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Minnesota man used social media to sexually exploit girls, including one in Ramsey County, charges say

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

A Minnesota man has been arrested and charged with soliciting girls through social media to make child pornography, and sexually assaulted at least one victim in Ramsey County, federal officials say.Caleb Vincent McLaughlin, 26, of Pine County, was charged last week in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis with soliciting, producing, receiving and distributing child pornography, and enticing a child to engage in illegal sexual activity.McLaughlin went before Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster on Tuesday and was ordered held without bail. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment on the charges.Starting around January 2019, McLaughlin used social media accounts and apps to solicit and direct Minnesota girls, between the ages of 11 and 16 years old, to create sexually explicit images and videos to send to him, according to the criminal complaint.McLaughlin used several aliases and Snapchat IDs, including “Jake Benson,” “Lift11” or “Tech4cm,” and sometimes pretended to be 17 years ...

Biden administration proposes new rules to push insurers to boost mental health coverage

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that his administration is moving forward with new rules meant to push insurance companies to increase their coverage of mental health treatments.The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, would require insurers to study whether their customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and to take remedial action, if necessary. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that insurers provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care — though the administration and advocates argue insurers’ policies restrict patient access.“I don’t know what the difference between breaking your arm and having a mental breakdown is — it’s health,” Biden said in an East Room event highlighting the announcement. “We must fulfill the promise of true mental health parity for all Americans now.”The rules, if finalized, would force insurers to study patient outcomes...

Jace Frederick: Justin Thomas is grinding through his struggles, ready to regain his form at 3M Open

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

Justin Thomas said all the right things during his pre-tournament press conference Tuesday, two days before the 3M Open tees off.He said he’s “excited” to be in Minnesota. He noted it’s “always fun” coming to a new place. He played nine holes at TPC Twin Cities on Tuesday and said the course is “in unbelievable condition.” And the people? Wow, even better.“Everybody here has been very, very welcoming, which is always great and a nice feeling,” Thomas said. “Unfortunately, with how some tournaments work in the schedule, I haven’t been able to come here in the past, but I’m glad that worked out for me to be able to come this year. Yeah, I’m excited for the week.”But, truth be told, it’s no secret Thomas would rather be at home this week, after playing a couple of weeks of links golf across the pond. That’s what he usually does, and that was the initial plan for his schedule this seaso...

Stay of execution granted for Johnny Johnson

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A Missouri inmate set to be executed next week for the 2002 murder of a child has been given a temporary reprieve.In a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Tuesday granted a stay of execution for Johnny Johnson. This comes a month after the Missouri Supreme Court denied a request to overturn the execution.Johnson's attorneys also won the right to challenge his conviction based on grounds that he's mentally incompetent. Wednesday marks 21 years since Johnson beat Casey Williamson to death at the site of the old St. Louis Plate Glass Company in Valley Park. Williamson was 6. Johnson, who had been an acquaintance of the Williamson family, admitted killing Casey after she fought back when he attempted to sexually assault her. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News ...

Major Case Squad makes arrest in Berkeley homicide

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A Ferguson, Missouri, man is in custody on a $1 million cash-only bond after being charged Tuesday in a recent homicide investigation.According to Jenny Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, the killing happened around 1:20 a.m. that morning outside a small strip mall on Frost Avenue, very close to North Hanley Road and I-170 in Berkeley. Berkeley police arrived to find the victim, identified Patrick Durley, shot to death in the parking lot. Durley was 30.The Major Case Squad was activated to assist with the investigation, and helped to quickly identify and arrest Robert Ericks Jr. for the crime.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Ericks, 41, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Families cool off from the dangerous heat at Citygarden splash pad

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After she spent 40 years as a teacher, this was one of the top things Pearlie Dawson wanted to do in retirement: spend time with her grandchildren.“I brought my grandbabies out to keep cool instead of stuck in the house in this hot weather,” she said.Zair, Dawson's 1-year-old grandson, had a special day at the Citygarden splash pad on Tuesday. Trying out the various splash pads around St. Louis is a summertime must for some grandparents, moms, and families.“We really like it,” said Megan Sustar and Laura Sondag, enjoying the splash pad with their kids. “It’s a lot of fun. There’s a lot of kids playing. We’re used to the ones in Illinois, but this one is more natural kind of cool.” Heather Kullorn: St. Louis County babysitter missing for 24 years “We have one where we live in Swansea, and this is just a change,” Dawson said.Whether it's to the north, south, east, or west, whichever is best may simply be the most centrally located.A busy respite in the sweltering city of...

