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Inquiry into N.S. mass shooting says spouse of killer was revictimized by RCMP probe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

HALIFAX — The final report of the public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting says the gunman’s partner — a survivor of his violent domestic abuse — was revictimized by the RCMP investigation into the tragedy.Gabriel Wortman’s rampage left 22 dead in April 2020 and began when he assaulted his partner, Lisa Banfield, who escaped and survived by hiding in the woods.The inquiry’s report released Thursday said the Mounties’ treatment of Banfield during their investigation is an example of the kind of revictimization that makes it less likely that female survivors of gender-based violence will seek help from police. One of the report’s main findings is that “the RCMP did not treat Lisa Banfield as a surviving victim of the mass casualty.”“It’s clear (that) for 19 years Lisa Banfield was abused by her spouse and it culminated on April 18, (2020),” inquiry commissioner Michael MacDonald said Thursday.“We highlight that she was clearly the first victim, and our...

Russia clashes with US over tactical nukes for Belarus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and the U.S. clashed in the United Nations on Friday over Moscow’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which neighboring Ukraine denounced as a desperate Kremlin attempt to avoid military defeat and “threaten the world with nuclear apocalypse.” China, without naming Russia, made clear its opposition to the planned deployment.Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called for the U.N. Security Council meeting following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement on March 25 that his country plans to deploy tactical, comparatively short-range and small-yield nuclear weapons in Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko upped the ante just before the council meeting, saying Russia might also deploy strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus, which Russian forces have used as a staging ground for the war in Ukraine.Kyslytsya said it took only four days for Putin to violate a pledge he made to China’s President Xi Jinping in a joint ...

Martin Luther King III stops in Chicago to rally for Brandon Johnson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago mayoral candidates have a jammed packed weekend in the final days of what’s expected to be a very tight race.Both candidates, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, were out Friday trying to connect with voters in a race that will likely come down to turnout."As we approach April 4, the thought for me is what would he be thinking," Martin Luther King III said. "I do know that he would be supporting Brandon Johnson." WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election Martin Luther King III noted the significance of the upcoming Election Day and that face that it falls on the anniversary of his father’s assassination.King III joined with Rev. Jesse Jackson and labor and faith leaders rallying behind Johnson in North Lawndale, near the site where the King family lived when Dr. Martin Luther King came to Chicago to fight for fair housing.Later on Friday, Johnson and the City Treasurer met with residents at the early vote supersite in the loop.Thursday nig...

Chicago's Daniel James wants to make most of major MMA moment at Bellator 293

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

TEMECULA, CA. — A native of Chicago is going to have the shot to headline a major Mixed Martial Arts event this weekend.This comes as Daniel James is looking to jumpstart his career after spending a few years overseas.The native of the west side will face Marcelo Golm at Bellator 293 in the heavyweight main event on Friday night at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. It's one of the biggest fights in James' career as he looks to climb up the ranks of the mixed martial arts company. He comes into the event with four-straight knockouts in his last four fights, including a victory over Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 288 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. James captured that victory just 27 seconds into the second round to improve his professional MMA record to 14-6-1. This bout continues James' return to the United States after fighting overseas for the last three years in Russia and Europe. The win over Fortune in Chicago the American "comeback" match for the fighter who goes by th...

What we know about the Fort Campbell soldiers killed in Black Hawk helicopter crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

TRIGG COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) — All nine Fort Campbell soldiers aboard two Black Hawk helicopters died Wednesday night after a crash during a routine training mission in Kentucky. The two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) medical evacuation helicopters crashed at about 10 p.m. in Trigg County, near Highway 68, according to Nondice Thurman, Media Relations Officer for Fort Campbell. RELATED: 9 soldiers dead after 2 Fort Campbell Black Hawk helicopters crash on training mission in Kentucky In a press conference Thursday, Brig. Gen. John Lubas said they were flying a multi-ship formation and using night vision goggles, but he did not provide any further details on the training mission. Both helicopters wrecked in an open field across from a residential area. According to authorities, the debris field was sizable. However, Lubas said there were no additional casualties as a result of the crash.New details are still emerging as specialized teams continue to investigate "every possible c...

