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Judge voids result of Louisiana sheriff’s election decided by a single vote and orders a new runoff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A judge has voided the result of a Louisiana sheriff’s election that was decided by a single vote and ordered a new runoff be held, saying there is evidence a handful of ballots were cast illegally. Ruling this week, specially appointed Judge E. Joseph Bleich ordered a new election for sheriff in Caddo Parish, one of Louisiana’s most populous parishes, in the northwest corner of the state. Democrat Henry Whitehorn had been declared the winner last month after topping Republican John Nickelson by the slimmest of margins, from more than 43,000 ballots cast. A recount produced the same result — a one-vote edge for Whitehorn. Bleich said in his ruling that it was “proven beyond any doubt” that there were at least 11 “illegal votes cast” — making it “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.”“Just one illegal vote could have affected the outcome, and here, multiple illegal votes were cast and counted,” Bleich wrote.Bleich sa...

Illegally parked vehicle led police to Toronto carjacking, home invasion suspect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

Toronto police say they were able to track down and arrest a carjacking and home invasion suspect after he illegally parked the vehicle he allegedly stole.Officers were first called to a residence in the Royal York and Hartfield roads area on Monday, December 4, at around 2 a.m. for reports of a home invasion.Investigators say the suspect broke into the home and pointed a firearm at the victim while demanding their car keys.The accused then fled in the stolen vehicle, police said.A few days later on Thursday, December 7 at around 12:50 p.m., police were called to the Burnhamthorpe Road East and Mill Road area for reports of an illegally parked vehicle.Upon arrival police determined that the vehicle in question was the one stolen during the home invasion.The suspect was arrested a short distance away.Michael Ackley, 19, of Toronto is facing charges including robbery with a firearm, assault peace officer and possession of property obtained by crime, among others.

‘Love Story,’ ‘Paper Moon’ actor Ryan O’Neal dead at 82

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

Ryan O’Neal, the heartthrob actor who went from a TV soap opera to an Oscar-nominated role in “Love Story” and delivered a wry performance opposite his charismatic 9-year-old daughter Tatum in “Paper Moon,” died Friday, his son said.“My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick O’Neal, a Los Angeles sportscaster, posted on Instagram.Attempts to reach O’Neal representatives were not immediately successful.He did not give a cause. Ryan O’Neal was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, a decade after he was first diagnosed with chronic leukemia. He was 82.“My father, Ryan O’Neal, has always been my hero,” Patrick O’Neal wrote, adding, “He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop.”O’Neal was among the biggest movie stars in the world in the 1970s, who worked with many of the era’s most celebrated directors including Peter Bogdanovich on “Paper Moon” and St...

Transcript of statement by CSIS director Vigneault during town hall meeting for staff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

OTTAWA — The director of Canada’s spy agency, David Vigneault, says the officer at the centre of an investigation by The Canadian Press into allegations of rape and harassment no longer works for the agency, and an ombudsperson will be put in place to monitor workplace-related issues. He apologized to CSIS employees at a town hall event on Tuesday for his response to last week’s report about what officers called a “toxic workplace” in the British Columbia office. Here is the transcript of Vigneault’s remarks in English: I just want to start by saying: this is an extraordinary moment. As an organization, we have been through a lot. It is very challenging to be an employee of the service. I want you to know that I understand that and I also feel that. It is also a very emotional moment. We are talking to the entire organization and what is happening to one of us is affecting all of us. And so, I want to be very clear about that.For many, this can be trigg...

Maine man dies while checking thickness of lake ice, wardens say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

A man who was checking the thickness of ice on a lake in the Maine wilderness crashed into the icy water and drowned on Friday, game wardens said.Walter Demmons, 62 of Milford, was drilling holes with a friend to check the ice thickness while preparing to fish in Quakish Lake when they heard the ice crack, wardens said. Both men ended up in the frigid water, about 75 yards (66 meters) from shore on the lake in T3 Indian Township Purchase, which is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Millinocket, wardens said.The two ice fishermen were communicating with each other as they tried to get back on the ice before Demmons told his friend he wasn’t going to make it and slid under the surface, wardens said.The friend, who eventually got back onto the ice and dialed 911, was treated for hypothermia while Demmons’ body was recovered an hour later with an ice rescue raft brought to the scene by the Brownville Fire Department, wardens said.Game wardens warned people to be especially...

