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‘I can’t do a lot of things, but I can do this’: How one woman is stepping up for migrant children with disabilities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

Nell Salzman | Chicago TribuneKeinymar Avila, a tiny 7-year-old with microcephaly who has never been separated from her mother, curled up in the arms of a woman she’d recently met.Her mother, Yamile Perez, glanced over at her daughter to make sure all was well as she attended a virtual meeting with Chicago Public Schools officials who were evaluating Keinymar’s needs. It is not easy to let someone else hold your child, especially if your child requires special medical care.No one knows this better than the person cradling the girl, Mary Otts-Rubenstein, a Lakeview resident who has her own child with disabilities. Otts-Rubenstein has taken it upon herself to help over a dozen migrant families with medically complex kids enroll in CPS.The children range in age from 7 to 13. Some are in wheelchairs and have conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Few have ever been enrolled in school before; all survived journeys crossing jungles and rivers to reach the United Stat...

Hunter Biden tells Congress he will testify publicy in probe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

By Lindsay Whitehurst | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Hunter Biden offered Tuesday to testify publicly before Congress, striking a defiant note in response to a subpoena from Republicans and setting up a potential high-stakes face-off even as a separate special counsel probe unfolds and his father, President Joe Biden, campaigns for reelection.The Democratic president’s son slammed the subpoena’s request for closed-door testimony, saying it can be manipulated. But Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, stood firm, saying Republicans expect “full cooperation” with their original demand for a deposition.Hunter Biden’s lawyer called the inquiry a “fishing expedition,” a response in line with the more forceful legal approach he’s taken in recent months as congressional Republicans pursue an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie his father to his business dealings.The early-November subpoenas to Hunter Bide...

Robert De Niro also blasted John Wayne for calling Native Americans ‘selfish’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

Donald Trump wasn’t the only controversial cultural figure on the receiving end of Robert De Niro’s ire, as the two-time Oscar winner delivered a blistering speech at the Gotham Independent Film Awards Monday. The 80-year-old De Niro also slammed the long-dead John Wayne, suggesting that the star of Hollywood Westerns was anything but an exemplar of positive American values.In fact, De Niro invoked racist statements Wayne made in an infamous 1971 Playboy interview to suggest to the audience that his own Hollywood film industry has long participated in the dishonesty and racism that he believes marked Trump’s presidency and thrives with the former president’s MAGA conservative politics.“The entertainment industry isn’t immune to this festering disease,” De Niro said, after complaining that organizers of the awards ceremony edited his speech, excising criticism he wanted to make of Trump and of Hollywood.John Wayne is seen in Mexico filming in 1967. (Phot...

Israel says 12 more hostages have been freed from Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

By Wafaa Shurafa, Jack Jeffrey and Lee Keath | Associated PressDEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — A fragile truce between Israel and Hamas held for a fifth day Tuesday, as the militant group released more hostages to delay the expected resumption of the war. Israel came under pressure from the United States to better protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza if its offensive resumes.The latest swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel got underway Tuesday evening. Israel said 10 of its citizens and 2 foreigners were freed by Hamas and had entered Egypt.Mediators met in Qatar to try to extend the cease-fire beyond Wednesday. For the first time since it began, Israel and Hamas traded accusations of a serious violation with an exchange of fire between troops and militants in northern Gaza.But there was no indication that it would endanger the truce or the planned exchanges of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.Israel has vowed to resume the war with “...

‘The devil came into me’ says California man convicted of killing ex-girlfriend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

A 48-year-old Lake Forest man who testified that “the devil” came over him has been convicted of murder for bludgeoning his former long-time romantic partner to death with a metal pipe after learning she was in a relationship with another man.An Orange County Superior Court jury on Monday, Nov. 27, found Omar Velazquezhuar guilty of first-degree murder for repeatedly striking 48-year-old Dora Maria Rosas Moreno in the head after she arrived for her job as a nanny at an Irvine home on the morning of Feb. 26, 2021. Moreno, a Santa Ana resident, spent several weeks in critical condition before succumbing to her injuries.The jurors denied an enhancement alleging that Velazquezhuar was lying in wait prior to the killing. As a result, he faces up to 26 years to life in prison rather than life without the possibility of parole.Velazquezhuar and Moreno spent more than 20 years together and had two children. But Moreno, several months before her death, kicked Velazquezhuar out of their Santa...

