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Judge weighs request to stop nation’s first execution by nitrogen, in Alabama

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge heard diverging arguments Wednesday about the humaneness and risks of execution by nitrogen gas as he weighs whether to let Alabama attempt the nation’s first use of the method.Attorneys for Kenneth Eugene Smith are asking a judge to block his Jan. 25 execution by nitrogen hypoxia. They argued that the method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and said the mask, which is fitted seal over his nose and mouth, would interfere with his ability to pray with his spiritual adviser. Robert Grass, an attorney for Smith, told the judge the execution method “exposes Mr. Smith to the risk of superadded pain” which is not allowed under the U.S. Constitution. The state attorney general’s office urged U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. to reject the request, saying the method is humane. Huffaker did not indicate when he will rule. The execution method would use the mask to replace breathable air with nitrogen,...

Toronto police report staggering rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Hate crimes in Toronto are occurring at an alarming rate as Toronto police release another set of staggering statistics showing Muslim and Jewish communities continue to be targeted.“This is a kind of hatred we should never see in Canada,” said Jaime Kirzener-Roberts with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, reacting to the 211 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents reported to police since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in early October compared to the same time a year ago.Kirzener-Roberts says they are receiving upwards of 500 emails a day regarding public safety concerns.“Is it safe for my child to be at school, is it safe to be walking around our neighbourhood, is it safe to have a Menorah in our window,” she says of the questions being asked by the community. “Jewish kids being told they should go die in a gas chamber, kids being spit at …Jewish children being called baby killers – and we know hateful words lead to hateful deed...

Vigil held for 5-year-old migrant boy who died at Chicago shelter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds of migrants and other people turned out Wednesday night for a vigil held for a 5-year-old migrant boy who died after becoming ill in a Chicago shelter. Jean Carlos Martinez was a resident at a warehouse retrofitted as a shelter in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood when he suffered a medical emergency, the city said. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a hospital Sunday afternoon. Six more people living in the shelter — four children and two adults — were hospitalized this week, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said.All had been living in the same shelter as Martinez, whose family arrived in Chicago on Nov. 30. The cause of death was still pending Wednesday, according to Cook County medical examiner records.“This was a preventable death. This was also a predictable death,” said social worker Britt Hodgdon, who spoke at the vigil. “People are here. They are our brothers and sisters. They deserve to be safe and cared for and living in...

Signing day: Georgia has top class after 5-star flip; Ohio State sigh of relief on No. 1 player

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The early signing period in college football opened Wednesday with some five-star drama.Georgia likely locked up the top recruiting class by flipping an in-state blue-chip player away from Florida State. The consensus No. 1 recruit in the country had Ohio State’s Ryan Day literally sighing with relief, and then made the coach wait hours before officially becoming a Buckeye. Florida managed to hold on to a couple of five-stars amid a flurry of late de-commits.Meanwhile, the long and winding recruitment of Dylan Raiola ended bright and early with the highly touted quarterback signing a national letter of intent with Nebraska, the school where his father was an All-American offensive lineman.College football’s early signing period, jammed into what has become an overloaded December calendar with postseason games and players transferring, has become the signing period.“The schedule is not good. It’s chaotic,” Penn State coach James Franklin told reporters.The big schoo...

4 months later, still no word on return of SoxFest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — While the Chicago Cubs recently announced the lineup for Cubs Con 2024 this winter, their South Side counterparts have remained silent on whether SoxFest will return for the first time in nearly four years.Back in August, my former-colleague here at WGN — Larry Hawley — posed a question to the Chicago White Sox organization."Will SoxFest return in 2024?"Much like the conversation now, the question coincided with the Cubs making an announcement on their own festival that annually celebrates fans — they announced the dates for Cubs Con 2024.The White Sox's answer at the time was, "No official plans for SoxFest to announce at the moment, but we are working on plans to celebrate fans this winter.”Fast forward to Tuesday of this week, I followed up to see if anything had changed."I was wondering if there were any plans from the Chicago White Sox to bring back SoxFest ahead of the 2024 MLB regular season?" I asked. "... Any information you can provide on the return of SoxFest, o...

