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Jury acquits Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges dating back to 2001

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A London jury acquitted Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges on Wednesday after a four-week trial in which the actor said he was a “big flirt” who had consensual flings with men and whose only misstep was touching a man’s groin while making a “clumsy pass.”Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches. A fourth, an aspiring actor seeking mentorship, said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after going to Spacey’s London apartment for a beer and either falling asleep or passing out.All the men said the contact was unwanted but Spacey testified that the young actor and another man had willingly participated in consensual acts. He said a third man's allegation that he grabbed his privates like a striking “cobra” backstage at a theater was “pure fantasy.”He said he didn’t remember a fourth incident at a small party at a home he rented in the country but accepted that he touched the groin of a man he had met at a pub during a nigh...

Another municipality makes a pitch to be the home of a new Bears stadium

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There is another municipality in the Chicagoland area that's hoping to catch the Bears' attention in their search for a place to build a new stadium.This time, it's a village in the south suburbs. Late last week, Richton Park president Rick Reinbold sent a letter to Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren to make his pitch to the city to be the home of a new stadium for the NFL franchise. The village becomes the latest to show their interest after the Bears announced in June that Arlington Park, which the team officially purchased in February, was not their "singular focus" when it came to a new stadium. In the letter, Reinbold pitched a few advantages that Richton Park could offer, including being 30 minutes southwest of The Loop along with easy access to I-57, I-80, I-94, I-294, and I-355. The village is also connected to downtown and other parts of the area through the Metra Electric railroad.Reinbold also pointed out that the village has more than 1,000 acres of...

WATCH LIVE | Pritzker's anti-homelessness effort receives legislative support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

CHICAGO — An effort by Governor JB Pritzker to eliminate homelessness in Illinois is receiving some legislative assistance.According to a June press release from Pritzker's office, "the Home Illinois plan expands affordable housing options, targeting individuals in high-risk situations (including homeless college students and those leaving medical care), and providing comprehensive support for individuals experiencing homelessness." UFO hearing live: Lawmakers hear testimony on alleged secret program Wednesday morning the governor plans to sign a bill codifying Home Illinois at Featherfist which is a Chicago-based organization working to eliminate the cycle of homelessness.WGN plans to livestream the event within this story.

Giuliani concedes he made 'false' statements about 2 Georgia election workers 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former Trump personal attorney Rudy Giuliani conceded that he "does not contest” that statements he made about two election workers in 2020 were “false,” according to a Tuesday court filing.Two Fulton County poll workers — Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss — sued Giuliani for defamation in December 2021 over statements he made falsely claiming they played a role in fixing the election. In a two-page statement filed Tuesday, he said that he will “not contest” that those statements were “false” and “carry meaning that is defamatory.”In his statement, Giuliani also said he will not challenge the “factual elements of liability” regarding the election workers’ allegations of “intentional infliction of emotional distress and other related tort claims.” Trump records video encouraging Republicans to vote early However, his statement maintains that those concessions do not affect his argument that the statements and opinions he made were “constitutionally protected.” The stateme...

UFO hearing live: Lawmakers hear testimony on alleged secret program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NewsNation) — The U.S. House Oversight Committee is set to hear from three witnesses Wednesday morning after a whistleblower filed a complaint claiming the U.S. has been concealing evidence of non-human aircraft. David Grusch, an Air Force veteran and former member of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, first brought his claims in a complaint to Congress and detailed his accusations exclusively to NewsNation last month. His testimony will be the most highly-anticipated statement of the morning. Grusch's opening statement, released Tuesday, reveals he is expected to repeat much of his claims during sworn testimony before lawmakers Wednesday. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., will be a key voice at Wednesday’s hearing. Burchett has accused the military of keeping UFO data hidden for decades and feels the hearing's objective is to apply pressure on federal intelligence officials in order to get them to release records related to UFOs. He was initially believed to b...

