DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Traffic Engineer John Davis has a vision to make Des Moines' streets safer. His plan would be to check the current speed limit on city streets to see if it's appropriate for the conditions. "We get requests for speeding traffic, or people are speeding in my neighborhood," said Davis. "We're looking to try to make sure that the speed limits are appropriate for the conditions. The land uses, the amount of traffic, the pedestrian movements." The idea is a concept at this point. The City does not have the budget to tackle this project yet. Davis said the City isn't even talking about hiring consulting help until they have the funds. He would look at lowering the speed limits on some streets to decrease the amount of bad crashes. "Speed is the element of a crash that causes the most severity, so the higher the speeds, the more severe the crash," said Davis. "So, what we're trying to do is, bottom line, is save peoples' lives." One of Iowa's oldest public libraries is seeing record checkout numbers Davis said the speed limit is not the main factor in determining how long it takes to get to your destination. "Most people will find that the delay that they might have in their way is not necessarily how fast that they go to the speed limit or above the speed limit, it's the delay they might incur at a traffic signal or a railroad crossing," he said. The bottom line is he's looking for roads where the speed is too high, and maybe unsafe. "I think the biggest thing we're trying to do is to save peoples' lives," said Davis. "Slowing people down is the first thing really, regardless of whether we change speed limits or not, is to drive what the speed limit is now." Latest Metro News:</h2> Speed limits in Des Moines could change to make streets safer </li> MercyOne launches statewide Maternal Transport Team to combat OB shortage </li> Investigation underway after Ankeny Chamber of Commerce audit shows financial irregularities </li> Des Moines Airport announces 2 new non-stop destinations on East Coast </li> DMACC students turn surgical wraps into sleeping mats for homeless community </li>

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Traffic Engineer John Davis has a vision to make Des Moines’ streets safer. His plan would be to check the current speed limit on city streets to see if it’s appropriate for the conditions. “We get requests for speeding traffic, or people are speeding in my neighborhood,” […]

Speed limits in Des Moines could change to make streets safer

(Bloomberg) - The US will provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to blunt the advance of Russian troops, an official familiar with the decision said, the latest effort by the Biden administration to bolster support for Kyiv ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Most Read from Bloomberg Paris to Replace Parking Spaces With Trees </li> New York's Transit Agency Approves $9 Congestion Toll </li> Trump Promises Could Have Seismic Impact on Washington Economy </li> NY Congestion Pricing Survived a Pause. Here's What Could Kill It </li> In Cleveland, a Forgotten Streetcar Bridge Gets a Long-Awaited Lift </li> The mines the US will send to Ukraine are "non-persistent," becoming inert after a pre-set period that can last from a few hours to two weeks, according to the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss the policy. The decision, reported earlier by the Washington Post, came about after President Joe Biden dropped his long-standing opposition to long-range strikes on Russia with the American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS. Washington's shift on missile strikes came about after North Korean troops arrived to support Russian forces on the battlefield. Earlier: Russia's War Against Ukraine Enters a Dangerous New Chapter Ukraine took advantage of the ATACMS approval to strike a military base on Russian territory. Moscow, which has warned against such actions, stepped up its threat of a nuclear response to conventional attacks. The Biden administration has vowed to expedite weapons deliveries and other support for Ukraine ahead of Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. The president-elect has repeatedly criticized Biden's approach to the war and promised to end the conflict even before taking office. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Jaylen Brown Is Taking On Nike With $200 Sneakers </li> Trump's Impossible Task: Delivering for the Working Class and Billionaires </li> Wall Street Is Too Pumped About Trump to Worry About His Policies </li> Companies With Immigrant Workforces Are Preparing for Raids </li> Why Tech Billionaires Love the Author of Jurassic Park </li> JERUSALEM (Reuters) - ‮Israel‬i Prime Minister Benjamin N‮etanyahu‬ said during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday that Hamas would not rule the Palestinian enclave after the war had ended and that Israel had destroyed the Islamist group's military capabilities. Netanyahu also said Israel had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the enclave and he offered a $5 million reward for the return of each one. The comments were made in a video recording by Netanyahu during his visit to Gaza with Israel's defence minister and the head of its army, where he also received a briefing on operational activities. Companies from Iran, Israel, China, Russia and the United States will showcase military equipment at an arms expo in Hanoi in December, Vietnam's defence ministry said on Tuesday, a rare case of geopolitical rivals exhibiting their wares together. Communist-run Vietnam has for years been seeking to diversify its military supplies to reduce its decade-long reliance on Russia, and has discussed potential procurement deals with multiple countries trying to leverage its flexible diplomacy of good relations with great powers. At the defence expo to be held in the capital Hanoi on Dec. 19-22, nearly 200 companies from 27 countries have already reserved booths, the ministry said in a statement, including firms from China and Iran, which had not attended Vietnam's first international military fair in 2022.

(Bloomberg) -- The US will provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to blunt the advance of Russian troops, an official familiar with the decision said, the latest effort by the Biden administration to bolster support for Kyiv ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.Most Read from BloombergParis to Replace Parking Spaces With TreesNew York’s Transit Agency Approves $9 Congestion TollTrump Promises Could Have Seismic Impact on Washington EconomyNY Congestion Pricing Survived a P

US Will Provide Land Mines to Ukraine After Approval on Missiles

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — One of Donald Trump's campaign promises if elected was to implement a mass deportation of immigrants. Many people wonder how the promise will affect those around Youngstown who may forced to leave. Thrive Mahoning Valley on Wilson Avenue is located at the former rectory of St. Stephen of Hungary Church. It's where people relocating, including immigrants, can go for help. "We've heard a few things from random individuals who are concerned," said Vicki Vicars, one of the organization's leaders. "Not specifically from any undocumented individuals but we have heard a couple of different DACA recipients, the dreamers per see," said Christopher Colon, another leader. Colon and Vicars haven't been bombarded with questions about Trump's promises, but Colon says he talked with one woman who was brought here as a child but is not a citizen. "[She] has a productive life here in the community and is going to school here now and is worried that if she loses her status, she's going to have to go back, and so she's applying now to get different status just in case," Colon said. "We just don't know how this is going to play out. So, the biggest thing is just to be prepared," Vicars said. In the event of deportation, being prepared means having someone to care for children and someone to check on a house. There should be a contact person to call right away and explain they're being deported. They should also have copies of any documents on them at all times. "If you have a green card, if you have work authorization permit, making sure you have copies of that with you because, chances are, if you're picked up on the street, if you're picked up at work, they're not going to let you go home and get that," Vicars said. "Power of attorneys — having that kind of stuff in place. For undocumented individuals, it won't be a legal document for them, but to have that kind of thing in place — 'Who's going to take care of my kids, who's going to have access to paying my bills when I'm gone or access to my home?'" Colon said. Thrive Mahoning Valley says people are welcome to contact them as there will be many questions within the coming months concerning immigration. Tino DiCenso contributed to this report.

Many people wonder how the promise will affect people around Youngstown who may be among those forced to leave.

