Tag Archives: 35M

US

Leaky battleship in Texas completes trip for $35M repairs

Leave a comment

LA PORTE, Texas (AP) — It’s the only surviving battleship that served in both world wars, having fought in Europe during World War I and against the Nazis and the Japanese Army during World War II. But the greatest challenge in recent years for the USS Texas has been a leaky, rusty hull that at times forced workers to pump out about 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) of water per minute from the 110-year-old ship.

To ensure the historic vessel, commonly known to Texas residents as the Battleship Texas, doesn’t sink and can continue hosting visitors, the foundation in charge of its care successfully towed the ship on Wednesday from its longtime home along the Houston Ship Channel to a shipyard in Galveston for repairs.

Tony Gregory, president of the Battleship Texas Foundation, said the process of pulling the ship by tugboats and getting it on its way went perfectly. He said any problems would have happened in the first 15 minutes and there were no issues.

“It went smoother than we thought and quicker than we thought … and she’s gone, down the channel,” he said Wednesday morning.

About nine hours later at around 4 p.m., the ship arrived in Galveston to cheering crowds of spectators. Four tugboats had pulled the vessel at a pace of about 5 knots.

Travis Davis, the foundation’s vice president of ship operations and who was aboard the vessel during its trip, said Battleship Texas did really well during its journey and the organization never had to implement any of its emergency plans.

“She’s been a champ the whole time,” Davis said in a video from the ship just before it arrived in Galveston.

The 40-mile (64 kilometer) journey from its longtime berth at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in the Houston suburb of La Porte is part of a $35 million project to repair the hull and ultimately restore the ship to its former glory.

The foundation plans to eventually resettle it in a new location in Texas, possibly in one of three nearby cities, including Galveston, to attract more visitors and increase revenue.

Moving the vessel is “the major step in getting the ship back to tiptop shape,” Gregory said Tuesday as he stood aboard it while workers made final preparations.

Since 1948, the USS Texas has been at the state historic site where the decisive battle in the Texas Revolution was fought. There, it’s served as a museum and tourist attraction. The battleship was previously taken to the same shipyard in Galveston for repairs in 1988.

For the last three years, the ship has been closed to the public as the foundation has been preparing for the repairs. In 2019, the Texas Legislature approved the funds to fix the hull. The foundation plans to make other fixes that it’s paying for. All the repairs are expected to take up to a year to complete.

Tricia Thomas, 50, who was one of the people invited to watch as the ship was unmoored early Wednesday morning, said she became emotional and teared up as she saw it begin its journey and heard its whistle sound. As the ship started moving, Thomas said, people clapped and cheered.

“It’s amazing to see a ship that’s 100 years old out on the water again, moving like she did for so many years. It was exciting,” said Thomas, who lives in the Houston suburb of Kingwood.

Thomas said it’s important to preserve the ship so future generations can learn its history and it can remind people how they can come together for a common cause that’s greater than them.

“I think that’s probably the biggest story she can tell,” Thomas said.

At the Texas City Dike, a 5-mile-long (8-kilometer-long) levee that stretches into Galveston Bay, several hundred people gathered on Wednesday for a chance to see the ship go by.

Members of the Texas history group Lone Star Volunteers fired blanks from a cannon five times in salute of the ship as it floated by. Many of the Texas flags that flew in the state during its history, including the Texas Navy flag, were planted in ground near the cannon, nicknamed “Rolling Thunder.”

“We’re not going to shoot a projectile,” said Lone Star Volunteers member Mike Wilson, who wore a loose-fitting red shirt, white linen-type pants and black riding boots, designed to be an approximation of what volunteers in the Texas Army might have worn. “They might turn the guns of the USS Texas back on us.”

“The USS Texas, it represents freedom,” Wilson said.

Todd Homman, another member of Lone Star Volunteers, said the ship’s journey brought back fond memories of visiting the vessel with friends as a teenager and hiding and staying aboard after hours.

“We didn’t do the teenage stuff,” he said. “We cleaned, picked up, polished the brass. We beautified her and cleaned her up.”

Homman said the ship inspired his brother to join the Navy.

Chris Fleming, 67, from nearby Dickinson, waited four hours in hot, humid weather to watch the ship float by the Texas City Dike.

