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Body of South Dakota native who’s been missing for 30 years identified in Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The body of a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man who has been missing 30 years was identified in Colorado, where deputies have long been trying to put a name the suspected homicide victim. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office used genetic testing and a titanium rod in his leg to identify Jerry A. Mikkelson’s body this week, KELO-TV reported.Law enforcement believe Mikkelson was killed in Wyoming before his body was dumped off a forest service road in Colorado in October 1987. Mikkelson left Sioux Falls after graduating from high school in 1981. A relative eventually reported him missing, but police did not investigate because he was around 24 years old at the time and authorities did not suspect foul play. “The officer informed (the relative) since Jerry was an adult there was nothing police could do,” Sioux Falls police spokesperson Sam Clemens told the station. “No police report was made, just the info that (relative) left. At that...

Oklahoma trooper tickets Native American citizen, sparking outrage from tribal leaders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper ticketed a tribal citizen with a current Otoe-Missouria Tribe license plate for failing to pay state taxes, prompting an outcry from tribal leaders who blamed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s increasing hostility toward Native Americans.Crystal Deroin, an Otoe-Missouria Tribe citizen, was ticketed for speeding near Enid on Tuesday and received a second $249 citation for failure to pay state motor vehicle taxes because she did not live on tribal land. “After over 20 years of cooperation between the State and Tribes regarding vehicle tag registration, it appears the State has altered its position of understanding concerning tribal tags,” Otoe-Missouria Chairman John Shotton said in a statement. “This change was made without notice or consultation with all Tribes that operate vehicle tag registration.”Most Oklahoma drivers pay motor vehicle taxes each year through the renewal of state license plates. But many of the 39 Native American tri...

Republican faction seeks to keep courts from interpreting Ohio’s new abortion rights amendment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Four Ohio Republican state lawmakers are seeking to strip judges of their power to interpret an abortion rights amendment after voters opted to enshrine those rights in the state’s constitution this week.Republican state Reps. Jennifer Gross, Bill Dean, Melanie Miller and Beth Lear said in a news release Thursday that they’ll push to have the Legislature, not the courts, make any decisions about the amendment passed Tuesday.“To prevent mischief by pro-abortion courts with Issue 1, Ohio legislators will consider removing jurisdiction from the judiciary over this ambiguous ballot initiative,” said the mix of fairly new and veteran lawmakers who are all vice-chairs of various House committees. “The Ohio legislature alone will consider what, if any, modifications to make to existing laws based on public hearings and input from legal experts on both sides.”It’s the latest development in the struggle over abortion rights between the Republican-domin...

Daytime Emmys set for Dec. 15 in the first major awards show since Hollywood strikes ended

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Daytime Emmys are back on after being postponed by the Hollywood writers’ strike.The 50th annual ceremony honoring talk shows and soap operas will air Dec. 15 live on CBS and be livestreamed on Paramount + and will be hosted by Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner of “Entertainment Tonight.”It will be the first major awards show since the writers and actors went on strike. The Daytime Emmys, originally set for June 16, were postponed in May because of the strike by the Writers Guild of America. That walkout ended Sept. 26. The actors union joined the writers’ strike on July 14 and ended their labor action late Wednesday.Soap actor Susan Lucci will receive her lifetime achievement award at the ceremony at the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles.“We know the loyal fans of daytime television have waited patiently to properly honor and recognize all of the deserving nominees and we look forward to the celebration we have all been waiti...

The carbon price is now off home heating oil — but the cost of oil is still high

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

OTTAWA — Draft regulations removing the carbon price from home heating oil are now in effect, Finance Canada confirmed Friday, but the change will do little to ease affordability woes for Canadians who rely on oil furnaces to stay warm.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the change in October, saying a three-year pause on applying the carbon price to heating oil will allow people with oil furnaces more time and money to replace them with electric heat pumps. The government also increased the amount of money available from a federal-provincial grant program to help people pay for heat pumps.The policy has been roundly criticized from people on both sides of the carbon-price debate. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who had already been campaigning to eliminate the carbon price entirely, called the heating oil pause divisive because it affected only one kind of heating. On the other hand, environmental activists called it short-sighted and possibly harmful to carbon pricing, w...

Man charged with animal abuse for actions at rodeo in Lockport Township

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP, Ill. -- A Lockport Township man faces animal abuse charges after drone footage shows him abusing male bulls with an electric cattle prod.Ezequiel Herrera, 26, of Lockport Township, has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty, According to the Will County Sheriff's Office.On Oct. 2, law enforcement received information regarding animal abuse occurring at an unlicensed rodeo on the 400 block of Oak Avenue in Lockport Township. For more WGN Investigates original pieces, click here A representative from the animal rights organization of Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), provided detectives with drone footage of animal abuse that occurred at the rodeo. It allegedly shows Herrera at an unlicensed rodeo in Lockport using an electric cattle prod to shock the steers (male bulls) in the face and head.Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow has been looking into cases of animal abuse at rodeos for the last few months.Herrera is expected to make his fi...

Old Town restaurant latest victim of smash-and-grab robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

CHICAGO -- A restaurant in the Old Town neighborhood was broken into and robbed Friday morning as people headed to work. According to the Chicago Police Department, an unknown number of offenders robbed the Aloha Poke Co. restaurant on the 100 block of West North Ave around 7 a.m. on Friday. Arrests made in burglaries of Lincoln Ave businesses The offenders reportedly broke the window to the restaurant and took an unknown amount of property from inside before fleeing the scene.No one has been taken into custody at this time.The investigation is ongoing.

FBI search for man who robbed 3 downtown banks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

CHICAGO -- The FBI is searching for a serial robber who has targeted several downtown banks over the past few months.According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the suspect allegedly tried to rob three Citibank locations along Michigan Avenue since September. Chicago officer charged, relieved of police powers for hitting 8th grader The suspect is described as a man in his 40s and typically wears a hooded sweatshirt or jacket during the attempts. He is considered armed and dangerous.The FBI has offered an award of up to $1,000 for information regarding these incidents or the suspect in question.

Overdue book returned to Missouri library after 30 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. (KTVI) — Someone recently returned an overdue library book to a library in St. Charles County, Missouri, several decades after it was checked out.A copy of Sandra Boynton's book "But Not the Hippopotamus" was returned to the WingHaven Branch within the St. Charles City-County library district. IKEA recalling more mirrors over falling concerns The library shared a photo of the book via Facebook that suggests it was available in August 1993 with a checkout price of $3.95. Library leaders say it's better late than never. "It's never too late to come back to the Library, especially now that we are fine free," said the library via Facebook. "We were happy to see it again but even more happy to welcome the customer back to the library." ‘Simpsons’ producers respond to reports that suggested Homer would stop strangling Bart It appears there will not be any extra fines or late fees, despite the book's late return. Sandra Boynton, the author of the overdue book,...

How to test drive the newest Electric Vehicles in Austin this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:31:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electrify Expo, an electric vehicle (EV) festival, is coming to Austin this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, and for the first time ever, demo drives will happen on the Formula 1 track.At the expo, attendees can drive and ride in the newest electric cars, trucks, e-bikes, and even electric skateboards.“A growing number of consumers are eager to buy electric, but with the lack of access to test drive and see vehicles first-hand, consumers are reluctant on their path to purchase,” organizers said. "Electrify Expo is making it easier for consumers by providing a fun, new way to experience and try electric vehicles while providing companies a way to interact with potential EV shoppers through a fun and pressure-free environment."The event features the latest technology from well-known companies, as well as new companies trying to make a name for themselves in the electric vehicle industry. Organizers said the exhibitor roster includes BMW, Ford, Giant Bicycles...