Driver keeps kids locked in bus as parents call 9-1-1 Justin Jensen in Current Events 2024-10-17 | Driver keeps kids locked in bus as parents call 9-1-1
MAJOR ALERT Vehicle accident on Woodward/7 Mile in Detroit. You hear about it towards the end. Justin Jensen in Current Events 2022-08-12 | ...
When a SMART bus driver is fed up with an rude rider, so see tells her off! Justin Jensen in Current Events 2022-08-06 | ...
Newt Gingrich is cut off on Fox News for speaking about George Soros Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-09-24 | On Outnumbered Overtime Newt Gingrich was mysteriously cut off for suggesting that George Soros is tied to funding Prosecutors that refuse to prosecute certain criminals and their crimes.
Lou Dobbs gets annoyed on camera Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-08-20 | Lou Dobbs tells his staff not to do something while being filmed on his show, Lou Dobbs Tonight. Filmed 8/18/20.
ANOTHER CHICAGO VIOLENT BLM PROTEST 8/15/20 Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-08-17 | A protest against police brutality goes violent.
Chicago Violent BLM Protest 8/15/20 Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-08-17 | BLM PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT AT THE LOOP
Courthouse confusion continues: Court clerk claims its racist to ask why? Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-08-04 | For weeks now, people have been showing up to the Daley Center in downtown Chicago for appearances in traffic court that are being handled entirely online or over the phone.
An assault on the MARTA train. Justin Jensen in Current Events 2020-07-02 | 6/28/20 An assault on a passenger in the subway on the MARTA train.
Justin Jensen in CTA:CRAZY TRANSIT ARENA Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-02 | A COLLECTION OF VIDEOS FROM CHICAGOLAND'S PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VIEWING EYE!!!!http://www.dailymotion.com/justin-jensen
Chicago traffic inspires local man to take to the skies Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Have you ever been stuck in Chicago's seemingly never ending traffic and thought, "I wish I could fly over this."Well one local guy did and that fantasy has evolved into the Chicago Helicopter Experience.For a long time, Trevor Heffernan was just like the rest of us until he decided he wasn't putting up with Chicago traffic any more.Flash forward four years, he's the founder of the Chicago Helicopter Experience, opening up the sky for the rest of us.Some people just play by their own rules and Heffernan is one of those people. He’s the sort of guy who paves his own roads even though he hardly uses roads at all.Because we all hate Chicago traffic but he decided to do something about it and that’s exactly where the Chicago Helicopter Experience came from.There’s nothing like Chicago from the sky and it didn’t take long for Heffernan to discover that and want to share with the rest of the world.His frustration with traffic evolved into an experience you have to see to believe – a helicopter tour company that provides views of Chicago that Heffernan says should be available to everyone.The company is still very much a work in progress – even these office buildings are temporary until the new state of the art heliport is constructed next year.But wall-written testimonials of happy passengers show that he’s off to a good start.Yes, Heffernan has come a long way from being stuck in traffic proving that when you’re presented with a problem, sometimes all you need to do is look to the skies.
