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Judge in Donald Trump’s hush-money case denies bias claim, won’t step aside

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Donald Trump’s Manhattan hush-money criminal case has rejected the former president’s demand to step aside, denying defense claims that he’s biased against the Republican front-runner because he’s given cash to Democrats and his daughter is a party consultant.New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan acknowledged in a ruling late Friday that he made several small donations to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden, but said he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”Removing himself from the case “would not be in the public interest,” Merchan wrote. His six-page ruling echoed a state court ethics panel’s recent opinion that endorsed his continued involvement in the Trump case.The decision on recusal was entirely up to Merchan. He previously rejected a similar request when Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, was on trial last year for tax fraud.Tr...

Prosecutors presenting case to grand jury on whether Trump meddled in 2020 Georgia election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

Prosecutors in Atlanta who have been investigating whether then-president Donald Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the 2020 election in Georgia have begun presenting their case to a grand jury.Former Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan, who had been subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury, said as she left the Fulton County courthouse late Monday morning that she had been questioned for about 40 minutes. News outlets reported that former Democratic state Rep. Bee Nguyen and Gabriel Sterling, a top official in the secretary of state’s office, were seen arriving at the courthouse earlier Monday.For two and a-half years, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating actions taken by Trump and others in their efforts to overturn his narrow loss in Georgia to Democrat Joe Biden. Barriers and street closures around the courthouse in downtown Atlanta, as well as statements made by Willis, had indicated that a presentation to a grand jury was likely to be...

Q&A with WGN meteorologist as rain, potential severe storms move into Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

CHICAGO — It's raining across the Chicago area now with a risk of severe weather through the evening. WGN meteorologist Alyssa Donovan took the time to answer your questions in a weather-centric, interactive livestream.Check out the WGN Weather app or our wgntv.com Weather Center for the latest on the forecast and longer-range outlook.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Thank you for watching the livestream. See a replay of the Q&A in the video above.

Lil Durk concert cut short at United Center due to false shooting report; woman stabbed during fight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

CHICAGO — A 20-year-old woman was stabbed and a concert was cut short at the United Center Saturday night, after false reports of a shooting.The incidents occurred during the "WGCI Summer Jam" show, where Chicago rapper Lil Durk was one of the main performers. According to the Chicago Tribune, officers responded to the United Center for a call of shots fired — and it was later determined that the reports were “non bona fide."The United Center released the following statement regarding the situation:We are working closely with authorities to investigate all incidents from last evening atthe WGCI Summer Jam show. It became apparent for all involved that ending the showearly was in everyone's best interest as the safety of our guests and employees is apriority. We are thankful that initial incident reports were false and that guests exited thefacility safely.In addition to the false shooting report, police said a 20-year-old woman was stabbed during a fight at the United Center the sa...

'Always impressive': Northwest Indiana man captures Perseid meteor shower in backyard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. — A Northwest Indiana man captured the Perseid meteor shower in his backyard over the weekend.Patrick Thompson, a professional photographer by trade, was excited going into the day because the Perseid meteor shower was expected to put on a brighter annual show this year due to a waning crescent moon.It was good news because a bright moon and make it harder to spot the meteors.The Perseids come from comet Swift-Tuttle, a big ball of ice and rock that sheds pieces of dusty debris as it orbits around the sun. When the Earth passes by, those bits get caught in our atmosphere and burn up, creating the streaking lights."Shooting star" during Perseid, courtesy Patrick ThompsonWhile an amateur astronomer, Thompson has quite an impressive lineup of equipment for his setup Saturday night into Sunday morning. Back in February, he spoke to WGN News after capturing an amazing timelapse of C/2022 E3, more commonly known as the “green comet,” which passed by Earth for the firs...

Michael Oher, subject of 'The Blind Side,' says he wasn't adopted, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

SHELBY COUNTY, TN — There is a new wrinkle to an inspiring football story that led to the making of a major motion picture concerning a former NFL offensive lineman.Per a report from Michael A. Fletcher of ESPN, Michael Oher says that he was never adopted by Sean and Lee Anne Touhy, according to a 14-page petition filed in Shelby County, Tennessee. Instead, he was part of a conservatorship, the petition alleges, which would allow the couple to make business deals in his name. Oher's adoption by the Touhy family and their helping him during his high school days in Memphis, Tennessee area was the subject of Michael Lewis' 2006 book "The Blind Side." That was made into a movie with the same name in 2009, with Sandra Bullock portraying Lee Anne Touhy and Tim McGraw playing Sean Touhy. Bullock won an Oscar for Best Actress at the 2010 Academy Awards for her role in the film.Per ESPN, the Touhy family had yet to respond to the report.A standout at Briarcrest Christian School, Oher would p...

Gloversville man convicted of murdering estranged wife

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Monday, Michael Darling pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter for the murder of his estranged wife, Kristine Darling. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On February 7, 2019, Michael Darling called 911 to report the suicide of his estranged wife in Fort Johnson. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office found the death suspicious and investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police.Investigations resulted in a Grand Jury indictment on May 26, 2023, charging Darling with murder. Darling reportedly went into hiding but was apprehended in Mayfield on May 27, thanks to tips from members of the public. Darling faces 5-25 years in state prison. The negotiated sentence is 17 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision.

RuPaul's Drag Race coming to the Palace Theatre

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The queens of RuPaul's Drag Race are set to perform at the Palace Theatre in Albany for the 12th annual Night of the Living Drag Tour. The event is scheduled for October 1 at 8 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Twilight Zone-themed event features Angeria, Denali, Icesis Couture, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Plastique, Rosé, and Tayce. The night will be hosted by Yvie Oddly as Rod Serling. RuPaul's Drag Race is a reality drag queen competition that's going into its 16th season. The show is presented by RuPaul, but they are not scheduled to make an appearance at the Palace. Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss to perform in Albany Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 18 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Ticketmaster website.

ARPA grant program opens second round of applications

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Applications for the second round of ARPA-funded small business grants is now open. Since launching in December 2022, the Small Business Vitality Assistance program has awarded over $200,000 to 26 Albany entrepreneurs. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Grants are administered through the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. Funds from the first round were utilized for COVID recovery costs, entrepreneur class/program tuition, and technical assistance.For the second round of grants, the Small Business Vitality Assistance program will assist in COVID recovery, entrepreneur class/program tuition, technical assistance, marketing, equipment/supplies, and small-scale façade improvements. Grants will range from $2,000-$15,000. New grant program to invest $750k in Albany businesses "We acknowledge the tenacity of Albany's entrepreneurs in navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic," s...

Pittsfield police investigate crash on Merrill Road

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:36:46 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Pittsfield Police Department is continuing to investigate a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Saturday afternoon. The crash happened in the area of 635 Merrill Road. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, a pick-up truck traveling north collided with a 2006 Subaru Forester traveling southbound. The driver and passenger of the Forester were transported to the Berkshire Medical Center for their injuries. The passenger was then airlifted to the Albany Medical Center for life-threatening injuries.Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Officer Brandon Gallagher of the Pittsfield Police Department at (413) 448-9700, ext. 549.