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Trump’s lawyers ask Supreme Court to stay out of dispute on whether he is immune from prosecution

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to stand down from a dispute over whether he can be prosecuted on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results.Special counsel Jack Smith’s team last week urged the nation’s high court to take up and quickly consider Trump’s claims that he enjoys immunity from prosecution as a former president. The unusual request for a speedy ruling seemed designed to prevent any delays that could postpone the trial of the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, currently set to begin March 4, until after next year’s presidential election.But Trump’s lawyers told the Supreme Court that there was no reason for them to take up the matter now, especially because a lower appeals court in Washington is already considering the same question and has scheduled arguments for Jan. 9.“Importance does not automatically necessitate speed. If anything, the opposite ...

Arizona man arrested for allegedly making online threats against federal agents and employees

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man has been arrested for allegedly making online threats against federal agents and employees, according to authorities.Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, was taken into custody last Friday, FBI officials in Phoenix said. He is a resident of the small community of Rio Verde near the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale, but he has also lived in Colorado.Tomasi allegedly threatened a federal judge, FBI agents and elected officials between May 2021 and last month, prosecutors said. Authorities didn’t release the names of Tomasi’s alleged targets.An Arizona grand jury indicted Tomasi on three counts of threats against a federal official and three counts of making interstate threats.At his arraignment Monday, Tomasi pleaded not guilty to all counts.Tomasi faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted for threats against federal officials plus a maximum five-year prison term for each count of making threats across state lines, prosecutors said.Calls to Tomasi’s two lawyers — Joshua...

Driver carjacked while pumping gas at suburban Costco, police say

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Police in Glenview are investigating a carjacking at a Costco gas station that left one person injured.According to police, around 11:50 a.m., officers responded to the 2900 block of Patriot Blvd. following reports of a carjacking. SEE ALSO: 3 charged after woman killed, body set on fire in RiverdaleThe early stages of a police investigation revealed that the owner of a Mercedes sedan was pumping gas when a male suspect approached in all-black clothing and a black ski mask. The male then entered the driver's side door, started the car and attempted to pull away. That's when police say the car owner re-entered the Mercedes through the front passenger door "unsuccessfully, causing them to fall and sustain a nonlife-threatening injury to their leg."According to police, the Mercedes was last seen driving east on Interstate 94 at a high rate of speed.The owner of the vehicle was taken to Glenbrook Hospital for medicinal treatment after suffering a leg injury. Read more...

White Sox designate pitcher, select contract of minor league pitcher

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Josimar Cousin (“co-SEEN”) from the Class AA Birmingham Barons Wednesday, and have designated right-hander Luis Patiño for assignment.Cousin combined to go 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 15 starts last season with the Arizona Complex League White Sox, Class A Winston-Salem Dash and the Birmingham Barons. He also appeared in six games (four starts) with the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League.The Havana, Cuba-native signed with the White Sox as an international free agent on May 25, 2023. Cousin pitched six seasons in the Cuban League and also spent 10 seasons at various age levels with the Cuban National Team, where he was teammates with White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from U-15 to U-18. Mets acquire pitcher Yohan Ramirez from White Sox for $100,000 Patiño went 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA and 13 strikeouts in seven games (one start) with the White Sox last season after being acquired f...

Toyota recalling 1 million vehicles for potential airbag problem

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

Toyota Motor Co. said Wednesday it is recalling 1 million vehicles over a defect that could cause airbags not to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.The recall covers a range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles with model years from 2020 to 2022. Included in the recall are Toyota Avalons, Camrys, Highlanders, RAV4s, Siennas and Corollas, plus some hybrids of those models.The Lexus models in the recall include the ES250 sedan and the RX350 SUV, among others.The recalled vehicles have sensors in the front passenger seat that may have been manufactured improperly. Those sensors could potentially short circuit, causing the airbag system to not determine the occupant’s correct weight and potentially not deploy in certain kinds of crashes.Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the OCS sensors and replace them if necessary at no cost to owners. Toyota will notify customers by the middle of February 2024 if their cars are in the recall. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Toyota ...

Security guard shot, killed in Chatham

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A security guard was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon in the Chatham neighborhood.At around 1 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of East 87th Street on the report of a shooting.CPD said a 53-year-man was involved in a verbal altercation with three males and a female. A source told WGN News the man was working as a security guard at DTLR, which is a shoe store.One of the male suspects shot the security guard three times during the incident. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, where he later died.The group fled in a gray sedan, CPD said.Additional details aren't available at this time.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Lack of productivity in 2023 frustrates lawmakers

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - With lawmakers home for the holidays, there's a lingering sense of frustration in Washington. Many say Congress was chaotic and unproductive in 2023. "We saw a year marked by chaos, extremism and paralysis," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.). "I'm not very happy with how productive the Senate has been this year," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said.House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Republicans are to blame. He accuses them of wasting time with contentious battles over selecting a speaker, censures of fellow lawmakers, and an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. "We've seen repeated efforts by MAGA extremists to jam their right-wing ideology down the throats of the American people," Jeffries said. Congress failed to reach deals on several big priorities, leaving them with an agenda packed full of tough issues to tackle in 2024. "We go into next year with not only the challenges around the Ukraine, and border, and Israel, and hum...

2 accused of robbing Lance Armstrong's storage unit; over $100K in bikes stolen

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two Austin men are accused of stealing more than $100,000 of high-end bicycles and parts from the storage unit of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, according to arrest affidavits.Police allege Shaun Thompson, 36, and Ethan Harms, 33, burglarized Armstrong’s ExtraSpace Storage Unit sometime between Dec. 10 and 12 and took four Trek road racing bikes with clear markings identifying Armstrong as the owner. A silver and black Cannondale Super Six Evo racing bike and a Ventum GS-1 gravel racing bike were also taken, police said.Both men have been charged with theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000 – a third-degree felony, according to court records. Guy Fieri’s sons won’t inherit his empire unless they achieve 2 things Harms and Thompson are suspects in other storage units and apartment burglaries, according to the arrest affidavit. Police said they reviewed the storage unit’s surveillance footage and recognized the suspects from other incidents....

VP Harris announces future moon landing will include international astronaut

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Vice President Kamala Harris announced the U.S. will send an international astronaut to the moon by the end of the decade. She made the announcement during a meeting of the National Space Council in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.The meeting focused on several topics, including strengthening international partnerships.“Our nation has led the world in the exploration and use of space, and in the coming years one of the primary ways we will continue to extend that leadership is by strengthening our international partnerships,” Vice President Harris said.The international astronaut will join American astronauts on a trip to the moon’s surface as part of NASA’s Artemis mission.  There is no word on who the international astronaut will be or what country they will be from.

US frees ally of Venezuela president in exchange for 10 Americans, fugitive contractor 'Fat Leonard'

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:30:00 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The United States freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defense contractor known as “Fat Leonard” who is at the center of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.The deal represents the U.S. government’s boldest bid to improve relations with the major oil-producing nation and extract concessions from the self-proclaimed socialist leader. The largest release of American prisoners in Venezuela's history comes weeks after the Biden administration agreed to suspend some sanctions, following a commitment by Maduro and an opposition faction to work toward free and fair conditions for the 2024 presidential election.The release of Alex Saab, a Maduro associate who was arrested on a U.S. warrant for money laundering in 2020 and long was regarded as a criminal trophy b...