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Why Sen. Feinstein’s absence is a big problem for Democrats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s monthslong absence from the Senate to recover in California from shingles has become a vexing problem for Democrats who want to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal courts. Now there is some pressure from within her party, and her state, to resign.With frustration mounting among Democrats, Feinstein on Wednesday asked to be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recuperates. The statement came shortly after a member of California’s House delegation, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, called on her to step down, saying it is “unacceptable” for her to miss votes to confirm judges who could be weighing in on abortion rights, a key Democratic priority. It will not be easy to temporarily replace Feinstein on the influential committee. Republicans could block such a move, given that the full Senate must approve committee assignments.The conundrum for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stems from his pa...

Post-Parkland, Florida OKs easier path for death penalty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida will soon no longer require a unanimous jury recommendation before an execution under a bill the Legislature approved Thursday, a reaction to the life sentence handed to the man who massacred 17 people at a Parkland high school.The House passed the bill on a 80-30 vote. It now goes to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval. It will allow the death penalty with a jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution. DeSantis supports the proposal.The bill was filed after the outrage over a divided 9-3 jury sparing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz from capital punishment for the 2018 massacre. He instead received a life sentence with no parole. Only three states out of the 27 that impose the death penalty do not require unanimity. Alabama allows a 10-2 decision, and Missouri and Indiana let a judge decide when there is a divided jury.Florida has executed two convicted murderers this year, including one on Wednesda...

La Fiscalía de México tiene órdenes de aprehensión contra dos funcionarios de Migración vinculados con mortal incendio en Ciudad Juárez

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

(CNN Español) — La Fiscalía General de México informó este jueves que tiene órdenes de aprehensión en contra de dos funcionarios del Instituto Nacional de Migración, por su “vinculación directa” con el incendio que el 27 de marzo dejó 40 personas muertas y decenas de heridas en un centro migratorio de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.Agregó que la Policía Federal Ministerial “se encuentra ejecutando” las detenciones.Además, el boletín establece que se busca realizar las audiencias iniciales los próximos 20 y 21 de abril, donde se conocerán las imputaciones y los datos probatorios.La Fiscalía solo identificó a los señalados como Francisco “N” y Antonio “N”. El miércoles, el presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador informó en su conferencia de prensa matutina que la Fiscalía General investigaba a Francisco Garduño, comisionado del Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) en relación con el incidente.Abren proceso penal contra funcionarios por incendio en centro de detención de migrantes en C...

Red Bulls’ Vanzeir suspended 6 games for racist language

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir was suspended Thursday for six games and fined by Major League Soccer for using racist language during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes.The Belgian forward is also prohibited from playing in the U.S. Open Cup, in exhibition matches or in the third-tier MLS Next Pro league until the suspension is over, and he will be required to participate in training and education sessions, MLS said. The league did not disclose the amount of the fine. Vanzeir had previously stepped away from the team. The Red Bulls issued a statement Tuesday that said Vanzeir addressed his teammates that day and left “to avoid further distractions.” San Jose striker Jeremy Ebobisse alleged a Red Bulls player used a racial slur early in the second half of a 1-1 draw on April 8 at Red Bulls Arena. A scuffle broke out among players and caused a lengthy delay. Ebobisse, who is Black, did not name the player.The league investigated and issued a statement sh...

Fairfax Co. police identify driver of ‘suspicious buses’ attempting to pick up children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, say they are investigating two incidents of what they called “suspicious buses” attempting to pick up children Thursday morning.The first incident happened at 7:44 a.m. when a short white bus with a blue stripe tried to pick up a student at a bus stop in the area of Southington Lane in Reston, according to a Fairfax County police news release.A member of the community tried to speak with the driver but the driver shut the door and drove off, according to police. The driver was described as a white male with facial hair.Officers were notified later that morning, police said.The second incident occurred at 7:55 a.m. In this case, police said an unmarked yellow school bus with black stripes tried to pick up elementary school students at a bus stop in the area of Chynoweth Street and Telegraph Road in Lorton.When a community member confronted the driver, he drove away, police said. This driver was described as having long, curly brown hair...

