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Loudoun Co. superintendent trial continues for 5th day

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

Jury deliberations continued into the afternoon Friday in the trial of Scott Ziegler, the former schools superintendent in Loudoun County, Virginia.Ziegler is on trial for two misdemeanors related to the firing of elementary school teacher Erin Brooks, allegedly in retaliation for her testimony before a special grand jury. That panel was investigating the school system’s handling of two sexual assaults by the same high school student in 2021.One of the charges has never been tried in a Virginia court — notion of retaliation from a public figure — which may be contributing to the lengthy timeline of the trial.After Brooks testified in the case Thursday, jurors began deliberating, leaving the courthouse around 8:30 p.m.As of noon Friday, the jury had deliberated 4 hours in total. Jurors ordered lunch to the courthouse to continue deliberations. If convicted, Ziegler would face up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine for the retaliation charge. The other misdemeanor, puni...

Syrian Kurdish fighters backed by US troops say they’ve captured a senior Islamic State militant

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian Kurdish fighters and American forces have captured a senior member of the Islamic State group, a militant described as one of its “key facilitators,” the force said Friday. Mahmdouh Ibrahim al-Haji, also known as Abu Youssef, was taken into custody on Thursday in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, according to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, just days after the U.S. military said it had captured another IS operator in northern Syria.According to a statement from the Syrian Kurdish fighters, al-Haji “was actively involved in enabling … terrorist cells in the region.” It added that the joint force raided his hideout west of Raqqa, “and successfully apprehended him.”Despite their defeat in Syria in March 2019, IS sleeper cells are still able to carry out deadly attacks that have killed scores of people over the past year.The U.S. has approximately 900 troops in Syria focused on countering the remnants of IS, which had held a wide swath o...

Kansas guard Arterio Morris charged with rape, dismissed from men’s basketball team

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris was charged Friday with one count of rape and dismissed from the Jayhawks’ program, the latest in a string of legal trouble that has followed the former prep standout from his days at Texas.Morris was booked in Douglas County and his bond was set at $75,000, public records showed. His arrest came after an incident report came to light this month that detailed an alleged rape that occurred at McCarthy Hall, which houses the Jayhawks’ men’s basketball team along with other residents and is located near Allen Fieldhouse.Morris was not named in the incident report, but he was subsequently suspended from the basketball program.“We are now aware he has been arrested and charged, and he was dismissed from the program,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement to The Associated Press. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further at this time.”Morris transferred to Kansas despite facing a misdemean...

You may not want to take a dip — Anacostia River gets another failing grade

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

While over 100 people were set to swim in the Anacostia River last week before the event was canceled due to weather, a new report said the waterway gets a failing grade for river health. It is the third failing grade the group has given to the Anacostia in six years.The Anacostia Rivershed Society said in its “2023 State of the River Report Card,” despite some visible signs of improving, the river still failed quality tests. The river’s high level of fecal bacteria, which comes from the city’s sewage runoff, contributed to the failing grade.The fecal bacteria declined to a 53% grade, dropping from 55% the pervious year. A score of 100% means bacteria levels are low enough to swim at all times.Another measure of focus is submerged aquatic vegetation, and over the last year the group said the Anacostia River saw a sharp loss in these plants. Water clarity is important, as this vegetation requires sunlight to survive. The Anacostia River received a failing grad...

United Airlines pilots ratified a new contract that their union says is worth more than $10 billion

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Pilots for United Airlines have ratified a new four-year contract that their union says is worth more than $10 billion.The union previously said the deal would raise pay by up to 40% over four years.The Air Line Pilots Association said Friday that 82% of pilots who took part in the voting favored the agreement.Garth Thompson, leader of the union’s United group, called it an industry-leading contract that “brings substantial benefits to our pilots.”United joins Delta Air Lines and American Airlines in nailing down new contract pilots that remove a source of friction with a key labor group but will add significantly to the carriers’ costs. Pilots at Southwest Airlines, who are represented by a separate union, are still in negotiations, as are flight attendants at several airlines.The pilots’ union said the United contract includes industry-leading increases and improvements in work rules, sick leave, vacation time and retirement benefits. United has ab...

