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Book Review: Tess Gerritsen writes an un-put-downable spin on espionage novels with ‘The Spy Coast’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

Maggie Bird just wants to relax into a quiet retirement, raising chickens in the cold little town of Purity, Maine. Even in these remote woods, though, trouble manages to find her. She’ll have to face her past if she has any hope of staying alive.Spy novel meets travelog with a murder mystery in “The Spy Coast,” Book 1 of the new “Martini Club” series. Engrossing from the get-go, Tess Gerritsen’s prose is undeniable — a true professional at sucking you right into the story.When a young spy shows up dead outside Maggie’s home, her friends immediately jump to action, recalling their former lives as CIA operatives. They may be in their 60s now, but these retirees are more than capable, exasperating Officer Jo Thibodeau. While the young police chief’s involvement in the case is an annoying obstacle for Maggie, she can’t help but be beguiled by this woman who reminds her of her former self. Jo’s constant run-ins with the self-named Martini Club promise her character will have a las...

Who was Muhlaysia Booker? Here’s what to know after the man accused of killing her pleaded guilty

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — A man charged in the 2019 fatal shooting of a transgender Dallas woman about a month after she was beaten in a separate attack that was caught on video was sentenced Monday to 48 years in prison.Kendrell Lyles, 37, entered a guilty plea to murder just before jury selection was set to begin in his trial in the death of 22-year-old Muhlaysia Booker.Booker had been shaken but resolute when she spoke at a rally held for her after several men beat her following a minor traffic accident. She told supporters then: “This time, I can stand before you, whereas in other scenarios, we are at a memorial.” The violence that befell Booker in her short life exemplifies threats faced by transgender people, and especially Black transgender women, across the U.S. Booker told police that the people who attacked her after the traffic accident used homophobic slurs. Authorities haven’t publicly revealed a motive for her killing but have said it was unrelated to the earlier assault.Tex...

Questions emerge over CTU president's Indiana property tax claim

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

CHICAGO — The head of the Chicago Teachers Union has claimed a home in South Bend, Indiana as her primary residence for the past sixteen years, according to documents reviewed by WGN Investigates.Indiana officials tell WGN Investigates they are removing the homestead exemption and may seek back taxes. In 2007, while she was a Chicago Public Schools teacher, Stacy Davis Gates requested a homestead property tax exemption in her hometown of South Bend that continues to this day. MORE FROM WGN INVESTIGATES: Lawsuit seeks to block dispensary from opening in old Rainforest CaféRecords show she checked a box confirming the house was her principal place of residence.  During roughly the same time period she also owned a home in Chicago on which neither she nor her husband sought a homeowner’s exemption.The Illinois Secretary of State’s office says Stacy Davis Gates didn’t seek a driver’s license here until December 2021, as her public profile and union leadership roles increa...

Trump testimony in New York fraud case wraps after chaotic day court: Live updates

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

Former President Trump clashed frequently with the judge overseeing his New York fraud trial as the former president spent hours on the witness stand in Manhattan on Monday.Trump's highly anticipated testimony grew chaotic, with the judge asking Trump's attorney to take control of his client. The former president also ticked off his political grievances from the witness stand, to which the judge responded that the court hearing was "not a political rally."The trial puts Trump's long storied career as a real estate mogul and business executive in major jeopardy. At stake are Trump's business licenses and the potential for him to lose control of some of his most famed properties. Follow below for live updates from The Hill's Ella Lee in New York.

New warnings about what marijuana means for the heart — and more

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

For Monday, Nov. 6, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch New warnings about medical marijuanaNew research suggests people who regularly smoke marijuana may be increasing their risk for a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. That's according to two new non-published studies presented Monday at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia. Older adults who don't smoke tobacco but do use marijuana were at higher risk of both heart attack and stroke when hospitalized. In contrast, people who use marijuana daily were 34% more likely to develop heart failure. Youth tobacco rates fall by 1%Tobacco use by juveniles is down, but there are some mixed results. Overall, tobacco use by kids is less, by 1%, since last year, according to the latest National Youth Tobacco survey. But while there's been a 4% drop for high schoolers, middle school student numbers increased by 2%.For the 10th year in a row, e-cigarettes r...