“It’s history in the making… I just wanted to see it float. I just wanted to see it go by. It was neat. I enjoyed it,” Fleming said.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70



Read original article here

US

Kaitlin Armstrong could remain jailed on federal hold even if she scrounges $3.5M bond, former prosecutor says

Leave a comment

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Kaitlin Armstrong, the 34-year-old Texas woman accused of gunning down romantic rival and pro cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson, is now the subject of a federal hold request as she sits in an Austin jail on $3.5 million bond, records show.

So even if she could post bail, she’d remain in custody on the detainer, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital Wednesday.

According to the Justice Department, federal detainers are formal notices informing a given jurisdiction that an inmate faces pending charges in another.

In Armstrong’s case, she is being held in Austin, Texas, on state charges of first-degree murder and theft of services. On the federal level, she’s been charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution after spending 43 days on the lam while named in a murder warrant.

TEXAS CYCLING MURDER SUSPECT KAITLIN ARMSTRONG ARRIVES BACK IN AUSTIN AFTER COSTA RICA ARREST

Booking photos taken after Kaitlin Armstrong’s extradition to the U.S. appear to show a change in her facial features. 
(US Marshals, Travis County Sheriff’s Office)

The former yoga instructor is accused of stalking and killing Wilson on May 11, according to an Austin murder warrant. Police alleged that her Jeep Grand Cherokee appeared on surveillance video near the crime scene moments before the slaying.

The Jeep showed up moments after Armstrong’s boyfriend, a 35-year-old fellow pro cyclist named Colin Strickland, dropped the 25-year-old Wilson off at her friend’s apartment in Austin, according to the warrant.

TEXAS MURDER SUSPECT KAITLIN ARMSTRONG THROUGH THE YEARS: LOVE TRIANGLE FUGITIVE SEEN IN DECADES-OLD PHOTOS

The two had gone swimming and out to dinner earlier that evening, police said, and had previously carried on a romantic relationship.

Left: victim Moriah “Mo” Wilson after a race. Right: A photo of suspect Kaitlin Armstrong released by the US Marshals.
(The Wilson Family/US Marshals)

Strickland, who reportedly lost several sponsors in the aftermath of the shooting, updated his Instagram bio Wednesday to read, “I used to ride bikes, now not so much.”

He has declined multiple Fox News Digital requests for comment, other than to say, “please f— off.”

He said in an interview with The Sun that he had a fling with Wilson in October 2021 during a break in his relationship with Armstrong – his live-in girlfriend. But they had since reconciled, and his relationship with Wilson was purely Platonic, he said.

According to police, over the winter he bought Armstrong the handgun that ballistic analysis would link to the crime in May.

Colin Strickland seen outside his Austin, Texas, home on June 17, 2022.
(MEGA)

U.S. Marshals said last month, during a weeks-long manhunt for the fugitive Armstrong, that she sold her Jeep to a CarMax dealership less than a mile from her home days later for $12,200, well below market value.

She may have used that money as she allegedly dodged law enforcement, which obtained a warrant for her arrest on May 17.

Authorities have said she flew from Texas to New York, then from New Jersey to Costa Rica, where police found her in a hostel on the Pacific Ocean last week, according to the Marshals.

Kaitlin Armstrong altered her appearance in the 43 days she spent on the lam, according to authorities.
(US Marshals/Harris County Sheriff’s Office)

KAITLIN ARMSTRONG MANHUNT: NEW YORK CAMPSITE LINKED TO SUSPECT IN AUSTIN CYCLIST LOVE TRIANGLE SLAYING

She had a bandage on her face when law enforcement caught up with her at Don Jon’s Lodge in Santa Teresa Beach.

According to Deputy Marshal Brandon Filla, she claimed to have injured her face in a surfing accident. 

Booking photos taken after her extradition to the U.S. appear to show a change in her facial features. She had also cut her hair short and dyed it brown.

The Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and local law enforcement are expected to deliver a news briefing on the case Thursday afternoon.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP  

Armstrong’s next appearance at an Austin courthouse is scheduled for the morning of July 20. 

Her defense attorneys have said they will not be commenting on the case and asked for privacy for her family.

Fox News’ Rebecca Rosenberg and Sarah Rumpf contributed to this report.

Michael Ruiz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.ruiz@fox.com and on Twitter: @mikerreports



Read original article here

Entertainment

Amber Heard paid under half of $3.5M pledged to ACLU due to ‘financial difficulties;’ executive testifies

Leave a comment

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Amber Heard hasn’t fulfilled her commitment to donate $3.5 million from her Johnny Depp divorce settlement to the American Civil Liberties Union, Terence Dougherty, ACLU’s COO and general counsel said in pre-recorded testimony on Thursday as part of Depp’s $50 million defamation trial against his ex-wife.  

