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Hunter Biden plea deal on tax charges appears in jeopardy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

Hunter Biden’s plea agreement with the Justice Department appeared to unexpectedly crumble during an initial hearing on the case on Wednesday.Biden, 53, made his first federal court appearance in Wilmington, Del., where he was set to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay income taxes.Top Stories from The HillSenate Republicans see Biden impeachment as fraught with riskJudge says Hunter Biden legal team apparently ‘misrepresented’ identity to court clerk Manchin and Tuberville unveil bill making sweeping changes to college sportsBut U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who is overseeing the case, expressed concern about the terms of the agreement, according to CNN and the Associated Press.NBC reported lawyers for both sides were continuing to huddle nearly two hours after the plea hearing began.DEVELOPING

130 stopped in St. Louis I-70 enforcement event; More speed traps Wednesday in Illinois

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Authorities conducted nearly 130 traffic stops Tuesday along Interstate 70 in St. Louis City, and drivers are advised to keep an eye out for more speed traps Wednesday in Illinois. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department conducted speed enforcement efforts along I-70 on Tuesday, leading to 128 traffic stops, 236 citations, 47 warnings and five CMV stops. Stay of execution granted for Johnny Johnson Authorities did not disclose how many of the stops might have led to arrests. MSHP and SLMPD teamed up for a 10-hour enforcement operation. "These joint operations continue to be a success and have a positive impact on keeping the I-70 corridor safe for motorists," said the Missouri State Highway Patrol via Twitter. On the other side of the St. Louis metro, Illinois State Police are reminding drivers to take caution again on highways. ISP troopers are out in bunches along highways and rural roads as part of a "Speed Awareness Day" ...

Drought conditions impacting Missouri agriculture

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Even with many parts of Missouri receiving rainfall over the past week, the state's agriculture department is concerned about possible fungus growing on crops, impacting livestock.The Drought Assessment Committee, made up of state and federal agencies, met Tuesday to discuss the ongoing drought. The committee was activated after Gov. Mike Parson declared a "drought alert," signing an executive order, back in May.The good news from the meeting is that the National Weather Service is expecting above normal precipitation starting in August through October, but with much of the state experiencing a drought and with the hot weather on tap for this week, it could be too late for farmers and even some of Missouri's forest, fish and wildlife."I know we have had eight fish kills across the state which is a result of low water and lack of oxygen in the water," Jake Buxton with the Missouri Department of Conversation told the committee.Buxton says a "fish kill" is when d...

Irvine rejects Live Nation amphitheater proposal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

The City of Irvine has pulled the plug on its partnership with Live Nation to construct and manage a new 10,000-seat amphitheater in Great Park.The decision came in a 3-2 vote at Tuesday’s city council meeting in which many residents expressed concern about the deal, according to The Orange County Register.Councilman Larry Agran, who voted with the majority, called the agreement “lopsided.”They expressed several concerns. Among them, that Live Nation would have sole control over acts that perform at the amphitheater, would take all revenue from lucrative naming rights, and would be exempt from any future noise ordinances.Irvine Mayor Farrah Kahn and Councilmember Mike Carroll voted unsuccessfully to continue the partnership.Live Nation, the Beverly Hills-based entertainment giant, currently operates the temporary FivePoint Amphitheater in Irvine.“As the city continues to debate plans for the permanent amphitheater, we remain committed to supporting live music in Orange County as we ...

Bryce James supports big brother Bronny in heartfelt post

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

As Bronny James recovers from his medical emergency, he's getting some love from his younger brother Bryce. Bryce James shared a photo on his Instagram story on Tuesday. The photo is of the two brothers with a red heart emoji on it. Bronny, the son of LeBron James, collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California on Monday morning. The James family issued a statement on Tuesday with an update on his condition. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital," the statement read. "He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update the media when there is more information.” Elite athletes who have bounced back from cardiac arrest Bronny is the second USC player to collapse during practice in the last year. Trojans forward Vincent Iwuchukwu went into cardiac arrest in July 2022. He was able to play for USC during the second half of th...

