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Californians plead guilty in $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft scheme

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Three members of a California family pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy for their role in a ring that shipped $600 million worth of stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.Brothers Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, along with their mother, Monica Moua, 58, were part of “a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors” who provided the stolen auto anti-smog devices to a metal refinery for more than $600 million dollars, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.Twenty-one people from California and New Jersey have been charged in the case, prosecutors said. The three Sacramento family members pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the devices in return for more than $38 million.Tou Sue Vang also pleaded guilty to 39 charges related to money laundering, prosecutors said.Catalytic converters are easily stolen and contain precious metals including platinum.“Some of these precious m...

UN Security Council rejects Russia’s resolution on Gaza that fails to mention Hamas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian resolution Monday night that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hamas, whose surprise attack that killed 1,300 Israelis was the worst Jewish massacre since the World War II Nazi Holocaust.Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution. Four countries voted against it, including the United States. Six countries abstained.Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, had urged support for the resolution to respond to the “unprecedented exacerbation” of the situation, citing the council’s inaction since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.It was unclear if the council would vote Monday night on a rival resolution from Brazil that would condemn’s the Hamas attack. The U.N.’s most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not taken a position on the Hamas assault or on Israel’s re...

Silver Cross Hospital CEO dies unexpectedly

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

CHICAGO -- The President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox passed away unexpectedly Sunday.Ruth Colby, who served as the President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox since 2017, died on Sunday at the age of 69.During her time, Silver Cross Hospital was named one of the nation's 100 top hospitals 11 times.The Will County executive said Colby "was a servant leader and her legacy is the outstanding health care institution she helped create in Will County."Along with her duties at Silver Cross Hospital, Colby served as chair-elect of the Illinois Health and Hospital Assocation.She was slated to become chair in 2024.For more information, click here.

Texas men's hoops ranked No. 18 in preseason AP poll, hosts Orange-White scrimmage Tuesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fresh off an Elite Eight appearance last season, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team checked in at No. 18 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday.The Longhorns are the third-highest ranked Big 12 Conference team in the AP Top 25 with Kansas earning the No. 1 ranking and Houston at No. 7. Baylor is the remaining Big 12 team in the rankings at No. 20. The Longhorns were also picked to finish third in the Big 12 behind the Jayhawks and Cougars.Full preseason AP Top 25The Field of 68 Media Network announced its "Almanac" Top 25 earlier in the summer and picked Texas as the No. 12 team in the country.Four players were tabbed as preseason All-Big 12 honorees with Oral Roberts transfer Max Abmas named to the first team. Abmas is the NCAA Division I active leader in scoring with 2,562 points. Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter and Dillon Mitchell were all named honorable mention. Hunter and Mitchell came back to Austin after declaring for the 2023 NBA Draf...

Jury selected in APD officer's murder trial

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN Live's top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, the court selected a jury for the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot and killed Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020.On Monday, attorneys asked potential jurors if they could remain fair and unbiased despite their personal views. Regarding this case specifically, Taylor's attorneys asked the jury pool about their prior knowledge of this case as well as their experience and perspectives about law enforcement in general. In May, a judge granted the defense's motion for a mistrial following several snags in the jury selection process. The court chose from jury pools of 80 and 50, and could not find enough eligible jurors to sit on the case. This time around, the court will conduct jury selection differ...

Justice Barrett expresses support for a formal U.S. Supreme Court ethics code in Minnesota speech

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett said Monday that it would be a good idea for the nation’s highest court to adopt a formal code of conduct, but she said the nine justices already agree that they should hold themselves to the highest ethical standards possible.Barrett spoke at a University of Minnesota Law School event at Northrup Auditorium just two weeks after the high court opened its current term in October with fresh cases on guns, abortion and the power of regulatory agencies on its docket, but with ethical concerns high on many observers’ minds. Ethics issues have dogged some justices — including conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito and liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor.“I think it would be a good idea for us to do it, particularly so that we can communicate to the public exactly what it is that we’re doing — and in a clearer way than perhaps we have been able to do so far,” Barrett said. “I will say this, there...

Democrats float idea of bipartisan House speaker as Republicans fail to unite

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — As Republicans struggle to select a speaker of the House, Democrats are pushing the idea of picking a bipartisan leader. It's been nearly two weeks without an official House speaker. With war in Israel and a looming government funding deadline, there's pressure to choose one soon. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC he's open to making a deal with Republicans.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We are ready, willing and able to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition," Jeffries said. In order for that to happen, he says they'd need to find a leader that would allow votes on bills that both parties support. "We can change the rules to facilitate bipartisanship, and that should be the starting point of our conversation," Jeffries added. Many Republicans seem reluctant to give House Democrats any power. Congressman Mike Turner said on CBS he's not a fan of the idea of choo...

Autonomous tractor gives Mizzou students chance to shape agriculture industry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A first-of-its-kind tractor at the University of Missouri is allowing students to help shape the future of agriculture.It's a new era for tractors. Besides being electric, it's also autonomous, meaning the driver can control the tractor from a phone or tablet instead of being behind the wheel. The goal is to make farming more efficient and accurate."Compared to a normal tractor, yes, it's very quiet," Rob Myers, director of the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture, said as he watched the tractor drive in the field Monday.This isn't your average tractor. It's equipped with sensors, cameras, and a battery set to run for nearly 10 hours, all connected to a supercomputer.While this is the first electric autonomous tractor in the Midwest, similar designs are already being used along the west coast. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Longtime Mills High girls basketball coach dies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

Dave Matsu was remembered on Monday as a “best friend” to his son and more than a high school girls basketball coach.Matsu, 54, died on Saturday, one week after suffering a stroke.Justin Matsu, who coached alongside his father at Mills High in Millbrae, wrote Monday on social media, “My best friend, mentor, golf partner. Love and miss you so much already pops. Life will never be the same without you. Coaching will never be the same without but I promise to carry on your legacy. A hui hou dad.”The father-son duo led Mills to the Central Coast Section Division III championship last season, the program’s first section title since 1985.Dave Matsu coached at Mills for 16 seasons, winning 253 games, according to results reported to MaxPreps.We are saddened to announce the passing of our long time beloved Head coach Dave Matsu. Coach Dave will truly be missed and has left a legacy in the high school basketball community as a great coach but even better person. We love you Coach Dave #ohana...

President Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:48 GMT

By Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani | Associated PressTEL AVIV, Israel — President Joe Biden will travel to Jordan on Wednesday to meet with Arab leaders following his trip to Israel as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday evening that Biden would go to Jordan where he would meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.“We’ve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration,” Kirby said.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden’s travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to roo...