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FIU researchers search for permanent homes for 24 Amazon parrots smuggled into MIA; suspect charged

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (WSVN) – Two dozen parrots smuggled to South Florida several months ago are now spreading their wings, thanks to wildlife caretakers at Florida International University.They arrived as eggs in some luggage in what is consider one of the largest parrot smuggling busts in recent years. Now those that have been raising them hope to find a new flight plan for these guys, looking to land them in permanent homes.The birds are yellow-naped and red-lored parrots — smuggled in as eggs from Nicaragua.Back in March, federal authorities said, a Chinese national almost made it through customs after arriving at Miami International Airport — when an agent heard chirping noises coming from his carry-on. That’s when they discovered 29 eggs, some of which had already started to hatch. The tiny hatchlings needed specialized equipment, so they were transferred to Florida International University’s Tropical Conservation Institute in Loxahatchee — known for rescuing an...

Former Miami city aide pleads guilty to receiving child pornography from teen boy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

Rene Pedrosa, 51, entered a guilty plea Wednesday in federal court in Miami, admitting to receiving child pornography in 2019 from a 16-year-old boy. Pedrosa, who formerly served as an aide to the City of Miami mayor, now faces sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola on August 14.According to court documents, in November 2019, Pedrosa connected with the teenage boy on social media. Initially, Pedrosa engaged with the boy about a potential website design job for his boss, communicating both online and in person. One meeting occurred at Miami City Hall on November 25, 2019, where Pedrosa admitted to kissing and sexually touching the minor. The boy had been dropped off at City Hall by his mother for a website design follow-up meeting.Pedrosa further confessed to continuing communication with the boy through an internet-based messaging application. On December 22, 2019, he knowingly received sexually explicit images of the minor, solidifying the charges of receiving child ...

Shrewsbury police officers honored after February rescue of man stuck neck-deep in mud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

Shrewsbury police officers who rescued a man stuck neck-deep in mud earlier this year were honored this week for their quick thinking. The incident happened at Shrewsbury’s Flint Pond on Feb. 13. 7NEWS later spoke with the man involved, who said he was at the pond with his girlfriend when remote control boats he was operating got stuck in the mud. The man, Justin Schmautz, said he tried to retrieve the boats only to end up sinking. Emergency crews responded to the scene and were able to pull Schmautz to safety. Months later, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. recognized officers Alex Desimone, Dillon Zona and Tyler Vlass along with Sgt. Mark Sklut at the Shrewsbury Police Station for their work to save Schmautz.“Being a team is a force multiplier,” Early said. “They all worked to get Justin out.” “Justin called the officers afterwards his dream team and I couldn’t agree more,” Early continued. Officers credited their training with saving Sch...

Biden picks history-making Air Force fighter pilot to serve as next Joint Chiefs chairman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is tapping a history-making Air Force fighter pilot with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China’s rise to serve as the nation’s next top military officer, according to a senior administration official.The nomination of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. has been long expected. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. The official, who was not authorized to publicly comment, requested anonymity to preview the announcement.Biden is expected to unveil Brown as his pick during a Rose Garden event Thursday afternoon, the official said.Brown’s confirmation would mean that, for the first time, both the Pentagon’s top military and civilian positions would be held by African Americans. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first...

New Gary Sports Hall of Fame class includes former MLB pitcher, gymnastics champ

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

A former Major League Baseball pitcher and a national gymnastics champion are among the six new entrants to the Gary Sports Hall of Fame.The Class of 2023 inductees are college basketball coach Vic Bubas, track coach John Campbell, gymnast Dianne Durham Drahozal, MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, NBA star Davage Minor and longtime Gary schools coach Earl Smith Jr.The induction ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. July 28 at the Indiana University Northwest Arts and Sciences building auditorium, 3415 Broadway. The cost is $25 per person. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.“This is a very momentous moment and one we are proud of,” said Hall of Fame vice president Chuck Hughes during a Wednesday news conference.He credited the late Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt Allen Jr. for helping conceive of the plan for the Hall of Fame where honorees’ photos line a wall on the main floor of the Arts and Sciences building.Hughes said the Hall of Fame is working with Gary high schools to ...

