As Trump and Republicans target Georgia’s Fani Willis for retribution, the state’s governor opts out

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

As Trump and Republicans target Georgia’s Fani Willis for retribution, the state’s governor opts out ATLANTA (AP) — Some Republicans in Washington and Georgia began attacking Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis immediately after she announced the Aug. 14 indictment of former President Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. But others, including Gov. Brian Kemp, have been conspicuous in their unwillingness to pile on.Kemp, who had previously survived scathing attacks from Trump over his refusal to endorse the former president’s false claims about the election, declined to comment on the indictment of Trump and 18 others at a conservative political conference hosted by radio host and Kemp ally Erick Erickson. Noting that he had been called before a special grand jury to testify during the investigation, Kemp stated forcefully that Democratic President Joe Biden was the rightful winner of Georgia’s 16 electoral votes and said swinging the spotlight to Trump’s legal troubles would be a mistake.“Democrats want us to be focused on th...

Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio to be sentenced for seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio to be sentenced for seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio is set to be sentenced on Wednesday for a failed plot to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 presidential election, capping one of the most significant prosecutions in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.Prosecutors are seeking 33 years behind bars for Tarrio, who had already been arrested and ordered to leave Washington, D.C. by the time Proud Boys members joined thousands of Trump supporters in storming the Capitol as lawmakers met to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. But prosecutors say he organized and led the group’s assault from afar, inspiring followers with his charisma and penchant for propaganda.Tarrio was a top target in one of the most important Capitol riot cases prosecuted by the Justice Department. He and three lieutenants were convicted in May of charges including seditious conspiracy — a rarely brought Civil War-era offense that the Ju...

Autumn-like feel Wednesday with powerhouse NNE winds creating Beach Hazards

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Autumn-like feel Wednesday with powerhouse NNE winds creating Beach Hazards WINDY, COOLER—almost autumn-like cool air is to sweep into Chicago on "NNE" winds which arrive after a long, wave-generating trek southward the length of Lake Michigan Tuesday night and Wednesday.The time such winds spend over Lake Michigan equips them uniquely to develop waves and rip currents—and these features are behind the BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT which is in effect on our Chicago area beaches into Wednesday night. White-capped waves will populate the lake surface later tonight and Wednesday and swimmers will find water treacherous for swimming Wednesday.WATCH AS WAVES BUILD in this series of WAVE HEIGHT FORECAST PANELS from 6 pm CDT Tuesday through 9 pm Wednesday:The cool temps riding into the area will be a bit jarring after Tuesday's mid 80s—BUT THEY WILL NOT LAST LONG.We have only 2 days left in August and the 3 month meteorological summer season, which spans June, July and August. Seven of the past 8 months have posted TEMP SURPLUSES IN CHICAGO—and though the temp surpluses...

Concert review: Brandi Carlile blazed through a career-best performance at the Grandstand

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Concert review: Brandi Carlile blazed through a career-best performance at the Grandstand During Wynonna Judd’s opening set Tuesday at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, headliner Brandi Carlile joined Judd for a pair of songs from the Judds, the mother/daughter duo that made her famous: “Cry Myself to Sleep” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).”Carlile did so with grace, adding her vocals here and there, but never overpowering Judd and definitely never stepping into her spotlight. It was a tender, touching moment for Judd, whose mother Naomi died by suicide last year. During her set, Carlile told the sold-out crowd of 13,414 about her love for the Judds and fairs, and then said her first, second and third concerts as a kid were the Judds at the Washington State Fair. (Garth Brooks was the opener for the third one!) Later, she brought Judd back for a tear through the Judds classics “Girls Night Out” and “Love Is Alive.” Judd returned again during the encore for a rousing cover of Cher’s “Turn Back Time.”That all speaks volumes a...

SF Giants’ Alex Cobb comes one out away from a no-hitter against Reds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

SF Giants’ Alex Cobb comes one out away from a no-hitter against Reds SAN FRANCISCO —  Alex Cobb was one out away from throwing a no-hitter on Tuesday night night in a 6-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park.Spencer Steer broke up the no-hitter with two-outs and a walked batter on board with a double snared into center-right field that scored a run. But Cobb struck out Elly De La Cruz for the final out, on his 130th pitch, to secure a one-hit complete game.For the fans who showed for a lazy Tuesday night game in late-August, it was clear Cobb was gunning for history by about the seventh inning. A collective glance at the scoreboard drew them all up from their feet and cheering — it was a full count, two outs against Nick Martini. Martini into a ground out to first baseman JD Davis.For any other non-believer, a shot at a no-hitter became realer with one big play — the defensive gem signature to a feat like this. Two outs down, center fielder Austin Slater laid his entire body out to catch a shallow fly ball from Will Benson...

