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Concealed carry bill passes Florida House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

The controversial concealed carry bill has passed in the Florida House.House Bill 543 would allow people to carry concealed firearms without obtaining a gun permit — and without any training.The legislation passed 76-32.A similar version of the bill is now up for debate and a vote in the State Senate. The bill does not allow for open carry, a major point of contention among pro-gun advocacy groups.

US charges suspected Russian spy who allegedly used fake identity to enter US, gather info from American citizens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

(CNN) — The Justice Department announced charges Friday against a Russian national who allegedly entered the United States under a fake identity and gathered information from American citizens about the then-looming Russian invasion of Ukraine.For years, Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, a 37-year-old agent of a Russian intelligence service, operated under the alias Victor Muller Ferreira, prosecutors said. Cherkasov allegedly established the alias in Brazil, where he pretended to be the son of a deceased Brazilian national, before moving to the US in 2018 under the guise of attending graduate school in Washington, DC, the Justice Department said.CNN previously reported that “Muller” had been well-liked by his classmates in the US, but that his accent had caught some of their attention.While in US, Cherkasov, under the alias, allegedly connected with a State Department employee, someone who worked on Capitol Hill, an Israel expert, a United States Naval Academy profe...

Crews battle large fire involving multiple homes in Scituate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

Officials said at least five homes were involved in a large fire that burned in Scituate Friday night.Many of the flames had been knocked down as of around 9:30 p.m. Still, heavy smoke remained as firefighters from multiple area communities continued to work on scene on Glades Road near Minot Beach. In an update at the scene, fire officials said they first received a call about the fire shortly before 8 p.m. Officials said crews soon arrived to find three buildings already in flames. Officials described efforts to contain the fire as wind whipped through the area. Still, fire eventually spread to two additional homes. At least three homes were considered total loses, officials said, while the other two structures suffered significant damage.More than 60 firefighters were involved in the fire response.There were no reported injuries as of around 10 p.m.In a statement Friday night, Scituate police asked anyone not immediately affected by the fire to stay away from the area. Residents,...

Jayson Tatum’s 34 power Celtics in 120-95 blowout of Indiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

Hours before Friday night’s tip-off, a tailor-made trap game if there ever was one for the road weary Celtics, Joe Mazzulla pinpointed the single greatest danger in facing the lottery-bound Pacers.Tempo.A young and aggressive bunch, the Pacers lead the NBA in fast-break points. They push opponents through their speed and athleticism, traits best captured by all-star guard Tyrese Haliburton, whose return from injury Friday coincided with the C’s return from a long six-game road trip.So before they let the Pacers rev their engines, the Celtics beat them at their own game.Jayson Tatum poured in 34 points and the Celtics doubled Indiana in fast-break points over a 120-95 win at TD Garden. Jaylen Brown added 27 points and seven rebounds, and Derrick White had 22 points and nine assists. Boston outscored the Pacers by 20 in the second half, as White and Marcus Smart totaled 14 assists between then.“We all know when Smart has the ball, keep your head on a swivel, run, and...

New affordable housing opens in South Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A grand opening ceremony was held Friday for a new affordable housing complex in the Chula Vista area, officials said.Casa Anita, a 96-unit property developed by local nonprofit Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, ranges from $530 to $1920 per month, the company stated in a press release. The prices are structured for residents to pay roughly 30% of their income toward rent, "freeing up their household budgets to pay for other essentials like healthcare, food and transportation."“Wakeland designed Casa Anita to serve a truly broad range of people who need affordable housing – from low-income working families to individuals and families with children who have experienced homelessness,” said Rebecca Louie, the president and CEO of Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. “High housing costs and homelessness are such pervasive issues in our communities right now, and we are so proud to be a part of the solution in Chula Vista.”Casa Anita, a new aff...

8 injured in smoky blast at Pennsylvania chocolate factory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — Firefighters battled a blaze in Pennsylvania Friday after an explosion at a chocolate factory injured eight people and sent a plume of black smoke into the air above West Reading.Berks County fire crews remained on the scene at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant Friday night about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. But few other details have been released.Tower Health spokeswoman Jessica Bezler said eight people were taken to Reading Hospital Friday evening. Two were admitted in fair condition and five were being treated and would be released, she said in an email to The Associated Press. She said one patient was transferred to another facility, but provided no other details.The explosion occurred shortly before 5 p.m. in a building at the plant at Second Avenue and Cherry Street. Debris covered roads in the area, NBC10 in Philadelphia first reported.Reading Hospital is among several hospitals in Tower Health’s regional healthcare network, its websit...

Community supporting man injured after driver crashes into Crystal Lake restaurant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The family of a man hit by a driver while inside a Crystal Lake restaurant said he suffered the most severe injuries with a broken leg.It happened Thursday at the Buffalo Wings and Rings, which was closed Friday and boarded up. 4 hospitalized after car crashes into Crystal Lake restaurant Danae Zaitz said she and her husband, Mike, went to the Buffalo Wings and Rings for an early dinner.It was around 5:30 p.m. when the hostess was about to seat them."We started to walk past the booths and all of a sudden we turn and we see this car come barreling through the windows and then like the whole world stopped," Danae said.Crystal Lake police said the driver of a Nissan Altima was parking the car when he drove over the sidewalk and went barreling into the building."I felt a shove, he shoved me out of the way so I like skipped," Danae said. "He pushed me and I turned around and he wasn't there."Danae said her husband of 22 years saved her life and nearly sacrificed h...

Winter Storm Warning issued for Lake, McHenry and Kane counties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

We may have had the first day of Spring but winter weather isn't over yet.A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Lake, McHenry and Kane counties starting at 4 a.m. Saturday and lasting through 1 p.m. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Strong winds and Heavy snow is expected with accumulations of 5 to 8 inches.Latest warnings and watches from the National Weather Service.A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Kane and Cook counties from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accumulations of 2 to 4 inches is possible. Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

Paul Lisnek on Chicago's mayoral race, Trump

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

CHICAGO — WGN Political Analyst talked about the latest endorsements and news in the Chicago mayoral election.He also talked about the latest news involving former President Donald Trump.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesWatch the video in the player above for the latest news.

Florida lawmaker appears to get trolled with fake names during hearing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:59 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida state representative was tricked into reading several raunchy fake names during a House Civil Justice Subcommittee hearing on Monday.Republican Chairman Will Robinson was holding the public testimony portion of fellow GOP state Rep. Tiffany Esposito’s bill on residential tenancies when he began to read off the names of citizens who were opposed to the bill. Massive seaweed blob begins to wash up in South Florida Seemingly without notice, Robinson began reading off the provocative names."Anita D---," Robinson said, pausing to scan the room as the woman next to him covered a grin, "is an opponent."Republican Chairman Will Robinson (The Florida Channel)"Holden His---- is also an opponent," he continued, again scanning the room for an opponent. "Waives in opposition."The lighthearted gaffe was quick to circulate on social media where some wondered if the gag would remain in court records for the rest of time."This is forever in the Florida records, right...