Chicago schools make pension payment; 1,400 jobs impacted Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | The interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools said Tuesday 1,400 jobs will be "impacted" after Illinois lawmakers failed to provide relief and the financially struggling district had to borrow money to make a $634 million contribution to its teacher pension funds.Jesse Ruiz said in a statement that CPS must make $200 million in cuts, and he blamed Illinois lawmakers for "driving the district further into debt." Mayor Rahm Emanuel, speaking at a news conference earlier in the day, described the nation's third-largest district as being at "a breaking point.""As we have said, CPS could not make the payment and keep cuts away from the classroom, so while school will start on time, our classrooms will be impacted," Ruiz said.Ruiz said only that the jobs would be "impacted" beginning Wednesday, without further elaborating on how. A spokeswoman for CPS -- which has about 40,000 employees -- didn't respond to questions. A city official says Emanuel and Ruiz will lay out a plan Wednesday.Tuesday was the deadline for CPS to make the mandated payment, and for weeks Emanuel and the district had been pushing lawmakers to approve a 40-day delay they said would provide breathing room to find a longer-term solution. But the Illinois House voted down that plan last week, and bill sponsor Democratic Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie said Tuesday she "didn't have the votes" for the measure to pass and wouldn't call it again.House Speaker Michael Madigan later said he thought the bill was "moot" because he was told that CPS planned to make the full payment by the end of the day. Asked whether the district would have enough money remaining to keep classrooms open and pay teachers, the Chicago Democrat responded: "I don't know."The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund later confirmed the full payment had been made.Emanuel used the situation to once again call for changes in how pensions are funded. Currently, the state makes the employer contribution to teacher pensions for districts outside Chicago, while CPS pensions are funded by Chicago taxpayers. The mayor calls that system unfair, saying no other districts have to worry about whether to fund pensions or classrooms."The school system is supposed to be focused on the education of our children," he said. "Because of the structural inequity and because of the system, Chicago Public Schools now are questioned about whether they make a pension payment, not whether they hit a graduation rate."Emanuel's critics say CPS gets more money than other districts through other types of state funding.Senate President John Cullerton introduced legislation late Tuesday that would shift the employer contribution for CPS pensions to the state, among other changes. It's scheduled for a hearing Wednesday. While Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, has supported the concept, he's likely to oppose the Chicago Democrat's bill because it omits other key provisions he wants.Rauner also had floated a plan to accelerate $450 million in state grant payments that would have been provided to CPS over the course of the year and for other purposes. Emanuel rejected the offer, with a spokeswoman saying using 2016 funds to pay 2015 pension costs "follows the same path that got the schools into the current financial mess."
House defeats 1 month budget; same bill coming from Senate Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | A temporary budget to keep Illinois government operating in a new fiscal year has failed in the House, but one is still alive because the Senate OK'd an identical measure. Democrats battling with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner put up a $2.3 billion, one-month spending plan Wednesday for the state to limp along during the impasse. It fell four votes short of the 71 needed for approval. Senate Democrats advanced the temporary fix 37-0 earlier in the day, with 11 "present" votes, and moved that measure to the House. But its prospects were dim -- particularly because Rauner's has indicated he will veto it anyway. The two sides were unable to agree on a full 2016 budget before the new fiscal year started Wednesday, raising concerns of a partial government shutdown.
Official Prison chief, 11 others put on leave after escape Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | The superintendent at the prison where two killers broke out has been placed on leave along with his security chief and 10 other staff members amid an internal investigation into how the inmates pulled it off, a state official said Tuesday.The 12-member group is in addition to the guard and the prison tailor shop instructor who have been arrested on charges they helped the escapees.Officials would not say what connection, if any, the 12 had to the June 6 escape from the maximum-security prison or the failure to prevent it.Meanwhile, the surviving convict, David Sweat, claimed from his hospital bed that he used no power tools to cut his way out, contrary to what authorities have said.Sweat was wounded and captured Sunday near the Canadian border after three weeks on the run. His accomplice, Richard Matt, was shot to death last week.Steven Racette, the $132,000-a-year superintendent of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, was removed along with Stephen Brown, deputy superintendent in charge of security, according to a state official who was briefed on the matter but wasn't authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The 12 also include guards.The Corrections Department said only that three executives and nine other staff members were placed on paid leave as part of a departmental review of the escape. It did not identify them. The department said it is bringing in new leadership.Cherie Racette, the superintendent's wife, told the Adirondack Daily Enterprise he was given the option of taking a demotion or retiring and chose retirement. She said he and two deputies are being made scapegoats by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.Brown did not immediately return a call for comment.Sweat's condition was upgraded from serious to fair at the Albany hospital where he was taken after being shot twice by a state trooper.Matt and Sweat cut holes in their cells and a steam pipe and made their way to a manhole outside in a breakout that embarrassed the Corrections Department, exposed a host of possible security lapses and set off a manhunt involving more than 1,000 law enforcement officers.District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Sweat told investigators that he started cutting through steel cellblock walls in January with only a hacksaw blade and used no power tools. Authorities had previously said the two men used power tools borrowed from contractors' toolboxes at night.Prosecutors have said tailor shop instructor Joyce Mitchell got close to the men, supplied them with hacksaw blades and other tools, and agreed to be their getaway driver but backed out at the last moment. She has pleaded not guilty.Guard Gene Palmer was also arrested, telling investigators he gave the convicts such things as tools, art supplies and access to a catwalk electrical box in exchange for paintings by Matt. But he said he never knew of their escape plans.Sweat, 35, had been serving life without parole in the killing of a sheriff's deputy. Matt, 49, was doing 25 years to life for the kidnapping and hacksaw dismemberment of his former boss.
