Supreme Court rejects appeal from Louisiana man on death row

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal from a Louisiana death row inmate seeking a new sentencing hearing, over a dissent from the three liberal justices.The court turned away David Brown, who was convicted of killing a prison guard, Capt. David Knapps, during a 1999 escape attempt from the state prison in Angola. Brown argues he is entitled to a reconsideration of his death sentence because prosecutors failed to provide his lawyers with evidence that might have led a jury to spare his life.Only after the sentencing did prosecutors give Brown’s legal team a confession from a fellow inmate, Barry Edge, that supported Brown’s contention that he was not involved in Knapps’ killing.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that the delay violated Brown’s constitutional rights under a 1963 Supreme Court decision requiring the prosecution to turn over material that would help a defendant’s case. “At no point in the confession did E...

Spiraling housing prices spark worry about Hawaii’s future

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

WAIANAE, Hawaii (AP) — Tedorian Gallano would like to buy a house for his wife and three youngest children in Hawaii, but real estate prices soared so high eight years ago he moved his family back to his childhood home outside Honolulu — and last year, his older brother followed suit.Now, eight members from three generations of Gallano’s extended family share one bathroom in a house that’s so packed they’ve jerry-rigged an extra bedroom in the garage. Buying a home is “pretty much unattainable for the average working family” in Hawaii, the 49-year-old carpenter said.“We always seem to have these hot markets that drive the prices up, and then it’s the hardworking local families that cannot buy houses who are kind of left out,” Gallano said.Gallano’s situation is emblematic of the acute affordable housing crisis afflicting Hawaii, a problem so deep that there’s now widespread concern that many of Hawaii’s children won’t be able to afford to li...

Stocks are mixed as oil price jump adds to inflation fears

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices are climbing Monday and threatening to add more upward pressure on inflation, while stock markets worldwide were making only modest moves. The S&P 500 was 0.1% higher in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 226 points, or 0.7%, at 33,500, as of 9:45 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.4% lower. It’s the first day of the year’s second quarter for markets, and the 6% jump in oil prices is denting one of the main themes that helped stocks rise in the first quarter: that turmoil in the banking system and a continued slowdown in inflation could push the Federal Reserve and other central banks to take it easier soon on their hikes to interest rates. The Fed has already jacked rates up at a feverish pace over the last year in hopes of undercutting high inflation. Higher rates can do that by slowing the economy, but they risk causing a recession later on.They also drag down prices for stocks, bonds and other investments. That’...

8 involved in Amsterdam heist sentenced to up to 15 years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Eight robbers who stole millions of euros’ worth of precious metals from an armored transport vehicle then opened fire on police in a wild car chase through Amsterdam were convicted Monday and handed prison sentences ranging from two to 15 years.The Amsterdam District Court said the May 19, 2021, car chase through the northern suburbs of Amsterdam and into a usually peaceful village north of the Dutch capital sowed fear and panic among police involved in the chase and members of the public who watched as the robbers opened fire with automatic weapons.Five of the robbers were caught in the village after a shootout, three more were detained later. One man involved in the robbery was fatally shot by police.None of the robbers’ identities were released, in line with Dutch privacy law.The robbers fled with precious metals worth 14.5 million euros. Most of it was recovered, but more than 4 million euros’ worth is still missing.A 39-year-old ...

Seaweed bloom reaches record size: 'Major beaching events are inevitable'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is thriving, "setting a record abundance" for this time of year, according to a new report released Friday.All that abundance – an estimated 13 million tons, University of South Florida (USF) researchers say – is bad news for beaches in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean this summer. As it washes ashore and rots, the algae smell like rotten eggs. It can cause breathing issues for people with sensitivities and asthma. Satellite images show the 5,000-mile-long belt of seaweed growing denser, and the bloom hasn't even reached its peak yet. The USF researchers anticipate the seaweed masses will reach their largest size in June or July. Satellite images show 5,000-mile seaweed belt creeping closer to US The seaweed belt stretches from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, but researchers say the bloom isn't one continuous blanket of seaweed. The clumps and mats of loosely connected sargassum cover less than 0.1% of the ...

Best white New Balance shoes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

What are the best white New Balance shoes?New Balance has been manufacturing durable, comfortable athletic shoes for over 60 years. Their shoes are known for their technical design and superior fit. They offer a full line of shoes for running, cross-training, hiking and casual wear.Many New Balance shoes have an option for all-white or a white base with a soft color complement. For their lightweight style and comfort, the best white New Balance shoes are the New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers.What to know before you buy white New Balance shoesTypes of New Balance shoesNew Balance manufactures a wide variety of shoe types. The most common are walking, running, training and casual shoes, also called sneakers. They also make sport-specific shoes for golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer and skateboarding.They are best known for their running shoes but have incorporated the technology into their other shoes to improve the flexibility, comfort and durability no ...

Teacher shot by 6-year-old files $40M lawsuit against Virginia school officials

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) -- Lawyers representing the Virginia teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student said Monday morning on NBC News' "Today" show that they filed a $40 million lawsuit against Newport News Public School officials.It has been almost three months since Abby Zwerner was shot in her first-grade classroom at Richneck Elementary School.According to Zwerner's lawyers, the lawsuit, filed in Newport News Circuit Court, alleges gross negligence and reckless breach of duty against the school board and three former administrators at the school.The three administrators named in the lawsuit are former Principal Briana Foster-Newton, former Superintendant Dr. George Parker and former Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker.Zwerner's lawyers allege that the Jan. 6 shooting was a personal attack and that the school board and administrators failed to protect the teacher against the student despite multiple warnings.Virginia trial lawyer Diane Toscano announced in January th...

Biden expected to skip Charles III coronation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:25 GMT

(The Hill) – President Biden is expected to skip the coronation of King Charles III next month, according to a source familiar with the plans. Instead, the source said first lady Jill Biden will lead a delegation to the United Kingdom for the coronation, set to take place on May 6.The White House did not answer a request for comment. The Washington Post was the first to report the news of the Bidens' plans. In the past, presidents have not attended a coronation for a British monarch. During the last coronation for Queen Elizabeth II, President Eisenhower also chose to send a delegation and did not attend the affair. Biden attended Elizabeth's funeral in September, joining other leaders from around the world. The Post noted that some are offended by Biden's absence. "It seems pretty remiss, and I'm tempted to say more fool him for not coming," Bob Seely, a Conservative member of the British Parliament said in an interview with the Telegraph. "This is a once i...