Dougherty said Heard agreed to give half of her $7 million settlement in 2016 but as of this year, she had paid less than half of the commitment. 

The most recent installment was made in December 2018 and in 2019 Dougherty said the ACLU contacted Heard about continuing payments and was told she was having “financial difficulties.”

He said Heard had directly paid $350,000 to the ACLU. A $100,000 check from Depp, a $500,000 payment from a donor-advised fund at Vanguard that Dougherty said the organization believes is associated with Elon Musk, Heard’s ex-boyfriend, and a $350,000 payment from a donor-advised fund at Fidelity that he believes also came from Musk, rounded out the payments. 

Actor Amber Heard speaks to her legal team in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Thursday, April 28, 2022. 
(Michael Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)

ELON MUSK AND AMBER HEARD: THE BOMBSHELL REVELATIONS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK

In total, she was credited with donating $1.3 million, with the majority of that appearing to come from Musk and Depp. 

“So it’s fair to say she has not donated $3.5 million as of today?” Depp’s lawyer questioned Dougherty in his video testimony from last December. 

Actor Johnny Depp returns after a break at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Thursday, April 28, 2022. 
(Michael Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)

“True,” Dougherty answered. 

After her divorce, Heard announced she would donate the money.

“As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves,” she said in a statement at the time, according to People magazine. 

Musk emailed the ACLU’s CEO in 2017, after he started dating Heard, explaining that his girlfriend intended to satisfy her $3.5 million pledge over 10 years, Dougherty testified but said that time commitment wasn’t “specifically confirmed.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends the opening of the Tesla factory Berlin Brandenburg in Gruenheide, Germany on March 22, 2022. Musk dated Amber Heard after her divorce and the ACLU believes he helped Heard with some of her pledged donation to the organization. 
(Patrick Pleul/Pool Photo via AP, File)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Dougherty also testified that the ACLU drafted the op-ed that Heard penned, claiming Depp had abused her during their marriage. The Washington Post op-ed is at the center of Depp’s defamation case. He denies the allegations. 

Heard planned to give the remaining $3.5 million from her $7 million divorce settlement to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. It’s unclear if she fulfilled that commitment. 

In July, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft said, the actress “has always said she fully intends to continue to give the full $7 million, but she can’t do it yet. She will do it when she can. But she has given a significant amount,” Vanity Fair reported. 

Read original article here

Sports

Kirk Cousins signing one-year, $35M extension with Vikings thru 2023

Leave a comment

Kirk Cousins is staying put in Minnesota through at least 2023.

The Vikings are signing Cousins to a one-year, $35 million fully guaranteed extension that puts him under contract through 2023, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Minnesota later announced it had agreed in principle to an extension with Cousins.

Cousins gets a raise to $40 million in 2022 with $55 million payable by next March and a no-trade clause, Pelissero added. The new deal also allows Minnesota to save almost $14 million against the salary cap.

Although the Vikings had received trade interest in Cousins in recent weeks, new head coach Kevin O’Connell had been clear about wanting to work with the veteran passer, saying in mid-February that he anticipated Cousins “being a part of what we do.”

A three-time Pro Bowler, with two of those selections earned during his four seasons with the Vikings, Cousins is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. However, the Vikings went 8-9 last year and failed to make the postseason for the third time in four seasons with Cousins under center.

Nonetheless, Cousins continues to break the bank. As noted by Pelissero, between two franchise tags during his time in Washington and three deals in Minnesota, Cousins has secured fully guaranteed contracts for eight straight seasons. And if the Cousins-O’Connell combo leads to a big 2021 season, Cousins might well be back working on another new deal around this same time next year.



Read original article here

Entertainment

George Clooney explains why he turned down $35M payday for ‘one day’s work’ on airline ad

Leave a comment

Clooney criticizes Hillary Clinton

George Clooney has no problem saying no.

The 60-year-old actor is known as one of Hollywood’s most famous and bankable stars and after years of making millions, he’s comfortable with the fortune he’s amassed.

Clooney recently spoke with The Guardian about his upcoming directorial feature “The Tender Bar” and was asked whether he is satisfied with the money he’s earned.