Greece proceeds with vote plan as creditors rebuff overture Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Eurozone finance ministers decided Wednesday to break off talks on more aid for Greece until after it holds a weekend referendum, even as the Greek government pressed ahead with plans to let the people decide whether to accept more austerity measures in exchange for a rescue deal.Following a late-night teleconference, the chairman of the eurogroup said the 19 ministers
Chris Christie running for president; wants to change the world Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | A tough-talking New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched his 2016 campaign for president Tuesday with a promise to tell voters the truth even if it makes them cringe.The Republican governor, a one-time GOP favorite who faded and now tries to climb back, lashed out at "bickering leaders" from both political parties in a kickoff rally in the gymnasium of his old high school. And in his trademark blunt style, he told voters — and warned Republican rivals — that he's ready to be aggressive in the 2016 contest."You're going to get what I think whether you like it or not, or whether it makes you cringe every once in a while or not," Christie declared. He added: "I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America."He went on to a town hall meeting in Sandown, New Hampshire, receiving enthusiastic applause from the standing-room crowd as he arrived with his family. "I want to be the next president of the United States and I intend to win this election," he told the meeting, held in an actual town hall.Christie has already held nearly a dozen town halls in New Hampshire, a state key to his hopes, and plans more as he spends the next week in the state.Christie enters a Republican presidential field that already has more than a dozen GOP candidates. Not all draw as much attention as Christie, who will compete for the same slice of the electorate as pragmatic-minded White House hopefuls such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.But it's an accomplished lineup of governors, senators and business people. Christie's effort is largely driven by his outsized personality, and his resume, while notable, contains scattered land mines that have given many Republicans pause.Four years ago, some of Christie's backers tried to persuade him to challenge President Barack Obama. In the years since, he won re-election with ease, but also struggled to revive New Jersey's moribund economy and fought with the state's Democratic-controlled legislature over pensions and the state budget.While Christie's turn as head of the Republican Governors Association was widely viewed as a success in the 2014 midterm elections, he's also faced the fallout from the actions of three former aides, charged with creating politically motivated traffic jams at a bridge to retaliate against a Democratic mayor who declined to endorse Christie's re-election.Christie has not been tied directly to wrongdoing, denies he had anything to do with the bridge closing and has seen no evidence emerge to refute that.Still, the episode deepened the sense that he may surround himself with people who will do anything to win. He declared early in the scandal that "I am not a bully" to counter the public perception that he is just that.The governor faces a tough sell with many conservatives, but has seemingly found his stride at times in visits to early voting states with the lively town hall meetings he's known for at home. There will be plenty more of those now that he's an affirmed candidate.Emboldened by his political successes in heavily Democratic New Jersey, he seems himself as a leader who can work across Washington's bitter partisan divide."We need this country to work together again, not against each other," he said with his wife, Mary Pat, and their four children standing behind him. He promised to lead a White House that would "welcome the American people no matter what party, no matter what race or creed or color."Yet Christie also jabbed President Barack Obama's "weak and feckless foreign policy" and called Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton the president's "second mate.""America is tired of hand-wringing and indecisiveness and weakness in the Oval Office," he said. "We need to have strength and decision-making and authority back in the Oval Office. And that is why today I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States of America."In 2012, Christie was seen as the charismatic, pragmatic governor who burst onto the scene in made-for-YouTube moments. He gained national attention with a landmark deal in which the state's public sector unions agreed to higher health care costs and retirement ages in exchange for promised payments into the state's chronically underfunded pension season.Christie's fortunes have certainly changed.Now, Christie has been eclipsed by others in a pack of more than dozen rivals. And his poll numbers at home have sunk to record lows. New Jersey's economy is lagging and there have been nine credit downgrades on Christie's watch.Christie grew up in Livingston, a town about 20 miles west of New York City, and served as class president at the high school. His high school friends were among the first to receive word that Christie would be launching his campaign at their old school.
