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Steve Martin 'so proud' his book was banned by Florida school district

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

(The Hill) -- Steve Martin is mocking the banning of one of his books in a Florida county public school system, saying it’ll help boost sales.“So proud to have my book ‘Shopgirl’ banned in Collier County, Florida!” the “Only Murders in the Building” comedian wrote on Instagram on Monday.“Now people who want to read it will have to buy a copy!” added Martin, 78.Martin’s 2000 novella — which was later turned into a movie of the same name — was among more than 300 titles banned in libraries in the Florida county’s public schools, according to a list published this week by PEN America, a free expression organization. Book ban list: These 13 titles are targeted most The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation last year requiring school libraries in the Sunshine State to seek community input on the materials they make available to students.Citing a list obtained by the Florida Freedom to Read Project, PEN America said some of the o...

Illinois earns credit rating upgrade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) -- Illinois saw its ninth credit rating upgrade in just over two years on Tuesday.According to an Illinois news release, Illinois' rating for general obligation bonds was upgraded by Fitch Ratings. Illinois has currently reached an "A" rating with all rating agencies."We are continuing to right the past fiscal wrongs in our state with disciplined fiscal leadership, and credit rating agencies and businesses alike are taking notice of Illinois' remarkable progress," Gov. JB Pritzker said. "Another credit rating upgrade means millions saved for Illinois taxpayers in interest—money back in the pockets of our state where it can better serve our residents." Illinois Credit rating up for 7th time in 2 years The ratings measure the credit quality of state bonds, and having a higher bond rating can mean that states can borrow money at a lower interest rate, which can save taxpayers millions of dollars.According to the Fitch Ratings report on the upgrade, the state'...

Historic hangar at former air base in California goes up in flames 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

(KTLA) -- A hangar at a historic air base in Orange County, California, went up in flames early Tuesday morning. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the fire broke out around 1 a.m. at the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin. The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was completely engulfed in flames when crews first arrived. Firefighters immediately went into defensive mode to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures, and crews were seen battling the blaze from the ground and by air.As of 8:30 a.m., the fire had consumed about half of the iconic wood hangar. It is expected to burn for several days before finally going out, officials said.“There’s literally nothing we can do about it at this point,” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said. “We can’t get close enough to that building without concern for it collapsing on our firefighters.”The hangar at the historic Marine Corps Air Station Tustin burning on Nov. 7, 2023. (KTLA)A hi...

Arkansas rapper arrested for threatening lyrics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Arkansas man was arrested after allegedly putting threatening lyrics in his music, which he claims is part of a rap persona.Reese Alexander Sullivan, 20, of Bentonville, was arrested on Nov. 2 for first-degree terroristic threatening. A probable cause affidavit says that on Aug. 21, the FBI National Threat Operations Center received a tip from an anonymous person who claimed Sullivan was making concerning statements, including bomb threats and referring to acts of violence. The affidavit says that the lyrics of Sullivan's music contained numerous threats of violence across multiple uploads. The threats included statements about school shootings, bombing public events and shooting children.Nine videos were analyzed as part of the investigation. "Each of the video's audio was in the form of rap music. Statements and threats within the videos included racial statements about specific groups of people and killing them, bombing churches associated wit...

St. Paul’s Como Zoo welcomes latest baby giraffe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

A baby giraffe was born Monday evening at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul.A 7-year-old Como giraffe named Zinnia gave birth to the calf at 8:09 p.m., and the new arrival was already on its feet and standing next to mom by 8:50 p.m., according to a Tuesday news release.The zoo’s staff was still allowing Zinnia to bond with the calf — her third — on Tuesday afternoon and had not yet determined its sex, height or weight.The zoo expects the baby giraffe, which has not yet been named, to make its public debut in the next few weeks.Its birth was the result of a recommendation made by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, whose Species Survival Plan is designed to “maximize genetic diversity, with the goal of ensuring the long-term survival of the AZA population and the health of individual animals,” Como said.The calf’s birth comes eight months after Como’s oldest giraffe, 23-year-old Daisy, was euthanized by zoo staffers as a re...

