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Biden administration proposes rule that would require more firearms dealers to run background checks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is proposing a rule that would require thousands more firearms dealers to run background checks, in an effort to combat rising gun violence nationwide.The proposal comes after a mandate from President Joe Biden to find ways to strengthen background checks following the passage of bipartisan legislation on guns last year.People who sell firearms online or at gun shows would be required to be licensed and run background checks on the buyers before the sales under the rule proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The bureau estimates that the rule would affect anywhere from 24,500 to 328,000 sellers. It is aimed at those who are in the business of gun sales, rather than those with personal collections.Background checks help prevent guns from being sold to people convicted of crimes, teenagers and others who are legally blocked from owning them, said the agency’s dir...

BC defensive backs John Pupel, Alex Washington set for Northern Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

The Boston College secondary will have the Ivy scent when the Eagles open the season against Northern Illinois on Saturday (noon) at Alumni Stadium.Two transfer portal refugees from the Ivy League, strong safety John Pupel (Dartmouth) and cornerback Alex Washington (Harvard), are listed on the two-deep and expected to start against the Huskies.Pupel was a three-year letterman with the Big Green and recorded 133 career tackles despite missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic. Pupel was a graduate transfer to BC in 2022, but was injured and appeared in only four games with limited special teams’ duties. Pupel brought an urgency to training camp and won a starting position.“He was the biggest surprise of camp,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley. “He was hurt last year, he had some issues and had to really get some good work done and the first time I saw him healthy was this spring.“We liked what we saw on tape when we got him from Dartmouth. He’s smart, tough, he tackles and, in the spring,...

Watch live: Chris Getz to be introduced as new Chicago White Sox general manager

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

The Chicago White Sox will introduce their new senior vice president and general manager on Thursday.Chris Getz was promoted from overseeing the team’s minor-league operations and player development system to the role after the Sox fired executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn on Aug. 22.The press conference is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. at Guaranteed Rate Field.Watch live below: ()

UMass, Taisun Phommachanh face massive test at Auburn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

UMass quarterback Taisun Phommachanh showed more than sheer athleticism in the Minutemen’s 41-30 victory at New Mexico State in the season opener last Saturday.The 6-4, 215-pound transfer from Clemson put up phenomenal numbers in his UMass debut, which was also his first collegiate start. Phommachanh completed 10-of-17 passes for 192 yards and was the Minutemen’s leading ball carrier with 96 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown.While his dual threat capabilities helped deliver UMass its most important win in years, it was Phommachanh’s command of the offense, game management and thinking a step ahead of the Aggies’ defense that most impressed UMass second-year head coach Don Brown.“I thought he did a great job of that and I think that is his strength,” said Brown. “Obviously he is very athletic, but he is a very smart football player and we certainly are not going to run plays that he is uncomfortable with or that he is ill prepared for.“But at the same time, we are just very comfor...

Scientists say study found a direct link between greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear survival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

By TAMMY WEBBER (Associated Press)Fifteen years after polar bears were listed as threatened, a new study says researchers have overcome a roadblock in the Endangered Species Act that prevented the federal government from considering climate change when evaluating impacts of projects such as oil and gas drilling.The act requires agencies to ensure projects they approve don’t further harm listed species. But a 2008 Department of Interior legal opinion said greenhouse gas emissions didn’t have to be considered because the impact from specific projects couldn’t be distinguished from that of all historic global emissions. A study published Thursday in Science’s Policy Forum says scientists for the first time are able to directly quantify the impact of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions from specific sources on polar bear cub survival.It “just seems odd” that polar bears were listed because of the loss of sea ice due to global warming “but emis...

A judge has blocked, for now, a Texas law drag show performers fear will shut them down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked a new Texas law that drag show artists fear will be used to shut them down or put them in jail.The law, approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature, would expand the legal definition in the Texas criminal code of what is considered to be an illegal public performance of sexual conduct in front of children. It is part of a broader effort in Texas and other conservative states to crack down on drag shows and limit LGBTQ rights.Critics argued that the definition is so broad, it could include the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.U.S. District Judge David Hittner in Houston issued the temporary restraining order after a group of drag performers and LGBTQ+ rights advocates sought to keep the law from taking effect on Sept. 1. They say the law unconstitutionally threatens the “livelihood and free expression of many Texans, including drag performers across our state.” The Texas injunction follows similar rulings against drag pe...

Judge rules white man will stand trial for shooting Ralph Yarl, Black teen who went to wrong house

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge ruled Thursday that the 84-year-old white homeowner who shot a Black teenager after he mistakenly went to the man’s house must stand trial. Clay County Judge Louis Angles issued the ruling after hearing from several witnesses at a preliminary hearing, including Ralph Yarl, the teenager who was shot by Andrew Lester on April 13 when Yarl went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers. Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He previously pleaded not guilty in the shooting that shocked the country and renewed national debates about gun policies and race in America.Kansas City Officer Larry Dunaway described Lester as “an elderly guy who was scared” after the shooting. Another officer, James Gale, said Lester was clearly worried.“He said he hoped he didn’t kill anybody,” Gale testified.A handful of people wearing shirts that said “Justice for Ralph” were seen entering th...

B.C. officer who assaulted UBC student remains on the job after sentencing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

KELOWNA, B.C. — The RCMP say an officer in Kelowna, B.C., who pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge after assaulting a student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan during a wellness check in 2020 remains on the job.Dawn Roberts, director of communications for the B.C. RCMP, says Const. Lacy Browning has been placed on administrative duties and her status is subject to continual review while the Mounties complete a code of conduct investigation.The BC Prosecution Service confirms that Browning was handed a conditional discharge and placed on probation for two years during her sentencing earlier this week after pleading guilty to one count of assault in November 2022.Browning must also complete 160 hours of community service over the first year, and a $200 “victim fine surcharge” was also imposed.It she completes all the terms of the discharge, the service says Browning will not have a conviction or a criminal record.Mona Wang was a nursing student ...

Ohio lawmaker stripped of leadership after a second arrest in domestic violence case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was stripped of his leadership position in the Ohio House on Thursday after his second arrest in less than two months in an ongoing domestic violence case.Fellow Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens removed the Summit County representative from his position as a committee chair, following him being charged with violating a protective order. A grand jury in July indicted Young on domestic violence and assault charges. Young’s lawyer did not respond to messages seeking comment left Wednesday and Thursday.The removal, confirmed by Stephens’ spokesperson Aaron Mulvey, weakens Young’s authority in the House and cuts his pay by $9,000. Stephens previously asked Young to resign, but Young refused. Because the charges are misdemeanors and not felonies, Young is allowed to maintain his seat. Some Democratic lawmakers formally called for him to lose any special authority in the House and echoed Stephens’ cal...

Hyundai and LG will invest an additional $2B into making batteries at Georgia electric vehicle plant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:48 GMT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution said Thursday they will spend an additional $2 billion and hire an extra 400 workers to make batteries at the automaker’s sprawling U.S. electrical vehicle plant that’s under construction in Georgia.The announcement by the South Korea-based companies — one a major automaker, the other a leading producer of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles — expands on a partnership they launched three months ago to produce batteries at the same site west of Savannah, where Hyundai plans to start EV production in 2025.The news Thursday brings the companies’ total investment in the Georgia plant to more than $7.5 billion and the site’s overall planned workforce to 8,500.“This incremental investment in Bryan County reflects our continued commitment to create a more sustainable future powered by American workers,” José Muñoz, president and global chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Company, said in a st...