the 16th worst in the country for new cases. The state saw nearly 60 new cases per 100,000.The national average is less than 5...

There's a new most popular baby name, 2023 report finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – If you don't know someone named Noah already, you certainly will soon. The name was the most popular choice for baby boys in 2023, according to a BabyCenter analysis of more than 300,000 babies born this year. Noah dethroned Liam, which had ranked No. 1 for boys for four years. Liam didn't drop far, however: It's now the No. 2 most popular pick, followed by Oliver at No. 3. Babies sickened by salmonella in tainted kibble, officials say There was less change for the most popular girls' names this year. The top three matched last year's top choices: Olivia, Emma and Amelia. BabyCenter noted girls' names ending in an "a" were a big trend in 2023. Of the top 10 girls' names, eight end with the letter.RankMost popular girls' namesRankMost popular boys' names1.Olivia1.Noah2.Emma2.Liam3.Amelia3.Oliver4.Sophia4.Elijah5.Charlotte5.Mateo6.Ava6.Lucas7.Isabella7.Levi8.Mia8.Leo9.Luna9.Ezra10.Evelyn10.Luca11.Gianna11.Asher12.Lily12.James13.Aria13.Ethan14.Aurora14.Sebastian15.El...

Shutdown risk seems to shrink, but tempers flare across Capitol: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

House Republicans on Tuesday are set to try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government into the new year.In a surprise late-night announcement, GOP leaders said they would try to move the continuing resolution under a fast-track process that will require support from Democrats, an attempt to work around GOP opposition that threatened to tank the bill on a procedural vote.The gambit is sure to draw howls from the party’s right flank, but Democratic leaders have indicated the party could support the substance of the unusual two-part stopgap.Under suspension of the rules, the bill would need two-thirds support to pass the House and head to the Senate.At the same time, attention in the Capitol has turned to a number of shouting matches and near-brawls on both sides of the building as tempers flare.Follow along with live updates below.

TDCJ mourns correctional officer who died while restraining inmate at East Texas prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:48 GMT

LOVELADY, Texas (KETK) - The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced on Tuesday one of its correctional officers died in the line of duty Monday. Jovian Motley, 27, died while serving at the Wainwright Unit in Houston County, according to the TDCJ. Officials said he was assisting other officers in restraining an inmate when he died. Motley had been with the agency since October 2022. "Officer Motley was a hero who tragically died while protecting his fellow officers and the public," TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. "His courage and dedication will forever be remembered. We are praying for his family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time."The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the incident, and the TDCJ said it is an ongoing criminal investigation."Officer Motley demonstrated unwavering commitment to serving his community and gave his life for others," Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said. "His sacrifice is a s...