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State of Texas: 'We cannot respond to politics' - Chief Justice Hecht on court confidence, controversial cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht played a role in some of the year's biggest stories in Texas politics: on the inauguration day stage, at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's historic impeachment trial in the Senate, and in the courtroom for some of the most contentious cases in the country.State law forces Hecht to leave the court next year, and as he nears the end of his influential career, the longest-serving Justice in Texas' history sat down for an interview to reflect on what his tenure has meant for Texas. But he also looked forward, answering questions about how Texas can improve justice for all, and how politics influences that justice - including in a crucial abortion case still pending before the court.That case involves 20 women, many who almost died from serious pregnancy complications. They argue that the state's abortion ban does not give doctors the ability to intervene, even when in their best medical judgment they believe it's necess...

Kull, Thomas: Safeguarding democracy from artificial intelligence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

The Founding Fathers asserted that elected officials should listen to and be influenced by the views of the electorate. As James Madison said, “it is the reason, alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.”However, the means for government officials to hear from the people are limited. Elected officials receive emails, letters, phone calls and input at town halls, and some agencies occasionally ask for public comments on complex regulations. Americans express very low levels of confidence that they influence the policymaking process and that elected officials understand the views of the people, undermining trust in the democratic process.With developments in artificial intelligence, this situation is growing worse. AI can generate vast numbers of communications to policymakers masquerading as citizen input.When the Federal Communications Commission in 2016 took public comments on whether to retain net neutrality, the New York Attorney General...

Central Minnesota woman fatally shot; husband arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

A central Minnesota woman was fatally shot Thursday, and her husband is expected to be charged with killing her, according to the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.Bryan Demarais, 35, of rural Dassel called law enforcement to report that he had shot his wife. (Courtesy of Meeker County Jail)The death of Kayla Demarais, 29, of rural Dassel, has been ruled a homicide resulting from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.Her husband, Bryan Demarais, 35, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and is being held in the Meeker County Jail pending a first court appearance on Tuesday.According to the sheriff’s office, Bryan Demarais called law enforcement Thursday to report that he had shot his wife and requested a law enforcement response.Two children in the home at the time of the morning shooting were not injured and have since been placed in protective custody.The investigation remains active and ongoing.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safe...

Family mourns St. Paul man at intersection where he was killed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

Friends and family of Steve Wirtz, a St. Paul man who was struck and killed while crossing a street darkened by copper wire theft, held a candlelight vigil for him Saturday evening at the intersection where he died.Wirtz and his dog, Gunther, were killed shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday — Christmas Eve — while they were out for a quick walk in their neighborhood.The 45-year-old driver who hit Wirtz and Gunther cooperated with authorities at the scene. The intersection recently got a new pedestrian median, freshly painted crosswalk, signage and bump-outs designed to make it safer for pedestrians, but the new streetlight was not working because its copper wiring had been stolen, city officials said.St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Ramsey County officials issued statements of condolence, with Carter calling for “state policy to help prevent tragedies like this in the future.”Related ArticlesLocal News | Joe Soucheray: Are we headed for another ‘Year Without Winter’? I...

Lakers are flush with Timberwolves of old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster is flush with very recent Timberwolves.Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)Taurean Prince just signed with the Lakers in the offseason after playing two years with Minnesota. D’Angelo Russell was dealt from Minnesota to Los Angeles in February. Jarred Vanderbilt was a piece of the package sent to Utah in the Rudy Gobert deal in the summer of 2022.So contests like Saturday’s at Target Center are essentially giant reunions masquerading as basketball games.“It’s always fun, it’s always good. Those are guys that I actually gravitated to a lot,” Wolves center Naz Reid said. “You’re going out there and competing against them while they’re playing well, as well. So you get to congratulate them on their success for how they’re doing, especially TP. It’s been great and ...