“Well, yeah,” he admitted. “I was offered $35m for one day’s work for an airline commercial, but I talked to Amal [his wife] about it and we decided it’s not worth it.”

GEORGE CLOONEY CRITICIZES ONLOOKERS WHO FILMED HIM AFTER 2018 MOTORBIKE CRASH IN ITALY

George Clooney revealed that he once turned down $35 million for a single day’s work on an airline ad. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner / Getty Images)

The “Midnight Sky” star, who has been known to participate in advertising for companies like Nespresso, also revealed what exactly compelled him to turn down the hefty payday.

“It was [associated with] a country that, although it’s an ally, is questionable at times, and so I thought: ‘Well, if it takes a minute’s sleep away from me, it’s not worth it,’” he explained.

GEORGE CLOONEY REVEALS HOPE FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE AFTER ITS ‘GREAT DEAL’ OF FAILURES: ‘YOU CAN’T GIVE UP’

Clooney and Amal, a 43-year-old human rights attorney, first married in 2014. They share 4-year-old twins Ella and Alexander.

Clooney and his wife, Amal, decided that the airline was associated with a ‘questionable’ country, so he passed on the project. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Despite being one of Tinseltown’s more recognizable faces, Clooney has slowed down in recent years when it comes to accepting on-screen roles.

“In general, there just aren’t that many great parts,” he said of his thinning resume. “And, look, I don’t have to act.”

GEORGE CLOONEY RULES OUT A CAREER IN POLITICS, SAYS JOE BIDEN IS ‘STRUGGLING WITH TRUMP’S LEGACY’

Clooney said that when he turned 60 in May, he and Amal had a discussion about their high-profile careers.

Clooney said that he and Amal have made a point not to ‘book ourselves silly.’ (Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

“I said: ‘I can still bounce around pretty good, and we both love what we do. But we gotta make sure we don’t book ourselves silly,’” the actor shared. “So, part of it is just us making sure we live our lives.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

However, he doesn’t plan on stopping altogether, as he said he’s about to head to Australia to shoot “Ticket to Paradise” with Julia Roberts before teaming up with Brad Pitt for another film in the summer.

Read original article here

US

Florida fines county $3.5M for violating vaccine mandate ban

Leave a comment

The Florida Department of Health issued its first fine to a county that allegedly violated the state’s ban on vaccine mandates, the department announced this week. 

Leon County, which includes the capital of Tallahassee, balked at the $3.5 million fine, claiming its vaccination requirement and subsequent firing of 14 employees were legal and accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of being political.

“The governor’s position in this instance, unfortunately, appears to be less of a public health strategy and more about political strategy,” Leon County Administrator Vincent Long said. 

DeSantis said Tuesday, “No one should lose their job because of COVID shots,” while announcing the fine on Twitter. “We must protect the jobs of Floridians and preserve the ability of Floridians to make their own decisions regarding what shots to take.”

PSAKI: ABBOTT AND DESANTIS’ POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED VACCINE MANDATE POLITICS WILL KILL PEOPLE 

The state said the county had violated Florida’s “vaccine passport” law, which prohibits businesses and governments from requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

“These are people that, presumably, have been serving throughout this whole time and now all of a sudden they’re basically getting kicked to the curb,” DeSantis said in a news conference about the fired employees.

The law can result in $5,000 per violation. 

“It is unacceptable that Leon County violated Florida law, infringed on current and former employees’ medical privacy, and fired loyal public servants because of their personal health decisions,” DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske said in a release. “Governor DeSantis will continue fighting for Floridians’ rights and the Florida Department of Health will continue to enforce the law.”

DeSantis said Tuesday, “No one should lose their job because of COVID shots,” while announcing the fine on Twitter. The Florida Department of Health fined Leon County $3.5 million Tuesday for requiring vaccines. 
(Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

President Biden announced a federal vaccine mandate last month for businesses with more than 100 employees, which hasn’t gone into effect yet and the Florida law is being challenged in court. 

“We don’t need the state bullying our communities or private businesses who are simply trying to serve the people and get on the other side of this pandemic,” Democratic state Sen. Loranne Ausley said. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The state is investigating dozens of local governments and businesses for potential violations of the law, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

“Firing hard-working employees over vaccine passports has real and lasting consequences,” Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said in a statement. “It leads to resentment in the workplace, and loss of employment impacts individual and public health. Individuals have every right to choose how to best protect themselves and their families, and the Department will continue to enforce this law.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read original article here