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Federal judges to hear input on proposed new congressional lines in Alabama

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A three-judge panel was preparing to approve new congressional districts for Alabama after ruling that state lawmakers flouted their finding the state should have a second district where Black voters are the majority of the electorate or close to it.The court will hear input Tuesday on three plans proposed by a court-appointed special master as it prepares to select a plan for use in the 2024 congressional elections. The three-judge panel is overseeing the drawing of new lines after ruling Alabama — which is 27% Black — should have more than one district with a substantial percentage of Black voters.The three proposals under consideration all create a second district where Black voters comprise a majority of the voting age population or close to it — something state lawmakers did not do when they drew lines this summer. Richard Allen, the court-appointed special master, wrote that all three proposals follow the court’s instruction to create a second district ...

Neighbourly Pharmacy signs deal with largest shareholder to go private

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

TORONTO — Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. has signed an agreement to be taken private by its largest shareholder in a deal that values the company at about $916 million.Under the letter of intent, Persistence Capital Partners (PCP) has offered to pay $20.50 per share in cash for the stake in the company it does not already own.Shares in Neighbourly, which owns a network of community pharmacies across Canada, closed down 44 cents at $12.12 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday.The company says the offer, which will require shareholder approval, also represents a premium of about 21 per cent to the company’s May 2021 initial public offering price of $17 per share.PCP already owns about 22.4 million Neighbourly shares or a 50.2 per cent stake in the company.PCP managing partner Stuart Elman says Neighbourly, as a private company, will have more flexibility and resources to pursue its strategic vision to advance the role that independent pharmacies can play in Canada. “We are co...

Donald Trump is returning to court as his fraud trial gets down to business after a fiery first day

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — After a fiery first day of opening statements, lawyers in Donald Trump’s business fraud trial in New York will move on Tuesday to the more plodding task of going through years of his financial documents in what’s expected to be a weekslong fight over whether they constitute proof of fraud.An accountant who prepared Trump’s financial statements for years is expected to be back on the witness stand for a second day.Trump, who spent a full day Monday as an angry spectator at the civil trial, said he’ll be back at the defense table.“See you in Court on Tuesday morning!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.The trial is the culmination of a lawsuit in which New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, has accused the Republican former president of deceiving banks, insurers and others for years by giving them papers that misstated the value of his assets.Judge Arthur Engoron delivered an early victory to James last week, ruling that Trump com...

Czechs reintroduce random checks on the border with Slovakia to prevent illegal migration

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic announced on Tuesday it will reintroduce random checks along its border with neighboring Slovakia to stem a flow of migrants. The Interior Ministry said the measure will become effective on Wednesday and should be in place for at least 10 days.Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said the checks “will help us effectively fight the groups of human smugglers.”Rakusan said the step was closely coordinated with neighboring countries, including Poland, which decided to launch similar checks at its border with Slovakia. He said the controls should not seriously limit traffic across the border.Police said they were planning to deploy 130 officers who will operate along the entire border, not just at official border crossings.Slovak Prime Minister Ludovit Odor criticized the Czech move, saying it’s necessary to find a Europe-wide solution to the problem of migrants. He said the government will react to the Czech move possibly on Wednesday.Germany announced last wee...

Millennial Money: 4 ways married couples can use tax breaks to build wealth

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

“Two is better than one” is an old adage that translates to finances, too. Two incomes can go much further than one, especially between married couples.People who say “I do” also have access to various tax breaks that can give them a financial edge when it comes to building wealth. For instance, married couples filing their taxes jointly get a standard deduction of $27,700 in 2023, while single filers get a $13,850 deduction.How can married couples act on the many tax breaks they have access to and use them to build wealth? Two certified public accountants share a few strategies for couples to consider.STRATEGY 1: INVESTINGWhen married couples get a tax deduction or tax credit, there’s an opportunity to invest that extra money. There are a string of ways to invest the money, but couples could benefit from investing in themselves, says Sheneya Wilson, a CPA and founder of Fola Financial in the Bronx in New York City. Couples may choose to use their tax savings to invest in courses th...