Local group helps immigrants in wake of Trump’s deportation promise

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah's Democratic party named leaders for both the House and Senate, the Senate Dems named its leadership Friday, Nov. 8, shortly after the Nov. 5 election, and the House Dems named its leaders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Senate Democrat leadership will be as follows: Minority Leader: Senator Luz Escamilla, District 10</li> Minority Whip: Senator Karen Kwan, District 12</li> Minority Assistant Whip: Senator Jennifer Plumb, District 9</li> Minority Caucus Manager: Senator Kathleen Riebe, District 15</li> Man sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for attempted sodomy of child "I am honored to continue serving as Senate Minority Leader and to continue serving with the Senate Minority Caucus to represent and stand up for all Utahns, especially those who often feel underserved and underrepresented in our Capitol," Senator Luz Escamilla, Minority Leader said in a statement. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services , Escamilla, out of District 10 covering West Valley City and the western end of Salt Lake County, was elected to the Utah State Senate, becoming the first Latina elected in the Utah State Senate and the first immigrant elected in the Utah State Legislature. "We will continue working collaboratively with the Majority to create good policy—always upholding integrity, respect, and the values that strengthen our Senate and our state," she said. The Senate named its leadership on Tuesday night, Nov. 19, the leadership in the House is as follows: House Democratic Leader: Angela Romero, House District 25</li> House Democratic Whip: Jen Dailey-Provost, House District 22</li> House Democratic Assistant Whip: Sahara Hayes, House District 32</li> House Democratic Caucus Manager: Doug Owens, House District 33</li> Both Sahara Hayes and Doug Owens are replacing members of the previous leadership. Hayes replaces Sandra Hollins and Owens replaces Rosemary Lesser. "We are honored by the trust and confidence our colleagues have placed in us to lead the Utah House Democratic Caucus. We will advance policies that prioritize the well-being of all Utahns and advocate for legislation that makes our state more prosperous, inclusive, and equitable," a statement from the new caucus said. Hayes is from House District 32, which covers South Salt Lake and the southeastern edge of Salt Lake City. Owens is from House District 33, covering Holladay and the bench below Mount Olympus extending into the Wasatch Mountains. "We are committed to amplifying the voices of those who feel unheard, overlooked, or underrepresented. By listening, engaging, and acting with purpose, we will ensure that every Utahn has a seat at the table, and their needs and aspirations shape the policies we pursue," the caucus said.

Utah's Democratic party named leaders for both the House and Senate, the Senate Dems named its leadership Friday, Nov. 8, shortly after the Nov. 5 election, and the House Dems named its leaders on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Utah Democratic Party name Senate and House leadership

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP and its allies have started to distance themselves from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "Batoge toh katoge" slogan.Mr Yadav termed the slogan - given by Yogi Adityanath in a call apparently to Hindus to stay united - as "unconstitutional" and the "most negative" in the history of the country.Addressing a gathering in the Bakshi Ka Talab area here, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "The chief minister's slogan is like the British's divide and rule policy. The British have left but people with their thinking are taking their ideas forward"."Batoge to katoge is the most negative and unconstitutional slogan in the country's history. The BJP leaders and its allies are distancing themselves from the slogan," he added.Taking a veiled jibe at Yogi Adityanath, the SP chief said without taking any names that one becomes a 'yogi' by one's thoughts and words, not clothes.He said the BJP knows that it is going to face a massive defeat in the by-elections and was misusing the administration in a bid to discourage people from going out to vote."The government is making district magistrates work like district presidents of the BJP. It (BJP) is misusing power to stop people from casting their votes. This is an attack on the right to vote of the people. BJP wants to paint the constitutional institutions with one idea and one colour. We all have to take a pledge that we have to unite and save the Constitution," he said.Alleging that employment generation was not on the agenda of the BJP, he accused the ruling party of conspiring to take away reservation benefits."The government does not want to give jobs to the youth. It is snatching away reservation through conspiracy and is involved in anti-constitutional work," he said. He said the BJP's policies are anti-youth, anti-farmer and anti-PDA. PDA is the term coined by Mr Yadav during the 2022 Assembly polls for Pichhde (backwards), Dalits and Alpsankhyak (minorities)."Till now Baba Saheb's constitution has protected PDA. Now it is the responsibility of PDA and all of us to protect the constitution made by Dr Ambedkar. As long as BJP is in power, the Constitution will remain under threat. BJP wants to run the country not by the constitution but its own way," Mr Yadav said. "We all have to keep fighting unitedly to save the Constitution and it is possible when the BJP government is removed from Delhi and Lucknow," he added.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP and its allies have started to distance themselves from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "Batoge toh katoge" slogan.

BJP Distancing Themselves From Yogi Adityanath's 'Batoge Toh Katoge' Slogan: Akhilesh Yadav

Wednesday is Transgender Day of Remembrance, which focuses on trans people who have lost their lives because of violence. Here is what to know. The day marks the end of Transgender Awareness Week, which is used to raise public knowledge about the transgender community and the issues they face. The Williams Institute at UCLA Law estimates there are more than a million and a half transgender people in the U.S. ages 13 and older. And it says transgender people are over four times more likely than others to be victims of violence. Candlelight vigils, memorials and other events are held to mark the day. The Human Rights Campaign also released its annual report on deaths of transgender people in conjunction with the day. At least 36 transgender people have died from violence in the past 12 months since the last Day of Remembrance, the Human Rights Campaign said in its annual report. Since 2013, the organization has recorded the deaths from violence of 372 victims who were transgender and gender-expansive — which refers to someone with a more flexible range of gender identity or expression than typically associated with the binary gender system. The number of victims is likely higher because many deaths often aren't reported or are misreported, or misgendering of the victims leads to delays in their identification. The Human Rights Campaign said there was a slight increase from the previous year, when it identified at least 33 transgender victims of violence. A large number of the victims tracked over the past year were young or people of color, with Black transgender women making up half of the 36 identified. The youngest victim identified was 14-year-old Pauly Likens of Pennsylvania. Two-thirds of the fatalities involved a firearm, the organization said. Nearly a third of the victims with a known killer were killed by an intimate partner, a friend or a family member. This year's remembrance follows an election where advocates say victories by President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates who focused on issues like transgender athletes dealt a setback to trans people's rights. It also follows a wave of measures enacted in Republican states this year restricting the rights of transgender people, especially youth. Advocates say the legislation and rhetoric is creating fewer safe spaces for transgender people, and they worry it could spur more violence against trans people. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves in regulation and was perfect on two shots faced in the shootout as the Calgary Flames rallied to a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.

