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Trying to save his life, lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue gunman argue he is mentally ill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The gunman convicted in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history had psychotic, delusional and paranoid symptoms that made him unable to understand the world or make appropriate decisions, his lawyer said Monday, launching an effort to persuade jurors to spare his life.Robert Bowers has had a psychotic condition since childhood, as well as serious brain defects and a history of suicide attempts, defense lawyer Michael Burt said on the opening day of the penalty phase of Bowers’ federal trial. Bowers was convicted this month in the 2018 killings of 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.The defense argues that Bowers was unable to form the requisite level of intent to allow the jury to impose a death sentence. Medical tests found Bowers’ brain to be “structurally deficient,” with symptoms of epilepsy and schizophrenia, Burt said.Prosecutor Troy Rivetti, in his opening statement Monday, said the government wa...

Supreme Court unfreezes Louisiana redistricting case that could boost Black voting power before 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday lifted its hold on a Louisiana political remap case, increasing the likelihood that the Republican-dominated state will have to redraw boundary lines to create a second mostly Black congressional district. The development revived Black Louisianans’ optimism of creating a second majority-Black district in the Deep South state. For more than a year, there has been a legal battle over the GOP-drawn political boundaries, with a federal judge, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and opponents saying that the map is unfair and discriminates against Black voters. The map, which was used in Louisiana’s November congressional election, has white majorities in five of six districts — despite Black people accounting for one-third of the state’s population. “I’m super excited,” Ashley Shelton, head of the Louisiana-based Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, one of the groups challenging the maps, said following Monday’s news. “What...

Trudeau taking cautious approach with uprising to avoid fuelling Russian propaganda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is monitoring the events in Russia after a short-lived uprising over the weekend, but taking a cautious approach to avoid fuelling Russian propaganda. “We are watching, of course, and we are reflecting carefully on what the implications could be either in Ukraine or elsewhere along eastern Europe, including in Latvia where Canadians are stationed right now,” Trudeau told reporters in Iceland on Monday. “I think we need to make sure that we are not facilitating the liberal use of propaganda and disinformation that we know the Russians tend to do.”A brief armed revolt in Russia over the weekend by Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary paramilitary organization known as the Wagner Group, has loomed large over the two-day gathering of Nordic leaders in Iceland, pushing security to the top of the agenda.Prigozhin, who is feuding with Russia’s top military leaders, had led his troops through ...

Air quality statements in effect for smoky, northeastern parts of Ontario

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

Anne Pegg has never seen wildfire smoke linger for so long in the northeastern Ontario mining town of Kirkland Lake, where she’s lived for more than 40 years.Outside her window, the 71-year-old said she sees nothing but hazy skies caused by a number of wildfires burning around her community, triggering special air quality statements across northern and eastern Ontario and causing high levels of air pollution.“It’s affecting a lot of people in different ways,” Pegg said in a phone interview on Monday as wildfires burned near Watabeag Lake, only about an hour drive northwest from her home.“I was getting some prescriptions delivered, and the girl was so late bringing them because she has been so busy. She told me, ‘Between the heat and the smoke, the seniors won’t leave their house.'”Quebec wildfires causing high levels of pollutionEnvironment Canada says the municipality is expected to be under a blanket of smoke along with other norther...

Enbridge ‘must cease’ Line 5 operations on Bad River land by June 2026: judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

WASHINGTON — A U.S. judge says the controversial Line 5 pipeline can keep operating on an Indigenous band’s Wisconsin territory — for now. Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. had asked district court Judge William Conley to clarify his recent order to give the company three years to relocate the pipeline. Conley makes it clear that Enbridge must continue to compensate the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa in the meantime. And on his three-year deadline, the judge was unequivocal: Line 5 must cease operations on Bad River territory no later than June 16, 2023.Enbridge expects the approval process for a new, 66-kilometre detour will be complete some time in 2025, and that relocating the pipe will take about a year. But recent court documents suggest the company had been hoping Conley would amend his order to prevent a Line 5 shutdown before the detour is complete. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2023.The Canadian Press

