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Russia seeks an 8-year prison term for an artist and musician who protested the war in Ukraine

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian authorities on Wednesday demanded an eight-year prison term for an artist and musician who was jailed after speaking out against Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Sasha Skochilenko was arrested in her native St. Petersburg in April 2022, on charges of spreading false information about the military after replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar slogans decrying the invasion. Her arrest took place about a month after authorities adopted a law effectively criminalizing any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlin’s official line. The legislation has been used in a widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, human rights activists and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin, with many receiving lengthy prison terms. Skochilenko is on trial, and the prosecution delivered closing arguments Wednesday, asking the court to convict her and sentence her to eight years in prison. Independent Russian news site Mediazo...

17-year-old wanted in connection with murder of security guard at Pickering casino

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

Durham police are on the hunt for a teen in connection with the shooting death of a security guard at a Pickering casino last month.In an update into the investigation on Wednesday morning, investigators say a 17-year-old is wanted for second-degree murder in the fatal shooting at Pickering Casino Resort on Oct. 9.Officers were called to the entertainment complex in the early morning hours for reports of shots being fired. A man was found at the scene with a life-threatening gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead in hospital.The victim was identified as 34-year-old Michael Ferdinand, who was a security guard at the resort. Investigators said he was fatally shot while working inside the casino.“He was senselessly shot and killed,” said Det. Sgt. Brad Corner during Wednesday’s update. “The motive for the attack is still under investigation, it doesn’t appear at this point to be a planned attack.”Police have identified 17-year-old Tyjae Nosworth...

Giant screen installed as construction on Navy Pier flying attraction continues

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

CHICAGO — We have an update on the new attraction being built at Navy Pier in the space of the former IMAX theater.In April, crews began to gut the space to make way for FlyOver Chicago, a flying attraction that will take you on a journey through Chicago using a giant spherical movie screen. It's similar to the ride Soarin’ at Epcot at Walt Disney World. Previous Coverage: FlyOver Chicago immersive flying attraction coming to Navy Pier On Tuesday, WGN News crews were able to see an update. The large screen has been installed and all of the ride vehicles are installed as well.There are three levels of the ride.We were able to speak with flyover Chicago’s general manager Derek Poitras about where they are in the construction process and what the ride will be like when it opens. Up Next: Six Flags Great America closing two attractions, preparing for ‘future expansion’ He said they are about 90 percent finished with shooting the movie that will be shown during the ride. He also said...

Cherelle Parker becomes 1st woman elected as Philadelphia mayor

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

(The Hill) – Former City Council member Cherelle Parker is set to become the first female mayor in Philadelphia's history, the Decision Desk HQ projected Tuesday night. Parker was running against Republican David Oh, another former City Council member, in the reliably Democratic city to become its 100th mayor, succeeding term-limited incumbent Mayor Jim Kenney (D). Parker will also become Philadelphia’s fourth Black mayor. Philadelphians have not elected a Republican mayor since the late 1940s.  5 takeaways from a winning election night for Democrats Parker made it through a competitive Democratic primary in May against several other notable Democrats. She ran during the primary and general election as a moderate candidate, focusing much of her candidacy on addressing crime and education. Parker has called for increasing funding and hiring more officers for the city’s police department and promoting a “constitut...

Kristin Chenoweth talks career, holidays on WGN Morning News

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the more versatile actresses was back on WGN Morning News Wednesday after a busy fall and a very full holiday season ahead. Kristin Chenoweth, who has multiple credits on stage and screen, talked with Dean Richards about a number of topics on her career during an appearance on behalf of the Command brand this holiday season. She talked with Dean Richards about a number of topics in her career and life, including her recent marriage, the 20th anniversary of "Wicked," along with her plans for the holidays during the segment. You can watch her full interview with Dean in this edition of the "A-List Interview" from the November 8 WGN Morning News in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

More surveillance footage addressed at Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial Wednesday

