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Toyota recalls nearly 1.9M RAV4s to fix batteries that can move during hard turns and cause a fire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Toyota said Wednesday it is recalling nearly 1.9 million RAV4 small SUVs in the U.S. to fix a problem with batteries that can move during forceful turns and potentially cause a fire.The recall covers certain RAV4s from the 2013 through 2018 model years. Toyota said in a statement that some replacement 12-volt batteries used in the SUVs have smaller top dimensions than others. If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, the company said.Toyota said it is still preparing a fix. When the remedy is ready, dealers will replace the hold-down clamp, battery tray and positive terminal cover with improved ones. The company said it will notify owners by late December.Toyota not say in its statement whether the problem has caused any fires or injuries. A message was left seeking comment from a company spokesman.Owners can check to see if their RAV4s are involved by going to www.n...

Connecticut man gets 90 years in prison for stray-bullet killing of Olympian’s mom

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man was sentenced Wednesday to 90 years in prison for his role in the stray-bullet killing of the mother of a two-time Olympian rifle shooter from Puerto Rico.Judge Brian Preleski handed down the sentence to Franklin Robinson, 40, one of three men charged in the death of Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi, 56. The woman was sewing in her home in Waterbury, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Hartford, when a bullet flew through a wall and hit her in the head on April 9, 2022.Martinez Antongiorgi’s daughter, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, competed for the family’s native Puerto Rico at the 2016 and pandemic-delayed 2020 Games. The athlete was in Brazil for another competition when her mother was killed.A jury convicted Robinson of murder and other charges in July. The two other men are awaiting trial.Donald Meehan, Robinson’s public defender, decried the sentence as a “severe trial tax,” levied on his client because he did not accept a plea offe...

Britney Spears’ memoir a million seller after just one week since its release

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Britney Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me” has sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. alone through its first week.“I poured my heart and soul into my memoir, and I am grateful to my fans and readers around the world for their unwavering support,” Spears said in a statement released Wednesday by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.The sales figures include pre-orders, print sales, e-books and audiobooks. “The Woman in Me,” released Oct. 24, has been praised by critics as a compelling account of her rise to global fame and her ongoing struggles, notably the conservatorship that for years granted her father control of much of her life. The singer’s highly-anticipated book, for which she did little publicity beyond posts on her Instagram page, was the top seller of last week. But it’s not the year’s fastest seller. Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare,” which came out in January, sold 1.6 million U.S. copies in its first week. The au...

US Marshals releases its first report on shootings by officers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Marshals have for the first time released data on how many people were shot by their officers or other police working with them.A total of 147 people were shot over the course of three years, from 2019 to 2021, according to the report released by the agency this week. Almost all of those happened as the federal agency tasked with fugitive searches arrested people on warrants, including for crimes like assault and homicide. The total includes shootings that killed people and those that left people injured. It’s a step toward transparency for federal law enforcement, and comes at a time when data about police shootings remains scarce, years into a national reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice. Experts say detailed data is essential to tackling the issue, but comprehensive information for the U.S. is still lacking. U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis ordered the review last year, saying it reflects the seriousness of shots fired ...

New Jersey governor spent $12K on stadium events, including a Taylor Swift concert

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tapped into a taxpayer-financed expense account for nearly $12,000 at MetLife Stadium, including almost $1,000 for a Taylor Swift concert in 2018.Murphy has asked the Democratic State Committee to reimburse the state for the purchases, the Politico first reported. The news agency cited records showing the Democratic governor spent the money on snacks and beverages at several events in 2018 and 2019 including the Swift concert, sporting events and a music festival presented by a New York City radio station.A Murphy spokesperson said the Democratic State Committee was expected to cover the stadium costs. When it did not, the bill was paid through the governor’s $95,000 annual expense account.“Once it was clear that there were outstanding bills that had not been paid, the state stepped up to meet this responsibility,” Jennifer Sciortino said, adding that the committee had a different leadership team in place at the time and the charges i...

Skilling: November starts off cold, but high 50s may come around this weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

November 2023, historically Chicago fastest cooling month and a month in which days continue to shorten---we'll see another 59 minutes of daylight disappear by month's end---OPENED ON A COLD NOTE Wednesday morning.The low temps of 29 at O'Hare and 28 at Midway were the coldest of the Fall 2023 season and the chilliest morning lows in the more than 7 months since a 27-deg low back on March 30th last spring.Final Halloween and Tuesday night snowfall cames to 0.9" O'Hare, 0.7" at the NWS Forecast Office in Romeoville and 0.3" at Midway.  As much as 4.5" fell near Valparaiso, IN.  The 0.9" tally at O'Hare marked only the third time measurable snow has fallen on a Halloween in the city and was the 2nd heaviest Halloween snow in Chicago (the heaviest being the 3.4" which fell on Halloween 2019---4 years ago. Tom Skilling announces retirement 1-2" amounts were common across the Chicago metro area outside the city including 2" at McHenry and 1.9" at Algonquin and Hoffman Estates in Illino...

Bob Knight, legendary college b-ball coach, dead at 83

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Former Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball head coach Bob Knight passed away at the age of 83 Wednesday, according to the Knight Legacy.A press release from the family organization said Knight passed away in his Bloomington home surrounded by family."It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family.  We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored.  We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend."Knight LegacyKnight was a three time national champion as head coach at Indiana, where he collected 659 of his career 902 wins, which currently stands sixth all-time across the history of DI college basketball, behind former protégé Mike Krzyzewski (1,202), Jim Boeheim (1,015), Bob Huggins (935), and J...

City Council vote on migrant shelter in Morgan Park temporarily shelved

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Shelter for migrants and people without homes was again a hotly-contested topic at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his City Hall allies suffered a setback as members remain divided over the purchase of an abandoned South Side property. A vacant Jewel Osco store and parking lot, located at 115th and Halstead, is likely the relocation destination for a migrant tent camp in the West Pullman neighborhood. While the housing committee agreed Monday to accept the property, an expected vote by the full City Council derailed Wednesday. Now, some council members are calling for a special vote on Thursday regarding a possible referendum on Chicago's status as a Sanctuary City.    Mayor Johnson, 4 big city mayors seek a meeting with Biden about how to better manage arriving migrants "We are still a city without a plan," said Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward).Southside 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale led the charge amid pushback on a Morgan Park shelt...

Five Chicago Bears held out of Wednesday practice

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Five Chicago Bears were held out of practice with injuries today ahead of their week 9 NFL matchup at the New Orleans Saints.According to a press release from the team, safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion), guard Nate Davis (ankle), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (knee), quarterback Justin Fields (right thumb) and cornerback Terell Smith (illness) did not practice Wednesday. How does Jaylon Johnson feel about not being traded by the Bears? Offensive tackle Braxton Jones (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday practice, while safety Eddie Jackson (foot) and center Lucas Patrick (back) were both full participants without any limitations.The Bears kickoff in New Orleans against the Saints Sunday at noon CT.

Gov. Pritzker expands utility assistance for low-income homes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD)-- Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the expansion of utility bill assistance on Wednesday.A news release from Gov. Pritzker states that income-eligible homes that are disconnected or on the verge of being disconnected from utilities can apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assitance Program here.“With temperatures dropping and the winter season just weeks away, my administration is ensuring that every family has the assistance they need to keep the lights and the heat on,” Pritzker said. Peoria finds a way: Jurassic Quest is coming to the Civic Center He continued, “With DCEO’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, we are providing utility bill support to thousands of income-eligible families—and I urge those who are disconnected or facing imminent disconnection to apply. Here in Illinois, we look out for our neighbors, and that’s exactly what LIHEAP is all about.”A tiered application system will be used...