What to know about Transgender Day of Remembrance and violence against trans people

ST. LOUIS – A beautiful fall sight in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood creates unease for many residents. "It happens every day," Bob Jackson said. "The tree limbs are falling. It doesn't have to be windy; it doesn't have to be stormy." A fallen branch that totaled a car a few houses down is just the beginning of the damage he's seeing. "Just from here," he said, "the houses you can see immediately around us; there are three homes that have been damaged." Some of those trees damaging homes have been chopped down, but other old and dying trees remain a risk, according to resident Gary Carter. "We're pretty concerned. We're thinking, 'Should we move before the trees destroy our home?'" Carter said. In a view from above, you can see a limb that residents are concerned is about to drop right on someone walking by. "People's lives are in jeopardy, man," Jackson said. Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now</h1> The St. Louis Forestry Division knows about it and agreed to look at residents' concerns when FOX 2 asked. Forestry Commissioner Alan Jankowski came out to the neighborhood personally. "I don't think you can pinpoint one thing that's killing them," he said. From lightning strikes to disease, Jankowski said sometimes it's just the trees' age, like one where he counted the rings, confirming it was over a century old. "We've done a lot of work in this neighborhood," the commissioner said, explaining how nearly 30 trees have been cut down recently in this neighborhood alone. Others of concern, he says, will go on a six-month waiting list. "Our crews are out there, and also, we have a contractor out there working to remove trees as quickly as we can," Jankowski said. He said they have 80,000 street trees to maintain, like in the nearby Christy Park neighborhood where his crew was headed next. That's where Jon Overmann says he's been dodging treelimbs. "We're worried about our families; we're worried about our vehicles," Overmann said. "Really this has been a problem for years. Departments have been shorthanded. We need the people." Forestry says they're hiring because they are down about a dozen tree trimmers. Here's what you can do. In St. Louis, there's a special office set up to help solve problems. It's called the Citizen's Service Bureau (CSB). You can submit a tip online, message, or call them at 314-622-4800. If you're interested in applying for one of the dozen open tree trimming positions, visit the city's web page and click on "Work for the City." Meanwhile, Alderman Tom Oldenburg, whose ward includes St. Louis Hills, said he's also on board with helping, as he called the matter "more than a quality-of-life issue for many neighbors and residents. It is a safety issue. "We all know the city's Forestry Department is short on manpower, which is why we need more funding dedicated to hiring third-party tree removal companies and partners. This will be a priority of mine in the coming fiscal budget for the city. Also, the city needs an operational plan that prioritizes neighborhoods (for tree removal and trimming) that have an abundance of street-lined trees reaching the end of their life expectancy."

A beautiful fall sight in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood creates unease for many residents.

Residents fear ‘attack of the trees’ as aging giants wreak havoc

Incoming Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson would enter office in January with significantly constrained and revised powers under wide-ranging legislation GOP state lawmakers rushed to the House floor Tuesday. The far-reaching bill, which was released publicly Tuesday evening, several hours after a draft was obtained by The News & Observer and other news outlets in the morning, proposes making several changes and cuts to the powers of multiple statewide offices that were won by Democrats earlier this month, including governor, attorney general, and state superintendent of public instruction. Republican lawmakers want to prevent the attorney general, an office that the GOP hasn't won in an election for more than a century, from taking positions on state laws being challenged in court that are different from the position maintained by GOP legislative leaders. The bill also specifies that the attorney general can't take positions in court that would lead to a state law being struck down. This proposal comes as outgoing Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, who voters chose to serve as the state's next governor in this month's election, has recused himself or refused to defend the state against a number of high-profile political lawsuits involving abortion, elections, gerrymandering and other issues. Stein, who has served two terms as attorney general, has defended his decisions to refuse to defend laws passed by the Republican-controlled legislature that he believes are unconstitutional. GOP leaders have criticized Stein in those instances, and accused him of refusing "to do his job." They have frequently intervened in lawsuits challenging the laws they've passed, and defended them in court. Liz Barber, the director of policy and advocacy at the ACLU of North Carolina, said in an interview Tuesday morning that the changes were an "unconstitutional, undemocratic power grab." "The people of North Carolina spoke," Barber said. "They spoke very clearly two weeks ago when they elected the governor, the attorney general, and the superintendent of schools, and what we're seeing is the General Assembly essentially saying that they don't care who the people of North Carolina elected." Barber said the "most egregious" example of a "power grab" could be the prohibition on the attorney general taking a different stance on the validity or constitutionality of a state law being challenged in court, than the position of legislative leaders. "When the attorney general was elected, he was elected to uphold the Constitution of North Carolina, and if and when he thinks that the North Carolina General Assembly has violated the Constitution, he is bound, he is duty bound, to take action on behalf of the people of North Carolina." What the bill says</h3> Under the proposal, Jackson, who will be sworn into office in January, would not be "authorized to take any position on behalf of the State of North Carolina that is contrary to or inconsistent with the position of the General Assembly" whenever state laws are challenged in court. The bill goes on to specify that in situations in which legislative leaders hire private attorneys to defend laws challenged in court, those attorneys are considered to be lead counsel — as current law already states — and "shall possess final decision-making authority with respect to the positions taken on behalf of the State, as well as the representation of, counsel to, or service provided to the State." Another change to the office's powers limits "participation in foreign litigation" and states that the attorney general "shall not, as a party, amicus, or any other participant in an action pending before a state or federal court in another state, advance any argument that would result in the invalidation of any statute enacted by the General Assembly." Most Democrats were waiting on Tuesday to see the final version of the bill before they commented on it. Stein, who spent the day in Western North Carolina, said in a social media post that the proposed changes amounted to Republican lawmakers "grabbing power and exacting political retribution." In a statement Tuesday evening, Jackson said his mission as attorney general "is to stand up for people," and added that he and his team "will overcome any obstacle to accomplish that mission." "The bill under consideration should be focused on Helene response to help our people," Jackson said. "It shouldn't be used to sneak through major policy changes that shift power toward the General Assembly. I'm sure there will be many ways to work with the General Assembly and I look forward to meeting with them to discuss those opportunities once I'm sworn in." Other provisions of the bill would take away the governor's power to make appointments to the State Board of Elections, and give it to the state auditor, a position that was won by a Republican, Dave Boliek, earlier this month after 16 years of control by Democrats. It also allocates funding to state agencies and programs, reshuffles certain agencies, and includes additional financial relief for people impacted by Hurricane Helene, among several other changes. House Republicans spent much of Tuesday caucusing and holding leadership elections, in which they formally chose Rules Committee Chairman Destin Hall to serve as their next leader, and the chamber's speaker, next year. They convened Tuesday afternoon to take up a few bills and override Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a budget bill that included immigration enforcement provisions and funding for private school vouchers, and then went back to caucus. An official copy of the 131-page bill was released publicly just before 5:40 p.m. The House came back to debate it soon after 6 p.m. and concluded shortly after 8 p.m. Speaking to reporters after the House passed the bill Tuesday night, Hall said that the main provision barring the attorney general from taking a different position when defending state laws in court was a longstanding issue that lawmakers were seeking to address. "We pass laws, and sometimes we get into lawsuits, and the AG takes a position that's contrary to the state, which is, again, the lawmaking body, the General Assembly — and in my law practice, if I have a client, which the AG is supposed to represent the state, if I take a position contrary to my client, it usually doesn't work out very well," Hall said. What Stein has done</h3> Some of the most high-profile cases and instances where Stein has taken a different stance than GOP leaders have involved abortion law. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republican leaders called on Stein to reinstate the state's existing 20-week abortion ban that had been previously blocked. Stein denied their request, saying in a statement at the time that the N.C. Department of Justice wouldn't "take action that would restrict women's ability to make their own reproductive health care decisions." A year later, after Republicans regained a supermajority in the legislature and passed a stricter law banning most abortions after 12 weeks, the law was challenged in federal court by Planned Parenthood. Stein refused to defend the provisions of the law being challenged , saying in a court filing that they were "riddled with incoherence and uncertainty." The bill also strips the attorney general's office of the ability to automatically intervene in matters before the N.C. Utilities Commission. This would impact cases where the commission determines how much Duke Energy's utilities can charge for electricity and how it can generate power in North Carolina. Under Stein, the office has frequently intervened and participated in such cases. If the bill passes, the Attorney General's Office would need to file a petition explaining why it wants to intervene in the case, just as environmental groups, business advocacy organizations and municipal utilities do now. That's a change from the status quo, where the office just needs to file a notice saying it is intervening on behalf of the public that uses and consumes power. Stein has an ongoing appeal in front of the N.C. Supreme Court challenging a Utilities Commission order that would increase Duke Energy Carolinas' bills by about 15% over a three-year period. To appeal a Utilities Commission order adjusting rates, as Stein has, a party must first be an intervenor in the case. Should the Utilities Commission decide the Attorney General's Office is ineligible to intervene, it would be unable to file such an appeal. Under the Dome</h3>

