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Doomsday plot: Idaho jury convicts Lori Vallow Daybell of murdering 2 children, romantic rival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho jury on Friday convicted Lori Vallow Daybell of murder in the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival, a verdict that marks the end of a three-year investigation that included bizarre claims of zombie children, apocalyptic prophesies and illicit affairs.Vallow Daybell, who wore a simple black dress, showed no expression as the verdict was read. Some in the courtroom gallery wiped tears from their eyes.Prosecutors in the case described Vallow Daybell as a power-hungry manipulator who would kill her two youngest children for money, while the defense team said she was normally protective mother who fell under the romantic sway of a wannabe cult leader.Jurors heard both stories Thursday during final arguments in the seven-week long trial, and deliberated for about four hours before breaking for the evening. They resumed deliberations Friday morning and reached a verdict, which was announced shortly after noon.Vallow Daybell was convicted of ...

First Nation did not prove Aboriginal title for entire claim area: B.C. Supreme Court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruling on a First Nations land title lawsuit says it did not prove it had rights to its entire claim area, although he suggested it may be time for the provincial government to rethink its current test for such titles. The Nuchatlaht First Nation, a community on Vancouver Island’s northwest coast, wanted title over an area of Crown land that included a portion of Nootka Island and much of the surrounding coastline.Justice Elliott Myers said in his decision issued Thursday that there “may be areas” the nation can establish in its claim, but if it wants to do that another hearing would be required.“I stress that I am not prejudging any of the issues or whether a pleading amendment would be necessary,” he said in the decision. “I am merely leaving it open to the plaintiff to come back before me to canvass these issues should it wish to do so.”He’s given the nation 14 days to decide if it ...

Historically Black medical schools urge more spending in hearing with Bernie Sanders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — To train more Black doctors, the federal government needs to bolster funding and make more training slots available for historically Black medical schools, leaders of those universities told U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday.“Our HBCU medical schools are the backbone of training Black doctors in this country.” Dr. Hugh Mighty, Howard University’s senior vice president of health affairs, said at a hearing in Atlanta.Students, meanwhile, told the independent senator from Vermont who chairs the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that the heavy debt many aspiring physicians pile up is particularly discouraging to nonwhite students, whose families are less likely to be able to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition and fees.“The greatest barrier to entry for burgeoning Black physicians is the immense and seemingly insurmountable financial risk waiting to shackle all those who pass through the gates of medical education,” Dr. Samuel Cook, a Mor...

Early heat wave in Pacific Northwest could break records

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An early May heat wave this weekend could surpass daily records in parts of the Pacific Northwest and worsen wildfires already burning in western Canada, a historically temperate region that has grappled with scorching summer temperatures and unprecedented wildfires fueled by climate change in recent years.“We’re looking at record-breaking temperatures,” said Miles Higa, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Portland office, describing the warmth as “unusual for this time of year.”The unseasonal high temperatures could further fuel the dozens of fires burning in Canada’s western Alberta province, where officials have ordered evacuations and declared a state of emergency. Residents and officials in the Northwest have been trying to adjust to the likely reality of longer, hotter heat waves following the deadly “ heat dome ” weather phenomenon in 2021 that prompted record temperatures and deaths across the region.The National Weather Service issued...

West Virginia officer will not face charges for striking, killing 13-year-old with cruiser off-duty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

CHARLESTON W.Va. (AP) — An off-duty deputy sheriff in West Virginia who struck and killed a 13-year-old girl with his police cruiser last year will not face criminal charges in her death, according to the county prosecutor investigating the case.Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia determined the “tragic loss” of 13-year-old Jacqueline “Laney” Hudson in December 2022 was a “direct result” of erratic behavior caused by her being under the influence of alcohol and drugs, according to a Thursday letter clearing former Cabell County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeffrey Racer of negligence in her death.That “severely affected her judgement and ability to make rational decisions, and subsequently led to her running in front of the car,” he wrote. But the family’s lawyer Tyler Haslam said they still have questions that need answering, particularly how fast Racer was driving off-duty in a marked police car when Hudson died. A state police accident reconstruction expert could not precisely ...

