Journalist jailed in China for 3 years describes standing in sunlight for just 10 hours each year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Journalist jailed in China for 3 years describes standing in sunlight for just 10 hours each year BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese-Australian journalist who worked for China’s state broadcaster and was convicted on murky espionage charges has spoken out about the harsh conditions of her detention, including being allowed to stand in sunlight for just 10 hours each year.Cheng Lei has been held for three years, and although found guilty on national security charges at a closed-door trial last year, has yet to be sentenced. She hasn’t seen a tree since she was detained and deeply misses her daughter and son, now entering high school, Cheng said in a statement conveyed to an Australian diplomat and released to local media. “I relive every bushwalk, river, lake, beach with swims and picnics and psychedelic sunsets, sky that is lit up with stars, and the silent and secret symphony of the bush,” Cheng said in the statement read by her partner Nick Coyle on the Australian Broadcasting Corp.“I secretly mouth the names of places I’ve visited and driven through,” Cheng said. “It is the Chine...

Loretto Hospital administration, employees reach new labor agreement

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Loretto Hospital administration, employees reach new labor agreement CHICAGO -- Loretto Hospital administrators and union negotiators reach a tentative deal on Thursday evening to halt picket lines.The new three year agreement includes increased wages and a paid Juneteenth holiday.At least 200 mental health workers, radiology technicians, inpatient transporters, housekeeping workers and emergency technicians walked off the job at Loretto Hospital on the morning of July 31. Great run for Elmhurst Youth Baseball comes to an end SEIU Healthcare President Greg Kelley said the struggle workers endured paid off. He hopes the improved pay will also address the issues of employee turnover and burnout."Our members are committed to their patients and they're excited to get back to take care of them," Kelley said.Loretto Hospital leadership released the following statement on Thursday:We are pleased to announce that Loretto Hospital and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have reached a new labor agreement. We appreciate the dedication of un...

'Torture': Couple forces man with special needs to live in backyard, police say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

'Torture': Couple forces man with special needs to live in backyard, police say ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Jeffeth Garvey and his girlfriend Antoinette Mundy are now facing charges after Florida police say they neglected a man with special needs."Someone who submitted a complaint to an abuse hotline," St. Petersburg Police Department Public Information Specialist Ashley Limardo said. "They're stating this individual was forced to live outside." The Children’s Place recalls jeans for choking hazard WFLA in Tampa spoke with a man Thursday who says he knew the victim and gave him food. When asked about the alleged neglect, the man described this story as "torture."(WFLA)Jail records led to a home in St. Petersburg that had a wooded-type shelter in the backyard with a roofing material covering the top — the alleged home of the non-verbal victim."Our officers located this 22-year-old man that was covered in feces, in not very great condition, seemed very malnourished," Limardo explained.Police say though he was given food, he preferred to eat trash out of nearb...

Two dead after murder/suicide in Georgetown, WCSO says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Two dead after murder/suicide in Georgetown, WCSO says WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- Two people are dead after a murder/suicide in Georgetown Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.At approximately 5 p.m., WCSO responded to a residence in the 500 block of Vaughn Street in Georgetown after a 911 caller said two people were shot, according to a news release from WCSO.Officials arrived on the scene and found one man and one woman dead, the release said.According to the investigation, WCSO said there was an isolated murder/suicide incident. The name of the victims were not provided, as officials needed to notify next of kin.There was no danger to the public, and the incident remained under investigation Thursday, WCSO said.

