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Joran van der Sloot details how he killed Natalee Holloway in new testimony

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Natalee Holloway died on a beach in Aruba after being hit in the head with a cinderblock by Joran van der Sloot, the suspect in her killing detailed in new court documents. On Wednesday, van der Sloot pleaded guilty to wire fraud and extortion in a case involving Holloway's family. The 36-year-old Dutch man is not charged in Holloway's death, but admitted to killing her as part of the plea deal for those other crimes. Holloway went missing during a high school graduation trip with classmates. She was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot. He was questioned in the disappearance but was never prosecuted. A judge declared Holloway dead, but her body has never been found.As part of his plea, van der Sloot took part in a polygraph test where he discussed what happened to Holloway in the early morning hours of May 30, 2005.In the testimony, a transcript of which was released Wednesday, van der Sloot said he and Holloway were walking along the beach...

Pritzker takes abortion fight national with dark-money group

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is taking his abortion-rights advocacy nationwide, introducing on Wednesday a political organization to fund similar efforts outside Illinois, a state that legalized abortion by statute even before the Supreme Court invalidated the right to undergo the procedure.Think Big America has already funded support for constitutional amendments favoring abortion access in Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. Fourteen states now ban abortion and debate elsewhere rages since the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2022 decision to upend the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade opinion that legalized abortion."My commitment to protecting and expanding reproductive rights has been lifelong,” Pritzker, who has often recalled attending abortion-rights rallies with his mother as a child, said in a prepared statement. “Think Big America is dedicated to ensuring the fundamental right of reproductive choice for individuals everywhere — regardless of their state of residence, religio...

Tropical Storm Tammy forms in Atlantic, NHC says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Tammy has formed in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center. The NHC will begin issuing advisories on the tropical storm beginning at 5 p.m.As of 2 p.m. ET, the disturbance was located about 700 miles east of the Windward Islands, moving toward the Lesser Antilles. This is a developing story.

Trump told to quiet down during New York civil fraud trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

(The Hill) - A New York judge asked former President Trump to pipe down after he grew animated while a witness testified against him in his civil fraud trial. Judge Arthur Engoron issued the warning after Trump threw his hands up in frustration and conferred with his lawyers during real estate appraiser Doug Larson's second day of testimony, according to The Associated Press.Kevin Wallace, a lawyer with the state attorney general's office, requested that Engoron ask the defense to “stop commenting during the witness’s testimony,” noting that Trump's comments were audible on the witness side of the room. Engoron then asked everyone to keep their voices down, “particularly if it’s meant to influence the testimony," the AP reported.The admonition came during Trump's second bout attending his sprawling fraud trial in person. He was also in attendance for the start of the trial earlier this month, where his frustration similarly dictated the proceedings. What is a gag order — and what ...

Paxton impeachment defense lawyer to launch bid for Texas House

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As acquitted-Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks political revenge against the Republican representatives who voted to impeach him, one of his lead lawyers in the Senate impeachment trial is setting the stage to run for office in the lower chamber. On Tuesday, Paxton impeachment lawyer Mitch Little filed a campaign treasurer appointment for House District 65 — officially allowing him to start fundraising as a candidate. Freshman Rep. Kronda Thimesch, R-Lewisville, currently holds the seat north of Dallas and Fort Worth.Thimesch was one of the 121 members who voted to impeach Paxton in May. Notably, Little was formerly on Thimesch's team as her campaign treasurer but resigned from the position in August before the Senate trial began. Since his acquittal, Paxton has targeted his new Republican foes in the House in an effort to get revent for their vote to impeach him. The attorney general has vowed to back primary opponents to the 60 House Republicans who voted agains...

Eights dogs found in Cottage Grove died outside city, officials say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

Eight dogs found along the side of a road Sunday in a rural part of Cottage Grove are believed to have been brought into the city for disposal after having died from an illness elsewhere, police said Wednesday.The dogs, all of a smaller variety, likely all died around the same time, said Dan Schoen, community-engagement officer for the Cottage Grove Police Department.The bodies of the dogs were found Sunday afternoon in the tree line along Grey Cloud Island Drive near Grey Cloud Island Trail. The dogs included a Schnauzer and other similar-sized white dogs, which could be a terrier breed, Schoen said.Police received a tip from someone with knowledge of the dogs’ deaths that led to officers executing a search warrant Tuesday on the house of an 38-year-old man in Cottage Grove. The man admitted to dumping the dogs, but he had not been arrested or charged with any crime as of Wednesday afternoon, Schoen said.“We don’t believe that he had anything to do with harming or killing the...

Record-setting Gopher safeties reflect on what makes Tyler Nubin special

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

Jeff Wright and Sean Lumpkin each marvel at how long their career interception record has stood with the Gophers. The native Minnesotans know exactly how many years their totals have been printed in the record book; they also understand their standing might not add another year.Wright’s 12 picks have been at the top of Minnesota’s career list for 53 years, since the Edina native went from the U to the Vikings after the 1970 season.During Lumpkin’s senior season at the U in 1991, the Benilde-St. Margaret’s graduate was told he was closing in on Wright’s record. He then caught his 12th pick that fall, a year before he went to the New Orleans Saints, and his name has stood next to Wright’s for 32 seasons.But Tyler Nubin is lurking — just like the current U safety does to opposing quarterbacks. The St. Charles, Ill., native has 11 career interceptions, with half of his senior season remaining and the NFL awaiting.“That’s not what I’m worried about, honestly,” Nubin said Wednesday of the...

Maplewood library debuting renovations next month

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

Maplewood library is preparing to reopen its doors next month after closing nearly a year ago for renovations.The remodeled library will open on Nov. 4 with new furniture, improved lighting, spaces designed for kids and teenagers, and more study and meeting spaces. Additionally, the project also addressed problems impacting library visitors such as acoustics and sightlines, as well as better use of the building’s main lobby.The library’s return box has been operating out of a temporary location in Maplewood Mall since January, and book requests have been routed to other local libraries, according to Ramsey County Library.The renovation project began in 2018 with community engagement on how best to reconfigure the Maplewood library. According to officials, aside from necessary upgrades due to “wear and tear,” the project was necessary to modernize the 16-year-old library.Now, the building’s 144,000 annual visitors will have a new space in the community t...

Joe Gothard named MN Superintendent of the Year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

St. Paul Public School’s superintendent has been named the 2024 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.Superintendent Joe Gothard (Courtesy of St. Paul Public Schools)Joe Gothard, who has been with St. Paul Public Schools since 2017, will be eligible for the national honor. That will be announced at the American Association of School Administrators National Conference on Education in February.A panel of representatives from a several Minnesota education groups chose Gothard for the state award. Nominees are evaluated on leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.“Dr. Gothard’s selection as the 2024 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence in education and his exceptional leadership in our state’s educational community,” said MASA Executive Director Dr. Deb Henton in a statement. “His innovative leadership and dedication to ...

Jury convicts Cohoes man of sexual assault of a child

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, a jury convicted Douglas Eckler, 29, of predatory sexual assault against a child. Eckler faces 25 years to life in state prison. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, Eckler sexually abused a child under 13. The sexual abuse reportedly happened between the Spring of 2020 and February 28, 2023. The victim was known to the defendant.Sentencing is scheduled for December 8. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ariel Fallon and Criminal Law Associate Jacob Sheingold.