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Ed Burke trial: Cross-examination of Burger King owner continues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A Texas-based fast food restaurant magnate who owns a Burger King in the ward of Ed Burke once again took the witness stand Wednesday in Burke's federal trial.The franchise owner, Shoulkat Dhanani, spent most of Tuesday answering questions from prosecutors — telling them he felt pressure to hire Ed Burke so that a construction project at his Burger King would go smoothly.Burke is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion. They're tied to four alleged schemes: the aforementioned Burger King, Binny's Beverage Depot, the Old Main Post Office development and the Field Museum.In the Burger King episode, Burke is accused of trying to pressure Dhanani into using his private law firm to do Dhanani's property tax appeals for all 150 Burger King locations he owns in the area. Previous: Ed Burke trial shifts to alleged Burger King scheme Burke is allegedly heard of a wiretapped phone call telling a Texas political contact that he'd like to get Dhanani's la...

Pate Philip, towering figure in Illinois Republican politics, dies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A hero of the conservative movement, James Peyton Philip, or "Pate" as he was called was an old-school politician. A prolific fundraiser and strategist, he was perhaps best known, however, for his sharp tongue.Phillip served in the Illinois General Assembly for 36 years. After a stint in the House, he was elected to the Senate, rising to president in 1993. It was a post he held for a decade."Growing up, my three heroes were John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Pate Philip," said former State Senator Walter Dudycz.Now retired, Dudycz, who was an assistant leader under Philips, called the former president one-of-a-kind, blunt and loyal.MORE FROM TAHMAN BRADLEY: Migrants, crime, investment in people: Brandon Johnson’s first 6 months as mayor "He was honest, he was straightforward, he was very, very truthful, and he kept his word," Dudycz said. A Marine, Philips was an imposing statue. His tough guy persona made him a force to reckon with, even among fellow Republicans."I can’t tell ...

Several more children sickened by fruit pouches tainted with lead: FDA

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — More children were apparently sickened by apple puree pouches recently recalled due to dangerous lead contamination, the Food and Drug Administration said.The agency has received 52 reports of elevated lead levels among children who reportedly consumed the products, which is up from 34 cases reported last week. The reports span 22 states and involve children between the ages of 1 to 4, according to the FDA's online update on the investigation.The pouches were marketed to parents and children under three brands: WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree and Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. They were sold by national grocery chains, including Dollar Tree, and online retailers such as Amazon.The FDA said it is still working with Dollar Tree to get the recalled products off of shelves in several states.“This product should not be available for sale and consumers should not purchase or consume this product,” the agency said. It’s the first ...

FCC proposes ban on cable and satellite TV early termination fees

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a proposal to ban cable and satellite television early termination fees Tuesday.In a press release, the FCC said these fees may limit consumer choice and “may negatively impact competition for services in the marketplace.” The agency also said the fees often make cable and satellite subscribers pay for a whole billing cycle, even if they end the TV service early. “No one wants to pay junk fees for something they don’t want or can’t use. When companies charge customers early termination fees, it limits their freedom to choose the service they want,” FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release.“In an increasingly competitive media market, we should make it easier for Americans to use their purchasing power to promote innovation and expand competition within the industry,” Rosenworcel continued.The proposal will be voted on at a mid-December meeting, according to the release. It goes along with the ...

Congressman McCaul: No 'true peace in the Middle East' until Hamas is defeated

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. (Nexstar/AP) —  A newly set temporary cease-fire is expected to result in the release of dozens of people taken hostage during Hamas’ October attack on Israel, after more than a month of war between Israel and Hamas. Israel and Hamas agreed to the four-day halt, which was announced Wednesday and will also see the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal was brokered by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt and was made public as fighting intensified in central neighborhoods of Gaza City. Israeli officials said the truce would take effect before Friday.Last week, Austin Congressman Michael McCaul — chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — led a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators and representatives to Israel to meet with leaders to discuss America's role in helping defeat Hamas.Nexstar interviewed the Republican congressman last week, before a deal had been reached.McCaul said during their meeting, the group watched disturbing videos shot by Hamas. The ...

