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Mexico arrests alleged security chief for the ‘Chapitos’ wing of the Sinaloa drug cartel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s National Guard officers on Wednesday arrested the hyper violent, alleged security chief for the “Chapitos” wing of the Sinaloa drug cartel. The Public Safety Department’s arrest registry says Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas was detained around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at a walled property in the Sinaloa state capital of Culiacan. The department listed his alias as “El Nini.” The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in April had posted a $3 million reward for his capture. Pérez Salas is wanted on U.S. charges of conspiracy to import and distribute fentanyl in the United States. But he also allegedly left a trail of murder and torture behind him in Mexico.He allegedly protected the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The sons lead a faction of the cartel known as the little Chapos, or “Chapitos” that has been identified as one of the main exporters of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, to the U.S. market.Fentanyl has been blamed for about 70,000 ...

Federal judge shortens Montana’s wolf trapping season to protect non-hibernating grizzly bears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge in Montana has significantly shortened the state’s wolf trapping season to protect grizzly bears that have not yet begun hibernating from being injured by traps.U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday saying Montana’s wolf trapping season can only run from Jan. 1 through Feb. 15, the time during which he said it is reasonably certain that almost all grizzly bears will be in dens. The order applies to all five of the state’s wolf hunting districts along with Hill, Blaine and Phillips counties in north-central Montana — basically the western two-thirds of the state.The injunction remains in effect while the case moves through the courts.“We are elated that Montana’s grizzly bears will at least temporarily avoid the cruel harms caused by indiscriminate steel traps and snares in their habitat,” Lizzy Pennock, an attorney at WildEarth Guardians said in a statement. “We are optimistic tha...

Argentina’s President-elect is racing against the clock to remake the government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina ’s President-elect Javier Milei has called for the wholesale reinvention of the government but he has precious little time.And with less than three weeks until his Dec. 10 inauguration, Milei has no executive experience and few allies in his bullpen.From the moment of the wild-haired outsider ’s decisive victory on Sunday night, the clock started ticking. Argentina’s presidential transition period is one of the shortest in Latin America; it lasts at least six weeks in Colombia and two months in Brazil. Next year’s election in Mexico will feature a six-month handover. Milei “is new to politics, leads a minor political party and has not built an experienced team. He could use more time to prepare his agenda, recruit advisers and senior officials, and build coalitions in the new Congress,” Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center, told The Associated Press. “This is especially important because ...

Morton Grove apartment residents discover eviction notices ahead of Thanksgiving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

MORTON GROVE, Ill. -- Residents who live in 48 units at a Morton Grove apartment complex were surprised to find an eviction notice on their doors letting them know they must find elsewhere to live by Monday.Tenants at three apartment buildings on the 8500 block of Waukegan Road in Morton Grove have been worried about the conditions for a while.In July, the Village of Morton Grove responded to a resident’s complaint and found the steel and concrete support for the outside walkways and railings were in in disrepair. ‘Adopt-a-Sailor’ program helps welcome Navy members into local homes for Thanksgiving The village asked the owner to find a structural engineer to temporarily support the balcony structures, but said the owner failed to respond.The village then issued a series of citations and posted notices on tenants windows on Tuesday deeming the structures unsafe stating the damage is hazardous.The owner hired Martin Lewansowski to come out and assess the corrosion, and give him a qu...

Ed Burke trial: Cross-examination of Burger King owner continues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A Texas-based fast food restaurant magnate who owns a Burger King in the ward of Ed Burke once again took the witness stand Wednesday in Burke's federal trial.The franchise owner, Shoulkat Dhanani, spent most of Tuesday answering questions from prosecutors — telling them he felt pressure to hire Ed Burke so that a construction project at his Burger King would go smoothly.Burke is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion. They're tied to four alleged schemes: the aforementioned Burger King, Binny's Beverage Depot, the Old Main Post Office development and the Field Museum.In the Burger King episode, Burke is accused of trying to pressure Dhanani into using his private law firm to do Dhanani's property tax appeals for all 150 Burger King locations he owns in the area. Previous: Ed Burke trial shifts to alleged Burger King scheme Burke is allegedly heard of a wiretapped phone call telling a Texas political contact that he'd like to get Dhanani's la...

