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Biden is pardoning thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.The categorical pardon Friday builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that made thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible for pardons. Friday’s action adds additional criminal offenses to those eligible for a pardon, making even more people eligible to have their convictions expunged. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the “promise of equal justice a reality.”“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barrier...

Miami’s Big Orange makes glorious comeback for New Year’s Eve

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

In a vibrant revival, the iconic “Big Orange” is set to reclaim its place in the Miami skyline after a three-year absence. Crews were hard at work Thursday afternoon, installing the famed symbol in downtown Miami in preparation for a dazzling New Year’s Eve celebration.The South Florida rendition of New York’s famous New Year’s ball, the “Big Orange,” took a hiatus due to the pandemic, but this year, it has received the green light to shine once again.“It’s amazing because we’ve been wanting to do it, but all kinds of obstacles, Covid, and we had a lot of different things happen at the same time,” shared Steve “Mr. Neon” Carpenter. “Every year we think we’re gonna do it, and then something happens, and we’re so happy that we got a green light to put it up, so it’s fabulous.”Come New Year’s Eve, the Big Orange will ascend to the top of the Intercontinental Miami, marking ...

Closing arguments conclude in trial of paramedics in 2019 Elijah McClain death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

(CNN) — Closing arguments concluded Wednesday in the trial against two Aurora, Colorado, paramedics charged in the wrongful death of Elijah McClain in August 2019.Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec pleaded not guilty to felony charges of reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, after a 500-milligram dose of ketamine they administered to McClain caused his death, according to an amended autopsy report released in 2022.Jury deliberations will begin on Thursday morning.Both paramedics testified Monday that they believed McClain was experiencing “excited delirium” during his confrontation with Aurora police officers, and their treatment protocol was to administer a ketamine dose they believed was safe and would not kill a person.“During our training, we were told numerous times that this is a safe, effective drug,” Cichuniec told the court. “That is the only drug we can carry that can stop what is going on and calm him down so we can control his a...

Body found near Miami Seaquarium sparks investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Aerial footage from 7Skyforce revealed an active police scene at the Miami Seaquarium, where a boat docked with a covered body on deck has become the focal point of an ongoing investigation. According to 7News’ Steven J Grey, responders initially discovered the body in the water before carefully moving it onto the boat, Friday morning.The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed the victim as a female, describing her as a DOA floater. The discovery was made by a fisherman near the aquarium, though further details remain unknown at this time.Law enforcement is actively engaged in the investigation, working to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Gaza death toll exceeds 20,000 as Israel expands ground war against Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 20,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel’s war against Hamas, health officials said Friday, the latest indication of the staggering cost of the conflict as Israel expands its ground offensive and orders tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.The deaths amount to nearly 1% of the territory’s prewar population.The 11-week conflict has displaced nearly 85% of Gaza’s people and leveled wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave. And more than half a million people in Gaza — a quarter of the population — are starving, according to a report Thursday from the United Nations and other agencies.Israel has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is removed from power in Gaza and all the hostages taken during its Oct. 7 cross-border attack are freed.Despite the humanitarian emergency, a U.N. Security Council vote on aid deliveries and terms for a cease-fire was delayed again late Thursday, af...

Connecticut police dog killed in shooting after state troopers tried to serve an arrest warrant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut State Police dog was killed in a shooting Thursday evening involving troopers and a man they were trying to arrest on a felony warrant, authorities said.State police said troopers went to the Pawcatuck section of Stonington, near the Rhode Island state line, at about 7:30 p.m. to serve the warrant and a shooting occurred.Authorities said there were “serious injuries,” but did not elaborate. It was not immediately clear if any troopers or the man they were seeking were injured. The names of the troopers and the man were not immediately released. Authorities said the arrest warrant was obtained by Norwich police, but did not disclose additional details.State police said in a statement that the dog, Broko, “courageously gave his life protecting his handler, fellow troopers, and our community.”“K9 Broko heroically served with unwavering dedication, saving lives by locating missing individuals, apprehending dangerous suspects, and providing a steadf...

Biden to commute sentences of 11 nonviolent drug offenders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

(CNN) — President Joe Biden will commute the sentences of 11 people serving “disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses” on Friday, according to a White House official.“I am commuting the sentences of 11 people who are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses. All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today,” Biden said in a statement.The president is also pardoning “additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law,” according to the White House.“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs,” Biden said.The president also touted his use of clemency power.“I have exercised my clemency power more than any...

Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge tumbles in November as prices continue to ease

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

By PAUL WISEMAN (AP Economics Writer)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation fell last month in another sign that price pressures easing in the face of the central bank’s interest rate hikes.Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that U.S. consumer prices slid 0.1% last month from October and rose 2.6% from November 2022. The month-over-month drop was the largest since April 2020 when the economy was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core inflation last month rose 0.1% from October and 3.2% from a year earlier. All the numbers show somewhat more progress against inflation than economists had expected. Inflation is steadily moving down to the Fed’s year-over-year target of 2% and appears to be setting the stage for Fed rate cuts in 2024.After nearly two years of Fed rate hikes — 11 since March 2022 — inflation has come down from the four-decade ...

Bicyclist killed in City Heights shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting in City Heights Thursday night, San Diego police said.Around 7:47 p.m., two SDPD officers assigned to the Mid-City Division were driving in the 4900 block of El Cajon Boulevard when they witnessed gunshots ring out from the passenger side of a dark colored SUV before speeding away.The officers reported seeing the victim, who appeared to have been a bicyclist on westbound El Cajon Boulevard, down in the street with at least one wound to his upper torso. According to SDPD, the two immediately stopping to render aid. Man stuck under concrete on side of cliff in Ocean Beach Paramedics transported the victim, identified as a man in his 20s or 30s, to a nearby hospital for treatment. He later succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.SDPD's Homicide Unit was called to the scene to investigate. According to the department, preliminary findings indicate that there was some sort of interaction or argumen...

Greece says 81 people were rescued from a stranded ship along an illegal migration route to Italy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in southern Greece have rescued 81 people stranded on a ship south of the mainland, on a route frequently used to take migrants illegally to Italy, local officials said Friday.Municipal officials in the southern Greek port of Kalamata said the city had provided a temporary shelter for the people rescued, who identified themselves as coming from Egypt, Pakistan and Syria.The rescue operation occurred just south of Greece’s search and rescue area, authorities said, without providing other details.In June, a fishing trawler traveling on the same route sank, killing hundreds of migrants. The coast guard rescued 104 people and recovered 82 bodies while hundreds of others crammed inside the vessel were never found. ___Follow AP’s migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.The Associated Press