'When there's a large fire it's everybody's problem': Fire coordination happening across Central Texas

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

'When there's a large fire it's everybody's problem': Fire coordination happening across Central Texas AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With destructive fires popping up in all corners of Central Texas this week, from Hays County to Cedar Park to east Austin, Travis County Emergency Services Districts said they're constantly coordinating among themselves and those surrounding counties to make sure resources are in the right place. "It's not just Travis County, we're doing Hays County, Williamson County, and all the surrounding. When there's a large fire it's everybody's problem," Travis County Fire Chief Robert Abbott told commissioners Tuesday. Travis County ESD 2 Chief: July 4th one of busiest days for firefighters Travis County said it's coordinating daily with Austin Fire, among the ESDs and other Central Texas counties right now. "What does our staffing look like? Where are we seeing fires occur? Who do we already have on the fire line that we need to replace? It's really about communication," said Michael Prather, assistant chief of operations at Lake Travis Fire Rescue. Staffing is somethi...

Longhorns men's hoops announce nonconference schedule, play tourney at MSG

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Longhorns men's hoops announce nonconference schedule, play tourney at MSG AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans will be able to see the Texas men's basketball team quite a bit during its nonconference schedule this upcoming season.The Longhorns announced their nonconference schedule Thursday and will play nine of 13 games at Moody Center. Texas will open the season Nov. 6 against Incarnate Word. MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe slate also includes two games at one of the most cherished and revered basketball arenas in the world, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Longhorns will play Nov. 19-20 in the Empire Classic, joining defending national champion UConn, Indiana and Louisville.Texas will take on Marquette, coached by former Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart, Dec. 6 in the Big East-Big 12 Battle. The game will be at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.See the entire nonconference scheduleThe other game that isn't at Moody Center in nonconf...

Albany PD hosts graduation for 2023 Summer Cadet program

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Albany PD hosts graduation for 2023 Summer Cadet program ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Some local teenagers were recognized for their work with the Albany Police Department this summer. A graduation ceremony was held on Thursday for the 13 members of the department's cadet program.The cadets take part in team building activities and work with police officers while earning part-time pay. One graduate said it was a valuable learning experience. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "But now you see the police officer's view of a citizen and what they actually have to go through, and I think that could help out the community a bit more, so they can see what police officers go through when they have to handle civilians," Mikaylah Sturgis said.Along with improving relationships with the community, the police department also hopes the program will encourage more teenagers to consider a career in law enforcement.

Groundbreaking for renovations at Whitney Young Health Center in Albany

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Groundbreaking for renovations at Whitney Young Health Center in Albany ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Renovations at a health center in Albany taking a step forward. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Whitney Young Health Center on Lark Drive in Albany on Thursday.Organizers said the new design will make it easier for patients to access different kinds of care in the same place. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "This helps us further our work to get to a level of integration of healthcare so that we have behavioral health, primary care, social care needs all reflected in the space that our staff will work in, and design that around the patient, rather than us designing spaces around staff," Whitney Young Health Center Pres. and CEO David Shippee said.Whitney Young serves nearly 20,000 patients each year in underserved communities.

Changes coming to CDTA on-demand FLEX service

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Changes coming to CDTA on-demand FLEX service ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The CDTA is changing its on-demand, curb-to-curb service known as FLEX. Starting on Monday, August 14, the service areas in Latham, Colonie and Guilderland will be condensed, and walk-up rides will be discontinued. The agency said the changes will help improve wait times. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Starting on September 3, FLEX service will be expanded in Saratoga County to include the village of Stillwater. It currently covers parts of Clifton Park, Halfmoon and Mechanicville.The CDTA is also adjusting how customers can schedule rides. Booking must be done through the Navigator app beginning on Monday. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, and customers will need to create an account.The CDTA said FLEX has provided nearly 90,000 rides over the past year. Anyone with questions about the changes can call the customer service center at (518) 482-8822.

Amber Alert issued in St. Louis for child abduction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:45:20 GMT

Amber Alert issued in St. Louis for child abduction ST. LOUIS – The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert Thursday evening for a reported child abduction in St. Louis.The alert was sent just after 8:40 p.m.According to the state patrol, the alert involves a teal Hyundai Elantra with the partial temporary Missouri plate "06E."This is a developing story. FOX 2 will have more information as it becomes available.