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Judge sentences American Airlines passenger who spat on passenger, assaulted crew member before deploying emergency slide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A former American Airlines passenger has been sentenced after prosecutors say she assaulted two people on an airplane and deployed its emergency slide. Cynthia McKnight, 24, was a passenger on an American Airlines flight scheduled to depart from Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Upstate New York on April 19, 2022. Prosecutors said McKnight, from Rochester, New York, walked to the front of the cabin while the plane preparing to depart, where she got into a "verbal altercation" with a traveler.She also spat on a third passenger, prosecutors said. Southwest pilot gets locked out of plane, needs to climb through cockpit window “The plane was preparing to actually take off and the pilot was forced to return based on this passenger’s unruly behavior,” said Niagara Falls Transit Authority Chief of Police Brian Patterson at the time. “There was an attempt to calm her down and that attempt failed, at which point she then opened the emergency exit door.”Furth...

Leander Police: Liquor store employee shoots alleged thief, who later dies from gunshot wounds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- A person is dead after an employee fired a gun at them during an alleged theft at Leander Liquors Wednesday night, according to the Leander Police Department. Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Leander Police Department responded to an emergency call of a theft at Leander Liquors, which is located at 2403 S. Hwy 183 in Leander. According to Leander PD, when officers arrived, they were told three people had taken liquor bottles from the store without paying, and the store clerk fired a gun at them. Shortly after the theft call in Leander, the Cedar Park Police Department responded to a report of a person suffering from gunshot wounds near 1701 N. Bell Boulevard in Cedar Park, which is about a mile and a half away from the liquor store. Leander officers arrived at the scene and confirmed the person suffering from gunshot wounds matched the description of one of the people involved in the alleged theft, Leander PD said in a release.He was identified by Leander police...

Ramsey County top prosecutor appointed to national policing board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi’s recent appointment to the National Policing Institute board appears historic — he’s the first elected prosecutor to serve in the role and the first to join while actively serving as a prosecutor.Other board members include people in leadership roles in law enforcement, criminology scholars and public and private sector leaders.Previously called the National Police Foundation, the institute is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.“They’ve always been in the space of trying to be forward-thinking around the future of policing,” said Choi, Ramsey County’s top prosecutor since 2011.He said he’s looking forward to taking part in national conversations about addressing violent crime, police staffing challenges and police-community relations.“I’m not, so to speak, a ‘defunder,'” Choi said. “I believe that police are a part of our community and what people have bee...

Ettinger accepts ‘public service’ salary as UMN interim president as Gabel leaves with $160,000

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

The University of Minnesota’s outgoing president is leaving next week with an extra $160,000, and the new guy is taking a discount to fill in for a year.The Board of Regents on Friday approved both a separation agreement with Joan Gabel and an employment contract for Jeff Ettinger that includes a $400,000 salary.Gabel’s current contract, inked in December 2021, called for a $160,000 retirement contribution if she was still on the job on June 30. When she announced in April she was hired as the University of Pittsburgh’s next chancellor, she said she didn’t know when her last day here would be.Regents later negotiated a departure date of June 9, which “will allow for a more expedient transition to the interim president,” according to materials for Friday’s meeting.Gabel also agreed to leave Eastcliff, the St. Paul mansion that houses the U’s president, no later than June 27, which is two months earlier than her contract allows. That will open up the house for Gov. Tim Walz, who was e...

What criminal laws changed in Minnesota this year?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

You’ve probably heard by now that recreational marijuana is going to be legal in Minnesota this summer.But during a very busy 2023 legislative session, lawmakers made plenty of other changes to what’s legal and not legal in Minnesota.Gun control measures grabbed the headlines in most coverage of this year’s public safety package. But the 500-page bill contains many changes to state criminal law, and not just new crimes. The state is also changing rules on no-knock warrants and giving prisoners a path to earlier release. Other bills addressed election disinformation and the abuse of AI-generated pornography.Here are some of the more significant changes passed this year:Aiding and abetting murderUp until now, people who contribute to a felony could be charged with murder if the death occurred within the course of a felony — even if they didn’t directly contribute to the death.A change to Minnesota law will shield people indirectly attached to murders. Instead, they&#...