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong, accused of shooting and killing pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson on May 11, 2020, continues, the State began Wednesday with addressing video footage of the victim from hours before she was killed.The owner of the restaurant across from Pool Burger began testimony Wednesday about surveillance video near Wilson and Strickland - Armstrong's former boyfriend - as Wilson and Strickland spent the afternoon together on May 11. Detective Richard Spitler took the stand Monday and was in the middle of his testimony, but the court did not continue with him Wednesday morning due to a scheduling conflict for Spitler. His testimony will resume from the point it left off at another time. So far he has addressed his work the night of Wilson's murder as well as his questioning of Armstrong's former boyfriend Colin Strickland the following morning. CATCH UP: Colin Strickland's testimony During the course of his official interview with ...

5.3-magnitude earthquake strikes west Texas

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck west Texas early Wednesday morning.According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck about 23 miles WSW of Mentone, Texas, at 4:27 a.m. local time.A 5.3-magnitude earthquake is considered a "moderate" earthquake on the Richter magnitude scale and can often do some minor damage to buildings. Each one-point increase on the Richter scale represents an increase in an earthquake's intensity by 10x and an increase in the earthquake's energy by more than 32x. What’s the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Texas? The earthquake occurred at a depth of 4.6 miles and was felt by people as far away as 200+ miles from the epicenter. As of Wednesday morning, there luckily have been no reports of damage or injury.

New Travis County program launches to divert youth from criminal justice system after family violence cases

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hidden behind bustling businesses and chaotic streets in south Austin, a turquoise house and a small greenspace offer a place to slow down and listen. Usually, the Amala Foundation uses the space to teach social-emotional learning skills and preventative mental health techniques to children and adults. However, on Tuesday afternoon, the Travis County district attorney joined representatives from local nonprofits and restorative justice experts from across the country — sitting in a circle and taking turns to speak. It's the same kind of practice the group will eventually use to help young people as a part of the Travis County Transformation Project. The Amala Foundation location in South Austin (KXAN Photo/ Chris Nelson)Leaders with the Travis County Transformation Project gather ahead of the program's official launch (KXAN Photo/ Chris Nelson) The pilot program, announced this week, aims to keep young people out of the criminal justice system and instead offer resou...

Vic Schaefer coaching influenced by family's military background

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Vic Schaefer started coaching as an assistant boys basketball coach at Milton High School in Houston back in 1985. Now nearly 38 years later, Schaefer is still coaching with a focus and fire."I want to be in place where there's a way we do things," said Longhorns women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer. "And it's the right way to do things, we all treat each other correctly."Schaefer's Longhorns are coming off a Big 12 regular season championship. His programs have a clear intensity that starts from the top. The determination is learned."I've felt the wrath of the colonel before," Schaefer said with a smile about his father. "I certainly wouldn't want to feel that again or want to disappoint him."Schaefer's father Charles was a World War II veteran. His mother Dorothy, or Dot, was a nurse in the navy. The Texas women's basketball coach knows the influence they have on his coaching style."The discipline piece, the attention to detail. Little things matter. I think all t...

Next St. Paul City Council will include 5 or 6 progressive women of color. Who will be council president?

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

Here’s what’s known: five or six women of color will comprise the majority of the next St. Paul City Council, all of them self-described progressives.Isaac Russell’s late-night concession to Saura Jost in Ward 3 has almost cemented a diverse slate of candidates that ran with the backing of the St. Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, likely moving the seven-member council at least a step to the left.Here’s what remains unknown: Winners have yet to be declared in Ward 1 and Ward 7, the council races that drew the most candidates. Anika Bowie and Cheniqua Johnson led those races, respectively, on election night. Ramsey County Elections officials will reallocate ballots on Friday until a candidate breaks 50% of the vote.With 40% of the vote, Bowie had a healthy lead over James Lo, the next highest vote-getter in the eight-way Ward 1 race, who had 20% of the vote.“I am seeing this through,” said Lo, on Wednesday morning. In Ward 7, however, JohnsonR...