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Analysis: Why Dianne Feinstein’s absence in Senate is causing problem for Democrats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

By Mary Clare Jalonick | Associated Press WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s monthslong absence from the Senate to recover in California from shingles has become a vexing problem for Democrats who want to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal courts. Now there is some pressure from within her party, and her state, to resign.With frustration mounting among Democrats, Feinstein on Wednesday asked to be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recuperates. The statement came shortly after a member of California’s House delegation, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, called on her to step down, saying it is “unacceptable” for her to miss votes to confirm judges who could be weighing in on abortion rights, a key Democratic priority.It will not be easy to temporarily replace Feinstein on the influential committee. Republicans could block such a move, given that the full Senate must approve committee assignments.The conundrum for Senate Majority Leader Chuc...

Man killed by falling tree in Fairfax Co.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

A man died while cutting trees in Chantilly, Virginia, when one fell on him Thursday afternoon.Fairfax County police said he and others were working in the area, cutting down trees behind homes on Pleasant Valley Road.Officials said they got a call about an incident around 3:45 p.m. Police told WTOP that authorities determined the man died on the scene.Police have not identified the man but say he was in his mid-20s.This story is in progress. Check back with WTOP.com for the latest. Source

Hovland leads RBC Heritage; Masters champ Rahm struggles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Viktor Hovland’s round of 7-under 64 at the rain-delayed RBC Heritage on Thursday gave him a first-round lead for a second straight week — and left Masters champion Jon Rahm eight shots behind and with plenty of work ahead to get into contention after his major victory. Hovland had the lowest of his five career rounds Harbour Town, the tight, tricky Pete Dye layout. The Norwegian was a stroke ahead of Brian Harman. Jimmy Walker and Aaron Rai were also at 6 under but had not completed their rounds when play was suspended because of darkness at 7:50 p.m. Six players will conclude their first rounds on Friday morning.The group at 66 included U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, Justin Rose, Sungjae Im, Scott Stallings and Joel Dahmen.Rahm, who slipped on his first green jacket just a few days earlier, finished at 1-over 72. He acknowledged the fatigue from Augusta National, and it didn’t help that his afternoon...

Nurse scores in OT, Canada beats Sweden 3-2 to dodge upset

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Sarah Nurse scored at 4:26 of overtime and Canada dodged its biggest women’s hockey upset, beating Sweden 3-2 on Thursday night in the world championship quarterfinals.After scoring in regulation, Nurse took a pass from Sarah Fillier and beat goalie Emma Soderberg with a high shot in the 3-on-3 overtime.Sweden forced the extra period on Hilda Svensson’s goal with 9.2 seconds left in regulation.Earlier, Aerin Frankel made 18 saves for her first national-team shutout and the United States beat Germany 3-0, and the Czech Republic edged Finland 2-1. In the semifinals, the Americans will face the Czech Republic, and Canada will, meet the winner of the last game between Switzerland and Japan.Blayre Turnbull also scored for Canada. Emerance Maschmeyer made 12 saves after Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 26 shots Monday in a 4-3 shootout victory over the United States in group play.Lina Ljungblom also scored for Sweden, and Soderberg stopped 51 shots. Canada i...

Bettman voices support for Coyotes’ new arena plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman believes an upcoming vote on a new arena could finally put an end to the relocation rumors that have followed the Arizona Coyotes for years.“Once this project is built, this team is never going anywhere,” Bettman said on Thursday. “It’s going to be here forever.”Bettman traveled to Arizona to voice support for the proposed Tempe Sports and Entertainment District, which would include a new arena for the Coyotes.The Coyotes have a three-year deal to share Arizona State’s 5,000-seat Mullett Arena and have worked with the city of Tempe to build the entertainment district.The development is set to go to referendum next month, but it hit a snag when the city of Phoenix and Sky Harbor International Airport asked in a legal filing that the entertainment district not include multifamily housing due to noise issues under airport flight paths.The Coyotes and owner Alex Meruelo countered by filing a $2.3 billion notice of claim against the...

