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Minnesota appeals court protects felon voting rights after finding a pro-Trump judge overstepped

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

A Minnesota appeals court on Thursday stepped in to protect voting rights recently granted to felons under a new law, undoing a pro-Trump judge’s effort to strip two convicts of their right to vote. The Minnesota Court of Appeals found Mille Lacs County District Judge Matthew Quinn had no authority to find the new law unconstitutional, Minnesota Public Radio reported.The law, which took effect in July, says people with felony convictions regain the right to vote after they have completed any prison term.Quinn had said the law was unconstitutional in a pair of October orders in which he sentenced two offenders to probation, but warned them they are not eligible to vote or register to vote — even though the law says they are. It was an unusual step because nobody involved in those cases ever asked him to rule on the constitutionality of the law.In his orders, Quinn concluded the Legislature’s passage of the law did not constitute the kind of “affirmative act” he said was needed ...

Vancouver magic mushroom stores raided by police are reopening

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

VANCOUVER — One of three magic mushroom stores that were raided by Vancouver police this week has already reopened, and the owner says his other two are restocking and will be back in business on Friday.The Vancouver Police Department says it executed search warrants at the stores on Wednesday in an investigation into the sale of illegal psychedelic drugs, with officers seizing “a variety of controlled substances.”The stores owned by Dana Larsen are located on East Hastings Street, West Broadway Avenue, and Granville Street.Larsen says the East Hastings store has already opened, with the other two to follow, and he’ll “try to be better prepared” if police visit again.Larsen says Wednesday’s raids were unexpected, and he was held by police for seven hours before being released with no charges and no conditions. A storefront poster Larsen shared on social media says police seized all the stores’ mushrooms, LSD, coca leaf, other drugs and money...

Chicago residents fed up with lack of communication on migrant housing locations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

CHICAGO -- Some Chicago residents are getting fed up with what they say is the mayor's lack of communication on migrant housing.Morgan Park and Roseland residents are speaking out against a proposed migrants shelter and tent basecamp."For years we have wanted this facility for our children programs we have been denied," Roseland resident Patrick Gibbons said. "Now you’re going to tell me you’re going to take my tax money and give it to somebody else?"The proposed migrant shelter and tent basecamp would be located at the former Jewel-Osco near the intersection of West 115th Street and South Halsted Avenue in Morgan Park.Allies of Mayor Brandon Johnson, including Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, blocked a vote in council on Wednesday that would have allowed the city to buy the old Jewel-Osco building and the surrounding parking lot for $1.But, the proposal could come back up for consideration at next week's meeting. Lights shut off during immigration chaos at Chicago City Council specia...

Suspected drunken driver seen overfilling gas tank had loaded rifle inside car, prosecutors allege

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — A felon is accused of having multiple firearms inside his vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in west suburban Downers Grove.Gordon Martin, 23, of Bolingbrook is charged with illegally possessing a loaded rifle and an unloaded handgun. Martin is also charged with two counts of misdemeanor DUI.According to DuPage County prosecutors, just before 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Downers Grove officers responded to an area Shell gas station. Officers were called to the scene for a man 'overfilling his gas tank.' Venezuelan migrants accused of stealing nearly $3K in merchandise from Oak Brook Macy’s Arriving officers encountered Martin and his vehicle, which prosecutors allege had two flat tires and was missing its front bumper. Gordon Martin, 23, of Bolingbrook (Photo: DuPage County State’s Attorney Office)The discarded bumper was later discovered at the intersection of Cross Street and Warrenville Road with a portion of the license plate still att...

These places in the Chicago area are accepting leftover Halloween candy donations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Several places across Chicagoland are collecting leftover Halloween candy. Here is a list of places you can donate your candy.Soldiers' Angels has a searchable map to find a place where you drop off candy. They have dozens of locations, including in Naperville, Sycamore, St. Charles, Minooka, Joliet, Chicago and Addison.People's Resource Center in Wheaton and Westmont is accepting sealed candy.Operation Shoebox is collecting bags of individually wrapped candies. They said heat-resistant candy is best. It can be sent to Operation Shoebox 8630 East Highway 25 Belleview, FL 34420Many Ronald McDonald House Charities locations will accept unopened candy donations. There are several local chapters including in Chicago, Naperville, Winfield and Oak Brook.Operation Support Our Troops is collecting candy. They have several donation sites across the area. It's best to call the location first to see if they are collecting candy. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines You can also...