Mayor de Blasio attacks Cuomo Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Mayor Bill de Blasio, who 18 months ago in his inaugural address saluted his one-time boss and friend of more than two decades Gov. Andrew Cuomo, revised his opinion of him on Tuesday in a highly unusual and extraordinarily personal news conference."I started with, meaning a year and a half ago, with the hope of a very strong partnership," de Blasio said. "I have been disappointed at every turn, and these last couple of examples really are beyond the pale."Though the governor has been far more foe than friend to the liberal mayor's agenda throughout his time in office, de Blasio had been reluctant to criticize Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, time and again taking the high road and refusing to hit back at the steady stream of slights emanating from the state Capitol building.But the disappointing results of the state legislative session, which wrapped up last week, moved de Blasio to change tactics, eschewing his normal hope of building consensus in favor of taking the bold step of directly confronting the state's most powerful official.He also used an example of state inspections of city homeless shelters, calling them overly vigorous, and said it shows the governor's penchant for revenge.De Blasio said, "That was clearly politically motivated, and that was revenge for some perceived slight."De Blasio's startling statements, delivered to a small group of reporters summoned to his office at City Hall, were the most direct challenge from a New York mayor to a governor in decades. Aides to the mayor said he chose to break his silence not just to unburden himself but to fight any perception of weakness and make clear he would rally constituents and elected officials to combat the governor's interference.In an interview on NY1 later in the day he continued the attack saying, "What we've often seen is that if someone disagrees with him, some kind of revenge or vendetta follows."A spokesperson for the governor issued a statement in response to the mayor's statements: "For those new to the process, it takes coalition building and compromise to get things done in government. We wish the Mayor well on his vacation."But the move carries tremendous political risks, as Cuomo wields significant power over the city and the mayor. Cuomo's communications director delivered a shot across the mayor's bow after de Blasio's comments."For those new to the process, it takes coalition building and compromise to get things done in government," Melissa DeRosa said. "We wish the mayor well on his vacation."De Blasio and his family were scheduled to take a week-long trip to the Southwest on Tuesday night, leaving just hours after he criticized the governor.
Milkshakes made with crickets Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | A milkshake on a summer day is delicious. But this isn't your run of the mill shake. It has a little something extra. Can you believe it? Crickets.Wayback Burgers in Canarsie, Brooklyn, is serving up an Oreo mud pie cricket protein milkshake made with Peruvian chocolate-flavored cricket powder.Wayback, a national chain, tested out the cricket milkshake in the spring. It was so popular that it brought back the insect-infused shake through the summer.Another unique flavor is the jerky milkshake. It has barbeque hickory smoked and maple spices and Slim Jims jerky
Voodoo Attack Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Two sisters from Tanzania, both are albino and one was the target of a horrific attack believed to be tied to Voodoo.
Tourist takes selfie on top of Brooklyn Bridge Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Another tourist has climbed the Brooklyn Bridge and this one took a selfie and published it to social media.David Karnauch, an engineering student at the University of Tennessee, posted the picture with the Manhattan skyline behind him on his Instagram account.He says he accessed the bridge from the pedestrian walkway and was never stopped on the way up or down.Deputy Commissioner John Miller told Fox 5 News, "Had the officers patrolling the bridge arrived while he was there, he would have been arrested, as others have been..."Karnauch's Instagram page shows him at the top of various structures in different locations.This is the fourth time in a year that someone has scaled the potential terror target.Last July, two German artists replaced the American flags with two white washed flags in the dead of night.In August, a Russian tourist was caught on video walking along a beam, and in November, a French tourist was arrested after climbing the bridge to take pictures.
