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A $19,000 lectern for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sparks call for legislative audit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Sarah Huckabee Sanders rose to national prominence in part during her time at the lectern as White House press secretary, but the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for the Arkansas governor is undergoing scrutiny and prompting claims that records about it have been altered. A legislative panel next week will take up a lawmaker’s request for an audit to review the purchase of the lectern, which was bought in June for $19,029.25 with a state credit card. The Arkansas Republican Party reimbursed the state last month for the wood-paneled and blue lectern, which the state received in August. “From my experience, where we’re at with this particular thing is we need to allow legislative audit go in,” Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who requested the audit, said. “Everyone knows them, they do their work, they’re very thorough and then they produce a detailed report that comes to the Legislature through an open committee.”Questions about the lectern, its ...

California workers will get five sick days instead of three under law signed by Gov. Newsom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Workers in California will soon receive a minimum of five days of paid sick leave annually, instead of three, under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Wednesday.The law, which takes effect in January, also increases the amount of sick leave workers can carry over into the following year. Newsom said it demonstrates that prioritizing the health and well-being of workers “is of the utmost importance for California’s future.”“Too many folks are still having to choose between skipping a day’s pay and taking care of themselves or their family members when they get sick,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his action.It was one of more than a dozen bills the Democratic governor signed Wednesday. He has until mid-October to act on all the legislation sent to him this year. He can sign, veto or let bills become law without his signature.Beyond preventing workers from choosing between taking a day off or getting paid, proponents of the sick day legislation ...

Dashcam video shows wheel striking transport truck on QEW highway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) released footage of a loose wheel striking a transport truck on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) on Wednesday.OPP Highway Safety Division shared the video on X.In it, dashcam footage from the truck shows it driving on QEW near Gilmore Road with a vehicle ahead. Moments later, a wheel is seen at high speeds hitting the truck, with the vehicle ahead swerving to dodge it.“Wheel separated from a passenger vehicle and struck a transport truck travelling in the opposite direction,” OPP wrote on X.OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt praised the quick reaction by the driver ahead.“Unfortunately, the truck did get clipped on the passenger side,” Sgt. Schmidt said.No injuries were reported, but photos shared by the OPP show the truck badly dented from the impact of the wheel.It’s unclear what led to the incident.Wheel separated from a passenger vehicle and struck a transport truck travelling in the opposite direction. No injuries. #QEW/Gilmore Rd....

Pennsylvania could go after lottery winnings, tax returns of turnpike toll scofflaws

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would authorize the Department of Revenue to go after the lottery winnings and income tax returns of turnpike toll scofflaws. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. The Associated Press reported in 2021 that an internal study by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said that more than $104 million in tolls went uncollected over a 12-month period on the roadway. That amount grew to $155 million over a subsequent 12-month period ending in 2022, or 10% of what had been expected, an audit found. Under the bill, the Department of Revenue could divert money from someone’s lottery prize of more than $2,500 or their income tax return, as long as the money was not first subject to other claims such as unpaid state taxes, child support or court-ordered restitution for crimes. The department also can impose a $20 fee for every case where it intercepts money. Losses had bee...

‘The world has changed’: Thousands mourn at funeral for B.C. Mountie Rick O’Brien, 51

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. — The Mountie killed in Coquitlam, B.C., less than two weeks ago has been remembered as a funny and loyal friend, a loving father and an officer who enjoyed connecting with young people.Thousands filled the event centre in Langley, B.C., Wednesday for the regimental funeral of Const. Rick O’Brien, the 10th police officer to be killed in Canada since September of last year.Those gathered included hundreds of RCMP officers dressed in red serge, their senior officers, representatives from multiple police services, firefighters, military and politicians, including B.C. Premier David Eby. Friend and co-worker Cpl. Pete Westra said O’Brien’s death was senseless and devastating.“It will be felt by his family, friends, the entire Ridge Meadows detachment, the RCMP and the countless lives that he touched,” he said.“The world has changed with this loss. We can’t say enough, but we want to say, ‘Well done, Rick. We love you.'”...

