New Hampshire Senate passes GOP-backed parents’ rights bill

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

New Hampshire Senate passes GOP-backed parents’ rights bill CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A “parents’ bill of rights” that critics say is designed to target transgender youth passed New Hampshire’s Republican-led Senate on Thursday.Much of the debate among lawmakers focused on provisions to require school officials, when asked by parents, to disclose that a child is using a different name or being referred to as being a different gender. Supporters said the bill would strengthen family relationships, while opponents argued it violates the constitutional right to privacy and the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Many states with Republican-controlled legislatures have enacted similar measures, fueled by some parents’ frustration with schools that boiled over during the coronavirus pandemic. And in the U.S. House, a parents’ rights bill was the first legislation that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy formally announced — fulfilling a major part of last year’s GOP campaign platform. New Hampshire Sen. Donovan Fenton, a Democrat from Keene, ...

Sabres preach patience to a young squad in playoff race

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Sabres preach patience to a young squad in playoff race BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Sabres captain Kyle Okposo is one of the oldest players on one of the NHL’s youngest teams, and takes care to present a patient front in the midst of a late-season playoff push. Though Okposo would like nothing more than to end a league-worst 11-year playoff drought, the soon-to-be 35-year-old understands there are lessons to be learned and steps that can’t be skipped. Before the Sabres embarked on their current three-game trip, Okposo said the team was close.“And if you were to say before the year we would be in this spot, most people would have laughed,” he added. “So we’re getting there. We just have to keep pushing and we have to continue to know that what we’re doing works, and we cannot become impatient with the results.”It’s a challenge for a team on which the majority of players are experiencing an NHL playoff race for the first time. “It’s a different pressure than last year,” Okposo said, referring to how a team that was already out of contention...

State earns more than $15M in seized assets proceeds in last 4 years

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

State earns more than $15M in seized assets proceeds in last 4 years DENVER (KDVR) -- A new bill would touch tens of millions in civil asset forfeiture revenue for police, attorneys and cities.Under Colorado law, law enforcement, district attorneys, cities and other agencies are allowed to seize property suspected of being linked to a crime. This is a civil action separate from the criminal prosecution - the agencies can take the assets whether or not the owner is found guilty of the crime. Photos: 2 arrested after front-door ‘booby trap’ injures visitor Recently, legal movements in some U.S. cities and states have attempted to put more oversight on civil asset forfeiture or abolish it entirely. Colorado is one of those states. HB23-1086, titled the Due Process Asset Forfeiture Act, would allow agencies to seize assets only if defendants are found guilty of a crime. Sponsored by Colorado Representative Ken DeGraaf, an El Paso County Republican, it would also link the seizure to the criminal case rather than creating a separate civil case. Colorado...

Denver weather: Sunshine returns with a slow warming trend

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Denver weather: Sunshine returns with a slow warming trend DENVER (KDVR) — The light snow has moved out of Denver's weather for the rest of tonight. Snow totals were on the light side as predicted by Pinpoint Weather, Colorado’s Most Accurate Forecast.Snow reports across northern ColoradoWeather tonight: Slow clearing and coldSnow showers will still be possible across the southern areas of Colorado. For Denver and the Front Range skies will slowly clear and the wind will become light. This will lead to a cold night with overnight lows in the teens and 20s.Forecast overnight low temperatures by Friday morning from Pinpoint WeatherWeather tomorrow: Sunshine returns but still a chilly dayWe will have mainly sunny skies across metro Denver and the Front Range. There will be passing clouds at times. The wind will still be out of the north/northeast. That will keep temperatures on the chilly side with highs forecast in the 40s. At this time of year Denver's average high should be closer to the upper 50s.High temperatures for Friday across Colorad...

Man pleads guilty in 2015 murder case

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Man pleads guilty in 2015 murder case DENVER (KDVR) -- A man arrested two years ago in connection to a 2015 murder pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge last week, the Denver District Attorney's Office said in a release Thursday. Nicholas Lujan, 29, was arrested in 2021 by the Denver cold case team after years of investigation into the murder of 61-year-old Jose Frias-Olivas. $20K reward for information on East Colfax homicide “This was a horrific murder and I am very proud of our Cold Case Unit and that of the Denver Police Department for working long and hard to get justice for Mr. Frias-Olivas,” Denver DA Beth McCann said.Frias-Olivas was shot and killed in Harvard Gulch Park West on Aug. 15, 2015. He was visiting his daughter in southwest Denver when he left her home mid-morning to take a walk and was shot in broad daylight. DA's Office: Police match DNA to LujanThe DA's release said Lujan's DNA matched what was found on the murder weapon's magazine. Other DNA was found but Lujan was considered a poss...