Five things to follow with the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's hard to sugarcoat it. The 2023 calendar year was well below the standards of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. It's the first time since 2007 that both the Cardinals and Blues ended up with losing seasons in the same calendar year. There were some nice sentimental moments along the way, like Adam Wainwright winning his final start and Brayden Schenn becoming a captain. And St. Louis CITY SC's surprise inaugural season certainly offered some relief for the local sports scene. That said, there's lots left to be desired as St. Louis braces for 2024. As Gateway City's sports community rings in the new year, here’s a brief look at five things worth following for the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. Cardinals 1. Year II of Jordan Walker and Masyn WinnThe Cardinals debuted their two top prospects last season in Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn. Best buddies in the minor league, both became regular lineup fixtures near the end of the 2023 campaign. It would s...

Saint Louis Art Museum sees strong turnout for annual Kwanzaa celebration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Families enjoyed a day of culture, performances, and tradition out at the Saint Louis Art Museum during its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Saturday."I'm here to celebrate Kwanza and the Rites of Passage program, where we have some young ladies who are presenting and dancing, doing the program," said attendee Lisa Williams. "I'm really excited. I had the opportunity and was blessed to come to the program last year, so I wanted to make sure I brought my niece out so she can enjoy it with us this year."People got in line early outside the Saint Louis Art Museum to celebrate Kwanzaa. The theme this year is "Ubuntu: I am connected."  LIST: St. Louis-area New Year’s Eve events "Unity is like connecting with my niece, spending quality time, making memory events, good girlfriend," said Williams. "We get together right after Christmas to come enjoy. It's all part of fellowship.""It's not just for the black community," her friend Regina Torrey explained. "Everybody can be a part ...

The Top 10 Colorado soccer stories of 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

What a long, strange trip it’s been. Well, it’s accurate at least for describing the last 12 months of Colorado’s always-eventful soccer scene.From having a pair of Coloradans boss a Women’s World Cup game, to a Colorado Rapids player (for now) making international news of a different kind, soccer in Colorado undoubtedly had its up and down moments. Here are the top 10 soccer stories of 2023, as determined by Colorado Rapids and Colorado Soccer beat reporter Brendan Ploen.10) Weird weather typifies ’23The age-old adage “save it for a rainy day” did not apply to Colorado. Not even close. The Rapids had six games with either delayed starts or postponed due to extreme weather. The storms ranged in severity from Hurricane Hillary out in L.A., an intense lightning delay which included fans sneaking onto the field and an epic July 4th deluge. Each time, fans turned to former Rapids beat reporter-turned 9News weatherman Chris Bianchi, thus, #Bianch...

Two killed, four wounded in three Denver shootings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

Two people died and four people were injured overnight Friday into Saturday in three Denver shootings.All three incidents were reported within a couple of hours of each other early Saturday .The first happened in the 4800 block of West Colfax Avenue, Denver police reported about 1:55 a.m. on X.Police later reported two men died in this shooting and two other men were injured but expected to survive. Police are investigating the shooting as a homicide.Police reported the second shooting about 20 minutes later near 17th and California streets. One person was wounded to an unknown extent.The third shooting happened in the 4400 block of North Tower Road, police reported at 3:50 a.m. One person was hurt.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Colorado Springs man killed in Christmas Eve shooting at Citadel mall Crime and Public Safety | 29-year-old suspect wanted in south Denver fatal shooting Crime and Public Safety | Gunfire erupts at Colora...

Bodycam video released of fatal deputy-involved shooting of L.A. County mother 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

Newly released bodycam footage depicts the moment a woman armed with a kitchen knife was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy. The video, which was made public by the department on Friday, shows deputies responding to an apartment building in the 2100 block of East Avenue J-8 in Lancaster on Dec. 4 regarding a domestic violence call. Included with the footage is the audio of the initial call made by Niani Finlayson, 27, to police requesting their help for a man who “[would not] get out of her house.”  Gypsy Rose Blanchard posts ‘first selfie of freedom’ after release from prison Finlayson could be heard over the phone screaming and struggling with the man, later identified as her boyfriend. “This man, he won’t get out of my house now...and I already told him to get out of my house...” she told the dispatcher before another struggle ensued. “I need the police here right now [because] he won’t get his hands off me.” Niani Finl...