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Acquitted ex-Parkland resource officer says he 'wouldn't have done anything different'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

(NewsNation) – A former Florida sheriff’s deputy who was acquitted after being criminally tried for not doing enough to confront the Parkland school shooter says he “wouldn’t have done anything different.”Former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson wept as he was found not guilty Thursday of felony child neglect and other charges related to failing to act during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.Prosecutors argued Peterson could have confronted shooter Nikolas Cruz and stopped the deaths of six of the 17 people who died. Peterson took cover, rather than run into the three-story building where the shootings unfolded.Peterson took cover in the alcove of a building for 40 minutes, long after other police officers stormed the building and the shooting ended, the Associated Press reported. Father of Parkland shooting victim knocks ex-school officer for ‘celebrating’ verdict Peterson told NewsNation host Dan Abrams he stands by his actions.“I wouldn't have done an...

How NASCAR drivers prepared before the Chicago Street Race

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

CHICAGO - Taking part in a promotional event on Friday at the newest addition to Wrigley Field, one of NASCAR's drivers said what many are thinking ahead of a pair of unique races this weekend."Hardest race of the year for sure," said 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry for the Chicago Street Race's Cup Series event on Sunday. He was at DraftKings Sportsbook on Addison and Sheffield on Friday with his 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick discussing the very unique challenge that's ahead for the drivers on the 2.2-mile road course over the next few days.Since the course wasn't completed until late this week, drivers had no opportunity to get a chance to race on the circuit and see how to set up their cars. Their first chance to see how their machines would perform on the course was Saturday morning and afternoon when the Xfinity and Cup Series drivers go 50 minutes of practice before a qualifying session.For those in the Xfinity Series, the turnaround to race is onl...

Mr. Natural in south Austin closes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mr. Natural, a vegetarian restaurant in Austin, said it has closed one of its locations after being open for more than 20 years.The restaurant’s south Austin location closed Friday, according to the owners. Slow sales and high food prices were cited as the cause of the South Lamar location closure."We're still having the aftereffects of COVID. We were closed for six months during COVID. People still think we're closed, so there's not much foot traffic,” Isabel Mendoza said about the south Austin location. “We've had a presence in this neighborhood, and we've seen all the changes on this street. We're sad we're going to have to close up.”The Mr. Natural location on East Cesar Chavez Street will stay open, according to the owners.

Austin Police make arrest in downtown Austin robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it arrested a man Thursday who was wanted in connection with the robbery and assault of an employee at a downtown Austin grocery store.Image of Terry Accor Darnell Jr. (APD photo)Austin Police said 28-year-old Terry Darnell Jr. was charged with robbery by assault, a second-degree felony. PAST COVERAGE: APD searching for suspect wanted in Royal Blue Grocery employee assault APD said the robbery occurred in the 300 block of Brazos Street at approximately 8 p.m. June 17.Austin Police said anyone with information regarding this incident should contact APD's Robbery unit at 512-974-5092. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter holding adoption event through July 4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) said it was partnering with Best Friends Animal Society to offer free adoptions Friday through Tuesday.The adoption event is the fifth National Adoption Weekend the two organizations have worked together. The shelter is located at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown. Interested adopters and fosters could also preview all adoptable pets online.“Now more than ever, the support from national organizations helps to highlight our need while making it simple for the community to once again come out to assist us with our critical space issues for dogs, especially those over 25 pounds, and cats ... We hope the national spotlight will help to reach even more members of our community about the benefits of adoption,” said Misty Valenta, the shelter's animal services director.According to WCRAS, recent data from Best Friends showed 57% of shelters in the U.S. were no-kill in 2022, but 378,000 dogs and cats were...

