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Why Texas’ GOP-controlled House wants to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

By JIM VERTUNO and JAKE BLEIBERG (Associated Press)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — After years of legal and ethical scandals swirling around Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, the state’s GOP-controlled House of Representatives has moved toward an impeachment vote that could quickly throw him from office.The extraordinary and rarely used maneuver comes in the final days of the state’s legislative session and sets up a bruising political fight. It pits Paxton, who has aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump and the state’s hard-right conservatives, against House Republican leadership, who appear to have suddenly had enough of the allegations of wrongdoing that have long dogged Texas’ top lawyer.Paxton has said the charges are based on “hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims.”Here is how the impeachment process works in Texas, and how the 60-year-old Republican came to face the prospect of becoming just the thir...

From the Civil War to today’s mattress sales, Memorial Day is full of contradiction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

By BEN FINLEY (Associated Press)NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.Auto club AAA said in a travel forecast that this holiday weekend could be “one for the record books, especially at airports,” with more than 42 million Americans projected to travel 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more.But for Manuel Castañeda Jr., 58, the day will be a quiet one in Durand, Illinois, outside Rockford. He lost his father, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, in an accident in California while training other Marines in 1966.“Memorial Day is very personal,” said Castañeda, who also served in the Marines and Army National Guard, from which he knew men who died in combat. “It isn’t just the specials. It isn’t just the barbecue.”But he trie...

Review: Disenchantment under the sea in live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

It’s not Rob Marshall’s fault that Disney’s latest live-action retread doesn’t really sing. “The Little Mermaid,” a somewhat drab undertaking with sparks of bioluminescence, suffers from the same fundamental issues that plagued “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Halle Bailey might be a lovely presence and possesses a superb voice that is distinctly different from Jodi Benson’s, but photorealistic fins, animals and environments do not make Disney fairy tales more enchanting on their own.The essential problem is that the live-action films have prioritized nostalgia and familiarity over compelling visual storytelling. They try to recreate beats and shots from their animated predecessors, defiantly ignoring the possibility that certain musical sequences and choices were enchanting and vibrant because they were animated, not in spite of it.This image released by Disney shows Halle Bailey as Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in "The Little Mermaid." (...

Memorial Day Travel: LAX anticipates highest passenger volume since 2020

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

Los Angeles International Airport is bracing for its busiest weekend since early 2020.LAX officials are anticipating 214,000 passengers on Friday, 205,000 on Monday, and 1.2 million total for the Memorial Day travel period (Thursday-Monday).“Memorial Day weekend is just the start of what will be a very busy summer travel season at LAX where we expect passenger traffic to reach the highest levels we have seen in the past several years,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports. Vehicle traffic in the Central Terminal Area also is expected to spike with more than 90,000 vehicles on Friday. LAX suggests passengers arrive early, pre-book parking and order food and drinks ahead of time to pick up before they head to the gates.2023 Memorial Day Weekend travel estimates. (Courtesy: LAX)The number of people going through U.S. airports hit pandemic-era highs last weekend, and those records are almost certain to be broken over the Memorial Day holiday.AAA predicts that 37 m...

You've heard of an RV. Now, meet the LV.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

You’ve heard of an RV, but what about an LV?It stands for Living Vehicle, a luxurious home on wheels that lets you embrace the remote work lifestyle so you can live comfortably in various places.Follow Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro on Instagram!"We’re nomadic, we aren’t ... required to stay in one location anymore," explained Matthew Hoffman, designer and founder of Santa Barbarba based Living Vehicle.Thanks to the internet, email, zoom and now AI, remote work is a reality for many."Let’s change the way that we perceive traditional home environment and do something a little different," said Hoffman, who runs the company along with his wife.Take a full tour of the Living Vehicle here."My wife and I have been living in small spaces like this for the past couple of decades, we like living simply and living well, but we don’t need to live in large homes."Inside, you’ll find things are compact but luxurious. There's a dining area, kitchen with appliances, a deck, bedroom with a combo washer/...

Debt ceiling talks making 'progress' McCarthy says, talks narrow on deal ahead of looming deadline

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Friday negotiators "made progress” on an agreement with the White House to raise the debt limit as they race to close out a deal ahead of a looming deadline to avert a potentially catastrophic default.McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol that there is still more work to do.The two sides are narrowing on a two-year agreement that would curb federal spending and lift the borrowing limit ahead of a deadline as soon as June 1 when Treasury could run out of money to pay the nation's bills.President Joe Biden and the Republican speaker hope to strike a budget compromise this weekend. Any deal would need to be a political compromise, with support from both Democrats and Republicans to pass the divided Congress.A person familiar with the talks said the two sides are “dug in” on whether or not to agree to Republican demands to impose stiffer work requirements on people who receive government food stamps, cash assistance and health care ai...

New 'Barbie' trailer drops

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

Warner Bros. released a new trailer for this summer's live-action "Barbie" film.Margot Robbie plays the world's most famous doll opposite Ryan Gosling's Ken in Greta Gerwig's comedic look at their perfect world.The new trailer shows Barbie and Ken leaving the Barbie world for a "Real World" Los Angeles.“Barbie” is set to hit theaters on July 21, 2023.

Ruochun Ding Unveils DETACHMENT: VOLUME III Collection, Embracing the Essence of Detachment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

New York City-based fashion designer Ruochun Ding has made a striking debut with her collection, DETACHMENT: VOLUME III. Inspired by a diverse range of artworks from various media, Ding’s collection embodies the concept of “Detachment,” drawing upon the Buddhist philosophy that encourages liberation from attachment and thought.In Buddhism, “Detachment” refers to a state of being “Unstained” by thoughts, a state of separation from one’s own mind. It involves freeing oneself from the constraints of personal opinions, leading to mental and emotional freedom. Ruochun Ding believes that by detaching ourselves from our preconceived notions, we can avoid mental and emotional harm.The designer’s vision comes to life through the meticulous selection of neutral colors and delicate fabrics, including luxurious Italian silk. With each piece, Ding aims to highlight the true value of garment craftsmanship while enabling customers to experience...

U.S. woman loses leg in shark attack snorkeling in Turks and Caicos

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

A Connecticut woman snorkeling in Turks and Caicos lost her leg during a shark attack on Wednesday.The attack — which left the 22-year-old woman in serious condition — was reported at about 3:07 p.m., according to a release from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources in Turks and Caicos.The woman, who was snorkeling with a friend at the Bone Yard dive site in Princess Alexandra National Park, was taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.The location of the incident is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, a marine-protected area of the Turks and Caicos islands, according to the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources.The incident is under investigation by police.“Though incidents such as these are highly unusual in the Turks and Caicos Islands, swimmers, snorkelers and divers and boat operators are reminded to exercise caution on the water,” the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources...

‘I feel like a complete idiot’: Bay Area man avoids jail for selling fake Adderall pills containing meth online

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:18:21 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — A Bay Area man was sentenced to three years of supervised release, but no jail time, after pleading guilty to selling fake Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, court records show.Andrew Tan, of San Francisco, was charged in 2021 after authorities linked him to an account on the dark web called ADDERALL123 that offered 30 milligram pills of the prescription drug, which is used to treat ADHD. Undercover Drug Enforcement Agents ordered pills from the account, while police tracked one of the packages to a post office in Daly City, and confirmed that Tan was the one who mailed it.In a three-page apology letter to the court, Tan wrote that he is “truly sorry” and pled for leniency.“I feel like a complete idiot and ignorant for the crime I committed,” Tan wrote. “I love my wife so much, I wish I could take away all the pain and burden of her responsibilities, and especially my conviction away from her. Everyday, I regret my actions ...