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Ousted Black lawmaker could soon return to Tennessee House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

By JONATHAN MATTISE (Associated Press)NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — One of the two Black Democrats who was thrown out of the Tennessee House last week appeared likely to get his seat back Monday, just days after the GOP exacted retribution against the lawmakers who called for more gun control.Nashville’s Metro Council could return Justin Jones to the Legislature immediately when it votes to fill the vacant position on an interim basis.Jones and another Black lawmaker were expelled by the Republican supermajority for their role in a gun-control protest at the Capitol in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville.The other expelled representative, Justin Pearson, could be reappointed Wednesday at a meeting of the Shelby County Commission in his district.The expulsions on Thursday made Tennessee a new front in the battle for the future of American democracy and propelled the ousted lawmakers into the national spotlight.Members of the Nashville council have said public...

Hate crime investigation underway after Islamic Center vandalized in Koreatown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Police are looking for a man who allegedly used a permanent marker to vandalize an Islamic Center in Koreatown with hateful comments over the weekend.The incident occurred around 12:40 a.m. Sunday at the Islamic Center of Southern California, located at 434 S. Vermont Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. A man who allegedly vandalized an Islamic Center in Koreatown is seen in surveillance video released by the LAPD on April 10, 2023. The man is accused of writing “anti-Islamic hate words” on the property and then running from the area north on Vermont Avenue.Police released a surveillance image of the suspect and described him as being around 40 to 50 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing a black jacket, a black shirt with an unknown type of design, black pants, black shoes and a black beanie.The writing on three pillars was covered up with paper Monday morning.“This is an appalling act of vandalism targeting the center where innocent indi...

California storms hit beekeepers, but honey outlook's sweet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

During California's prolonged, wet winter, beekeeper Gene Brandi said he had to spend twice as much money on a sugary syrup to feed his honeybees and keep them alive.That's because the bees sent to pollinate blooming almond orchards took longer than usual to emerge from their hives due to chilly temperatures, wind and rain. Since the bees weren't out gathering nectar and pollen for nourishment, the 71-year-old beekeeper provided sustenance for them.“We probably fed twice as much than we’ve fed in a normal year,” said Brandi, of the Central Valley community of Los Banos. “It’s expensive to feed, but it’s more expensive if the hive dies.”The challenge is one of many faced by America's beekeepers following the unusually wet winter that ravaged California's farm country, which feeds much of the nation. Most commercial beekeepers send their bees to California early in the year to help pollinate its $5 billion-a-year almond crop, then move them elsewhere to pollinate commodities ranging f...

Dalai Lama apologizes for telling child 'suck my tongue'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama apologized Monday after a video showing him kissing a child on the lips triggered criticism.A statement posted on his official website said the 87-year-old leader regretted the incident and wished to "apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.”The incident occurred at a public gathering in February at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamsala, where the exiled leader lives. He was taking questions from the audience when the boy asked if he could hug him.The Dalai Lama invited the boy up toward the platform he was seated on. In the video, he gestured to his cheek, after which the child kissed him before giving him a hug.The Dalai Lama then asked the boy to kiss him on the lips and stuck out his tongue. “And suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama can be heard saying as the boy sticks out his own tongue and leans in, prompting laughter from the audience.The footage trig...

Meet Faces of Mankind Artist Brian Peterson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Painter Brian Peterson’s love for art, beauty, community, and all mankind has inspired years of striking, vivid portraits and murals around Southern California, the nation, and even the UK. With stylized, idealizing geometry, and a heavenly palette, Peterson’s transformation from a talented and enthusiastic automotive designer to an active and in-demand painter and muralist, has took a path of personal inspiration in a series of portraits his unhoused neighbors in Santa Ana. He founded the nonprofit Faces of Santa Ana to parlay the series into a philanthropic vehicle for the cause; today its national profile as Faces of Mankind has pursued projects and exhibitions in cities from Riverside to Detroit, Miami, and more. Along the way, these same roots of community culture have sprouted a robust mural career from the charitable to the high-end commercial and activated public spheres. Last month, Peterson unveiled a new mural which in many ways encapsulates all the vectors of his practic...

From Red Rock to the Bellagio, the top 10 Las Vegas attractions offer an eclectic array

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Heading for Las Vegas anytime soon? A 10Best poll by USA Today asked readers to choose their favorite attractions from a list compiled by travel experts and Las Vegas gurus. The resulting top 10 picks offer a full array of experiences both on and off The Strip, with everything from excursions to Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam to museums and Italian-style live entertainment — hello, Streetmosphere.The National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement — aka the Mob Museum — tops the list with its basement speakeasy and Prohibition era exhibits. The Bellagio earned two spots on the top 10 for its synchronized dancing fountain spectacle and its botanical garden.And at No. 30: the city’s 550-foot high observation wheel. The High Roller, the tallest observation wheel in the country, takes guests on a 30-minute ride high above the city in 28 temperature-controlled cabins. Prefer cocktails with your view? Book a Happy Half Hour cabin, which comes with an open ...

Mifepristone vs. Viagra: How safe is the abortion pill compared with other common drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

By Annette Choi and Will Mullery | CNNA federal judge in Texas ruled on Friday to suspend the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, the first drug in the medication abortion process, nationwide by the end of this week.The judge sided with the coalition of anti-abortion national medical associations that filed the lawsuit. He argued that the FDA failed to adequately consider risks associated with the drug, including “the intense psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress women often experience from chemical abortion.”However, data analyzed by CNN shows mifepristone is even safer than some common, low-risk prescription drugs, including penicillin and Viagra. There were five deaths associated with mifepristone use for every 1 million people in the US who have used the drug since its approval in 2000, according to the US Food and Drug Administration as of last summer. That’s a death rate of 0.0005%.Comparatively, the risk of death by penici...

Suspect who killed 4 in mass shooting at Louisville bank believed to be former employee, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Photo by Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)This photo provided by Reid Cornell shows police presence near the scene of a shooting in Louisville on Monday, April 10, 2023. (Reid Cornell via AP)Crime scene tape cordons off a street as law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Photo by Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Photo by Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)...

Buyers launch shopping spree for smaller South Bay apartment buildings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

Investors have launched a shopping spree for South Bay apartment complexes in deals that suggest buyers still hunger for Bay Area real estate in prime locations despite widening economic uncertainties.The just-purchased apartment centers are large and small. In most instances, the buyers appeared to be looking for attractive investments. In one case, the new owner grabbed a site that’s slated to be redeveloped as a different type of housing.The deals occurred over two weeks and involved four apartment complexes with a combined nearly 500 units.The buyers paid a combined $243.8 million for the quartet of residential properties, documents on file with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office show.Fenced off site of the former Mountain View Garden Apartments at 570 South Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View. (Google Maps)Related ArticlesHousing | Mobile home park residents form co-ops to save their homes Housing | Home values drop in more than ...

Duke’s Roach to enter NBA draft, keep college eligibility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:28 GMT

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke guard Jeremy Roach is entering his name into the NBA draft but maintaining his college eligibility.The 6-foot-2 junior announced his decision in a social-media post Monday, saying he was looking forward to getting feedback on his game during pre-draft workouts.Roach was the team’s No. 2 scorer at 13.6 points per game for a team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Roach was coming off a strong postseason performance in a Final Four run in 2022 and battled through a lingering toe injury that briefly sidelined him as a team captain last season.Duke big man Dereck Lively II and wing Dariq Whitehead have declared for the NBA draft after one season in Durham, though fellow freshmen Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell have announced his plans to return. Kyle Filipowski, The Associated Press’ newcomer of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, hasn’t announced his plans for next season.___AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketbal...