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First GOP debate next month faces threats of boycott as lower-polling candidates scramble to qualify

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Seven weeks before the premiere debate of the 2024 GOP primary, anxiety is building that the event could prove messy and divisive for the party.Some candidates, like former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on stage. He and others are pushing back on a loyalty pledge the Republican Party is insisting candidates sign to participate. And the race’s frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, is considering boycotting and holding a competing event instead.That’s turning what is typically the highly anticipated opener of the election season into a source of uncertainty for the candidates and broader party. The frustration is particularly acute for candidates who hoped to use the forum as a powerful opportunity to confront Trump and try to blunt his momentum. “If the outcome of all of these machinations is a very limited field and no Trump in the first debate, it’s hard to see how that ca...

Asian Americans feel particularly targeted by new laws criminalizing those who assist voters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — For a century, the League of Women Voters in Florida formed bonds with marginalized residents by helping them register to vote — and, in recent years, those efforts have extended to the growing Asian American and Asian immigrant communities. But a state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May would have forced the group to alter its strategy. The legislation would have imposed a $50,000 fine on third-party voter registration organizations if the staff or volunteers who handle or collect the forms have been convicted of a felony or are not U.S. citizens. A federal judge blocked the provision this week. But its passage reflects the effort by DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, and other GOP leaders to crack down on access to the ballot. Florida is one of at least six states, including Georgia and Texas, where Republicans have enacted voting rules since 2021 that created or boosted criminal penalties and fines for individuals and groups that assist voters. S...

US jobs report likely to show a solid gain, potentially complicating Fed’s drive to cool inflation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Another solid month of hiring in the United States is expected to be reported Friday, an outcome that would suggest no recession is near but could make it harder for the Federal Reserve to succeed in its drive to cool the economy and curb high inflation.Employers are forecast to have added 205,000 jobs in June, according to economists surveyed by data provider FactSet. Though below recent monthly gains, that would amount to a healthy increase and reflect a historically high number of advertised job openings. A continuation of robust hiring would underscore the economy’s surprising resilience at a time when the Fed has jacked up its key interest rate by a sizable 5 percentage points — the fastest pace of rate hikes in four decades. Those increases have made mortgages, auto loans and other forms of borrowing significantly more expensive. Yet consumers are still increasing their spending, if modestly, providing the incentive for some companies to keep hiring and...

9-year-old lone survivor receives community support after family died in shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

ST. ANN, Mo. - A 9-year-old lone survivor is now dealing with the loss of her mother and siblings after they were murdered in a quadruple shooting.It’s something that had the St. Ann Police Department devastated, but they aren’t the only ones. Now, many are trying to help young survivor Akuri Schaumburg.“I heard all seven of them, I heard all the gunshots….. I heard it all," said Kenaundra Williams, a neighbor. "I heard when she screamed help me, help me.”Williams explained the moment gunfire erupted on Jane Avenue after an argument over driving intoxicated led Coleman Mcilvain to shoot and kill his girlfriend and two children.Among the lives lost were 30-year-old Seychelle Schaumburg and her two children: 14-year-old Kyrien Stevenson and 5-year-old Ushara Schaumburg. Akuri was also shot but survived. What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? “To witness her mom and mom’s boyfriend arguing, because he’s intoxicated and drunk, pull out a firearm and shoot her right in th...

Cardinals fans still hopeful team can turn it around  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The expectations at the start of this season for the Cardinals were the same as any other: to win the World Series.“I mean, everyone who is a Cardinals fan was hoping for a World Series,” said Brandy Hermann, a Cardinals fan. “But, I mean, I still think they can turn it around and make a run, but it’s not looking like it right now.”The Cardinals sit at the bottom of the National League Central with one of the worst records in the league.“It sucks,” said Nick Hermann, a Cardinals fan. “It’s a tough one; still watching every game, though, won’t stop.” What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? There are several negatives you could list about the team, and fans are well aware of them, yet some still think they can turn it around.“I always have hope until October's done,” said Jordan Kerns, a Cardinals fan. “If it is a pennant, or I hope next season we can bring home a trophy.”Some fans are looking forward to the trade deadline on Aug 1.“I want them to buy a coup...

