Judge: Tennessee lawmaker can’t withdraw guilty plea on campaign finance charges

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Judge: Tennessee lawmaker can’t withdraw guilty plea on campaign finance charges NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday declined to let a former Tennessee state senator withdraw his guilty plea on federal campaign finance charges. In the case related to his failed 2016 congressional campaign, former Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey’s attorneys had argued he should be allowed to go back on his guilty plea because he entered it in November with an “unsure heart and a confused mind” due to events in his personal life — his father had terminal pancreatic cancer, then later died in February, and he and his wife were caring for their twin sons born in September.U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville said that those stressors are not sufficient to allow the reversal of his guilty plea. Kelsey’s sentencing was set for late July. “A guilty plea is a grave and solemn act,” Crenshaw said, according to The Daily Memphian.Kelsey and his mother were among those who testified at the hearing Tuesday.Kelsey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud t...

Jon Rahm looking to add to his big year and facing a big test at PGA Championship

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Jon Rahm looking to add to his big year and facing a big test at PGA Championship PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Jon Rahm watched video of the last PGA Championship at Oak Hill, which would not seem to be of much value considering the restoration work on the East Course, the rain-soaked week in 2013 and the fact that it was in August.Rahm picked up a few details that could serve him or anyone well, particularly the discipline Jason Dufner showed when he got in trouble off the tee and how he relied on his wedge game.More than a student of the game, the 28-year-old Spaniard is simply a golf nerd who recently described himself as “beyond addicted to the game.”“I do it pretty much for every major,” Rahm said Tuesday of his film study. “I just like it. Even if it’s not major season, I’m doing it at home. I’ve seen on social media about every Sunday round you can find about Augusta and most majors. It’s not research. I just like it. It’s just fun.”So is winning, and Rahm is having the time of his life.The Masters was his fourth victory of the year...

Biden scraps planned visit to Australia, Papua New Guinea to focus on debt limit talks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Biden scraps planned visit to Australia, Papua New Guinea to focus on debt limit talks WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he’s curtailing his upcoming trip to the Indo-Pacific, scrapping what was to be a historic stop in Papua New Guinea as well as a visit to Australia for a gathering with fellow leaders of the so-called Quad partnership so he can focus on debt limit talks in Washington.The cancellation is a foreign policy setback for an administration that has made putting a greater focus on the Pacific region central to its global outreach. Biden said he still plans to depart on Wednesday for Hiroshima, Japan, for a Group of Seven summit with leaders from some of the world’s major economies. He will return to the U.S. on Sunday.“I’m postponing the Australia portion of the trip and my stop in Papua New Guinea in order to be back for the final negotiations with congressional leaders,” Biden said at the start of a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House. He added, “The nature of the presidency is addressing many of the ...

Marlins star outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. headed to the injured list

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Marlins star outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. headed to the injured list MIAMI (AP) — Marlins centerfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday because of a right toe turf injury.A first-year outfielder, Chisholm collided with the center-field wall while attempting to catch a drive hit by Henry Ramos in Miami’s 6-5 loss against Cincinnati on Saturday. Chisholm remained down on the warning track for a couple of minutes before he reached his feet and limped off the field.“Not what you want from your star centerfielder,” Marlins manager Schumaker said before Tuesday’s series opener against Washington. “We put a lot on his plate early in the year and in spring training, and he’s done nothing but grow in that position.”Chisholm has seven homers and began Tuesday tied for second in the NL with 14 steals. He homered in consecutive games against the Reds before his injury.The 25-year-old Chisholm was voted starting second baseman in the 2022 All-Star Game but didn’t play because of a back injury he sustained in June that sidelined ...

Wild Animal Sanctuary named the best thing to do in summer by travel website

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Wild Animal Sanctuary named the best thing to do in summer by travel website DENVER (KDVR) -- A travel guide named The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado as the number one best thing to do in the U.S. this summer.Travel Lemming compiled a bucket list of the best 150 things to do this summer in the U.S., and the wildlife refuge just 40 miles northeast of Denver was at the top of the list. Animals from closed Puerto Rico zoo begin arriving in Colorado KEENESBURG, CO - APRIL 05: One of the 39 tigers rescued in 2017 from Joe Exotic's G.W. Exotic Animal Park walks around its enclosure at the Wild Animal Sanctuary on April 5, 2020 in Keenesburg, Colorado. Exotic, star of the wildly successful Netflix docu-series Tiger King, is currently in prison for a murder-for-hire plot and surrendered some of his animals to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. The Sanctuary cares for some 550 animals on two expansive reserves in Colorado. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)A grizzly bear sits in an open field at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Weld County, Colorado on March...