Concord woman identified as victim in Rodeo shooting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Concord woman identified as victim in Rodeo shooting (KRON) -- The victim in a fatal shooting that happened Saturday night in Rodeo has been identified. The Contra Costa County Coroner's Office said 28-year-old Daniella Stephanie Avila of Concord was killed. The homicide happened on the 100 block of Rodeo Avenue at about 10:34 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office responded to several reports of shots fired in the area and found Avila dead at the scene. An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting can contact investigators at (925) 313-2600 or through dispatch at (925) 646-2441.

Giants pitcher Alex Cobb comes one out away from no-hitter

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Giants pitcher Alex Cobb comes one out away from no-hitter SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb nearly tossed a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday night. Cobb needed just one more out to accomplish the feat when Reds rookie Spencer Steer laced a line drive just out of Luis Matos' reach in right field. Cobb finished the game with 131 pitches, a career-high. He struck out eight Reds hitters and allowed one run. After allowing the hit, Cobb struck out Elly de la Cruz to end the game. The Giants won 6-1 against the Reds, who are one of their competitors for a National League Wild Card spot. The no-hitter nearly ended in the eighth inning on a Will Benson blooper into shallow center field, but Austin Slater laid out to make the catch and preserve the feat. In the ninth inning, Cobb allowed a one-out walk to Nick Senzel and induced two fly balls to right field before Steer's double. Through eight innings, the only baserunner of the game came in the third inning on a throwing error by third baseman Casey Schmit...

Mariners drop into tie for AL West lead with 3-1 loss to A’s as Brown and Langeliers homer

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Mariners drop into tie for AL West lead with 3-1 loss to A’s as Brown and Langeliers homer SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners’ two-day stay alone atop the AL West ended with a 3-1 loss Tuesday night to the major league-worst Oakland Athletics, who built an early lead on home runs by Seth Brown and Shea Langeliers.Seattle had won 12 of its previous 13 games, turning a 7 1/2-game deficit into a one-game lead over Texas. The Rangers won 2-1 at the New York Mets, matching the Mariners at 75-57. Houston is a percentage point back at 76-58.Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez was scratched of a pinch nerve in his left foot that left him day to day, and starter pitcher George Kirby was scratched before the game because of illness and replaced by Luke Weaver (2-5). First baseman Ty France left after two innings with a bruised left thumb sustained on a pickoff.Josh Rojas singled with one out in the ninth and J.P. Crawford doubled but Trevor May, who was born in Longview, about a two-hour drive from Seattle, struck out Eugenio Suárez on an outside sweeper.Seattle had been 8-0 aga...

Venus Williams suffers her most lopsided US Open loss: 6-1, 6-1 in the first round

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Venus Williams suffers her most lopsided US Open loss: 6-1, 6-1 in the first round NEW YORK (AP) — There was a Williams sister out there in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night, much to the delight of spectators who offered a standing ovation at the end of the match. Except this time it was Venus, not Serena, and there was no ceremony, no formal farewell — and, unlike a year ago, no indication of what the future might hold.Her younger sister’s playing days are done after one last hurrah at Flushing Meadows in 2022, but Venus Williams is still competing, still striving, even if her age, 43, and a bum knee did her no favors on this muggy evening. Williams was eliminated 6-1, 6-1 by Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen in the first round of the U.S. Open, her most lopsided loss in 100 career matches at the Grand Slam tournament where she won the trophy in 2000 and 2001.The crowd that seemed thrilled just to get a chance to see Williams play in person sent her toward the locker room with applause and yells. She gave a quick wave and a smile as she walked off, her red ...

Betts hits career-high 36th homer and Dodgers pound out 16 hits in a 9-1 rout of Diamondbacks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:19:41 GMT

Betts hits career-high 36th homer and Dodgers pound out 16 hits in a 9-1 rout of Diamondbacks LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts launched his career-high 36th home run, David Peralta went 3 for 4 and drove in a pair of runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-1 on Tuesday night for their fourth consecutive win at home.The Dodgers pounded out 16 hits while improving to 23-4 in August. Freddie Freeman leads the majors with 176 hits, but he was the only Dodger without one. Jason Heyward was 3 for 4 with two RBIs, while Chris Taylor was 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run.Betts sent a 428-foot shot into left-center on the first pitch from reliever Scott McGough leading off the sixth. One out later, Will Smith homered, extending the lead to 9-1. Betts and Freeman took the rest of the night off.Clayton Kershaw (12-4) allowed one run and three hits in five innings, struck out five and walked three. He tied Don Drysdale (209) for second on the franchise wins list.The Dodgers jumped on Merrill Kelly (10-6) in the first, scoring three runs. Former Diamondback Peralta ...