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Maine passed a law to try to prevent mass shootings. Some say more is needed after Lewiston killings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Barely four years before a gunman’s deadly rampage in Maine, a state that is staunchly protective of gun rights, the governor signed a law aimed at preventing a mass shooting like the one Wednesday night that claimed at least 18 lives.It was called a “yellow flag” law, different from the “red flag” laws cropping up in other states to seize weapons from gun owners viewed as a threat. In a sign of the pro-Second Amendment mindset in Maine, a gun-rights group helped write the law, and critics said that, while it was a first step toward stronger gun safety measures, the state could save more lives by doing more — like passing a red flag law.The yellow flag law and permissive gun measures in Maine are coming under greater scrutiny in the aftermath of a massacre that authorities say was carried out by a man who was committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this past summer and had reported “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” a military base.It w...

Suspected accomplice charged in St. Charles home invasion that left 1 dead, 1 wounded

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — A second person wanted in connection with a January home invasion that left one man dead and another injured is now in police custody, officials said Thursday. Jose Melendez was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 25, more than 10 months after the Jan.14 double shooting-home invasion in the 100 block of Walnut Drive. Melendez is charged with several felonies, including first-degree attempted murder, two counts of home invasion and unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon.In January, Kane County prosecutors also implicated 26-year-old Panagiotis Koutroumbis with similar charges for his alleged role in the attack. RECENT ST. CHARLES NEWS: St. Charles police arrest 5 in human trafficking case in suburbs, ChicagoInvestigators conclude that Melendez, Koutroumbis and 26-year-old James Gherardini entered the St. Charles-area apartment through an unlocked sliding glass door. Once inside, the group reportedly zip-tied the hands of several occupants and demanded undisc...

17-year-old boy dies after accidental fall in Round Lake Beach backyard: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. — A 17-year-old boy has died after an accidental fall in his own backyard in Round Lake Beach.It happened just after midnight Thursday in the 2000 block of Evergreen Lane. According to police, the teen appears to have been climbing a fence in the backyard of his home when he fell.Residents of the home, as well as neighbors, heard a loud crash and investigated the incident — then called 911. Police said lifesaving measures were performed on the teen, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. 17-year-old killed in Carpentersville triple shooting Preliminary investigation indicates the boy's fall was accidental in nature and not suspicious.

The Bulls already have drama - and Billy Donovan says that's good

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

CHICAGO — They've only played 48 minutes of basketball, but already there is drama surrounding the Bulls in the 2023-2024 season. From an unhappy All-Star's conversation with his coach to a players-only meeting after the game, Billy Donovan has a lot to deal with after just a single game. "I had just walked in there to talk to them, and they were talking, and I said 'Do you guys need space?' and they just said 'Yes,' and I walked out," said the head coach after the Bulls' 124-104 season-opening loss to the Thunder at the United Center on Wednesday night. That conversation that didn't include Donovan was preceeded by one he did have on the bench with Nikola Vucevic after a technical foul in the third quarter that was caught by broadcast cameras. "I was just unhappy with some of the stuff we were doing, I obviously expressed it a little bit, maybe a little more aggressive than I should have in that moment of the game," said Vucevic. "Heat of the moment. You're trying to win, trying to...

Man accused of killing Maryland judge found dead: deputies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (WDVM) — The man suspected of fatally shooting a Maryland circuit court judge has been found dead, according to authorities.In a Thursday morning post to Facebook, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said Pedro Argote, 49, of Frederick, was found dead in a heavily wooded area of Williamsport, not far from where the shooting unfolded, ending a weeklong manhunt that rocked the largely rural community.WCSO said that his body was found about one mile northwest of the area in which deputies recovered his SUV. Officials said Thursday morning that they had returned to the area to conduct “additional evidentiary searches.” They said there was no safety concern.Argote was accused of killing Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, of Hagerstown.Investigators believe Argote, angry about losing custody of his children, went to Wilkinson's home on Oct. 19 and shot him in his driveway. Wilkinson died at an area hospital, and authorities had been searching for Argote ever since.Argot...

'Taylor Swiftkin' unveiled, a giant pumpkin taking stage in Dublin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Meet Taylor Swiftkin, a 399-pound pumpkin grown by a central Ohio woman who for 35 years has decorated pumpkins to look like celebrities.Jeanette Paras, 68, of Dublin, Ohio, unveiled Swiftkin this week with hair made from more than nine wigs, ears made from sweet potatoes and a football pumpkin by her side dedicated to Swift's boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. For more than three decades, Paras has captured pop culture through her giant celebrity pumpkin creations. List: 2023 Trick-or-Treat dates in central Ohio "With so much going on in the news today, much of it disturbing, Taylor SwiftKin stood out. I considered 'pumpkinizing' others, but Taylor is a bright star in today’s pop culture," Paras said. "And then, when she was romantically linked to two-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, that certainly made her more interesting. As I like to say, I don’t make the news, I pumpkinize it."(Courtesy Photo/ParasPumpkins)(Courtesy Photo/Pa...

US authorities warn of 'violent extremists and lone offenders' motivated by Israel-Hamas conflict

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

(The Hill) — Federal authorities warned on Thursday of the increasing threat posed by “violent extremists and lone offenders” on U.S. soil amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.In a joint news release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the threat level has increased since their initial alert earlier this month. “Since DHS and FBI issued the 10 October Public Service Announcement, the volume and frequency of threats to Americans, especially those in the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities in the United States, have increased, raising our concern that violent extremists and lone offenders motivated by or reacting to ongoing events could target these communities,” the federal agencies said in their joint news bulletin. The suspect in the fatal Maine shootings is still at large. Residents are sheltering in place The federal agencies said they have seen “hoax bomb threats targeting h...

Forecasters caught off guard by Hurricane Otis, which has killed at least 27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

Hurricane Otis turned from mild to monster in record time, and scientists are struggling to figure out how — and why they didn't see it coming.Usually reliable computer models and the forecasters who use them didn’t predict Otis’ explosive intensification, creating a nightmare scenario of an unexpectedly strong storm striking at night. At least 27 people are dead and four missing in the destruction along Mexico's Pacific coast, with devastation that extends for miles.All this after Acapulco was told to expect a tropical storm just below hurricane strength. Just 24 hours later, Otis blasted ashore with 165 mph (266 kph) winds, the strongest landfall of any East Pacific hurricane.In just 12 hours, Otis’ strength more than doubled from 70 mph (113 kph) winds to 160 mph (257 kph), also a record, as it neared the coast. And it got even stronger before it struck. Storms typically gain or lose a few miles per hour in 12 hours, though some outliers gain 30 to 50 mph (48 to 80 kph) in a day....

Man charged with murder sentenced to 9 years in prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced by a court Oct. 13 in connection with the death of a person in north Austin in July 2021.Milo Douglas was sentenced to serve nine years in state prison for the murder of 48-year-old Lauren Gums, according to court documents. PAST COVERAGE: 2 charged with murder in connection with north Austin homicide Records showed Douglas pleaded guilty ahead of his sentencing.According to court documents, Douglas received a jail credit of 117 days toward his sentence.

PHOTOS: Severe storms, flooding slam parts of Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:48:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Severe storms, flooding and even tornado sightings have cropped up throughout Central Texas Thursday. As flood risks continue through Thursday evening, here's a look at some of the damages captured by KXAN crews and viewers.