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A bus driver ate gummies containing THC, then passed out on highway. He’s now on probation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A commercial bus driver who pulled over on a Connecticut highway and passed out with 38 passengers aboard after eating THC-infused gummies has been granted a probation program that could result in criminal charges being dismissed.A state judge in Bridgeport approved accelerated rehabilitation Thursday for Jinhuan Chen, 59, who said he didn’t know the gummies contained the active ingredient in marijuana, Hearst Connecticut Media reported. If he successfully completes a two-year probation period, 38 counts of reckless endangerment will be erased.“Mr. Chen considers himself fortunate that no one was harmed,” said his lawyer, Daniel Esposito.Chen, through a Mandarin interpreter, told Judge Elizabeth Reid that he didn’t know the gummies contained THC because he does not speak or read English.“This potentially could have had devastating consequences but he immediately pulled over and called 911,” Reid said.Chen was driving a Go Go Sun Tour bus in...

First Quantum starts arbitration process to protect rights at Cobre Panama

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. says it has started arbitration proceedings to protect its rights at its Cobre Panama mine which has been the subject of environmental protests.The Canadian miner says its Minera Panamá SA subsidiary has started the action before the International Court of Arbitration to protect its rights under a concession agreement with the government in Panama agreed to earlier this year. First Quantum suspended operations at its Cobre Panama mine earlier this week after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that a 20-year concession agreement covering the copper mine was unconstitutional.The company says it is seeking additional details in respect of the ruling and its implications. The mine was temporarily closed last year when talks between the company and government broke down over payments the government wanted, but the two sides reached a deal in March.The agreement, which was given final approval Oct. 20, has faced widespread protests...

The director of Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev, is also put in charge of the Bolshoi

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian government on Friday named Valery Gergiev, the renowned director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, to also lead Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.Gergiev is replacing Vladimir Urin at the Bolshoi. Urin announced Thursday that he was stepping down after a decade, but didn’t explain the reason behind his move.Some Russian media said the departure of 76-year-old Urin was related to health issues. Others speculated it was linked to a letter calling for an end to Moscow’s military action in Ukraine that he and some other prominent cultural figures signed after the Kremlin sent troops across the border in February 2022. Several other theater directors who signed the letter have lost their jobs since then.Russian President Vladimir Putin first suggested in March 2022 the idea of putting the countries’ two most prominent theaters, the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky, under single leadership.Gergiev, 70, a world-famous conductor who has been the d...

'To bring joy': Highland family collecting for Toys for Tots with Christmas display

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

HIGHLAND, Ind. — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, one Northwest Indiana family has made it their mission to collect for Toys for Tots by putting out bins at the front of their elaborate Christmas display.Matt Hanft and his family obviously noticed that not as many people were headed to the stores ahead of the holidays in 2020 due to the pandemic, so they took matters into their own hands.Hanft, a union ironworker by day, decided to contact Gary's Toys for Tots chapter, which serves all of northern Lake County. He wanted to put a Toys for Tots box in front of his Christmas display — something he's been passionate about for ten years.The chapter was delighted to hear about the idea and sent the family boxes for their home at 8483 Delaware St. in Highland."We got a late start at the beginning of COVID but were able to fill up a pickup truck in a matter of five days," Hanft told WGN News.Since 2020, the Hanfts' operation has steadily grown with some boxes in Griffith and at five Jimmy John'...

Decision expected in Jussie Smollett's appeal on Friday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

CHICAGO — A ruling is expected Friday on Jussie Smollett's appeal of his conviction.In 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors sought to prove that the former ‘Empire’ actor paid two brothers to stage a racist and homophobic attack on him in 2019 so that he could gain notoriety. A Cook County judge sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago, and a $25,000 fine.  Jussie Smollett enters rehab after ‘extremely difficult past few years’: TMZ But Smollett's lawyers argue a deal with the Cook County state's attorney meant he could no longer be prosecuted. The state says there was no agreement made.

