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GOP targets Justice Dept. in Hunter Biden probe 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Republicans who lead three key House committees are joining forces to probe the Justice Department’s handling of charges against Hunter Biden after making sweeping claims about misconduct at the agency.Leaders of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Ways and Means committees opened a joint investigation into the federal case into President Joe Biden’s youngest son days after it was announced last month that he will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement with the Justice Department.Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky and Jason Smith of Missouri have since issued a series of requests for voluntary testimony from senior officials at the Justice Department, FBI and Internal Revenue Service as they investigate what they claim is improper interference. Republicans have also requested a special counsel review of supposed retaliation against the whistleblowers who came forward with the claims.The cong...

Mets Notebook: Alvarez’s workload will remain heavy as bat stays hot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

SAN DIEGO — To say that Francisco Alvarez has earned more playing time would be an understatement. The Mets’ rookie backstop long ago earned the trust of the pitching staff and he’s had one of the most valuable bats throughout the team’s winning week, coming into Sunday having hit .423 with a 1.464 OPS over his last seven games.He’s faced a heavy workload this recently, having started 21 of the Mets’ last 24 games since June 9. The Mets had previously planned to split time somewhat evenly between Omar Narvaez and Alvarez, but Alvarez has been too good to sit. However, the team is still cautious when it comes to overloading a 21-year-old that plays a taxing position.But with the All-Star break coming Monday, the Mets decided to give Alvarez one more start Sunday against the San Diego Padres.“We obviously wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t have four days off,” manager Buck Showalter said Sunday before the Mets played their fin...

Orioles close first half with 15-2 win over Twins, enter All-Star break riding 5-game winning streak

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

Despite the stress his team’s tight games have often put on him, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said before Sunday’s first-half finale that it was his players, not him, who need the All-Star break.It actually seems that the midseason reprieve is coming just as the Orioles are taking off. Baltimore ended the first half with a 15-2 win over the Minnesota Twins and will head into the break coming off its largest scoring output, a sweep and a five-game winning streak. It was the Orioles’ second victory in that stretch of at least 13 runs.At 54-35, the 2023 Orioles posted the franchise’s best first half by winning percentage since 1997. They’ll begin the second half Friday trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by two games for first place in the American League East.Before this streak, the Orioles scored four or fewer runs in five straight games. They’ve since had six innings of at least four runs, including two Sunday. Entering the fifth inning of a 1-1 tie, Balt...

Gleyber Torres error, bullpen struggles squander dominant Domingo German start in Yankees loss to Cubs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

Domingo German was nearly unhittable once again Sunday, but shoddy defense and bullpen blunders cost the Yankees in a 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs to end the season’s first half.Eleven days after he hurled the 24th perfect game in MLB history, German only surrendered one hit across 6+ innings and left with the Yankees leading 4-1. But second baseman Gleyber Torres booted a potential inning-ending double-play ball that extended a Chicago 7th-inning rally, and the Cubs took the lead for good in the following frame.German had only thrown 74 pitches when manager Aaron Boone removed him after he issued a walk to lead off the 7th. Ian Hamilton entered in relief, recording an out before allowing a single to Cody Bellinger.Then came the Torres error on a Christopher Morel ground ball, loading the bases with the Yankees clinging to their three-run lead.Boone turned to the typically reliable Tommy Kahnle, who retired Jared Young on a run-scoring groundout. Kahnle then served up a two-ou...

FDA review sought for souped-up energy drink

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

NEW YORK — An influencer-backed energy drink that has earned viral popularity among children is facing scrutiny from lawmakers and health experts over its potentially dangerous levels of caffeine.On Sunday, Sen. Charles Schumer called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate PRIME, a beverage brand founded by the YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI that has become something of an obsession among the influencers’ legions of young followers.“One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy—it’s a beverage,” said Schumer, a Democrat from New York. “But buyer and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets.”Backed by two of YouTube’s best known stars, PRIME was an immediate sensation when it launched last year, prompting long lines in grocery stores and reports of school yard resale markets.Advertising itself as zero sugar and vegan, the neon-colored ...

