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Other voices: Retired U.S. military officers working for foreign governments? OK, but let’s see details

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

A bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) would close several loopholes identified by The Washington Post in an investigative series published last fall about hundreds of retired U.S. military officers taking lucrative jobs advising foreign governments known for human rights atrocities and political repression. The “Retired Officers Conflict of Interest Act “would require public reporting about who is working on behalf of which foreign governments and for how much.The U.S. government battled The Post in court for two years to prevent the disclosure of such data, arguing that it could subject retired officers to “embarrassment” and “harm their public reputation.” Ultimately, a federal judge ruled against such “unconvincing” arguments for not complying with the Freedom of Information Act. “The public has a right to know if high-ranking military leaders are taking advantage of their stations — or might be perceived as ...

After 13 years, Colonie pizzeria changes owners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After 13 years, Domenic and Lisa Fuda have handed over SaraBella Pizza to new owners. The Fuda's made the announcement in a Facebook post on July 1. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Your love and support has always been the foundation of our pizzeria since we opened in November 2010 and it's because of you, your loyalty, and your friendship that we were able to keep going, especially after the world stopped in 2020," read the post.The pizzeria is located at 391 Sand Creek Road in Colonie. SaraBella Pizza also had locations in Malta and North Greenbush at one point. Mex Cocina reopens at a new location in Troy The previous owners introduced the new owner as Alex, but no last name was provided. "We feel comfortable knowing that Alex and his family will continue the SaraBella tradition of serving up delicious pizza to our community," said the Fuda's in the post.The new owner or the previous owners h...

Teen running away from fireworks explosion struck by car in St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A teenager was struck by a car Tuesday evening in north St. Louis while he reportedly ran away from a fireworks explosion. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department says the situation unfolded just after 8 p.m. Tuesday. The crash happened near the intersection of Lee and Shreve avenues in the Penrose neighborhood. SLMPD investigating several overnight shootings When police arrived to the scene, they found the victim unresponsive and barely breathing by a curb. Police rushed the victim, a 14-year-old boy, to the hospital with critical injuries due to a shortage in available ambulances. Police spoke with at least 50 witnesses around the area, though none were able to recount what led up to the fireworks explosion and collision. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN ...

Where to find Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ merch truck in Kansas City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Swifties have one more stop to make ahead of this weekend's Taylor Swift concerts in Kansas City.Her popular merchandise truck will arrive at Arrowhead long before she ever takes the stage.The Eras Tour merch truck will open to the public beginning Thursday, July 6.Fans will find the truck in Lot M at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The merch truck will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kansas City police have a warning for drivers ahead of Taylor Swift concert Thursday will be the only chance for fans without tickets to get their hands on merch from the concert site.On Friday and Saturday, the merchandise truck will only be open to guests with parking passes and tickets to that day’s show. The truck will open at 2:30 p.m. when parking gates open for the concert.All guests will be asked to follow signage and staff directions to a designated parking location. No overnight parking or lining up to be the first to reach th...

Missouri's beer tax among lowest in US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS - If you celebrated the Fourth of July with beer in Missouri, there's a good chance you spent less than most others around the nation. A new report from Tax Foundation released information on beer taxes in each state. According to the report, Missouri is tied for the second-lowest beer tax in the United States, taxing just 6 cents per gallon to consumers. SLMPD investigating several overnight shootings Every state has a beer tax in some form that could depend on factors like alcohol production, content, sizes and places of purchase within each state. Beer taxes are also collected on a federal level, but state taxes often serve as a source or covering costs in alcohol creation or raising revenue. Some states have this in the form of an excise tax, in which an additional sales tax is applied to the listed price of the beer at checkout. Other states choose to include the total into the retailer's sales price without enforcing another tax at checkout. Close ...