A wide-ranging bill that would make several changes to the powers of the attorney general and governor was rushed to the House floor Tuesday evening.

Before Jackson takes office, NC GOP moves to curb powers of attorney general’s office

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County man appeared in federal court on Tuesday to be sentenced in connection with the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Darius Carter, 30, was convicted earlier this year after a preponderance of evidence showed he used an illegally acquired handgun to shoot Sarah Mason in 2017. Mason was eight months pregnant when she was shot in the back of her head on Oct. 31, 2017, inside their St. John home. Mason was 20. The unborn child, whom Mason had named Milanie, could not be saved. Prosecutors said Carter got his mother, Lynn Hooks, and his friend, Dakota Carr, to buy a gun for himself and Mason. Carter was on probation at the time and prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. Carr, who was an employee at Piazza Jewelry and Pawn, worked out an arrangement where Hooks would buy the guns to get around the required background check and a law prohibiting Mason from owning a gun because she was underage. Pattonville HS employee arrested for inappropriate student relationship Hooks went to the pawn shop on July 14, 2017, and purchased a Heckler & Koch model VP9 9mm for Carter and a .380 caliber Glock pistol for Mason. Prosecutors said Mason and Carter had ongoing arguments about Carter's infidelity. Carter was also frustrated with Mason for going through his phone. Mason told her mother that she was moving out of their house. Carter was found guilty in May of aiding and abetting the making of false statements in the straw purchase of a firearm and conspiracy to make false statements in the straw purchase of firearm. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Carter to 10 years in prison for the false statement and 5 years for the conspiracy count, with the sentences running consecutively. Prior to sentencing, the judge noted that the evidence presented was "analogous to first-degree murder." Carr and Hooks were each sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the making of false statements in the straw purchase of a firearm and conspiracy to make false statements in the straw purchase of firearm.

A St. Louis County man appeared in federal court on Tuesday to be sentenced in connection with the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend.

Man sentenced in 2017 shooting death of pregnant mother

A malnourished seven-year-old girl died in an Oklahoma hospital just days after she told a good-hearted neighbor that her abusive parents loved her. Violet Mitchell was taken to St. Anthony's Medical Center in Midwest City on August 2, when doctors said she was 'extremely malnourished' and was 'essentially skin and bones' with 'sunken eyes,' the Kansas City Star reports. But just two earlier, a kind neighbor tried to help the young girl. 'I took her [in] because she was hungry,' Tera Day told NewsNation . 'I fed her chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and carrots.' Day noted that the girl 'didn't tell me anything about her parents, just that they loved her. A recently-released autopsy has since determined Mitchell's death was due to a 'failure to thrive' after finding a plastic baby bottle blocking her small intestine. She weighed just 29 pounds, and was wrapped in a blanket, 'wearing a diaper that was otherwise sized for a three year old,' the doctors told investigators, according to documents obtained by KOCO. She also had a bacterial infection and injuries to her cheek, shoulder and left leg, as well a 'pale green' discoloration on her stomach. 'That's all she said and she cried, and I took her back home,' Day recounted. But Violet's mother, Lisa Mitchell, and her boyfriend, Anthony Yonko, were later arrested on child neglect and aggravated abuse charges. Police said they received a call shortly after doctors pronounced Violet dead from a relative of the family, who said he overhead a group phone call in which numerous people were 'trying to come up with the same story regarding the death of Violet,' according to the Oklahoman. The caller also said Anthony's brother, David, and Lisa's sister, Tiffany, were heard admitting they knew Violet was dead before she was brought to the hospital. An arrest report also states that one of Violet's cousins, another 7-year-old girl, told investigators she knew that Violet died in a crib, where her arms and legs were often tied up with strings. The young girl went on to tell police that Violet was fed bread and little else, and told cops that her mother 'spilled hot soup on Violet, on her face and arms,' according to an affidavit. She also said Lisa would beat her daughter often, mostly with a broomstick, glued her mouth shut and kept Violet in a crib for a long time - possibly a month - and would remain tied-up when her mother and Anthony left the house. If Violet cried, her mother and Anthony 'cursed at her and kept food from her.' The girl claimed she would sometimes grab Violet and run out of her apartment so that her parents would stop hitting her and would untie her cousin, but then tie her back up before everyone came back, out of fear. David, Anthony's brother, and Lisa's sister, Tiffany, were also arrested in connection to the case when police determined they knew about the abuse, but failed to report it to police. Violet's parents and Tiffany are now being held on a $5million bond, while David is being held on a $1million bond. The parents have pleaded not guilty, and had initially told police they thought Violet had the flu when they brought her to the hospital. That morning, Anthony said he awoke to his girlfriend telling him Violet was not moving and was sick, and his brother then drove them to the hospital. The couple also had other children that are now in the care of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, according to KOCO. Mitchell is now scheduled to appear in court on November 27. In the meantime, community members are calling for justice for the young girl. 'They should spent the rest of their life in jail, because that's a baby,' said Bridgette Mccullough, another neighbor. 'That is a baby, they are so helpless.'

Violet Mitchell, seven, was already dead when she was brought to an Oklahoma hospital in early August.

Malnourished seven-year-old girl's heartbreaking final words to neighbor who fed her chicken nuggets before returning to monster parents who 'glued her mouth shut' and left her to die

