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GOP lawmakers take aim at LGBTQ+ ‘safe places’ program in Mount Dora

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

MOUNT DORA, Fla. (AP) — Some central Florida lawmakers said they were considering “all legislative, legal and executive options available” to stop business owners in a small city from voluntarily displaying rainbow decals in their windows indicating that they are a “safe place” for LGBTQ+ people who feel threatened.Four Republican lawmakers wrote a letter to officials in Mount Dora two weeks ago warning that the new, optional city-sponsored program could put the central Florida community outside Orlando “in the crosshairs of potentially detrimental and absolutely unnecessary economic harm.”The lawmakers cited boycotts of Bud Light and Target, which followed the brands’ efforts to promote diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.Mount Dora’s city council approved the Safe Place Initiative last month. The city of 17,000 residents is known for its antique shops and weekend festivals.“The mission of the Safe Place Initiative is to provide the community with ...

Shooting outside wedding venue in Ottawa leaves 2 dead, 6 injured, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

(CNN) — A shooting outside a wedding in Ottawa, Canada, on Saturday night has left two people dead and six injured, police say.Police and first responders arrived on scene after reports of shots fired shortly before 10:30 p.m., the Ottawa Police Service said in a news release.The people involved had been attending a wedding at a convention center on Gibford Drive and the shooting occurred outside the venue, police said.The victims were identified by police as 26-year-old Said Mohamed Ali and 29-year-old Abdishakur Abdi-Dahir, both of whom were from Toronto.The Ottawa Police Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting.“All investigative angles are being explored. At this stage, there is no indication that this was a hate-motivated shooting,” police said in the release.Police said no arrests had been made so far and urged witnesses to come forward. Investigators are also seeking “any surveillance, doorbell or dashcam footage from residents, visitors and businesses who may have be...

Franklin Park Zoo announces death of Kamaia, their 14-year-old lion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

Zoo New England’s Franklin Park Zoo announced Sunday that after further health decline, Kamaia, their 14-year-old lion, was humanely euthanized on Saturday.Zoo New England said Kamaia has battled several health issues including a bout with severe pneumonia from which he recovered and other chronic health issues. On June 9, he underwent a successful splenectomy and blood transfusion. Prior to this surgery, an exam revealed that Kamaia was severely anemic with a greatly enlarged spleen. Kamaia underwent a second surgery to repair a hernia at his incision site. He recovered from his surgery and for the past several months could be seen sunning himself and lounging about his outdoor habitat with his brother Dinari. “Kamaia was an incredible ambassador for his species, and we are deeply saddened to share the news of his passing,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO, in a statement. “Throughout the past several months, his dedicated care team has worked tirelessly to trea...

Pete Alonso’s 40th and 41st home runs power Mets to series win over surging Mariners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

Pete Alonso mashed his way to major milestones Sunday afternoon, slugging his 40th and 41st home runs and recording his 100th RBI of the season to power the Mets to a series win over the surging Seattle Mariners.The first baseman’s two-run shot in the third inning of the 6-3 victory at Citi Field clinched the third 40-homer season of his career. No other Met has ever posted more than one season with 40 home runs.Alonso is the fifth player in MLB history with three 40-homer campaigns through five career seasons, joining Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews, Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard.That first homer Sunday came off a hanging curveball from Mariners starter George Kirby, a native of Rye, N.Y., who made the All-Star team this season.Alonso added a seventh-inning solo home run off a Trent Thornton fastball to account for his 100th RBI, marking the third time he’s reached that total. He joined David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Darryl Strawberry as the only Mets with three 100-RBI se...

Chris Sale throws five shutout innings as Red Sox top Royals 7-3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

Chris Sale was disgusted with himself the last time he took the mound. Unable to complete the fifth inning last Monday against Houston, he put the Red Sox bullpen in a bind and ultimately got reliever Kyle Barraclough thrown to the wolves.This time Sale still struggled to keep his pitch count in check, but when the chips were down he was able to finish his outing strong.Sale pitched five shutout innings to help the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 in Sunday’s series finale. His command was spotty, throwing only 64 of 100 pitches for strikes while walking two, but he also only allowed two hits and struck out five in an otherwise strong performance.Kansas City rarely threatened while Sale was on the mound, spreading its four baserunners off the lefty over four separate innings. As his pitch count ticked upwards Sale did walk Dairon Blanco after getting two quick strikeouts, but after a brief pep talk by Cora he came back, hit 97 mph on the radar gun and then got Maikel Ga...

