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Aide fired by George Santos says he got his job after sending money to Republican’s deputy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A man who briefly worked as an aide to U.S. Rep. George Santos says he got his job after sending a series of payments to one of the Republican’s top deputies.Derek Myers, 31, told staff of the House’s ethics subcommittee during an interview Wednesday that while he was trying to get a job in Santos’ congressional office in late January, he sent at least seven $150 payments to Santos’ director of operations, Vish Burra.Myers shared details about the payments, including receipts and text messages, with The Associated Press. His account of how Burra helped him get hired hasn’t previously been reported and raises questions about potential ethical improprieties around Santos.Myers said he began sending the money unsolicited because he believed Burra, a right-wing political operative, wasn’t getting paid by the House at the time and couldn’t afford food. But he said he also hoped the payments might help him secure a job.“Burra was a powerful person,” Myers told ...

Bolivia government says trustee probing bank died by suicide, but some demand new investigation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — The trustee of a bankrupt bank in Bolivia who died after falling from the 15th floor of an office building killed himself, a forensic investigation concluded Wednesday, in a case that has gripped Bolivia amid speculation over whether he jumped or was pushed. But instead of settling the matter, the finding generated fresh demands for an independent investigation into the death of Carlos Alberto Colodro. Government Minister Carlos Eduardo del Castillo insisted to reporters that authorities “have investigated all hypotheses and have scientifically and technically demonstrated that the death of Carlos Alberto Colodro was a suicide.” He added: “The cameras show Mr. Colodro entering the 15th floor completely alone.”But relatives of Colodro, who was found dead Saturday, dismissed the investigation’s conclusions and continued to insist he was the victim of foul play. They have been joined by two former Bolivian presidents in their demand for an impartial i...

Off-duty Chicago police officer shot on city’s Near West Side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

CHICAGO — An off-duty Chicago police officer was shot Wednesday night on the Near West Side, according to police.The shooting was reported around 9:15 p.m. in the 2200 block of West Maypole. Chicago mayor, interim police superintendent respond to Memorial Day weekend violence The off-duty police officer was taken to Stroger Hospital in unknown condition.Additional details haven’t been released at this time.This story will be updated.

Chicago mayor, interim police superintendent respond to Memorial Day weekend violence

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city saw "community divestment, poverty and trauma" the city has "struggled with for far too long" over the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in eight years.Over the holiday weekend, at least 11 people were shot and killed and 50 were injured. The youngest person who was shot was just two years old. Over 50 shot, 11 killed over holiday weekend in Chicago Johnson and Fred Waller, the city's interim police superintendent, spoke about the violence Wednesday afternoon at a press conference following the city council meeting."We are all grieving today," Johnson said. "What we saw this weekend was a manifestation of community disinvestment, poverty, trauma that our city has struggled with for far too long."Waller took a minute to acknowledge those who died due to gun violence."I want to acknowledge the people that we lost to senseless gun violence this weekend and those who will forever live with the trauma of gun violence," Waller said. Bot...

'Gradutate': Over 600 high school students receive misspelled stoles for graduation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

RICH TOWNSHIP, Ill. — Parents and students of a south suburban high school are upset after the school distributed more than 600 graduation stoles to seniors with the word 'graduate' misspelled on them.What makes matters worse is that the mistake wasn't noticed until after some students walked went through with their graduation ceremonies.The misspelling of 'graduate' on the misprinted Rich Township High School stoles.Yasir Bilal, a newly graduated student from Rich Township High School (RTHS), described the moment when his family noticed the gaffe as he walked across the stage, pointing out that the word 'graduate' was spelled 'gradutate.'"They could have checked before [the ceremony], because they made 600-plus," Bilal said. "And all of them were spelled wrong." What to know about Taylor Swift’s Soldier Field concerts In a letter to community members, RTHS admitted they never checked the stoles beforehand, and said they are trying to make amends by photoshopping the misspelled wo...

