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First 'zombie drug' tranq death reported in Santa Cruz

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) -- A woman in Santa Cruz died from overdosing on a newly-emerging street drug known as the "zombie drug," according to health officials. The County of Santa Cruz Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed the county's first overdose death from xylazine, also called "tranq," on Wednesday. The victim, a 35-year-old woman, was found unresponsive in Santa Cruz and died in early June.She later tested positive for drugs including xylazine and fentanyl through a postmortem toxicology examination. County health officials did not release the woman's name. Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer that is not approved by the FDA for humans. It was originally developed to be used for tranquilizing large livestock animals, such as cattle, according to the DEA.The "zombie drug" has been increasingly detected in drug supplies across the San Francisco Bay Area, leading to deadly overdoses and serious wounds. Xylazine can cause wounds and infections that lead to amputations.Xylazine ...

LA County sheriff’s department calls video of deputy tackling woman ‘disturbing,’ opens inquiry

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says a bystander’s cellphone footage showing a deputy violently tackling a woman while she filmed her husband being handcuffed and then pepper-spraying her in the face is “ disturbing,” and community groups on Wednesday called for the department’s new sheriff to hold his agency accountable.The June 24 incident in the city of Lancaster follows several cases that have drawn scrutiny to the department amid allegations of excessive use of force by its deputies. It’s also testing the reform efforts of the new sheriff, Robert Luna, a former Long Beach police chief who has vowed to overhaul the nation’s largest sheriff’s department since taking it over in December after defeating incumbent Alex Villanueva.Both officers were pulled off field duty, the sheriff’s department said in a statement late Monday after the bystander footage spread on social media. The Associated Press’ efforts to reach the by...

Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police restore order

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police restore order, echoing recent appeals made by U.N. officials who warn that the country’s insecurity is worsening.Blinken briefly spoke about Haiti and other issues during a one-day trip to Trinidad and Tobago, which hosted a three-day conference held by the 15-member Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom. Caribbean leaders have been meeting regularly about the situation in Haiti. Caricom Chairman and Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit noted that the group supports Haitian-led solutions but he also called on the U.S. for help.“It’s no secret, Mr. Secretary, that the United States will have to play a very crucial role,” he said as he introduced Blinken on the conference’s final day.Blinken spoke one day before the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet and talk about Haiti amid mounting pressure on the international community ...

Man gets life sentence for raping 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for legal abortion

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A man who confessed to raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl has been sentenced to life in prison in a case that became a national flashpoint on abortion rights because the girl had to travel out of state to end the pregnancy.Gerson Fuentes, 28, was sentenced to life in prison, but his plea deal stipulates that he can seek parole after serving 25 to 30 years. He would then have to register as a sex offender. Common Pleas Court Judge Julie Lynch, who was not required to approve the plea agreement, said the girl’s family “begged” the judge to back it. Lynch called the deal a “very hard pill for this court to swallow.”“Anyone who’s ever been in this courtroom for the last 20 years knows how this court feels about these babies, young people, being violated,” Lynch said. “However, today, by the request of the family, this court will be sentencing without comment.”The maximum sentence would have been life without parole. Settling the case before trial ...

North Carolina governor vetoes trio of LGBTQ+ restrictions in ongoing fight with GOP supermajority

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Wednesday a trio of bills aimed at LGBTQ+ youth that would ban gender-affirming health care for minors, restrict transgender participation in school sports and limit classroom instruction about gender identity and sexuality.While LGBTQ+ rights advocates say Cooper’s attempt to block the bills demonstrates his support amid what they view as unrelenting attacks from the General Assembly, his veto stamp carries little weight now that Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers. His vetoes are not expected to survive override attempts, which could happen as soon as next week when lawmakers return from their Fourth of July break.Cooper denounced the bills as “a triple threat of political culture wars” that he said would interfere with the ability of doctors and parents to care for vulnerable children whose lives have been thrust into the political spotlight and upended by legislation in dozens ...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as markets worldwide pull back