Clock ticking for West Virginia to select leadership for opioid money distribution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia is finalizing the leadership for a newly created foundation tasked with distributing the lion’s share of the more than $1 billion in opioid lawsuit-settlement money coming to the state with the nation’s highest overdose death rate.That means funding for opioid treatment and addiction services can soon begin going out to communities after years of litigation, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Monday in his state Capitol office in Charleston. “We feel this process has been moving along,” Morrisey said. “It’s a lot of money, and I want to make sure the public knows full well what’s happening with it.”Morrisey said the state has hired the Arlington, Virginia-based search firm DRiWaterstone Human Capital to find an executive director for the West Virginia First Foundation, the private non-profit that will distribute just under three quarters of the money. About a quarter will go directly to counties and a small percentage — ar...

Quebec provincial police spokesman charged with sexually assaulting minor in 1988

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

PERCÉ, Que. — A Quebec provincial police spokesman is facing three criminal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a minor in 1988, before he joined the police force.Sgt. Claude Doiron appeared in court today in Percé, in the Gaspesie region, to be charged with sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference towards a child who was less than 14 years old.According to the charge sheet, the alleged crimes took place between May and September 1988 in Cloridorme, on the Gaspé peninsula.Doiron, now 60, was 25 years old at the time, and Quebec provincial police say he had not yet joined the force.A lawyer for Doiron said his client did not enter a plea, and the case is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29. Doiron has regularly appeared in the media since 2012, when he was named provincial police spokesman for the Gaspésie and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2023.The Canadian Press

Suburban man accused of flashing laser pointer at several planes leaving Midway, O'Hare

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

BERKELEY, Ill. — A suburban man was arrested after being accused of flashing a laser pointer at several planes leaving Midway and O'Hare.At around 9:45 p.m. Thursday, a pilot and a spotter with the Illinois State Police were participating in "Operation Safe Drive." While flying, the pair said they were targeted by a laser pointer from the ground.They used the aircraft camera and determined it was likely coming from a yard in the 1200 block of Sunnyside Drive in Berkeley.During the investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration told authorities "several" aircraft department O'Hare and Midway recently, including commercial flights, reported the same issue from that area. Charges dropped against mother and 14-year-old son in fatal shooting Saul Martinez Castanon, 36, was arrested at his residence. He was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct.ISP released a video on YouTube of footage from the plane.

Blackhawks acquiring former NHL MVP Taylor Hall from Bruins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

CHICAGO — As the Blackhawks get ready to make a selection with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft on Wednesday, they're acquiring a player who had that distinction over a decade ago. Now Official: The Blackhawks have confirmed the trade with the Bruins ahead of the NHL Draft..5-time All-Star & former MVP Taylor Hall & forward Nick Foligno to the Blackhawks. .Defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula to Boston..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/iQOKytvCKq— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) June 26, 2023On Monday, the Blackhawks announced that they've acquired 2010 No. 1 overall pick, five-time NHL All-Star and 2018 MVP Taylor Hall from the Bruins. He comes to Chicago along with forward Nick Foligno in exchange for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.This trade gives the still-building Blackhawks a veteran player while offering Boston some salary cap relief. Hall will be in the third year of a four-year, $24 million contract he signed prior to the 2021-2022 season.Per Sportrac,...

Johnson marks start of 'One Summer Chicago' initiative for youth employment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's six-week summer job program for young people kicked off Monday with support from Mayor Brandon Johnson.Held in the city's Grand Crossing neighborhood, Johnson made a special appearance to congratulate kids on their new jobs Monday morning at the orientation for 'One Summer Chicago.' The annual summer job initiative employs more than 25,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 24.  Most pools now open across Chicago after surge of lifeguard applicants Offered in the program are jobs in technology, healthcare and media. All city offices will also employ young people, including the mayor's office. The Chicago Police Department is taking on 76 people. Interim CPD superintendent Fred Waller says the participants will work with community policing officers. The city has also partnered with a private sector to allow young people to work for the Chicago Cubs and Amazon.  Chicago celebrates cultural diversity on World Refugee Day Mayor...