Salvation Army donates donuts to first responders, veterans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In celebration of National Donut Day -- Dunkin' and The Salvation Army teamed up to give back to Capital Region veterans and first responders. Members of the Salvation Army delivered hundreds of donuts across the Capital Region, making a stop at the Albany Fire Department. The Salvation Army was one of the initial pioneers of donut day, with volunteers traveling overseas to provide support and sweet treats to soldiers fighting in World War I. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We now have commemorated that day to honor those who served our community -- who give their lives on a day-to-day basis," Captain Giovanni Otero, Core Officer with the Salvation Army, said.In total, over 600 donuts were delivered to different police and fire departments as well as veterans affairs buildings in the area.

Arrested Development to headline Schenectady County SummerNight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two-time Grammy-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development has been announced as the headliner for Schenectady County's SummerNight, taking place on July 14 in downtown Schenectady. The event is a free family-friendly summer block party on State Street between Broadway and Barrett Street and on Jay Street in the center of the city. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Additionally, the Stockade Kids will reunite for the first time since 2016 on the main stage, followed by DJ Ketchup and DJ HollyW8D to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. Arrested Development will take the stage at approximately 8:30 p.m. with a firework finale to follow. Kid-friendly activities will be at the Best Fitness/MVP Health Care Kids Zone on Jay Street in front of City Hall. The Kids Zone will feature an opportunity for children to “test drive a trumpet,” glaze sculptural tiles, create fence art, and add to a mural. Corn hole, a...

Lake George ranked 8th bluest water in U.S.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - She's not called the "Queen of American Lakes" for nothing. The waters of Lake George attract tourists by the thousand from far and wide, blue and clear. This week, those waters were acknowledged for their purity - and named one of the bluest in the country. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Mobility and car rental service SIXT SE has published a ranking of the top 50 bluest water bodies in the U.S. using a methodology that evaluates water by HEX code, commonly used to identify colors in graphic design. Lake George's water ranks at #8 - with a HEX code of #517EB7."Perfect for thrill seekers and relaxation lovers alike, New York’s Lake George is the perfect destination for those looking to recharge," SIXT writes. "Tourists can enjoy this spot all throughout the year, with the winter months offering ideal skiing conditions, whilst the summer months are perfect for sightseeing, enjoying local amuseme...

Altamont Fair changing admission price structure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

ALTAMONT, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Altamont Fair is returning to the Altamont Fairgrounds from August 15 to 20. New this year, the fair is changing the way it sells admission tickets. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "This year we want to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the fair in the way that suits them best," said a fair spokesperson in a press release. "To accomplish this, we are giving our patrons the choice whether to ride or not. Gate admission and ride pricing are now separate."Gate admission includes parking, access to the grounds, entertainment, demonstrations, music, and exhibits. Rides can be purchased separately as single tickets or you can buy an unlimited ride wristband. Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: June 2-4 For opening day, gate admission will be only $5. On the following days, admission for those over 10 years old will be $13. Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $30 and 5...

Multiple crews battle fire at Wyandotte Mill Complex

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:48 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Multiple fire departments battled a structure fire at the Wyandotte Mill Complex in Pittsfield on Thursday. Firefighters said there were no reported injuries. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The complex, located at 20 Keeler Street, is a large 1800's era wool mill that was converted into several businesses. These businesses include a pool chemical supply company, an auto body shop, a metal fabrication business, and more.Firefighters determined the fire started in an auto body shop/motor vehicle storage place. An estimated 15 vehicles and possibly some boats were inside.Pittsfield firefighters say many vehicles were fully involved in the fire as it extended throughout the building. Their strategy was to contain the fire to the auto body area and avoid it extending into the pool supply business which had a high quantity of chemicals and oxidizers, many of which are water-reactive. $38K TAKE 5...