Denver weather: Cooler temperatures and Rain-snow showers on the way

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's weather will stay breezy overnight as clouds continue to build in ahead of showers. Red flag warnings are in effect from until 8 p.m. Thursday with gusts up to 45 mph. Rain showers will move in late Thursday night and transition to a cooler rain-snow mix on Friday. Weather tonight: Breezy ahead of showers Clouds and breezy conditions will stick around through the evening ahead of showers. Low temperatures will be cooler and fall down to the upper 30s. Weather tomorrow: Rain and snow showers alongside cooler temperatures Showers and cooler temperatures will move in on Friday. High temperatures will only reach around 50 degrees and fall to the 30s by around 4 p.m. The falling temperatures will be paired with rain showers that will mix with snowfall after sunset Friday night, then change over to light snowfall after midnight as lows fall to around 30 degrees. Looking ahead: Showers to start the weekend ahead of a warming trend The chance for showers will...

Jamie Foxx is hospitalized after ‘medical complication,’ source tells CNN

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

(CNN) — Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is hospitalized in Georgia and under observation, a source with knowledge of the situation tells CNN.His daughter Corinne Foxx shared on Instagram Wednesday night that her father had experienced a “medical complication,” adding that he is “on his way to recovery.”She did not specify what happened medically. The source with knowledge of the event said Foxx was not transported by an emergency vehicle and it did not take place while on set of the Netflix film, “Back in Action,” which Fox is currently filming.CNN has reached out to representatives for Foxx for comment.The exact nature of Foxx’s medical scare has not been disclosed.Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Jamie Foxx, declined to share anything beyond Corinne Foxx’s Instagram post.“Nothing more, at this time, than what was posted,” he told CNN by email Wednesday.The movie “Back in Action,” which includes Jami...

Toni Collette, ‘Mafia Mamma’ co-stars say starring in new action comedy was an offer they couldn’t refuse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

Mafia rules are serious, and we’ve seen enough “Godfather” movies to know you don’t break one, or it’s off to the mattresses for you. The new action comedy “Mafia Mamma” is all about that family mob code.Monica Bellucci (as Bianca): “I have terrible news: your grandfather is dead.”Toni Collette (as Kristin): “I don’t even know him.”When the head honcho of an Italian Mafia dies, his granddaughter Kristin, played by Toni Collette, gets crowned as the new mob boss.Toni Collette (as Kristin): “What did my grandfather do?”Toni Collette: “The film doesn’t lie. I was having the time of my life. It really was the most profoundly joyous experience I’ve ever had at work — in fact, just in life. I loved being in Rome. I loved making this movie.”And in this funny take on Mafia life, survival is key.Toni Collette (as Kristin): “I’ve been here two days, and I’ve been...

Drew Smith receives praise from Justin Verlander after showcasing elevated fastball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

Drew Smith knew his high fastball was an effective pitch, but now that Justin Verlander has taken notice of it, it might be better than the reliever initially thought.While throwing in spring training a few months ago, Smith was working on a high fastball. Verlander commented on it, encouraging him to use it more often.“It’s what I’ve been practicing for a couple years now and coming into camp, Verlander actually told me it’s a really good pitch,” Smith said recently. “I knew it was, but he was like, ‘You need to throw it more.’”When a future Hall-of-Fame ace tells you to throw it more, you throw it more.Smith has known this for a long time. The Fort Worth, Texas native has seen the analytics that shows him how much better his fastball plays up in the zone instead of down. He’s seen the swings and misses from hitters in games.But his fastball was harder when it was down in the zone and trying to get up in the zone felt coun...

Needham volleyball team tops Natick for 51st consecutive win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:11 GMT

NATICK – The historic streak continues for the two-time defending state champs.Behind its normal dose of well-rounded contributions and its seemingly innate focus in every big moment, No. 1 Needham (5-0) withstood a bevy of surges from No. 3 Natick (3-1) to take a 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-21) road win Thursday afternoon in a battle of Bay State Conference powers.Ethan McCarron’s 14 kills flexed the strongest in a charge that saw four others register at least three kills, pairing with Alex Gundaker’s six blocks, Jonathan Ochalla’s 20 digs, and a setting trio’s 30 combined assists to pace the program’s 51st straight victory.After the RedHawks topped fellow title contender No. 2 Newton North on Tuesday, eyes turned to this matchup as an early measuring stick for how one of the state’s bests stacks up to the premier contender from the past two seasons. Natick nearly won the first set and matched blow for blow throughout much of the contest, but Needham passed with flying colors to remain t...