Court arguments begin on blocking Trump from the presidential ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Court arguments begin on blocking Trump from the presidential ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause DENVER (AP) — Efforts to use the U.S. Constitution's “insurrection” clause to bar former President Donald Trump from running for the White House again entered a new phase Monday as a hearing began in the first of two states' lawsuits that could end up reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.A weeklong hearing on one lawsuit to bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado got underway, while on Thursday oral arguments are scheduled before the Minnesota Supreme Court on an effort to kick the Republican former president off the ballot in that state.At the start of Monday's hearing in Colorado, the judge rejected a Trump motion that she step aside because she once contributed money to a liberal group.Whether the judges keep Trump on the ballots or boot him, their rulings are likely to be swiftly appealed, eventually to the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation's highest court has never ruled on the Civil War-era provision in the 14th Amendment that prohibits those who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution...

You can watch a thousand-pound pumpkin get carved on Halloween

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

You can watch a thousand-pound pumpkin get carved on Halloween DENVER (KDVR) — One of the largest pumpkins grown in Colorado will be on display Tuesday, and you can watch it be carved.On the concrete pad at the top of the UMB Amphitheater at the Denver Botanic Gardens sits a pumpkin that weighs over a thousand pounds. Did you know a Denver woman named the Ouija board? On the morning of Halloween, the process for the hours-long pumpkin carving begins.Pumpkin carving at Denver Botanic Gardens. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.Pumpkin carving at Denver Botanic Gardens. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.Pumpkin carving at Denver Botanic Gardens. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.The pumpkin, named "Sweet Love," was grown in Parker and weighs 1,687 pounds, according to the Denver Botanic Gardens.Starting Tuesday morning, professional pumpkin carver Willy Tuz begins the four-hour endeavor of etching a botanical design into "Sweet Love."The carving of pumpkins follows centuries worth of history, which started in the 1600s when people in Ireland...

Donald Trump (still) can’t find Hungary on a map

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Donald Trump (still) can’t find Hungary on a map Someone get Donald Trump a map!Less than a week after the former U.S. president confused Hungary and Turkey — calling Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the leader of Turkey — Trump got Hungary’s borders all wrong.“Did anybody ever hear of Viktor Orbán? He’s the head of Hungary. Hungary fronts on both Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said on Sunday during a rally in Sioux City, Iowa.While this time Trump did match the leader to the correct country, Hungary does not border Russia. The countries are about 1,000 kilometers apart at their closest point.This was not the first time Trump has implied Hungary borders Russia, as he made the same mistake at a rally last week in New Hampshire.The Trump-Orbán love story is not a new one, but the relationship has been blossoming of late amid Orbán’s isolation on the European stage.On Sunday, Trump called Orbán a “very powerful player” and a “very tough guy,” praising the Hungarian leader for not allowing migrants into his country. In turn, Orbán ha...

DHS and Mass. to host work authorization clinics for migrants in emergency shelters

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

DHS and Mass. to host work authorization clinics for migrants in emergency shelters State officials next month plan to host a clinic to help migrants living in emergency shelters to obtain work authorizations.In a partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Gov. Maura Healey’s administration plans to host the work authorization clinic for migrants during the week of Nov. 13.The administration announced Monday morning that the state plans to organize appointments and provide transportation from shelter sites to the clinic, which will take place somewhere in Middlesex County.“We are glad that the Biden-Harris Administration is hosting this clinic with us, which will help process work authorizations as efficiently as possible. Many shelter residents want to work but face significant barriers to getting their work authorizations,” Gov. Healey said in a statement. “This clinic will be critical for building on the work that our administration has already been leading to connect more migrants with work opportunities, which will ...

3 people taken to hospital after car crashes onto train tracks in Brockton

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

3 people taken to hospital after car crashes onto train tracks in Brockton Three people were taken to the hospital late Sunday night after a driver crashed their car onto train tracks in Brockton, the MBTA Transit Police said. Transit police in a post on X said the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. near Curve Street. Police said the driver of the 2008 Honda Accord lost control and crashed through a fence before landing on the tracks. Transit police shared photos of the crash’s aftermath, showing the car with heavy damage. The car’s airbags were deployed. Police said the three people who were taken to the hospital were all occupants of the car. Their injuries were considered non-life-threatening.Train service was delayed as a result of this crash, according to the transit police. An investigation into the crash was ongoing as of Monday morning.

