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Trump lawyer hints at a First Amendment defense in the Jan. 6 case. Some legal experts are dubious

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s legal team is characterizing his indictment in the special counsel’s 2020 election interference investigation as an attack on the former president’s right to free speech. But the case is not merely about Trump’s lies but also about the efforts he took to subvert the election, prosecutors say.The early contours of a potential legal and political defense began to emerge in the hours after the charges were unsealed, with defense lawyer John Lauro accusing the Justice Department of having “criminalized” the First Amendment and asserting that his client had relied on the advice of attorneys around him in 2020. He also indicated he would look to slow the case down despite prosecutors’ pledge of a speedy trial.But experts say there’s little legal merit to Trump’s First Amendment claims, particularly given the breadth of steps taken by Trump and his allies that prosecutors say transformed mere speech into action in a failed bid to undo the election. Those ef...

Multiple hospitalized following South Side shootings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two people are in critical condition following two shootings on Chicago's South Side Wednesday evening.According to the Chicago Police Departments, officers responded to the intersection of 81st Street and Elizabeth Street in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on reports of a shooting on Wednesday. VIDEO: School bus crashes into home on Northwest Side An adult male was shot at the intersection of 81st and Elizabeth Street was reportedly taken to a local hospital in critical condition.The Chicago Fire Department also reports that an adult female was also shot near the 81st Street and Ashland Avenue intersection and she was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition. Also, a child was also hospitalized in fair condition.No further information has been made available at this time.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

Mayor Johnson talks Chicago's top cop search, migrant relocation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the media Wednesday afternoon, where the city's next top cop, the ongoing migrant crisis, and upcoming events were among the topics of discussion.With the deadline to make his selection for Chicago police's new superintendent fast approaching, Johnson said he is purposely being deliberate. "It’s important that we’re intentional and that we take our time so that we make the right decision," Johnson said. The superintendent finalists are Larry Snelling and Angel Novalez, both high-ranking officials from within CPD, and Shon Barnes, who serves as police chief in Madison, Wisconsin.  City releases music, food lineup for 2023 Taste of Chicago Johnson said he is in the process of scheduling time for each candidate to make presentations. "I want to make sure that whatever decision we make and whoever we decide to hire, that the people of Chicago are very clear about how that decision is made," the mayor said. "So, those initial conversati...

Chicago painter with Ukrainian roots helping children of war-torn areas through her art

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

A Chicago area woman has found a way to use her talents to help thousands of children in war torn regions of Ukraine.Elena Diadenko has always found peace in running a paint brush across glass. It reminded her of her roots in Ukraine, where the delicate art form has remained a popular part of culture for centuries.Teaching it to others here in the States has always been special, but she never imagined it would be the tie that would allow her to help. With nothing more than a paintbrush in her own hand, and by guiding the hand of others, Diadenko was able to raise more than $50,000 dollars she donated to those on the front lines. Little did she know, the same sweet folklore pictures she used for glass painting, would capture the attention of a woman in Eastern Ukraine who reached out to Diadenko, with a favor. Ukrainian artist painting historic section of Uptown ‘en plein air’ “She saw all the children going into cellars for months, not going to school,” she said. “She to...

AI and mammograms — plus more stories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for August 2.AI & MammogramsA new study finds artificial intelligence can cut the work of radiologists by nearly half.And researchers say it's safe to use the technology to detect breast cancer.They looked at scans from more than 80,000 women in Sweden who had gotten a mammogram.Half of the group's scans were read by two highly experienced radiologists.The other half were read using AI and a radiologist.The results were surprising.The AI supported scans detected 20 percent more cancers than the group that relied solely on radiologists.What's more, the use of AI did not increase the number of false positive results.It also reduced the radiologists workload by 44 percent.Breastfeeding linked to saving infants livesA new study finds breastfeeding could be lifesaving.The American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports breastfeeding is associated with a 33 percent reduction in infant deaths in their first year of life.The study also found breastfeeding for any am...

FBI finds 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing kids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

(NewsNation) — The FBI announced Tuesday it found more than 200 sex trafficking victims and more than 125 suspects during a two-week child exploitation operation in July.During "Operation Cross Country," the FBI also located 59 victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation and 59 missing children. The operation was in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.The FBI teamed with other federal agencies and state and local police to identify or arrest 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking and 68 suspected traffickers.“Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “The FBI’s actions against this threat never waver, as we continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.”"About 300,000 children are trafficked every year across the world," said NewsNation national securi...

Actor Leah Remini files lawsuit against the Church of Scientology and its current leader

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

(KTLA) - Leah Remini has stepped up her years-long battle against the Church of Scientology. The actor filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in a Los Angeles superior court against the church and its current leader, David Miscavige. Remini made the announcement in a statement on Substack."After 17 years of harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and defamation, I am filing a lawsuit against Scientology and David Miscavige," she wrote. Leah Remini arrives at night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)The point of the lawsuit is to require the church "and any entity it controls and funds, to cease and desist its alleged practice of harassment, defamation and other unlawful conduct against anyone who Scientology has labeled as an 'enemy.'"She's also seeking compensation for what she claims "Scientology has inflicted on her and her career."The former "King of Queens" star further explained in her statement ...

Cubs' starter Marcus Stroman will be out of the rotation for a bit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

CHICAGO — After the most difficult stretch of his 2023 season and Cubs' career to date, the team's All-Star starter is going to be out of the rotation for a little bit. The Cubs have placed starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on the 15-day IL with right hip inflammation..He’s had a 9.11 ERA in six starts in the month of July in his most difficult stretch of the 2023 season..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/3U1vtYaE6V— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) August 2, 2023On Wednesday, the Cubs placed starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on the 15-day IL with right hip inflammation, which figures to keep him out for at least two starts. Jose Cuas, who was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with the Royals for Nelson Velazquez on Monday, has been added to the 26-man roster and will be available for game against the Reds at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. This comes after Stroman endured the roughest stretch of his time with the Cubs in July when he had a 9.11 ERA over his six starts. This came after the sta...

'I wasn't going to come out of the water without finding her': Good Samaritan credited with pulling three from reservoir

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

CUMMINING, IOWA (WHO) -- What started as a normal evening for Jason McLendon and his wife quickly turned into the opposite after they jumped into action in an attempt to save three people at Iowa's Dale Maffitt Reservoir. On Monday at 6:48 p.m., the Dallas County Dispatch got a call requesting help for three people who had been fishing at Moffitt Lake and fell in the water. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office said that a passerby helped two people out of the water and then dove to the bottom and pulled out the third who had been underwater for several minutes. Authorities said the 14-year-old girl who was underwater later died at a hospital.That passerby was McLendon."My wife and I were driving back from a friend's house," said McLendon. "I came across the dam here. I noticed a lady with a fishing pole ahead of us, walked out halfway in the road, walked back, looked a little confused. Thought they were just fishing. I get halfway down (the dam) and I see a man and a young boy running...

Second wildfire in Bastrop County burns nearly 30 acres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:48 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 2, 2023BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 100 acres, 65% contained Officials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 30 acres, as of about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. BCOEM said there is no containment of the fire, but added there are no evacuations necessary at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.