Thai police say drug bust nets methamphetamine, crystal meth and heroin worth $8.2 million

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Thai police say drug bust nets methamphetamine, crystal meth and heroin worth $8.2 million BANGKOK (AP) — Police in Thailand said Thursday they made one of the country’s biggest ever seizures of illicit drugs, a haul including methamphetamine, crystal meth and heroin, with a total estimated street value of about 300 million baht ($8.2 million).The police said the drugs were seized during a Wednesday night raid on a house in Nakhon Pathom, west of Bangkok, in which four men were arrested for possession of illegal drugs. They allegedly confessed to renting the house to stash the drugs before distributing them to dealers in the greater Bangkok area.The seized drugs included 15 million methamphetamine tablets, 443 wrapped packages of heroin, 420 kilograms (926 pounds) of crystal meth and a quantity of drugs often used for partying, including “happy water” — a powder comprising several psychoactive substances to be made into a drink — and “five-five,” a strong sedative with the pharmaceutical name Nimetazepam, police said. The drugs were displayed to the media at a news confer...

Powerball jackpot climbs again, hits $925 million after another drawing with no winner

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Powerball jackpot climbs again, hits $925 million after another drawing with no winner DES MOINES, Iowa (NEXSTAR) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $925 million after no players hit it big Wednesday night, continuing a stretch of lottery futility that has lasted for more than two months.The winning numbers were: 1, 7, 46, 47, 63 and red Powerball 7. There were $1 million winners in California, Kansas, Maryland and New York.The jackpot has grown so large because there have now been 30 consecutive drawings without a big winner, dating back to July 19. Powerball’s long odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins.Despite its growth, the jackpot still comes in behind a $2.04 billion jackpot hit last November in California; a $1.586 billion jackpot split by three tickets (California, Florida and Tennessee) in 2016, and a $1.08 billion jackpot won by a California ticket in July.The jackpot is the ninth-largest ever and would ne...

The candidates went after Biden — and Trump — at the second GOP debate

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

The candidates went after Biden — and Trump — at the second GOP debate The field's early front-runner, Donald Trump, is skipping the event, just as he did the first. He was 2,000 miles away trying to woo union workers in Michigan amid a labor strike.The candidates on stage are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.What to know— 7 candidates qualified for the second debate. Here’s who missed the cut — Here's how to watch tonight's debate — Republicans face growing urgency to stop Trump ahead of debate — Trump is in Michigan to compete with Biden for union votes — Who’s running for president? See a rundown of the 2024 candidatesDeSantis rejects idea that anti-abortion stance costs GOP electionsDeSantis is rejecting the idea that Republicans have been losing elections because of their opposition to abortion, and he says his reelection as Florida governor...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in low 70s with patchy fog, sprinkles

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Thursday Forecast: Temps in low 70s with patchy fog, sprinkles CHICAGO — Patchy fog with mostly cloudy conditions and isolated sprinkles Thursday. Decreasing clouds, Winds: NNE 0-5 G10. High: 70. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Partly cloudy tonight with patchy fog. Winds: NNE 0-5 G15. Low: 57.Friday Forecast: Patchy fog, mostly sunny, ESE 0-5. High: 75/71.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Actor Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, has died at age 82: publicist

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Actor Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, has died at age 82: publicist LONDON (AP) — Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was known to many for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, has died, his publicist said Thursday. He was 82.A statement by his family, issued by his publicist, said he died following “a bout of pneumonia.”“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside,” his family said.No matter what role he took on in a career that lasted more than five decades, Gambon was always instantly recognizable by the deep and drawling tones of his voice. He was cast as the much-loved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002.

Longhorns' Gbenda seeing perseverance pay off

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Longhorns' Gbenda seeing perseverance pay off AUSTIN (KXAN) - The current landscape of college sports - particularly football - is very different from what it was just five years ago. For better or worse, players have much more freedom to transfer from one program to another.There is no better example in college football than Colorado, who welcomed more than 50 transfers with new head coach Deion Sanders this past off-season. Programs like Texas have seen players leave for other schools as well.The Longhorns do have players that have stuck with the development process to great success. A prime example is fifth-year senior linebacker David Gbenda."In this day and age of college football, I think we're diminishing and losing the value of perseverance," said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. "[Gbenda] is a prime example of perseverance."Having started just twice in his first four years, Gbenda has broken out in a big way in 2023. The commitment to Texas never wavered, even during the moments of struggle."It's just the type of pers...

APD releases name of motorcyclist killed in Sunday crash

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

APD releases name of motorcyclist killed in Sunday crash AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police Wednesday released the name of the motorcyclist who died in a crash Sunday in southeast Austin. According to APD, Shane Donaway, 46, died at the scene of the crash in the 6600 block of South Pleasant Valley Road near William Cannon Drive. Austin Travis County-EMS posted that paramedics performed CPR on Donaway before he died. APD said the crash is being investigated as Austin's 67th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 70 fatalities for the year. As of September 24, 2022, 76 fatal crashes resulted in 78 deaths, according to APD. An investigation into Sunday's crash is still pending, APD said, and information may change. APD asked anyone with information should call the Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. Police also accept anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at 512-472-8477.

South Washington County Schools return to voters with smaller ask, more communication

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

South Washington County Schools return to voters with smaller ask, more communication A year after voters decisively rejected a historic $462 million bond request by a nearly two-to-one ratio, South Washington County school district officials are back with a smaller request based on community feedback.District officials on Nov. 7 will ask voters to approve a $200 million, two-question bond referendum to fund improvements at the schools. Voters also are being asked to increase the district’s current $2.8 million technology levy to $5 million.If passed, the measures would add about $10 a month, or $120 a year, to the property tax bill of a $409,000 house, the median value for homes in the district, according to district officials. The district includes all or parts of Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Afton, and Denmark and Grey Cloud Island Townships.The first question asks if voters would support a $160 million bond referendum for safety and security enhancements, expansions and renovation at secondary schools.The second question asks voters to support...

Comedian John Mulaney adds stop at Proctors, Troy show sold out

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Comedian John Mulaney adds stop at Proctors, Troy show sold out SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Comedian John Mulaney is bringing his new stand-up comedy tour “John Mulaney in Concert" to the Capital Region. While the Troy and Kingston shows have already been announced, Mulaney has added a new date for Proctors Theatre in Schenectady. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Proctors show is set for November 5 at 7 p.m. The Kingston show is set for November 2 at the Ulster Performing Arts Center, and the Troy show is set for November 4 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.Proctors expects the ticket demand for the show to be high. There is a limit of six tickets per person. Before tickets went on sale to the general public, the Troy show had already sold out. Comedian John Mulaney to perform in Troy, Kingston The former “Saturday Night Live” writer is a two-time Emmy and Writers Guild of America award-winning actor, comedian, and writer. He has four stand-up specials on Netflix: “Baby J” (2023), “Kid...

Vermonter charged with child-aggravated sexual assault

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:36 GMT

Vermonter charged with child-aggravated sexual assault PITTSFORD, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Pittsford, Vermont man was arrested on Wednesday and is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Michael Blaisdell, 36, has been under investigation since Sunday, September 17. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Sunday, September 17, Vermont State Police Detectives (VSPD) and investigators from the Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF) started investigating alleged sexual assault against two children. Police say the assault(s) had been happening over the last five years.On Wednesday, VSPD and DCF arrested Blaisdell in the investigation. He is held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility without bail and will appear in Rutland Superior Court on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.