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Francis Wilkinson: Democrats have to solve their Bob Menendez problem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

Al Franken was an above-average senator from Minnesota who was driven from office in 2018 by his Democratic colleagues after several women accused him of touching them inappropriately or making them feel physically uncomfortable. Democrats opposing Donald Trump — then a confessed groper, later found liable for rape — did not want to have to defend the unseemly behavior of one of their own. Collectively, they applied sufficient pressure on Franken that he felt compelled to quit the Senate.Bob Menendez is a below-average senator from New Jersey who is now facing his second round of charges of public corruption. Democrats opposing Trump — whose corrupt practices in business and politics are fodder for Democratic campaigns — should not have to defend Menendez’s conduct. So his Democratic colleagues need to make him understand that the Senate would be better off without him.Menendez was indicted Friday in a 39-page howitzer from Damian Williams, the U.S. att...

New rules for Venezuelan asylum seekers seeking work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Last week the Federal Government gave emergency work access to Venezuelan asylum seekers. It will allow the asylee to work much sooner than the 180-day mandatory wait period. NEWS10 spoke with local community-based groups on the front lines and with a Venezuelan asylee in the Capital Region to find out how the changes are affecting the process, now. Hochul discusses migrant costs & impacts of govt shutdown The folks at Eden’s Rose Foundation in Albany say they have been working side by side with the asylum seekers that were brought up to the Capital Region from New York City on busses and in the middle of the night.  NEWS10 was able to catch up with the executive director, Gregory Sheldon, to check in and see how things were coming along.“That's the thing we've been asking for from the very beginning. Everyone we talk to, all of these individuals we talked to, say we just want to work,” said Sheldon. His foundation is ready to help get the proce...

Jacob Klein motions for mistrial over video evidence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Jacob Klein requested a mistrial twice over indicators in surveillance video pointing to persons and vehicles of interest and comparisons made by New York State Police. Both motions were denied, he attempted to argue those indicators could sway the jury and that the witness was giving his opinion. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Klein is accused of killing Philip Rabadi in April 2022. The court saw four videos from NYSP of Klein's alleged movements from April 10-13, 2022. Klein allegedly drove to St. Peter's Hospital, Miller Rd in New Scotland and back to his Airbnb multiple times, including on April 13, 2022 -- the day Rabadi was killed. Video from that day shows a man circling the St. Peter's Hospital parking garage for 15 minutes, looking at license plates, until a woman, driving a black SUV, arrives and enters the hospital. Then, the white Dodge Ram truck, rented by Klein, is allegedly seen driving...

Senators unveil bill to avoid shutdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

Senate negotiators on Tuesday unveiled a 79-page bill to fund the government until Nov. 17 in hopes of averting a shutdown when current funding expires this weekend.  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the measure as a “bridge” to avoid a shutdown and give lawmakers more time to negotiate a longer-term funding solution.  “Senate Democrats and Republicans, together, worked in good faith to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution that will keep the government open beyond Sept. 30,” the Democratic leader said on the floor.  He acknowledged the agreement “won’t have everything that both sides want” but argued it “will help us to achieve our immediate and necessary goal of avoiding a government shutdown.”The bill includes $4.5 billion from an Operations and Maintenance fund for the Defense Department “to remain available until Sept. 30, 2024 to respond to the situation in Ukraine,” according to the measure’s text.  The bill also includes ano...

Centene to cut 3% of workforce; St. Louis impact unknown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis-based Centene, the country's largest Medicaid managed-care company in the United States, is laying off thousands of employees.The Fortune 500 company made the announcement on Tuesday, calling the layoffs "rightsizing our cost structure." Approximately 2,000 employees will be terminated, accounting for just over 3% of the company's workforce.In contrast, Centene CEO Sarah London received $13.2 million in compensation in 2022, with a base salary of $1.35 million, according to Salary.com. Company president Kenneth Fasola was paid $997,519 last year, part of $9.98 million in compensation.Workers who lose their jobs will receive severance packages and "outplacement services," according to a company spokesperson.Centene is committed to improving the health and health care of the members we serve. We are investing to deliver value for our customers now and into the future, both by leveraging our size and scale and by rightsizing our cost structure. We routinely a...