Fatal crash closes stretch of Hwy. 401 near Pearson Airport

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

A man is dead and a stretch of Highway 401 is shut down during the Tuesday morning rush due to a serious crash near Pearson Airport.The two-vehicle collision occurred in the westbound collector lanes of the highway west of Highway 427.One person was rushed to hospital without vital signs. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirm a 64-year-old man from Toronto was pronounced dead at the hospital.Police tell CityNews they believe a medical episode may have caused the crash.No other injuries were reported.The westbound 401 collector lanes are closed from the 427 to approaching Dixie Road for the crash investigation.Fatal collision: WB #Hwy401/Renforth. 64-year-old man from Toronto pronounced deceased at hospital. All WB collector lanes blocked for investigation. ^ks pic.twitter.com/dIeiMIPaVb— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) October 3, 2023

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in upper 80s with sunny conditions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Hazy sunshine and unseasonably warm Tuesday. Winds: SSW 5-10 mph. Air quality is Moderate for Chicagoland. High 88/81 lakeshore. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Partly cloudy and mild tonight. Winds: SSE 0-5 mph. Low 68.Wednesday Forecast: Increasing clouds, breezy and warm. Chance of PM showers/t'storms. Winds: SSW 5-15 mph. High 83.Extended outlook calls for temps to get back towards normal around 70 on Thursday with some rain at times and perhaps an iso. t'storm. We'll enter a significantly cooler weather pattern for the end of the week and through the weekend. High temps will struggle to get to 60, overnight lows will be in the 40s and each day has a chance of isolated showers. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

APD looking for two armed robbery suspects

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday they were looking for two men suspected of stealing from a vehicle and then shooting at the vehicle's owner. Police said the crime happened on Tuesday, Sept. 26 between 5 and 7 a.m. at Glenhill Road and Shelbourne Drive. That is in the Coronado Hills neighborhood in East Austin near US 290 and US 183. Police said the two men were stealing items from the vehicle when the owner caught them. Both men fired several gunshots at the owner before leaving the area, APD said. APD described the first man as Black with a thin build. The first suspect was last seen carrying a black backpack and wearing a light gray/dark gray hoodie and blue track pants. APD described the second man as Black with a thin build. The second suspect was last seen carrying a gray backpack and wearing a blue hoodie with white lettering and black track pants, according to police.Austin Police are looking for this man in connection with an aggravated robbery on Glenhil...

Suspect in missing 9-year-old case charged with kidnapping

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The man accused of kidnapping Charlotte Sena was arraigned in Milton Town Court on kidnapping charges. Craig Ross Jr., 46, is currently held at the Saratoga County Jail.According to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, Sena was found in a cabinet inside a trailer on Monday evening. The investigation ramped up after a ransom note was discovered at the Sena family home around 4:20 a.m. A fingerprint on the ransom note matched prints from a DWI in 1999. Police located a house to search in Milton, including a trailer found on the same property. Sena was located covered up in a cabinet inside the trailer.Ross initially resisted arrest and is still being questioned on whether Sena was targeted and if he is known to the family. Sena is currently receiving medical attention and is with her family.Police are still searching the property for more clues. Ross' next court date is set for October 17.

Off the Beaten Path: Middleburgh Mercantile

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:02:20 GMT

MIDDLEBURGH, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A new gift shop in Middleburgh is showcasing handmade goods from local artisans in Schoharie County. The Middleburgh Mercantile is a labor of love for the Wissert family. Scarecrow tradition scares up fun in Schoharie County “A little bit of everything for gift giving,” said Joan Wissert, owner and member of the Middleburgh Rotary.The store is located at 310 Main Street in Middleburgh. The Middleburgh Mercantile is currently open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.