Man found with stockpile of narcotics to be distributed across Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

A Granada Hills man was arrested after authorities discovered a stockpile of narcotics intended for distribution across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.The suspect was identified as Donald Cunningham, 41, by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.Investigators discovered Cunningham's narcotics operation originated from a residence on the 11100 block of Newcastle Street.On June 23, a search warrant was served at Cunningham’s home. During the encounter, the suspect fled into an open wash at the back of his home and evaded capture.Five days later, Cunningham was eventually located at his home and taken into custody.A search of Cunningham’s property yielded a stockpile of narcotics and stolen goods including:-About 6500 counterfeit alprazolam pills-About 3000 counterfeit amphetamine pills-About 1500 counterfeit oxycodone pills (believed to be fentanyl)-45 pounds of marijuana-Over seven pounds of concentrated cannabis-Over two pounds of fentanyl-About one and a half pounds of heroin-Three-...

Lindor homers and triples twice, Mets bash Diamondbacks 9-0 to win fifth straight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered and had two triples among his five hits, Francisco Alvarez homered for the third straight game and the New York Mets crushed the the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-0 on Thursday night.Carlos Carrasco (3-3) allowed three hits in eight innings for the once-struggling Mets, who had 17 hits for their fifth straight win.Alvarez became the first Mets rookie to have three homers in a three-game series twice in a season — Larry Elliot in 1964 was the only other New York rookie to do it once — and Pete Alonso hit his 26th of the season.Lindor went 5 for 5, finishing a double short of the cycle, and scored three runs a day after being sick enough to need IV fluids. New York swept a three-game series in Arizona for first time since 2014.The last team to be shut out this season, the Diamondbacks lost their fourth straight and All-Star rookie Corbin Carroll went down with a right arm injury on a swing in the seventh inning. Arizona catcher Carson Kelly pitched the...

Denver intersection keeps flooding; what's being done

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- An intersection in Denver has repeatedly flooded over the past week or so as storms have dumped excessive rain in the metro area. The intersection lies just west of Interstate 25 at Fox Street and West 38th Avenue. There have been multiple issues with flooding in the area -- one incident included a dive team checking a submerged vehicle for anyone inside last week. Nancy Kuhn with Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said the storm drains are regularly cleaned, especially before heavy rainfall is expected to prevent flooding."However, because we have received so much rain the last couple of months and the ground is saturated, we’re seeing flooding happening here more frequently this year," Kuhn told FOX31. Drivers rescued from flooded Denver roads One temporary solution, Kuhn said, is to stage barricades nearby for a quicker response to block the area so drivers don't get stuck. Kuhn said the department is also considering adding signage that ...

West Nile found in mosquitoes in 4 Colorado counties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado health officials are warning residents and visitors about mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus.During routine testing, county health officials found mosquitoes with West Nile in Boulder, Delta, Weld and Larimer counties, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a release.Most people infected don't have symptoms but the virus can potentially develop into a deadly illness. People over 60 and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness, CDPHE said. Chatfield State Park swim beach closed due to E. coli Last year, there were 206 reported cases of West Nile in the state, 20 resulting in death, according to the CDPHE.The best ways to protect yourself from being infected by mosquitoes are to: Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol products provide the best protection. Limit outdoor activities at dusk and d...

Child sexual exploitation investigation leads to arrests in Boulder County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:34 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Two men were arrested following an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. Electronic forensic evidence showed hundreds of files belonging to Lucas Cole Young, 51, were found in violation of sexual exploitation of a child, the sheriff's office said in a release Thursday. Young had previously been convicted for the same offense. 16 indicted on 116 felonies in one of biggest drug busts in West Metro Two handguns were also discovered during the execution of the search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Morgan Road in Longmont, BCSO said. Those guns, the sheriff's office said, belonged to Allen Lane Kruzik, 70, who is a convicted felon.The investigation began after the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information about someone possessing child sexual abuse material. The search warrant was issued and executed on May 30, the sheriff's office said. Young is facing 10...