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European gymnastics federation rejects return of athletes from Russia and Belarus to competition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The governing body of gymnastics in Europe voted against allowing Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to return to international competitions, calling into question how they could qualify for next year’s Olympics.The International Gymnastics Federation is allowing Russians and Belarusians to return as “individual neutral athletes” without national symbols from Jan. 1, in line with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations. However, European Gymnastics said its members voted Friday not to comply with that plan.“The General Assembly of European Gymnastics has voted against allowing athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to return to official European Gymnastics competitions from 1 January 2024 onwards, thus not following the FIG decision,” it said in a statement.The FIG told The Associated Press in an emailed statement that it “takes note of the decision” by European Gymnastics.“Although this may have an impact on Olympic qualification through co...

Measures to ban slaughterhouses, fur sales in Denver will be on 2024 ballot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — New measures that could ban slaughterhouses and the sale of fur will be on Denver's 2024 ballot. The City and County of Denver confirmed that as of Nov. 27, the citizen-led initiatives received enough signatures to make it onto the 2024 ballot. Banning slaughterhousesThe ballot measure is known as the Prohibition of Slaughterhouses. Denver leaders seek to change threshold for warming shelters on cold nights In 2024, Denver voters will be asked the following question:"Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?"Prohibition of Slaughterhouses approved ballot questionThe measure was introduced by Pro-Animal Future, a movement that works ...

Former Denver Post building to be sold, turned into city courts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The City of Denver plans to buy the former Denver Post building on Colfax.FOX31 obtained an outline from Denver's Department of Finance that explains the city's agreement to pay $88.5 million for the building, located at 101 W. Colfax Ave. The building is being sold by Kayan, LLC. The city currently owns 50% of the building, or five floors, totaling 144,988 square feet. It has been leasing the space since 2016. Now, the city wants to acquire the entire building to meet future space needs. According to the city, the building would house district, county, probate and juvenile courts. It also plans to use the building to give dedicated space to nonprofits and judicial advocate services.Currently, the courts have been housed in undesignated spaces in other city buildings. Mayor’s office to close 2 more homeless encampments, move hundreds indoors By 2040, the city expects to need approximately 280,000 square feet to accommodate court staff.The city said the former Denv...

Northglenn police catch driver going 63 mph in school zone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Northglenn police are urging drivers to slow down, especially in school zones, after officers cited a driver for going 40 mph over the speed limit.On Thursday, the Northglenn Police Department tweeted a simple message in all caps, "SLOW DOWN!"According to the tweet, officers cited two separate drivers for excessive speeds. Truck kills man in wheelchair crossing busy Denver intersection In one photo, Northglenn officers cited a driver for going 63 mph in a school zone that had a speed limit of 20 mph.In another photo, police cited a driver going 81 mph in a 25 mph zone. Most school zone speed limits range from a minimum of 20 mph during school hours, which is usually around 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.According to the Colorado General Assembly, drivers can be fined between $35-$200 for speeding between 1-24 mph over the speed limit.However, in both these cases, the driver could be given jail time. Police investigating ‘likely homicide’ in Commerce City The Colorado General A...

Passenger describes calm response as Portugal-bound flight turns back mid-air due to cracked windshield

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

A TAP Air Portugal flight from Miami to Europe faced a mid-air scare compelling it to return to Miami International Airport after a cracked windshield was discovered. Kathleen Leach, one of the passengers, shared her experience, emphasizing the calm demeanor of the flight crew during the incident.Leach recalled the moment when, mid-air near Bermuda, an announcement informed passengers of the decision to turn around due to the cracked windshield. “I kept an eye on the flight attendants. They were not stressed or anything. They were very calm and kept everyone calm, so that made me feel good,” said Leach.Videos from 7SkyForce showed the cracked windshield in the cockpit. While the turnaround caused inconvenience for passengers, many expressed relief that the incident was not any worse.Passengers, including Leach, have been rebooked on a subsequent flight scheduled for 4:40 p.m. on Friday. The airline aims for a smooth departure without further complications.

Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions Friday of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police.Smollett, who appeared in the TV show “Empire,” challenged the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence and many other aspects of the case. But all were turned aside in a 2-1 opinion from the Illinois Appellate Court.Smollett had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men wearing ski masks. The manhunt for the attackers soon turned into an investigation of Smollett himself, leading to his arrest on charges he had orchestrated the attack.Authorities said he paid two men whom he knew from work on “Empire.”A jury convicted Smollett in 2021 on five felony counts of disorderly conduct, a charge that can be filed in Illinois when a person lies to police.He now will have to finish a 150-day stint in jail that was part of hi...

PREVIEW: Chargers and Herbert stumble into New England to find a Patriots team with even more problems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — At least the Los Angeles Chargers don’t have to worry about who should play quarterback.The New England Patriots are still trying to figure out who’ll be the starting signal caller Sunday against Justin Herbert and the Chargers. And they’re hoping it’s the same guy who finishes the game.In each of the last two games – and four times this season – 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones has been pulled in favor of backup Bailey Zappe. Zappe was a bit better in the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants last week, but he also threw loss-clinching interceptions in back-to-back games. The Patriots (2-9) also have Will Grier hanging around, and rookie Malik Cunningham on the practice squad.“They’re trying to get the best guy out there for their team,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said. “We just need to be ready for whatever they come with.”New England coach Bill Belichick said he won’t announce a starter in advance, maintaining the secretive approach he r...

State trooper who fatally shot man at New Hampshire Hospital likely prevented more injuries, attorney general says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire state trooper who fatally shot a man at a psychiatric hospital shortly after the man killed a security guard likely prevented further injuries or deaths, the attorney general said.The trooper, identified in a news release Thursday as Nathan Sleight, fired at John Madore on Nov. 17 after Madore fatally shot Bradley Haas, a state Department of Safety security officer who was working at the New Hampshire Hospital’s front entrance. Madore was a former patient at the Concord hospital.Attorney General John Formella said that while his office will follow its normal protocol for uses of deadly force by officers and conduct a complete investigation, the evidence so far indicates Sleight’s actions “were legally justified” under state law, “and very likely prevented further injuries or loss of life.”Sleight has about 11 years of law enforcement experience, Formella said. It wasn’t immediately known if he is on leave or back...

New England’s decades-old shrimp fishery, a victim of climate change, to remain closed indefinitely

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — New England’s long-shuttered shrimp business, which fell victim to warming waters, will remain in a fishing moratorium indefinitely, fishery regulators ruled on Friday.The shrimping business was based mostly in Maine and produced small, pink shrimp that were a winter delicacy in New England and across the country. The industry has been in a moratorium since 2013 in large part because environmental conditions off New England are unfavorable for the cold water-loving shrimp.That moratorium will remain in effect with no firm end date, a board of the regulatory Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted Friday. The board stopped short of calling the move a permanent moratorium because it included a provision to continue monitoring the shrimp population and consider reopening the fishery if the crustaceans approach a healthy level.But it was clear board members saw little chance of a future for a fishery that once provided a beloved seafood i...

Bruins notebook: Matt Poitras to relish homecoming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:57 GMT

Not only is Matt Poitras precocious as a hockey player, he has displayed an even-keeled maturity for a 19-year-old kid.But it might be hard for the Bruins rookie not to be wowed by the moment on Saturday night when he goes back to his native Toronto area to play the Maple Leafs in his first foray into Scotiabank Arena.Poitras’ smile was pretty wide when he was talking about his homecoming at Warrior Ice Arena before heading out for the flight.“It’s pretty surreal just to think last year during Christmas break, me and my Dad went to watch a game there and now I’m going to be playing there. It’s pretty crazy,” said Poitras on Friday.“It’s going to be pretty cool to take it all in in warmup. But when the puck drops, I’ll just dial it in and play it like any other game.”As confident as the young centerman is that he won’t be unnerved by the moment, coach Jim Montgomery is as well. Poitras is coming off one of his better games this year. He came ...