As Rose Parade nears, California greets visiting bands

Marcos Lopez, a suspended Florida sheriff, was granted a $1 million bond after being arrested on charges of racketeering and conspiracy related to a substantial illegal gambling operation in Central Florida, which generated over $21.6 million. Prosecutors allege that Lopez, who allegedly received $600,000 to $700,000 from the enterprise, used his position to facilitate and protect the operation, leading to an "extreme breach of public trust." He is currently in custody, with his next court...

A Utah judge ruled that Ralph Leroy Menzies, a convicted killer on death row for 37 years, is competent enough to be executed despite his dementia. Menzies, sentenced for the 1988 murder of Maurine Hunsaker, understands the nature of his punishment, according to Judge Matthew Bates, who noted that his cognitive decline does not violate the Eighth Amendment. Menzies, who has chosen a firing squad for execution, plans to appeal the ruling, as his attorneys...

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Climate Change and American DreamActor and activist Arnold Schwarzenegger urged people to "stop whining" about President Donald Trump's climate change policies, stating that Trump is not a barrier to progress. During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg at the Austrian World Summit, part of Schwarzenegger's Climate Initiative, he emphasized the need for action rather than complaints. Additionally, he discussed the American dream and mentioned his son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, while reflecting on his political...

Ambar anxiously awaited her husband Jaen's release from an immigration facility in Manhattan, fearing he would be taken away in handcuffs. Despite her pleas, Jaen was detained by agents and faced expedited removal, raising concerns about the treatment of migrants during check-ins with immigration authorities. Jaen's lawyer indicated that he had pending asylum and parole requests, while Ambar and their daughter Aranza were left distressed and separated, reflecting the broader challenges faced by migrant families...

Former Florida Sheriff Charged in Illegal Gambling CaseMarcos Lopez, the ex-sheriff of Osceola County, Florida, has been arrested on racketeering and conspiracy charges linked to an illegal gambling operation that allegedly generated over $21.6 million. Prosecutors claim Lopez pocketed $700,000 and misused campaign funds to sustain the operation, which included slot machines and a gambling house at the Fusion Social Club in Kissimmee. Following his arrest, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez, who pleaded not...

A federal judge has approved a landmark settlement allowing colleges to pay athletes, marking a significant departure from the traditional amateur model in college sports. Under this ruling, schools can share up to $20.5 million with athletes annually and allocate $2.7 billion over the next decade to former players previously barred from receiving such revenues. This settlement, stemming from a lawsuit by swimmer Grant House against the NCAA, shifts oversight away from the NCAA to...