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USDA issues permit for Santa's reindeer to *legally* enter the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

(WPHL) - Christmas is nearly here and children everywhere are getting excited for Santa Claus and his reindeer to make their way across the country to deliver presents. Luckily for Mr. Claus, he will have no issues flying into the U.S. this Christmas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a transit permit to Mr. Claus to allow his reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 6 p.m. on December 24, 2023, and 6 a.m. on December 25, 2023, the department wrote in a news release issued Thursday."USDA is delighted to grant Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the United States, ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season," said Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. "We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Claus and recognize the vital role of U.S. milk and cookies in fueling his festive flight." What is the Festivus, the holid...

Pornhub owner to pay $1.8M and accept independent monitor to resolve sex trafficking-related charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The owner of Pornhub, one of the world’s largest adult content websites, has admitted to profiting from sex trafficking and agreed to make payments to women whose videos were posted without their consent, federal prosecutors in New York announced Thursday.Aylo Holdings, the website’s parent company, reached a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds, according to the office of Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.The deal calls for the Montreal-based company to pay more than $1.8 million to the U.S. government, as well as make separate payments to the individual women harmed by the trafficking. It also requires appointment of an independent monitor for three years, after which the charges will be dismissed.“It is our hope that this resolution, which includes certain agreed payments to the women whose images were posted on the company’s platf...

Dodgers sign Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto to historic contract, according to reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports.Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last week.The Dodgers did not confirm the agreement with Yamamoto on Thursday night. MLB.com and ESPN were among the outlets citing anonymous sources in reporting the deal.The New York Yankees and New York Mets were among the many clubs that pursued Yamamoto. Nearly 70% of MLB players polled choose same city for possible expansion team It's the third major pitching coup for the NL West champion Dodgers this offseason. In addition to Ohtani, the team signed right-hander Tyler Glasnow to a $136.5 million, five-year contract after he was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Los Angeles.Ohtani made a video pitch to Glasnow to join him in Hollywood.“It was important to Shohei...

VIDEO: Austin police officers cleared from indictments share story for first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sergeant Joshua Blake and Detective Christopher Irwin used the word "shocked" to describe how they felt when they received news of their indictments related to actions taken during the May 2020 protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Michael Ramos in Austin. They were two of the group of 19 officers indicted by a grand jury in February 2022 on charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. Twenty-one officers total would be indicted related to the 2020 protests in Austin, which responding officers said became "riotous."Earlier this month, District Attorney José Garza announced that his office dropped 17 of those indictments. Blake and Irwin were on that list. DA Garza ‘stands by’ dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions "It's been a whirlwind of emotions," said Irwin. "A constant dark cloud looming over myself and my family."The District Attorney's office is still pursuing charges against four offic...

Wet weekend weather ahead of breezy Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Don't put away the rain gear just yet - more waves of rain expected between now and midday Sunday.After days spinning off the West Coast, our next weather-maker finally makes its way onshore southern California today and begins its trek northeast. Although the storm will not pass directly overhead, it'll stay close enough to send out a few disturbances ahead of it and drag a cold front through our area this weekend.Today: Cloudy to mainly cloudy skies with periods of light rain. Highs: mid-to upper 60sSaturday: Cloudy through the day with a few showers in the morning becoming more widespread late afternoon into the evening. Highs: upper 60sSaturday evening - Sunday morning: Heavier rain and thunderstorms likely as a cold front approaches from the west. Although no flooding or severe weather is expected, some ponding could occur.Sunday: Rain and storms to start the day but clearing midday behind cold front. Breezy, dry and mainly clear by evening.Gusty winds follow S...

