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Russian court imposes 3- to 6-year sentences for distributing tainted drinks that killed 44

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian court on Monday sentenced seven defendants to as little as three years in prison for distributing methanol-tainted drinks that killed 44 people. The court in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, convicted the seven of charges including sale of goods that do not meet safety requirements and result in the deaths of two or more people; sentences ran from three to six years.Prosecutors said the seven had illegally sold alcohol since 2020 and that in 2021 they sold drinks containing excessive amounts of methanol, which is commonly used as a solvent. A total of 51 people were sickened by the drinks, of whom 44 died. The Associated Press

Man charged with murder after woman found stabbed to death in Oak Forest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — A man was charged with first-degree murder after a lengthy standoff in the south suburbs due to the deadly stabbing of a 30-year-old woman.Chad Oster, 36, of Tinley Park, was taken into custody Saturday after a search warrant was conducted at his home in the 18200 block of Glen Swilly Circle. Prior to being arrested, a SWAT standoff ensued.He's accused of stabbing 30-year-old Lauren Pikor to death in the 5300 block of Diamond Drive, located in Oak Forest, on Friday night. She was found dead in the roadway outside of a home when authorities arrived. Previous: Woman found stabbed to death on road in Oak Forest On Sunday, Oster was charged with first-degree murder. He's due in bond court on Monday.A GoFundMe for Pikor has raised over $25,000 at this time.

Man shot after hearing catalytic converter being stolen in McKinley Park; critical condition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was critically wounded after hearing his catalytic converter being stolen in McKinley Park early Monday morning.Just before 4:40 a.m., police said a 35-year-old man heard a noise outside of his residence in the 1700 block of West 34th Street. The man went outside to check and was shot in the right abdomen. Police said he was shot by at least one suspect stealing his catalytic converter at the time.The man was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Girl, 8, fatally shot in head in Portage Park; suspect in custody No suspects are in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $1.55 billion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a jackpot winner.The numbers drawn Friday night were: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56 and the gold ball 20.Because no one matched all six numbers and won the estimated $1.35 billion jackpot, the top prize increased to $1.55 billion for the next drawing Tuesday night.There now have been 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was April 18.The $1.55 billion prize would be for a sole winner who chooses the annuity option with payment stretched over 30 years. Most winners opt for a lump-sum payment, which would be an estimated $757.2 million on Tuesday.A big slice of those winnings would go toward federal taxes, while many states also tax lottery payouts.The jackpot is so hard to win because of the 1 in 302.6 million odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and a separate mega ball. The odds are better to win smaller prizes, which start at $2.Mega Millions is played ...

DeSantis dismisses Trump 2020 claims: 'Of course he lost'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

(The Hill) -- Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) in an interview broadcast on Monday dismissed former President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he won the 2020 election, saying "of course" Trump lost.During the interview, which will air on NBC Nightly News Monday evening, the Florida governor was asked by NBC News correspondent Dasha Burns whether he believed Trump won the 2020 election, and he replied that "whoever puts their hand on the Bible on Jan. 20 every four years is the winner."When pushed for a yes or no answer, DeSantis replied, "No, of course he lost. Joe Biden’s the president."The interview comes after Trump's latest indictment over his attempts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden. The 45-page indictment alleges Trump led a campaign of “dishonest, fraud and conceit” to obstruct a “bedrock function” of a democracy.” DeSantis's comments to NBC News echo what he said at a campaign event in Iowa on Friday, when he state...

Review: Partnership of Dessa, Minnesota Orchestra gets better and better

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

Singer, rapper and writer Dessa takes the stage triumphantly with the Minnesota Orchestra, continuing a fruitful collaboration going back to 2017. Performing alongside her own band, guest vocalists and the orchestra led by conductor Sarah Hicks, Dessa wears an air of confidence in her singing and rapping, buoyed by the full sound of the orchestra performing her tunes, as arranged by Andy Thompson.The evening starts off with “Jumprope,” featuring a bit of choreography by Dessa and the singers, and even snapping. The back and forth with the backup singers adds a joyful charisma to her poetic lyrics. “Jumprope” also begins the album Dessa cut with the orchestra in 2019, called “Sound of Bells.”“Good Grief,” from “Sound of the Bells,” is a highlight in the show, with its hybridity of styles — both in Dessa’s shifts between rapping and singing, and the melding of orchestral instruments with the distinctive sound of Joey Van Phillips on the drums.“Call off Your Ghost,” meanwhile, features...

Fringe review: ‘Apocalypse Later’ shows the perils of a mismatched comedy duo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

AvoidCreating sketch comedy is hard. Creating good sketch comedy is even harder. In “Apocalypse Later,” Jacob Okerlund and John Byram do a little of both. Their concepts are clever, but the writing needs work and the duo’s execution is painfully mismatched. Okerlund consistently and charismatically commits to the bit, and it’s clear he’s having fun up there, which helps buoy the show. As for Byram, poor guy, none of this is true. His discomfort is palpable; scenes are dragged down by his low, noncommittal energy. Also: The show runs 35 minutes, just over half the length of other Fringe shows (for the same ticket price).Presented by Jacob and John Productions at Augsburg Mainstage; 8:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13Still unsure of what to see? Check out all our Fringe reviews here.The Minnesota Fringe Festival turns 30 this year, presenting 101 hourlong stage acts from Aug. 3-13 at theaters throughout Minneapolis. Pioneer Press reporters will post their reviews online daily at TwinC...

Free pop-up medical clinic in Bennington

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- Remote Area Medical in Bennington, Vermont, will be hosting a free dental, vision, and medical clinic on August 19 and 20 at Mount Anthony Union Middle School, located at 747 East Road. This clinic is in collaboration with the Greater Bennington Community Services and begins at 6 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The clinic will run on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those in attendance will be asked to choose between dental and vision services due to time constraints, as medical services will be offered to every patient attending. No ID is required, and all services are free and open to the public. More information is available online. The clinic closing time may vary based on each service area's daily capacity. Weather, volunteer cancelations, and other situations may affect the opening times or number of patients being served.

'Americans Who Tell the Truth' art exhibit opening today in Chesterfield

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Art and action - that's the message behind a new art exhibit that opened this weekend at the district in Chesterfield. It's called 'Americans Who Tell the Truth.'Artist Robert Shetterly has painted 265 portraits of people who he says are "change-makers," focused on improving communities. At the opening reception, Shetterly unveiled his newest portrait of a St. Louis woman named Debbie Njai. She is the founder of a group called 'Black People Who Hike.'Their mission is to empower, educate, and re-engage black people to the outdoors. Almanacs predict cold, wet winter — but can you trust them? "When you think about hiking, access to the outdoors, there's a really important health component, a nature component, a healing component that all people should have access to, specifically black people." Njai explained. "If you think of everything we went through over the years, the history of black people in this country and then look at how unrepresented we are in th...

Protestors arrested in 2017 Jason Stockley protest receiving settlement checks in $4.9M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS -  Some of the people arrested during protests surrounding the Jason Stockley verdict in 2017 started receiving settlement money.The city agreed to a $4.9 million settlement between 84 people. Their lawsuit claimed protestors' rights were violated when police arrested them and used excessive force. Yelp’s 15 favorite mom and pop restaurants includes one in Missouri The city denied wrongdoing as part of the settlement and promised payouts between $28,000 and $150,000. Protests started after Stockley, a former St. Louis Police officer, was acquitted in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.