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Appeals court stops planned execution of Texas inmate convicted of killing a fellow prisoner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas’ top criminal appeals court has stopped Thursday evening’s scheduled execution of a Texas inmate who had been condemned for killing another prisoner more than 26 years ago. William Speer, 49, had been set to receive a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. The victim’s sister and religious leaders had recently asked authorities to spare his life.Speer was convicted of the strangling death of Gary Dickerson in July 1997 at the Telford state prison, located near New Boston in northeast Texas.His attorneys had asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to stop his execution over allegations that prosecutors at his 2001 trial failed to disclose evidence, presented false testimony and that his trial lawyers failed to present evidence about Speer’s troubled childhood. They say Speer was physically and sexually abused as a child. Prosecutors have denied the allegations against them.Less than five hours before his scheduled execution at 6 p...

New Speaker Mike Johnson heads to the White House to discuss Biden’s bid for Israel and Ukraine aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Johnson is the new speaker of the House, but the Donald Trump ally inherits many of the same political problems that have tormented past GOP leaders, tested their grasp of the gavel and eventually chased them from office.The House convened Thursday with a bustle of activity, making up for lost time during the weeks of chaos since Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker. But the initial goodwill toward Johnson blurs the political fault lines challenging the Louisianan’s ability to lead the GOP majority as it faces daunting issues ahead. Johnson headed to the White House for a classified briefing and planned to meet later with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Earlier, Johnson said “prayer is appropriate” as a response to the mass shootings in Maine. “This is a dark time in America,” Johnson said at the Capitol on his first full day as speaker.“We’re really, really hopeful and prayerful,” he said about the Maine shootings. “Prayer is a...

Maz Jobrani hopes to ‘bring people together’ with ‘Mr. International Comedy Tour’ at Kennedy Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

He filmed his very first Netflix standup special at the Kennedy Center in the nation’s capital back in 2017. In this Dec. 22, 2009 photo, Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani poses at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)(ASSOCIATED PRESS/Damian Dovarganes) In this Dec. 22, 2009 photo, Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani poses at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)(ASSOCIATED PRESS/Damian Dovarganes) Next week, Maz Jobrani returns to the venue for his “Mr. International Comedy Tour” for two nights on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.“It’s ‘Mr. International’ because I wanted ‘Mr. Worldwide,’ but Pitbull has that; I’m the other bald ...

The population center of Colorado likely isn't where you think it is: Census

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — When you think of the heart of Colorado, maybe you think of its capital, Denver. Geographically speaking, maybe you think of the area slightly west of Colorado Springs or even Breckenridge. Surprisingly, the center of Colorado's population isn’t exactly close to any of these.Since the first census in 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has been calculating the “center of population” in the country. This is a point where an imaginary, flat, weightless, and rigid map of the U.S. would balance perfectly if everyone were of identical weight. It is the average location of where people in the U.S. live, according to the Census Bureau. Data from the 2020 census found Hartville, Missouri, is the “heart” of America. Since 1980, Missouri towns have been the population centers, but the first-ever center in 1790 was in Maryland, just east of Baltimore. This town in Colorado has a population of zero In addition to calculating the center of population for the U.S., the ...

Denver to close 2 roads in LoDo this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The City and County of Denver announced Thursday that two blocks in the lower downtown neighborhood will be temporarily closed during nights this weekend.The closures are happening in response to requests from residents and nearby businesses to better manage crowds and traffic and improve safety in the area, according to a press release. These Halloween pop-up bars are open in Denver The city is piloting these closures to see how they might impact crowd management and congestion in the area.Market Street will be closed between 19th Street and 20th Street, and Larimer Street will be closed between 20th Street and 21st Street. The closures will be in place Friday and Saturday nights from about 10 p.m. to 3 a.m."Removing traffic flow and parked vehicles from these two blocks will also increase officers' visibility of potentially dangerous or illegal activity occurring so that it can be quickly addressed," the press release read.Parking meters in the closed areas will...

Guy Fieri to sign cigar boxes, meet fans in Lafayette on Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Emmy Award-winning TV host Guy Fieri will be spending Halloween with his Coloradan fans.Fieri will be signing boxes of his brand Knuckle Sandwich cigars and meeting fans, according to a Facebook event listing. Sam’s No. 3 in Aurora to close by end of year According to Cigar Aficionado magazine, Fieri enjoyed cigars throughout college and his career as a chef and TV personality. He owns several restaurants and a tequila brand and even founded a non-profit charity foundation. He hadn't yet been immersed in the cigar business, so he partnered with cigarmaker Erik Espinosa. For a year or so, Espinosa would send sample cigars to Fieri, according to the magazine, who would give feedback until they narrowed it down to four samples, which became Knuckle Sandwich cigars and hit the market in 2022.That year, the Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano Corona Gorda R cigar was named the No. 23 cigar of 2022 by Cigar Aficionado.According to his Flavortown USA website, Colorado is on...

Jefferson County Sheriff seeks additional victims of sex trafficking suspect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) -- Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is seeking possible additional victims of a suspected sex trafficker who was arrested on Oct. 19.Roman Bear Rivera, 39, is being held with no bond on charges of felony sexual servitude, felony pimping and felony pandering. He was arrested with help from the Denver Police Department, and the investigation has been in conjunction with the FBI's Operation Cross Country. The suspect in the fatal Maine shootings is still at large. Residents are sheltering in place Operation Cross Country uses multiple task forces across the U.S. to recover trafficked children, including the FBI Denver Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.One adult female who is a suspected victim of Rivera was found living in a Lakewood hotel. Rivera is a registered sex offender.Investigators believe Rivera has more victims out there, "likely more adult women and potentially underage girls in the metro area, who can now safely come forwa...

Transit bus collides with 4 vehicles in Hialeah; 1 hospitalized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

A transit bus collided with four vehicles in Hialeah.The crash happened Thursday morning along Palm Avenue and West 23rd Street.A black sedan, a pickup truck and a white SUV were badly damaged and towed away.According to officials, at least one person suffered a foot injury and was taken to the hospital.The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Fire truck at station in Lauderhill goes up in flames

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

It was an ironic job for firefighters after one of their own trucks caught on fire. The incident happened at a Lauderhill station Thursday morning, as firefighters found smoke coming from the front cabin of the truck.They were able to quickly knock out the blaze.No one was hurt and there no damage was done to the station.Officials said repairs to the truck are costly and will take time.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Police: South Florida couple arrested for abusing teen for years resulting in ‘permanent disfigurement’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:48 GMT

A Margate couple was arrested for abusing a teen they had custody of for nearly a decade, officials said. Latricia Crawley, 46, and Benjamin Lockett, 43, are facing charges of aggravated child abuse and child neglect with great bodily harm after a victim’s plea for help led to a shocking discovery of long-term abuse. According to authorities, Margate Police responded to the couple’s Margate home on Wednesday, after the teenage victim reached out to her online instructor for assistance. Upon arrival at the home, police reportedly found the victim with a laceration on her head and visible swelling, resulting from an assault by Lockett. She was immediately transported to Broward Health Coral Springs for treatment.During her medical examination, officers said they uncovered evidence of extensive long-term trauma on the victim’s body, including scars consistent with ligature marks, bruising, scar tissue, bite marks from insects, and signs of malnutrition.According to th...