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House nears third week without speaker as eight Republicans vie for gavel

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

(CNN) — A crowded field of Republicans are vying to earn the support of their conference to wield the gavel, throwing the chamber into even more uncertainty after three weeks without a speaker.The conference is searching for a new speaker nominee after Rep. Jim Jordan on Friday became the latest to exit the race. The chamber has been without a speaker since House Republicans ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.Eight House Republicans are running for the position, including GOP Whip Tom Emmer, who is endorsed by McCarthy. Emmer has moved to lock in support across the ideological and geographic spectrum in the conference, giving him what many House Republicans believe is an advantage, according to GOP sources. He could face an uphill battle, however, against allies of former President Donald Trump who have been quick to criticize Emmer for voting to certify the 2020 election.The speaker hopefuls spent the weekend working the phones to win their confe...

Bishop Fenwick’s playoff status up to judge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

The postseason fate of Bishop Fenwick’s student athletes is now up to Essex Superior Court Judge Janice Howe.On Monday, Howe presided over an emergency hearing as Bishop Fenwick pursues an injunction against the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s ruling that the school is barred from participating in any postseason activities for the 2023-24 academic year. The MIAA enforced the punishment due to what it deemed Bishop Fenwick’s negligence in allowing ineligible student-athletes to participate and ensuing lack of accountability.Bishop Fenwick allegedly used varsity baseball players whose fifth-year waiver applications contained misinformation and also used St. Mary’s middle school as a feeder system for its varsity teams.While as of Monday evening Howe was yet to pass judgment, one is expected in short order. The timing is crucial as the MIAA fall state tournament will be underway across all sports within two weeks. Until this time the MIAA ha...

Growing gang violence is devastating Haitians, with major crime at a new high, UN envoy says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Growing gang violence in Haiti is devastating the lives of its people, with major crimes rising to a new high, the U.N. special envoy for the conflict-wracked Caribbean nations said Monday.Maria Isabel Salvador told the U.N. Security Council that every day sees gangs engaging in killings, sexual violence including collective rapes and mutilation, and kidnapping. She pointed to last week’s incident in which gang members dressed as police officers kidnapped the secretary general of the High Transitional Council, which is responsible for ensuring that long-delayed elections are held.Salvador said the security crisis is even more complex because vigilante groups that have taken to fighting the gangs are still active. Between April 24 and Sept. 30, she said, the U.N. political mission “registered the lynching of at least 395 alleged gang members across all 10 departments of Haiti by the so called `Bwa Kale’ vigilante movement.”Catherine Russell, head of the U....

Diamondbacks force Game 7 in NLCS by powering past Phillies 5-1

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit back-to-back homers and Merrill Kelly struck out eight to help the Arizona Diamondbacks force Game 7 of the National League Championship Series with a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.The winner of Tuesday night’s game advances to the World Series against Houston or Texas, who played Game 7 of the American League Championship later Monday night.“I’m expecting some fun. It’s going to be fun,” Kelly said. “Game 7, obviously, they talk about it, it’s the best words in sports. I think the fact that we’re here, I don’t think anybody thought we were going to take them to Game 6. I don’t think anybody thought we were even going to make it to Game 1.“I don’t think anybody thought we were going to make it past Milwaukee, to be honest with you.”The Diamondbacks came ready in Game 6 to back up the bold pre-game words from manager Torey Lovullo and tamed Phillies bats and the hostile home crowd.“Getting...

Next ‘Mission: Impossible’ delayed a year as actors strike drags on

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise has been postponed a year, signaling a new wave of release schedule juggling for Hollywood studios as the actors strike surpasses three months of work stoppage. Paramount Pictures on Monday shifted the release date of the next “Mission: Impossible” from June 28 to May 23, 2025. Production on the follow-up to Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” was paused in July while Tom Cruise and company embarked on an international promotion blitz for “Dead Reckoning.” (The sequel had been titled “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two” but is now simply listed currently as “Mission: Impossible.”)“Dead Reckoning” ultimately grossed $567.5 million worldwide, falling shy of 2018 installment “Fallout” ($791.7 million globally) and the heady highs of Cruise’s summer 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” ($1.5 billion). The 163-minute-long action thriller, drew som...

