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Prosecutors: Supreme Court decision closes door on criminal prosecutions in Flint water scandal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan attorney general’s office said Tuesday that the state prosecution of former Gov. Rick Snyder and other officials for their roles in the Flint water scandal has ended.A decision Tuesday by the state Supreme Court to decline to hear appeals of a lower court’s dismissal of misdemeanor charges against Snyder “effectively closes the door on the criminal prosecutions of the government officials,” prosecutors said in a release.“At this time the court has left us with no option but to consider the Flint water prosecutions closed,” the prosecution team said.The Michigan Supreme Court in September rejected a last-chance effort by prosecutors to revive criminal charges. The attorney general’s office used an uncommon tool — a one-judge grand jury — to hear evidence and return indictments against nine people, including Snyder. But the Supreme Court last year said the process was unconstitutional, and it struck down the charges as invalid.Snyder was ...

The Supreme Court wrestles with social media cases that have echoes of Donald Trump

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court wrestled Tuesday with whether public officials can block critics from commenting on their social media accounts, an issue that first arose in a case involving former President Donald Trump.The justices heard arguments in two cases involving lawsuits filed by people who were blocked after leaving critical comments on social media accounts belonging to school board members in southern California and a city manager in Port Huron, Michigan, northeast of Detroit.The cases force the court to deal with the competing free speech rights of public officials and their constituents, and all in a rapidly evolving virtual world.“More and more of our democracy operates on social media,” Justice Elena Kagan said during three hours of arguments.The cases are part of a term-long focus on the relationship between government and the private digital platforms. Justice Clarence Thomas hinted at coming cases when he described as “the looming elephant in the room” ...

Philadelphia picks winning design for Harriet Tubman statue after controversy over original choice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city of Philadelphia has picked the winning design for a Harriet Tubman statue outside City Hall after facing criticism over its original choice of a white artist who’d been selected without competition.Alvin Pettit beat out four other semifinalists with a design called “A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter.” His nearly 14-foot bronze statue — the first of a Black woman who is a historical figure in the city’s public art collection — will portray Tubman as a military leader and freedom fighter. The famed abolitionist — who escaped slavery and led other enslaved Black women and men to freedom on the Underground Railroad — worked as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, and helped lead 150 Black soldiers on a gunboat raid in South Carolina. “She is shown in majestic prayer. Perhaps she is calling upon her faith or contemplating a battle,” said Pettit, a Baltimore-bred artist based in Jersey City, New Je...

Third First Nation wants use of Jasper National Park, saying they were evicted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

A third First Nation wants Parks Canada to give its members limited hunting rights in Jasper National Park, saying they were evicted when the park was created in western Alberta. The Aseniwuche Winewak Nation says it wants in on a deal signed last weekend with the Simpcw and Stoney First Nations.That deal gives the bands a stronger voice in park management and opens the door to limited harvesting in the park. But AWN president David MacPhee says his people were cast out from the park in 1911.He says they maintain a strong connection with the area and have traditional lands immediately north of Jasper. In a letter to the park’s superintendent, MacPhee says his people don’t want to deprive other First Nations, but want the same rights as others and to safeguard their own. A response from Parks Canada was not immediately available. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2023.The Canadian Press

From bright and cool to clear and cold

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures will be warming every day between now and early next week. In fact, the cold feel of winter will eventually be replaced by the warm feel of spring. Most of this afternoon's high temperatures will peak in the upper half of the 50s.We're glad to be able to tell you that the weather conditions for the trick-or-treaters will be nearly perfect. The sky will be clear. It will be a bit breezy at 5 p.m. but the winds will subside during the early evening. It's suggested to dress for the cool air.Cool air for candy collecting this eveningNortherly breezes will be lowering this evening and overnight. The lower wind speeds, the clear sky and the dry air (dew points in the upper 20s to low 30s) will be the ingredients that will combine to send low temperatures Wednesday morning to the upper 20s to low 30s for much of the area west and north of Austin.Thus, the first freeze warning of the season happens beginning at 3 a.m.Freeze Warnings are in effectTake steps to ...

Day 7: Prosecutors nearing end of case in APD officer's murder trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

Editor's note: The video above is KXAN's coverage of day 6 (Monday, Oct. 30, 2023) in Christopher Taylor's trial. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors have told a judge they are nearly finished presenting their case against Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who is on trial for murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor's attorneys are expected to take over as early as Tuesday. Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trial Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader will be in court Tuesday providing live updates of the trial on X.Day 7: The state could finish presenting its case as early as today in the trial of APD Officer Christopher Taylor. A reminder that Taylor's attorneys reserved opening statements. If they chose to give them, that would come next. Thread for today 🔽— Grace Reader (@GraceReaderTV...

Bastrop elementary school unveils book vending machine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – Lost Pines Elementary has a new vending machine -- but this one does not sell snacks. The district posted Tuesday morning that the school unveiled the machine that will vend books selected by campus librarians. The books are free to students, who will earn a vending machine "token" for positive behavior and making good choices consistently, a district spokesperson said. Unlike at a library, students can take home and keep the books to build an at-home library. The vending machine was paid for through the Bastrop Education Foundation, which has funded several machines at other schools. A district spokesperson said they are given when a teacher or librarian writes a grant. The next grant window opens Dec. 1.

Travis County, nonprofit partner on $6M tenant stabilization program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — A local nonprofit and Travis County will work together to help residents facing or at risk of eviction. A tenant stabilization program with nonprofit El Buen Samaritano will give eligible households financial help. Money can be used to pay approved fees for tenants.  PREVIOUS REPORTING: Travis County rethinking approach to rental assistance, eviction Program services also include rent assistance, housing costs assistance, relocation coordination, connections to support services and other services.Travis County commissioners approved an agreement for the program Tuesday. “What is also important to me is that you’re providing more wraparound services as well because it is not just the home," said Commissioner Jeff Travillion. "It takes a number of things for a family to be stable.” PREVIOUS REPORTING: Travis County greenlights $80K for 23 families at ‘imminent risk of eviction’ About 400 households or 1,000 clients can be helped per year, according to t...

Source: Vikings trade left guard Ezra Cleveland to Jaguars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

After watching Dalton Risner in action for the past couple of weeks, the Vikings felt good enough about his play to move on from Ezra Cleveland.A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Tuesday that the Vikings have traded Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick.There’s a good chance Risner would have continued as the starting left guard for the Vikings regardless of what happened at the trade deadline. That much is confirmed with Cleveland no longer a part of the organization.Originally selected by the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft, Cleveland was set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He has missed the past couple of games with a foot injury.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Source: Vikings trading for quarterback Josh Dobbs in move with Cardinals Minnesota Vikings | Dane Mizutani: If this is the end, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins deserved better Minnesota Vikings | Vikings quar...

Vikings trading for journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs in move with Cardinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

After canvassing the market over the past 48 hours, the Vikings are trading for journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs in a move with the Arizona Cardinals.This move was necessary after franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field while leading the Vikings to a win over the Green Bay Packers.It was a devastating blow for the Vikings at the time and forced them to act fast in the search for a replacement. That ultimately led the Vikings to the Cardinals and they acquired Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.As the starter for the Cardinals this season, Dobbs has thrown for 1,569 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He was recently benched in favor of rookie quarterback Clayton Tune with star quarterback Kyler Murray on the verge of coming off the PUP list.Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft, the 28-year-old Dobbs has also spent time with the Jacksonville J...