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Rare do-over in California Capitol revives bill to toughen child sex-trafficking penalties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

A bill that would declare child sex-trafficking a serious felony and toughen sentences for the crime would seem like an easy sell to most politicians. But not in Sacramento this week.California’s ruling Democrats have been working for years to reduce criminal penalties under the banner of social justice, hearkening to reformers who say the criminal justice system is stacked against the poor and racial minorities. On Wednesday, however, some Democratic lawmakers went a step too far for Gov. Gavin Newsom and newly named Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.After six Democrats refused to vote the Republican child sex trafficking bill, SB 14, out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, Newsom and Rivas intervened, and on Thursday, under pressure, the committee changed course and revived the bill.It was a rare rebuke from a governor with presidential aspirations and a signal that Democratic leaders in California must be wary about being labeled as “soft on crime.”“This ...

Man arrested after trying to steal catalytic converter in Walnut Creek: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

(KRON) -- A man was arrested for trying to steal a catalytic converter overnight Thursday, the Walnut Creek Police Department said on social media. The attempted theft happened around 3:48 a.m. on the 2700 block of Larkey Lane. Menacing band of car burglars caught on camera roaming Antioch neighborhood One Walnut Creek citizen told police someone was underneath a parked car with a flashlight, and she could hear loud grinding noises. WCPD officers were able to arrive on scene in time to arrest Brian Dodds, 41, of Walnut Creek.The suspect was arrested for an attempted theft charge, along with other charges, according to WCPD. He is also facing a charge of a felon in possession of firearms. Photos of the firearms involved in this case can be viewed below.(Walnut Creek Police Department)(Walnut Creek Police Department)(Walnut Creek Police Department)(Walnut Creek Police Department)KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: ...

Woman arrested after standoff on American Canyon highway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

(KRON) -- A woman was arrested on Thursday morning after a short standoff with the American Canyon Police Department, police said. The incident began when the suspect was stopped on the highway and refused to comply with officers. ACPD said the officers spotted a stolen 2019 Nissan Sentra going southbound on Highway 29 before 9:30 a.m. When a traffic stop was conducted, the driver refused to get out of the car, police said. Menacing band of car burglars caught on camera roaming Antioch neighborhood A short standoff ensued, and police shut down the southbound lanes of the highway near Mid City Nursery at 3635 Broadway Street. The Napa County Sheriff's Office deployed a drone to assist the officers, and it showed the driver repeatedly reaching into a wooden box inside the car, per ACPD. After police gave more commands and the driver continued not to comply, police fired "bean bag rounds" at the car. The suspect then exited the car and was detained. She was not injured, police said. ...

Coyotes cutting ties with new free agent Galchenyuk following arrest on multiple charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes have placed newly signed free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk on unconditional waivers and plan to terminate his contract following his arrest on multiple charges over the weekend.A Scottsdale Police Department spokesperson said Thursday that Galchenyuk was arrested Sunday on charges of private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating. The spokesperson said the hit and run was only property damage and no injuries occurred. Galchenyuk was booked into the Scottsdale city jail on misdemeanor charges and released the next day on his own recognizance.“The Arizona Coyotes have placed forward Alex Galchenyuk on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his contract,” the team said in a statement Thursday. “The Club will have no further comment at this time.”The NHL Players Association said it is reviewing the matter.The Coyotes signed Galchenyuk to a one-year, $775,000 cont...

Former LSU women’s basketball standout Danielle Ballard fatally struck by car

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Former LSU women’s basketball player Danielle Ballard died Thursday after being struck by a car.Memphis police said Ballard, 29, “succumbed to her injuries” at a hospital after being taken from the scene of an accident that was reported to emergency dispatchers at 1:26 a.m.Authorities have not identified the driver of the vehicle that struck Ballard or provided further details, saying an investigation was ongoing and in its preliminary stages. Ballard, who grew up in Memphis, played guard for LSU from 2012 to 2015. She averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists and was among the Tigers’ top players when they advanced to the third round of the 2013 and 2014 NCAA Tournaments. She also was named All-SEC in 2015.“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Danielle,” LSU said in a statement. “She meant a great deal to our program and was such a big part of our women’s basketball family. It’s difficult to understand why this happened to someon...