Alabama man gifted car after walking 2 hours to work every day

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

TRINITY, Ala. (WHNT) — A nonprofit in Alabama that gives to those in need has gifted a car to a man who's been walking to work for five years. Earnest Chandler has been walking 5.5 miles round-trip each day. It takes him two hours to get to work and two hours to return home. He said he had to give up his car to help his family."I live with my nephew and his family, and I help take care of them," Chandler said. "For the past couple of years, we haven't had a car because we had to sell it in order to stay afloat for the bills." Watch: Bear creeps up behind Virginia man as he tends his backyard The Jacob Bradley Dugger Foundation in Trinity, Alabama, decided to step in to help. The organization received a car donation and then donated that vehicle to Chandler and his family. Before Chandler could enjoy the new set of wheels, he had to get his driver's license. He said he wants his story to inspire others to pay it forward. "I hope that someday when someone sees this video they'll tak...

Corey Maggette previews the Bulls' 2023-2024 season on GN Sports

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

CHICAGO — A new season for the Chicago Bulls will feature a number of the same players with the hope for some different results over the next six months. The team's "big three" of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic are back while Lonzo Ball, still hobbled by a bad knee, will miss this season. Executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas once again chose to keep that core together with a few minor additions in hopes that continuity could lead to progress. It's up to Billy Donovan to see if he can find a way to get more out of the group over the course of 82 games in hopes of a return to the NBA Playoffs. If he shouldn't, then Karnisovas could have some big decisions to make around the trade deadline and perhaps have a new take on the team's core.Former NBA player Corey Maggette, who has been an analyst after his playing days for a few outlets, joined GN Sports on Monday night to give his thoughts on the Bulls as they get ready to start the new season. He also talked about ...

Texas moves to spend $1.5B on border wall expansion

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers on the Texas House Appropriations Committee gave initial approval Monday to a $1.5 billion expenditure for border wall construction, expanding the governor's budget for Operation Lone Star. Texas has spent nearly $10 billion on border security efforts during Gov. Greg Abbott's tenure as the state moves to repel and detain migrants in tandem with the federal government. The governor's office argued Monday that additional border wall will help the Department of Public Safety free up resources and patrol the border with fewer troopers.The expansion targets the Rio Grande Valley region, though exact locations and specifications of the wall remain uncertain. Border enforcement personnel were weary to disclose exact details, citing concerns that drug cartels may abuse that information.Democrats expressed concern that the state should make this substantial investment without more information about the efficacy, locations, and vendors of the new wall sections.L...

Vikings safety Lewis Cine a healthy scratch for second straight game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

For the second straight game, the Vikings made safety Lewis Cine a healthy scratch.Not a good sign for the 2022 first-round pick as he struggles to find a role on defense.This became a storyline last week after the Vikings decided to make Cine inactive for the road game against the Chicago Bears. Asked for clarification on the decision, head coach Kevin O’Connell chalked it up to the fact that Cine has been slowly recovering from a hamstring injury.“We feel good about him being at full capacity here and hope to get him going a little bit,” O’Connell said. “My anticipation is he’ll be up and ready to roll this week.”Instead, the 24-year-old Cine was a full participant in practice, only for the Vikings to make him in active for the home game against the San Francisco 49ers.It’s fair to wonder if this is the beginning of the end.This was supposed to be a breakout campaign for Cine after recovering from a compound fracture in his left leg that f...

Non-profit grocery store coming to Troy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:41 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The city of Troy will soon have a new grocery store meant to fight food insecurity. The groundbreaking was held Monday for Bargain Grocery.The store is a non-profit that buys excess food and sells it at a low price with the goal of reducing food waste while increasing access to fresh and healthy foods in underserved communities. They also provide secret financial assistance to people who need it. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Food access, food affordability, and most importantly, to allow people that are less fortunate to be able to shop with dignity," Bargain Grocery founder Pastor Mike Servello said. "To buy what they want, when they want it, in their neighborhood."The store will be located on River Street in the city's north central neighborhood and is expected to open in May.