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2 charged with operating sex ring that catered to wealthy clients will remain behind bars for now

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Two people accused of operating a high-end brothel network with wealthy and prominent clients in Massachusetts and the Washington, D.C., suburbs will remain behind bars for now, a judge said on Wednesday. Lawyers for Han Lee and Junmyung Lee agreed to a voluntary order of detention during a brief court hearing two weeks after their arrest. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy in Worcester, Massachusetts, entered the order without prejudice, which means defense lawyers can move for their release at a later date. Their attorneys declined to comment after the hearing. Authorities have said the commercial sex ring in Massachusetts and northern Virginia catered to politicians, company executives, military officers, lawyers, professors and other well-connected clients. Prosecutors have not publicly named any of the buyers and they have not been charged. But acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy has said the investigation is ongoing and that prosecutors are commit...

Rebels claim to capture more ground in Congo’s east, raising further concerns about election safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A rebel group with alleged links to neighboring Rwanda claimed Wednesday to have seized a key town in Congo’s conflict-hit eastern region amid intense fighting, raising further security concerns ahead of the country’s Dec. 20 presidential election.Mweso town, which is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the North Kivu provincial capital of Goma, came under the control of the M23 rebel group following days of fighting with government-backed forces, Lawrence Kanyuka, the group’s spokesman, said.Residents in the area told The Associated Press they witnessed gunfire between the rebels and security forces. “The enemy has managed to reoccupy Mweso,” said one, Alain Kamala.The AP was not immediately able to verify who was in control of the town. The Congolese army confirmed there was fighting under way around the area.M23 rose to prominence 10 years ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city on the border with Rwanda. It derives its name from ...

U.S. egg producers conspired to fix prices from 2004 to 2008, a federal jury ruled

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Illinois jury ruled this week that several major egg producers conspired to limit the U.S.’s supply of eggs in order to raise prices in a case stemming from a federal lawsuit originally filed 12 years ago.Several large food manufacturing companies including Kraft Foods Global, Inc. and The Kellogg Company alleged in the lawsuit originally filed in 2011 that producers used various means to limit the U.S. domestic supply of eggs to increase the prices of eggs and egg products during the 2000s. The time frame of the conspiracy was an issue throughout the case; jurors ultimately determined damages occurred between 2004-2008. A jury unanimously delivered its verdict Tuesday in the Northern District of Illinois and damages will be decided in a trial scheduled for next week.The suppliers include the family company of an Indiana egg farmer running for the U.S. Senate in the state. Attorneys for the four egg suppliers named in the lawsuit did not immediately retu...

Local newspaper started by Ralph Nader saved from closure by national media company

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

WINSTED, Conn. (AP) — A small Connecticut newspaper that began publishing in February with the help of Ralph Nader has been saved from a planned shutdown after a national media company swooped in to buy it.American Business Media said Wednesday that it has acquired the Winsted Citizen, whose oversight board had decided only two days earlier that it could no longer operate because of financial woes. Terms were not disclosed.Vincent Valvo, chief executive, publisher and editor in chief of American Business Media, said the company made its offer to buy the Citizen on Monday after he heard about its possible demise. He said he wanted the newspaper to be successful.Valvo has longtime ties to Connecticut, having worked at the Hartford Business Journal and Connecticut Law Tribune and led the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. He also has a home near Winsted, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Hartford.“I look at it and I think I know what folks in this region would lik...

The top cheeseburger joint in Chicago, according to Yelp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – It’s been estimated that the average American eats approximately 60 burgers per year. And if that sounds high, it’s likely because most of those burgers weren’t so memorable.To rectify this issue, Yelp’s analysts recently set out to determine the “top” cheeseburger restaurant in every state using data obtained from Yelp’s community of online reviewers. The final list features something for folks in all corners of the country, from the meaty shores of Myrtle Beach to the cheesy plains of Wichita and beyond. The top-rated steakhouse in every state, according to Yelp The “top” places for a cheeseburger in every state, as determined by Yelp, can be found below:Alaska – Alaskan Burger & Brew, in AnchorageAlabama – Our Place Diner, in Ozark Arkansas – Table on 6th, in BentonvilleArizona – Happy’s Hamburgers, in ScottsdaleCalifornia – For The Win, in Los AngelesColorado – Burgers & Gyros, in Estes ParkConnecticut – Shady Glen Dairy Stores, in Manchester...

Train derails near phosphate plant in Florida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

FORT MEADE, Fla. (WFLA) — A train derailed near the Mosaic phosphate plant in Fort Meade early Tuesday.Eagle 8 HD flew over the area, where at least 12 train cars derailed. A roadway near the entrance of the facility appeared to be blocked.(WFLA)(WFLA)(WFLA)(WFLA)Mosaic told News Channel 8 that the railcars were carrying phosphate rocks. Officials said the derailment poses no environmental concerns. No one was hurt in the incident.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Which performers, balloons can viewers expect to see?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) – Balloons, floats, music icons, and celebrities will flood New York City's streets for the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. The rain-or-shine event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. — half an hour earlier than usual — near Central Park West and West 77th, and ends at the Macy's flagship store on 34th Street. Here's what to know about the parade before tuning in:Who is performing?The lineup at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade always includes a number of national musical acts in addition to marching bands and dancers. But perhaps the biggest name on the list is Cher, who just released a Christmas album. She'll make her appearance just before the parade's end, signaled by the arrival of Santa’s sleigh, parade organizers said.Grammy-winner Jon Batiste is scheduled to kick off the event, with performances to follow by Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James De...

Retailers keeping a close eye on inflation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- As retailers are gearing up for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, they are keeping a close eye on inflation.Experts say shoppers are expected to return to their pre-pandemic habits this holiday season.Long before Black Friday, retailers have been cranking out deep discounts and sales. “It was basically Black Friday in October, and that is going to keep rolling through the holidays,” Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst at Bankrate.com said.Rossman says the state of the economy has many retailers and shoppers concerned.“Our survey found that about a third of holiday shoppers specifically say that inflation is affecting their buying decisions.” Currently, the inflation rate is 3.2%. Still, Rossman says retailers are preparing for record sales.“It's the best discounting season since the pandemic. The inventory situation is better.”The National Retail Federation says an estimated 182 million people will shop either online or in person this Thank...

Police investigating southeast Austin homicide Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide in southeast Austin Wednesday afternoon, officials said in a social media post. The homicide happened near the intersection of Deer Run Drive and Blue Dawn Trail, police said. That's located near East William Cannon Drive and Bluff Springs Road.Police said the department will host a media briefing at a yet-to-be-determined time on Wednesday.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

STAR Flight responding to crash involving motorcycle in southwest Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:17 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — STAR Flight is responding to the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle in southwest Austin Wednesday afternoon.Medics from Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the crash around 1:20 p.m. on W. U.S. Highway 290 at Circle Drive. That's west of the Y at Oak Hill.One adult was taken to Dell Seton with potentially serious injuries, ATCEMS said.ATCEMS says to expect road closures in the area.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.