Nov. 19—Tribal officials from across the nation gathered Tuesday in Pojoaque Pueblo to speak about their efforts to address violence against women as part of a three-day event hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The session drew hundreds of people — perhaps the largest crowd ever for the annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. In the traditional way, women were the keepers of the teepee, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau said during his testimony at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder. If a dispute arose between a man and woman, she would simply take his stuff and put it outside. "He would move on, there was no question," LeBeau said. "To do that today is more difficult." Today, tribal leaders told officials from the Justice Department, they need funding to create and sustain their own law enforcement and criminal justice systems and legislation to ensure they have the authority to treat perpetrators and victims in ways that are in keeping with their customs. "As a tribal leader I must make sure that our tribal courts and law enforcement are receiving the funds they need to protect our Native women," Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. Jenelle Roybal said. Pojoaque Pueblo has developed its own police force and tribal courts, she said, but needs resources to provide behavioral health services to victims and perpetrators. "In our tribal communities there is a shortage of counselors that need to be culturally appropriate for our children," she added. "Why isn't there dedicated and supportive funding to expand those services to our most vulnerable population? These services are needed, but they are costly," Roybal said. "Funding barriers do not allow us to utilize these funds for healing and care infrastructure. When are the barriers going to stop? Native people can build sacred spaces that bring healing to our people." Roybal who also co-chairs New Mexico's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force, said "healing to wellness" — not punishment — "is the best way for us to solve our sins against our own community." Isleta Pueblo Lt. Gov. Juan Rey Abeita spoke Tuesday of the historical trauma that comes with hundreds of years of colonization and the modern-day frustration for tribes of being jurisdictionally limited to enforce their laws on their own land. "What if a federal government or someone that is considering you their ward comes and tells you you can't protect your own people," he said, "that you can't protect your own family? That if any perpetrator that's non-Native American that comes on your reservation can commit a crime, and we can't do nothing to protect ourselves except call the FBI or the BIA to come in and respond?" Abeita said, "That takes away from us having that confidence and being able to protect ourselves and our communities. ... It's undermining us." The event, now in its 19th year, is required by law to address the federal administration of tribal funds and programs established under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and subsequent reauthorizations, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque said in a news release. The statement said, "Tribal government leaders will provide recommendations on administering grant programs; enhancing the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women from domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking; strengthening federal responses to these crimes; and improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems." The Justice Department said in a news release the Tribal Affairs Division within its Office on Violence Against Women awarded about $86 million this year to tribal communities to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and other crimes. Pojoaque Pueblo received an $800,000 grant, according to the department, while Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico received about $610,000, and the Hopi-Tewa Women's Coalition to End Abuse and Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition received grants of about $414,000 each. At least 50 tribal leaders — including speakers from the Navajo Nation, Choctaw Nation of Indians and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe — were scheduled to give testimony at the event. More than 500 people attended Tuesday's session in person and about 150 more registered to observe the tribal leaders' testimony virtually, Justice Department spokesperson Maya Vizvary wrote in an email. "This is the most we've ever had," Vizvary wrote.

Nov. 19—Tribal officials from across the nation gathered Tuesday in Pojoaque Pueblo to speak about their efforts to address violence against women as part of a three-day event hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The session drew hundreds of people — perhaps the largest crowd ever for the annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. In the traditional way, ...

Pojoaque Pueblo hosts Justice Department event on violence against women

PORTLAND, Ore. () — The U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Mustafa Kasubhai as a U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon, following President Joe Biden's nomination last year. Born in Reseda, California, Kasubhai is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkley (B.A.), and the University of Oregon School of Law (J.D.). From 2007-2018, he was a Lane County Circuit Court judge. Since 2018, he has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Oregon. Over 10,000 impacted by Portland power outages Kasubhai's new role as a U.S. district judge, a lifetime appointment, comes after U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken reached retirement age late last year. In a release , Chief U.S. District Judge Michael McShane of Oregon praised the Senate's confirmation, saying Kasubhai "has provided the Oregon bar with profound leadership; championing professionalism, mentorship, access to justice, and inclusion." "He has served as a role model for a generation of law students, attorneys, and judges who have had the privilege of working with him," McShane said. Kasubhai, who has been a lecturer at the University of Oregon School of Law's Litigation Lab since 2023, was the recipient of numerous awards over the years for his commitment to public service. He has been a member of the Committee on Bias in the Justice System in Oregon since 2019 and is a member of various other associations dedicated to equity and inclusion. Lena Zwarensteyn, the senior director of the fair courts program and advisor at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, praised Kasubhai's confirmation as a historic milestone for inclusion. Kasubhai will be the first Asian-American lifetime judge and the first Muslim lifetime judge appointed to the District of Oregon. City to pay largest 2020 protest settlement to date "We thank President Biden and Senators Merkley and Wyden for their leadership and applaud all senators who supported Judge Kasubhai's confirmation," Zwarensteyn said. "The Senate must continue the urgent and important work of building an equal justice judiciary that works for all people in America, and that means expeditiously confirming every pending judicial nominee. Our courts and our future can't wait." Kasubhai will continue working from a Eugene courtroom in his new role as U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon.

The U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Mustafa Kasubhai as a U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon, following President Joe Biden's nomination last year.

Mustafa Kasubhai appointed U.S. District Judge of Oregon in historic confirmation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — City of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is nearing the end of her time in office. Bliss is the city's 66th mayor but the first female one to lead the city."I'm just so grateful to have been able to serve our city. I just can't say 'thank you' enough to everyone who supported me," Bliss told FOX 17.Bliss started her career with the city back in 2005 as the 2nd Ward city commissioner. Then in 2016, she was elected to lead the city forward. We asked what she would tell herself back then what she knows now."I would tell myself to be prepared for anything," Bliss said.Now in her 19th year of public service, the mayor has a lot to look back on."We have 'corridor improvement' districts in every single one of our neighborhoods, neighborhood business districts. I'm really proud of that. I'm proud of the work we've done around environmental sustainability," Bliss said.She highlighted bringing the biodigester online, adding solar panels at the Lake Michigan filtration plant, and planting 15,000 trees throughout the city.The city has put forth effort to revitalize in and around the Grand River. We walked down to the newly renovated green space at Lyon Square Park. Restoring the rapids is a big project for the city leader. Recently, she was part of relocating native mussels within the river's lower reach. She's looking forward to hopefully seeing the rapids restored in the upcoming years."I hope it'll be done in the next two to four years, that we'll see more people in the river. We'll have more places like this where people can gather by the river, and we'll kind of reclaim the river," Bliss said. "It's been a long time, and now it's going to happen. We're redoing this river walk right down here right now."Grand Rapids, Michigan's second-largest city, is seeing tremendous growth."Next to it is going to be a soccer stadium that we're going to see one of these days. Hopefully, over here, you can see the cranes for the amphitheater. Hopefully, next to it, we'll have a significant development soon," Bliss added.The mayor needed to navigate some hard times while in office like the pandemic, the 2020 civil unrest, and the death of Patrick Lyoya."The tragic killing of Patrick Lyoya and all of those things were, I'd say, heartbreaking, quite frankly, and trying to figure out how to bring community together when there was so much pain and anger and distrust," Bliss said.During her time in office, she leaned on relationships she built to help bring the community together."I think it's a challenge for all of us is to figure out what can we do individually but then collectively to heal, to move forward and to figure out how to not just make sure it doesn't happen again," Bliss said.The mayor explains that her predecessor, George Heartwell, hinted to her in a letter left to her she never has to do anything alone."You're in a unique position to be a convener, to bring people around the table, but you need all those partners to make things happen," Bliss said.She plans to leave a letter to the incoming Mayor David LaGrand."The advice is to be mindful of your time, like... you can't say yes to everything. We're a big city. We're a growing city," Bliss said. "If you're going to accomplish all the things you put on your to-do list, you have to be incredibly intentional about how you spend your time."Bliss tells FOX 17 she hasn't decided what's next for her, while people have contacted her about opportunities. She knows that she has a strong passion for the public sector. Grand Rapids mayor reflects on achievements, challenges over 8 years

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss sits down with FOX 17 to discuss her accomplishments and challenges in serving the people of Grand Rapids.

