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New Mexico trial begins over allegations that Democrats tried to dilute votes with redistricting map

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Accusations that New Mexico’s Democratic-led Legislature unfairly diluted the vote of a politically conservative oil-producing region with its redistricting map went to trial on Wednesday.The trial’s outcome is likely to have a big influence on which party represents a congressional swing district along the U.S. border with Mexico where partisan control has flipped back and forth three times in three elections. New Mexico’s 2nd District is one of about a dozen that are in the spotlight nationally as Republicans campaign to hold onto their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024.In its court challenge, the Republican Party alleges that the new congressional map flouts traditional standards of redistricting that held sway over the past three decades by dividing communities of common interest for political gain by Democrats.Democratic lawmakers say the boundaries were vetted appropriately to ensure more competitive districts that reflect p...

Englewood restaurant to reopen, hope to continue tradition of teaching Kennedy King students

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

CHICAGO -- A favorite neighborhood eatery offering fine dining, while teaching students all aspects of operating a restaurant is coming back to Englewood.After being closed in 2020, plans are now in place to re-open Sikia restaurant located at Kennedy King College.Besides fast food, Sikia was the only sit-down restaurant in Englewood. Thanks to a generous grant, Sikia restaurant will make a comeback.Culinary students training under chefs at Washburn Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Kennedy King College are learning to perfect baking bread and pastries."Our students are excited to serve the community we don’t have a lot of opportunities at fine dining here but this is the start and it’s a great start," Chef Instructor Cara Benski-McPhee said.Quality fine dining is returning to Englewood, a community where leaders at Kennedy King said doesn’t have any sit-down restaurants other than fast food spots."It sounds cliché but to be the only sit-down restaurant on this side of town is r...

'You don't see a lot of players doing that': Ian Happ showed his appreciation to a Cubs fan at home finale

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the longest-tenured members of the Cubs made sure one of his biggest fans at Wrigley Field knew he was appreciated at the final regular season home game of 2023.In fact, it's becoming a bit of a tradition for Ian Happ at the end of an 81-game campaign at the Friendly Confines.On Sunday, before the Cubs' victory over the Rockies, the outfielder presented bleachers season ticket holder Jeff Gorski with a $100 bill along with a signed ball that had a message of thanks for his support during the last six months. (Courtesy: Jeff Gorski)"Thanks for the support! You guys are the best in all of baseball," is what Happ wrote on the baseball that was left for Gorski, who goes by the nickname "Bleacher Jeff" on social media, writing to have a good time on him Sunday. "It means a lot," said Gorski to WGN News Now on Tuesday. "It's a nice gesture. You don't see a lot of players doing that in any sport, anywhere, where they just say 'Hey, man, I see you coming out here, I recogni...

IDNR reminding hunters not to use drones

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources(IDNR) is reminding Illinois Residents Wednesday not to use drones while hunting.According to an Illinois news release, INDR and the Illinois Conservation Police have received several inquiries about the use of drones for scouting and tracking animals. 3 Illinois sheriff’s deputies suffer burns in dynamite disposal operation “Not only is drone use for hunting unlawful in Illinois, it goes against the spirit of fair chase and widely accepted hunting ethics,” said Jed Whitchurch, director of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement. “Illinois Conservation Police officers will be monitoring for drone use during the fall and winter hunting seasons. We encourage all hunters to familiarize themselves with the Wildlife Code, abide by the law, and have a safe and successful hunting season.”The unlawful use of drones while hunting could lead to enforcement action, including the seizure of unlawfully used equipment.The fall h...

Remains of missing mother Suzanne Morphew found during unrelated search

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

DENVER (KDVR/WXIN) — Remains found in Colorado have been positively identified as Suzanne Morphew, a woman who went missing on Mother's Day weekend three years ago, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.Morphew, who is originally from Indiana, was reported missing from her home in Chaffee County, Colorado, on May 10, 2020. She had moved from Indiana to Colorado several years before her disappearance. Morphew’s husband, Barry Morphew, was originally charged and accused of killing his wife. However, the charges ended up being dropped in 2021 after Barry Morphew’s lawyers argued there was no physical evidence that Suzanne Morphew was even dead and that there was no evidence of a murder nor any witnesses. Barry Morphew once charged in missing wife’s presumed death denies involvement Suzanne Morphew's remains were located during an unrelated search on Sept. 22, officials said. Specific information, such as where the remains were found, was being withheld, accordin...

