Convicted murderer and ex-attorney Alex Murdaugh facing federal charges of fraud, theft

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Convicted murderer and ex-attorney Alex Murdaugh facing federal charges of fraud, theft COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is facing federal charges for the first time after being indicted on 22 financial fraud charges over allegations that the disgraced former attorney schemed to steal settlement money from clients.The indictments unsealed Wednesday don’t appear to reveal any new allegations against Murdaugh, a once prominent attorney in South Carolina who is serving a life sentence without parole for killing his wife and younger son. He is also awaiting trial on around 100 other state charges including insurance fraud, tax evasion and theft.But Murdaugh’s lawyers indicated he is talking with federal prosecutors and added this part of his legal difficulties may be resolved soon.“Alex has been cooperating with the United States Attorneys’ Office and federal agencies in their investigation of a broad range of activities. We anticipate that the charges brought today will be quickly resolved without a trial,” lawyers Jim Griffin and D...

After a year of long overdue Hollywood love, actor James Hong is still having his moment

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

After a year of long overdue Hollywood love, actor James Hong is still having his moment Greeted with a standing ovation at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, James Hong could easily have just basked in the applause and moved on. But for the 94-year-old, the mostly Asian cast of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” winning best cast seemed like an opportunity for a stark reminder that Hollywood wasn’t always so open.“It just came out of me that after all these years of working with producers and directors, and they were always saying, ‘Oh the Asian, the Chinese, are not good enough to play the leading role,’” Hong told The Associated Press recently. “But look at Michelle (Yeoh) and all these colleagues now coming forward to be recognized … You can’t help but say ‘Look at us now.’”Looking at Hong now, you will see perhaps the busiest nonagenarian in show biz. The last year for him has been a wild ride. A year ago he finally received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Shortly after, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and the overwhelming re...

Matchbox Twenty returns after long absence to offer an album of exuberance, ‘Where the Light Goes’

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Matchbox Twenty returns after long absence to offer an album of exuberance, ‘Where the Light Goes’ NEW YORK (AP) — More than a decade has passed since the last Matchbox Twenty album, so, fans can be forgiven for thinking it was the end of the line. That’s what Matchbox Twenty was thinking, too. “We had pretty much come to terms that we didn’t think we’re ever going to make another record. We thought ‘North’ was the last record. Maybe we’d tour every few years, put out a song or two and kind of that’ll just be it,” says singer-songwriter Rob Thomas.So fans can thank guitarist-keyboardist Kyle Cook for “Where the Light Goes,” the band’s 12-track album of new music — the first since 2012 — out this Friday. Cook floated the idea of giving fans who had waited through the pandemic a full album of fresh tunes. As the album’s songs started coalescing, Thomas realized that they were on the sunny side, with nods to the ’80s throughout, like Peter Gabriel, T’Pau, Go West and Level 42. It was turning out to be a post-pandemic record, one of exuberance.“We weren’t maki...

Florida’s Bill Zito among finalists for NHL’s GM of the year award

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Florida’s Bill Zito among finalists for NHL’s GM of the year award SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Paul Maurice remembers exactly what he was doing, and what he was thinking, when Panthers general manager Bill Zito called him last summer to say that the team was trying to acquire Matthew Tkachuk.Maurice was packing for his move to Florida. He didn’t expect that Tkachuk would be joining him.“Yeah, there’s no way you’re going to pull that off,” Maurice said to himself when the call with Zito ended.But Zito pulled it off. And that trade — the league’s first sign-and-trade, actually, and a move that’s sparked Florida’s deepest postseason run in 27 years — is just one of the reasons why Zito was announced Wednesday as one of three finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award, along with Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars and Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins.Sweeney won the award in 2018-19. Nill and Zito would be first-time winners. The award will be presented June 28 at the NHL draft in Nashville.Zito is a finalist for...

F1 drivers face new speed limits in double yellow flag zones to improve safety

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

F1 drivers face new speed limits in double yellow flag zones to improve safety MONACO (AP) — Formula One drivers will be bound by stricter speed limits while driving behind safety cars in double yellow flag zones in a bid to improve safety, governing body FIA said Wednesday.The new measures apply to driving behind both safety cars and virtual safety cars being deployed and will begin at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. The decision was made following research and reviews of previous incidents and in consultation with the teams and drivers, FIA added in a statement.Previously, drivers where required only to significantly reduce their speed and not overtake in zones where, for example, debris was blocking the track or where marshals were stood nearby.“That requirement will be become more precise and strictly enforceable, with drivers now being required to meet a set maximum speed limit in areas where double yellow flags are displayed,” the FIA said.The FIA’s technical director Tim Goss said things will become easier on track for both drivers and tra...

