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Abortion in Iowa is legal again, for now, after a judge blocks new restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge on Monday temporarily blocked the state’s new ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, just days after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law. That means abortion is once again legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy while the courts assess the new law’s constitutionality.The new law prohibits almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the measure in a rare, all-day special session last week, prompting a legal challenge by the ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Emma Goldman Clinic. Judge Joseph Seidlin held a hearing on the matter Friday, but said he would take the issue under advisement — just as Reynolds signed the bill into law about a mile away.Abortion providers said they scrambled last week to fit in as many appointments as possible ...

Biden still concerned about judicial overhaul as he extends invite to meet with Israel’s Netanyahu

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him in the U.S. this fall, the White House said, even as he expressed ongoing concern about Netanyahu’s controversial plans to overhaul his country’s judicial system.Monday’s phone conversation between the U.S. and Israeli leaders came one day before Israel’s figurehead president Isaac Herzog is set to visit to the White House and as Netanyahu’s government pushes forward with the judicial changes that have sparked widespread protest in Israel. The Biden administration declined to say whether Biden would host Netanyahu at the White House — as the Israeli leader has hoped — or in New York on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly. White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relatio...

Plane debris falls into backyard of Far Northwest Side home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department responded to a non-criminal case on the City's Far Northwest Side Monday afternoon where a plane part appeared to fall from the sky.According to police, officers responded to a home in the 4700 block of North Chester near Lawrence Avenue and Cumberland Avenue, where plane debris had fallen into the backyard, slightly damaging the home.After officers arrived, the debris was moved out in front of the home into the street, where it was claimed by O'Hare International Airport management, and taken from the scene.No injuries have been reported from the incident.It is unclear at this time what type of debris was found, and whether it came from an aircraft that was landing or departing from O'Hare International Airport. Suburban grandparents charged with murder in death of 5-year-old granddaughter No other information is available at this time.

Cook County prosecutor publishes list of 'unreliable' cops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

Word has circulated for years around Cook County courthouses of a list containing the names of cops who are deemed so unreliable prosecutors refuse to call them as witnesses. Some still work as police officers. Others have since retired. Now, Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx has released the names.There are roughly 180 law enforcement officers on the Cook County State’s Attorney’s “Do Not Call List." There are the names of well-known rogue cops who have faced lawsuits - including Chicago cops Reynaldo Guevara and Ronald Watts – but there are also officers who work for suburban departments including Maywood, Dixmoor, Hickory Hills, Chicago Heights, Crestwood and others. Several Cook County sheriff’s police officers are also included. PREVIOUS: ‘They can right their wrong’: Misconduct claims mounting against former Chicago detective “The culture that allowed disreputable law enforcement officers to testify in court propelled Cook County’s reputation as the wrongful conviction c...

Police identify man shot, killed in west Austin parking lot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police identified the man killed Saturday morning in the parking lot of a west Austin apartment complex, and they're now offering a reward to anyone who can help catch the shooter. The Austin Police Department shared Monday the victim's name is Jarod Mason, 45. Investigators said he died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. They added they now believe "multiple suspects left the scene in a vehicle" after the shooting, according to a news release. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? During a briefing with reporters Saturday morning, a police spokesperson said officers responded at 6:40 a.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing several gunshots at an apartment complex in the 3500 block of North Capital of Texas Highway.When officers arrived, they said they found a man in his 40s lying next to a vehicle with trauma to his body. Life-saving measures were performed, but APD said the man was pronounced dead at 6:58 a.m.APD homicide detectives began...

Mayor Kirk Watson discusses new $5.5 billion city budget, what it means for Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Sunday evening, City of Austin Interim City Manager Jesús Garza released his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. DETAILS: Austin interim city manager puts forward $5.5 billion budget The budget forecasts a combined projected increase of 2% in local fees for the typical ratepayer.Austin’s 2022-2023 budget totaled $5 billion, and the 2021-2022 budget was $4.5 billion.Monday morning, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson sat down with KXAN's Tom Miller to talk about how the budget breaks down and what it will mean for residents. Below is a transcription of their conversation: The transcription has been edited for grammatical clarity. Budget breakdownTom Miller, KXAN: The city manager is calling for a half-billion-dollar increase, which would bring the budget up to $5.5 billion.Mayor Kirk Watson: The budget will be $5.5 billion. And that is an increase from the last budget. Part of the way that happens, of course, is that you have to look at t...

APD searches Pflugerville field for 2nd time in relation to murder suspect Raul Meza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department did a follow-up investigation in a field Monday in Pflugerville in connection with the case of a man accused of multiple murders. APD said the investigation was off Farm-to-Market Road 1825, the same area APD, Pflugerville Police and the FBI searched July 12 in relation to a case connected to Raul Meza Jr. APD said it couldn't provide any details about the investigation since it is ongoing. TIMELINE: What we know about Raul Meza's criminal history Meza, 62, is in Travis County Jail and faces two murder charges, a capital murder charge and a charge for unauthorized use of a vehicle after confessing to the murder of his roommate, 80-year-old Jesse Fraga, the arrest affidavit said.APD said it believes Meza is connected to "multiple murders" and is looking into eight to 10 cold cases in which he could be involved.Meza also told detectives he was responsible for the 2019 killing of 66-year-old Gloria Lofton, according to an arrest affidavit....

AFD: Fireworks spark fourplex fire in east Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday afternoon, the Austin Fire Department said a fire started by fireworks in east Austin is now under control. AFD said the trash fire was "reportedly" ignited by fireworks and spread to the exterior of a building, which it later described as a large two-story fourplex. In the video above, provided to KXAN, a large plume of smoke can be seen coming from the home. AFD said the fourplex had fire in its attic. The building is in the 6800 block of Wentworth Drive, which is near Loyola Lane and Decker Lane and close to the Travis County Exposition Center. Fire off Wentworth Drive in east Austin July 17, 2023 (Courtesy Cody Bowens)Fire off Wentworth Drive in east Austin (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)Fire off Wentworth Drive in east Austin (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)Fire off Wentworth Drive in east Austin (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)AFD said a fire engine responded to the scene.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.

23-year-old dies of cardiac arrest in TDCJ prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A 23-year-old man died of cardiac arrest in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison last Wednesday morning, a custodial death report published Monday afternoon confirms.Peyton James Pendley was found unresponsive in his cell at TDCJ's Beto Unit, the report says. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance and pronounced dead by medical staff just after 11 a.m. on July 12.The report said it could not be determined at this time whether Pendley had a pre-existing medical condition.Pendley had been convicted of an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to the report.This report is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Man charged with murder, criminal vehicular homicide of 17-year-old in Forest Lake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:53 GMT

A North Branch motorist was charged Monday with third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide after police say he struck and killed a 17-year-old girl in a parking lot in downtown Forest Lake early Sunday.The motorist, 20-year-old Dylan Robert Simmons, and the girl, who was from Stacy, were known to each other, Forest Lake police said Monday. Her name has not been released.Forest Lake police officers responded to 95 Broadway Ave. E. near Lakeside Park at 1:22 a.m. Sunday on a report of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. The girl was located in the city parking lot and responders began life-saving measures. She was pronounced dead.Simmons was located at the scene and police arrested him.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Motorist charged in Columbia Heights deadly pedestrian crash Crime & Public Safety | Fargo officer slain in shooting was a ‘member of our family,’ police chief says Crime & Public Safety | ...