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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

2-year lobbying effort pays off in freedom for Blagojevich

By DON BABWIN | February 19, 2020

CHICAGO (AP) — When Patti Blagojevich made repeated public pleas for her husband's release from federal prison, there was no mistaking her intended audience: President Donald Trump.For nearly two years, the wife of disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod...

As Trump ups attacks on Justice Dept, Barr remains in post

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, MICHAEL BALSAMO, and MARY CLARE JALONICK | February 19, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as President Donald Trump renewed his public attacks on the Justice Department on Wednesday, there was little outward worry from either end of Pennsylvania Avenue that Attorney General William Barr would follow through on his...

Plaintiffs’ attorneys take aim at Boy Scouts’ `dark history’

By BRADY McCOMBS and RANDALL CHASE | February 19, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Like millions of other Americans in the 1950s and '60s, Duane Ruth-Heffelbower spent his formative years learning to tie knots, build campfires and pitch tents with the Boy Scouts, whose wholesome, God-fearing reputation was burnished...

Ex-NYC police commish Kerik says he cried at being pardoned

By LARRY NEUMEISTER | February 19, 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's police commissioner during the Sept. 11 attacks said Wednesday he started crying when President Donald Trump pardoned him for felony convictions that put him behind bars for three years, aware he got a break other ex-convicts...

Another Catholic diocese seeks bankruptcy after abuse deals

By MARK SCOLFORO | February 19, 2020

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, filed for bankruptcy Wednesday, six months after disclosing it had paid millions of dollars to people sexually abused as children by its clerics.The diocese joins at least...

14-year-olds plead not guilty in NYC college student’s death

By KAREN MATTHEWS | February 19, 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — Two 14-year-old boys pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder in the death of a Barnard College student who was fatally stabbed during a robbery in a park.Manhattan prosecutors said that Rashaun Weaver stabbed 18-year-old Tessa Majors...

Stolen Lamborghinis crash; man says, ‘I just made a mistake’

February 19, 2020

WAYLAND, Mass. (AP) — A man who was charged with stealing a pair of Lamborghini SUVs that were then damaged in a crash says he was picked up along the way and wasn't involved with the theft.The $200,000 luxury vehicles were stolen from Herb Chambers...

Understanding Weinstein’s charges and potential punishment

By MICHAEL R. SISAK | February 19, 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — A look at the charges against Harvey Weinstein and the punishment the former Hollywood producer could face if convicted at his New York City rape trial. A jury of seven men and five women started deliberating Tuesday in the closely watched...

Abuse victims look to Vatican after UN meetings in Geneva

By JAMEY KEATEN | February 19, 2020

GENEVA (AP) — Three deaf victims of sexual abuse by priests in Argentina wrapped up a string of meetings with United Nations human rights officials in Geneva on Wednesday, hoping to build pressure on the Vatican — and Pope Francis himself — to come...

Deliberating a 2nd day, Weinstein jury revisits ’06 account

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and TOM HAYS | February 19, 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors at Harvey Weinstein's rape trial spent much of their second day of deliberations Wednesday revisiting a former film and TV production assistant's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in July 2006.Jurors sent a note shortly...

Judge finds US in contempt after immigrants in suit deported

February 19, 2020

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has found the U.S. government in contempt after authorities deported five young immigrants who were seeking to remain in the country under a program for abused and neglected immigrant children.U.S. Magistrate...

Texas man found guilty of killing officer, other man

February 19, 2020

MCKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A Texas man was convicted Wednesday of capital murder for 2018 killings of a Dallas-area police officer and another man.Brandon McCall, 28, faces death or life in prison without parole when he is sentenced for shooting his friend,...