New CEO starts at independent Colorado bookstore Tattered Cover

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

New CEO Brad Dempsey officially took the reins of independent bookstore Tattered Cover on Wednesday, taking over the iconic 52-year-old Colorado business at a difficult time in the bookselling industry.The Colorado native is a lawyer and past political hopeful who had spent the past two months working as an outside adviser for the company.In spite of “pretty substantial financial obstacles” that the business currently faces, Dempsey pointed to the Tattered Cover’s “incredible intrinsic value” to Colorado history that gives it an advantage. Right now, his primary goal is to grow sales and build the store’s inventory – “to sell more of what sells.”And he’s hopeful about the future of brick-and-mortar bookstore market.“There’s still a very viable business model for the independent bookstore,” Dempsey said. “There’s still margin and ROI, for all the people who are into that – which, you know, investors a...

Westminster police officer hits, kills pedestrian Tuesday night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

A Westminster police officer is on paid administrative leave after striking and killing a pedestrian who stepped into traffic Tuesday night, according to a news release from the Westminster Police Department.The police officer, who was not named in the news release, was driving south on Sheridan Boulevard approaching 107th Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday when a man stepped into traffic lanes. The officer hit the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.The pedestrian’s name will be released by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.The officer was not injured in the incident.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Pedestrian on I-76 dies when hit by vehicle near E-470 ramp in Brighton Crime and Public Safety | Four pedestrians struck, two critically hurt near Guaranteed Rate Field before a White Sox game Crime and Public Safety | Pedestrian hit by driver of SUV in southwest Aurora dies The 17th Judicial Dist...

Coco Lee, Hong Kong-born singer, dead at 48

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter who had a highly successful career in Asia, has died by suicide, her siblings said Wednesday. She was 48. The star had been suffering from depression for several years, Lee’s elder sisters Carol and Nancy Lee said in a statement posted on Facebook and Instagram, with her condition deteriorating drastically over the last few months.“Although, CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” the statement read.Lee attempted suicide at home over the weekend and she was rushed to a hospital, her sister said. They said that she was in a coma and died on Wednesday.Hong Kong-born American singer CoCo Lee performing in Beijing, China, Monday, Oct 6, 2003. Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born singer who had a highly successful career in Asia, died on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. She was 48. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)Lee, who was born in Hong Kong but later moved to the U.S. where s...

Knott’s Berry Farm to keep its Soak City waterpark open until October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

The waterpark season at Knott’s Berry Farm will stay open well into fall, the Buena Park theme park announced on Wednesday.Soak City will now stay open through Oct. 1 instead of closing on Sept. 10, as originally planned.The extension of Soak City's operational season comes as experts predict that California will have a "hotter-than-average summer." Those visiting the waterpark to beat the heat can take a relaxing trip down the lazy river, catch some waves at the Tidal Wave Pool or take a trip down one of the park’s water slides. Knott’s Berry Farm reimplements chaperone policy that was enacted due to fights Single-day admission tickets start at $49.99 and can be purchased on the theme park website.Frequent visitors can also buy a season pass to enjoy unlimited visits to the popular waterpark.From May 19 until Sept. 4, parkgoers can enjoy other summer activities at Knott’s, including visiting the newly refurbished Fiesta Village area, playing games along the Boardwalk, or particip...

Drone show dazzles after fireworks canceled in Redondo Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

A swimming dolphin in the sky was among the highlights of Tuesday night’s Independence Day celebration in Redondo Beach.After canceling its scheduled fireworks show due to new water quality regulations, the city instead turned to a drone show company that put together a 10-minute display featuring 200 drones over Seaside Lagoon.In addition to the dolphin, a video recorded by Dale Lofgren shows the illuminated drones spelling out “Redondo Beach” and creating a map of the United States and the U.S. flag in the sky.A swimming dolphin in the sky was among the highlights of Tuesday night’s Independence Day celebration in Redondo Beach. July 4, 2023. (Dale Lofgren via Storyful)In late May, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted an order to reduce fireworks debris from falling into bodies of water like the ocean or marinas due to a lawsuit brought by environmental activists.This prompted some communities to alter their July Fourth celebration plans, including downtown...