Politics, family dynamics, money are top stressors this holiday, American Psychiatric Association says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association found 44% of adults are most excited about seeing family and friends during the holidays, but it’s still stressing them out.“Believe it or not 50% or more of Americans believe they're more stressed this holiday season than they were this time last year,” said Rawle Andrews, the Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.The poll found one in four were worried about discussing politics, about a third were worried about challenging family dynamics and more than half of Americans are worried about affording a holiday gift.“Folks don't feel like they can afford the holidays,” said Andrews.The factors people most stressed about were finding the perfect gift, having enough when feeding guests visiting over the holidays and trying to figure out if you have enough money to do it all.“These pocketbook issues around a perfect holiday, there's no such thing,” he adds. “But these are the things that...

Colorado Department of Corrections investigator charged with forging official report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

A Colorado Department of Corrections investigator is facing a felony forgery charge over allegations he falsified a law enforcement report, court records show.Gary Spangler, 60, was charged with a single count of forgery in November, according to a one-paragraph criminal complaint filed against him in Fremont County District Court.He is accused of attempting to defraud the Office of the Inspector General, a division of the Colorado Department of Corrections that handles the agency’s internal affairs and criminal investigations. The complaint alleges he made or altered a law enforcement report on Oct. 20 with the intent to defraud the office.The brief complaint did not include additional details about the circumstances of the alleged crime. Alondra Gonzalez, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, declined to answer questions about the case except to say that Spangler was on paid administrative leave pending an ongoing internal investigation. She directed The Denver Post...

Overnight downpours, flooding wreak havoc on L.A. motorists

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

Strong overnight downpours led to flooded streets and freeway collisions, causing a headache for Los Angeles-area motorists Friday morning.One of the most impacted areas was in Boyle Heights, where heavy flooding beneath a railroad bridge prompted officials to eventually close Soto Street between Washington and Pico boulevards. At one point, the water was 4 to 5 feet deep, causing at least one motorist to get stuck for several minutes. A Metro bus passes through a flooded area of Soto Street in Boyle Heights on Dec. 22, 2023. (KeyNews.TV)The driver eventually got the car through the flooded area, but water came pouring out of the vehicle once a door was opened. The driver and passengers were OK; however, that's exactly what you don't want to do, a Fire Department spokesperson said.The water had receded to about 2 to 3 feet deep as of 4 a.m., but the Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would keep the road closed until further notice. Multiple collisions were reported on ...

Man accused of threatening to 'Unabomb' FBI Los Angeles Field Office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

A Los Angeles man has been arrested and faces felony charges for allegedly sending threatening emails to the FBI, including one in which he threatened to blow up the L.A. Field Office.Mark William Anten, 52, was arrested Thursday at his home in Sun Valley and is being held in custody without bond.According to the United States Department of Justice, beginning in July, Anten began contacting the FBI by email making various violent threats, including boasting about his similarities to the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, saying that he was working on his own manifesto. Video shows pedestrian being fatally run over in South L.A. Kaczynski, who died in federal prison earlier this year after serving less than 30 years of his multiple life sentences, committed several bombings in America, killing three and injuring nearly two-dozen more.The threats continued for several weeks and, according to the DOJ, on Nov. 23, Anten allegedly emailed FBI agents and voiced his affinity for Kaczynski, bragg...

Pasadena Celebrates 100 Years of the Cheeseburger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:08 GMT

It’s always been the stuff of local legend, but according to the city of Pasadena, the cheeseburger’s origins can be traced back to 1924 in Pasadena. It was the first time the Aristocratic Hamburger (original hamburger with cheese) appeared on the menu of The Rite Spot roadside burger stand on Route 66 — price: 15 cents.Visit Pasadena is celebrating big time with a long list of events during cheeseburger week Sunday, Jan. 21, through Saturday, Jan. 27, including a cheeseburger walking tour and some cheesy offers by showing your Metro TAP card at participating restaurants.For the month of January, book a room at a participating Pasadena hotel to get a free cheeseburger or food and beverage offer.The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is introducing an exclusive cheeseburger to commemorate the centennial and offering the Royal Royce Package. The package includes a one-night luxury room stay, complimentary parking, and the Royal Royce Cheeseburger, valid Monday, Jan. 1, through Wednesd...