Julie Chang Dances With The Stars Of Magic Mike Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Description
Fighterfighters Rescue Missing Woman Stranded Over Steep Hillside Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Mayor Eric Garcetti said tonight he will direct all city departments to defer enforcement of a recently adopted ordinance allowing faster dismantlement of homeless encampments until the City Council can amend it.RELATED: Mayor Eric Garcetti Announces 'Homes For Heroes' Initiative For Homeless Vets"I strongly support the enactment of laws that enable the city to ensure that its public areas are clean and safe," Garcetti said. "However, the city must balance the need to maintain its sidewalks with the rights of the people who have no other choice but to live on them. In my view, the ordinance passed by the City Council to revise Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.11 does not adequately achieve the proper balance."At the time of passage, the City Council asked the Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness to consider amendments that would enable smarter law enforcement, more compassionate treatment of homeless Angelenos, and strengthen the city's ability to withstand legal challenge. To date, neither the Committee nor the full Council has had an opportunity to consider and vote on amendments to accomplish those purposes. "Accordingly, I am returning the ordinance without signature to council. While it will become law, I will direct all city departments to defer enforcement of the ordinance until the committee and City Council consider the pending amendments and adopt changes to the ordinance. In the interim, all city departments shall continue to use existing citywide protocols for the removal of personal property."The ordinance approved by the City Council last Tuesday shortened the noticing period before removing personal items from parks and sidewalks from 72 hours to 24 hours. No notice will be needed for the removal of bulky items from sidewalks and parks.The city would be required to store any non-bulky belongings for 90 days. If the items are not claimed, the property may be discarded. The ordinance was adopted as city officials worked to reach a settlement in a lawsuit filed against the city by several homeless people. The case led to an injunction preventing the city from removing the belongings of the homeless.During the debate over the ordinance, Councilman Jose Huizar acknowledged there were flaws in it, but said the city has "court requirements, settlement discussions that are happening, so we have to move forward with something."The ordinance would allow officials to remove personal items that remain at city parks -- including beaches -- past closing time and when there is already a sign at the park stating that leaving behind items is prohibited. If there is no sign, the city would need to give 24 hours notice before items are removed.The ordinance also banned tents on sidewalks from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. but allows the homeless to set up tents to use as shelter at night. If the city does not have enough space to store the items left on sidewalks, officials would not be allowed to remove them, city attorneys said.Any item that is a health or safety risk -- such as something that could spread disease, contains vermin, or is a dangerous weapon -- would be discarded without any advance notice. Items considered contraband or evidence of a crime could also be removed by the city without notice.
LA Mayor Garcetti To Block Enforcement of Homeless Encampment Ordinance Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Mayor Eric Garcetti said tonight he will direct all city departments to defer enforcement of a recently adopted ordinance allowing faster dismantlement of homeless encampments until the City Council can amend it."I strongly support the enactment of laws that enable the city to ensure that its public areas are clean and safe," Garcetti said. "However, the city must balance the need to maintain its sidewalks with the rights of the people who have no other choice but to live on them. In my view, the ordinance passed by the City Council to revise Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.11 does not adequately achieve the proper balance."At the time of passage, the City Council asked the Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness to consider amendments that would enable smarter law enforcement, more compassionate treatment of homeless Angelenos, and strengthen the city's ability to withstand legal challenge. To date, neither the Committee nor the full Council has had an opportunity to consider and vote on amendments to accomplish those purposes. "Accordingly, I am returning the ordinance without signature to council. While it will become law, I will direct all city departments to defer enforcement of the ordinance until the committee and City Council consider the pending amendments and adopt changes to the ordinance. In the interim, all city departments shall continue to use existing citywide protocols for the removal of personal property."The ordinance approved by the City Council last Tuesday shortened the noticing period before removing personal items from parks and sidewalks from 72 hours to 24 hours. No notice will be needed for the removal of bulky items from sidewalks and parks.The city would be required to store any non-bulky belongings for 90 days. If the items are not claimed, the property may be discarded. The ordinance was adopted as city officials worked to reach a settlement in a lawsuit filed against the city by several homeless people. The case led to an injunction preventing the city from removing the belongings of the homeless.During the debate over the ordinance, Councilman Jose Huizar acknowledged there were flaws in it, but said the city has "court requirements, settlement discussions that are happening, so we have to move forward with something."The ordinance would allow officials to remove personal items that remain at city parks -- including beaches -- past closing time and when there is already a sign at the park stating that leaving behind items is prohibited. If there is no sign, the city would need to give 24 hours notice before items are removed.The ordinance also banned tents on sidewalks from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. but allows the homeless to set up tents to use as shelter at night. If the city does not have enough space to store the items left on sidewalks, officials would not be allowed to remove them, city attorneys said.Any item that is a health or safety risk -- such as something that could spread disease, contains vermin, or is a dangerous weapon -- would be discarded without any advance notice. Items considered contraband or evidence of a crime could also be removed by the city without notice.