Governor announces crackdown on July 4th impaired driving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday, June 30 that the New York State Police will be enforcing a crackdown on impaired driving over the July 4 holiday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The governor said that motorists should expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols over the weekend. Troopers will also be patrolling in both State Police vehicles and unmarked vehicles, looking for impaired drivers, as well as motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices."We want New Yorkers to have fun this holiday weekend, but they must do so responsibly," Governor Hochul said in a statement. "State Police and local law enforcement agencies will once again be out in force on New York's roadways this holiday weekend and we have zero tolerance for drivers whose reckless actions endanger the lives of others and we will hold those who do so accountable." Food Truck Festival...

Meet 'Teacherman,' the St. Peters coach who helped Aaron Judge find his MVP form

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

ST. PETERS, Mo. - Two of baseball’s most-storied franchises meet again. The St. Louis Cardinals host the New York Yankees for a weekend series at Busch Stadium. The Yankees' biggest star Aaron Judge, reigning MVP and AL single-season home runs leader Aaron Judge, is out this weekend with a toe injury. While Judge will miss the St. Louis series, he's getting help from an instructor not too far away. Richard Schenck (@Teacherman1986 on Twitter) runs the Teacherman baseball facility in St. Peters. Many years ago, as part of a father-son project, he made it his mission to study the swing of Barry Bonds and learn how to translate that into success for his youngest son. Aaron Judge and Richard Schenck in 2018, a few years after they connected through Judge's agent Dave Matranga. (Photo provided by: Richard Schenck)Through his son's improvements and a series of fortunate events, Schenck ended up connecting with Aaron Judge. The two keep in touch regularly, even as Aaron works to return fro...

Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest growing home prices in Missouri using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in Zillow Home Values Index for all homes from the twelve months ending May 2023. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib. Data was available for 727 cities and towns in Missouri. The typical home value in the United States increased over the last year by 0.9% to $346,856.Metros with the most cities in the top 50#1. Kansas City, MO-KS: 8#2. Columbia, MO: 6#3. Jefferson City, MO: 5#4. St. Louis, MO-IL: 3#5. Cape Girardeau, MO-IL: 2#5. Kirksville, MO: 2#5. Maryville, MO: 2#5. Mexico, MO: 2#9. Branson, MO: 1#9. Hannibal, MO: 1#9. Joplin, MO: 1#9. Marshall, MO: 1#9. Moberly, MO: 1#9. Sedalia, MO: 1#9. St. Joseph, MO-KS: 1Read on to see which cities made the list.Stacker#50. Oak Ridge- Typical home value: $248,171- 1-year price change: +$33,962 (+15.9%)- 5-year price change: +$135,794 (+120.8%)- Metro area: Cape Gir...

Man named in Supreme Court’s Colorado gay rights ruling says he didn’t request a wedding website

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

A Colorado web designer who the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday could refuse to make wedding websites for gay couples cited a request from a man who says he never asked to work with her.The request in dispute, from a person identified as “Stewart,” wasn’t the basis for the federal lawsuit filed preemptively seven years ago by web designer Lorie Smith, before she started making wedding websites.But as the case advanced, it was referenced by her attorneys when lawyers for the state of Colorado pressed Smith on whether she had sufficient grounds to sue.The revelation distracts from Smith’s victory at a time when she might have been basking in her win in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, which is widely considered a setback for gay rights.Smith named Stewart — and included a website service request from him, listing his phone number and email address in 2017 court documents. But Stewart told The Associated Press he never submitted the request and didn’t know his name was invoked in the ...

Here are the new California laws taking effect today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:39:24 GMT

It’s the middle of the year, but several new laws or their provisions take effect in California on July 1.Most new state laws go into effect on January 1, but the Legislature sometimes designates some laws or certain provisions of these to go into effect in the middle of the year, or even immediately upon the signature of the governor. Here’s a collection of the laws and provisions that take effect on Saturday, including laws regarding teacher retirement plans, online sellers and new requirements for bounty hunters. Stricter measures against sales of firearm-related productsAB 1594, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), requires firearm manufacturers and their distributors to closely monitor the sale of firearm-related products and prohibits unfair and unlawful marketing and advertising of these products. The measure also allows state and local governments and residents to file a civil lawsuit against firearm manufacturers who do not follow this new law. The l...