St. Paul man sentenced for drive-by shootings, including one that grazed school staffer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

A 19-year-old St. Paul man has been given concurrent prison sentences for his role in four shootings in the city this year, including one in which he fired a bullet that grazed a Washington Technology Magnet School staff member’s ear.Eh Doh Soe admitted to firing three shots outside the school after a fight broke out between Karen students and Black students Jan. 20, according to Ramsey County District Court documents.Eh Doh Soe (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)In September, Soe agreed to plead guilty to drive-by shooting in that case and aiding and abetting shootings on Jan. 28, Feb. 8 and Feb. 12. The plea petition called for four concurrent sentences, and Judge Joy Bartscher handed them down Friday.Soe’s longest sentence — seven years and three months — is for the Feb. 12 drive-by shooting, which critically injured a boy on the North End.Last month, prosecutors filed charges against two 17-year-olds in connection with the other shootings.Soe...

Colorado 2023 election results

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

Results for some county-level races will not appear on this page. For those results, go to the county’s page on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website.JUMP TO: Municipal races • Municipal ballot issues • School board races • School district ballot issues • Special district ballot issuesFeatured RacesProposition HH (STATUTORY) (Vote For 1)Yes/For0%0No/Against0%0Proposition II (STATUTORY) (Vote For 1)Yes/For0%0No/Against0%0City of Aurora Mayor (Vote For 1)Mike Coffman0%0Juan Marcano0%0Jeff Sanford0%0Denver Public Schools Director – At Large (Vote For 1)Brittni Johnson0%0John Youngquist0%0Kwame Spearman0%0Denver Public Schools Director – District 1 (Vote For 1)Scott Baldermann0%0Kimberlee Sia0%0Denver Public Schools Director – District 5 (Vote For 1)Marlene DeLaRosa0%0Adam Slutzker0%0Charmaine Lindsay0%0City And County of Denver Ballot Issue 2P (Vote For 1)Yes/For0%0No/Against0%0Statewide Ballot IssuesProposition HH (STATUTORY) (Vote For 1)Yes/For0%0No/...

Former social worker Robin Niceta convicted of attempt to influence public servant, false child abuse report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

By Kelly Dietz, Denver7A jury has found Robin Niceta, a former Arapahoe County social worker, guilty of both felony attempt to influence a public servant and misdemeanor false reporting of child abuse.Related ArticlesCourts | Robin Niceta indicted on charges in connection with false medical reports provided to court Courts | Robin Niceta made up medical records, aggressive brain cancer diagnosis, prosecutors claim in court documents Courts | Defense for Robin Niceta, ex-partner of former Aurora chief, claims she’s incompetent to stand trial The verdict came down on Tuesday afternoon after closing arguments were made earlier in the day. The prosecution asked for her personal recognizance bond to be reassessed. It was changed to a $10,000 cash bond.Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 11 a.m.Niceta was previously accused of filing a false child abuse claim against Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky after the councilwo...

Man dies in custody at Denver detention center Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

A man in custody at the Denver Sheriff Department downtown detention center died after experiencing a medical emergency Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Editorial: Colorado jail death reporting needs a major upgrade Crime and Public Safety | Two Denver deputies, sheriff’s watch commander suspended in jail death of Michael Marshall Crime and Public Safety | Denver deputy involved in Michael Marshall’s 2015 jail death fired for slamming handcuffed man face-first into courthouse floor Crime and Public Safety | Denver man escapes Jefferson County jail by hopping delivery fence Crime and Public Safety | Denver police oversight board blasts city over light punishment in Michael Marshall’s jail death The man experienced the emergency at about 8:35 a.m. in a housing unit, per the statement. A medical team was immediately cal...

Coach Prime focused on positives as CU Buffs aim to snap losing skid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

With three games to play, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders isn’t focusing on the fact that his team has lost three straight games and five out of six.“My life is positive,” Sanders said Tuesday during his weekly news conference. “You’ve got to understand I don’t dwell on yesterday. Losses are hard to flush tremendously for me, though, because I’m a bonafide winner.“I’m a natural fixer and I want to fix things. I want to make things work. I want to make things right. I want our fans to be pleased. I want our AD to be ecstatic and I want our kids to all go pro and be successful in some form or fashion and that includes winning.”As a fixer, Sanders has work to do with the Buffs (4-5, 1-5 Pac-12), who will host No. 23 Arizona (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday (noon, Pac-12 Network).First on his agenda this week, though, was to point out the good when he met with players.“Sometimes when you’re losing like we’re losing, you’ve got to find positives to energize the staff, to energize the young men t...