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Punishing their own but passing few laws, a Congress in chaos leaves much to do in 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker, a Republican who vowed to “never quit,” and then did just that.House lawmakers proceeded not only to oust the GOP speaker, they also punished their own colleagues with censures and expulsion, launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and were barely able to conduct the basics of governing by keeping federal offices from shuttering. While this first year of the 118th Congress was a historic one, thanks to the dizzying turmoil coming from the Republicans on the House side of the Capitol, next year is headed toward more of the same. With just 27 bills and resolutions signed into law, not counting a few board appointments, it’s among the most do-nothing sessions of Congress in recent times. “This fall has been a very actively stupid political environment,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, the bow-tie-wearing Republican from North Carolina, who emerg...

Military command ready to track Santa, and everyone can follow along

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As children around the world eagerly await Santa’s arrival on Christmas, the military is ready to track him and see if he’s using any new technology.Armed with radars, sensors and aircraft, the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado keeps a close watch on Santa and his sleigh from the moment he leaves the North Pole. And it once again will share all those details so everyone can follow along as Santa travels the globe beginning Christmas Eve.NORAD, the military command that is responsible for protecting North American airspace, has launched its noradsanta.org website, social media sites and mobile app, loaded with games, movies, books and music. And there’s a countdown clock showing when the official tracking of the sleigh will start.The military will track Santa with, “the same technology we use every single day to keep North America safe,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Elizabeth Mathias, NORAD’s chief spokesperson. “We’re able to follow the light from Ru...

What’s streaming now: Bradley Cooper conducts, Lidia Bastianich cooks and Percy Jackson quests

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

A new Percy Jackson series and a PBS special hosted by cookbook author and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich are some of the new television, movies and music headed to a device near you.Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are a heartwarming CBS holiday special about adoption, a thriller starring John David Washington about artificial intelligence and the return of Marvel’s mind-bending “What If…” series.NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— “Maestro,” Bradley Cooper’s follow-up to “A Star Is Born” takes a loving look at the life of Leonard Bernstein and wife Felicia Montealegre. Cooper co-writes, directs and stars opposite Carey Mulligan in a portrait of the public and private side of the legendary composer and conductor. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle called it a “high wire act of a biopic” in his review, favoring the experimental black-and-white beginning over the later years, which focuses more on the increasingly c...

Justin Fields reflects on his Bears legacy, fans, fashion, pre-game music and more

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

CHICAGO — As Justin Fields prepares for what could be his final three games with the Bears, he spoke with Kaitlin Sharkey about a variety of topics in a one-on-one interview. MORE: GN Sports You can read a transcript of the interview below or watch the full interview in the player above.Sharkey: Justin, I think back to that first interview we did the day after you were drafted here in Chicago and I think about now you in the final weeks of your third season here with the Bears. When you think about the biggest lesson you've learned about being an NFL starting quarterback, and being a team leader day in and day out, what do you think that lesson has been? Fields: Really just to expect the highs and lows. Expect outside noise to be there. No matter what, just control and what you can control. Stay focused on what you have going on, what the team has got going on and stuff like that. Block out all the outside noise and just continue to work to have the same mindset no matter what yo...

Avs roar back to beat Ottawa behind Nathan MacKinnon’s record four goals

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

Nathan MacKinnon wristed home an equalizer goal in the third period, pumped his fist toward the crowd, and scores of hats immediately rained down on the ice.Less than minute of ice time later, MacKinnon assisted Rantanen on a tipped-in power play goal that came as a result of Ottawa’s delay-of-game penalty for losing an offsides challenge on MacKinnon’s hat trick tally.That completed Colorado’s comeback in a thrilling 6-4 win over Ottawa on Thursday at Ball Arena. It came on a night when the Avs netted four power-play goals and MacKinnon scored his 300th lamp-lighter, in addition to extending his career-high points streak to 17 games (tied for the longest streak in the NHL this season) while finishing with a Colorado-record four goals.“He’s playing out of his mind right now,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said.At the end of the madness, it was clear the Avs heard Devon Toews’ criticism loud and clear on MacKinnon’s historic night. The forward...