Police shooting investigation underway in Westminster

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

An investigation into a police shooting Tuesday in Westminster is underway.Officer involved shooting 88/Lamar. PIO enroute to the scene. @ArvadaPolice #88lamar— Westminster Police (@WestminsterPD) July 25, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Police shoot, kill suspect at Englewood home, deploy drone, robot, gas and armored vehicle Crime and Public Safety | Police shoot suspect during tactical operation in Englewood Crime and Public Safety | Greeley police officers cleared of wrongdoing after fatally shooting man in April Crime and Public Safety | Man shot dead by Adams County sheriff deputy at Lakeside Inn on Federal Boulevard Crime and Public Safety | Officer and deputy involved in fatal Summit County police shooting identified The shooting happened in the area of West 88th Avenue and Lamar Drive, the Westminster Police Department said in a 5:28 p.m. tweet.The intersection is bounded by...

Boulder receives $936K to extend multi-use path along U.S. 36

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

Boulder has received $936,000 from the Colorado Department of Transportation to extend the multi-use path on U.S. 36 from Fourmile Canyon Creek to Jay Road.Planning and design of the 10-foot-wide paved path is expected to start in 2025, and construction will follow.Once complete, the path extension will form part of the final northern segment of the U.S. 36 multi-use path as well as a portion of the Rocky Mountain Greenway regional trail system. The extended path will provide more infrastructure for people who walk, bike and use public transportation.Related ArticlesTransportation | Crash forces Colorado State Patrol trooper to leap off bridge barrier Transportation | Fines begin on I-70 mountain express lanes after 5,600 drivers receive warnings for skirting rules Transportation | Semitruck skids out, crashes into wall on southbound I-225 during Thursday morning storm Transportation | Westbound Interstate 70 near Genessee e...

Colorado businessman gets over 5 years in prison for “We Build The Wall” fundraiser fraud

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

NEW YORK — A Colorado businessman convicted of fraudulently siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from an online fundraiser that raised $25 million to build a wall along the U.S. southern border was sentenced Tuesday to five years and three months in prison.Timothy Shea was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge Analisa Torres, who presided over an October trial that ended with his conviction on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice. A trial earlier in 2022 had ended when a jury deadlocked on charges.Shea, 52, of Castle Rock, Colorado, also was ordered to forfeit $1.8 million and to pay restitution of an equal amount.Shea was charged three years ago along with three others, including Steve Bannon, the former top adviser to then-President Donald Trump. Trump pardoned Bannon in early 2021 while two others pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison. Bannon, who is now being prosecuted in Ne...

WATCH: Brush fire breaks out in Sylmar

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:23 GMT

Fire crews are battling a brush fire that broke out in Sylmar on Tuesday afternoon.The Victor Fire is burning near Sierra Highway and Needham Ranch Parkway surrounded by the 5 and 14 Freeways, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.The blaze ignited around 3:30 p.m. at around five acres and by 4 p.m., had grown to around 10 acres. The fire is surrounded by "light, flashy fuels," and has the potential to expand to 100 acres, officials said.The flames are burning near a commercial building in the brush-filled area with heavy plumes of smoke seen covering the hills.Ground units are responding to the scene along with air tankers and helicopters dropping water and fire retardant. Officials say ground units are struggling to access the fire due to the brush-heavy terrain.No homes were immediately threatened so far.This developing story will be updated.