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Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, who says he’s innocent, asked for a new trial. A court said no

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — An appeals court on Wednesday denied a new trial request from longtime Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, whose supporters say there is evidence to back his claims of innocence.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals accepted a 2021 recommendation from a lower court judge, who had ruled against several claims made by Reed, including that he’s not guilty.Despite the ruling, Reed’s execution is not expected anytime soon. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that he should have a chance to argue for testing of crime-scene evidence that he says will exonerate him. The following month, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ordered that additional legal briefs be filed on whether Reed should be granted additional DNA testing.Reed was condemned for the 1996 killing of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. Prosecutors say he raped and strangled Stites as she made her way to work at a supermarket in Bastrop, a rural community about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southe...

More than 50 percent of Americans report facing online harassment, hate: survey 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

(The Hill) - More than half of American respondents said in a new survey that they have faced online harassment and hate.An Anti-Defamation League (ADL) release published Wednesday found that reports of online hate and harassment have reached a record high since 2020. ADL's 2023 research shows 52 percent of respondents have experienced online harassment or hate, a significant increase from the 40 percent recorded in last year's report.“We’re confronted with record levels of hate across the internet, hate that too often turns into real violence and danger in our communities,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “The time for talking, and for planning, is long over. It’s time to execute on the priorities set out by the White House and other policymakers, and it’s time for big tech companies to deliver on their promises to reduce hate online.”The ADL also found that the reports increased across all demographics — but especially those in the LGTBQ community, particular...

Have the sun, moon looked different lately? Blame Canadian wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

GRAFTON, Ohio (WJW) -- Have you noticed the sun and moon have had some unique colors amid hazy skies this summer?The more dramatic hues of orange for the sun and yellow for the moon is due to the current wildfires in Canada, WJW meteorologist Alexis Walters explains.The sun is especially affected during sunset when it's lower on the horizon as the light has to pass through more haze caused by smoke from the wildfires. 16 states, DC currently under poor air quality alerts – here’s when things will change The smoke ultimately acts like a filter on the shorter wavelengths of light created by the sun, WKBN meteorologist Paul Wetzl explains. This lets through only longer wavelengths, which are red and orange on the color spectrum. Sun over Grafton, Ohio. Photographer Ron Jantz said the background appears dark because he adjusted the camera's aperture to focus solely on the true color of the sun as it appeared in the haze Sunday. (Ron Jantz)The smoke can have a similar effect on the mo...

ERCOT announces new board member starting July 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Board Selection Committee announced Linda Capuano will serve on the board of directors and will join the agency beginning July 1, ERCOT said in a news release.Capuano is an experienced corporate director and business leader who brings broad commercial, government, and academic experience to the role, having held leadership positions in large and small businesses, startups, universities, and within the U.S. Department of Energy, according to ERCOT."We would like to welcome Ms. Capuano to her new role on the ERCOT Board and look forward to working with her on the important work of overseeing a rapidly growing and changing electric grid. Texas is at the forefront of the global energy transition and Linda’s deep energy expertise will be of great value as we continue to strive towards industry leading reliability and efficient markets," ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas said.Capuano earned a doctorate degr...

3 men charged in connection with weekend fatal stabbing in Bemidji

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Three men have been charged with second-degree aiding and abetting following the fatal stabbing of a man early Saturday morning in Bemidji.According to the criminal complaint, at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Bemidji police officers responded to a report of a physical altercation between several people at 1804 Minnesota Court N.W., near J.W. Smith Elementary.Upon arrival, officers observed a man lying on the ground face-up next to a vehicle. The victim, later identified as 18-year-old Andrew Lee Fisher, of Bemidji, was bleeding profusely from multiple puncture wounds throughout his torso, and he was not breathing, the release said.First responders arrived at the scene, and Fisher was pronounced dead.According to the complaint:Officers also met with another male at the scene, identified as J.L., who stated that he had followed Fisher to the home to meet with a person he described as “K-Dog.”J.L. stated that Fisher walked up to the home in search of “K-DogR...

