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Jesse Wegman: The impossible task of defending Donald Trump

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

From the moment Donald Trump was indicted last week, top Republican lawmakers and media figures have found themselves in the humiliating position of trying to defend the indefensible. Many of them are lawyers; having seen the overwhelming strength of the evidence in the indictment, they could simply have accepted that Trump is in big trouble.Instead, they have burst forth with an embarrassing slurry of misdirection, illogic and non sequiturs explaining why Trump should not be treated like everyone else in the eyes of the law. They offer legal arguments with no basis in the law or explanations that are nonsensical on their face.On Monday, for example, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was asked whether he was concerned that Trump kept highly classified national security documents in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom. His reply: “A bathroom door locks.”Alas, McCarthy is far from alone in debasing himself for the benefit of the former president. So on the occasion of Trump’s second not-guilty plea in t...

How much prison time could Trump face?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI investigators who searched Harold Martin's Maryland property in the fall of 2016 found classified documents—including material at the top secret level—strewn about his home, car and storage shed. The resolution of that case looms as an ominous guidepost for the legal jeopardy former President Donald Trump could face as he confronts 37 felony counts—31 under the same century-old Espionage Act statute used to prosecute Martin and other defendants alleged to have illegally retained classified documents. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Unlike Trump, the former National Security Agency contractor didn't contest the allegations. Martin ultimately pleaded guilty in 2019 and admitted his actions were “wrong, illegal and highly questionable.” But his expressions of contrition and guilty plea to a single count of willful retention of national defense information didn't spare him the harsh punishment of nine ...

Water rates likely going up after St. Louis aldermen ‘perfect’ bill

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS – After a lengthy, hours-long discussion about Bill 49 and two amendments, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted to perfect the bill Thursday afternoon.One amendment passed. The additional amendment, which aimed to remove the Consumer Price Index (CPI) language of automatic rate increases, did not pass."We had some amendments that we considered. One of them passed; it added a review process to the bill so that yearly, going forward, there will be – the Water Division will have to present documents to the board of alderman," said Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, the bill’s sponsor. A Missouri doctor’s death is steeped in mystery and speculation. Authorities aren’t talking Those documents would help clarify the operation of the Water Division and how the money is being spent.Bill 49 would raise the typical water bill for city residents by an additional $15 in July.Starting in January, water bills would go up $30 a quarter.Alderwoman Schweitzer said there hasn't been a water inc...

Man says Tesla's security camera caught woman vandalizing vehicle

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – A random act of vandalism could cost a Metro East man thousands of dollars in car repairs.The vehicle’s owner is making a plea to the public to help him find the woman who keyed his Tesla and possibly several other cars.Adam Mongold says his Tesla was keyed while he was enjoying a concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. For Mongold, it’s less about repairing the damage, but holding the person responsible.Security video taking from Mongold’s Tesla shows a woman vandalizing his car while it’s parked outside the concert venue. A Missouri doctor’s death is steeped in mystery and speculation. Authorities aren’t talking Police are aware of the video and have asked it be shared in the hopes of identifying the suspect.“I noticed the scratch. I thought something was on (the camera), so I tried to get it out of there. I was able to pull the flash drive out of the car and plug in my computer,” Mongold said. “I just went back and started looking through everybody...

CDOT building temporary bridge in push to reopen flood-damaged Colorado 133 east of Paonia

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

State highway officials facing an “emergency need” to reopen Colorado 133 — the McClure Pass linking Glenwood Springs with Paonia and Montrose — are building a temporary bridge.The highway could open by Monday, Colorado Department of Transportation officials announced Thursday morning.The work includes pouring concrete that would have to dry — likely “determinative of when the bridge is safe to drive,” officials said in a news release.Related ArticlesColorado News | Denver weather: Rain storms, thunder and lightning expected through Friday Colorado News | 2023 is one of Colorado’s wettest starts to a year. Here’s how much rain has soaked your city. Colorado News | Flagler Reservoir closed by recent heavy rains and flooding Colorado News | Denver weather: Cloudy morning, leading to rain and possible flooding Colorado News | Tornado warning issued for El Paso, Lincoln counties Build...

