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Ed Burke trial: Defense gets spotlight in opening statements Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Opening statements continue Friday in the Ed Burke federal corruption trial.On Thursday, prosecutors opened the trial by laying out what they called a "pattern of corruption."Defense attorneys began mounting a case that will paint a completely different picture of the once powerful alderman.Burke's defense attorney Chris Gair began his opening statement Thursday evening describing Burke as an "old school, hard working" public servant whose only goal was to help voters and businesses thrive.Prosecutors described him as an "extortionist" who is accused of "shaking down" business owners and institutions by withholding permits and blocking other actions from his position as finance committee chairman until they paid his law firm.Burke is facing 14 federal charges including racketeering, bribery and extortion. He's being tried along with his former chief of staff Peter Andrews and Portage Park developer Charles Cui.Lawyers for Andrews and Cui will deliver their opening statemen...

If your frozen turkey weighs this much, take it out of the freezer today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -- If you purchased a frozen turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, preparation needs to begin days ahead of time. Depending on the size, some turkeys can take days to thaw. If your frozen turkey is over 20 pounds, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the best day to take it out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.Safely Thawing a TurkeySimply removing a turkey from the freezer and setting it on the counter is NOT a safe way to defrost a Thanksgiving bird. While the inside remains frozen, the outside of the turkey will quickly enter the “danger zone” between 40 and 140 degrees, where foodborne bacteria can quickly multiply. A turkey can enter this “danger zone” after sitting on the counter for just two hours.There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey. The following are recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to thaw your Thanksgiving turkey and avoid foodborne illness.Thawing in the RefrigeratorAllow appr...

LIVE: 'Pastore was always all-in': Crowds, law enforcement honor fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore, who died in the line of duty Nov. 11, was honored in Austin Friday morning.Law enforcement began setting up for the funeral procession at 7 a.m., and all vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join. The procession for Pastore’s final patrol began at 8 a.m. MAP: Funeral procession route for fallen Austin Police officer People were encouraged to line the route of the procession to show support.The Austin Police Department said public visitation would be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the funeral service was from 11 a.m. to noon at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard.Austin Police officer salutes as Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession moves past Interstate 35 and St. Johns (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)Procession carries fallen APD Officer Jorge Pastore along his final patrol through Austin (KXAN photo)Crowds gather to show support during Office...

APD officer injured after being hit by stolen vehicle Friday morning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Police Department officer was injured Friday morning after they were hit by a stolen vehicle. According to APD, officers were patrolling the 7200 block of Hart Lane just before 7 a.m. when they came across the stolen vehicle. As officers approached, the driver accelerated and hit one of the officers, police said. The officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident happened off MoPac, close to the area where first responders gathered to begin the funeral procession for fallen APD officer Jorge Pastore, who was killed in the line of duty last weekend.

House Republicans to move to kill education savings accounts in school finance bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As a tense Texas House prepares to debate a massive $36 billion school finance plan on Friday morning, rural House Republicans have filed an amendment to strip the controversial provision that would establish education savings accounts (ESAs).State Rep. John Raney, a College Station Republican and longtime opponent of any school voucher plan, has proposed the amendment to eliminate the entire section of the bill that would establish ESAs. About 15 other Republicans signed onto that amendment, setting it up for success if all Democrats vote for it.Lawmakers expect a relatively short day should that amendment pass. If the House passes a bill without education savings accounts, it would be dead on arrival in the Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would veto it. RELATED: School voucher bill to reach Texas House floor Friday for potentially pivotal vote Even before the debate began, House Bill 1 attracted criticism from both the strongest liberals and staunches...

Body of second missing Minnesota canoeist is recovered in northwestern Wisconsin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

After more than two weeks of searching, crews have found the body of a second southern Minnesota man who went missing while canoeing in northwestern Wisconsin last month.The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the body of 27-year-old Andrew DeRock was found Wednesday afternoon in the Minong Flowage in Douglas County.DeRock and 26-year-old Ryan Busch — both of New Ulm — had gone missing on Oct. 28 after their canoe capsized. Searchers found Busch’s body last week.The sheriff’s office said that weather conditions at the time of the incident were not considered a factor in the canoe capsizing, as conditions were calm and clear at the time.Authorities said weather conditions and underwater obstacles did hinder search efforts over the past couple of weeks. The search involved multiple agencies from across the region, including the St. Louis County Rescue Squad from Minnesota.Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard also acknowledged local businesses and residents in the Wascott, Wis., a...

Prominent Mayo Clinic physician sues, citing retaliation over media statements, whistleblowing report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Dr. Michael Joyner is suing his employer for “punitive” discipline actions against him for “problematic” statements to the media, “unprofessional” behavior and what he claims to be retaliation for his role in a whistleblowing report.Joyner, an anesthesiologist and physiologist, has worked at Mayo Clinic since 1992 and has become a world-renowned expert in his field. Named in the lawsuit are Mayo Clinic, Mayo CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia and Dr. Carlos Mantilla, who heads Joyner’s department. The suit was filed in Olmsted County District Court on Monday.Joyner is requesting a jury trial. He seeks damages in an amount to be established during the trial, and for an order for Mayo Clinic to cease its interference with his style of communication.Joyner was disciplined in March 2023 for cited reasons that included his use of “idiomatic language” in interviews with CNN and the New York Times. Those were described in his disciplinary letter as “problematic ...

After EPA criticism, state says it’s working on plan for southeastern Minnesota water quality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says state agencies need to take additional steps to protect drinking water in southeastern Minnesota from nitrate contamination.The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health responded to the EPA letter on nitrates in southeast Minnesota, saying it would release a plan of action in 30 days.The EPA’s notice to Minnesota state agencies earlier this month came in response to a petition sent in April by environmental groups saying more action was required to protect water quality in the geologically porous “karst region,” which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties.The group consists of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Environmental Working Group, Minnesota Well Owners Organization, Center for Food Safety, Clean Up the River Environment, Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Mississippi River, Izaak...

‘It’s what you dreamt of’: Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson ready for game back home in Sweden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

STOCKHOLM — The list of reasons Saturday night will be special for Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is wide and varied.For one, the Wild will be taking on his former team, the Ottawa Senators. Gustavsson broke into the NHL with the Senators before being sent to Minnesota in a July 2022 trade. This will mark the second time he has squared off against his former teammates.“They didn’t want me, so hopefully we can beat them tomorrow,” Gustavsson.Another reason?The Wild will be playing at Avicii Arena — the game starts at 5 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. CT —  which is a globe-shaped dome often used by the Swedish national team. Gustavsson has never played there.“It’s one of the most iconic buildings here in Sweden,” the Swedish netminder said.And most importantly, he’ll have a robust cheering section filled with some of the people he holds most dear in his life. Gustvasson’s hometown of Skellefteå is nearly 500 miles north of Stockholm, but he plans to have lots of friends and family members...

Accused kidnapper pleads not guilty to nine charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Accused kidnapper Craig Ross Jr. pleaded not guilty to nine total charges during an arraignment Friday in Saratoga County Court. Ross is accused of kidnapping a young girl in late September. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Ross was arraigned on Friday on a nine-count indictment handed up by a Grand Jury. Ross is accused of kidnapping a girl at a campsite in late September.Charges:First-degree kidnapping4 sexual assault charges2 sexual abuse chargesEndangering the welfare of a childAssaultThe girl was found alive on Ross' property after an extensive search. The next court date is set for Thursday, December 21. Stick with NEWS10 as we continue to follow this case.