Pate Philip, towering figure in Illinois Republican politics, dies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A hero of the conservative movement, James Peyton Philip, or "Pate" as he was called was an old-school politician. A prolific fundraiser and strategist, he was perhaps best known, however, for his sharp tongue.Phillip served in the Illinois General Assembly for 36 years. After a stint in the House, he was elected to the Senate, rising to president in 1993. It was a post he held for a decade."Growing up, my three heroes were John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Pate Philip," said former State Senator Walter Dudycz.Now retired, Dudycz, who was an assistant leader under Philips, called the former president one-of-a-kind, blunt and loyal.MORE FROM TAHMAN BRADLEY: Migrants, crime, investment in people: Brandon Johnson’s first 6 months as mayor "He was honest, he was straightforward, he was very, very truthful, and he kept his word," Dudycz said. A Marine, Philips was an imposing statue. His tough guy persona made him a force to reckon with, even among fellow Republicans."I can’t tell ...

Several more children sickened by fruit pouches tainted with lead: FDA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — More children were apparently sickened by apple puree pouches recently recalled due to dangerous lead contamination, the Food and Drug Administration said.The agency has received 52 reports of elevated lead levels among children who reportedly consumed the products, which is up from 34 cases reported last week. The reports span 22 states and involve children between the ages of 1 to 4, according to the FDA's online update on the investigation.The pouches were marketed to parents and children under three brands: WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree and Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. They were sold by national grocery chains, including Dollar Tree, and online retailers such as Amazon.The FDA said it is still working with Dollar Tree to get the recalled products off of shelves in several states.“This product should not be available for sale and consumers should not purchase or consume this product,” the agency said. It’s the first ...

FCC proposes ban on cable and satellite TV early termination fees

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a proposal to ban cable and satellite television early termination fees Tuesday.In a press release, the FCC said these fees may limit consumer choice and “may negatively impact competition for services in the marketplace.” The agency also said the fees often make cable and satellite subscribers pay for a whole billing cycle, even if they end the TV service early. “No one wants to pay junk fees for something they don’t want or can’t use. When companies charge customers early termination fees, it limits their freedom to choose the service they want,” FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release.“In an increasingly competitive media market, we should make it easier for Americans to use their purchasing power to promote innovation and expand competition within the industry,” Rosenworcel continued.The proposal will be voted on at a mid-December meeting, according to the release. It goes along with the ...

Congressman McCaul: No 'true peace in the Middle East' until Hamas is defeated

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. (Nexstar/AP) —  A newly set temporary cease-fire is expected to result in the release of dozens of people taken hostage during Hamas’ October attack on Israel, after more than a month of war between Israel and Hamas. Israel and Hamas agreed to the four-day halt, which was announced Wednesday and will also see the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal was brokered by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt and was made public as fighting intensified in central neighborhoods of Gaza City. Israeli officials said the truce would take effect before Friday.Last week, Austin Congressman Michael McCaul — chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — led a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators and representatives to Israel to meet with leaders to discuss America's role in helping defeat Hamas.Nexstar interviewed the Republican congressman last week, before a deal had been reached.McCaul said during their meeting, the group watched disturbing videos shot by Hamas. The ...

3 injured in South MoPac crash Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Three adult patients were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries following a five-vehicle crash on South MoPac Expressway Wednesday.The incident happened in the 2300 block of South MoPac Expressway, the Austin Fire Department posted. That's just north of the Loop 360 and MoPac Expressway interchange, near Barton Square Mall. Initially a vehicle rescue, ATCEMS said that portion of the response was canceled.Austin-Travis County EMS initially said approximately five vehicles are involved in the crash, with one adult patient trapped in their vehicle. A final update from medics said there were three adult patients in total, with two transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center and one taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.Drivers were asked to avoid the area as crews evaluated, treated and prepped patients for transport.