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Son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh questions father’s mental state while affirming his innocence

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

In a candid moment captured in a preview clip from the upcoming FOX series, “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh,” Buster Murdaugh, the sole surviving son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, raised questions about his father’s mental state while maintaining his father’s innocence.The FOX series, set to delve into the events surrounding the Murdaugh family, provides a glimpse into Buster’s perspective on his father’s murder trial and the tragic 2015 death of his classmates.Alex, once a prominent attorney, faced conviction for the murders of his wife and another son. The high-profile trial drew significant attention and led to his guilty verdict.In a preview clip, Buster was asked whether the term “psychopath” accurately described his father. “I’m not prepared to say that it encompasses him as a whole, but certainly, I think there are characteristics where you look at the manipulation, the lies, and the carrying out of such, ...

Miami woman arrested for allegedly punching manager, customer in outburst at Hialeah Taco Bell

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

A 54-year-old Miami woman faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a customer and the manager at a Taco Bell in Hialeah.Christina Thompson’s rampage began when she demanded free food upon entering the establishment, located at 501 E 49th St., Thursday evening. The manager complied by offering her a drink, but this only seemed to enrage Thompson further.According to the arrest report, Thompson struck the manager with a closed fist in the face. She then proceeded to throw items around the Taco Bell, disrupting the flow of business and causing a crowd to gather.Thompson’s violent spree continued as she approached a nearby customer and punched her in the forehead, leaving a visible bruise. The chaos continued until law enforcement arrived at the scene and placed Thompson in handcuffs without further incident.A witness inside the establishment, who saw the incident unfold, corroborated the events leading to Thompson’s arrest.Thompson now faces charges of aggrav...

Bryson Barnes helps No. 14 Utah beat Florida 24-11 in season opener

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah gave Florida a taste of the same suffocating defense the Utes have used to recently dominate Pac-12 opponents.Bryson Barnes threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Money Parks on Utah’s first play of the game, rushed for another score and the No. 14 Utes beat Florida 24-11 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams.Nate Johnson split time at quarterback with Barnes for the Utes with usual starter Rising still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the Rose Bowl.Utah clamped down on defense in Rising’s absence, forcing a turnover and getting five sacks. The Gators converted 1 of 13 third downs and 2 of 5 fourth downs while totaling 13 yards rushing on 21 carries.“If you had to say what was the one phase or one thing that was the biggest difference in the game, it was the way our defense played,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.Graham Mertz threw for 333 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his first start for the Gators. Ricky Pearsall had 92 yar...

Brits balk at Rishi Sunak’s short-haul helicopter habit

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

LONDON — Rishi Sunak likes to city hop by helicopter. The British public doesn’t approve.Almost half of Britons, about 49 percent, oppose the British prime minister traveling via private plane or helicopter, while 54 percent reckon he should take public transport to official engagements even if it takes longer to reach his destination, polling from Redfield and Wilton Strategies conducted this week found. Just 28 percent think he should take the fastest route no matter the mode of transport. The research comes amid a raft of negative headlines after he used a helicopter to travel to and from Norwich on Tuesday, a trip of little more than 100 miles, and after he traveled to Southampton from London in May by helicopter instead of a short train journey. The Mirror newspaper reported earlier this month Sunak used jets and helicopters to travel around the UK more than any other recent prime minister, taking one flight every eight days on average.In a sign Downing Str...

Libya rejects EU envoy from Italy, prefers French candidate

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

BRUSSELS — Libya has discarded Italy’s candidate to lead the EU’s mission there and is expected to choose a diplomat from France.In a highly unusual move, interim Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s government in Tripoli snubbed the Italian candidate for the post, Nicola Orlando, and is expected to give its blessing to his French stand-in Patrick Simonnet, according to two EU diplomats who were granted anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters.This comes as a blow to Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who has pledged more engagement with North African countries as a central plank of her foreign policy agenda.The development, first revealed by Italian daily Il Foglio, comes amid a long-running resource rivalry between Italy and France for influence in Libya. As a major oil provider and key departure point for migrants making their way to Europe, the former Italian colony has strategic importance for the EU. The bloc’s current envoy to Tripoli J...

