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Democratic lawmaker moves to force a vote this week on expelling Rep. George Santos from the House

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker moved Tuesday to force a vote this week on expelling Rep. George Santos from the House, calling it a necessary step if Republicans fail to take action in light of the recent ethics report that found Santos blatantly stole from his campaign and deceived donors.Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., brought back to the floor legislation he first introduced in February to force the expulsion vote. Republicans were successful in turning aside Garcia’s earlier effort, but now that the Ethics Committee has released its findings about Santos from its monthslong investigation, Garcia said it’s time to act.“Whatever it takes to get that vote this week, is what we’re doing,” Garcia said. Expelling Santos, a Republican from New York, would require support from at least two-thirds of House members voting. Garcia said he expects to reach that number easily, which would make Santos just the sixth member of the House to be removed by his colleagues,...

Staff reassigned at Florida school after allegations that transgender student played on girls’ team

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (AP) — Dozens of students participated in a walkout at a South Florida high school on Tuesday, a day after their principal and four other staff members were removed from their positions as officials investigate allegations of a transgender student being allowed to play on a girls’ volleyball team, in violation of state law.The demonstration occurred at Monarch High School in Broward County. Local news footage shows a large crowd of students walking out of the school building and congregating outside on school property.The school district on Monday reassigned principal James Cecil, assistant principal Kenneth May, athletic director Dione Hester and information management technician Jessica Norton to non-school sites pending the outcome of the investigation. Also, temporary athletic coach Alex Burgess was told his services are paused while the investigation proceeds.“We will continue to follow state law and will take appropriate action based on the outcome of the i...

Corruption case reopened against Argentina’s Vice President Fernández, adding to her legal woes

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A federal appeals court in Argentina reopened a money laundering investigation into Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on Tuesday, increasing her legal woes just weeks before she leaves office and loses her immunity from arrest.Fernández, 70, who served as president from 2007 to 2015, leaves office when President-elect Javier Milei is sworn in on Dec. 10. She already has been sentenced to six years in prison in a separate corruption case involving her ties to family friend and businessman Lázaro Báez.That sentence, issued in December 2022, isn’t firm until appeals are decided, which could take years, and anyway she has been immune from arrest while still in office. Now, her advancing age could spare her time behind bars, because detainees who are 70 or older generally are granted house arrest in Argentina.On Tuesday, the federal appeals court judges decided in a 2-1 ruling to revoke her earlier dismissal from a case involving money launderin...

LGBTQ+ rights group sues over Iowa law banning school library books, gender identity discussion

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

Several families are suing to stop Iowa’s new law that bans books from school libraries, forbids teachers from raising LGBTQ+ issues and forces educators in some cases to out the gender identity of students to their parents.The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and Lambda announced the federal lawsuit Tuesday, saying the law passed earlier this year by the Republican-led Legislature and enacted this fall “seeks to silence LGBTQ+ students, erase any recognition of LGBTQ+ people from public schools, and bans books with sexual or LGBTQ+ content.”Under the law, educators are forbidden from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and school administrators are required to notify parents if students ask to change their pronouns or names. The law’s section that bans books depicting sex acts from school libraries includes an exception for religious texts, like the Christian Bible.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Iowa Safe Scho...

Devin Hester, Julius Peppers advance to semifinal stage for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

Three-time All-Pros Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates were chosen as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 in their first year of eligibility.Peppers and Gates headline a group of 25 modern-day semifinalists announced Tuesday by the Hall of Fame from a group of 173 nominees announced in September. The only other player who advanced to the semifinal stage for the first time was running back Tiki Barber.Eight players who made it to the final stage of 15 in the class of 2023 return as semifinalists this year with Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, Patrick Willis, Willie Anderson and Darren Woodson all looking to get in after falling short a year ago.CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears is blocked by Chris Spencer #65 of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)The other semifinali...

Video of Bruce Willis grasping daughter's hand draws mixed reactions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

(KTLA) -- A recently posted Instagram video showing actor Bruce Willis reaching for and grasping the hand of his daughter is causing mixed reactions. In the short video posted Friday, Willis' daughter Scout is seen with her hand outstretched and smiling when she feels her dad's touch. Reactions to the video have been mixed, however, with some fans saying it is an invasion of privacy. “I can't help but think he is being used by wife to get attention 😢 he can't give consent,” hopeapplefinncooper posted.“I feel like we shouldnt see him like this... He isnt a public figure anymore and deserves peace and privacy,” _houseofthewolves wrote. Tragic Thanksgiving Day crash kills young mother and daughter Others supported the video and its transparency. “I think people saying 'this should be private' are uncomfortable with the subject matter and how transparent the family is being about his diagnosis/status. I applaud them for exposing their family situation,” profound_bound posted...

Coroner releases cause of death for 'CSI: Miami' actor Evan Ellingson

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

HOLLYWOOD (KTLA) — The San Bernardino County Coroner has released the cause of death of former child star Evan Ellingson.Ellingson, 35, was found dead inside a bedroom at a home in Fontana on Nov. 5. His father told TMZ it was a sober living home where the former actor had been staying as he worked to overcome drug addiction.The coroner confirmed to Nexstar's KTLA that Ellingson died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl.Pictured (L-R) Evan Ellingson as Kyle Harmon and David Caruso as Horatio Caine (Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images)As a child actor, Ellingson appeared on shows including “General Hospital” and “Mad TV,” and landed an early recurring role on the 2000 Fox sitcom “Titus” as a child version of lead actor Christopher Titus.Later, Ellingson appeared on “24” playing the nephew of Keifer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer character and portrayed the son of David Caruso's Horatio Crane on “CSI: Miami” from 2007 to 2010.He was also well known for his role as Jesse Fitzgeral...

Mold at Hays CISD elementary school costing district $858K+

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Earlier in November, Hemphill Elementary School in Kyle closed after mold was discovered in 13 classrooms, according to Hays Consolidated Independent School District.The district said it started from a concern about a mold smell in a classroom. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County elementary school closed for one week due to mold discovery An air quality test confirmed the mold, and crews began working to remove it, according to Hays CISD.The air quality test “revealed the initial classroom had elevated levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium,” which can affect people with “weakened immune systems or cause allergies,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Although mold is gone, classes for Hays County elementary school not resuming until Monday According to the district, classes resumed on Monday, Nov. 11. A hefty price tag The entire process ended up costing the district $858,380, according to a school board agen...

What's new with Travis County's mental health diversion center?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County staff are working to put out a request for qualification related to the county's upcoming mental health diversion center, an initiative designed to divert people with serious mental health complications or drug addiction away from serving jail time for minor offenses.Travis County commissioners unanimously voted back in March to move forward on recommendations from a forensic mental health project conducted by Dell Medical School. That project report included five "high priority" recommendations, including the creation of a mental health diversion center. PAST COVERAGE: Travis County mental health diversion center moving forward with unanimous commissioners vote On Tuesday, county staff said officials have been hosting bimonthly meetings and undergone site visits to diversion centers elsewhere. They have also held meetings with Cit...

Fort Edward man sentenced to 8 years in prison

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:17:57 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- David T. Henderson, 47, of Fort Edward, was sentenced to 8 years in prison after being convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He also had drug charges from Washington County. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office arrested Henderson following an investigation into drug deals across multiple counties. A search of Henderson's car yielded a half kilo of cocaine and fentanyl pills. Henderson has at least five prior felony drug convictions. Upon release from prison, Henderson will serve three years of post-release supervision. His vehicle was also forfeited to be used for law enforcement purposes.