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David French: The most interesting element of the Hunter Biden indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

In one sense, the Hunter Biden indictment just isn’t that remarkable, or interesting. Aside from the fact that it’s brought against the president’s son, it’s just plain vanilla gun charges, and the prosecution seems to have him dead to rights. He lied on Form 4473 — the federal form he was required to fill out when he purchased the weapon in question — by certifying that he was not illegally using drugs. He has since publicly stated that he was regularly using drugs, including crack cocaine, when he bought the gun. Thus, there’s overwhelming evidence he committed two related crimes, lying on the form and possessing the weapon itself. Federal law prohibits unlawful users of controlled substances from possessing firearms.But these are not ordinary times, and in another sense, the Hunter Biden case is very interesting indeed.Ironically enough, it could ultimately end up undermining a key element of federal gun regulations. The case could be so threatening to federal gun control efforts...

A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. Texas school says it wasn’t discrimination.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

MONT BELVIEU, Texas — A Black high school student in Texas has served more than two weeks of in-school suspensions for wearing twisted dreadlocks to school. When he arrived Monday with the same hairstyle, he was suspended again, his mother said.Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, was initially suspended the same week his state outlawed racial discrimination based on hairstyles. School officials said his dreadlocks fell below his eyebrows and ear lobes and violated the district’s dress code.George, 17, has been suspended since Aug. 31 at the Houston-area school. He was in tears when he was suspended Monday despite his family’s arguments that his hair does not violate the dress code, his mother Darresha George said.“He has to sit on a stool for eight hours in a cubicle,” she said. “That’s very uncomfortable. Every day he’d come home, he’d say his back hurts because he has to sit on a stool.”The incident recalls debates over hair discrimination in schoo...

Gophers football team’s new black uniforms riles up some fans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

It continues to be a rite of the Gophers football season: The team wears a new and unique alternate jerseys, and the fashion choice riles up a segment of the fan base.The latest example was Minnesota wearing primarily black helmets, jerseys and pants for their 25-6 victory over Eastern Michigan at Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 9.Head coach P.J. Fleck was asked a question about the colors on Monday — two days after his team lost 31-13 to North Carolina. In Chapel Hill, Minnesota wore more traditional white road jerseys, with maroon numbers, maroon pants and the added flair of chrome gold helmets with a old-school Goldy logo on one side and the standard block M on the other.“Our traditional colors are maroon and gold, period,” Fleck said. “Always will be. No one is taking that away.”Fleck then gave the example of traditional programs such as Ohio State and Florida incorporating black uniforms on top of jerseys with their regular colors.“No offense to any of us,” Fleck continued. “I...

Bennington attempted murder suspect captured, pleads not guilty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

BENNINGTON, V.T. (NEWS10) — The suspect in the Bennington, Vermont police hunt has been captured. On Monday he was arraigned and pled not guilty to attempted murder in Vermont Superior Court. The plea comes more than a week after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The exact details of the crime that lead to the charges are unclear. Police capture attempted murder suspect in BenningtonProsecutors requested no bail for the 37-year-old suspect, determining that he was a flight risk. After all, Dumas led Bennington police on a 10 day search hopscotching to points around the New England town. Vermont Police issued a warrant for his arrest on Friday September 8th.Last Thursday afternoon, a tip lead Bennington police to 303 Pleasant Street where Dumas escaped out of a second-floor windowThe manhunt continued until Sunday afternoon when another tip led police to 3 Division Place, a  house that was already under supervision for illegal activity.Dumas was barricaded inside, and after o...

NYC Comptroller launches investigation into DocGo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- A new investigation has been launched looking into DocGo - the company that was hired  to provide care for asylum seekers who come to New York state. This coming just days after their CEO has resigned. Pay transparency law goes into effect New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, recently denied the $432 millions contract DocGo has with the city. Today, he announced his office will be conducting its own audit. "We’ve articulated, and others have articulated, real concerns about this contract, about this vendor, and whether they are able to, and are providing services at the best possible price with integrity. So auditing is the best way to see that," said Lander. And after lying about his educational background, Anthony Capone has stepped down as DocGos Chief Executive Officer. In a statement he admitted, contrary to his official bio, he did not have a masters degree from Clarkson University or any University for that matter, “This inaccuracy should have been...