Trump's unfavorability tops 50 percent: poll

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

(The Hill) — Former President Trump’s unfavorability among registered voters has topped 55 percent, according to a new poll. A NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll found roughly 44 percent had a "very unfavorable" view of Trump, the highest such rating across the other seven GOP contenders tested. Another 13 percent reported a "somewhat unfavorable" view, for around 56 percent overall unfavorability. But the polarizing former president, the front-runner of the GOP primary race, also boasted the highest percentage of voters who viewed him as "very favorable" — with roughly 22 percent expressing strong favorability.  If the government shuts down, will mail still be delivered? By contrast, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) — long considered Trump’s closest challenger — saw around 34 percent of voters view him "very unfavorably," and 11 percent view him "very favorably."Trump’s numbers come as he faces a myriad of legal battles, including multiple criminal indictments, while he campaigns...

DNA technology helps solve 2004 San Marcos cold case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 27, 2023.SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the City of San Marcos said an October 2004 sexual assault cold case was solved due to advanced DNA technology, the agency said in a news release on its website.On Oct. 9, 2004, the San Marcos Police Department received a call about a man who entered a woman's home and sexually assaulted her in her bedroom, according to the release. When officers arrived on the scene, the suspect ran away and was no longer in the home. The victim told police she wasn't able to see the man's face, as he had it covered with a shirt or a mask, the release said.The victim was taken to a hospital in Seguin, where a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) was done and evidence was gathered, which also included a DNA sample from the suspect. There weren't many leads for detectives to identify a suspect, officials said. The DNA was then entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) wi...

As the losses add up, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins admits ‘football torments me.’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

All of it raced through the mind of quarterback Kirk Cousins after the Vikings suffered a 28-24 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.The throw to receiver K.J. Osborn that should have gone for an easy touchdown. The handoff to running back Alexander Mattison that came up a couple of yards short of the end zone. The ball to tight end T.J. Hockenson that got batted twice before being intercepted in the end zone.He lamented the things he could have done differently while he talked to reporters postgame. He replayed the mistakes in his head over and over again during the 30-minute drive home. He felt like his skin was crawling as he tried to come to grips with the fact that the Vikings were 0-3.“I hope my boys find something they’re as passionate about as I am about football,” Cousins said, before adding a very important caveat. “I hope it doesn’t torment them the way football torments me.”Anyone who watched the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback̶...

St. Paul votes 4-3 to restrict marijuana smoke from parks, commercial buildings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

Concerned about secondhand smoke from recreational marijuana, a divided St. Paul City Council voted 4-3 to approve new rules limiting where pot smokers can light up.The new rules, heavily amended after multiple hearings that drew emotional voices on all sides, effectively merge restrictions on marijuana and tobacco smoke, barring smokers of all kinds from city parks unless there’s a designated area, marked by signage and approved by the director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation.The ordinance also bans smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits, windows and ventilation intakes of public places and places of employment in the city. Building owners can, however, designate a smoking area in their structure with the appropriate signage.Traditional Native American practices and lawfully recognized religious and cultural ceremonies are exempt from the parks ban, which city officials hope to enforce with non-criminal administrative fines.Previously, tobacco use had been allowed in par...

Law enforcement seen investigating fields in Montgomery County

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:40 GMT

FLORIDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Federal and state law enforcement were seen in Montgomery County on Wednesday. Investigators with the FBI and New York State Police were seen in the area of Mohr Road in the town of Florida. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police were seen scouring fields. The scene was spread over 800 acres. NYSP were throughout the field in unmarked cars. They were also being aided by canine units and all-terrain vehicles. NEWS10 reached out to the FBI and was told the investigation is ongoing. The spokesperson said it is a federal investigation, and the activity Wednesday was court authorized. Additional details are not able to be released at this time.