How the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force played a role in locating, arresting Raul Meza Jr.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After court documents gave details of what led to murder charges for an Austin man called a "serial killer" by a city official, KXAN got more insight on what led up to the man's arrest and the moment he was apprehended.Raul Meza Jr., 62, was identified and arrested and charged after confessing to the murder of his roommate Jesse Fraga, 80. Meza also implicated himself in the murder of Gloria Lofton, 66, in 2019, three years after Austin Police said he was released from Travis County Jail.Image of Raul Meza Jr. provided by the Pflugerville Police DepartmentKXAN's Jennifer Sanders interviewed Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla, and he talked about the role the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force played in arresting Meza Jr.Filla said the task force got involved on May 24 after the Pflugerville Police Department requested the agency's assistance to locate and apprehend Meza Jr., who had a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.However, later that day, Filla said this...

Loons nearly find late equalizer but fall 2-1 to Austin FC

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

Zarek Valentin’s scream summed it up.The Loons fullback expressed his frustration when teammates couldn’t clear a long throw-in that Austin FC star midfielder Sebastian Driussi scored on to provide the difference in a 2-1 win Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.Austin FC (5-6-4, 19 points) moves even with the Loons (5-6-4, 19 points) in the Western Conference standings.The Loons had a flurry of late chances, including four consecutive corners in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver denied shots from Bongi Hlongwane, D.J. Taylor and Micky Tapias.MNUFC and Austin FC traded goals from the most likely and unlikeliest players within seven first-half minutes.Austin leading scorer Jon Gallagher found a lot of space on the back post and rifled a shot past Dayne St. Clair in the 19th minute.On a counterattack in the 26th minute, Mender Garcia made the extra pass for Joseph Rosales’ open finish. It was the Honduran’s first MLS goal after he logged his first MNUFC goal in the U.S. Open Cup against ...

Guilderland continues Costco public hearings

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Later this year, Costco will officially open in the Capital Region on Western Avenue and Crossgates Road, but not everyone is excited. On Wednesday night, demonstrators appeared before a public hearing to protest against the developer, The Pyramid Corporation, from receiving any tax breaks since Costco is a retail store.“I think this is a pretty outrageous thing,” Lynne Jackson, Save the Pine Bush volunteer, said. “What Pyramid is asking for is over $2 million in tax breaks.” Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! But a lawyer for the retailer says that the tax break is only for the initial development of the building.“I would like to emphasize that the sales tax exemption being requested is only on initial construction and fill-out of the facility. It does not apply to the ongoing operation of the Costco facility,” he said.Still, volunteers with Save the Pine Bush say they are worried about how the increas...

Albany man arrested after alleged stolen vehicle crash

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Sheriff's Office arrested an Albany man after a crash in Albany. The sheriff's office said Ike Weems, 58, was a wanted fugitive out of the state of Rhode Island.Weems is accused of stealing a truck out of the city of Albany and crashing it into two unoccupied parked cars in the area of South Main and Hansen Avenue during a police pursuit Wednesday evening. Police said Weems is wanted out of Rhode Island for felony charges stemming from a burglary. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, three counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, and traffic violations.He is being held at the Albany County J...

Disabled veteran towed from casino because truck was too short

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A recent casino trip over the Memorial Day weekend cost a disabled veteran his truck.Denver Sullens parked his truck Saturday in a special area for vehicles deemed too big for the garage. He said he avoided the garage when he saw the 6-foot clearance bar.“Am I going to hit that or not? So, you pull over there where you know you won’t hit,” he said.Sullens’ truck lowers several inches when parked, which would put him barely under the height requirement when lowered. But he cannot drive it that low. He can only get in and out. They towed him anyway.“They said, ‘Your truck’s too short, you couldn’t park there,’ and I tried to explain to them my truck lowers to let me out because I got hurt in the military, and I have mobility issues,” he said.His truck has plates identifying him as a disabled veteran.“One of the security guys thought it was kind of funny that they took my truck on Memorial Day, being a veteran,” Sullens said. “They just kind of chuckled a little bit.”Meanwh...