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El Salvador’s president is running for reelection, though critics say the constitution prohibits him

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has registered to run for reelection next year, his party announced Monday, despite objections from legal experts and opposition figures who say the country’s constitution prohibits his candidacy.The constitutional question may not play a big role in the 2024 race, because Bukele’s approval ratings are running above 80% in many polls, following a reduction in crime stemming from his harsh-but-popular crackdown on gangs. Also, a top court panel picked by his allies has ruled that he can run.Bukele’s New Ideas party announced his registration and that of Vice President Félix Ulloa via Twitter Monday.“New Ideas are invincible,” the party wrote.Bukele is popular in El Salvador but considered controversial internationally. He announced in September that he planned to seek a second five-year term. That came after the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, handpicked by his supporters in congress, ruled in 2021...

How does Casa Bonita's wait staff pay stack up to other Colorado jobs?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Casa Bonita's no-tip pay compares well to the metro area. Axios Denver reported Casa Bonita changed compensation schedules for wait and bar staff from tipped to non-tipped. Formerly, wait and bar staff would make $14.27 or $15.27 an hour plus tips. Before the grand reopening, employees were asked to sign new contracts that dropped tips entirely but raised the wage to $30 an hour. A Casa Bonita spokeswoman confirmed to Axios that Casa Bonita was indeed changing its compensation system based on a beta testing. Restaurants have experimented with various no-tip policies in the U.S. since the 1920s, generally to mixed reactions from the public who don't want to pay higher prices and workers who would rely on tips. Axios reported Casa Bonita believes the no-tip model will work best with its unique customer payment model, which has an all-inclusive entry fee rather than menu prices. Facts you may not know about Casa Bonita At $30 an hour, Casa Bonita staff would be maki...

Highlands Ranch tornado victims targeted by scammers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Days after a tornado damaged homes, tore down trees and knocked over fences in Highlands Ranch, the sheriff's office was responding to reports of scammers.According to a tweet, the DougCo sheriff was alerted about people trying to take advantage of impacted homeowners. Photos: Damage caused by Highlands Ranch tornado, severe storms in Denver area If you believe you're being targeted or have seen a potential scammer, you should contact the non-emergency dispatch line for your local police department. In this case, the number for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is 303-660-7500.If possible, getting the license plate number for a vehicle the suspected scammer is in will help police track them down and determine their legitimacy. The tweet included reminders from the United Way about disaster scammers and red flags to look out for:One-day-only discountsAggressive sales pitchesRequirement of upfront paymentYou've never heard of the company, and it does not have a lo...

Where does the rollout of Colorado's psychedelics law stand now?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- In November 2022, Colorado residents voted to decriminalize the personal use of certain plants and fungi, "natural medicine" as it is called in the law, for people 21 and older.They also voted to legalize access to natural medicine for people 21 and older within "healing centers," or state-licensed facilities.These healing centers aren't available yet, but there is a timeline for when these centers will be able to start operating.What is the timeline now?Since November 2022, a few key steps have already been taken for the creation of healing centers. Namely, Gov. Polis appointed the initial Natural Medicine Advisory Board in January.Some of the steps must be done "on or before" or "no later than" the listed dates:Sept. 30, 2023 - The board will make initial recommendations to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). It will then make recommendations on an annual basis.Jan. 1, 2024 - Rules for qualifications, education and training requirements for faci...

LaSalle police officer indicted on murder charge

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A LaSalle police officer who shot a person during a suspicious vehicle call has been indicted by a grand jury.Officer Erik Hernandez was working on an investigation after a suspicious vehicle call on May 3 when he and another officer encountered 31-year-old Juston Reffel at the Family Dollar in LaSalle. Judge sentences Club Q shooter with 5 life terms According to a release from the Weld County District Attorney's Office, Reffel ran from the officers and got in his vehicle.As Reffel was pulling away Hernandez fired four shots and hit him in the "upper torso," according to the DA.Reffel was pronounced dead at the scene.The shooting was investigated and presented to a grand jury, which issued an indictment for one charge of second-degree murder.Hernandez's bond was set at $50,000 and he is set to appear in court next in August.