Malörtsgiving: Limited Thanksgiving edition of Malört now available

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago favorite rich in the spirit of Thanksgiving.Malört has released a limited edition of its iconic Chicago liquor. Dubbed 'Malörtsgiving,' the drink features flavors of turkey bouillon, cranberry and sage. Whether it be an $8 shot or a bottle for $150, CH Distillery in the West Loop - the only place the drink is available - promises a drink that will "transport you to a Thanksgiving feast while maintaining Malört 's infamous flavor." All proceeds will benefit Lemons of Love, a nonprofit helping those impacted by cancer. Cheers, Chicago!

Liam Hendriks wins AL Comeback Player of the Year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox's closer Liam Hendriks has been named the 2023 American League (AL) Comeback Player of the Year, according to a press release from the team Thursday.The AL and NL Comeback Player of the Year Awards are presented by the Major League Baseball Players Association and voted on by players from each league.Hendriks returned to the White Sox active roster in May and appeared in five games after battling non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Hendriks revealed his cancer diagnosis back in January before undergoing treatment, after which he announced he was cancer-free in April. ‘I’m cancer free’: White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is in remission Hendriks went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA, one save and three strikeouts before undergoing UCL replacement surgery in August.Hendriks was also the White Sox's nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award, his third consecutive nomination to represent his team. He helped raise nearly $130,000 for Lymphoma research through the sale of "Close Ou...

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted of defrauding crypto customers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s spectacular rise and fall in the cryptocurrency industry — a journey that included his testimony before Congress, a Super Bowl advertisement and dreams of a future run for president — hit a new bottom Thursday when a New York jury convicted him of fraud in a scheme that cheated customers and investors of at least $10 billion.After the monthlong trial, jurors rejected Bankman-Fried’s claim during four days on the witness stand in Manhattan federal court that he never committed fraud or meant to cheat customers before FTX, once the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, collapsed into bankruptcy a year ago.“His crimes caught up to him. His crimes have been exposed,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon told the jury of the onetime billionaire just before they were read the law by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan and began deliberations. Sassoon said Bankman-Fried turned his customers’ accounts into his “personal piggy bank” as up to ...

Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs could have been a rocket scientist. Those study habits are helping him now.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

Josh Dobbs admitted he was a bit of a procrastinator at the University of Tennessee.As the starting quarterback for the Volunteers back in the mid-2010’s, Dobbs had a lot on his plate, and thus, he often found himself cramming for tests at the last minute. Not exactly the easiest thing considering his major in aerospace engineering.That said, Dobbs still managed to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, and eventually parlayed his degree into an internship with NASA.He could have been a rocket scientist. He chose NFL quarterback for the time being. Now the 28-year-old Dobbs is hoping the former can help the latter.After being acquired by the Vikings this week at the trade deadline, Dobbs might as well be back in college, cramming for a test at the last minute. He will be the backup on Sunday when the Vikings play the Atlanta Falcons on the road, and while he’s not expected to know the whole play book, he’s hoping his study habits from the past can help him lea...

Wisconsin boys soccer: Somerset bows in Division 3 state semifinal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:18 GMT

MILWAUKEE — Somerset boys soccer coach Karsten Grover was worried about his team getting off to a slow start.Unfortunately for the Spartans, his worst fear was quickly realized.Somerset, which had allowed three goals in a match just once all season, gave up three scores in the opening 20 minutes and dropped a 5-0 decision to Plymouth in the Division 3 semifinals of the Wisconsin boys soccer state tournament Thursday.“We have a tendency to be a second-half team,” Grover said. “We have a tendency to start games slow. We talked about it a lot before the game. But I think a lot of nerves. First time this team’s ever been this far. Bigger pitch than we’re used to by a lot. I know the guys were talking a lot about that before the game. So, a lot of new things for us to figure out.“We just had a slow start,” Grover said. “The first 20 minutes kind of cost us.”The third-seeded Spartans (23-2), making their first state tournament appearance, never got untracked against the second-seeded Pant...