The Legendary Big Hit Is Back With a New Album and Release Party

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

In a musical comeback that’s nothing short of legendary, Big Hit, the Pasadena native and father of Grammy-winning producer Hit-Boy, is reclaiming the spotlight after serving a nine-year sentence. Saturday, December 16, 2023, marks the official release of his highly-anticipated debut solo album, The Truth Is In My Eyes, a 17-track emotional journey produced by his grammy-winning son, Hit-Boy.The Truth Is In My Eyes stands as a testament to Big Hit’s resilience and personal growth. After serving a 9-year prison sentence, Big Hit immediately returned to creating art with his friends and family, notably Hit-Boy himself.  Hit Boy and Big Hit (Louis Lee)The album, available via Surf Club, not only explores Big Hit’s experiences and ideas throughout his life, but also represents a unique opportunity for incarcerated individuals to experience Big Hit’s debut project. It will be released on JPay, ensuring a wider audience for his powerful narrative, and his support of...

South Palo Alto Taco Bell robbed at gunpoint

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

PALO ALTO — A Taco Bell was robbed at gunpoint early Wednesday morning in South Palo Alto, police said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | San Jose: Hotel property management company owner gets 6 months in jail for embezzling client funds Crime and Public Safety | San Jose: Death after 2022 street fight declared a homicide Crime and Public Safety | Ex-Milpitas city manager sues city, alleges former mayor exchanged endorsements for political favors Crime and Public Safety | Arrest warrant issued for mother of dead 2-month-old San Jose boy Crime and Public Safety | Stolen San Jose statue will cost up to $100,000 to replace. Where will the money come from? Around 12:30 a.m., an employee was alone inside the restaurant at 910 East Charleston Road and about to close up for the night when the suspect entered and confronted him with a handgun, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release.The sus...

Thriller! Archbishop Mitty defeats nation’s top girls basketball team to win Tournament of Champions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

It took all 32 minutes, multiple lead changes and superstar performances by superstar players. But when the buzzer sounded and the 73-72 score went final, Archbishop Mitty staked its claim to being the best girls basketball team in America, taking the mantle and the victory from Long Island Lutheran.The Monarchs had won their previous six games by double-digits, often in routs of 30 and 40 points. Big scoring totals and an abundance of flashy highlights made it clear that the San Jose private school was the top program in Northern California.But at the Nike Tournament of Champions final on Thursday night in Arizona, facing the nation’s No. 1 team in the MaxPreps rankings, Mitty did all the little things down the stretch to win the prestigious tournament. Trailing by one point with 16 seconds to go, Morgan Cheli drew a foul while in the bonus. The UConn commit, who finished with 17 points, calmly sank both free throws. Once the New York school got possession, it was an unsung Mitty r...

Good Samaritans stabbed after calling 9-1-1 for unresponsive man in Petaluma

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people were stabbed and another was knocked unconscious by a man in Petaluma on Wednesday, the Petaluma Police Department said. The man was seen unresponsive on the sidewalk, and after he regained consciousness he began attacking people around him, police said. After responding to the scene, police learned that multiple people saw Christian Baker, 30, of Santa Rosa lying on the sidewalk. Some people stopped to render aid and call 9-1-1. "At some point, Baker spontaneously stood up and armed himself with a knife. Baker, who was still armed with a knife, began chasing the innocent people around," PPD said. Suspect robs Taco Bell in Palo Alto, escapes with cash: police Baker shoved one bystander to the ground, knocking him unconscious. He then approached him on the ground, and "appeared intent on stabbing the unconscious victim," PPD said. Two bystanders intervened, and they were stabbed on their hands. Bystanders helped police take Baker into custody. All three victims...

Suspect robs Taco Bell in Palo Alto, escapes with cash: police

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:32:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A suspect is at large after robbing a Taco Bell overnight on Wednesday, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release. Around 12:30 a.m., police received a call about an armed robbery at the Taco Bell location at 910 East Charleston Road.The suspect was described to be a male in his late teens or early 20s, according to police. He was described as either white or Hispanic and was wearing a ski mask. Mother, daughter missing since September, last seen in San Pablo The victim, a Taco Bell employee in his 20s, was alone in the restaurant closing up for the night, PAPD said. The suspect entered the establishment and approached the employee with a handgun.The suspect demanded money that was inside the cash registers, and the employee complied. The suspect demanded additional money that was perhaps kept elsewhere in the restaurant. The victim said he would get the money in the back of the store, according to the release. Instead, he ran out of the back door to safety....