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California men charged with running drugs to Australia, New Zealand disguised as car parts, noodles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four California men have been charged with running a drug ring that sent hundreds of pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea disguised as shipments of everything from car parts to instant noodles, federal prosecutors announced Friday.Hoang Xuan Le, 42, of Tustin and Tri Cao Buinguyen, 38, of Garden Grove were arrested Thursday and pleaded not guilty on Friday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Trung Buinguyen, 40, of Lakewood and Narongsak Champy, 28, of Long Beach are fugitives, prosecutors said.All are charged with conspiracy to export and distribute controlled substances while Le and Tri Buinguyen also are charged with distributing methamphatamine.They could face up to life in prison if convicted.Prosecutors contend that from at least 2017 to last year, the men shipped drugs overseas by air, sea and the U.S. Mail. The drugs were hidden in “commercial products such as instant noodle packets, car parts, em...

Judge blocks Arkansas law that took away board’s ability to fire state corrections secretary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas judge on Friday blocked a new law that took away the Board of Corrections’ authority over the state corrections secretary and other top officials, the latest in an escalating feud between the panel and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders over the prison system. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Patricia James granted the board’s request for a temporary restraining order the day after the panel filed a lawsuit and suspended Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri with pay. The board argued that the law violated the state’s constitution by usurping its authority and giving the governor hiring and firing authority over the corrections secretary. Sanders appointed Profiri to the post, and he was confirmed by the panel earlier this year. The move follows the Sanders’ administration’s plans to move forward with opening hundreds of new temporary prison beds that the board had not approved. Members of the board have said opening the temporary beds would j...

Federal judge rejects request from Oregon senators who boycotted Legislature seeking to run in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end. U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken issued the decision Wednesday.State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, Brian Boquist and Cedric Hayden were among the plaintiffs who filed the federal lawsuit to challenge their disqualification from running for reelection under Measure 113. The voter-approved constitutional amendment, which passed by a wide margin last year, bars legislators from seeking reelection after 10 or more unexcused absences. Each of the three senators racked up more than 10 absences during a record six-week walkout that paralyzed the 2023 legislative session. The boycott stemmed from bills on abortion, transgender health care and guns.The lawmakers sought, among other things, a preliminary injunction to prevent the secretary of state’s office from enforcing their disqualification from the ballot. The off...

Chicago Bears Injury Report: Moore, Brisker questionable heading into Browns matchup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — After practice Friday, the Chicago Bears released their injury report heading into their Sunday matchup against the Cleveland Browns, with Jaquan Brisker and DJ Moore being the two most notable names present on the list.Moore and linebacker Dylan Cole were both listed as full participants at practice, while Brisker was listed as a limited participant. The Bears listed Brisker and Moore as questionable for when they travel to Cleveland, while Cole was listed as fully healthy and ready to go.Linebacker Noah Sewell and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown did not practice Friday, and were listed as "out" for their matchup against the Browns. Browns’ Garrett is set to chase Bears’ Fields at site of the quarterback’s rough NFL debut Moore suffered an ankle injury last week in Chicago's 28-13 win over the Detroit Lions. It was an injury that only caused him to miss a handful of plays before returning to the game, but the Bears top wideout was still held out of practic...

Illinois NAACP conference president suspended after racist remarks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

CHICAGO — The NAACP has suspended the Illinois conference president after she called migrants rapists and savages during a Zoom meeting in October.Illinois NAACP branch president Teresa Haley was recorded in October stating "These immigrants have come over here, they’ve been raping people, they’ve been breaking into homes, they are like savages, as well.”She made the comments after the DuPage County NAACP president Patrick Watson brought up the migrant crisis in Chicago. ORIGINAL: Calls for NAACP Illinois conference president to resign after racist remarks Following reports on the comments, Haley released a statement on Thursday apologizing for her remarks:“First and foremost, I express my sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or offended by my comments.I love and value all members of our communities—including immigrants. I have worked tirelessly to advocate for the underserved and the voiceless. I remain focused on denouncing injustices, racism, and di...