Kevin Spacey acquitted in London on sexual assault charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Kevin Spacey was acquitted of sexual assault on Wednesday after the Oscar winner’s testimony as a witness in his own defense spared him a possible prison term and gave him a shot at a career comeback.Tears rolled down Spacey’s cheeks as the final “not guilty” verdict was read. It was his 64th birthday.Spacey’s wide-ranging testimony climaxed as he choked up speaking of the six years he’d gone without work after sex abuse allegations surfaced against him during the #MeToo movement in the U.S. in 2017.“My world exploded,” Spacey testified. “There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.” Michael Jackson sexual abuse lawsuits may be revived Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches. A fourth, an aspiring actor seeking mentorship, said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after going to Spacey’s London apartment for ...

Dean shares recipes for summer desserts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

Dean Richards is whipping up some summer desserts!No- Bake Lemon PieIngredients:Crust:1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 to 12 whole crackers)1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugarPinch of salt6 tablespoons unsalted butter, meltedFor gluten-free,  use a rice flour, almond flour or pecan crust;  pre-made or homemade. Recipe here)Filling:8 oz cream cheese, softened1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice1 tablespoon grated lemon peelDirections:In medium bowl, prepare pre-made crust….or mix crust ingredients. Press evenly into ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate 1 hour.In large bowl, beat Filling ingredients until smooth. Spread evenly in crust. Refrigerate 6 hours or until set.Serve with whipped cream if desired. Dean shares recipe for 3 different summer salads Strawberry-Rhubarb CobblerIngredients for the filling:4 cups strawberries, hulled and halved2 cups rhubarb, medium dice1/4 cup flour or  (for gluten-free),  c...

In two-goal game, Loons winger Bongi Hlongwane honors late friend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

Bongi Hlongwane has become known for goofy and joyful goal celebrations, either an individual dance or choreographed moves with teammates.During his current hot streak, the Minnesota United winger has enjoyed plenty of opportunities to let loose and have some fun.But Hlongwane took it in a somber direction Sunday. After scoring his first of two goals in a 4-0 throttling of Puebla in a Leagues Cup match Sunday, he lifted up his black jersey to reveal a message: RIP, DJ Mancamuza Mwaaam.It was a tribute to a South African friend of Hlongwane’s, who passed away last week. Hlongwane told the Pioneer Press they grew up together, attended the same school, and the friend had mixed music at a club owned by Hlongwane’s father.It pained Hlongwane to not be in his native country to mourn the loss along with fellow survivors from his community, so he honored him in front of Loons fans at Allianz Field.“It hurt to see them like that,” Hlongwane said of his community back home. “For me, I’m all b...

2 Troy eateries celebrating grand openings on Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Downtown Troy is welcoming two new businesses by celebrating their grand openings. Pataconia and Stacks Espresso Bar are both holding their grand opening celebrations on Friday, July 28. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Pataconia, a Caribbean restaurant, recently opened in River Street Market at 433 River Street. The eatery serves Patacones, a sandwich consisting of a protein and greens between two fried plantains, as well as pastelitos, or empanadas, and rice bowls. The grand opening is set from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features food and drink specials, a DJ, and Bachata and Merengue dance lessons starting at 6 p.m. An official ribbon cutting will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. with Troy officials. Bowled opening in Amsterdam, 3 more locations planned You can view the menu on the Pataconia Facebook page. Pataconia is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Frida...

DMV program helps formerly incarcerated obtain non-driver IDs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:13 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles issued over 300 non-driver IDs (NDID) Wednesday to people formerly in Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) custody. This comes as part of the DOCCS Pre-Release NDID pilot program in tandem with Gov. Hochul's "jails to jobs" initiative, looking to break down barriers that affect formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! DOCCS' Pre-Release NDID pilot program began in April 2022 at the Wyoming Correctional Facility, the Taconic Correctional Facility, and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Since its expansion, the DMV has received applications from 18 facilities. According to the DMV, it's expected all 43 state-run correctional facilities will participate by the end of October. “Incarcerated individuals face many challenges in their transition back to the community,” said DOCCS Acting Commis...