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Sword attack killer gets another 55-year prison sentence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man who viciously and randomly attacked two people with a Samurai-style sword, killing one and severely wounding the other, was sentenced Thursday to 55 years in prison, the same sentence he received for a fatal shooting and kidnapping that occurred two days after the attack.Peter Manfredonia struck 62-year-old Ted DeMers in the head with the sword, completely severed his right hand, sliced off his left thumb and index finger and repeatedly slashed his back during the attack in Willington on May 22, 2020. Manfredonia then wounded 80-year-old John Franco, who had severe injuries to his hands and wounds to his head and neck. DeMers was pronounced dead en route to the hospital.Manfredonia, now 26, who was a University of Connecticut senior in 2020 studying finance and mechanical engineering, later held another local man hostage for 24 hours. He then drove across the state to Derby, fatally shot a school classmate and kidnapped that victim’s girlfri...

Connecticut pauses prison commutations amid uproar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut has paused all prison commutations in the wake of an uproar over a drastic rise in the number of inmates having their sentences reduced, the governor announced Thursday.Conservative lawmakers and victims’ rights advocates had called for the suspension of commutations and a review of the state’s Board of Pardons and Paroles policies after it was revealed that 71 commutations were granted in 2022. Just three were approved between 2017 and 2021. Those getting sentence reductions included 44 convicted murders, who had an average of 15 years shaved off their sentences, according to lawmakers.Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, last week replaced the chairman of the parole board and on Wednesday met with leaders of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee to discuss how the commutations were being handled.“During the meeting, the leadership of the board informed participants that it has paused the commutation process pending an expeditious review of it...

Tennessee GOP lawmaker resigns after ethics panel finding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in Tennessee resigned Thursday due to an ethics violation involving the Legislature’s workplace discrimination and harassment policy.Rep. Scotty Campbell, vice chair of the House Republican Caucus, was among the GOP legislators who voted two weeks ago to expel two Black Democratic lawmakers for protesting in support of gun control on the House floor.The Mountain City lawmaker issued his resignation effective immediately, a letter to fellow legislators states. WTVF-TV first reported on the finding by the Ethics Subcommittee, which issued its decision on March 29 in a document addressed to Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton. The document says the panel found Campbell violated the Legislature’s workplace discrimination and harassment policy. When asked about the ethics panel decision by WTVF-TV on Thursday, Campbell said, “I had consensual, adult conversations with two adults off property.”“I think conversations are consensual once tha...

Raiders have plenty of options at draft with No. 7 pick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — What the Las Vegas Raiders do with their No. 7 overall pick in the draft is quite the mystery, and arguments could be made for any number of options.They could trade up to draft a quarterback, trade down to meet multiple needs throughout their roster or stand pat and snag a player who will potentially make an immediate impact.“What we’ve tried to do is put ourselves in a position so we can actually draft the best player that we feel like is available at the time, and we’re open to anything,” coach Josh McDaniels said. “If that happened to be a quarterback, then it’s a quarterback. If it happened to be a defensive lineman, it’s a defensive lineman. If it happened to be a tight end, it’s a tight end.”The Raiders have room to maneuver because they own five of the top 109 selections and 12 overall, meaning they can potentially stock their roster even without trades. But they also have enough picks to orchestrate a deal if they see an opportunity.Considering ...

Tennessee Republican lawmaker quits amid harassment ethics inquiry, weeks after voting to expel 2 Democratic legislators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmaker quits amid harassment ethics inquiry, weeks after voting to expel 2 Democratic legislators.Source

DC’s weekend forecast promises heat (potentially record-breaking) and much needed rain amid drought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

Listen to WTOP for the latest weather updates on the 8s and when it breaks.This week’s cool, springlike temperatures and sunny skies will be overtaken by a dry heat on Thursday, turning into a sizzling heat Friday and then a long-awaited rain Saturday. Here’s a look ahead at the weekend’s forecast in the D.C. area.The latter half of the week will feel more like summer than spring in the D.C. region.In fact, 7news First Alert Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said record heat could be in the cards for the District. Temperatures are expected to near 90 degrees Friday, just shy of the current record 89 degrees set at Reagan National Airport in 1976.In the southern parts of WTOP’s listening area, some neighborhoods are expected to reach 90 degrees for the first time this year on Friday.Despite the potentially record-breaking temperatures, the heat shouldn’t bring humidity with it this week. However, the Council of Governments has placed its second Code Oran...