Southern California couple found dead at Mexican resort

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

A Newport Beach business owner and his girlfriend were found dead at a resort near Cabo San Lucas on Tuesday under circumstances that remain under investigation.The bodies of John Heathco, 41, and Abby Lutz, 28, were discovered inside a room at the upscale Hotel Rancho Pescadero in El Pescadero around 9 p.m. Tuesday, the Baja California Sur Attorney General’s Office confirmed to ABC News.El Pescadero is located on the Pacific coast of the Baja Peninsula roughly one hour north of Cabo.The bodies of Abby Lutz, 28, and John Heathco, 41, were discovered inside a room at Hotel Rancho Pescadero on June 13. (Facebook/LinkedIn)Their cause of death was listed as "intoxication by substance to be determined," the AG’s office said. In a GoFundMe post, a friend of Lutz says the couple may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.“Abby and her boyfriend thought they had food poisoning and went to the hospital to get treatment. We were told they were feeling much better a few days later,” Gabrielle...

Ex-dean of Watts high school accused of sending inappropriate messages, pursuing student

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

A man who worked as a dean at a Watts school is accused of sending messages to a student and pursuing her for more than two years, officials announced Thursday.Last week, Roger Scott, 43, of Lakewood, was arrested and booked on suspicion of contact with a minor with knowledge and intent to commit specified sexual offenses, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.He worked as a dean at a school near the 9700 block of Holmes Avenue until last November, when his employment “ended,” police said without elaborating. The address matches a charter school called College Bridge Academy - Watts.Scott was arrested after a student said she received ongoing inappropriate sexual text messages and emails from Scott, who allegedly pursued her for sex while he worked at the school, police said.He was later released on $25,000 bail and is set to appear in court on June 29.Authorities believe Scott may have victimized others.Anyone with information about Scott, or believes they may have been vi...

FROM BEAUTY TO CREATURE: ALEXANDRA BOKOVA TRANSFORMS FOR SCI-FI ALIEN PLANET

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

(Alexandra wearing own Mugler SS23 pants and top)Alexandra Bokova stars as Lock in Alien Planet, directed by Alan Maxson, about aliens on a mission to protect their planets from scarce resources and invasion. Her role is already generating buzz as fans anticipate the actress’s incredible transformation.Bokova previously starred in Mermaid Down were she plays a convincing mute, dark and edgy Mermaid. She also wears and swims in a six foot long prosthetic tail. This time around she geared up in full prosthetics for Alien Planet.“These are both indie films, with small productions. So you just make it work. The tail was fun because it had some foam inside so it could sort of float but, it was incredibly heavy. Once they got me in it I was in there for hours until we had to get a shot. With Alien Planet, the prosthetics are on my face. It was challenging to adapt without properly hearing, biting, and seeing. I wore contact lenses and fake teeth I had to learn to speak with. But you adapt...

Walter Koricanek Dies after Four-Car Crash on Highway 80 [Cochise County, AZ]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

60-Year-Old Driver Killed after Traffic Accident near Saint DavidCOCHISE COUNTY, AZ (June 15, 2023) – Wednesday afternoon, a multi-car crash on Highway 80 claimed the life of Walter Koricanek.The incident happened on June 7th, at around 4:00 p.m., on Highway 80 in Saint David.According to the authorities, a driver was traveling on the westbound lanes of the Highway when they fell asleep at the wheel. The driver then collided with three vehicles that were headed eastbound.The collision injured several of the people involved. Officials at the scene pronounced one man, identified as 60-year-old Walter Koricanek of Goliad, Texas, dead a the scene. Medics transported the other injured individuals to a local hospital for treatment.Also, the driver at fault suffered injuries and was transported to a different hospital.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. The Sweet James team sends their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and f...

Report: Johnson deliberately misled Parliament over ‘partygate’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:56:49 GMT

By Danica Kirka and Sylvia Hui | Associated PressLONDON — A committee of U.K. lawmakers harshly rebuked former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Thursday, saying he lied to Parliament about lockdown-flouting parties and was complicit in a campaign to intimidate those investigating his conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.The House of Commons Privileges Committee found Johnson’s actions were such a flagrant violation of the rules that they warranted a 90-day suspension from Parliament, where he still served after stepping down as prime minister last year. The committee’s sanction would have been more than enough to trigger a by-election that could have cost Johnson his seat in Parliament, but he avoided that ignominy by resigning last week after the committee gave him advance notice of its findings.The release of the Commons committee’s scathing 77-page report Thursday touched off an angry exchange of recriminations. Johnson repeated his claim that the panel w...