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North Carolina Senate makes changes to House measure legalizing sports gambling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Legislation to authorize and regulate sports gambling in North Carolina that passed the House earlier this spring has been altered by the Senate by making it easier for any adult to bet in person and adding horse racing to betting options. The measure that cleared the Senate’s commerce committee on Wednesday also would increase the tax rate on the revenues that the legalized sports books would generate.These and other Senate changes could place obstacles between their House counterparts toward hammering out a final bill before this year’s primary General Assembly work session ends, probably in early summer. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also supports sports wagering legislation.The chief sponsor of the House measure declined to comment after the committee vote on the changes. The Senate version must still go through two committees and floor votes.“I’ll wait to see what their final product is,” GOP Rep. Jason Saine of Lincoln County said in a text ...

Pritzker announces 2024 state budget agreement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced state lawmakers have agreed Wednesday afternoon on a 2024 budget.You can watch the entire press conference live in the video player above. Pritzker announces unit of over 30 ‘peacekeepers’ to provide crisis support in Chicago The President of the Illinois Senate Don Harmon (D) and the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel Welch (D) joined Gov. Pritzker during Wednesday's press conference.

Police: Suburban man charged with sexual assault of 8, 9-year-old daughters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. — A man from Forest Park has been charged after he allegedly sexually assaulted his 8-year-old and 9-year-old daughters in 2022, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.Anthony J. Meza, 32.Anthony J. Meza, 32, was charged with two felony counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault and two felony counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Police said the incidents tied to the charges happened between March and September of 2022 when Meza victimized his then 8-year-old and 9-year-old daughters. Wisconsin Republicans join push to outlaw child sex dolls Des Plaines police also said the incidents happened at the victims' grandparents' house in the 2000 block of Craig Drive in Des Plaines.No other information is available at this time.

Wisconsin Republicans join push to outlaw child sex dolls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans have joined a national push to outlaw child sex dolls, releasing a proposal Monday that would make possessing one a felony.Some groups say the dolls help protect children by providing those attracted to children another outlet. Others find the dolls abhorrent.Some dolls can be constructed to resemble specific children. For example, a Florida mother in 2020 discovered photos of a child sex doll being sold online that exactly resembled her 8-year-old daughter, according to the Child Rescue Coalition, a nonprofit organization that works to protect children from sexual exploitation. Wisconsin bill creates felony for sexual misconduct in schools A number of states have passed laws outlawing child sex dolls since 2019, including Florida, Tennessee, South Dakota and Hawaii. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill Friday outlawing the dolls in her state. Republican legislation banning them nationwide — dubbed the Creeper Act — has been floating ar...

Man shoots roommate in buttocks over Hot Pocket, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVO) – A man in Kentucky was arrested after allegedly shooting his roommate in the buttocks over a frozen Hot Pocket, according to police.Clifton Williams, 64, was arrested and charged with second-degree felony assault after police say he and his roommate got into an argument over the frozen food item on Saturday night. Video of WI supermarket’s frozen pizza section goes viral: ‘What’s going on down there?' As detailed in a citation from the Louisville Metro Police Department, the victim claimed Williams "got mad that he ate the last Hot Pocket," at which point Williams began "throwing tiles" at his roommate. The roommate attempted to fight back but ultimately decided to leave "when Mr. Williams went inside the residence and got a gun," according to the complaint.The victim told police Williams "shot him in the a--" as he was trying to leave, according to the citation. The roommate was able to run away for help.Williams was arrested just before 1 a.m. on Sunday ...

Circle K offering 40 cents off fuel for 3 hours only on Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – Circle K is celebrating the unofficial holiday of "Fuel Day" by offering customers 40 cents off per gallon — if you time it right.The 40-cent discount is only available between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday at Circle K-branded locations. The discount will apply at over 5,000 Circle K and Holiday Stationstore locations across the U.S., the company says. What’s the cheapest day of the week to buy gas? Here’s when to fill up In addition to the 40-cent discount, most Circle K locations will also be handing out a limited number of fuel discount cards. Those will be redeemable for 10 cents off, per gallon, outside of the 3-hour window on Thursday.“After an overwhelming response from customers, we are thrilled to bring back Circle K Fuel Day in a bigger way,” said Louise Warner, senior vice president of global fuels for Circle K. “With summer right around the corner, we want to thank our customers for their loyalty by providing them an opportunity to fuel their adve...

Districts in 'dire straits' as they watch school funding fights in Texas legislature

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

Austin (KXAN) – The Texas House on Wednesday postponed a Senate bill to create a school voucher-like program in the state. Senate Bill 9 was amended to include several measures that would have provided some increase to teacher salaries at a time when educators are quitting the profession in large numbers.The move means the bill will not pass this legislative session – and leaves House Bill 100 as the last viable bill in the Texas legislature that could provide a raise to teachers.House Bill 100, which was drastically changed in the Senate Commission on Public Education to include a school voucher-like program or Education Savings Accounts, and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, is now headed back to the House where representatives have expressed upset over the additions. The fight over school choice and teacher salaries playing out in the Texas legislature comes as school districts are establishing budgets and new wages for the upcoming school year.Many educators, according to school ...

Jace Frederick: Who’s the second-best team in the West? No one knows. It could even be the Timberwolves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

The relative ease of Denver’s run through the Western Conference playoffs made it abundantly clear the Nuggets are currently far-and-away the best in the West.What’s far less obvious: Who’s No. 2?The Lakers were the other Western Conference finalist. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with the second-best record in the West. But there is a robust list of teams who can logically conclude they’re next in line heading into next season should Denver suffer injuries or falter.The Kings are clearly an ascending club that may have been derailed in the playoffs by De’Aaron Fox’s finger injury. Memphis fell in the first round, but did so while down two of its rotational big men. The Clippers concluded their first-round series without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Phoenix lost Chris Paul in Game 2 of its second-round series with Denver, and had little time to gel after making its seismic trade for Kevin Durant. Golden State is still the reigning NBA champion for another couple weeks. E...

With help from Giants, Twins unlock bats in 7-1 victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

Scuffling through a string of bad at-bats at crucial times while losing six of eight games, the Twins got a little help from the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.Rookie infielder Edouardo Julien hit a leadoff home run off Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani, and starter Joe Ryan pitched in and out of trouble for five innings as the Twins beat the Giants 7-1 in front of an announced crowd of 23,464 at Target Field.With the victory, the Twins avoided being swept, and falling to .500, for the first time this season after dropping the first two games of the interleague series.Ryan (7-1) allowed eight base runners on six hits and two walks, and twice put runners at second and third with no outs, but allowed only one run when his attempted start to a 1-6-3 double play went wide of Kyle Farmer, allowing Mike Yastrzemski to score from third base in the second inning.Ryan fanned four and lowered his earned-run average to 2.21.Minnesota broke open a tight game in the third inning, scoring a pa...

Columbia County declares state of emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:55 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Wednesday, Columbia County joined a growing list of Capital Region counties to declare a state of emergency. Like with its neighbors, the decision came in response to a recent influx of migrant workers seeking asylum in New York City, which has reached capacity. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell announced on Wednesday that the state of emergency was coming into effect in order to "preserve public safety andhereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, andhealth of the citizens of the county." Emergency declarations allow counties to encourage hotels and other short-term residences to provide housing to asylum-seekers to come to the area. It also allows counties to seek support funding.In Columbia County, that assistance is significant. Murell said that a large homeless population has already called for...