Detroit council votes no on city water rate hike Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Water rates are going up but not in the city of Detroit. The city council voted down a proposal to raise water and sewer bills by 7.5 percent Tuesday night. Not many Detroit residents packed into the auditorium to speak out against about a possible water rate hike - but their voices were heard.."Over the last several years I've seen my rates constantly increasing," said one resident."My vacant property bill is higher than my water bill where I live," another resident said."People are dying, we're talking about crime rates - what do you think people without water are going to do," said another resident.The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is facing a $27 million budget shortfall.Under the proposed plan, residents would see and overall increase of 7.5 percent in their water and sewer rates. For the average Detroit resident, who pays $70 a month, this proposal would tack on an extra $5 each month.The concern by much of the council thousands of Detroiters can't pay their bills - and what makes the water department believe they can afford a hike - when 40,000 residents are already on payment plans. And hundreds of others wait on hold each day in hopes of getting help to pay theirs."If we want to have people pay more money we have to have better service," said Brenda Jones, council president. In the end the council voted it down 6-2. Council pro-tem George Cushingberry voted yes, but was hesitant.."I held my nose to vote yes," he said. "I didn't get the time to ask the detailed questions. We need to have a way to control sewage rates didn't feel they had that."Chief Operating Officer Gary Brown felt the proposal failed because the council wasn't happy with the water departments assistance plans. More cuts may be necessary."The dwsd, the water department has done a great job of reducing cost and delivering better service," Brown said. "I don't think that's the issue. The issue is more what you heard from city council with regards to an affordability plan."The water department is still facing a $27 million budget hole. Brown says he plans to meet with the department Wednesday morning to try and come up with another plan.
Battle for gay rights far from over in Lansing Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Same-sex couples now legally allowed to marry in Michigan and across the country after last week's historic supreme court ruling.But that's not stopping the debate among conservatives in Lansing.Now there's a new push for laws that would limit the expansion of gay rights in our state.Even though the U.S. Supreme court declared gay marriage to be legal, in Lansing the debate is not died down as conservatives are expected to push new legislation that would protect some citizens from the expansion of gay rights. The gay rights issue is not dead in the Michigan Legislature.In fact this pro-LGBT Democrat sees conservative Republicans trying to take the edge off the high court decision."I think that's what we're hearing already," said Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor). "So I wouldn't be surprised to see something popping up very quickly.In fact this GOP senator is on a mission to as he puts it "protect everybody.""I'm trying to protect everybody in Michigan who has closely held religious beliefs," said Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake). "I think the states have the responsibility to step in and make sure they are protecting their citizens."On another front, the state civil rights law now protects newly married gay couples but, the law still makes it legal to fire anyone who is gay."And to say under Michigan law now you have a legal right to be married to your same-sex partner but you can be fired or denied housing for announcing your marriage?" Warren said. "We need to address that in our state very soon."But what about the rights of those who oppose gays, this senator wonders."What does it do to the average businessperson that says I don't want to provide a reception for a gay wedding," said Sen. Rick Jones (Judiciary Chair). "I don't want to change the law that would hurt the businessperson who does not want to go against their religion."The senate Democrat leader Jim Ananich is hoping Republicans won't stand in the way of gay rights."i can always hope," he said. "I hope that constituents across the state call their senators to put aside this hatred and make everyone equal in Michigan."The battle over gay rights far from being over.
