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Chicago studio gift makeovers to recently exonerated cousins

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A new lease on life - and a new look - for two Chicago men recently released from prison. James Soto and David Ayala were welcomed into the Project Gentlemen Image and Grooming studio in Chicago on Tuesday, where they were outfitted with new clothes, shoes, grooming products, and more. The two cousins were wrongly imprisoned for 42 years for a McKinley Park double murder — the longest-serving wrongful conviction in Illinois history. Prosecutors drop all charges against Chicago man wrongfully convicted of 2011 murder; Darien Harris walks free Ayala was 18 at the time of the arrest. Soto was 20.Following their overturned convictions earlier this month, Tuesday's treatment aims to help the men with a look and step toward their futures."During my time in incarceration, I learned the value of work," Ayala told reporters. "I like getting an honest paycheck because I earned that paycheck."Soto said he plans to become a lawyer. "Being a lawyer, I'm going to be wearing plenty of ...

Dead bodies in car believed to be missing pregnant teen, boyfriend: Texas police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVEO) — Two people found dead inside a car in Texas are believed to be a missing pregnant teen and her boyfriend, the San Antonio Police Department announced during a press conference Tuesday night.Police on the outskirts of San Antonio have been searching for 18-year-old Savannah Nicole Soto, who was last seen around 2 p.m. on Friday in Leon Valley.Her family said she was past her estimated delivery date.A CLEAR alert, which stands for coordinated law enforcement adult rescue, was issued for Soto after her family reported that she was missing. Authorities later found two bodies in a Kia Optima, described as the vehicle of Soto's boyfriend, outside of the Colinas at Medical apartment complex in San Antonio. Photo: Texas DPS“We do believe the two individuals are the female who was missing and her boyfriend,” Police Chief William McManus with the San Antonio Police Department said.According to police, Soto missed an essential medical appointment. CBS News reports s...

SAPD: Pregnant teen, boyfriend found dead in San Antonio

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A pregnant 18-year-old and her boyfriend are believed to be found dead inside a car, the San Antonio Police Department announced in a press conference.Earlier today the Leon Valley Police Department was searching for Savannah Nicole Soto, the pregnant 18-year-old.Preliminary investigation by detectives show two people were found dead inside a car outside of Colinas at Medical Apartments on the 5900 block of Danny Kaye Rd. "We do believe the two individuals are the female who was missing and her boyfriend," Police Chief William McManus with the San Antonio Police Department said.Both bodies were found in a Kia Optima car, which was described as the boyfriend's vehicle.It is unconfirmed if there were any weapons inside of the Kia Optima. Willacy County to pay family of man who died in jail $1M, attorney says A CLEAR alert was issued for Soto after her family reported that she was missing. Family said Soto was pregnant and past her delivery date. ...

A potato lover’s perfect recipe for ringing in the New Year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

By Melissa Clark, The New York TimesWhat’s the easiest way to a New Year’s party nosh? Pour a bag of potato chips into a bowl, spoon some sour cream into another bowl, and open a jar of caviar or salmon roe for dipping. It can be as luxurious or as thrifty as you like, depending on whether you splurge on the caviar. And everyone is sure to love it — especially the host, who now has a few minutes to arrange all of the glasses and bring out the bubbly.The second easiest might be this recipe, a more substantial version of that quick-and-tasty combination. It pairs the same thrilling flavors, rearranging them into a buttery and elegant tart.To make it, I toss cooked, sliced potatoes with sour cream, Parmesan and chives, which coat the potatoes, turning them glossy and extra savory. Then, I heap it all onto a sheet of prepared puff pastry and bake until golden.So far, it’s pretty standard potato tart fare, which would be lovely and understated enough without further enhancement: a ...

Dolphin-hunting killer whales are hanging around SoCal, and tour guides are loving it

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

Southern California’s loveable dolphins are finding themselves on the wrong end of the food chain as a pod of killer whales continues to hunt them right off the coast - much to the delight of whale watchers and tour guides.The Eastern Tropical Pacific orcas were first spotted about two weeks ago by tours out of Long Beach and Newport Beach. Experts assumed the pod of about 10 killer whales would soon return to the warmer waters of Mexico where they are typically found.Midway through last week, they were spotted in San Diego and appeared to be headed south of the border. Instead, they turned around and returned to the waters off Orange County.A killer whale chases a dolphin off Laguna Beach, California on Dec. 24, 2023. (Newport Coastal Adventures)Orcas are seen off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Dec. 16, 2023. (Capt. Tyler Askari/Harbor Breeze Cruises)An orca is seen off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Dec. 16, 2023. (Capt. Tyler Askari/Harbor Breeze Cruises)A...