Some facts about Canada’s spy agency, as director apologizes for rape claim response

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s spy chief David Vigneault has apologized to staff for his response to rape and harassment claims in the British Columbia office of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He’s also pledging the creation of an ombudsperson’s office to deal with workplace problems. Here’s a look at Canada’s spy agency:— The duties of CSIS are to investigate threats to Canada’s security, report them to government, and take measures to reduce any risk they pose. It also briefs officials, collects foreign intelligence and does security assessments for immigration and other purposes, including when someone requires access to classified information.— The agency had more than 3,200 employees in 2020, according to its website. Last year, it said 48 per cent of staff were women and 20 per cent were members of racialized groups.— It says in its 2022 public report that it created more than 2,500 “intelligence products” and received about 500,...

CosMc's: McDonald's reveals menu for new restaurant concept, first test location opens in Bolingbrook

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

Correction: This story has been updated with an accurate link to the source of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski's comments.CHICAGO (KTVI/NEXSTAR) – CosMc’s, the new restaurant concept from McDonald’s, is aiming to attract coffee-drinkers and beverage enthusiasts who might otherwise spend their money at Starbucks or Dunkin’.On Wednesday, McDonald’s formally announced the menu at its CosMc’s test locations. The first CosMc's location opened Friday in Bolingbrook, near the intersection of Boughton and Weber roads, with approximately 10 CosMc's pilot locations set to open by the end of 2024. Based off an obscure McDonald's character from the 1980s, CosMc's will feature offerings ranging from coffee and tea drinks to frappes and slushies, with names such as the "S'mores Cold Brew," "Popping Pear Slush" and "Sour Tango Lemonade." There’s also a line of “Signature Galactic Boosts,” fruity drinks that appear to feature either a caffeinated element, kombucha powder or a vitamin “shot,” amon...

21st annual WGN Morning News drive-thru toy drive, presented by AARP Chicago, held Friday, December 8

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

The WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive celebrated its 21st year!  On Friday, December 8, viewers were invited to drive up and drop off new, unwrapped toys at the WGN-TV Studios, located at 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago (near Addison & Western). Toy donations will be accepted December 7-10th at participating Jewel-Osco locations.  This year’s toy drive will benefit Christmas in the Wards and Off the Street Club.MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME! Via WGN-TV Family Charities, a McCormick Foundation fund, all donations will be matched at 50 cents on the dollar.  With WGN-TV and the Foundation paying all campaign and administrative expenses, 100% of all donations, plus the match, are granted to qualified nonprofit organizations.  WGN-TV will accept financial donations through December 31, 2023.TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION - Viewers are encouraged to donate at:https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/partnerships/wgn-toy-drive/Text TOY to 97999 (message and data rates may...

Actor Ryan O'Neal, star of 'Love Story,' 'Paper Moon' and 'Barry Lyndon,' dies at 82

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan O'Neal, the heartthrob actor who went from a TV soap opera to an Oscar-nominated role in "Love Story" and delivered a wry performance opposite his charismatic 9-year-old daughter Tatum in "Paper Moon," died Friday, his son said.“My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick O'Neal, a Los Angeles sportscaster, posted on Instagram.Attempts to reach O'Neal representatives were not immediately successful.He did not give a cause. Ryan O'Neal was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, a decade after he was first diagnosed with chronic leukemia. He was 82. “My father, Ryan O’Neal, has always been my hero,” Patrick O’Neal wrote, adding, “He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop.”O'Neal was among the biggest movie stars in the world in the 1970s, who worked with many of the era's most celebrated directors including Peter Bogdanovich on “Paper Moon” and Stanley Kubrick on "Barry Lyndon. He often...

SmileDirectClub ends operations 'effective immediately,' but what about the customers?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:25 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – After a bid to resurrect SmileDirectClub – the mail-based orthodontics services company – failed to find willing investors, the company announced Friday it was winding down its global operations "effective immediately."It's likely unwelcome news for many customers, especially those who will still have to make payments despite no longer being able to receive aligners or customer care."For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, thank you for your interest, but aligner treatment is no longer available through our telehealth platform," the company said in a statement on its website. "For existing customers, we apologize for the inconvenience, but customer care support is no longer available." Are you owed money from the $3 million Credit Karma settlement? The company referred anyone seeking care to consult with a local doctor or dentist.SmileDirectClub said it has cancelled it's lifetime guarantee, along with all outstanding orders for aligners, but anyone o...