San Francisco police searching for driver in deadly hit-and-run crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian on South Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco last summer is still at-large, police said.On Tuesday, the San Francisco Police Department said it needs the public's help to identify who was behind the wheel. The crash happened on Sunday, July 9, at 2:41 a.m. at the intersection of South Van Ness Avenue and 18th Street. When officers arrived, they found a gravely injured man who died at the crash scene. Police did not release the pedestrian's name. "The driver and the vehicle involved in the collision fled the scene and remains outstanding.The SFPD Traffic Collision Investigations Unit is leading the investigation and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved," SFPD wrote. Nima Momeni's sister arrested for DUI, hit-and-run in SF No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444, or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with "S...

Man arrested for theft with woman who has restraining order against him 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

(KRON) – Two San Francisco residents were arrested for allegedly stealing laundry detergent on Nov. 22, the Colma Police Department announced Monday. Colma officers were dispatched to a business in the 5000 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard on a report of a theft that occurred on Nov. 22 at approximately 8:58 a.m. Sister of accused Bob Lee killer arrested for DUI, hit-and-run in SF Police say they were notified that a man and a woman stole Tide detergents and fled. The two suspects were seen walking through the parking lot towards a silver Mitsubishi.Upon arrival, police arrested the couple that matched the description that was given by the business’ loss prevention, police said.  It was determined the suspects stole approximately $119.45 worth of Tide detergents. According to police, officers conducted a consented search of the vehicle, where they found 10 other Tide detergents. The female suspect confirmed the detergents were stolen from another store, police said...

Bay Area rain returns Tuesday night into Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — There’s a chance of rain for the Bay Area Tuesday night into early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS forecasts that San Francisco is expected to rain on Tuesday night. The North Bay is expected to rain early this evening and the South Bay early Wednesday morning. For the Central Coast, rain is forecasted early to mid-Wednesday morning, according to NWS. National Weather Service Freeze Warning, Flood Advisory issued for Bay Area as rain moves in Tuesday San Francisco's low-lying areas are expected to have minor flooding from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, per NWS. Low-lying areas include roadways, underpasses, coastal trails and sidewalks, and access to coves and narrow beaches. “Clouds will gradually increase later on Tuesday with showers on the way overnight tonight leading into tomorrow morning,”  KRON4’s meteorologist John Shrable. “Expect wet conditions for the morning commute on Wednesday with skies drying out late morning f...

State Supreme Court puts ruling that gave Oregon State, Washington State control of Pac-12 on hold

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

The Washington state Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a request by the University of Washington and the Pac-12 to put on hold a lower court’s ruling that gave Oregon State and Washington State control of the conference until the high court can make a full review.Two weeks ago, a judge in Whitman County, Washington, granted Oregon State and Washington State a preliminary injunction, making the Pacific Northwest rivals the only two schools with voting rights in the conference.They argue the other 10 schools relinquished the right to determine the future of the conference when they announced they would be leaving for other Power Five leagues.“The decision effectively ensures that all 12 current members will have an equal voice in determining how the revenue our schools earned this year is distributed and utilized while the Court considers our arguments,” the departing schools said in a statement.The defendants appealed the ruling the next day and the Supreme Court kept in place a...

Blackhawks say Corey Perry engaged in unacceptable conduct and move to terminate his contract

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:22 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks said veteran winger Corey Perry engaged in unacceptable conduct and took a step Tuesday toward terminating his contract. The Blackhawks in a statement said an internal investigation showed Perry acted in violation of his NHL Standard Player Contract and their club policies “intended to promote professional and safe work environments.” Chicago put Perry on unconditional waivers and said his deal will be terminated as long as he clears. The team has not given any indication as to what Perry did to warrant being sent home last week without explanation. General manager Kyle Davidson on Saturday said Perry would be away from the Blackhawks for the foreseeable future.Agent Pat Morris did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the Blackhawks’ intent to terminate Perry’s contract. Over the weekend, he said in a statement that Perry had stepped away to attend to personal matters.Perry, 38, signed a $2 million cont...