GM and the UAW come to tentative agreement to end strike

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

GM and the UAW come to tentative agreement to end strike (CNN) — General Motors and the United Auto Workers union have come to a tentative agreement, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, just two days after the union expanded the strike at America’s largest automaker.Neither the union nor GM would confirm the tentative deal. But this could bring an end to the union’s unprecedented strike against all three of the nation’s unionized automakers.Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it is expected to be along the lines of the deals already announced at Ford and Stellantis, including an immediate 11% raise in the top hourly wage rate, additional pay hikes totaling another 14% during the four-and-a-half years of the contract, as well as a return of the cost-of-living adjustment meant to protect workers from rising prices.The union went on strike against all three automakers on September 15, making this the longest US auto strike in 25 years. It started with a strike at one assembly plant at each company, but it expanded...

Mistakes doom Chicago Bears offense and rookie QB Tyson Bagent in a 30-13 loss. Will he get another chance to start?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Mistakes doom Chicago Bears offense and rookie QB Tyson Bagent in a 30-13 loss. Will he get another chance to start? The Chicago Bears offense reached its high point on its first play of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent launched a pass down the right sideline, and Darnell Mooney reeled it in as he dived to the ground. Mooney said when the Bears went into their walk-through Sunday morning they knew they were going to take a deep shot to open the game, and they converted it into a 41-yard pass play.The rest of the night didn’t live up to that promise in a 30-13 Chargers victory.Three plays after the Mooney catch, on third-and-11, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa sacked Bagent for a loss of 10 yards, and the Bears punted. On the next drive, the Bears got behind because of Lucas Patrick’s illegal use of hands penalty — one of seven Bears penalties — and went three-and-out. On the next drive, Bagent threw an interception. On the next possession, Velus Jones Jr. dropped a touchdown pass before the Bears eventuall...

Brush fire burns 20 acres near Lower Otay Lake

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Brush fire burns 20 acres near Lower Otay Lake SAN DIEGO -- Cal Fire crews are battling a multi-acre brush fire that broke out near the Lower Otay Lake Sunday afternoon.The fire, called the "Border 34" fire, was stopped at 20 acres, according to officials. As of 8:30 p.m., it was 60% contained.The fire, which broke out around 3:30 p.m., had a moderate rate of spread with the potential to reach 75 acres, the department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.No structures or homes were threatened with the fire, officials said. Brush fire near border prompts closure to I-8 The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Cal Fire. However, it came as the Santa Ana winds continued strengthening, giving way to elevated ignition risk across the county.Gusty eastern winds are expected to continue at high speeds through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.Farther north, parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties were placed under a red flag warning through Monday due to the risk of fire ignition wit...

Pepper spray used in fight at Etobicoke high school, 1 hospitalized

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Pepper spray used in fight at Etobicoke high school, 1 hospitalized Toronto paramedics say one person was taken to hospital after a fight at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke on Monday morning.Officers were called to the school in the Kipling Avenue and Birmingham Street area for reports of an altercation in the school at around 9:25 a.m.In a tweet, Toronto police said pepper spray was used during the fight.ASSAULT:Kipling Av + Birmingham St9:25 a.m.– At Lakeshore Collegiate– Reports of an altercation in the school– Students affected by pepper spray used during the altercation– Police are on scene with @Toronto_Fire @TorontoMedics– The suspect is in custody#GO2515233^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 30, 2023One person was taken to hospital in stable condition.A suspect is in custody.No further details were immediately available.More to come

FDA says WanaBana fruit puree pouches may contain dangerous levels of lead

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

FDA says WanaBana fruit puree pouches may contain dangerous levels of lead The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and caregivers not to buy or serve certain pureed fruit pouches marketed to toddlers and young children because the food might contain dangerous levels of lead. Children who have eaten WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should be tested for possible lead poisoning, the agency said. Four children in North Carolina were found to have high levels of lead in their blood linked to the puree products, health officials said. State health officials analyzed multiple lots of the product and detected “extremely high” concentrations of lead. The FDA confirmed the results and said they could lead to “acute toxicity.” WanaBana, which is based in Coral Gables, Florida, has recalled all lot codes and expiration dates of the snack products, which are sold nationally, including at Sam’s Club and Dollar Tree and on Amazon.Lead is toxic to people of all ages, but can be especially harmful to children. Most children have no obvious...