Man who partied with victims prior to fatal boat crash near PortMiami speaks out

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a night of celebration on the water turned into a devastating tragedy when a 32-foot boat collided with a Fisher Island ferry just off PortMiami. The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Angel Dominguez, 29, was discovered in the water following the collision and was promptly rescued by passengers aboard the ferry. Dominguez was swiftly transported to Ryder Trauma Center with serious injuries but is currently in stable condition.“En route to the hospital, the patient did mention to us, he began asking for his friend, so at that point, we were notified that there was actually a second occupant in the boat,” Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez said.Miami Fire Rescue Dive Team initiated a search and, unfortunately, discovered the lifeless body of Cristian Fernandez, 27. The news came as a shock to Russell Ramirez, who spoke with 7News about the incident. “We met on the party on the boat that we were on,” said Ramirez. “We had ju...

Hialeah Councilman calls for investigation into crisis plaguing city’s emergency response system

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

Hialeah Councilman Bryan Calvo held a press conference Monday to address a dire situation confronting the city’s emergency response system. Calvo called for an immediate investigation into the alarming number of missed or abandoned emergency calls, totaling over 32,000 since 2021. “In the past two years, the city of Hialeah has missed over 32,000 thousand calls to its 911 to its operators,” Calvo said. He also pointed to multiple sources that documented deterioration in service, as well as a March 2022 report, he said, was commissioned by the mayor. “This report showed, and I quote, ‘That the city’s 911 system is woefully understaffed,'” Calvo said. “According to the report, ‘The unit is grossly neglected and needs immediate attention.'”In March of this year, a call center worker took his concerns to the council. “The future outlook for our division is poor if drastic changes are not made,” the call worker sa...

Ticket sales and anticipation are high ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — There are reminders around the city of Miami of Lionel Messi’s impending arrival: A mural of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner painted with pink and black Inter Miami colors in the artsy Wynwood neighborhood. Another painting of the soccer star at the entrance of a local Argentinian restaurant. No. 10 Argentina jerseys sprinkled throughout the city.Messi, who turned 36 this month, announced on June 7 that he was joining Inter Miami in a move that stunned the soccer world and will bring one of the sport’s biggest names to the United States and Miami, where enthusiasm for the sport has been growing over the years.Messi, who spent the past two years with Paris Saint-Germain is still finalizing paperwork with his new club, but he is expected to make his Inter Miami debut at a July 21 home game against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.The move is hoped to provide a huge boost to attendance and interest in Major League Soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup, part of which will be hos...

Key West Shrimp Toast / Ocean Social, Miami Beach

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

The Chef: Tristen EppsThe Restaurant: Ocean Social, Miami BeachThe Dish: Key West Shrimp ToastIngredients:1 lb Peeled Shrimp8 oz Chopped cooked Shrimp1 Egg White2 tbsp Fish Sauce1 tbsp Aji Amarillo1 tbsp oz Paprika4¼ oz Cream Cheese1 Lime, juiced and zest½ oz Chopped Scallions¼ oz Chopped Cilantro12 slices Brioche BreadMethod of Preparation:Puree peeled shrimp until smooth.Scrape down, add in egg white, fish sauce, aji amarillo, paprika, and lime.Puree until smooth, scrape down sides.Add in cream cheese and puree.Fold in herbs and chopped shrimp.Spread mousse between two pieces of brioche bread. Press down slightly and bake at 300 degrees until the mousse is cooked.Chill for approximately 20 minutes until room temperature, then brown in butter over medium-low to medium heat (just until bread is crispy), cut and serve.Ocean Social(located in Eden Roc Miami Beach)4525 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140(786) 961-6043www.edenrochotelmiami.com

Wagner and Russia are here to stay in Africa, says Lavrov

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

PARIS – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has vowed Wagner’s operations in Mali and the Central African Republic “will continue” despite the failed rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner Group.The paramilitary group has expanded its reach across Latin America, the Middle East and Africa in recent years and it has been seen by western governments as Russia’s armed foreign policy apparatus. Prigozhin’s mutiny raised questions about the future of its overseas operations.Prigozhin led an uprising against Vladimir Putin’s army on Friday, first seizing the major southern city of Rostov-on-Don and sending his mercenary forces on a march to Moscow before abruptly standing down his men a day later. In Africa, where the group is present in the Central African Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso, Wagner offers its services and help to prop up anti-Western governments in exchange for access to natural resources.“At their request, several hundred servicemen are...