How much Christmas lights add to your — and Clark Griswold's — electric bill

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Believe it or not, the holiday season is again upon us. Whether you're wrapping your tree in a simple strand of lights or adorning your home in enough lights to make Clark Griswold jealous, the type of bulbs you select could have a big impact on your electric bill. A recent survey found that on average, Americans will spend about $384 on outdoor holiday light decorations. That does not, however, include the cost of the electricity used to light them. Before you purchase your lights, there's a relatively easy way to figure out how much your electric bill will go up due to your light display. Where it will cost most to heat your home this winter First, you'll want to find the wattage of the strand of lights. This is usually printed on the box or listed on the specifications section if you're buying online. Then, follow this formula:Multiply the wattage by the hours per day the lights will be on, then divide by 1,000 to find kilowatt hours, or kWh per dayMultiply th...

WATCH: New York congressman's profane altercation with former staff member

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSYR) – New York Congressman Brandon Williams is defending himself after an altercation with a former campaign manager at a holiday party was caught on camera.The video, obtained by Nexstar's WSYR, shows the Republican congressman verbally berating Michael Gordon, who managed Williams' 2022 campaign for Congress.With his finger pointed in Gordon's face, Williams can be heard shouting: "You f*** with my family, I will end every relationship you have. Every single friend.""Do you understand me?" Williams demanded, before asking again, "Do you understand me?" The confrontation appears to be diffused by a woman stepping in and asking, "Excuse me?"Williams then appears to knock down the phone used to record the incident. Williams' office has identified the person recording as another former staff member, Ryan Sweeney. How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate In a statement, Williams' office writes: "What you are seeing is two former staffers who were fir...

Tesla Cybertruck rolls out in Austin — would you drive one?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  In Texas, a good barbeque spot can draw a crowd. Just ask Sheri Kurland, who stopped at la Barbecue in east Austin for dinner."I am sold on Texas Barbeque," said Kurland, who was visiting Austin from California.There's something else that can draw a crowd as well, like the new Tesla Cybertruck."It was pretty awesome," Kurland said. "I didn't know it was going to be here."Phillip Sarofim, the new owner of the Cybertruck, got the best of both worlds, a little barbecue and a new ride."Today was delivery day, so I was lucky enough to be in the first 20 people to get cars," Sarofim said. Tesla plans to spend $700M+ to expand Austin gigafactory Sarofim lives in Los Angeles and made the trek to Austin when he heard he would be getting one of the first Cybertrucks at the Giga Factory in Texas."It's like driving a spaceship," Sarofim said.Sarofim was nice enough to show KXAN some of the features."Here is the door, you press here and open it," Sarofim said.Inside you can se...

LIVE: Austin, Travis County leaders talk weather preparedness ahead of winter season

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County and Austin leaders are holding a press conference Friday morning to talk about preparedness ahead of the winter winter season. Their remarks will be live-streamed at 10 a.m. in the video player at the top of this story and on KXAN's Facebook page. Meteorological winter began Friday and will last through February. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, predicted in an updated version of its winter weather outlook that almost all of Central Texas will be in the “wetter than normal” category for the winter precipitation forecast. Parts of the far western corner of our viewing area have dropped into the “equal chances” category with no clear signal on precipitation. DETAILS: NOAA updates December, winter forecasts Texas has experienced impactful winter weather events over the last few years with significant freeze events in February of this year and during the same month in 2021. During this year's freeze, Austin experienced major ...

Why FEMA's new message targets one specific group to plan now for next natural disaster

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:40:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants everyone, especially older adults, to plan now for the possibility of a natural disaster.“Like the one that happened recently in Texas, the ice storm. What will people do in case of a storm that maybe they don't have any services, there's no electricity, there's no water, they can't leave the house?” said Daniel Llargues with FEMA.Disasters and emergencies can affect anyone, but FEMA stresses older Americans are more susceptible to damaging consequences, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or live in rural areas.“We want older adults to take control of their own preparedness because we know that when something happens, they might be needing more help than any other group,” said Llargues. “We want them to take control of their own preparedness now before something happens.”To get that message across, FEMA teamed up with the AD Council to create a new PSA called “Take Control in 1, 2, 3”...