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Why Wisconsin Republicans are talking about impeaching a new state Supreme Court justice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature is talking about impeaching a newly elected liberal state Supreme Court justice even before she has heard a case.The unprecedented attempt to impeach and remove Justice Janet Protasiewicz from office comes as the court is being asked to throw out legislative electoral maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2011 that cemented the party’s majorities, which now stand at 65-34 in the Assembly and a 22-11 supermajority in the Senate.Here is a closer look at where things stand:HOW DID THE STATE GET HERE?Protasiewicz won election in April to a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court beginning Aug. 1. Her 11-point victory gave liberals a 4-3 majority, ending a 15-year run with conservatives in control.During her first week in office, two lawsuits were filed by Democratic-friendly groups and law firms seeking to overturn Republican-drawn legislative maps. WHY IS THERE TALK OF IMPEACHMENT?Republ...

A building marked by fire and death shows the decay of South Africa’s ‘city of gold’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — One of the few things that survived the fire and smoke that caused at least 76 horrific deaths in a rundown apartment block in Johannesburg is a circular plaque hanging on the brown brick exterior. It has a five-sentence inscription outlining the building’s history.No. 80 Albert Street – the scene of one of South Africa’s worst inner-city tragedies – was a central pass office during the apartheid era of racial segregation, a checkpoint for enforcing a despised law that controlled the movement of Black people nearly everywhere in the country.Without a pass from the apartheid government to work there, people were “denied a place” in Johannesburg, the inscription reads.What it doesn’t say is that the building still saw people excluded up until last Thursday, nearly 30 years after apartheid ended, when a fire swept through it and killed dozens of South Africans and poor foreign migrants clinging on at the fringes of society i...

Corgis parade outside Buckingham Palace to remember Queen Elizabeth II a year since her death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Royal fans and their pet corgis gathered outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday to remember Queen Elizabeth II, a year since her death. Around 20 corgi enthusiasts dressed up their pets in crowns, tiaras and royal outfits and paraded them outside the palace in central London to pay tribute to Elizabeth, a well-known lover of the dog breed. Corgis were the late queen’s constant companions since she was a child, and Elizabeth owned around 30 throughout her life. Generations of the dogs descended from Susan, a corgi that was given to the queen on her 18th birthday.Agatha Crerer-Gilbert, who organized Sunday’s event, said she would like the corgi march to take place every year in Elizabeth’s memory.“I can’t see a better way to remember her than through her corgis, through the breed that she loved and cherished through her life,” she said. “You know, I can’t still get used to the fact that she’s not physically around us, but she’s looking at us. Look, the sun...

3 dead after head-on motorcycle crash in Big Rock: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

BIG ROCK TOWNSHIP, Ill. -- Three people are dead after a car crash in Big Rock Saturday night.According to police, a Honda Civic was travelling westbound on route 30 from Davis Road when it passed a vehicle in front of him in the eastbound lane in a no passing zone and struck a motorcycle head on. The Kane County Sheriff's Office identified the driver of the Honda as 55-year-old Jaime Bibiano. The motorcyclist was identified as 56-year-old Scott Luczynski and a passenger on the motorcycle, 58-year-old Kathleen Luczynski. 3 men shot, 1 critical in South Austin Bibiano was pronounced dead on the scene. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead on the scene and a few minutes later, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital in Aurora. Sheriffs are unaware if drugs or alcohol were involved, and no roadways are closed as a result of the crash.

Cause of death revealed for ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Jimmy Buffett's cause of death has been revealed, just days after the singer-songwriter passed away. A statement posted to the "Margaritaville" singer's website said Buffett, who was 76, "passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs."An obituary posted to that same website said Buffett had been fighting Merkel cell skin cancer for four years, and had been continuing to perform during treatment. It progressed into lymphoma, sources told TMZ, and Buffett had reportedly been receiving hospice care.Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer, according to Mayo Clinic. It typically appears as flesh-colored or bluish-red nodules on your face, head, or neck. Merkel cell carcinoma can grow fast and spread quickly, and is often seen in older people with a weakened immune system or after long-term sun exposure. Remembering Jimmy Buffett: Norbert Putnam looks back on producing Margaritaville Buffett announced in M...