Con Mi Madre honors three Austin women for helping young Latinas achieve their college dreams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local organization Con Mi MADRE (CMM) will recognize three Austin women at a gala Saturday for their contributions to the organization's mission of increasing college access for young Latinas.The "Con Mi MADRE Corazon Awards" celebrate 15 years of the group's work with young Latinas and their mothers. The group helps students prepare for and enter college, and teaches moms how they can best support their college-bound daughters."Con Mi MADRE is the only non-profit of its kind to focus on the power of the mother-daughter relationship," reads a press release from the group. "Con Mi MADRE helps young Latina women break barriers and get to college by providing a holistic approach to education that focuses on both social emotional learning and academic success." Con Mi Madre's ‘Somos El Futuro’ event empowers young women of color The event will be held at the Junior League of Austin Community Impact Center (5330 Bluffstone Ln, Austin). A ticket is required to attend, a...

1 person seriously injured after cement truck rolls over in western Travis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 31, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- One person was seriously injured after a cement truck rolled over in western Travis County Friday, Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed in a tweet.At approximately 11:15 a.m., ATCEMS medics responded to State Highway 71 near Rivercliff after the cement truck rolled over with debris and cement across all lanes, the tweet said. Traffic was shut down in both directions, and STAR Flight was also dispatched to the scene, medics said.Medics said one person had to be extricated from the cement truck and was transported by STAR Flight to Dell Seton with serious injuries.Closures and traffic delays will continue, medics said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Governor Hochul condemns swatting calls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--According to Governor Kathy Hochul, 36 swatting calls happened on Thursday across the State of New York. These calls reporting fake active shooter claims at schools."In some cases it sounds like shootings in the background," explained Hochul. "Which is horrific. It sounds very legitimate that there is an active shooting unfolding as the calls are going on. And this is why it’s causing so much trauma for teachers, students and families."The governor said the calls were all different, and were made to schools in areas of the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Western New York, and the Adirondacks."It is beyond the pale to think people are doing this to our kids in light of the real shootings that have occurred in other parts of our nation, just as recently as this week. It is heart breaking to know that people are so depraved of heart they would do this to our children at this time."State police went to over 226 schools and local law enforcement agencies responded t...

RPI RAs win union vote 55 to 9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After a battle to unionize, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) resident assistants (RAs) won their union vote 55 to nine. The RPI RA Union will represent the interests of RAs and will be affiliated with the Office and Professional Employees International Union. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to a spokesperson for the student workers, RPI RAs are paid 80-90% less than RAs at similar-sized institutions yet are required to work over 20 hours a week overseeing up to 80 students. Further, students claim RPI policies—such as a policy requiring them to call campus police instead of 911—are putting them and their fellow students in dangerous, life-threatening situations.The RPI RA Union explains they previously sought voluntary recognition from the university butwere denied. Between then and now the RPI administration has discouraged unionizing in anumber of ways; through letters, meetings, etc...

LIVE UPDATES: Tornado warning issued in Phelps County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A tornado warning has been issued in Phelps County as of 4:50 p.m. A tornado watch remains in effect for much of the St. Louis Metropolitan area for Friday. When a tornado warning is issued, a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and there is imminent danger to life and property. If you’re in the area of a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately.During a tornado watch, atmospheric conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop, but a tornado has not yet been sighted or indicated by weather radar.The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the St. Louis Metropolitan area to a Level-4 risk for severe weather Friday. Mother Nature means business on Friday, as winds will become quite gusty from the south as temperatures climb towards 70 degrees. Severe weather threats include 70 to 80 miles per hour winds, some large hail, and even the chance of quick hitting tornadoes.  St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Potential timeline fo...