White House balances aid requests with calls for cease-fire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — As the bloody battle between Israel and Hamas nears one month, the Biden Administration is frantically pushing for humanitarian pauses to allow more resources inside the Gaza Strip and to prevent a broader war.Following a diplomatic tour across the Middle East, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is urging Israeli forces to proceed with caution as they use ground forces to surround Gaza."I think we made some good progress in recent days," Blinken said. "We've engaged the Israelis on steps they can take to minimize civilian casualties."Right now, Israeli forces are urging remaining civilians to evacuate.The Hamaz-run health ministry says more than 10,000 Palestinians have already been killed since the war began.On Monday, the State Department said it's pushing for humanitarian pauses to allow more aid inside of Gaza. So far, just 476 trucks have been allowed in from Egypt."This continues to be a dire humanitarian situation," Vedant Patel, State Depa...

'Doc' Antle from 'Tiger King' pleads guilty to wildlife trafficking, money laundering charges

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WBTW) – Myrtle Beach Safari owner Bhagavan “Doc” Antle pleaded guilty Monday morning to federal conspiracy and money laundering charges, according to the U.S. Justice Department.Antle, 63, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and conspiracy to launder money, the DOJ said in a news release. The Lacey Act prohibits trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish or plants, including animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. Timeline of 'Doc' Antle case Antle, the former 'Tiger King' star, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for each count. South Carolina U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Dawson III accepted Antle’s guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.It's not the first conviction for Antle. In June, he was found guilty in Virginia of two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and two...

Here are the 21 routes being cut by American Airlines at Austin's airport

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

The above video shows KXAN News Today’s top morning headlines for Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — American Airlines has revealed the list of 21 nonstop flights from Austin that are being cut from its schedule in 2024.The canceled routes include six international destinations and 15 domestic destinations. Service will be cut between January and April.Thirteen of the 21 routes are currently served by other airlines, but the cuts mean eight destinations will no longer have direct service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: American Airlines to cut routes from Austin airport Here's a look at when service on each route will end:Some of the new routes were only launched earlier this year, including Memphis, Fort Myers and Sacramento. International service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico, was launched in June 2022.The airline previously ended nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November 2022, and St. Louis in May 2023."Austin remains...

Psychology professor testifies in APD officer's murder trial

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, attorneys representing Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor will continue presenting their case after the state rested last week. Taylor is on trial for murder in the death of Michael Ramos. Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trial Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex's parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader will be in court Monday providing live updates of the trial on social media platform X: Week 3: Back in court this morning for the third week of APD Officer Christopher Taylor's murder trial. As always, I'll have a thread here🔽 A reminder that you'll get more detail over at https://t.co/YjssmHY9zW, which is where I've been detailing testimony. pic.twitter.com/2AT1p4jP1b— Grace Reader (@GraceReaderTV) November 6, 2023 Defense: Expert witnesses Monday afternoon, the defense called a...

How the pediatric RSV shot shortage is hitting Austin

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:11:45 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) — In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of a new drug aimed at preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and young children two years and younger. Now, shortages in shot supply levels are leaving many families without access to the drug, as respiratory illnesses spread in the greater Austin region ahead of the colder winter season."I think nationally and even locally, the demand for the RCV [shot] was a lot larger than the manufacturers were anticipating," said Rannon Ching, president and chief pharmacy officer at Tarrytown Pharmacy in Austin. "We're starting to see these shortages, because they only produce a certain amount [of shots], and the demand for that has been a lot more." PAST COVERAGE: Why doctors say parents should ask their pediatrician now about the new RSV shot for babies There are three different types of shots available related to RSV: one for adults age 60 and older, a second for people who are between 32 and...