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City drops charges against pastor as sides negotiate over Ohio church's 24/7 ministry
(AP) -- An Ohio city is dropping criminal charges against a pastor over his around-the-clock ministry to the homeless and others in need of help while the two sides work to end the dispute that has landed in federal court. A municipal prosecutor this week moved to dismiss code violation charges against Dad's Place church Pastor Chris Avell. A lawsuit filed last month by the church accuses the city of Bryan of trying to repeatedly harass and intimidate it. The lawsuit remains pending, but a lawyer for the city told a federal judge on Monday that a mediation session last week "was productive and the parties continue to pursue resolution."
Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes just south of Hawaii's Big Island
HONOLULU (AP) -- The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck just south of the Big Island of Hawaii. The earthquake was centered 11 miles south of Naalehu, Hawaii at a depth of 6 miles. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami is expected. Some shaking could be felt in Honolulu on the island of Oahu which is about 200 miles to the north. The USGS initially reported it as a magnitude 6.3 quake but downgraded it a short time later. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency posted on X that "Many areas may have experienced strong shaking," from the earthquake.
Fire causes extensive damage to iconic Chicago restaurant
CHICAGO (AP) -- Authorities say an overnight fire caused extensive damage to an iconic Chicago restaurant that's known for its breakfasts and is filled with decades of memorabilia. Firefighters were called to the Palace Grill around 10 p.m. Thursday. Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford says the fire caused no injuries but there was extensive damage to the interior of the restaurant. The Palace Grill opened in 1938 on Chicago's Near West Side and has long been a popular spot for hockey players, police officers and firefighters.
An Oklahoma judge who sent more than 500 texts during a murder trial resigns
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Oklahoma judge who sent more than 500 texts to her bailiff during a murder trial will resign. In a settlement agreement filed Thursday with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary, District Judge Traci Soderstrom agreed to resign on Friday and never again seek a judicial office in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kane IV had recommended Soderstrom be removed from the bench following an investigation that found she mocked prosecutors, laughed at the bailiff's comment about a prosecutor's genitals, praised the defense attorney and called the prosecutor's key witness a liar.
Flu hangs on in US, fading in some areas and intensifying in others
NEW YORK (AP) -- Flu is hanging on in the U.S., intensifying in some areas of the country after weeks of an apparent national decline. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its flu data on Friday. It shows a continued national decline in flu hospitalizations. But it also shows increases in other indicators -- including the number of states with high or very high levels for respiratory illnesses. Flu-like illnesses seem to be proliferating in the Midwest. Last week, those illnesses were at high levels in 23 states -- up from 18 the week before.