Austin Wells’ college coach Jay Johnson expects another MLB success story: ‘The best hitter on the field’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

HOUSTON — When the coronavirus outbreak shut down the college baseball season, and everything else in 2020, a scary thought crossed Jay Johnson’s mind.“The world is ending,” Johnson, then the head coach at Arizona, told the Daily News. “COVID happens, they canceled the College World Series, and my first thought was, ‘Austin Wells ain’t gonna be on my team anymore.’”Indeed, Wells’ sophomore season with the Wildcats lasted just 15 games. The Yankees’ first-round pick in 2020, Wells saw his playing career at Arizona end with the start of the pandemic.Johnson, now running the show at LSU, lamented the loss of one of his favorite pupils.“He’s one of the best players that I’ve ever recruited and coached, and [that includes] a lot of guys in the major leagues right now,” Johnson said. “So that tells you what I think of Austin.”There’s quite a bit of talent on Johnson’s resume. ...

Chicago Cubs call up prospects Alexander Canario and Shane Greene as rosters expand

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

The Chicago Cubs are bringing up one of their top hitting prospects with rosters expanding Friday.Before Friday’s doubleheader against the Reds, the Cubs called up outfielder Alexander Canario and right-handed Shane Greene from Triple-A Iowa.Canario was scorching in August, producing a 305/.356/.632 slash line with seven home runs and 10 doubles in 23 games. He returned in June from a devastating freak injury from hitting first base while playing winter ball that required surgery to repair a fractured left ankle and separated left shoulder.Canario, 23, was acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the 2021 trade deadline for Kris Bryant. He is ranked the Cubs’ No. 14 prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America.Greene took one of the two open 40-man roster spots. Greene, 34, appeared in two big-league games in 2022 with the Dodgers and Yankees.Greene owned a 2.16 ERA in five starts with Iowa where he walked nine and struck out 20 in 16 2/3 innings. ()

Ohio police release video showing officers’ fatal shooting of pregnant Black woman Ta’Kiya Young

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

By SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON (Associated Press/Report For America)COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio authorities on Friday released bodycam video showing police officers fatally shooting Ta’Kiya Young in her car in what her family denounced as a “gross misuse of power and authority” against the young pregnant Black woman.The 21-year-old from Columbus was pronounced dead shortly after the Aug. 24 shooting outside a grocery store in the suburb of Blendon Township. Her unborn daughter did not survive.The footage, which comes more than a week after her death, shows another officer at the driver’s side window, repeatedly demanding that Young “get out of the car.”The officer by her window tells Young she had been accused of theft. She protests, and he repeats his demand that she get out of the car. She turns the steering wheel to her right and accelerates toward the officer standing in front of it. The officer in front of the vehicle fires through the windshie...

What you should know before visiting California State Parks Labor Day weekend

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) -- Labor Day weekend has arrived with many setting their sights on outdoor adventures at California State Parks. Park officials say they are excited to welcome nature enthusiasts to the state’s diverse landscapes of trails, beaches, lakes, mountains and deserts. There's just one thing they wanted to encourage ahead of long-weekend festivities -- safety.“This Labor Day weekend, make the most of your outdoor adventures by putting safety first,” stated California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “By adhering to responsible recreation practices, safety and leveraging innovative tools, you can create unforgettable memories while preserving the natural beauty of California's state parks.” Exploring California State Parks just got easier — it’s as simple as three words The department is offering up safety tips to parkgoers as well as things to know before you go. Plan and preparePark officials say it's best to check for any current park updates, trail closu...

CRA fires 120 employees for claiming CERB benefits while still working

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:37 GMT

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says dozens of its employees have been fired after they claimed pandemic benefits while still working.In a statement put out Friday, the CRA reports that 120 people are no longer employed after an internal review found they inappropriately claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).The agency began a case by case investigation at the end of June after noting 20 employees had been let go at the time due to reviews.“Out of the approximately 600 cases we can report that 120 individuals are no longer with the (CRA) as a result of this internal review,” reads a statement providing an update on the investigation. “The investigations and disciplinary processes continue.”The statement says police could be notified for certain cases if further investigation reveals an element of criminality.The CRA notes the 120 employees will all need to repay the amounts claimed if they haven’t already.Related:More than 1,000 Canadians...