Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin sends 100 National Guard soldiers to US-Mexican border

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin sends 100 National Guard soldiers to US-Mexican border RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin is joining the list of Republican governors sending soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the U.S. border with Mexico.Youngkin announced Wednesday that in response to a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott he had signed an executive order directing the deployment of 100 Virginia National Guard soldiers and 21 support personnel. “The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state,” Youngkin said in a statement. “As leadership solutions at the federal level fall short, states are answering the call to secure our southern border, reduce the flow of fentanyl, combat human trafficking and address the humanitarian crisis.”Youngkin’s order said the soldiers will answer to a military commander during the 30-day deployment, not any local civilian authorities, and “will be equipped with weapons, ammunition, body armor, protective masks, and night vision and other support devices.”The go...

Scattered showers, storms possible

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Scattered showers, storms possible CHICAGO — Scattered storms are possible Wednesday.Daytime heating will drive the precipitation development meaning the most widespread rains will occur in the warmer hours of the day from late morning in to afternoon. But areal coverage of the showers and thunderstorms appears likely to impact perhaps 20 to 30% of the metro area. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Before the rain arrives, there will be stronger sunshine, compared to recent days, meaning you can suffer a sunburn quickly this afternoon.Showers and storms start to bubble up around noon south of I-80. Rain showers will start in the metro area around 2 p.m.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog But once the sun sets, daytime heating goes away and takes with it the chance for rain.It will return again on Thursday though, likely in the afternoon hours. Friday will be quieter weather-wise.

City leaders approve $50M aid for migrant care

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

City leaders approve $50M aid for migrant care CHICAGO — BREAKING NEWS: City leaders approved a $50 million proposal Wednesday to help with the growing costs of Chicago's migrant crisis.The vote was 34 "yes" and 13 "no." After passionate debate and loud outbursts by demonstrators, Chicago City Council approves using $51 million to help influx of migrants coming to city. pic.twitter.com/6zh4fEhGZG— Tahman Bradley (@tahmanbradley) May 31, 2023More than 8,000 migrants have been bussed to Chicago from Texas since August.Around 800 migrants are sleeping in police stations across the city.The $51 million is money the city received from opioid and vapor court settlements. One alderperson said it would only last about two months. 6 teens arrested after fight outside Six Flags Great America Last week, protestors packed the hallways outside the council chamber and their chants could be heard inside. Many demonstrating said the city should not be prioritizing migrants when so many communities have dealt with decades of disinvestme...

Arrest made in killing of New Jersey Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Arrest made in killing of New Jersey Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour SAYREVILLE, N.J. (WPIX) — A man has been arrested in connection to the February shooting death of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, officials said Tuesday.Rashid Ali Bynum, 28, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.Bynum, who is from Virginia, was taken into custody without incident outside a residence in Chesapeake City, authorities said. He is awaiting extradition from Virginia to New Jersey. Man wanted in connection to deaths of girlfriend and ex-wife in NY: police Dwumfour, 30, was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside her vehicle outside her home in a townhouse complex in Sayreville, New Jersey, on the evening of Feb. 1, according to authorities.Investigators linked Bynum to Dwumfour's killing using surveillance video, witness reports, cellphone data, internet searc...

Virginia to end college degree requirements for most state jobs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Virginia to end college degree requirements for most state jobs RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Virginia won’t require applicants for nearly 90% of the state’s classified jobs to have college degrees starting in July.With the move, Virginia joins such states as Maryland and North Carolina that have cut degrees and other preference requirements for state positions. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced the move Tuesday, calling it a “landmark change” in the way Virginia hires and recruits people to join the state’s workforce. State-classified positions are salaried jobs covered by the Virginia Personnel Act. “This landmark change in hiring practices for our state workforce will improve hiring processes, expand possibilities and career paths for job seekers and enhance our ability to deliver quality services,” Youngkin said in a statement. Virginia budget negotiators at odds over Youngkin’s corporate tax cut plan: ‘Clearly off the table’ According to the governor’s office, Virginia state agencies advertise, on average, over 20,000 jobs each year. Virginia’s ...