‘Insidious 5’ topples ‘Indiana Jones’ 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

Indiana Jones’ reign atop the box office was short-lived.In its second weekend in theaters, the Disney release was usurped by another franchise fifth – ” Insidious: The Red Door.” The horror film starring and directed by Patrick Wilson scared up $32.7 million in ticket sales from 3,188 theaters, according to studio estimates on Sunday.It did better than the last installment, “Insidious: The Last Key,” from 2018 and is the most any PG-13 horror movie has earned in its debut in the past two years.“Insidious 5” was not well reviewed — but modestly budgeted scary movies are often critic-proof when it comes to the box office. This Blumhouse-produced franchise starring Wilson and Rose Byrne began in 2011 under the direction of James Wan and has been responsible for over $570 million in global box office returns — and none of the films have cost more than $16 million to produce. Only the first movie received a “fresh” rating on Rotten T...

Massachusetts boy scout, 11, dies after New Hampshire boating accident: ‘Our hearts are forever broken’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

The boy scout who recently died in a New Hampshire boating accident has been identified as a Massachusetts middle schooler, according to his family who said their “hearts are forever broken” by the “unimaginable loss” of their 11-year-old boy.The Lexington boy, Keoni Hubbard, was killed following a Friday afternoon boating accident on Manning Lake in Gilmanton, N.H.“Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Keoni,” the Hubbard family said in a statement. “Beloved by his family and friends, Keoni’s spirit and empathy for others resonated with all who love and admire him.“Keoni was simply the best — a selfless child who truly found joy in the happiness of others,” the family added. “Our family appreciates the support of the community and respectfully asks that you respect our privacy as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Keoni.”The 11-year-old member of Boy Scout Troop 119 in Lexington was ...

Counties with the most bridges in dire need of repair in Illinois

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

(Stacker) -- One in three U.S. bridges is in need of repair or replacement, according to data from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, including 29% of interstate bridges. The cost to make these repairs is estimated to be in excess of $54 billion.Stacker investigated which counties in Illinois have the most bridges in dire need of repair using data from the Federal Highway Administration. The data is accurate as of June 15, 2022. Counties are ranked by percent of bridges in "poor" condition and ties are broken by percent square meters of bridges in poor condition. Counties that have no bridges or have no bridges in poor condition are excluded from the list.#20. Schuyler County- Bridges in poor condition: 11.5% (13 of 113 bridges)- Square meters of bridges in poor condition: 9.9% (2,957 of 29,771 square meters of bridges)#19. DeKalb County- Bridges in poor condition: 12.3% (32 of 261 bridges)- Square meters of bridges in poor condition: 9.3% (5,794 of 62,364 ...

Adult transported from Hamilton Pool Reserve in 'serious' condition after heat incident Sunday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County STAR Flight transported a patient in "serious, but stable" condition from Hamilton Pool Preserve Sunday afternoon after a heat-related incident.Austin and Travis County emergency crews responded to Hamilton Pool Preserve Sunday after reports of a patient experiencing a "heat-related issue" along the trail. The call came in just before 3 p.m. Sunday. Travis County Parks staff, the Lake Travis Fire Department, STAR Flight and Austin Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) all responded to the call. The patient required a "cold water immersion treatment." STAR Flight later transported them from the scene, with officials adding their condition was still serious, but had stabilized.After initial reports of a possible second patient, ATCEMS officials confirmed only one patient was involved in the incident.

Texas Memorial Museum debuts new name, renovations this fall

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a year's worth of renovations, the Texas Memorial Museum is set to reopen to the public in stages beginning this fall — as well as debut a new name.The Texas Memorial Museum has changed its name to the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. After announcing "extensive renovation" work last November, the facility is slated to reopen to the public in September. RELATED: Texas Memorial Museum to unveil renovations starting in fall 2023 Some of the improvements to the museum include building upgrades like "roof repairs, revitalization of foundational exhibits, installation of new exhibitions and features, and improvements that will allow for hosted events," per the museum's website.Amid announcements of the planned upgrades last fall, the University of Texas at Austin called it "the most extensive renovation in decades." The historic museum, located off Trinity Street, was originally built in the 1930s and allows visitors to learn more about the natural world ...