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Seattle to pay $2.3M to whistleblowers over ex-mayor Durkan’s 2020 deleted texts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — The city of Seattle will pay $2.3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by employees who helped reveal that thousands of then-Mayor Jenny Durkan’s text messages had been deleted in 2020 amid protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police. The terms of the city’s settlement with Stacy Irwin and Kimberly Ferreiro were finalized this week and released to The Seattle Times through a public disclosure request Friday, the newspaper reported. After their whistleblower complaint in 2021, further scrutiny showed that texts of other top officials also were not retained from that period in 2020 when police used tear gas against Black Lives Matter protest crowds and temporarily vacated a police precinct during weeks of demonstrations. Protesters also temporarily occupied a small area of the city known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest zone.The $2.3 million payout is in addition to nearly $800,000 spent by the city to defend the case.Irwin and Ferreiro sai...

Mother’s day weekend 21-degree cooler than a week ago; lots of clouds-only sporadic Saturday sprinkles—many rain-free hours; rains and cool “NE” winds increase Saturday night/Sunday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

COMING NEXT WEDNESDAY (MAY 17) ON WGN-TV NEWS AT NINEArgonne National Laboratory—some of the dedicated scientists display their work on decarbonizing transportation in our countryThese scientists are working hard on producing the biofuels, batteries, and the passenger, rail and air travel of the future while cutting carbon emissions. Tune in to see what they’re working on. That includes recycling of the batteries which power electric vehicles as well as recycling the vehicles themselves. And there’s work underway to decarbonize at hometown United Airlines.READ MORE ABOUT THIS WGN SEGMENT HERELAND AND OCEAN TEMP DEPARTURE FROM AVERAGEJanuary to April, 2023While a few locations (i.e., the Rockies) are running a bit on the cool side, globally January 1 through April 30 is running fourth warmest calendar year on record so far. Data goes back to 1850. The 3 year warmer to this point are 2016, 2017 and 2020.Visit this site for further information:https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-clim...

Willie Nelson honored with prestigious Texas award: 'We're here tonight to clap for Willie.'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –The LBJ Foundation honored Willie Nelson with its most prestigious award, the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award, Friday at a gala dinner at the LBJ Presidential Library.Lyndon B. Johnson's daughters Luci and Lynda Johnson presented Nelson with the award."When I think of rural America, I think of Lyndon Johnson. And when I think of rural America and who cares [for them], I think of Willie Nelson," Luci Johnson told KXAN before the ceremony. "Wille Nelson has done a premier job of saying not only can we not leave those folks behind but we have to be on the front lines clapping the loudest for them. And we're here tonight to clap for Willie." Willie Nelson, who just celebrated his 90th birthday, wasn't the only country musician in attendance. Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Elle King and Lyle Lovett all performed covers of some of Nelson's most recognizable songs. “It’s Willie Nelson's individuality and free thinking that has inspired me the most,” Hunt said before singing ...

Saints’ Brent Headrick gives Twins something to think about with strong outing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

There was a pitchers’ duel Friday night at CHS Field, and given the latest tough news involving the Saints’ parent club, that had to be just fine with Twins management.On the heels of the announcement that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of this season and part of 2024, Brent Headrick, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, earned the victory in the Saints’ 2-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians.Headrick limited the Indians to one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six while walking two. And while Headrick’s job was the same as it has always been — perform to his capabilities and give his team a chance to win — the latest developments across the river were on his mind.St. Paul Saints pitcher Brent Headrick“You think it gets a little bit closer, when guys go down, that they’re going to start calling here soon,” Headrick said. “It’s in the back of your mind, but you just have to put it away and still compete.”Hea...

Twins’ bullpen gives up five runs in loss to Cubs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

Griffin Jax has seen his fair share of softly hit balls cause him trouble this year. The underlying analytics have said he’s doing his job. The results haven’t always matched up.Friday, the Chicago Cubs were tattooing the ball off Jax, collecting four straight hits to turn the Twins’ seventh-inning lead into a one-run deficit. The Twins, who had another quiet day at the plate, would not recover, losing 6-2 to the Cubs in the series opener at Target Field.The Twins finished with just four hits, unable to muster up much of a rally against Cubs starter Drew Smyly after stringing together a couple of runs in the second inning. The Twins successfully executed the contact play in that inning to score their first run. Kyle Farmer raced home on a Michael A. Taylor groundball, and catcher Yan Gomes was unable to catch an off-target throw from third baseman Patrick Wisdom.Immediately after that, catcher Christian Vázquez brought home Willi Castro, who had doubled earlier in the inning, ...