House debt ceiling vote nears to avert default with Biden and McCarthy both confident of passage

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

House debt ceiling vote nears to avert default with Biden and McCarthy both confident of passage By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING, STEPHEN GROVES and FARNOUSH AMIRI (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The hard-fought debt ceiling and budget cuts package headed toward a crucial House vote Wednesday as President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a coalition of centrist Democratic and Republican supporters against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent.Biden expressed optimism that the agreement he negotiated with McCarthy would pass the chamber. “I think things are going as planned,” he told reporters. The president was to depart Washington Wednesday evening for Colorado, where he is scheduled to deliver the commencement address Thursday at the U.S. Air Force Academy. “God willing by the time I land, Congress will have acted, the House will have acted, and we’ll be one step closer,” he said.Biden sent top White House officials to the Capitol to shore up support ahead of voting. McCarthy worked to sell skeptical fellow R...

Rick’s Bike Sale donations top $500,000 after 2023 sale

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Rick’s Bike Sale donations top $500,000 after 2023 sale On a single Saturday in May, Rick’s Bike Sale sold more than 460 bikes as part of its annual event in Apple Valley.This year’s event brought in $62,955 in bike sales, culminating in a total of $501,960 donated since the event’s conception, according to Rick Anderson, namesake of the bike sale.For the past 15 years, Anderson and his team have fixed up donated bikes and sold them to Dakota County residents in an effort to uplift two local charities.The net proceeds from the sales are split evenly between DARTS, a West St. Paul organization that helps seniors live more independent lives, and Kids ‘n Kinship, a program that matches youth with adult volunteers.The bike sale is what Anderson calls a “win-win-win-win” situation because it keeps materials out of the landfills, he and his team enjoy fixing up the bikes, shoppers get a good price and the money goes to charity.The leftover bikes from the sale were given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Africa Bike Mission f...

Police seize firearms during arrest in Greenfield

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Police seize firearms during arrest in Greenfield SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Sunday afternoon, DEC officials assisted New York State Police in the arrest of a 24-year-old from Halfmoon in Greenfield. The arrest was made following an investigation into a report of someone shooting firearms into the water. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The accused individual was charged with misdemeanors of prohibited use of a firearm and reckless endangerment. Law enforcement secured an AK-47 rifle and a 9mm pistol at the scene. The individual was transported to State Police barracks in Wilton and processed.

Teen shot on Delmar Boulevard, denied from short-term rental party just before

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Teen shot on Delmar Boulevard, denied from short-term rental party just before ST. LOUIS - A 14-year-old was shot Wednesday morning on Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis City shortly after he and several others were denied entry into a short-term rental party. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Wednesday in the 5600 block of Delmar Boulevard. A group of four teens, including the one shot, gathered outside a home for a party. They were denied inside. New hydrogen hub in Wentzville raises concern for residents  After that, the group of teens stood around the parking lot and talked for a brief time. As they planned to reenter their vehicle, they were approached by two suspects who accused them of "clutching" and "acting like they were armed." The group quickly got in the car and started driving away from the parking lot, though the suspects fired shots at their vehicle. One 14-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder, then rushed to a St. Louis County hospital for treatment. His injuries are believed to be minor. During the gunfire, the suspects also shot another uno...

Broncos signing K Elliott Fry to one-year deal, source says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:53 GMT

Broncos signing K Elliott Fry to one-year deal, source says Denver tried out several kickers last week and landed on one with talent but a relative lack of NFL experience.The Broncos on Wednesday agreed to a one-year deal with Elliott Fry, a source with knowledge of the agreement told The Post.Fry was a free agent for all of 2022 after getting waived by Jacksonville during the preseason. He spent part of this offseason on Arizona’s roster but was let go in March.He last kicked for Cincinnati and Kansas City during the 2021 season and made four of his five field goal attempts overall that year. For his career, Fry is 5 of 6 on field goals and 5 of 7 on extra points.Denver hosted a tryout featuring Fry, former Dallas kicker Brett Maher and Parker White last week. Maher had the most NFL experience among the group, but Fry won out.That makes him the lone kicker on Denver’s 90-man roster currently and the leader in the clubhouse to replace veteran Brandon McManus. The Broncos cut him last week after a nine-year run with the franchise, saving $3.7...