Metro train with 50 on board derails outside Reagan National airport, no reported injuries

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

A Blue Line Metro train carrying about 50 passengers derailed Friday morning outside Reagan National Airport, according to the transit agency.No injuries have been reported as a result of the derailment, which happened around 10:45 a.m. A Metro spokesperson said a rescue train was sent to the derailed train in order to get riders back to the platform at National Airport. All passengers made it aboard the rescue train, the spokesperson said.Rail service has been suspended between the Potomac Yard and National Airport stations. Shuttle buses are operating between those stations.We’re monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates as they become available. Follow @Metrorailinfo for the latest service updates. #wmata https://t.co/VRpd5JoZBp— Metro Forward (@wmata) September 29, 2023This story is developing and will be updated. Source

Miami’s Jaylen Waddle clears concussion protocols, LB Jaelan Phillips ruled out Sunday vs. Bills

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocols, coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Friday, and will be available when Miami heads to Buffalo to face the division rival Bills on Sunday.Waddle missed the Dolphins Week 3 win over Denver after a helmet-to-helmet hit against New England in Week 2. He said he didn’t experience any concussion symptoms while in the protocol.Waddle is averaging over 20 yards on eight catches this season.Miami will be without starting linebacker Jaelan Phillips, as well as receivers River Cracraft and Erik Ezukanma.Phillips was sidelined against New England after hurting his back in practice. He returned last week but left with an oblique injury in the second quarter and did not return. Andrew Van Ginkel will likely replace him at outside linebacker after recording a sack, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss when he filled in there for Phillips in Week 2.Cracraft injured his shoulder again...

Woman fatally struck by Publix truck outside Fort Lauderdale store

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

Fort Lauderdale Police responded to a collision involving a Publix tractor-trailer and a pedestrian at the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Northeast 15th Avenue.First responders from both FLPD and the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) rushed to the scene, just before noon, on Friday, where FLFR personnel pronounced the pedestrian, an adult female, deceased. According to officials, preliminary information suggests that the victim was operating a motorized scooter or wheelchair at the time of the collision. As the investigation unfolds, FLPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit has closed off Northeast 15th Avenue north of Sunrise Boulevard, leading to anticipated traffic delays in the vicinity due to the ongoing police activity.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Athens wants to revamp EU-Turkey migrant deal

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

BRUSSELS — Athens wants to expand a migration deal with Turkey, Greek Interior Minister Dimitrios Kairidis said. The European Union reached the contentious agreement with Turkey at the peak of the migration crisis in March 2016. It foresaw that all undocumented migrants arriving from Turkey to the Greek islands without admissible asylum applications should be returned to Turkey. But these days, that deal “does not work, Turkey does not take back people,” Kairidis told POLITICO. After a meeting with EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in Brussels on Thursday, Kairidis said there’s “more cooperation from the Turkish side and better guarding of the border.” Germany is concerned because many migrants who cross into the EU from Turkey are destined for Germany. “We already see some improvement on the ground, especially on the land border,” Kairidis said.Tensions between Athens and Ankara on migration and territorial dis...

Don’t let the bedbugs bite! France tackles insect invasion on public transport

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:51:16 GMT

Emmanuel Macron’s government is moving to tackle the “scourge” of bedbugs in France after a raft of videos showed the minuscule insects popping up on public transport, with Paris city hall demanding a reaction. “I will bring together transport operators next week to provide information on the actions undertaken and act more to serve travelers,” said France’s Transport Minister Clément Beaune on Friday. “To reassure and protect.”On Thursday, the Paris mayor’s office finally had enough of the invasive creatures — which are named for their habit of nesting in mattresses, though they can also burrow into luggage and clothes — with the French capital less than a year away from hosting the prestigious Olympic Games. “Bedbugs are a public health problem and must be declared as such,” Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire wrote in a letter to French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Thursday, French media reported. “The State ...