‘Pillowcase Rapist’ sentenced to 17 years in prison for rape dating back to ’80s

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

‘Pillowcase Rapist’ sentenced to 17 years in prison for rape dating back to ’80s It is sentencing day for the man who became known as the “Pillowcase Rapist.” The crime from 1983 is what he was convicted on. Sixty-three-year-old Robert Koehler was convicted of a rape that was one of a series of attacks in the 1980s. Koehler was arrested and charged back in 2020 after DNA evidence connected him to crimes attributed to the so-called Pillowcase Rapist. His son and daughter testified via Zoom Thursday on his behalf. “My dad was an amazing father to the both of us,” Brandy Koehler said. “He raised us, we were with him all that time. He did everything and everything for us. He was an amazing father.”Just like he did during trial, Koehler took the stand and once again argued that he was the real victim. “From the beginning, from the day of my arrest, every right that is available to any citizen in this country, has been violated by this malicious prosecution,” he said. His sentence for two charges, kidnapping while using...

Jury deliberations to resume Monday in XXXTentacion killing

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Jury deliberations to resume Monday in XXXTentacion killing FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jury deliberations for the trial of three men accused of murdering rising rap star XXXTentacion during a 2018 robbery will resume Monday after the panel finished a seventh day of deliberations Thursday without reaching a verdict.The seven women and five men had asked Circuit Judge Michael Usan if they could have Friday off to take care of personal appointments, and the judge granted the request. Earlier Thursday, jurors had asked to view the defendants’ social media accounts, as well as GPS data or maps to calculate distance between points mentioned in the case. The judge denied those requests, saying the verdict must be based on evidence presented during the trial.Michael Boatwright, 28 and the accused shooter; Dedrick Williams, 26 and the accused ringleader and getaway driver; and Trayvon Newsome, 24 and the alleged second gunman, are charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. They face mandatory life sentences if convicted...

Police respond to reported fight at Miami Northwestern Senior High

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Police respond to reported fight at Miami Northwestern Senior High Police have swarmed Miami Northwestern Senior High School following reports of a fight on campus.7News cameras captured several police cruisers parked near the campus entrance, Thursday afternoon.According to City of Miami Police, they were called to assist after some sort of fight broke out.Parents of students were seen outside the school. Some said they witnessed several people being taken away in handcuffs.Officers with Miami-Dade Schools Police told a 7News crew that they needed to stay back because they were still searching for someone.Down the street from the school, near Northwest 71st Street and Seventh Avenue, police surrounded a Jeep. They took someone away in handcuffs at that location. It’s unclear whether that scene is related to what unfolded on campus.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Suspect armed with machete dead after police-involved shooting in North Miami Beach

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Suspect armed with machete dead after police-involved shooting in North Miami Beach An investigation is underway after a police-involved shooting took the life of a suspect who, sources said, was armed with a machete and holding a woman hostage at a medical complex.7Skyforce hovered over the scene at the complex, located at Northeast 168th Street and 68th Avenue, Thursday afternoon. According 7News sources, an incident happened inside the medical office building where a man held a machete to a woman’s neck. Sources said it was similar to a hostage situation. Police arrived to the scene and shot and killed the suspect. That woman is said to be OK.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation as per protocol for any police-involved shooting.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Student alert, recovering after stabbing at Brockton school

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:47:48 GMT

Student alert, recovering after stabbing at Brockton school A 17-year-old student is recovering after officials said a classmate stabbed the teen at a local school Thursday morning.The classmate, a 16 year old, was taken into custody.Both the 16 year old and the 17 year old who was stabbed were also taken to area hospitals.Police said the student who was stabbed suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The teen was responsive and alert as of Thursday afternoon, according to police, who added that school administrators and family members have been with him.The incident happened in a hallway outside the gym at Brockton’s Huntington Day School around 9:30 a.m. during a time where students were between classes. One student speaking with 7NEWS said they heard screaming before then seeing teachers rushing down stairs. “[T]hen, a whole lot of ambulances and police pulled up to the school,” the student said. Speaking at a press conference, Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Michael Thomas said a staff member saw the altercation and...