Judge voids Bowe Bergdahl court-martial conviction

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

A federal judge has voided the court-martial conviction of former Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was then captured and held by the Taliban for five years. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton on Tuesday issued a 63-page ruling granting summary judgment in favor of Bergdahl, who was convicted after pleading guilty in 2017 to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Walton argued that Bergdahl was denied a fair trial because the military judge who presided over the court martial, Jeffrey Nance, failed to disclose that he had applied to the executive branch for a job as an immigration judge, creating the potential for a conflict of interest. Former President Trump had made repeated public statements insulting Bergdahl, calling him a traitor and suggesting he receive the death penalty. Walton noted in the ruling that although many of these comments were made during Trump’s campaign, he leaned into them after he was elected.&nbs...

UPS Avoids Workers Strike, Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

The summer of strikes avoided a major one Tuesday, as the United Parcel Service (UPS) and the Teamsters representing its drivers and factory workers reached a contract agreement.The Teamsters call the contract “historic,” saying it will lead to wage increases, more full-time job opportunities and workplace improvements for the following five years.“Teamster labor moves America,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. “The union went into this fight committed to winning for our members. We demanded the best contract in the history of UPS, and we got it. UPS has put $30 billion in new money on the table as a direct result of these negotiations. We’ve changed the game, battling it out day and night to make sure our members won an agreement that pays strong wages, rewards their labor, and doesn’t require a single concession. This contract sets a new standard in the labor movement and raises the bar for all workers.”The wage increases will begin this year, with ...

Luis Romero In Custody after Fatal Hit-and-Run on Buhach Road [Merced, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

Motorcyclist Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver near Highway 140MERCED, CA (July 26, 2023) – Authorities arrested Luis Romero following a deadly hit-and-run collision on Buhach Road last Monday night.CHP officers responded to the collision around 10:00 p.m. near the intersection of Buhach Road and Highway 140.According to the investigators, a driver of a Nissan Sentra was attempting to make a left turn onto the southbound Buhach Rd. At the same time, a rider in an eastbound Yamaha motorcycle entered the intersection and collided with the Nissan.The impact of the first collision ejected the rider from his motorcycle onto the westbound lanes of Highway 140. However, the Nissan driver did not render aid to the rider and fled the scene on foot.Subsequently, a 20-year-old Merced woman driving a Ford Mustang ran over the motorcyclist, leaving the rider with fatal injuries. Police said the female Mustang driver stopped at the scene.After a short while, authorities located the Nissan driver...

Justin Thompson Arrested Following Deadly Hit-and-Run Crash on West Foothill Boulevard [Rialto, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

Woman in Wheelchair Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in RialtoRIALTO, CA (July 26, 2023) – Late Thursday evening, a fatal hit-and-run collision on Foothill Boulevard led to the arrest of Justin Thompson.The collision happened on June 20th, at around 11:30 p.m. at the 1400 block of West Foothill Boulevard.According to the police, a pedestrian in a wheelchair was in the traffic lanes on Foothill when an eastbound vehicle approached the area.Investigators said the vehicle hit the pedestrian outside a marked crosswalk and continued driving without rendering aid. Unfortunately, the female pedestrian succumbed to her injuries after being transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.The next day, authorities located and arrested the driver at the 100 block of Willow Avenue. 28-year-old Justin Thompson of Rialto is currently booked into the West Valley Detention Center for a suspected hit-and-run.At this time, the Rialto officials are asking anyone with additional information to conta...

Steven Taggert Killed, Steven Foster Injured in Single-Car Accident on Spring Creek Road [Boulder Creek, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

Driver Pronounced Dead, Passenger Hospitalized after Single-Vehicle Crash on Douglas LaneBOULDER CREEK, CA (July 26, 2023) – Sunday, Steven Taggert died and Steven Foster was hurt in a single-car accident on Spring Creek Road.Police responded to the scene around 5:00 p.m., near Douglas Lane on July 23rd.According to reports, Taggert was driving a southbound red 2003 Toyota Tundra when he veered off the road and struck a tree. Upon impact, the Toyota overturned and sustained severe damage.Paramedics transported Taggert and his passenger, 31-year-old Foster, of Boulder Creek to Valley Medical Center in critical condition. Due to the extent of injuries sustained, crews later pronounced 34-year-old Taggert, of Boulder Creek dead at the hospital.At this time, officers suspect that alcohol was a factor in the collision. Once available, further details will be provided about the fatal car accident on Spring Creek Road.No words can mend the broken hearts, and sorrow felt during this d...