Why Sudan’s conflict matters to the rest of the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

Fighting in Sudan between forces loyal to two top generals has put that nation at risk of collapse and could have consequences far beyond its borders.Both sides have tens of thousands of fighters, foreign backers, mineral riches and other resources that could insulate them from sanctions. It’s a recipe for the kind of prolonged conflict that has devastated other countries in the Middle East and Africa, from Lebanon and Syria to Libya and Ethiopia.The fighting, which began as Sudan attempted to transition to democracy, already has killed hundreds of people and left millions trapped in urban areas, sheltering from gunfire, explosions and looters. A look at what is happening and the impact it could have outside Sudan.WHO IS FIGHTING?Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces that grew out of Darfur’s notorious Janjaweed militias, are each seeking to seize control of Sudan. It ...

Europa League Glance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

All Time EDT(Home teams listed first)KNOCKOUT ROUND PLAYOFFSFirst LegThursday, Feb. 16Ajax (Netherlands) 0, Union Berlin (Germany) 0Barcelona (Spain) 2, Manchester United (England) 2Juventus (Italy) 1, Nantes (France) 1Monaco (France) 3, Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) 2Salzburg (Austria) 1, Roma (Italy) 0Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 2, Rennes (France) 1Sevilla (Spain) 3, PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) 0Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) 1, Midtjylland (Denmark) 1Second LegThursday, Feb. 23Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) 3, Monaco 2, 5-5 aggregate; Bayer Leverkusen advanced on 5-3 penalty kicksJuventus (Italy) 3, Nantes (France) 0, Juventus advanced 4-1 on aggregateManchester United (England) 2, Barcelona (Spain), Manchester Untied advanced 4-3 on aggregatePSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) 2, Sevilla (Spain) 0, Sevilla advanced 3-2 on aggregateRennes (France) 2, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 1, ET, 3-3 on aggregate; Shakhtar advanced on 5-4 penalty kicksRoma (Italy) 2, Salzburg (Austria) 0, Roma advanced 2-1 on ag...

Steelers could fortify secondary, trenches in NFL draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers, perhaps more than any other NFL franchise, embrace the idea that they’re not a team so much as a family.It’s an ethos that extends from ownership through the front office down to the roster itself, which has had at least one set of brothers — if not more — in the building since 2019.No wonder it seems as if Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. could be too good to pass up when Pittsburgh is on the clock with the 17th overall pick in 2023 draft, which starts next Thursday night in Kansas City.The son of former Steelers linebacker and assistant coach Joey Porter Sr. checks off two of the most important boxes the franchise holds dear. He’s a talented defender with deep ties to the team and the community. He also would have the benefit of learning the ropes behind a three-time All-Pro in Patrick Peterson, who signed a two-year deal in March.Though Pittsburgh has legitimate needs in other areas — particularly at left tackle, a...

CSX railroad’s 1Q profit jumps 15% on higher rates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:50 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — CSX hauled in 15% more profit in the first quarter as the railroad’s higher rates and fuel surcharges offset its higher costs.The Jacksonville, Florida-based railroad said Thursday that it earned $987 million, or 48 cents per share. That’s up from $859 million, or 39 cents per share, a year ago.That topped Wall Street expectations of 43 cents per share, according to FactSet.CEO Joe Hinrichs said the railroad’s service improved in the quarter as CSX cut down on the number of delays many shippers had complained about over the past year. But volume was down about 1%.Safety has been a key focus for railroads ever since a fiery Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio in February. Hinrichs emphasized that railroads are very safe compared to other forms of transportation, but he vowed CSX wouldn’t be complacent about safety.CSX officials highlighted some of the steps the railroad is taking to improve safety, including installing 53 more trackside dete...