St. Louis man sentenced in 2018 killing of retired police sergeant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Prosecutors reached a plea agreement on Monday with a 20-year-old who, as a teenager, shot and killed a retired St. Louis police sergeant in 2018.Jalynn Garner was set to go on trial this week for the murder of Ralph Harper. Garner had been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. Garner previously pleaded guilty to those charges in 2019, but was allowed to withdraw those pleas. At the time, defense lawyers argued Garner pleaded guilty to meet an eligibility deadline for the Dual Jurisdiction juvenile rehabilitation program; Garner was later found ineligible.The agreement with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office allowed Garner to plead guilty to second-degree murder; the remaining charges were unaltered. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

9 weeknight dishes to ease summer’s drift to fall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

By Emily Weinstein, The New York TimesOh, September. You are madness. You are back-to-school and back-to-work after August laze and Labor Day. You are crisp new notebooks and backpacks. You are closed-toe shoes. You are calendars cross-referenced, car pools arranged, nut-free lunches assembled.Figuring out dinner every day is already a chore, but in hectic September, it can be a trial.In honor of September, I’ve picked dinner recipes I think you should try this year, ideas that make it easy to eat deliciously. All recipes are straightforward, and many need only 30 minutes to make. None take more than an hour, and if they do take that long, most of the time is hands-off. I kept kids in mind when I picked these recipes, but the truth is that no matter where you are in life, September has a way of sweeping us all. I hope you find dishes here to love and that you put them on repeat all year long.1. Chile Crisp Fettuccine Alfredo With SpinachSwirling chile crisp, a popular Chinese condim...

Ex-Compton councilman paid bribes for marijuana permits, DOJ says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

A former councilman for the city of Compton has been arrested on a federal grand jury indictment accusing him and a consulting client of paying $70,000 in bribes to another politician in exchange for for marijuana permits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Isaac Jacob Galvan, 36, was arrested Monday at his Compton home on a 10-count indictment filed earlier this month.Also arrested as part of the bribery scheme was Yichang Bai, 50, of Arcadia, the owner and operator of W&F International Corp., a Diamond Bar-based import-export business.Galvan and Bai are charged with one count each of conspiracy and bribery, and eight counts of honest services wire fraud, officials said.Galvan allegedly paid the funds to a “corrupt” member of the Baldwin Park City Council, identified as Ricardo Pacheco, for votes and to support commercial marijuana permits for Bai’s corporation.Back in 2017, Baldwin Park began allowing the cultivation, manufacture and distribution of marijuana within c...

'You look great, honey. Let's talk about our 401(k)'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

It's called a "money date."The idea is that many if not most couples are reluctant to sit down and talk finances. So why not make such interactions more attractive by dressing them up as nights out?"I have even suggested to clients, 'Have the money date in your sexy clothes,'" Christine Luken, a financial coach based in Cincinnati, told the Wall Street Journal."Just go ahead and have it naked -- as long as you get the money stuff done," she said.It's a new spin on an old challenge: Getting couples to actively engage with their finances by setting budgets and investment goals, and by doing the heavy financial lifting that comes with living within one's means.The Journal cited the example of Tierra and Gregory Bates, who put on their fanciest duds, head to an upscale steakhouse and mix a little finance with their flirting."We’re discussing things, but we’re celebrating at the same time," Tierra said. "Treating ourselves while still talking about the goals we have in mind."I say: Whate...

2 California universities share top spot in U.S. News & World Report rankings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:33 GMT

For the seventh year in a row, the University of California, Los Angeles has been named the nation’s top public university by U.S. News & World Report, tying another University of California school: U.C. Berkeley.The publication has released its annual list which measured factors including graduation rates, student performance, retention, faculty salaries and peer assessments.Not only did UCLA and Cal land at the top among public schools, but they also tied for 15th among all institutes of higher education, public or private.“The success we have had in college rankings is reflective of the hard work, dedication, resilience, ingenuity and excellence of the people who make up the Bruin community,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block in a statement.Among the top 25 national universities, UCLA ranked highest in social mobility, which looked at the academic success of diverse students, particularly first-generation students and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, the ...