Firefighters save dog after house catches on fire in Fort Lauderdale

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Firefighters save dog after house catches on fire in Fort Lauderdale A pet is saved from the flames of a burning house.Before saving the dog, firefighters had to work around downed power lines at the home along Southwest 22nd Avenue near Frontage Road in Fort Lauderdale.Once they could get to the house, they rescued a dog, which should be OK.No residents were home at the time, but they now need a new place to stay.

‘We are very concerned’: Miami-Dade mayor addresses broken elevators, escalators at county’s Metromover stations 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

‘We are very concerned’: Miami-Dade mayor addresses broken elevators, escalators at county’s Metromover stations  There is some transit trouble, which some people might call a metro-fail. Broken escalators and elevators at many Metromover stations have caused problems for riders.At some stations, the elevators and escalators have been out for a year.For two weeks, 7 Investigates has been documenting the maintenance mess.A week after we contacted the Miami-Dade Mayor’s office, the mayor is now speaking out.Mike Sheridan rides the Metromover five days a week.Mike Sheridan: “So my spouse takes the car to go to work and I’ll take the Metro.”Nearly a half-million people ride the Metromover every month. A free service that makes stops across downtown Miami and Brickell.But you can’t get on the train without first getting up onto the train platform. For some, that is easier said than done.Mike Sheridan: “So you can see here that the escalators out as well as the elevator. So if you were a disabled person, there’s literally no way down other than the stairs.&#...

Cellphone video captures fight inside South Dade Senior High school gym, 3 arrested

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Cellphone video captures fight inside South Dade Senior High school gym, 3 arrested Cellphone video captured a violent fight inside the gym at South Dade Senior High School right before the afternoon bell was set to go off.The fight occurred on May 8, and a 29-second video showed one kid slamming another student against the gym floor.District officials said the interaction between the two students started earlier in the day after one student recorded another student in a bathroom at the school. The victim pleaded for him to delete that picture or video.According to district officials, things escalated in the gym after the victim asked once again for the students to delete it.Authorities said that’s when the video showed a fight breaking out between five students against three students.District officials said the victims getting attacked in the video haven’t been in the U.S very long.In a statement they told 7News in part, “This school district goes to great lengths to promote the values of restraint and respect as well as using social media respon...

TD Garden showcases new food options as Celtics prepare for Eastern Conference Finals

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

TD Garden showcases new food options as Celtics prepare for Eastern Conference Finals As the Celtics chase a championship, the TD Garden is announcing new fan food aimed at helping keep up the intense atmosphere. On the eve of Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, arena officials on Tuesday showcased some of their new offerings. “This is what we wait for all season,” said Executive Chef Jason Gorman. “We get a chance to really come up with some great, winning combinations.Dishes include new “Beat the Heat Bites” and a “617 New England Cod” complete with potatoes and a passion fruit butter sauce. A “Miami Vice Slice” comes topped with habanero bacon jam, pulled pork, mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh jalapeno peppers. With lots of spice on the menu, fans may need a drink. Speaking this week, officials said they’re prepared, with options including the “Magic City Margarita.” “We have it a little bit spicy, because we expect the series to be spicy and smoke in there because we’re going to smoke them,” said TD Ga...

Yarmouth Girl Scout named top cookie seller in eastern Massachusetts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:50:41 GMT

Yarmouth Girl Scout named top cookie seller in eastern Massachusetts A local Girl Scout recently went above and beyond, selling more than 3,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to become the top cookie seller in Eastern Massachusetts for this year’s cookie selling season, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts announced. Emma Hardigan, of West Yarmouth, told 7NEWS she went door to door and also ran a total of 41 cookie booths, selling 3,668 boxes of cookies. She continued, saying she donated all the money she made to charity, giving the money to a local food pantry. “I love being out in the community and selling Girl Scout Cookies,” Hardigan said in a separate statement shared by Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.Hardigan, a Daisy Girl Scout, has been part of the Girl Scouts for two years. Speaking this week, she said she is excited to continue her work in the organization.