NCAA lifts restrictions on athletes’ official visits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

Prospects no longer will have limits on the number of schools they can officially visit during their college selection process. The NCAA announced Thursday that its Division I Council approved the policy change that will take effect on July 1. Prospects previously could make official visits to five schools. Official visits are defined as visits that are paid for by the college. Prospects can make one official visit to each school, unless that program has a head coaching change. In that case, a prospect could make a second official visit to the same school.In men’s basketball, prospects will be permitted to make two official visits to the same school, as long as the visits don’t occur in the same academic year.“For young people considering where to go to college, visits to campus — both official and unofficial — are an integral part of the decision-making process,” Lynda Tealer, executive associate athletics director at Florida and chair of the Division I Council, said in a statement...

Thousands to lose aid under Iowa bill backed by lawmakers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of Iowa residents would be expected to lose Medicaid and food stamp benefits under a bill given final legislative approval Thursday and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds.The state House approved the bill, which would change eligibility requirements and require more checks that people qualify for benefits, ultimately resulting in the removal of an estimated 1% of recipients and saving the state roughly $8 million annually beginning in 2027. A legislative analysis found that 1% would translate to the removal of about 8,000 Medicaid recipients and 2,800 recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.The Senate previously approved the measure, which passed both chambers with only Republican support. The bill now goes to Reynolds, a Republican who is expected to sign it into law.Republican Rep. Joel Fry said the bill takes nothing away from people who are eligible for benefits.“If you’re eligible for the benefit, you...

NTI remove twins with Kingston ties from enrolment list, ask for investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) have officially kicked two former Queen’s students off of their enrolment list after social media outcry led to an investigation into potentially fraudulent enrolment. Beyond that, the organization is asking the RCMP to investigate the fraudulent enrolment of the two girls which has allowed them to collect thousands of dollars in scholarship money earmarked for Indigenous students and to start a business marketed heavily around their now disputed Indigenous heritage.Amira and Nadya Gill were Queen’s students as recently as 2021 and 2022 respectively.NTI released a joint statement with Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) on Thursday stating the false enrolment application came from the girls’ mother, Karima Manji.“In 2016, the Iqaluit Community Enrolment Committee reviewed and approved the applications of Amira and Nadya, relying on information provided in their application that they had an Inuk birth mother,” the statement read...

Petition for Eaglecrest High to read names of deceased seniors at graduation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

AURORA, CO. (KDVR) -- Students at Eaglecrest High School are making an emotional plea to have the names of two deceased students named during graduation ceremonies.They have been told that is not going to happen, but now there is a major push to convince the district to honor the two boys.The students are saying they aren’t backing down.Jayden Alvarado and Ryan Nowlan were good friends since kindergarten. The lives of the two 17-year-olds were cut short when they were both seniors at Eaglecrest High School in Aurora.They were killed in a car accident in October of last year, just months before they were set to graduate.The students were devastated. 3rd Cherry Creek School District teacher dies “They would always make people smile. Everybody knew them and even when you didn’t, it was like, Ryan, when he walked into a room the energy automatically changed. He was always so positive about everything,” Eaglecrest High School Student Brooklyn Muniz said.Students said they were heartbro...

Poll: Rep. Boebert-Frisch tied in 2024 rematch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:10 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The 2024 elections are more than a year away, but a new poll shows Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert could be in for another tight race in 2024. Our political analysts discuss that new poll, and the future of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District on Colorado Point of View. The poll conducted by the left-leaning Global Strategy Group shows Rep. Boebert tied with Democratic challenger Adam Frisch at 45%. The poll also found voters are leaning toward Republicans on a generic ballot by 11%.The 3rd Congressional District was the closest race in the entire country in 2022. Our political analysts said this shows it will be close again next year. COPOV: GOP groups call Rep. Caraveo’s seat ‘vulnerable’ in 2024 “There’s a lot to be said and done on Election Day. What’s interesting for Democrats though is this is a really solid red district and in re-districting in 2020, it became more solidly red,” FOX31/Channel 2 political analysts and Democratic strategist Andy Boian said. “It ...