3 injured in South MoPac crash Wednesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Three adult patients were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries following a five-vehicle crash on South MoPac Expressway Wednesday.The incident happened in the 2300 block of South MoPac Expressway, the Austin Fire Department posted. That's just north of the Loop 360 and MoPac Expressway interchange, near Barton Square Mall. Initially a vehicle rescue, ATCEMS said that portion of the response was canceled.Austin-Travis County EMS initially said approximately five vehicles are involved in the crash, with one adult patient trapped in their vehicle. A final update from medics said there were three adult patients in total, with two transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center and one taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.Drivers were asked to avoid the area as crews evaluated, treated and prepped patients for transport.

For Vikings, it’s family first on Thanksgiving Day

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

Talking to reporters this week, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell made his vision clear. As much as he expects the Vikings to be prepared to play the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, he also wants his players to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.As a result, the Vikings will practice on Thursday morning, then everybody will be released from TCO Performance Center around noon.“It’s very important that guys get to spend at least a good chunk of the day with their families,” O’Connell said. “We have a lot to be thankful for around here.”Asked how a holiday in the middle of the week impacts things, O’Connell emphasized that the rhythm actually doesn’t change that much. The coaching staff has already installed the game plan, and the Vikings will work to make sure it comes to life before they play the Bears on Monday.Plus, as defensive coordinator Brian Flores noted, everybody across the NFL is dealing with the same ...

Rochester woman given 10 days behind bars for role in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

A 41-year-old Rochester woman has been sentenced to 10 days in prison for her role in the deadly January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of defeated President Donald Trump.Victoria Charity White pleaded guilty earlier this year in federal court in Washington to interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. Sentenced Monday, she will be on 25 months of supervised release and 90 days of home detention once she is released.According to court documents:White joined the mob that had converged on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, following a Trump rally with supporters who were baselessly told that Joe Biden had stolen the November 2020 presidential election.White was seen in open-source video arguing with rioters who were attempting to break the glass doors of an entrance. White then pushed her way toward the tunnel entrance, where a squad of Metropolitan Police officers were preventing rioters from entering the building. A...

Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov knows he’s under a microscope. ‘It’s OK,’ he said. ‘I need to be better’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

When it was suggested to Kirill Kaprizov on Wednesday that he might be playing well early this season, the Wild’s star winger laughed.“No,” he said. “I don’t think I’m playing well. I don’t feel like that.”Despite 15 points in his first 17 games, a nice start for most NHL players, Kaprizov has come under a microscope. With just one even-strength goal in 17 games, he is noticeably not the force of nature who set a franchise record with 47 goals and 108 points in 2021-22.And people are talking.“It’s OK,” he said. “I need to be better.”Kaprizov has, in fact, had similar starts since arriving from Russia for the abridged 2020 season. This is the third time in four seasons he has had five goals through 17 games. But has never been held to one even-strength goal or had fewer points at this point, and the team is losing.The Wild will start Friday night’s game against Colorado at Xcel Energy Center with a 5-8-4 record. In 2021-22, Kaprizov was without a goal in the first eight games, the lo...

Marist Poll releases job approval ratings for Hochul, Biden, Schumer, Gillibrand, Santos

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — According to the Marist Poll, Gov. Kathy Hochul's approval rating is suffering as New Yorkers face a diminished quality of life. Democrats and Republicans divide over her job performance, with six in ten decrying a fair or poor showing as governor. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The poll shows that 59% of New Yorkers think that quality of life deteriorated over the last year. The rest believe it has stayed the same (39%) or gotten better (11%). Broken up by political affiliation, 78% of Republicans noted decreased quality of life, compared to 67% of non-enrolled voters and only 46% of Democrats.The hit on Hochul’s image is clear. And a majority—including 43% of Democrats polled—don't think that Hochul is doing enough to affect positive change. Of the New Yorkers, Marist polled, 56% do not think she is improving Albany and the way things work in the Capital. Thirty-nine percent said they noted a po...