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Trial for accused Highland Park shooter to begin in February; Crimo III to represent himself

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A judge in Lake County set a trial date Monday for early next year for the man accused of the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade, who now plans to represent himself.Robert Crimo III requested his right to a speedy trial Monday, so proceedings are set to begin in February 2024 after the trial date had been tentatively set for 2025. Also Monday, Crimo III dismissed his defense attorneys, telling 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti that he'll represent himself at next year's trial. Crimo III, who prosecutors say opened fire on crowds of people watching the parade in 2022, is facing more than 100 charges, including dozens of first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.Seven people were killed, dozens were hurt and countless others were traumatized in the shooting.Crimo III pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently being held without bond.On Monday, he made his request in a Lake County courtroom to move up his trial date...

'A Call from Gaza': Chicagoland businesses, schools strike to call attention to thousands of Palestinian deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

CHICAGO -- Over 200 businesses and schools in the Chicagoland area have shut down Monday to call attention to the thousands of Palestinians killed in the ongoing conflict with Israel over the past two months. Businesses in the Chicagoland area and across the country have gone on strike to call attention to Palestinians killed in Gaza, the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine said. Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israeli bombings on Oct. 7, mostly being women and Children, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial attack carried out by Hamas, which was reported to have been known by Israel as much as a year in advance, the New York Times said. According to Aljazeera, people have been urged to skip work and school -- with seven schools in the Chicagoland area following along.Schools participating in the strike:Aqsa SchoolAl Majd SchoolAlajyal SchoolKindi AcademyMultaqa AcademyIQ TutoringAltayseer...

Border funding talks stalled in Congress

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - With less than a week to go until lawmakers leave Washington, there is still no border security deal.Democrats and republicans are scrambling to come up with a border security solution both sides can agree on because without a border deal, the fate of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine and Israel remains in limbo.Senators are racing to reach a deal securing military aid for Ukraine and Israel while also overhauling U.S.  immigration policy.“I think this is one of the most dangerous moments that I've ever faced in American politics,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).Senate republicans are demanding tougher border security policies in exchange for their support for President Joe Biden’s $106 billion supplemental funding request that includes aid for Ukraine and Israel.The lead republican negotiator, Oklahoma Senator James Lankford, said that republicans want sweeping policy changes to limit the surge of migrants crossing into the U.S.“We want to be able to...

Holiday crowds at airports, on highways expected to be even bigger than last year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

(AP) -- More Americans are expected to fly or drive far from home over Christmas than did last year, putting a cap on a busy year for travel.Auto club AAA forecast Monday that 115.2 million people will go 50 miles or more from home during the 10 days between Dec. 23 and New Year's Day. That's 2.2% more than AAA predicted during the comparable stretch last year.“That desire to get away is stronger than we have seen in a very long time,” said AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz. “People are willing to adjust their budgets in other areas of their life, but they want to keep traveling." Deadlines start soon to ship holiday packages via USPS, FedEx and UPS The AAA predicts that the holiday season will still fall 3% short of record travel in 2019, the last Christmas before COVID-19 hit the United States.Air travel in the U.S. has already rebounded, surpassing 2019 levels.The number of travelers going through U.S. airport checkpoints is up 12.4% over last year and 1.4% higher than in 2019, accordi...

'1 in 100,000': Rare elk spotted in Colorado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) – Colorado Parks and Wildlife spotted a rare kind of elk during a big game classification flight last week.CPW is conducting classification flights now through February across the state for big-game species. The flights allow CPW researchers to generate population estimates and assess young animal recruitment within a population.  Why Coloradans might see low-flying helicopters this winter During a flight earlier this week, Montrose-area CPW wildlife biologist Evan Phillips spotted a rare piebald cow elk in a herd.What makes a piebald cow elk rare?The piebald trait is not common in elk like it is in horses or dogs. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, piebald is defined as something of different colors, especially spotted or blotched with black and white.Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist Evan Phillips spotted a rare piebald cow elk during a big game classification flight this week. According to CPW, the piebald trait only occurs in about 1 out of eve...

Man accused of molesting child while tutoring at Austin ISD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested on charges of indecency with a child after volunteering as a tutor with the district this semester, according to Austin Independent School District officials.The district said Isaiah Xavier Smith was a college readiness tutor between September and October at Akins High School this semester. But was cut off from accessing the campus on Oct. 25 after a high school student told a school police officer they were sexually assaulted by Smith. Man walks with long rifle in front of Austin schools, ‘terrorized’ students and parents The child told their parents Smith sexually assaulted them during a tutoring session at the school, according to an arrest affidavit. The child also told police Smith previously offered to purchase shoes and underwear and to give them money.KXAN has contacted Smith’s attorney Monday but has not yet heard back.“We are doing everything we can to understand how this incident occurred to prevent situations like this in the future,”...

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson has ‘good chance’ to play Saturday in Cincinnati

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

It seems as if the Vikings have avoided anything serious when it comes to star receiver Justin Jefferson.After being ruled out a chest injury on Sunday in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old Jefferson was taken to a local hospital out of precaution. He was discharged in short order and arrived back at Allegiant Stadium in time to fly home with his teammates after Vikings escaped with a 3-0 win over the Raiders.Asked about the decision to send Jefferson to a local hospital, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that the training staff felt it was important to rule out any possible internal complications. The door is open for Jefferson to be back on the field when the Vikings play the Bengals on Saturday in Cincinnati.“I consider Justin day to day with a good chance to hopefully be with us playing,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing pretty well today. It’s just a matter of continuing to monitor any potential things that could arise. You know, what he’s like...

Man pleads guilty to having and sharing child porn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 46-year-old man from Albany County pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography. Joshua White faces at least five years in prison and up to 40 years for both offenses. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! White admitted to sharing sexually explicit images of a minor known to him. He also admitted to having child pornography he received on the internet and social media apps on his phone that depicted other victims.Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2024. In addition to the prison sentence, White will be required to serve 5 years to life of post-release supervision and register as a sex offender upon release. He will also be required to pay restitution to the victims and forfeit the device used to commit the offenses.

Federal appeals court strikes down parts of NY concealed carry law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---In a 261 page document, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, said pending decisions in lower courts, concealed carry can continue to be banned in sensitive places. However, an exception was made for places of worship. Republican Assemblyman, Robert Smullen, thinks this is a big win."What if you’re a rabbi running a synagogue right now? Wouldn’t you like to have the idea that you were worshipers, the people who are citizens in your community, can actually defend themselves in your house of worship? Absolutely," said Smullen. "That’s a huge win for religious freedom and it’s a huge win for the Constitution regarding Second Amendment Rights."New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, released a statement saying in part, “The decision also allows all property owners, including owners of places of worship, to prohibit firearms on their property, including through the postage of signs. The requirements for an in-person interview, character re...

DOJ: Clifton Park man attempted to entice a minor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Clifton Park man is facing at least ten years and up to life in prison after pleading guilty to the attempted online enticement of a minor. Michael Kirkland, 30, admitted to traveling to a hotel with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Kirkland said he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with the said 12-year-old on August 11, 2022. Upon arrival at the hotel, he was taken into custody by law enforcement.Upon release from prison, Kirkland will also have to serve at least 5 years and up to life of post-release supervision and register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2024.