Man injured in Mission Beach motorcycle crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was injured Sunday afternoon after crashing his motorcycle in Mission Beach, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, a 21-year-old man was riding his 2008 Honda CBR 600 motorcycle westbound towards the parking lot at 2600 N Jetty Rd. around 2:30 p.m. when the incident occurred. Rainbows and sludge: Burning Man festivalgoer from Pacific Beach shares photos Police say the rider was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to notice the closed parking lot gate ahead. The rider attempted to stop his motorcycle, but was unsuccessful and collided with the gate. The man was transported to a local hospital with multiple femur fracturs to his left leg.SDPD traffic units responded and will be handling the investigation. Police say DUI was not a factor in this collision.

1 dead, 3 injured after head-on crash in Humboldt Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

CHICAGO — A driver died Saturday after police say a car was spotted speeding down the road before crashing head-on with an oncoming vehicle in Humboldt Park. According to officers, the driver involved had hit one other vehicle and drove into an oncoming lane before the deadly crash.  3 teens charged in 7 robberies on Saturday across Chicago Police say it happened just after 4:15 p.m. in the 700 block of Kedzie Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the crash, officers in the area spotted a vehicle with three people inside speeding down the road. Police say the driver first hit a minivan and continued driving down the road before they drove into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another car. Police say the driver and the passenger who were in the car that were hit were both taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.  Man opens fire on driver after being hit in Garfield Park According to police, the driver of the car that had alle...

Family, Friends honor life of 13-year old boy with Wiffle ball tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

ITSACA, Ill. — A Wiffle ball tournament and silent auction were held on Sunday in honor of a 13-year-old sports fanatic who died of an asthma attack in February.Fifty-five teams from first graders to adults competed in the inaugural Bennet Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament to benefit BT8, a foundation dedicated to keeping Bennet’s memory alive.Little league teammates, family and friends all joined together on Sunday to remember the life of a boy who loved to spend time playing sports."All of us kids love playing Wiffle ball and he was always the best, so we wanted to support him,” Bennet's friend Nick Cammarata said. 3 dead after head-on motorcycle crash in Big Rock: Sheriff Friends and family say Wiffle ball was one of Bennet’s favorite things to do every day, each summer.“Every summer, me and him, Wiffle ball every day. Whenever we wake up, go play Wiffle ball. Go home, eat, wiffle ball,” said Bennet’s brother, Bryce Taft.Itasca Police Officer Keith Endres, who was the first person...

Dogs die in southeast Austin house fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A structure fire in the 7500 block of Cayenne Lane in Austin was put out Sunday afternoon, according to a post on social media by the Austin Fire Department (AFD).AFD said that no one was home when the fire started. Two dead dogs were located at the scene. Five residents were displaced by the fire.It took firefighters around 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No. 2 Stanford spoils No. 7 Texas' home opener, 2022 national title celebration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 7 Texas Longhorns volleyball fell in its home opener Sunday in straight sets to No. 2 Stanford.The day started great with the 2022 national championship banner raising after the Longhorns claimed the crown last season, but the Cardinal came into Gregory Gym and quickly turned the mood. Set scores were 25-23, 25-20, 25-15.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersTexas (2-2) was led by Madisen Skinner with 12 kills while Jenna Wenaas chipped in 11. Bella Bergmark had five kills and Asjia O'Neal had four. Texas was held to a .130 hitting percentage while the Cardinal hit an impressive .396. Stanford's Kendall Kipp poured in a match-high 15 kills with seven block assists and Elia Rubin had 14 kills. McKenna Vicini had eight block assists for the Cardinal who had 13 total blocks to Texas' six.The Longhorns had 20 attack errors to Stanford's seven and the Card...