LOOK BACK: Grand Rapids mayor reflects on service near end of final term

Tuesday marked 1,000 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and tensions are escalating rapidly. After receiving approval from President Biden, Ukraine launched American-made long-range missiles into Russia's Bryansk region, striking a weapons depot. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a lowering of the threshold for initiating a nuclear attack, raising alarms worldwide. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., a vocal opponent of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor join NewsNation's "CUOMO" to discuss how serious the latest threats are. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Senate Republicans aired frustrations Tuesday after Vice President-elect Vance and other party members skipped votes Monday, greasing the skids for Democratic-backed judicial nominees to be greenlighted as part of a final push to fill the bench with lifetime appointees before President-elect Trump takes office. Republicans on Monday attempted to slow down an effort by Senate... The National Guardsman who in 2021 pegged Pete Hegseth as a potential "insider threat" clarified in an interview with ABC News that his complaint targeted a "Deus Vult" tattoo on the former Fox News host's arm - not a cross on his chest, as Hegseth has repeatedly claimed. President-elect Donald Trump last week tapped Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. Donald Trump's allies voiced vehement criticism Monday of President Joe Biden's decision to let Ukraine use US-supplied long-range missiles for attacks inside Russia, accusing him of a dangerous escalation. Moscow has pledged an "appropriate" response if the US-supplied missiles are in fact used against Russia, and Trump's team accused Biden of escalating the war for political reasons. Tens of thousands of people have marched on the New Zealand parliament in Wellington to protest against a bill that critics say strikes at the core of the country's founding principles and dilutes the rights of Māori people. Are you telling me Donald Trump, the man who said he was going to do all these crazy things, is actually going to do all these crazy things? Germany and Finland launched a probe Monday after an undersea cable linking the countries was severed, warning of the threat of "hybrid warfare" amid heightened tensions with Russia."Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors." President-elect Donald Trump on Monday confirmed he would declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the U.S. without legal permission. Overnight, Trump responded to a social media post from Judicial Watch's Tom Fitton, who said earlier this month there are reports the incoming administration is preparing such a declaration and to use "military assets" to deport the migrants. "TRUE!!!" Trump wrote. President-elect Trump's plans to reshape the federal workforce would allow him to fire wide swaths of career employees and replace them with political appointees — a move that comes as he has demanded loyalty at every level of government. Trump has said he will reissue an order released in the waning days of his first... (Bloomberg) - Under sunshine and clear blue skies against a picture-perfect backdrop of Rio's iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, the Group of 20 leaders gathered for their "family photo." There was just one snag: US President Joe Biden was missing.Most Read from BloombergParis to Replace Parking Spaces With TreesNew York's Transit Agency Approves $9 Congestion TollIn Cleveland, a Forgotten Streetcar Bridge Gets a Long-Awaited LiftA Bug's Eye View of Mexico City's Modernist ArchitectureAmtrak Wins $300 Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles into Russia, officials said Tuesday, marking the first time Kyiv used the weapons that way in 1,000 days of war. The use of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, came as Russian President Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons, opening the door to a potential nuclear response by Moscow to even a conventional attack by any nation supported by a nuclear power. A Telegram channel affiliated with the Ukrainian military posted a video Tuesday that it says shows U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles being fired from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Majorie Taylor Greene called for red and blue states to separate in a post on X Monday, an idea she has brought up several times during her tenure in Congress. The Georgia congresswoman's criticism comes amid reports of Democratic governors taking measures to protect their states against Trump's policies. "​​If Democrat governors plan to commit treason against our President and the majority of Americans then let them destroy their own states," she wrote. "No one will want to live there. And afte A Georgia appeals court on Monday canceled oral arguments that were scheduled for next month on the appeal of a lower court ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute the election interference case she brought against President-elect Donald Trump. Trump and other defendants had asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hold oral arguments in the case, and the court had set those arguments for Dec. 5. A Fulton County grand jury in August 2023 indicted Trump and 18 others, accusing them of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally try to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday formally lowered the threshold for Russia's use of its nuclear weapons, a move that follows U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russian territory with American-supplied longer-range missiles. The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles early Tuesday at a military facility in Russia's Bryansk region that borders Ukraine, adding that air defenses shot down five of them and damaged one more. Tens of thousands of people have marched on New Zealand's capital against a bill to redefine Maori rights in one of the largest protests in the country's history.

Tuesday marked 1,000 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and tensions are escalating rapidly. After receiving approval from President Biden, Ukraine launched American-made long-range missiles into Russia's Bryansk region, striking a weapons depot. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a lowering of the threshold for initiating a nuclear attack, raising alarms worldwide. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., a vocal opponent of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, and former U.S. Ambassad

‘Very low chance’ Putin will use nuclear weapons: Bill Taylor

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Five times. That's the number of moves Kelly – a Venezuelan migrant mother of seven children – said she's had to make from one New York City shelter to the next since arriving in the United States in January. "It's bad for my children," Kelly said during her testimony Tuesday in front of the Council committees on General Welfare and Immigration. More Local News This long-planned hearing was meant to address the much-discussed disruptiveness of the 30-day single adult and 60-day family shelter limit police implemented last summer by the Adams administration, and defended Tuesday by Molly Schaeffer, the city's head of asylum seeker operations. "None of these policies were done easily. These were done to really make sure we were protecting both our shelter system and people at their most vulnerable time," said Schaeffer. But in an unexpected move, Mayor Eric Adams relaxed the policy a day before the council hearing, waiving the tedious reapplication process. But it is only for migrant families staying in the city's HERRC, or humanitarian emergency shelters. "Much better," Kelly told PIX11 News after her testimony. But then she went on to complain about the rules that often complicate migrant life in general inside a shelter. She echoed concerns, expressed by advocates, who say shelters destabilize migrant families – especially students. "You completely uproot them. They lose contact with everything. They are not able to create a community. We want permanent shelter and dignified housing for everyone," said migrant advocate Ximena Bustamante. Migrant advocate Mariel Acosta added, "By staying in a stable housing situation, their kids can go to school. People can retain a job. They can build communities." In a statement, Mayor Adams said in part: "...we're doing everything we can to make sure that our shelter system serves its purpose as a soft landing spot for new arrivals — not their final landing spot. "The new policies we're implementing today will build on our successes, save taxpayers millions, and help even more migrants take their next steps towards fulfilling their American Dream."

