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Illinois Supreme Court rules cash bail can be eliminated

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law ending cash bail, ordering implementation in mid-September.The ruling overturns a Kankakee County judge's opinion in December that the law violated the constitution's provision that “all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties."Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Ann Theis delivered the court's opinion, approved 5-2, saying that the constitution “does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public.” Illinois’ SAFE-T Act explained The General Assembly dominated by Democrats approved the plan in January 2021 as part of an expansive overhaul of the state's criminal justice system known as the SAFE-T Act. It followed the police-involved murders of George Floyd in Minnesota the previous spring.The Kankakee County judge's ruling did not block implementation of the law, set to take effect on ...

COPA to provide update on Chicago police sexual misconduct investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

CHICAGO — An update is expected Tuesday on an investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability into sexual misconduct allegations at the 10th District police station.The press conference will be held at 10 a.m.According to a spokesman with the Chicago Police Department, an internal investigation was launched into allegations that several officers engaged in sexual relationships with migrants who were living at the West Side police station.One of the migrants is now pregnant and officials are investigating if some of the women involved were minors. CPD officers under investigation for sexual relationship with migrants living at station Migrants at the station were removed and relocated after the accusations, but other districts are still serving as temporary shelters.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Family looking for missing Lyft driver last seen in Harvey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

HARVEY, Ill. — Family is looking for a missing mother of three who was last seen Lyft driving early Monday morning in Harvey.Lachion Pierce, 36, of Washington Heights in Chicago, contacted her daughter just after 4:15 a.m. Monday saying she was on her way home. She has not been seen or heard from since.Family said Pierce's last Lyft ride was around 3:20 a.m. in Harvey.Pierce was driving a black 2023 Toyota Corolla with plate number DW27225. Family said she leases it from Lyft in order to make money. ‘Not going to cut it’: Suburban boy thriving in national mullet contest Pierce has a 17-year-old, a 16-year-old and an 11-month-old.Anyone with information can call 911 or family at 773-524-1997.

Marilyn Manson, accused of blowing his nose on videographer, to enter plea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Marilyn Manson will plead no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire, according to a filing by his attorney.The rocker, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.A notice of intent filed Monday says that Manson is expected to plead no contest to only one charge and that prosecutors would dismiss the other in the fully negotiated plea. A no-contest plea means Manson will not contest the charge and does not admit guilt. Billy Baldwin went to same high school as suspected Long Island serial killer, he says: ‘Mind-boggling’ Manson would face a sentence of a $,1,200 fine with part of it suspended and 20 hours of community service within six months. Manson also would need to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.A judge ...

These are the best, worst states to win the lottery in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - It’s hard not to imagine what you’d do if you won the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot, especially when either reaches record levels like they have recently. But, if you’re lucky enough to win, you won’t exactly be lucky enough to take home the full jackpot. There are a couple of reasons why, the first being the payout options. In both Powerball and Mega Millions, you can opt for either an annuity option — where you receive an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments that grow by 5% each year — or a cash payment. While the second option is the most common, it is also typically smaller than the annuity option in the end. For example, the record-setting Powerball jackpot won last year was advertised as $2.04 billion, but the winner received only $997.6 million.  Why the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot winner only received $997.6 million as his payout Regardless of the payout you choose though, winners also see their prizes decrease thanks...

Biden student loan repayment changes could cost around $475B: economic model

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

(The Hill) -- President Joe Biden’s changes to the income-driven repayment (IDR) plans could cost around $475 billion over a 10-year budget window, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model. The administration introduced the Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan earlier this year to transform the IDR system in a move that could save thousands of dollars for student loan borrowers. The final changes to the plan, such as cutting discretionary income for repayments from 10 percent to 5 percent, raising the federal poverty guidelines from 150 percent to 225 percent and covering the interest on loans that are not covered under the plan, will be implemented over the next year. The changes would make it so a single person making less than $32,805 a year or a family of four making less than $67,500 a year will pay $0 a month on student loans. But, this will come at a price.  White House: Texas, California, Florida have most borrowers eligible for student loan forg...

'The photos are wowing all of us': NASA reflects on one year of James Webb Telescope discoveries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

SPACE (KXAN) - "Whatever's out there, Webb is going to see it," reflected Mike Menzel, a NASA engineer who has been working on the James Webb Space Telescope for 26 years. The telescope is celebrating one year of service this month."As an engineer who was on this for 26 years, my favorite was the first deep field image," Menzel said. He serves as the Missions Systems Engineer for Webb. Before that, he worked on the Hubble telescope. "In 12 hours, we broke the Hubble record. We saw a galaxy whose lights have been traveling to us for about 13.4 billion years."Webb is the largest satellite NASA has ever launched into space. Unlike Hubble, Webb sees in infrared light, which travels further and through objects. Scientists have described it as acting like a time machine."If you look at Neptune in the visible light, you'll barely see any rings at all. But when you look at it in James Webb [with] the infrared, bang, they pop out vividly."Looking back in time and spaceThe accomplishments of ...

No winner in Monday’s Powerball drawing. Jackpot reaches $1 billion.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

By Nick IngramST. JOSEPH. Mo. (AP) — The Powerball jackpot rose yet again to an estimated $1 billion after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.No ticket for Monday’s drawing matched the white balls 5, 8, 9, 17, 41 and red Powerball 21. The jackpot was estimated at $900 million.The new jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing would be the seventh highest in U.S. history and the third largest for Powerball. Ticket buyers have a chance at $1 billion paid out in yearly increments or a $516.8 million one-time lump sum before taxes.Three people won $2 million after matching all five numbers plus the Power Play, lottery officials said. The winning tickets were sold in Arkansas, Georgia and Texas.Five people won $1 million after matching all five numbers. The winning tickets were sold in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New York and Pennsylvania.The game’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 ...

Bakery opening up storefront in Cambridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Renee Zellars started Sage's Heavenly Baked Goods in September 2021 as a home food processor. Now, she's opening up a storefront in Cambridge. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "In July 2004, my parents were in a motorcycle accident," said Zellars. "I promised my mom who passed away from her injuries that one day I would have my own bakery. The name 'Sage’s' comes from my daughter who went to heaven when I went into labor early and delivered her on September 5, 2006."As a home food processor, Zellars was able to sell her non-perishable products from her home. In February 2023, she got the food license to sell refrigerated products. Off the Beaten Path: ExtraSpecialTeas Zellars had been looking around for a storefront to rent when she came across this location at 76 West Main Street in Cambridge. "The building was a perfect space, small enough but big enough to expand in the future," said Zellars....

Aviation Mall blood drive comes with chance at shark dive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:51 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A blood drive is set to be held at the Aviation Mall this week. On Friday, July 21, the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York will visit the mall by Regal Cinema. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The drive runs from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday. Those who want to donate can make an appointment online using the sponsor code AVIATIONMALLNY, or call 1-800-REDCROSS."The American Red Cross continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in," the American Red Cross wrote in an announcement. "The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed. Donors are needed now more than ever to give blood or platelets to avoid a looming blood shortage." Charity tractor pull returning to WashCo fairgrounds Donors also get gifts in exchange. The Red Cross is giving out "Shark Week" T-shirts while supplies last, in collaboration with...