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Mail-theft ring tied to USPS robberies busted in Austin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Federal authorities busted a mail-theft ring in Austin and recovered a cache of weapons and stolen checks linked to the robberies of at least two US Postal Service mail carriers, and the attempted robbery of a third less than a week ago, according to newly filed federal court records obtained by KXAN."Protecting USPS employees is part of the core mission" of the US Postal Inspection Service, US Postal Inspector and public information officer Silvia Torres said in a statement. "When a robbery does occur, it receives the highest level of response and attention.  Postal Inspectors worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners, including the Austin Police Department (APD), and used every investigative tool at our disposal to identify and arrest the individuals responsible for these criminal acts."Federal investigators accuse Camren Hamilton, Christian Mosquera, Cody Smith, Jonathan Rangel and other unnamed "conspirators" of being part of a criminal mail-theft...

Russian musician helps to energize the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s ‘Messiah’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

The many talents of Dmitry Sinkovsky come into play as he not only conducts but also plays violin and sings in the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s presentation of the “Messiah” by George Frideric Handel. Bounding with talent and oozing charisma, the Russian musician even adds a bit of percussion as he stamps his foot guiding the orchestra as well as the 43 vocalists in the Minnesota choral group The Singers.SPCO’s “Messiah” presentation opened at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis for two nights, and will finish its run this weekend at the Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul. The basilica’s cavernous acoustics lent themselves well to Handel’s popular oratorio.After the orchestra plays the opening overture, led by Sinkovsky on the violin, tenor David Portillo sets a reverent tone for the rest of the evening. From his velvety performance of the high noted “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people” recitative to the weightier “Ev’ry valley shall be exalted” air, Portillo distinguishes himself as...

MLS teams opt out of U.S. Open Cup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

When Minnesota United, and its previous iterations, were in the lower levels of soccer, the U.S. Open Cup provided an opportunity to knock off higher-level MLS teams in a national tournament.MLS has now taken away that chance for aspiring underdogs.The league said Friday its Board of Governors has voted for each club’s lower-level MLS Next Pro teams to represent them in the Open Cup in 2024, removing the chance for stirring “Cupsets.”USL, the second tier in U.S. soccer, called the MLS change a “surprise,” per a statement from USL President Paul McDonough. He added: “We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further public comments about MLS’s position.”Longer-term supporters of Minnesota’s pro soccer teams have memories of when their smaller club knocked off MLS teams, including a win over Real Salt Lake in 2012.In 2005, Minnesota Thunder took down Colorado Rapids and RSL. In 2004, the Thunder knocked off the L.A. Galaxy in the Metrodome.Now in MLS, MNUF...

Commission selects a final concept for the redesigned Minnesota state flag

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

After months of hearings, the panel tasked with creating new symbols for Minnesota has settled on a flag concept, but more work lies ahead as they hone the final details.Members of the State Emblems Redesign Commission on Friday voted in support of a design inspired by a submission from 24-year-old Luverne resident Andrew Prekker, though many tweaks are already in the works.In original form, it’s a flag with white, green and light blue horizontal stripes and a navy blue section on the left that mimics the shape of Minnesota. In that section is an eight-point white star meant to symbolize the state’s motto “Star of the North” as well as unity in a diverse land.The white stripe symbolizes snow, the green stripe represents nature and agriculture, and the light blue stripe represents the state’s waters — from its more than 10,000 lakes to the Mississippi River. Prekker says the “swallow tail” design is unique among flags of the world, and that he wanted to keep it as simple as pos...

Pedestrian struck in south St. Louis crash

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - An investigation is underway after a driver struck a pedestrian Friday evening in a south St. Louis. The crash happened around 6 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Gravois and Nebraska avenues near the border of the Benton Park West and Tower Grove East neighborhoods. Authorities say the victim suffered massive head trauma and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Jordan Kyrou brought to tears after boos, clarifies previous remarks on Craig Berube An accident reconstruction team with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the crash. Additional details are limited at this time. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

SLU Hospital nurses plan two-day strike in late-December

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A group of SLU Hospital nurses is planning a two-day strike later this month. Organizers say the strike comes in protest of "union-busting" practices and outsourcing of RN jobs. Nurses gave their employer (SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital) notice Friday that they would plan a 48-hour strike. It’s currently scheduled outside the hospital from 7 a.m. on Dec. 27 to 6:59 a.m. on Dec. 29.It's the second strike involving SLU hospital nurses in recent months, the last coming in late-September over concerns with staffing and patient safety. Two St. Louis-area highways among ‘America’s most loathed,’ report says According to a news release from National Nurses United, the strike comes in opposition to "management’s persistent union-busting and outsourcing of RN jobs." “Management has refused to seriously consider or compromise on our proposals regarding SSM’s outsourcing of nurse jobs,” said Jessica Tulk, RN in the emergency department via the news release. “We need ...

Matthew Perry died from 'acute effects of ketamine,' medical examiner says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

Former “Friends” actor Matthew Perry died from “acute effects” of the drug ketamine, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed on Friday.The medical examiner's report said that "high levels of ketamine" were found in Perry's "postmortem blood specimens," adding that "the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."The "exact method of intake" in Perry's case is unknown. Matt LeBlanc pays tribute to Matthew Perry in heartfelt post Perry, 54, died on Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles’ affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood.Authorities confirmed Perry was already dead when first responders arrived to find him propped up in a hot tub after having initially been discovered by another person."There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents," the autopsy report stated. "He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety."Per the report, Perry's last known trea...

SoCal street vendor activist arrested, accused of manipulating social media videos

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

A well-known Southern California activist, along with seven others, have been accused of manipulating social media videos for profit following an arrest related to an alleged assault during one of their protests.Edin Alex Enamorado, 36, an Upland resident, was arrested on Thursday by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. He is believed to be the leader of the protesting group, deputies said.Enamorado is known for posting videos on social media allegedly showing street vendors being attacked but law enforcement claims some of the videos are manipulated to seek attention and profit.“This group manipulates videos and photos on social media in an attempt to make them look like they are protectors of underrepresented people,” SBSD Sheriff Shannon Dicus said at a Thursday press conference. “However, they use racism to threaten and intimidate their victims causing them to get on their knees and beg for forgiveness while still assaulting them.”The group of protestors who were arre...

1 killed in Willowbrook shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

At least one person was killed and others were possibly injured after shots rang out at a Willowbrook shopping plaza on Friday.Los Angeles County deputies received calls of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 200 block of East El Segundo Boulevard at around 2:23 p.m.One victim was transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead, authorities said.It’s unclear how many others may have been injured during the shooting.The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. No arrests have been made so far.Access to the plaza has been blocked off as authorities investigate the scene.Anyone with information about this incident can call the LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.This developing story will be updated.

Man admits to spraying white supremacist graffiti on Latina mural in Costa Mesa

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:19 GMT

A Dana Point man was sentenced to jail Friday after he pleaded guilty to federal vandalism and felony hate crime charges for spray-painting white supremacist graffiti over a mural in Costa Mesa that honors strong Latina women.Daniel Alec Hotte, 28, was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of spraying the mural, entitled "Poderosas." The 70-foot-long mural on the 3000 block of Killybrooke Lane was painted by an all-female crew led by artist Alicia Rojas in 2020 to honor eight strong women, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and activist and local heroine Modesta Avila.In October 2022, Hotte was seen by several witnesses, scratching out the names of some of the women listed, as well as painted "white power," and other white supremacist phrases on the painting.Police were called but Hotte fled the scene before their arrival. He was arrested earlier this year as he arrived for a court date for an unrelated incident.On Friday, Hotte pleaded guilty to his charges and was imme...