New therapy K9 raises paw, gets sworn into Ventura County Sheriff’s Office 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

A four-legged “trendsetter” is the newest member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. K9 Mellow raised his paw and was officially sworn in by VCSO Sheriff Fryhoff on Tuesday morning.  California Pizza Hut operators laying off all delivery drivers The Labrador Retriever is assigned to the Therapeutic Inmate Management Unit (TIMU), VCSO said on X, formerly Twitter. K9 Mellow raised his paw and was officially sworn in by VCSO Sheriff Fryhoff on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (X/@VENTURASHERIFF)K9 Mellow raised his paw and was officially sworn in by VCSO Sheriff Fryhoff on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (X/@VENTURASHERIFF)K9 Mellow raised his paw and was officially sworn in by VCSO Sheriff Fryhoff on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (X/@VENTURASHERIFF)Mellow will be at the forefront of the sheriff's office’s new animal-assisted therapy program, which is focused on “supporting the emotional well-being of inmates struggling with mental illness.”  California rings in 2024 with new laws...

Post-Christmas travel rush is on in Southern California

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

The day after Christmas marks one of the busiest days of the travel season as many Southern Californians make their way home from their holiday destinations.From Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, around 7.5 million travelers are projected to fly in the U.S. according to AAA. This number is up nearly 5 percent from the same time in 2022.Flight cancellations and delays at local airports have lowered since pre-Christmas Day travel with Los Angeles International Airport reporting zero flight cancellations and around 200 delays on the day after Christmas.The Transportation Security Administration expects Friday, Dec. 29 and Monday, Jan. 1 to be among the busiest airport travel days this year. However, the crowds have not deterred excited visitors, with many looking forward to visiting theme parks in Southern California. “We came from the Bay Area, from Oakland, and we’re doing a trip to Universal City,” said Carl Dhom, a visitor who landed at the Hollywood Burbank Airport. 2 California...

2024 Rose Parade: What to know if you want to go

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

As millions of people around the world enjoy the majesty of the 2024 Rose Parade Presented by Honda from the comfort of their homes on New Year’s Day, tens of thousands will get to attend in person.Rose Parade TicketsTickets range from $75 to $120 and are available through the Rose Parade’s official ticket vendor, Sharp Seating.Getting ThereParadegoers are strongly encouraged to use public transportation.Metro will operate 24-hour service on Metro Rail, also on the Silver and Orange Lines on the night of December 31 through the morning of Parade Day. In addition, Metro will offer enhanced service on the Metro Gold Line to accommodate large numbers of anticipated riders on Parade Day. Tap here to plan your trip.Metro will also provide regular bus service to areas near the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and Post Parade areas. Buses will originate from locations throughout the county. For real-time info on Metro service, follow @metrolaalerts on Twitter. For more info, call 323-...

Sweden moves one step closer to NATO membership

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

By Suzan Fraser | Associated PressANKARA, Turkey — The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee gave its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO on Tuesday, drawing the previously nonaligned Nordic country closer to membership in the Western military alliance.Sweden’s accession protocol will now need to be approved in the Turkish parliament’s general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process in Turkey. No date has been set.Turkey, a NATO member, has delayed ratification of Sweden’s membership for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee had begun discussing Sweden’s membership in NATO last month. But the meeting was adjourned after legislators from Erdogan’s ruling party submitted a motion for ...

Kanye posts apology in Hebrew to Jewish community

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:25 GMT

By Andy Rose and Christina Maxouris | CNNKanye West, who has made repeated antisemitic remarks, posted an apology to the Jewish community for any “unintended outburst caused” by his “words or actions.”The recording artist, who has legally changed his name to Ye, shared the message, written in Hebrew, in a Tuesday Instagram post – just days ahead of his expected release of new music. The post had been liked more than one million times Tuesday morning.“It was never my intention to hurt or disrespect, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” his message read. Ye said he is committed to learning and ensuring “greater sensitivity and understanding” in the future, adding he is “dedicated to making amends and working toward promoting unity.”In a statement to CNN responding to the post, the Anti-Defamation League said, “After causing untold damage by using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and hate, an apology in Hebrew may be the fi...