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Businessman linked to Texas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment charged with lying to get $172M in loans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas businessman at the center of the scandal that led to the historic impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton was charged Friday with making false statements to mortgage lenders to obtain $172 million in loans.The federal indictment of real estate developer Nate Paul is the result of a yearslong FBI investigation — a probe Paxton involved his office in, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to his impeachment and suspension from office last month.Paul was charged with eight counts of making false statements while seeking loans from mortgage lenders in the U.S. and Ireland. There was no mention of Paxton or the attorney general’s office during the hearing.Paul, 36, who entered the federal courtroom shackled and wearing jeans, a blue shirt and Nikes, did not enter a plea during his initial appearance in an Austin court nor visibly react as the charges were read. He was released ahead of trial but ordered to surrender his passport and infor...

Trump case assigned to judge who faced criticism over her ruling in his favor in Mar-a-Lago search

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The historic federal criminal case against former President Donald Trump has been assigned to a judge he appointed who faced blistering criticism over her decision to grant his request for an independent arbiter to review documents obtained during an FBI search of his Florida estate.A person familiar with the development confirmed Friday that the case was assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a former federal prosecutor who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2020 and sits in Fort Pierce, about an hour’s drive north of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.The indictment makes Trump the first former president in U.S. history to be charged with federal crimes. Trump said he has been ordered to appear in court in Miami on Tuesday.While the indictment remained under seal Friday, two people familiar with the situation, who were not authorized to discuss it publicly by name, said that it included seven criminal charges. Those include willful retention of nati...

Supreme Court mourns former justice Louis LeBel, who served 14 years on highest bench

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada is mourning former justice Louis LeBel after he died Thursday at the age of 83. Former prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed LeBel to the country’s highest bench in 2000, where he served until his retirement in 2014.Lebel received degrees from the Collège des Jésuites in Quebec City, Université Laval and the University of Toronto before being appointed to the Quebec Court of Appeal in 1984.He was considered a leading voice on labour law in Quebec, and his advocacy and writings on worker and union rights continue to be influential.Chief Justice Richard Wagner said in a statement that LeBel was a man of exemplary collegiality and wisdom whose love for Quebec civil law was unparalleled. Wagner said LeBel demonstrated the highest regard for the Supreme Court and his legacy will live on in the decisions he wrote on administrative, labour and international law.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023. The Canadian Press

Blue Jays remove Bass from roster after anti-2SLGBTQ+ video controversy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays announced Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment, one day after the 35-year-old reliever said that while he regretted sharing an anti-2SLGBTQ+ video on social media, he defended the content by citing his religious beliefs.The Blue Jays made the roster move ahead of Friday’s scheduled home game against the Minnesota Twins, coinciding with the start of Pride Weekend festivities at the ballpark.Bass was initially expected to participate in the game’s ceremonial first pitch by joining leZlie Lee Kam, a long-time Pride community activist.Designated for assignment, or DFA, means a player is immediately removed from his club’s 40-man roster. Right-hander Mitch White was reinstated from the injured list and will take Bass’ place on the roster.Toronto now has seven days to either trade Bass or place him on irrevocable outright waivers for the purpose of being released.ROSTER MOVES:???? RHP Mitch White has been reinstated from the 60-day ...

Hickory Hills shooting outside Prime Time Restaurant leaves 2 injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

HICKORY HILLS, Ill. — Police are investigating a shooting early Friday morning in south suburban Hickory Hills.According to authorities, two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting while walking to their vehicles outside of Prime Time Restaurant, located at 7750 West 95th Street.Police said the incident does not appear to be a random act of violence and is believed to be related to an earlier altercation inside the restaurant. Armed robber steals woman’s purse at CVS in Park Ridge No further details have been provided at this time.