Passenger hid 17 bullets in baby diaper at New York airport

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — It was a loaded diaper, but not like you would think.Security officers found 17 bullets concealed inside a disposable baby diaper Wednesday at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the Transportation Security Administration said.Officers pulled the otherwise clean diaper from a passenger's carry-on bag after it triggered an alarm in an X-ray machine at an airport security checkpoint, the TSA said. Passengers could get $75 for delays under Southwest settlement According to the agency, the passenger initially claimed he didn't know how the bullet-filled diaper ended up in his bag. Later he suggested his girlfriend put it there, the agency said.The TSA identified the passenger as a man from Arkansas who was ticketed for a flight to Chicago’s Midway Airport, but did not disclose his name. Port Authority police cited him for unlawful possession of the 9mm ammunition.This combination of photos provided by the Transportation Security Administration shows 17 bullets security offic...

DeMar DeRozan stars as the Chicago Bulls knock off the Los Angeles Lakers 124-108

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 124-108 on Wednesday night.Chicago shot 54.5% from the field and had eight players score in double figures. Coby White had 17 points and reserve Ayo Dosunmu added 14. Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his 16th double-double of the season.Despite the continued absence of All-Star guard Zach LaVine due to right foot inflammation, the Bulls opened a six-game homestand with their third win in four games. They also played without forward Torrey Craig after they announced Tuesday that he could miss up to 10 weeks with a right plantar fascia injury.James had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Los Angeles, falling just shy of a second consecutive triple-double. Anthony Davis had 19 points and 14 rebounds in his hometown.The Lakers have dropped four of five since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament.Trailing by as much as 18 p...

Alabama backup QB Tyler Buchner heading back to Notre Dame for lacrosse, degree

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama backup quarterback Tyler Buchner is returning to Notre Dame as a lacrosse player.Buchner announced Wednesday on social media that he plans to return to South Bend, Indiana, after one season at Alabama and finish his degree. He plans to stay with the Crimson Tide through the College Football Playoff. Alabama faces Michigan on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl. Art mystery solved: Owner of Wrigley Field painting meets artist behind it thanks to WGN “I am excited to return to ND to play lacrosse and graduate in May," Buchner posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. “Prior to that, I’ll be continuing my initial commitment to Alabama Football through the playoff and finishing what I started. I can’t thank everyone enough for their continued support.”Buchner followed first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Tuscaloosa after beginning the 2022 season as Notre Dame's starter. He started the third game of the season against South Florida, completing ...

Texas adds 24 on 1st day of early signing period, No. 5 class in country so far

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns added 24 players to the 2024 roster on the first day of the early signing period for Division I football programs Wednesday.Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said his staff, "did a heck of a job," when putting everything together. UPDATED: Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period "They recognized the needs we have on the team, some immediate and some long-term predicated on depth issues," he said, "and also players who fit who we are from their style of play and character. They fit our culture."The 2024 class includes four 5-star recruits according to 247Sports including Duncanville linebacker/edge rusher Colin Simmons and wide receiver Ryan Wingo out of St. Louis, Missouri. Other 5-star recruits are offensive tackle Brandon Baker from powerhouse high school program Mater Dei in Santa, Ana, California and late flip Xavier Filsaime from McKinney. Filsaime, a safety, had verbally committed to Florida ...

Embiid dominates as Timberwolves fall in Philadelphia

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The Timberwolves’ defense has been an unsolvable Rubik’s Cube for most NBA offenses this season.Joel Embiid cracked the code Wednesday in Philadelphia.The reigning MVP poured in 51 points to go with 12 rebounds as the 76ers downed Minnesota 127-113 and snapped the Wolves’ three-game winning streak. The performance marked one of the few times this season the Timberwolves truly didn’t have an answer for something the opponent was presenting.The Wolves were visibly upset with the officiating throughout the contest. Embiid did shoot 18 free throws — and he made 17 of them. But he dominated in every way imaginable. The big man went 17 for 25 from the field, including 9 for 12 from the mid-range.Minnesota stayed in the game for much of the night with its offense. Karl-Anthony Towns was able to make hay on the interior to the tune of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Anthony Edwards added 27 points, while Jaden McDaniels scored 21.Rudy Gobert finished with eight points and...