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How $6 billion in Ukraine aid collapsed in a government funding bill despite big support in Congress

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The collapse of Ukraine aid in Congress was months in the making, and exactly what Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell had feared.McConnell had warned that political support for Ukraine was in danger as a small but vocal contingent of fellow Republican lawmakers intensified their efforts against sending U.S. money overseas for the fight against Russia.First in a series of high-profile speeches this summer then in direct overtures to the White House, the Republican leader who had visited Kyiv and put a priority on U.S. support for Ukraine tried to steer the hard-right flank of his party.But in the end, neither McConnell nor the White House nor Democrats in Congress could muscle a scaled-back $6 billion military and civilian aid package for Ukraine to passage in last week’s deal to avoid a U.S. government shutdown. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in Washington for stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, the failure to approve Uk...

Retired university dean who was married to author Ron Powers shot to death on Vermont trail

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

CASTLETON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police are asking the public, businesses and hunters near a state university campus to review their surveillance systems after a retired dean and professor who was married to best-selling author Ron Powers was found shot to death on a rail trail this week. Police said Friday night an autopsy showed that Honoree Fleming, 77, of Castleton, died from a gunshot wound to the head on Thursday afternoon. She was found on the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail about a mile (1.61 kilometers) south of the Castleton campus of Vermont State University, which was closed on Friday because of the investigation. A witness reported a possible suspect was northbound on the trail walking towards the campus after gunshots were heard, police said. The witness described a 5-foot-10-inch (1.78-meter) white male with short, dark-colored hair, last seen wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack. State police said he is considered to be armed and dangerous an...

Trump sets his sights on Iowa with visits Saturday as he tries to solidify his support in the state

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Donald Trump continues his autumn push in Iowa on Saturday with presidential campaign events planned in two of the leadoff caucus state’s larger cities. Trump’s expected afternoon stops in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids will be his third and fourth in a little more than two weeks, part of a stepped-up campaign schedule as the opening contest for the 2024 Republican nomination approaches.Trump was set to appear in Waterloo at the latest in a recent series of organizing rallies that have drawn more than 1,000 people — 2,000-plus at some — and are aimed at encouraging attendees to pledge to support him in the caucuses, which are scheduled for Jan. 15. Campaign advisers have said they expect Trump to win the caucuses, which are precinct-level, party-run meetings where party members also register the first votes of the 2024 GOP campaign. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ‘ team announced this past week that it was moving roughly 20 of his Florida-based nation...

‘We are at war’: Hamas kills 40 in attack on Israel; Palestinians say 200 killed in retaliation attack

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says at least 198 people have been killed and at least 1,610 wounded in the territory in retaliation for a wide-ranging Hamas assault into Israel. The ruling Hamas militant group carried out an unprecedented attack at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea, catching the country off guard on a major holiday.Several hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 40 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years.At least 561 wounded people were being treated in Israeli hospitals, including at least 77 who were in critical condition, according to an Associated Press count based on public statements and calls to hospitals...

October mortgage rates forecast: Highest in 2 decades

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Die-hard home buyers, driven by life circumstances, will press forward in October. Everyone else will be inclined to wait for mortgage rates to fall, making homes more affordable. They'll have to bide their time for months, not for weeks. In September, mortgage rates reached their highest levels since 2000, and they could inch upward in October.Intrepid home shoppers might discover that more sellers are reducing their asking prices, but most would-be buyers will struggle to find suitable places to make offers on.Rates rose after the Fed meetingThe Federal Reserve's monetary policy committee met Sept. 19 and 20. Its updated summary of economic projections included Fed members' forecasts about the direction of short-term interest rates for the next three-plus years. Mortgage rates didn't move much in the three weeks before the Fed meeting as the market waited for the summary of economic projections to drop.The projections surprised the mortgage market. The Fed members s...

Man identified in APD in-custody death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department identified the man involved in the in-custody death on Tuesday.Reice Brown, 27, was stunned by an officer early Tuesday morning after police said he repeatedly hit himself with a metal object in front of them. Brown later was pronounced dead at a local hospital.  PREVIOUS: Blood-covered man hitting himself walked Highway 183, stunned by APD, dies The incident was caught on two officer's body cameras. As per department policy, the footage will be released within ten business days of the incident. APD said it is conducting two concurrent investigations. APD Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, is conducting a criminal investigation, and the APD Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative investigation, per APD. APD said the officer who deployed his weapon has roughly three years of experience with the department. Police said they received several 911 calls about...

Free pet adoptions in October at Austin Animal Center

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Looking for a new furry friend? Pet adoption fees will be waived at Austin Animal Center throughout October. The waived fees are in partnership with nonprofit Adopt a Pet for Adopt a Shelter Dog month, according to the nonprofit. The shelter and nonprofit will hold a kick-off event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 7201 Levander Loop, Austin. Volunteers and staff can help people match with a pet. There will also be giveaways, according to the nonprofit. As of Saturday, the shelter has 345 medium to large dogs available, 73 small dogs and 158 cats. Intake is for emergencies only for dogs, and is limited to cats, according to Austin Animal Center. View all pets available for adoption at Austin Animal Center online. Walk-in adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays to Tuesdays and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Interested adopters can also schedule an appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for extra help matching with a pet.

Soucheray: Just knock down the old mansion and build the governor a rental unit. No yard. No garage.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

We are to believe that our government’s spending decisions are to be trusted. Well, they are if we might be excused a wink and a nod and a poke to the ribs. For example, we were told that the renovation of the Governor’s Mansion on Summit Avenue would cost $6.3 million.That figure has jumped just a tad in the last four months, to $12.8 million.So, more than double the original estimate.Double.The state’s Department of Administration, in charge of such things as renovating state mansions, say they have plenty of money to cover higher-than-expected bids for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and electrical and plumbing systems. Oh, and the old boiler and its piping system have to be replaced, too.We just keep falling off the turnip truck. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and pay another bungled bill, whether it’s a food fraud, or a failed cannabis hire, or the bills that will come due after the budget grows by the $18 billion that should have been returned to us turnip far...

Woman’s body found and man arrested in Fish Lake Township Friday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

After gunfire was heard within a house in Fish Lake Township Friday afternoon, deputies found a woman dead inside and arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the death, according the Chisago County sheriff’s office.About noon on Friday deputies were called to a home on Elmcrest Avenue after a family member called authorities to report a “possible disturbance,” a press release Friday night said.As deputies approached the house they heard gunfire. The sheriff’s office’s SWAT team responded and found a woman inside the house who was dead. Mike Larry Carda, 39, was arrested on suspicion of the death.The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on the victim to determine cause and manner of death.No further information was available Saturday morning.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Drunk driver gets 90 days in jail for White Bear Lake crash that killed ex-brother-in-law Crime & Public Safety | Police...

Motorcyclist killed in St. Paul crash Friday night

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:17:08 GMT

A motorcyclist is dead after a crash with a van in St. Paul Friday night, according to police.St. Paul police said the 10:30 p.m. crash involved a motorcycle and a van near the intersection of Rice Street and Cook Avenue West. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene, the St. Paul Police Department said.The driver of the van remained on scene and is cooperating with authorities.The initial investigation shows that it appears the motorcyclist was speeding and rear-ended the van, according to police.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Customs seizes giraffe poop at MSP Airport from Iowa woman who wanted to make a necklace Crime & Public Safety | Gun deaths rising sharply among children, study finds Crime & Public Safety | Hennepin County Medical Examiner identifies woman’s body Crime & Public Safety | Bodies of 2 men recovered from St. Croix River after unoccupied fishing boat spo...