Migrants concerned about being moved to new location

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

CHICAGO -- The migrant families say they are very thankful for the support they have received and are asking for stability -- especially for the children."We’re just asking for help; We've been through so much. We came from warfare essentially and we've gone through so much to be able to stay here. from shelter to shelter and school to school," one woman said.Several asylum seekers and their children, speaking through an interpreter this morning, plead for help to be able to stay at the High Ridge YMCA. About 40 families from Venezuela have been here for about a month, and they thought they would be able to stay. They say the kids were welcomed with open arms at neighboring schools and that a summer program was set up for them.  PHOTOS: Highland police search for flower thief Wednesday night the families were told they are being moved to Daley College. Alderman Debra Silverstein said in a statement the city is making room for individuals who are sleeping at police stations. "We a...

Jerry Seinfeld & Jim Gaffigan's tour will make Chicago stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Two well-known comedians are hitting the road for a limited tour - and one of those stops will be in Chicago. Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan will perform a show at the United Center on Friday, November 10 as part of a four-city tour. This is the first time that the comedians will be on tour together, which comes after they were first on screen for a segment on "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" in 2016.Presale tickets for the United Center show will be available on Wednesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. central time on Ticketmaster by using the code "ALIVE. General ticket sales for the show will start on Friday, June 16 at 10 a.m. central time.There will be three other stops on the tour as well.November 3 - San Francisco - Chase CenterNovember 4 - Inglewood, CA - Kia ForumNovember 11 - St. Louis - Enterprise CenterGaffigan, who was born in Elgin and raised in Chesterton, Indiana, has been a prolific stand-up comic and actor since the 1990s. He's also had seven of his comedy albums...

Walt Disney's Donald Duck turns 89

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

(WHTM) – Everyone's favorite short-tempered cartoon duck is celebrating his 89th birthday on Friday.Donald Duck made his very first appearance on June 9, 1934, in the short "The Wise Little Hen." But his second appearance, alongside pal Mickey Mouse in the short "Orphan's Benefit," shows him being a little more temperamental.Animator Dick Lundy was the creator behind most of Donald’s hot-headed personality, according to Britannica. But it was Clarence Nash that gave Donald his signature (and sometimes unintelligible) voice in the early years. Disney fan visits all 12 Disney theme parks in 12 days, rides over 200 attractions Donald, usually seen wearing a sailor suit with a cap and either a black or red bow tie, starred in over 128 animations throughout the 1940s, overtaking appearances by Mickey Mouse. Sometimes, he was seen alongside his girlfriend Daisy, or his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie — all of whom joined him in the late 1930s. But more often than not, he was a little more...

Nate Paul, Austin investor tied to AG Paxton, charged with 8 federal counts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is previous KXAN coverage after Nate Paul's arrest.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Embattled Austin real estate investor Nate Paul – a donor and ally to impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton – has been charged in federal court with eight counts related to making false statements and false reports to mortgage lending companies and credit unions, according to court statements Friday.Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 if convicted, the Department of Justice said in a press release. Gerry Morris, one of Paul’s attorneys, told KXAN that Paul denies all allegations and will be pleading not guilty. Paul was arrested and jailed in Travis County on Thursday on a federal warrant, according to news reports and a spokesperson for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.The alleged violations happened between March 2017 and April 2018, the Department of Justice release stated. Nate Paul, Austin developer at center of K...

Data breach exposes 95,000 Minnesota student files

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:19 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Education says some personal information of 95,000 students was accessed as part of a data breach from a global cyber-security attack.The breach involved computer file transfer software called MOVEit that is used to encrypt and transfer data and is used by companies and government agencies. State officials learned on May 31 the software was vulnerable and had been accessed by an outside group so they moved the same day to protect the files.The state’s investigation found 24 files from the state departments of education and human services were affected. They contained data from children in foster care, the Minneapolis and Perham school districts and Hennepin Technical College.Data from about 95,000 students placed in foster care across the state were accessed including information about demographics, dates of birth and the counties where they are placed.The students affected include 124 in the Perham district who qualified for pandemic electronic ben...