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Five times. That’s the number of moves Kelly – a Venezuelan migrant mother of seven children – said she’s had to make from one New York City shelter to the next since arriving in the United States in January. “It’s bad for my children,” Kelly said during her testimony Tuesday in […]

NYC shelter moves destabilize migrant families, advocates say

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon was ceremoniously sworn-in on Tuesday to the position he has held for just over a month. Scanlon, who had served as the Buffalo Common Council president, began in his current role on Oct. 15 following former Mayor Byron Brown's resignation to become president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Scanlon will continue to serve as Buffalo's 63rd mayor leading up to the 2025 election that will fill the seat on a permanent basis. Earlier this week, the Erie County Democratic Committee announced it will hold the first of three city-wide party forums with candidates on Dec. 5. At the forums, candidates will present campaign plans, outline their vision and answer questions ahead of an endorsement from the committee. The next mayor will be just Buffalo's fifth full-time mayor in the past 50 years. Here is a look at both candidates who have already announced their candidacy, and some who may end up running. Chris Scanlon, Acting Mayor</h2> Scanlon has not yet said either way if he will run again a year from now, but he will be a quasi-incumbent should he choose to run. Scanlon has deep roots in South Buffalo from representing that area in the Common Council for over a decade, and played a major role in helping Brown get votes in that area when he held a write-in campaign to be re-elected as Buffalo's mayor in 2021. Scanlon has been criticized by other councilmembers for his relationship with Brown, but Scanlon said he did not see the relationship as a problem and that the council and mayor should be working collaboratively. At Tuesday's swearing in ceremony, Scanlon thanked both the residents and workers of Buffalo in his speech, where he spoke about his goals for the city's future. "Over the next few weeks and months, I will be announcing a series of initiatives that will make city government more efficient and cost effective, transparent and accountable, while addressing the issues that are important to all of us, including healthy and affordable housing, enhanced public safety, reliable city services, good schools, job creation and economic growth," he said. Who is Chris Scanlon? A look at Buffalo's acting mayor Sean Ryan, New York State Senator</h2> Ryan, who currently serves as the representative for New York's 61st State Senate seat, will be making a "special announcement" on Saturday, which is expected to be that he is running for mayor. He has served in his current role in 2021 after serving for a decade in the New York State Assembly. He was re-elected earlier this month. According to New York State Board of Elections' finance disclosures, there are multiple active campaign committees tied to Ryan. Garnell Whitfield, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner</h2> Sources told WIVB in September that Whitfield plans to run. He is expected to make the official announcement soon. Whitfield is the son of Ruth Whitfield, who was killed in the Tops mass shooting on May 14, 2022. Following the shooting, he gained national attention for spreading awareness of social justice and combatting white supremacy and domestic terrorism. He served as the city's fire commissioner from 2010 to 2017. James McLeod, former Buffalo City Court judge</h2> In an interview with WIVB News 4 Tuesday, Erie County Democratic Committee Chair Jeremy Zellner spoke more about the committee's upcoming forums. He went on to say that Ryan, Scanlon and McLeod have asked for the committee's endorsement. McLeod, a Utica native, served as a city judge from 2009 to 2019. He has also held positions as a county family court hearing examiner, an assistant county attorney, a public defender and a law clerk for a State Supreme Court judge. According to his alma mater's website , McLeod was the second African American in Buffalo to be hired as an associate with a major law firm. McLeod has also served on the YMCA Board of Directors and as legal counsel to the Buffalo Urban League. India Walton, former mayoral candidate</h2> Walton, who won the Democratic primary in 2021 against Byron Brown but then lost to Brown's write-in campaign in 2021, has hinted on social media that she will run again. "I thought I was certain that I would never run again, but after several conversations I think not only do I owe it to my people, but I think maybe I could beat [Scanlon]," she said in an August post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Walton currently serves as a Senior Strategist for RootsAction, a Democratic advocacy group. Ryan Caughill</h2> Caughill, who, according to his LinkedIn page, is an emergency preparedness consultant, has been posting on social media that he is running an independent campaign for mayor. His LinkedIn does not list any political experience outside of being an appointed elections inspector for the Erie County Board of Elections for two months earlier this year. Buffalo Common Council members</h2> No current Buffalo Common Council members have said they are running, including some of the higher profile members such as Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart, Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope or University District Councilman Rasheed Wyatt. Everhart is a former aide for Congressman Tim Kennedy when he was a State Senator and the two remain close. Her son was injured in the Tops mass shooting and she has advocated for gun control on the national level, which included a trip to the White House last December. Halton-Pope, who represents the Ellicott District and is majority leader, is still in her first term as a councilwoman after Darius Pridgen declined to run again. Wyatt has name recognition outside of his district as a longtime and vocal critic of both Brown and Scanlon. He was the only member to vote against Scanlon becoming council president in January. Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski has vied for both the seat for council president, which would have put him in line for mayor instead of Scanlon, as well as the 63rd State Senate seat, which eventually went to April McCants-Baskin. Your Local Election Headquarters</h2> Who is running for Buffalo mayor next year? </h2> J.C. Seneca elected president of Seneca Nation </h2> Patrick Chludzinski unseats Monica Wallace in 143rd Assembly District; Burke survives in 142nd </h2> Sean Ryan, April Baskin set to win state senate seats </h2> Kennedy, Langworthy, Tenney roll to re-election in WNY congressional races </h2> Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here . Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon was ceremoniously sworn-in on Tuesday to the position he has held for just over a month. Scanlon, who had served as the Buffalo Common Council president, began in his current role on Oct. 15 following former Mayor Byron Brown’s resignation to become president and CEO of […]

Who is running for Buffalo mayor next year?

Nov. 19—SANTA FE — Some New Mexico legislative candidates who won election this month could get a head start at the Roundhouse. That's because five Senate Republicans have stepped down this fall before the end of their terms, paving the way for successors possibly to be appointed before January. That could give them a slight advantage in seniority, which is among the criteria used to decide legislative committee assignments, as most winners in this month's general election won't formally take their seats until January. Former Sens. Mark Moores of Albuquerque and Steven Neville of Aztec resigned at the end of September, according to the Legislative Council Service. They were followed by Ron Griggs of Alamogordo, Cliff Pirtle of Roswell and Greg Baca of Los Lunas, who all stepped down in the days before Election Day, Nov. 5. Moores told the Journal at the time he made the decision to step down so that the winner of the race for the Senate District 21 seat he had held since 2013 could be appointed early. Republican Nicole Tobiassen defeated Democrat Athena Christodoulou for the seat, which encompasses a swath of Albuquerque's Northeast Heights. However, none of the five current Senate vacancies had been filled by county commissions in the respective districts as of Tuesday, Legislative Council Service Director Shawna Casebier told the Journal. Tobiassen said she has not been contacted regarding the Senate vacancy, though she said she's already hard at work preparing for the upcoming 60-day legislative session. And Bernalillo County spokesperson Tia Bland said the county had not received a resignation letter from Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's office, which would initiate a county process to appoint a replacement. It's not unprecedented for outgoing legislators to step down before the end of their elected terms, but the number of resignations this year appears to be higher than normal. In all, there will be 28 new legislators at the Roundhouse come January, due to a mix of election defeats and incumbents not seeking reelection. The number of new lawmakers will be especially high in the Senate, as 15 of the chamber's 42 members will be first-time senators once the legislative session gets underway. But four of those new senators will be shifting over from the House. Those four senators-elect are Democrat Natalie Figueroa of Albuquerque and Republicans James Townsend of Artesia, Candy Spence Ezzell of Roswell and Larry Scott of Hobbs. The 60-day legislative session begins Jan. 21.

Nov. 19—SANTA FE — Some New Mexico legislative candidates who won election this month could get a head start at the Roundhouse. That's because five Senate Republicans have stepped down this fall before the end of their terms, paving the way for successors possibly to be appointed before January. That could give them a slight advantage in seniority, which is among the criteria used to decide ...