Nearly $1 million awarded to Capital Region animal shelters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

CAPITAL REGION. N.Y. (NEWS10) - Governor Kathy Hochul announced $700,000 will be used to benefit the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and the Schenectady police department’s dog kennels.NEWS10 breaks down how the money’s going to be spent to help out pups in need. Mohawk Hudson Humane Society over-capacity, cites inflation as one cause The money will provide more space for dogs in distress, as there is a growing need right now.“In 2022, we had seen 178 stray dogs come through our shelter and at the same time, which is quarter one of 2023, we've seen 247 dogs. So, about 70 more dogs,” said Ashley Jeffrey Bouck, CEO Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.Peter Montalto, with the Schenectady police department tells NEWS10 that the city has big plans for the money.“Oh, it's huge. We are upgrading and repurposing our current space and really just improving like cleanliness, you know, comfort and the design of the building,” said Montalto.Mohawk Hudson Humane Society will get $500,000 to partner...

Pipe bomb destroyed at Fort Plain residence

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

FORT PLAIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirming the details of an incident that had shut down Upper Main Street for hours Thursday afternoon. The Fort Plain police department had received a call around 2 p.m. about a device outside of a residence. The Sheriff's Office quickly arrived and began assisting with blocking off the street and evacuating neighboring residences. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Sheriff Jeffery Smith confirmed the object to have been a pipe bomb, and a nearby school was notified out of an abundance of caution. The New York State Police Bomb Squad arrived to the scene and ultimately destroyed the device. Law enforcement confirmed they have a suspect that has been interviewed and charged, and there is no immediate danger to the public.

Videos capture dangerous and deadly drug deals

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Crimes caught on camera led to a drug dealer going to federal prison for 35 years. It’s an eye-opening case that shows how drug overdoses impact more than just the users.On the morning of August 2, 2020, two overdose victims were in a moving car on Hyannis Drive in St. Charles when they passed out, and their car landed in a random yard.“I thought it was just some crazy driver going way too fast to make it around this curve,” said Rick Boone, a St. Charles resident.Pictures from the scene show the aftermath. The driver, who passed out, happened to be an off-duty Bellefontaine Neighbors police officer at the time. He was revived with Narcan. The passenger died.“I couldn’t believe it,” Boone said. Moving past controversy, Anheuser-Busch plans to recover losses “We had three victims in this case,” said Derek Wiseman, a federal prosecutor.Wiseman recently showed jurors the haunting evidence leading up to that crash.“It was all caught on hotel and casino surveillance ...

St. Louis Dental Center breaks language barriers with international dentists

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Dental Center is helping to make oral healthcare available to everyone in need regardless of economic, cultural, or linguistic backgrounds by training international dentists and breaking language barriers.Patients who are treated at the clinic speak about 56 different languages. The center provides interpretation to anyone who requires it through telephone, video interpreter, and onsite in-person services, free of charge to patients. Trending Story: Kirkwood High School’s yearbook raises concerns from others A.T. Still University's Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health (A.T. Still University), in partnership with Affinia Healthcare, runs the St. Louis Dental Center, which is a federally qualified health center that caters to the needs of underserved populations. It is providing a much-needed service to help address St. Louis' growing, diverse population.A.T. Still University has also accepted 10 dentists to complete its Advanced Standing Internatio...

Sinkholes in Fairview Heights neighborhood causing trouble for residents

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:38 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - Fairview Heights homeowners say sinkholes are popping up in their neighborhood, and it’s a problem that’s been getting worse for years.One was right behind Albert Graham’s house. He was afraid that someone would fall in. He said it was a big concern"About the sinkholes in here, I guess it’s like a storm drain pipe down here, and the city come in and filled it up when it sank," Graham said. "The first time, they brought a little dump truck and filled it up, and the second time, when it really sank, they brought out a real big dump truck and filled it in, and every time it rains and everything, it sinks. And I noticed another up here by my fence; it’s starting a new one.” Moving past controversy, Anheuser-Busch plans to recover losses He said he’s not the only one in the neighborhood dealing with this problem. His neighbor down the street had the same troubles. The neighbor only had two big sinkholes in his yard.“And then the neighbors over here, they had on...