Single mom who wrote open letter to car thief gets happy ending Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-07-01 | Meet Stephanie Irvine.She's the single mom of two from Utica who penned a heartbreaking Dear John to the motor city car thief who stole her 1998 Dodge Neon.It happened last Tuesday when stephanie drove her two daughters to midtown Detroit. One of them checked out a performance at Great Lakes Coffee. The other went to Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Public Library and the Detroit Historical Museum with mom."When we were walking around I just thought the city is so pretty and there are so many things you can do here," she said.They parked their car on Cass just north of Alexandrine."I went past the car walked past the car about 10, 15, 20 times," she said.But when their day in Detroit was over, the car was gone. Stolen in broad daylight."At first I thought you have to be kidding me," Stephanie said. "I know what's it like to not have things to want things. Like we go without things all the time but it doesn't make it okay to take things."I was angry that that's all I had and somebody took it."Crushed and embarrassed, Stephanie wrote this letter and sent it to FOX 2 hoping the car thief would see it and maybe have a change of heart."Dear Person(s) who stole my car, I'm not sure what your situation is but let me share a little about mine. I am a single mother of two children. It took me over a year to pay $1,200 for that ugly, old, beat up Neon you took from me. I moved my children and myself back into my mother's house not too long ago because I couldn't afford living on my own. We all have to share one room. I finally got a halfway decent paying job and was going to start school in the fall. I needed that car more than anything. I, myself, have $30 to my name. Replacing that car will cost me dearly. It will deprive my children of simple basic wants and needs. I hope that your situation was far worse than mine. I'd like to think you took my car because you needed money to feed your family. I'd like to think that you were so desperate and had no one to turn to. But, in my heart, I know it was a selfish act. You took it simply because you wanted to and you feel you have the right to take what you want. The next time you are looking around your once beautiful, thriving city and wonder where it all went wrong take a look in the mirror.....it is YOU that keeps it from being great."Instead it touched the hearts of the FOX 2 faithful - and she got this call: "Hi Stephanie, how are you? This is Mike from Ford Road Motor Sales," said the voice at the other end of the phone. "I was reading your story online yesterday and I think we can help you out." Some now willing to step up and donate to Stephanie a new ride.FOX 2: "What is it like hearing that?""It's awesome," Stephanie said. "I don't know what to say like thank you, isn't even enough ... that people are willing to help."Police have not tracked Stephanie's Dodge Neon, but she might be okay. Since writing that letter, there are a few people offering to help Stephanie get a new car.
VIDEO the perfect way to slice a watermelon Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | If you have struggled to chop up a whole watermelon into neat chunks... you're not alone! It's not an easy task, but FOX 5 is here to help.Good Day Atlanta's Buck Lanford shows you his latest holiday hack, just in time for the 4th of July!We were a little nervous to see Buck on set with a huge knife Friday morning, but luckily everything worked perfectly and there were no reports of any injuries.
Fighting hunger Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | The city of Atlanta is putting public dollars towards a good cause. It will donate to a campaign that makes sure kids don't go hungry during the summer months.
Jake on the Job Brewing beer at Piece Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | Two worlds separated by a single pane of glass. A transparent divide between those who create and those who partake.The beer brewers of the Midwest possess a liquid treasure trove that results in some of the most acclaimed stouts in the states.They live at the intersection of art and science –and we're meeting them there, on the job.There's not a lot of space behind the scenes of Piece brewery and pizzeria – but that doesn't seem to bother Jonathan Cutler.He's been brewing beer for 18 years, concocting combinations of hops and yeast with heat and time that have led to countless awards.This creative chemistry can take a brewer in a lot of different directions, but it all begins with a combination of grains fed into a tank, where it's mashed into an oatmeal like substance.From there, a sugary water called wort is drained from the mash and boiled.Next, throw in a combination of hops, which are female flowers of hop plants that affect the bitterness in the beer's final flavor.From there, the wart is sent to meet the yeast, micro-organisms which convert that extracted sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide – a process called fermentation.And now the waiting begins.That long, final step can take anywhere from two to six weeks before you're finally left with the fruit of your labors.The art of brewing is far from an exact science – a spider-web of potential directions lead to many trials and even more errors, separating those who just brew beer from those who engineer ingenuity.So pull up a chair. The night's just begun.That beer we brewed, the Weight, was named the best pale in the world at the World Beer Cup.