Some outgoing legislators step down early, possibly giving their successors a head start

The Essex County Historic Courthouse in Newark (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) Attorneys for the state of New Jersey and four school districts squared off in court in Newark Tuesday over district policies that require parental notification when students change their sexuality or gender identity. The school districts asked a three-judge appellate panel to lift temporary court orders that prohibit Middletown, Marlboro, Manalapan, and Hanover school districts from implementing the policies. Two Superior Court judges had suspended the policies — in May 2023 for Hanover and August 2023 for the other three districts — until a civil rights challenge state Attorney General Matt Platkin filed last year is decided. Platkin says the policies violate protections for LGBTQ people under the state's Law Against Discrimination. Attorney Bruce Padula, who represents Manalapan and Middletown, told Judges Robert J. Gilson, Avis Bishop-Thompson, and Lorraine Augostini that it has been 517 days since Platkin first filed his civil rights complaint. "For all intents and purposes, by stalling the (civil rights) matter, this preliminary injunction has turned into a permanent injunction," Padula said. The judges did not issue a decision Tuesday but heard almost three hours of argument, in which both sides insisted protecting students was their primary concern. In urging the judges to continue prohibiting the policies' implementation, Assistant Attorney General Mayur Saxena said such policies involuntarily out transgender students who aren't ready or comfortable with sharing their gender identity with their families. "Parents absolutely play an essential role in guiding their children's development, and the state reaffirms that fact today. But no court has ever held that a parent's constitutional rights are so broad as to affirmatively require school districts to discriminate against transgender students through blanket involuntary notification," Saxena said. But Padula and attorneys for the other districts insisted their policies protect against forced outing, such as a parent hearing about their child's gender transition through gossip. They also protect students, because notifying parents ensures parents will get kids help when they struggle, added attorney Matthew Giacobbe, who represents Hanover. "We're never going to put a kid in harm's way," Giacobbe said. "We have to work as a team. And that's really what this is — it's not silos. We don't operate in silos, where school is a silo, home is a silo. No, it's a farm. And it all has to work together." The school districts' attorneys argued that children are immature and make rash decisions, and transitioning to another gender can have a lifelong impact, with social transitioning "the first step" toward medical treatment. One told the appellate panel that the policies have "nothing to do with the student's gender identity" and that any change would trigger parental notification, such as a student developing eyesight or hearing problems that keep them from seeing the blackboard or hearing the teacher. "Frankly, it doesn't matter what is the cause that triggers the notification, if there's a concern that the kid is somehow suffering from some social, emotional, or physical harm," Giacobbe agreed. Saxena disputed that claim, though, saying a student's gender identity triggers the policies in question — and gender identity is specifically protected under the Law Against Discrimination. "The policies don't apply to students incidentally because they're transgender. They apply precisely because the students are expressing their gender identity, and that's what makes them discriminatory," Saxena said. The judges pushed back on some of the school districts' arguments too. Bishop-Thompson asked how notifying parents against a student's wishes is a "student-centered policy," as the districts claim, while Gilson asked if the policies represented the "school board substituting its view for the student's best interest." Bishop-Thompson also questioned Hanover's policy, which allows lunch aides and other staff besides teachers and counselors to report a student for actions that could result in "adverse impacts." Giacobbe responded that the policy does not allow aides to report concerns directly to parents, but instead only to a school's higher-ups, like principals, who would then determine whether notification was warranted. Giacobbe insisted that parental notification policies protect teachers and school districts from angry parents looking for someone to blame when something goes wrong with their children. "I'm handling a lot of lawsuits from school districts, and you know who they come after? They come after the teachers, the principal, the school district. That's what happens," he said. "So we do have a duty to notify and it's steeped in our law." Besides, the policies in question align with other parental notification requirements that bar children from doing things like getting tattoos or taking Tylenol, the school districts' attorneys argued. "You can't take an aspirin, you can't do anything, without parental notification — but you could go so far as to fully socially transition in school without parental notification. We just feel that that's not a best policy or practice, and it's not in the best interest of the student," Padula said. Attorney Natalie J. Kraner, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, countered that survival is in the best interest of the student. She reminded the judges of the harms LGBTQ students face when they're not ready to come out or have a family that's not supportive. "There is no group more vulnerable or more susceptible to physical or psychological harm than transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary, and the statistical possibility that even one transgender student affected by the amended policies should run away from home or attempt to commit suicide is sufficient to tip the balance of equities in favor of the state," Kraner said. "That's what's at stake here."

Attorneys for four districts asked judges to lift court stays on policies that would allow them to notify parents when students change genders.

Court mulls school parental notification policies on transgender students

SAN FRANCISCO - A pregnant woman was shot in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to fire officials. Authorities told KTVU the woman called 911 to report she had been shot in the 1100 block of Hollister. The initial call was received around 2:13 p.m. Officials could not provide information on the woman's condition or her unborn child. She was taken to a local hospital. San Francisco police officers searched the area for the suspect, who remains at large. Neighbors said they were putting their 4-month-old son down for a nap when they heard a gunshot. "I didn't think it was like really close until I heard the cops stop right in front of the house, and then I thought, that's really close," said neighbor Angelina Raygoza. Her partner, AJ Alvarez, said he was shocked to learn it happened so close to where he and his family live. "It happened to be four houses down from where we live. So, that's really devastating to hear about that violent act happening so close to home," he said. Authorities have not disclosed whether the injured woman and the suspect knew each other or what led to the shooting. Aerial footage showed several police cars and an intersection blocked off with crime scene tape.

A pregnant woman was shot in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to fire officials.

Pregnant woman shot in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood, fire officials say

Nov. 19—A woman died less than 24 hours after being booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Monday. MDC spokeswoman Candace Hopkins said 30-year-old Deana Harry was pronounced dead around 9 p.m. after being "discovered in distress" in her cell. "The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will investigate the cause of death," Hopkins said. Both the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and MDC's Office of Professional Standards are investigating the circumstances that led to Harry's death. Harry is the 31st person to die at the facility or die after being injured or falling ill at the jail since 2020. The majority of those who have died were detoxing at the time. Last week, according to Albuquerque police, a man died from "a medical episode" in the intake area of West Side jail after officers brought him there to be booked. Court records show Harry was arrested Sunday night by Albuquerque police after she allegedly drove away from the scene of a minor crash while having a revoked license. She had been charged with driving with a revoked license, a petty misdemeanor, and leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor. Hopkins said Harry was booked at 3 a.m. on Monday. Harry was found "in distress" around 8 p.m., and first responders with the jail's healthcare provider, University of New Mexico Health Systems, "initiated life-saving measures." "Those efforts continued until Harry was pronounced deceased at approximately 9:10 p.m. by UNM Hospital staff," Hopkins said. "A rigorous review of the incident is now underway at MDC. Support services will be provided for inmates and staff impacted by this incident."

Nov. 19—A woman died less than 24 hours after being booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Monday. MDC spokeswoman Candace Hopkins said 30-year-old Deana Harry was pronounced dead around 9 p.m. after being "discovered in distress" in her cell. "The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will investigate the cause of death," Hopkins said. Both the Bernalillo County Sheriff's ...

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