Still down 3-1 to Heat, Celtics cling to hope as East finals shift back to Boston

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Still down 3-1 to Heat, Celtics cling to hope as East finals shift back to Boston BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics’ season didn’t end in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Miami Heat, and now there is a flicker of hope. Whether Boston’s 116-99 victory on Tuesday night was the start of a miraculous revival or simply a momentary reprieve from what NBA history suggests is still inevitable remains to be determined. At the very least, the Celtics’ win made their chances of becoming the first NBA team in 151 tries to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series move from insurmountable to iffy heading into Game 5 at TD Garden on Wednesday.That’s good for a team that had spent most of this series looking nothing like the one that earned the conference’s second seed. “We’ve just got to go win another one. That’s all that matters,” Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. “We take it one game at a time. We understand the odds are stacked against us, but we’re a team that believes in us no matter what, and we’ve just got to keep going, and all tha...

Muere una mujer de 95 años tras ser atacada con una pistola paralizante en su residencia de la tercera edad en Australia

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Muere una mujer de 95 años tras ser atacada con una pistola paralizante en su residencia de la tercera edad en Australia Brisbane, Australia (CNN) — Una mujer de 95 años falleció luego de que fue electrocutada por un policía con una pistola paralizante la semana pasada en su residencia para la tercera edad en Australia, según informó este miércoles la Policía de Nueva Gales del Sur.Clare Nowland, bisabuela de 95 años, se encontraba en estado crítico en el hospital debido a las graves heridas que sufrió en la cabeza cuando cayó al suelo tras ser electrocutada.Policía le dispara con un “taser” a una mujer de 95 años que se movía en un andador y tenía un cuchillo, dice la Policía“La señora Nowland falleció pacíficamente en el hospital justo después de las 7 pm de esta tarde, rodeada de familiares y seres queridos que han pedido privacidad durante este momento triste y difícil”, dijo la Policía en un comunicado publicado en Facebook.El agente que presuntamente electrocutó a Nowland fue acusado de varios delitos, entre ellos lesiones graves por imprudencia y agresión.La comisa...

Polis signs property tax bill into law

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Polis signs property tax bill into law DENVER (KDVR) — A plan for property tax relief is now state law, with the issue to go before Colorado voters this fall.Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 303 into law on Wednesday. During a ceremony, he and lawmakers touted the effort as a way to reduce property tax payments over the next decade. "I'm confident that this will save money for every Colorado taxpayer in some way, shape or form," Polis said. You may be eligible for Colorado’s property tax deferral program The governor and fellow lawmakers said homeowners will save an average of around $1,100 over the next two years. Non-residential property owners would pay about 11% less in property taxes over the next decade, Polis said.Another part of the bill would allow older Coloradans who downsize to keep their homestead exemption.What is Proposition HH?Senate Bill 303 puts the tax relief plan on the November ballot as Proposition HH.It's designed to lower property tax rates for the next 10 years. To cover resulting revenue lo...

Rock singer Tina Turner dies: reports

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

Rock singer Tina Turner dies: reports (NEXSTAR) - Iconic rock and soul singer Tina Turner has died, according to multiple reports. The 83-year-old singer died at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, Deadline and SkyNews have reported, citing a statement from her spokesperson. “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” Bernard Doherty said. A post to her official Facebook page confirmed her death. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly."Turner, who became a Swiss citizen a decade ago, was born Anna Mae Bullock in a segregated Tennessee hospital and spent her latter years on a 260,000 square foot estate on Lake Zurich — and overcame so much. Physically battered, em...

124K fentanyl pills seized during Boulder County investigation

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:27:39 GMT

124K fentanyl pills seized during Boulder County investigation DENVER (KDVR) – Sixteen people between the ages of 19 and 35 were indicted in Boulder County after a drug distribution investigation called "Operation Blue Steal."According to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, the four-month investigation included the seizure of 30 pounds of fentanyl, and about 124,000 pills including blue M/30 pills, rainbow M/30 pills and blue “Versace” pills. BCSO said this has a street value of $500,000. M/30 pills are counterfeit pills designed to look like traditional prescription pills. How to see if part of Colorado’s $600M in unclaimed property could be yours Investigators also seized 25 pounds of methamphetamine worth about $100,000, according to the sheriff's office, 2.5 pounds of heroin and 0.36 pounds of cocaine.As of May 24 at 11 a.m., 10 of the 16 people facing charges have been arrested. The charges each individual faces are outlined below by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office and include a variety of charges related to drug distribution, attem...