Nikki Haley backs Ukraine, douses Bud Light transgender promo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s stump speech didn’t completely impress the audience at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.Haley, on Wednesday, became the first declared presidential candidate to address the crowd at Politics and Eggs, an occasional speaker series hosted by Saint Anselm College which, since its start in 1995, has become a “must stop” event for White House hopefuls.Sticking mostly to modern Republican talking points, Haley probably didn’t sound too much different from other former governors who have addressed the breakfast, like Larry Hogan or Asa Hutchinson, both of whom spoke at the school last year.She elicited fewer laughs than former Vice President Mike Pence and less sporadic applause than former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both of whom also took the stage in Goffstown ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle.The most striking difference between Haley and her fellow Republican primary candidates, both declared and not, was her steadfast ...

DeSantis launches GOP presidential campaign in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

By STEVE PEOPLES, ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE (Associated Press)MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday with a Twitter announcement plagued by technical glitches, stepping into a crowded Republican primary contest that will test his strength against former President Donald Trump and criticism that he’s not ready for the national stage.The 44-year-old Republican, an outspoken cultural conservative, initially announced his decision in a video posted on social media, but planned to discuss it further in a first-of-its-kind conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces. But the audio stream crashed repeatedly, making it virtually impossible for most users to hear the high-profile announcement in real time. “We need the courage to lead and the strength to win,” DeSantis said in a minute-long video posted on social media before the conversation with Musk. “I’m Ron DeSantis, an...

Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Zay Flowers, Lamar Jackson, players bulking up and more | COMMENTARY

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

It’s early and the Ravens have only had a few voluntary workouts, but rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers looks explosive.The first-round draft pick out of Boston College has shown great acceleration going in and out of his breaks and appears tough for a 5-foot-9, 182-pound receiver. He can play inside in the slot or outside as a vertical threat.In his senior season in college, Flowers had 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s easy to see why the Ravens put so much faith in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native.Veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has yet to practice with the team, but Flowers and third-year wideout Rashod Bateman looked good in the practice that was open to the media Wednesday.After those two, there was a drop-off, including free agent addition Nelson Agholor. Maybe he’ll show more in training camp.There’s only one ballNow that the Ravens have weapons like Beckham, Flowers and Bateman, I wonder how tight end Mark Andrews will react wh...

Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens OTAs, says he’s loving Todd Monken’s offense: ‘Running can only take you so far’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

Lamar Jackson’s reasons for being at the Ravens’ voluntary organized team activities Wednesday were simple.“Just wanted to learn the new offense and get with my guys,” he said, adding that he plans to attend the other sessions that will take place over the next three weeks in Owings Mills. He found humor in the fervor over when or if his arrival would take place during the voluntary portion of the offseason.Participation in the practices, after all, isn’t required and not every player was there, though attendance was high for Wednesday’s portion that was open to the media.But the appearance of Jackson, who arrived ahead of Tuesday’s practice, also marked an important step forward for the 26-year-old quarterback and the organization. It was his first time participating in football activities with the team since he suffered a knee injury against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 4 and was his first appearance at the team’s facility since signin...

Boston University and Travis Roy Foundation create fund for scholars studying paralysis, spinal cord injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:25 GMT

Boston University and the Travis Roy Foundation have created a scholarship fund that honors the life and legacy of the late Travis Roy, providing awards to BU scholars studying paralysis and spinal cord injuries.Roy, a promising freshman BU hockey player, was paralyzed 11 seconds into the first hockey game of his college career.With the help of rehab professionals, he returned to the university 10 months after his injury, earned a degree in communications, and began a career as a motivational speaker while helping others living with paralysis. In 2020, Roy died after being a quadriplegic for 25 years.Now, BU’s Sargent College and the Travis Roy Foundation — which Roy launched in 1996 — have created the Travis M. Roy Endowed Scholarship Fund, established through a $1 million gift from the foundation.“This is a tangible living legacy to Trav’s life and impact, pursuing his quest for ‘how good can I be’ and enabling Sargent’s programs and...