5 Aug 2024

St. Paul officer cited for DWI after off-duty, fiery crash into vacant building

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A St. Paul police officer was cited for DWI Monday after law enforcement says he collided his vehicle into a building while off-duty last week.

Officers were called to the Dayton’s Bluff area early Thursday. The driver crashed into a vacant building at Third and Maple streets and the Dodge Durango, which police say was the officer’s personal vehicle, started on fire. The blaze spread to the building and firefighters extinguished it.

A vehicle crashed into a vacant building on Aug. 1, 2024, in the 700 block of East Third Street. (Courtesy of the St. Paul Fire Department)

Bryan James McKinnon, 30, of St. Paul, was the only person in the vehicle and told law enforcement he was driving, according to the citation. The Minnesota State Patrol said they noted signs of impairment while speaking with McKinnon and gave him field sobriety tests. He declined a portable breath test, the citation said.

At the hospital, the State Patrol said they obtained a fluid sample for testing and results are pending, according to the citation.

The St. Paul City Attorney’s Office cited McKinnon for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and fourth-degree driving while impaired, which are both misdemeanors.

No attorney was listed for McKinnon in his court file as of Monday afternoon and McKinnon couldn’t be reached for comment.

McKinnon has been a St. Paul officer since 2022 and works in the Eastern District as a patrol officer. He will be working a desk job as the investigation is ongoing, according to the police department.

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5 Aug 2024

Venezuela’s opposition calls on armed forces to ditch support for Maduro in post-election crisis

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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition leaders are calling on the country’s armed forces to abandon their support of President Nicolás Maduro and stop repressing demonstrators who have come out in force to dispute the leader’s claim he prevailed in last Sunday’s election.

The armed forces are traditionally the arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela and have been key to Maduro’s grip on power ever since he took over the so-called Bolivarian revolution in 2013 from his mentor, the late Hugo Chávez.

So far, they’ve shown no signs of ditching Maduro even in the face of credible evidence presented by the opposition that it trounced the self-proclaimed socialist at the polls by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

In a message posted Monday on social media, Edmundo González — who the U.S. and a half dozen countries have recognized as the victor — and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called on rank and file members of the security forces to rethink their loyalty.

“We appeal to the conscience of the military and police to put themselves on the side of the people and their families,” the two wrote in a long message.

“We won this election without any doubt. It was an electoral avalanche,” the two continued. “Now it’s up to all of us to respect the voice of the people.”

Authorities have declared Maduro the victor in last Sunday’s election but have yet to produce voting tallies to prove he won. The opposition claims to have collected records from more than 80% of the 30,000 polling booths nationwide showing it won.

Maduro announced Saturday that the government has arrested 2,000 opponents and at a rally in Caracas he pledged to detain more people and send them to prison. The post-electoral uprising has also claimed at least 11 deaths, according to Foro Penal, a Caracas-based human rights group.

González and Machado in their missive called on Venezuelans with family members serving in the security forces to urge their loved ones not to attack protesters and obey illegal orders. It said it would offer “guarantees” to soldiers who follow the constitution even while promising there would be no impunity for those behind abuses and following illegal orders.

Both González, a former diplomat, and Machado — who was barred by the government from running — have gone into hiding, saying they fear they will be arrested or killed. Maduro and his cadres have threatened to lock them both up.

As Venezuelans fight Maduro on the streets, pressure is also building internationally for the Venezuelan government to publish the full breakdown of the electoral results.

But so far, Maduro has instead asked the country’s supreme court — which like all institutions in Venezuela is packed with loyalists — to review any claims of irregularities.

“Respect for popular sovereignty is what moves us to defend the transparency of the (election) results,” Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Monday in a press conference alongside fellow leftist President Gabriel Boric of Chile.

Boric, who cast doubt on Maduro’s victory claim in an unexpectedly strong statement within hours of Venezuela’s July 28 election, told reporters that he and Lula discussed the situation in Venezuela on Monday, without elaborating. The leaders did not take questions and their carefully worded statements signaled how leftist leaders in the region are gingerly trying to show respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty while voicing doubts about the official results.

A few of Maduro’s staunch allies — including Russia, China and Cuba — have applauded his victory. On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone call with Maduro and reiterated his congratulations and “condemned any foreign interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs,” Pezeshkian’s office said.

—

AP Writers Joshua Goodman in Miami and Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed to this report.