Are some police officers skipping court dates due to bad arrests Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | There are a lot of reasons why police officers miss court dates. Often, it's an innocent explanation.But as Dane Placko investigates, a review of records by FOX 32 and the Better Government Association suggests that sometimes cops miss court dates because they want the case to disappear.Josh Garrett and his wife, Diana Diaz, were riding their bikes home after a concert in June of last year when they were stopped at 13th and Ashland by two Chicago police officers."He asked why I was riding in the road, and I think my quick response was 'well, where do you expect me to ride?'" Garrett said.When it became clear things weren't going well, Garrett and Diaz pulled out a cellphone and began recording the encounter, which only made the police angrier.The couple was charged with obstructing traffic, resisting arrest and Garrett was charged with assaulting an officer.They both spent the night in the 12th District lockup.But when they went to court next month, the officers never showed and the case was dropped.They filed a civil suit against the police department for false arrest and excessive force, and the city quickly settled for $30,000 dollars.Their attorney said he believes police failed to show because they knew they had made a bad arrest."The last thing they want to do is get into trouble where they lose their job, so that's why it's definitely a tactic to avoid that trial, that proceeding and that commitment to the facts about what happened," said attorney Christopher Smith.FOX 32 and the Better Government Association learned of the couple's story while researching an investigation into officers missing court dates. We wanted to know how often it happens and why.After filing a freedom of information request, police provided FOX 32 with a one page response saying that since 2013, there have been more than three thousand instances where officers were required to appear, but failed to do so.They offered no explanation why."This is a breakdown in transparency. It's a breakdown in responsibility. It's a breakdown in accountability," said Andy Shaw of the BGA.Shaw said if indeed cops aren't showing up when they make a bad arrest, it's a waste of time and money."It winds up costing us money and wasting our time and undermining the judicial process, and it's unfair to those arrested, it's unfair to the victims and it's unfair to the taxpayers," he said.While there are any number of reasons why cops miss court dates, attorneys that FOX 32 talked to say they're familiar with dozens of examples of officers failing to show after making a questionable arrest."They punched me in my face about three times," said Devonte James.James suffered a broken jaw after an encounter with officers at his grandmother's home on the West Side in 2013.James was charged with resisting arrest, but that was dropped when the officers failed to appear in court.He's now suing the city for damages."I was in tears because it was like... you did something to me. Now you don't want to show up," James said."Our feeling is that when an officer knows there's going to be a problem on a case, when an officer has a sense of his own liability and concern, he's not going to want to make an issue of it," said James' attorney Jeff Granich.Perhaps that's what happened in the case of the bike-riding couple, who heard the arresting officer say this as he was driving them to the lockup:"I'll go to court on these clowns."Garrett added, "I think if you're going to put somebody through that for the night, you owe it to them to show up and be held accountable for it."The BGA is now suing the police department for access to the database it keeps regarding officers missing court appearances. The officers and city officials either couldn't be reached or refused to comment on our story.
Falcons rookie adjusts after fire at familys home Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | The NFL Rookie symposium wrapped up this weekend in Canton, Ohio and Falcons rookies Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett were there checkout out the NFL Hall of Fame.The last few months have brought a lot of changes for Jarrett including a big one that has nothing to do with football.“We're still displaced from the house, so we're just getting things done on that end,” said Jarrett.His family's home in Conyers caught fire the night before he was drafted by the Falcons less than two months ago. Thankfully no one was hurt, but while training with his new team he has a lot on his mind.“I've been able to focus on football,” said Jarrett. “They kind of handle that so I can stay focused on what's going on here.”
New law for underage drinking in Georgia Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | Tickets replaces arrests for violations.
Disturbing Five Points (GEORGIA) photo discussion Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | Unconscious woman is being heckled instead of helped!
Thief who stole funeral vehicle with body inside in custody Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sp Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | Police say a man who stole a funeral vehicle from the morgue outside Grady Memorial Hospital with a body still inside has been arrested. "Even the dead cannot rest in peace," says Willy Watkins of Willy Watkins Funeral Home.Watkins says Sunday morning, his driver was at the morgue at Grady Memorial Hospital loading a man's body into the SUV for transport, when the suspect allegedly grabbed the keys out of the man's hand and drove off. He allegedly damaged the SUV by driving through a guard rail.Police say the suspect, Henry Lyles, dumped the vehicle at the corner of Auburn Ave. and Piedmont Ave. and carjacked another vehicle nearby on Courtland St. Both vehicles were recovered and Sunday afternoon police announced an arrest.Watkins is asking how the carjacking happened on hospital property."How is Grady going to keep this ... from happening at their place?" Watkins said.Grady Memorial Hospital officials did not return our calls and e-mails requesting comment.
3 Hurt After Stolen Truck Being Chased Crashes In North Hollywood Justin Jensen in Current Events 2015-06-29 | Three people were hurt when a pickup truck, being chased by an unknown party, crashed into a third vehicle Sunday in North Hollywood.A 68-year-old driver in the third vehicle suffered minor injuries, as did the 20-year-old man driving the pickup and his 18-year-old woman, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.She said the pickup was being pursued by another vehicle, but it was not clear if that was a police chase or some other circumstance.Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the crash in the 10500 block of Victory Boulevard at 10:28 a.m., Stewart said. That is at an S-curve on Victory, just west of the Burbank city limit.