Burning Man flooding strands tens of thousands at Nevada site; authorities are investigating 1 death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Tens of thousands of people gathered for the Burning Man festival remained stranded in the Nevada desert on Sunday after storms that swept through the area, as authorities investigated a possible death and worked to open exit paths by the end of the Labor Day weekend.Organizers closed vehicular access to the counterculture festival and attendees trudged through mud, many barefoot or wearing plastic bags on their feet. The revelers were urged to shelter in place and conserve food, water and other supplies. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said a death happened during the event but offered few details as the investigation continued, including the identity of the deceased person or the suspected cause of death, KNSD-TV reported.On their website, organizers encouraged participants to remain calm and suggest that the festival is built to endure conditions like the flooding. They said cellphone trailers were being dropped in several locations Saturday night and that ...

Fonda Fair presented with $18,000 check from Sticker Mule

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Fonda Fair was presented with a check for $18,000 from Sticker Mule, a prominent custom print company based in Amsterdam. The presentation took place on September 2, preceding the fair's Demolition Derby. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The Fonda Fair, which is celebrating its 182nd year, opened on August 30 and runs through September 4. In honor of their partnership, Sticker Mule, along with Mule Fitness and Mule Sauce, have been represented throughout the fairgrounds every day with giveaways and activities. “Sticker Mule loves the Fonda Fair,” said Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino. “We are always saying Upstate NY doesn’t just need jobs, it also needs fun and the Fonda Fair is one of the most fun events in the area. We couldn’t be happier to support it.”

West St. Louis resident robbed while repossessing motorcycle, bike stolen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis police were called to the scene of a robbery in west St. Louis near Keokuk Street on September 3 at about 2:45 a.m. A 44-year-old victim said that he was helping a friend repossess a motorcycle from an individual who had stopped making payments. The victim removed the motorcycle from the rear yard of a residence on Keokuk.While waiting to load the motorcycle onto another vehicle, the victim observed a maroon Dodge Ram 1500 circling the block four or five times. The Dodge Ram came to a stop, and three white males exited the vehicle. St. Louis leaders react to recent jail deaths The driver approached the victim, pointing a gun at his head and telling him that the motorcycle wasn't worth losing his life. The victim retreated from the motorcycle as all three suspects loaded it into the back of the Dodge Ram and left the area. This investigation is ongoing.

Video: Jewelry store employees fight would-be thief who bear sprayed them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

Southern California is no stranger to smash-and-grab robberies, but an attempted theft in El Monte didn’t go as planned for one man, and his encounter with employees was all caught on video. According to the El Monte Police Department, the suspect entered Meza’s Jewelry, located at 10909 Main Street, around 2:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The man allegedly sprayed employees and customers with bear repellent spray and then proceeded to smash display cases and attempt to take merchandise. Things took a turn when the employees “engaged the suspect” according to El Monte police, and a struggle ensued. (Instagram/@SGV)Things took a turn when the employees “engaged the suspect” according to El Monte police, and a struggle ensued. (Instagram/@SGV)Things took a turn when the employees “engaged the suspect” according to El Monte police, and a struggle ensued. (Instagram/@SGV)Things took a turn when the employees “engaged the suspect” according to El Monte police, and a struggle ...

Robbery suspect who failed to appear for February court date apprehended by police after pursuit 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

A man wanted in connection for a November 2022 robbery was apprehended on Saturday after missing his court date in February. According to a release from the Rialto Police Department, Manuel Alberto Barajas, 22, of Grand Terrace allegedly robbed a 19-year-old victim in the 300 block of North Eucalyptus Avenue on Nov. 25, 2022. “The [victim] reported the suspect...physically attacked him and stole approximately $9,000 worth of jewelry and electronics,” Rialto police said in a statement. “During the incident, Barajas pointed a handgun at the victim’s head and threatened to kill him.” Authorities launched an investigation and identified Barajas as the suspect, and he was subsequently located and arrested on Feb. 20. He was later released “with a promise to appear in court at a later time,” police said.  Video: Jewelry store employees fight would-be thief who bear sprayed them Barajas failed to appear for his scheduled court date, and a felony warrant was issued for his ...