Florida man gets 18 years in federal prison for supporting Islamic State extremist group

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man accused in 2020 of plotting terror attacks in the U.S. and acquiring an arsenal of weapons was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in federal prison.Mohammed Al-Azhari, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen, was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State extremist group.Al-Azhari admitted in court papers that he scouted potential terrorism targets in the Tampa Bay area, sought to acquire multiple weapons and pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State. The FBI recorded many conversations between Al-Azhari and confidential or undercover sources in which he discussed avenging imprisoned Islamic State fighters and using violence to oppose U.S. military actions in the Middle East.An FBI affidavit says Al-Azhari was recorded as expressing admiration for Omar Mateen, the deceased shooter at the Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre in 2016. In a conversation w...

Memphis Grizzlies forward Kenneth Lofton among undrafted players shining in summer league

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

Memphis Grizzlies forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. is among several undrafted players making an impact in the Las Vegas summer league.The former Louisiana Tech standout who was not selected in 2022 is averaging 20.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in three games while shooting 58% from the field.Lofton uses his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame to seemingly score at will. He was the G-League Rookie of the Year for the Memphis Hustle last season and later got his two-way contract converted into a regular deal. He took advantage of a call-up to the Grizzlies and had 42 points and 14 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the team’s regular-season finale.In Las Vegas, he scored 23 points against the Chicago Bulls in the Grizzlies’ opener on July 8 and had 24 points and 10 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.Other undrafted players who have stood out:— Golden State guard Lester Quinones, undrafted out of Memphis in 2022, is the No. 3 scorer in Las Vegas with 24 points per game...

Barbasol Championship Par Scores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

ThursdayAt Champions at Keene TraceNicholasville, Ky.Purse: $3.8 millionYardage: 7,328; Par: 72First RoundLucas Glover, United States31-32—63-9Ryan Armour, United States32-32—64-8Ryan Moore, United States33-31—64-8Daniel Brown, England32-33—65-7Wesley Bryan, United States32-33—65-7Cody Gribble, United States33-32—65-7Andrew Novak, United States31-34—65-7Marcus Helligkilde, Denmark33-33—66-6Angel Hidalgo, Spain33-33—66-6Marcus Kinhult, Sweden33-33—66-6Adam Long, United States31-35—66-6Vincent Norrman, Sweden33-33—66-6Bo Van Pelt, United States34-32—66-6Johannes Veerman, United States35-31—66-6Deon Germishuys, South Africa34-33—67-5Wes Homan, United States34-33—67-5Patton Kizzire, United States32-35—67-5Peter Malnati, United States32-35—67-5Niklas Norgaard Moller, Denmark31-36—67-5Sean O’Hair, United States34-33—67-5Chad Ramey, United States33-34—67-5JC Ritchie, South Africa33-34—67-5Clement Sordet, France35-32—67-5Akshay Bhatia, United States35-33—68-4John Catlin, United States...

Caregiver for disabled people charged with sexual assault, police seeking other victims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Arvada Police Department is asking any possible victims of a caregiver who was arrested and charged with an alleged sexual assault at a day program facility for individuals with disabilities to come forward.An investigation of Eugene “Gene” Gillespie, 71, began in February after police received accusations of ongoing sexual abuse at a facility that cares for people with a "degree of cognitive impairment," Arvada police said. Repeat offender bear euthanized in Boulder Gillespie was arrested on April 6. The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office charged him with four counts, including sexual assault against an at-risk person, unlawful sexual contact against an at-risk person, neglect of an at-risk person, and stalking. Police said Gillespie is also facing similar charges from 2015 related to an at-risk victim in Lakewood. Since Gillespie has been a caregiver for about 25 years, police are asking anyone with information or possible victims to contac...

Caesars Palace hostage suspect will be extradited to Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:32 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Matthew Mannix, the man accused of holding a woman hostage for several hours in a Caesars Palace hotel room will be extradited to Colorado to face charges there, according to Las Vegas Justice Court records. ‘I’m never doing drugs again,’ Man arrested after Caesars Palace standoff speaks from jail However, before he is extradited, his Nevada charges must be resolved. Mannix, 35, faces charges of kidnapping, coercion with threat of force, destroying property, resisting a public officer with a deadly weapon, and disregarding the safety of people and property.Las Vegas Metropolitan police respond to Caesars Palace on July 11, 2023, after reports of a man holding a woman against her will. (KLAS)During the Tuesday, July 11 incident, numerous Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers and SWAT responded to the hotel on the Las Vegas Strip and attempted to get Mannix to leave the room but he threatened he would shoot, according to the arrest report. Suspect in custody a...