FDA targets Chewy, other animal companies for selling unapproved antibiotics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

(The Hill) — Major animal product retailer Chewy and eight other companies violated federal law by selling unapproved animal antibiotics, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alleged Thursday.The FDA said the retailers sold unapproved medications containing penicillin and amoxicillin, which could lead to the evolution of drug-resistant "superbugs." The products in question were targeted at birds and fish, the FDA wrote in a letter to the companies.Drug-resistant superbugs could then pose a risk to human health, argued Tracey Forfa, the FDA veterinary medicine director. Christmas Scrooge: Man steals nutcrackers from North Carolina home "Inappropriate use of medically important antimicrobials contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which affects both human and animal health," Forfa said in a statement Thursday.Medications containing the antibiotics are only available via prescription. Impacted products include Aqua-Mox, Aqua-Zithro, Doxycycline and Fishbiotic.N...

Cicero man accused of fatally shooting woman on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a Cicero man accused of fatally shooting a 36-year-old woman on the city's South Side.Police say 39-year-old Francisco Antonio Miranda, a Cicero resident, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. Travis Scott performance at United Center postponed hours before show According to Chicago police, the charges stem from a shooting that happened in the 7700 block of South Cicero Avenue that left a 36-year-old woman dead on Thursday, Dec. 7.Police say the Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force took Miranda into custody after he was located in the 4800 block of West Cermak Road, in Cicero, on Wednesday. Teen charged in connection with robberies on CTA train Miranda appeared in court on Thursday for a detention hearing.Authorities have not yet identified the woman killed and it is currently unclear what led to the shooting.

Teen charged in connection with robberies on CTA train

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a 17-year-old boy accused of robbing three people on CTA trains in late November.According to Chicago police, the teen boy has been charged with two felony counts of armed robbery and one felony count of aggravated robbery. Travis Scott performance at United Center postponed hours before show Officers say the charges stem from the teen's alleged role in two robberies that occurred on Nov. 25 and 26.Police say the first robbery took place on a CTA train in the 500 block of South Kedzie Avenue when the teen allegedly held up a 23-year-old woman.A second robbery unfolded the next day when the teen allegedly held up a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman in the same area. Man in custody after chase ends in crash in Waukegan Officers say the teen was taken into custody on Thursday in the 1100 block of South Hamilton Avenue on the Near West Side.Police have not yet identified anyone involved.

Before Sugar Bowl practices, Texas Longhorns securing recruits before early signing period

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are on the recruiting trail before the team starts practice in earnest for the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinals against Washington, and he was in Houston on Wednesday celebrating the local high school athletes.Sarkisian and other college coaches from around Texas were at the UIL High School Awards banquet put together by the Touchdown Club of Houston, and Sarkisian discussed recruiting in Houston, the team's bowl preparation and the transfer of backup quarterback Maalik Murphy with reporters. How to watch the 2023 Texas high school football state championships "This is always a huge stop for us, just recruiting in general," he said. "Houston is a hotbed for us and there are so many great players. The hard part is that we can't sign them all, we just have to try to sign the right ones."With the early signing period Dec. 20-22, Texas already has the No. 6-ranked 2024 recruiting class based on ...

Panel selects final concept for Minnesota flag design

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

After months of hearings, the panel tasked with creating new symbols for Minnesota has settled on a flag concept, but more work lies ahead as they hone in on the final details.Members of the State Emblems Redesign Commission on Friday voted in support of a design inspired by a submission from 24-year-old Luverne resident Andrew Prekker, though many tweaks are already in the works.In original form, it’s a flag with white, green and light blue horizontal stripes and a navy blue section on the left that mimics the shape of Minnesota. In that section is an eight-point white star meant to symbolize the state’s motto “Star of the North” as well as unity in a diverse land.The white stripe symbolizes snow, the green stripe represents nature and agriculture, and the light blue stripe represents the state’s waters — from its more than 10,000 lakes to the Mississippi River. Prekker says the “swallow tail” design is unique among flags of the world, and that he wanted to keep it as simple ...