Whitecaps whistleblower says sports abuse registry, federal measures not enough

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

The woman who blew the whistle on abuse within the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada women’s soccer programs says the creation of a federal registry of people banned from amateur sport only amounts to a band-aid solution.Ciara McCormack says the government has also failed to properly consult those directly affected by abuse on the plan.“They didn’t really include the whistleblowers and survivors, per se, in the conversation, which I think is important, obviously, because I feel like we’ve been at the heart of the issue,” she told CityNews.“I think, just on a logical level, to solve a problem, it’s really important to include people in the discussion that have been in the trenches of the situation.”McCormack, who was the first to go public with abuse allegations against former coach Bob Birarda, was among the athletes who spoke before a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa last month, pushing for a national inquiry into the ab...

Forced from Grand Canyon National Park, the Havasupai Tribe embraces spiritual homecoming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Carletta Tilousi hit the trail as the sun rose, the light revealing a grouping of cottonwood and ash trees deep in the Grand Canyon. Birds soared above and reptiles scampered across the rocks as the canyon walls grew taller and taller behind her. This was home, yet she rarely had been there over the years.“I can’t believe how far I’ve come, it’s amazing,” she said about halfway through the 4.5-mile hike over steep, rocky terrain. “I can’t believe my ancestors used to do this all the time.”Tilousi’s journey marked a pivotal moment in the Havasupai Tribe’s relationship with the U.S. government nearly a century after the last tribal member was forcibly removed from what’s now Grand Canyon National Park — one of the biggest tourist draws in the world. They recently partnered on events marking the rededication of a popular campground in the inner canyon from Indian Garden to Havasupai Gardens or “Ha’...

Displaced Ukrainians flock to Eurovision contest, but Zelenskyy can’t address ‘nonpolitical’ event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — This weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in a city brimming with Ukrainian flags, Ukrainian food, Ukrainian musicians and Ukrainian fans: Liverpool.The English port city that gave the world The Beatles is using the contest to offer displaced Ukrainians a taste of home —- free from war, and glittering with sequins and sparkle.Britain is hosting the glitzy pan-continental music competition for the first time in 25 years after stepping in to hold it on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine. Organizers have vowed to make the event a celebration of Ukrainian spirit and culture.“I want all life to be like this – whole life Eurovision village, and whole life Eurovision celebration,” said Daryna Borodaikevych, 29, one of more than 200,000 Ukrainians who have moved to Britain since Russia invaded its neighbor almost 15 months ago.“Whole life united by music,” she added, echoing the motto of this year’s Eurovision competition.The contest’s live fi...

Pittsburgh Jewish community monitoring hate speech amid trial of suspect in synagogue massacre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The head of security for Pittsburgh’s Jewish community says there has been an “uptick in hate speech” on the internet, but no specific threats, in the early stages of the trial of the man accused of killing 11 worshippers at a synagogue here in 2018.And Jewish leaders say that while the trial is bringing out the worst of extremists in some dark corners of the web, it’s also brought an outpouring of support from the community — ranging from law enforcement agencies helping with security to local food vendors collaborating to bring meals to victims’ families during the trial.Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said officials have monitored “general chatter in support of the defendant … and his hateful vitriol” on the internet. The materials “would turn anyone’s stomach,” she said.Brokos and others spoke Friday at a news conference at the federation’s offices to talk about ho...

Review: Jonas Brothers’ ‘The Album’ is a summer hit for incurable romantics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:48:25 GMT

“The Album” by Jonas Brothers (Republic Records)If, like many of us, you got burned trying to get tickets to the Jonas Brothers recent tour, their latest work “The Album” is a sweet consolation to keep your mind off it.The Jonas Brothers are all about love in their latest project. Married with kids, every lyric hides a nudge to their homes. And while their music is focused on that familiar tender feeling, the experimentation into new genres makes it more special and fresh.From the get-go with the track “Miracle” we are introduced by a sexy groove with show stopping high- pitched verses, while keeping that carefree vibe they are known for.Even romantic ballads gain extra spice, such as “Vacation Eyes,” a track with great potential to be a first dance tune at weddings for the new generation. “I got vacation eyes, I’m gonna have them for the rest of my life.” The upbeat drums and the use of a chromatic harmonica elevate the song, making it more engaging and amusing — a jollificat...