Aggravated assault charges filed in case of motorcyclist seen smashing in back of woman’s car

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man accused of being the motorcyclist seen smashing in the back of a woman’s car while her two young children were inside near Philadelphia’s City Hall and then waving a gun at her after she confronted him has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault.Prosecutors said 26-year-old Cody Heron is also charged with reckless endangerment and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with the incident. Officials said they were seeking high bail in the case. There was no attorney listed for Heron yet, and the district attorney’s office said it didn’t know whether he had one. A telephone listing for him could not be found Wednesday. A viral video from Sunday night showed a group of ATV, motorcycle and dirt bike riders surrounding 23-year-old Nikki Bullock’s sedan. A motorcyclist wearing a helmet is seen leaving his bike to jump on the back of the sedan, shattering the window. What appears to be a handgun drops from h...

Lionel Messi out, did not travel with team ahead of match against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Lionel Messi will not be making an appearance at Soldier Field Thursday night after all.Inter Miami FC did not list the Argentinian superstar on their starting lineup card ahead of the game, and according to a reporter with the Miami Herald, Messi was not with the club when they arrived at Soldier Field Thursday evening ahead of their matchup against Chicago Fire FC.Messi is the reason Soldier Field sold out ahead of the Wednesday night game in what some could argue is the biggest regular season match for the Fire since they started playing in MLS in 1998. Ticket prices were increased by the club once Messi joined Inter Miami CF back in July in accordance with others in the league as demand on the secondary market soared. Yet, that has softened as the midfielder has been struggling with what's been described as a "scar tissue" injury the past few weeks.Messi was listed as questionable for the match by Inter Miami CF in their pregame notes after missing four of the last fiv...

Here are the Republicans who could be the next Speaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

A mad dash is kicking off in the House GOP to elect a new nominee for Speaker after the House ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the post Tuesday, and he declined to seek the gavel again.Republicans expect to hold an internal candidate forum Tuesday and an election Wednesday.Here are the top GOP contenders for Speaker — and who is out of the running.Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.)The now-top-ranking House Republican is the most obvious pick to move up to the Speakership, and he threw his hat into the ring Wednesday afternoon.“You know my leadership style I’ve displayed as your Majority Leader and Whip,” Scalise wrote in a “dear colleague” letter.“I have a proven track record of bringing together the diverse array of viewpoints within our Conference to build consensus where others thought it impossible.”Scalise is seen as more ideologically conservative than McCarthy was, and he has the built-in advantage of years in House GOP leadership and the infrastructure that come...

AFD responding to structure fire in west Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in west Austin Wednesday, the agency said on social media.The Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire in west Austin Wednesday | Courtesy AFDThe Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire in west Austin Wednesday | Courtesy AFDThe Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire in west Austin Wednesday | Courtesy AFDThe Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire in west Austin Wednesday | Courtesy AFDShortly before 7 p.m., AFD said it was working the structure fire in the 5500 block of Parkcrest Drive near MoPac Expressway with heavy fire and smoke in the area. Additionally, AFD said Austin-Travis County EMS responded.Drivers are urged to avoid the area and should expect traffic delays, AFD said.

APA Brentwood welcomes 20 animals rescued around the Midwest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:32 GMT

BRENTWOOD, Mo. – The APA Brentwood received a special doggie delivery Wednesday afternoon—20 animals rescued from breeding facilities across the Midwest.Sarah Javier, president and CEO of the APA Adoption Center, says the transfer is in collaboration with the Bissel Pet Foundation. A total of 130 animals were taken from bad breeders.The Brentwood APA trying to raise awareness that these types of pets can be found in local animal shelters. Which happen to be full.“We are absolutely full, and we are always looking for ways to help the community,” Javier said. “We always prioritize animals in the St. Louis area and helping them, but when we can say yes to help shelters in the Midwest, we absolutely do so.” K-9 finds two teens hiding in dumpster after armed robbery in St. Louis At the Hanley Road location in Brentwood, members of the cuddle crew welcomed these dogs of various breeds, ranging from Boston terriers, poodle mixes, west highland terriers, great Danes, and more.The 20 dogs ...