5 Aug 2024

Photos: Paris Olympics celebrity sightings

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Celebrity spotting is part of 2024 Paris Olympics. A-listers and top athletes from Tom Brady and Nicole Kidman to Natalie Portman and Serena Williams have gathered to see American superstar gymnast Simone Biles perform. Recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce went along to watch the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team and walked away as an honorary super fan. And Snoop Dogg become has become a star of the Paris Olympics, ascending to new heights with several memorable moments.

Snoop Dogg thumbs up as he watches the dressage team Grand Prix final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

Flavor Flav cheers the U.S. team during a women’s water polo Group B preliminary match between the United States and France, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Filmmaker Spike Lee is interviewed before a game between the United States and South Sudan in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Flavor Flav gestures prior to a women’s water polo group B preliminary match between Italy and USA, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Snoop Dogg attends the women’s pool C beach volleyball match between USA and France at Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Tony Hawk skates at La Concorde Urban Park before play resumes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

French musician Marc Cerrone performs during the DiscOlympics at Wanderlust night club at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Anna Wintour, Vogue editor, speaks with attendees at the women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Actor Tom Cruise, left in white, poses for pictures with fans as he attends the women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

ADDS CYNTHIA ERIVO AND LENA WAITHE – Ariana Grande, second from left, and her brother Frankie, left, attend the women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round with Cynthia Erivo, second from right, and Lena Waithe, right, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Actress Jessica Chastain cheers during a women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Indian singer Shaan performs during the inauguration of the Indian House at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

This photo released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services shows Canadian Singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)

Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Michelle Yeoh gestures in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Serena Williams arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Former Olympian Lindsey Vonn arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Kelly Clarkson arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Entertainer Ariana Grande arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Entertainers Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande arrive in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

U.S. rapper, artist, and designer Pharell Williams holds the Olympic torch as part of the 2024 Summer Olympics torch relay ahead of the opening ceremony in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Stephane De Sakutin/Pool Photo via AP)

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend arrive with their children, Miles, foreground left and Luna in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Baz Luhrmann, left, and Anna Wintour upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Spike Lee upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Mick Jagger, left, and Melanie Hamrick upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Queen Latifah upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Steven Spielberg upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Charlize Theron upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Snoop Dogg upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Flavor Flav gestures on the stage of the USA house at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart during the dressage team Grand Prix final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

Sharon Stone arrives for the Sport for Peace Gala in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Ryan Gosling attends the dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes attend the dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

Snoop Dogg attends the men’s team foil quarterfinal match during the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Grand Palais, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton smiles as he attends at the men’s team foil bronze final match between France and United States during the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Grand Palais, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, left, snowboarder Shaun White, right, and Nina Dobrev attend at the men’s team foil bronze final match between France and United States during the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Grand Palais, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady watches the United States play Italy in a beach volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

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Snoop Dogg thumbs up as he watches the dressage team Grand Prix final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

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5 Aug 2024

Top 7 places around the world for water adventures

by | posted in: Adventure | 0

Travel+Leisure magazine’s 50 Best Places to Travel is always a fun read, but this year’s category breakdown makes it even more wanderlust inducing. There’s a section of “Where to Go 2024” rankings for travelers looking for cultural immersion, food and drink (Sonoma County gets a shout out), big city thrills and more.

We’re finding the “moments on the water” list especially inspiring, with its mixture of Mississippi River and Norwegian fjord vibes, Alaskan cruises and Portuguese riverways.

Norway’s splashy attractions include the Salmon Eye, a mind-blowing, floating restaurant-meets-sculpture in Hardangerfjord near Bergen. It’s part art — the world’s largest floating art installation — part tasting menu and part aquaculture learning lab.

Alaska makes the top spot on the list, thanks to a surge of new offerings in the Inside Passage, from new cruise ships to a new port on Prince of Wales Island and a huge, floating dock in Skagway.

And the Faroe Islands — which are halfway between Iceland and Norway — are suddenly a hot spot for cold water surfing, spectacular hikes and Instagram-worthy landscapes, including a lake that sits above the ocean. (Yes, really.)

Sorvagsvatn lake sits above the cliffs of Vagar island, one of the Faroe Islands. (Getty Images)

Find the full list of Travel+Leisure’s top 50 spots at www.travelandleisure.com. Meanwhile, here’s just a peek.

Top 7 places for water adventures

1 Coastal Alaska

2 Coastal Norway

3 Douro River, Portugal

4 Faroe Islands, Denmark

5 Kimberley, Australia

6 Mississippi River

7 Queen Anne ship, Southampton, England