Judge finds Donald Trump committed fraud with financial statements that exaggerated his wealth, value of his assets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

NEW YORK — A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House.Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.Engoron ordered that some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded as punishment, making it difficult or impossible for them to do business in New York, and said he would continue to have an independent monitor oversee the Trump Organization’s operations.A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. Trump has long insisted he did nothing wrong.The decision, days before the start of a non-jury trial in Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit, is the strongest repudiation yet of Trump’...

Legal action announced after Riverside County correctional deputy accused of sextortion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

Victims of serious allegations against the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are coming forward after they say they were sexually assaulted while on home detention.They say it was part of a scheme by correctional deputy assigned to the jail to engage in sex acts with female inmates.Christian Heidecker is seen in a photo released by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Christian Heidecker, 32, was arrested earlier this month and faces eighteen 18 felony charges for engaging in rape, bribery and sextortion. He was placed on administrative leave from the agency, though lawyers representing two alleged victims in the case referred to him as a former deputy.“We’re are here because we’d like other victims to come forward and not to be afraid,” one victim said during a news conference announcing legal action. “We just want justice because, as you see and hear, there’s crimes being done. Inside the jails is horrors being done to us,” another said. The victims were only identified ...

Warning issued for Castaic Lake

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the lake's name. LOS ANGELES - State water managers are warning people to stay out of Castaic Lake due to a potentially dangerous algae bloom.Lab tests this week found an increased level of toxins in the water due to the presence of blue-green algae, the California Department of Water Resources announced Tuesday.People are urged to avoid swimming or recreating in the lake, avoid eating fish or shellfish from it, and avoid any contact with algal “scum” in the water or on shore. “Boating is allowed, but water-contact recreation and sporting activities are not considered safe due to potential adverse health effects,” DWR said.The warning covers the entire lake, with the exception of Castaic Lagoon. People are also urged to keep their pets and livestock out of the water.While blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a natural part of the lake's ecosystem, levels can become elevated through warm water temperatures, storm runoff that c...

Fruit of the Loom brings back iconic mascots for new generation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

The Fruit Guys are back — sort of.Fruit of the Loom is bringing back its iconic mascots that used to grace our television screens decades ago, this time with a bit more diversity and a new platform.The apple, leaf, and green and purple grapes are back, this time on TikTok, and this time with a new name: the "Fruit People."The Fruit People will be joining the brand's "chief TikToker" in several online campaigns bringing wit and humor in skits that "play off social media trends and daily life scenarios."In their first appearances on social media for the clothing brand, the Fruit People are seen walking into the office in a teaser video, followed by another video in which they discuss ways to "go viral" on the social media site.Fruit Of The Loom reintroduces the “Fruit People,” iconic characters formerly known as the “Fruit Guys,” to social media.But the company promises to create more content on TikTok, introducing the mascots to a new generation of viewers, while recapturing some of ...

Pedestrian dies after being hit by vehicle in Rancho Cucamonga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:44 GMT

A pedestrian died after he was hit by a vehicle in Rancho Cucamonga, authorities announced Tuesday.Deputies with the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department responded to reports of a man down around Etiwanda Avenue and Napa Street Monday morning around 7:37 a.m.Upon arrival, deputies found the man, identified only as a 41-year-old resident from San Bernardino, lying in the dirt shoulder west of Etiwanda Avenue. Driver killed in fiery Orange County crash During an investigation, deputies determined that the man was walking north on Etiwanda Avenue from Sixth Street and was hit by a vehicle, possibly between Sunday evening and early Monday morning, a news release said.No information about the potential suspects or vehicle involved in the incident was released.The victim’s identity is being withheld until next of kin is notified.Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy V. Peterson or Deputy B. Ogas at 909-477-2800. Anonymous tips...