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street edged lower Wednesday following a rally that had sent it roaring 16% higher for the year so far.The S&P 500 fell 8.77 points, or 0.2%, to 4,446.82 to drift lower from its highest level since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 129.83, or 0.4%, to 34,288.64, and the Nasdaq composite lost 25.12, or 0.2%, to 13,791.65.Other markets around the world fell more sharply following the latest discouraging signal from China’s economy. Growth in China’s services industry slowed by more than economists expected last month. It’s the latest evidence showing the world’s second-largest economy is stumbling in its recovery following the removal of anti-COVID restrictions.The U.S. economy, meanwhile, has remained stronger than many investors feared. It’s defied predictions for a recession because of a job market that’s remained remarkably solid despite much higher interest rates meant to bring down inflation. A report on Wednesday showed growth f...

Poacher wanted for killing, dumping body of large bull elk

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working to identify a person connected to a poaching case. The suspect allegedly killed a bull elk and dumped the carcass in Park County.CPW said the large bull elk was shot sometime between June 24-26 in the area between Como and Hartsel. The small communities are south of Breckenridge and Keystone. Originally, CPW rangers were called about a bull elk carcass that had been dumped alongside Pike National Forest Road 146, which is east of the Buffalo subdivision. According to rangers, the elk had been shot with a high-power rifle. ‘Nuisance’ mountain lion relocated after multiple incidents in Pagosa Springs Only the meat along the spine had been removed from the elk before it was dumped. One of the elk's antlers was cut in half and left next to the body.CPW said the elk was killed outside of hunting season, and most of the meat was left to waste, both of which violated state hunting regulations. According to CPW's website, elk can be h...

Highest-rated ice cream shops in Denver, according to Yelp

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

Ice cream is a treat all year round, although the frequency and volume consumed during the hotter months might eclipse the colder months. The range of flavors in ice cream shops has evolved since the olden days when flavors were mainly limited to vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.The best shops nowadays offer fresh combinations and ingredients you may never have imagined could be made into ice cream. Yes, you can find your classics, but also new concoctions like black sesame cookies and cream or honey lavender. Some shops boast flavors with even more unheard-of ingredients and combinations, like the savory herb tarragon or pineapple with pink peppercorns. These are the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Denver, according to Yelp Ice cream creators have also expanded into rethinking frozen yogurt, soft serve, and vegan options. The dairy-free folks no longer have to order the only sorbet on the menu. There are non-dairy milk ice creams made from plant-based milks like oat or al...

Lauderhill teen hospitalized after firework explodes in hand during debris cleanup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

A teenager was transported to the hospital after a firework blew up in his hand while his family cleaned up the street following Fourth of July celebrations in Lauderhill. According to Lauderhill Fire Rescue, they transported a 13-year-old to Broward Health Medical Center at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, where he underwent surgery.His family remained by his side while he was hospitalized before and after the surgical procedure. Moments after the firework blast near a home along Northwest 31st Avenue, a family member dialed 911 in a desperate call for help.“His hand just exploded, please, everything exploded,” said a caller to a 911 dispatcher. “Speaking to family members that were still on scene, they basically stated that they heard a boom and saw him go to the ground,” said Lauderhill Fire Rescue inspector Sheniqua Johnson.Lauderhill Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Gonzalez elaborated on the teen’s injuries. “Injuries were to the right hand...

Fire sparks at Wilton Wings Bar and Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale, damaging landmark movie theater next door

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:51:52 GMT

A fire that sparked inside a Fort Lauderdale restaurant spread toward the historic movie theater located next door.Wilton Wings Bar and Kitchen, located at 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd, burned for nearly an hour in Fort Lauderdale, just before 9 a.m., WednesdayFort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews rushed to the scene.“The crews were able to get out here quickly and maintain a majority of the fire damage to the restaurant, where it originally started,” said FLFR Fire Chief Stephen Gollan. “We have investigators on scene at this time working to determine what the origin of the fire may be.”However, Gollan said, crews had a hard time getting to the fire. “The fire gets running in the void spaces and so, they have to open up a lot of walls. They have to see where the seed of the fire was in order to properly extinguish it,” said Gollan. “That, paralleled with the extreme heat we’re experiencing, makes it a very challenging day.”But the fire...