Future Gophers forward Oliver Moore picked 19th overall by Chicago Blackhawks 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Before he headed to Nashville for the NHL Draft, future Minnesota Gophers forward Oliver Moore admitted it would be a dream to bump into his favorite country musicians like Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs while visiting Music City.Instead, Moore got to meet his pro hockey future on Wednesday evening, when he was picked 19th overall in round one by the Chicago Blackhawks.Moore, 18, was projected as one of the top 20 picks by NHL Central Scouting in the run-up to the draft, where seeing Gophers selected in round one is happening more often lately.Some had him going in the top 10, but the Moore family heard 18 other names called before he headed to the stage at Bridgestone Arena.“Honestly, I was holding back tears, sharing that moment with my family,” Moore said. “My mom and dad were so excited and I think they were pretty anxious to hear my name called just like I was.”When school starts and he moves on campus later in the summer, Moore will be r...

Deputies help distressed swimmers out of Hudson River

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

CORINTH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Warren County Sheriff's Office recognized one of their own for helping swimmers in need.According to a Facebook post, Patrol Sgt. Pasquale "Rocky" Girard was driving across the Corinth Bridge on Wednesday when he noticed two swimmers in distress. He jumped in the Hudson River to help them get out of the currents. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He called 911, and the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office came to help. Deputy Nikk Milligan also got in the water in his uniform to help rescue the swimmers.No one was injured in the incident.

Amtrak Adirondack line closed north of Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Just when things were looking up for commuters when it comes to New York travel, train tracks north of Albany aren’t running as they should. Travelers say this is just another issue they have faced trying to ride the Amtrak Adirondack line.Bruce Becker with the Empire State Passenger Association works to improve public transit across New York State with a group of volunteers. He says Canadian National lowered the speed of the line to 10 miles per hour on June 20 because of high temperatures on the tracks. "The Canadian National has said they need these lower speeds to account for poor condition of the track they own that Amtrak uses," said Becker. Amtrak Adirondack Line temporarily suspending North Country service Becker says wildfires have no effect on the heat of the rails due to their locations, and that Canadian National's speed limit is too low even with the current conditions. He says other rails such as the Empire line cap the speeds of trai...

'I don’t know what to do' - Air travel nightmare hurting St. Louis passengers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The extreme wait times for crowds stranded in the northeast resulted in ripple effects at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which faced widespread travel headaches."We've been delayed since Monday, and now it's Wednesday,” said Kelly Keitzer, a traveler.Severe storms in the northeast and Canada, not to mention smoke from raging wildfires seen blanketing St. Louis, add to a lingering staff shortage triggered by the pandemic, catapulting the airline industry into a travel nightmare as summer travel ramps up."It was just a fat line this morning; I got clear because of it,” said Tonina Saputo, a traveler.According to FlightAware, so far Wednesday night, there have been 5,800 flights delayed and more than 1,000 canceled nationwide. Those issues trickled down to St. Louis. 2nd Missouri man sentenced in death of woman who was caged, dismembered An abundance of delays Tuesday night left luggage at baggage claim still waiting on their owners a day later."At 11:30, when o...

How parents plan to escape tomorrow's triple-digit temperatures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It didn't take long to get a sweat going on Wednesday, and tomorrow will be even hotter with triple digits for the first time this year. "Triple digits are pretty dangerous, like that will keep us inside," said Claire Field, parent, and parkgoer.According to the Missouri Health Department, 23 Missourians died last year from heat-related illnesses, and the smoke from Canadian wildfires is not helping either. There are around 50 cooling centers in the St. Louis area, which can be found here. "Yeah, it is a little bit harder to breathe during the heat of the day and the index, and the last few days we've had the smoke," said Sean Aden, a parkgoer and parent. The most vulnerable groups are children and senior citizens, but everyone starts to feel the effects of heat once the temperature hit the 90s.  2nd Missouri man sentenced in death of woman who was caged, dismembered Field was at the park with her two young children. "You need hats, you need a ...