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Willie Nelson looks back on 7 decades of songwriting in new book ‘Energy Follows Thought’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Willie starts with the words. It’s one of the surprising revelations in Willie Nelson ‘s new book, “Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs,” an examination of the 90-year-old country legend and soon-to-be Rock & Roll Hall of Famer ‘s seven decades of songwriting.While his guitar is practically an extension of his body at this point, he has always started the writing process by thinking up words rather than strumming chords. To him, it’s doing the hard part first.“The melodies are easier to write than the words,” Nelson told The Associated Press in an interview ahead of Tuesday’s release of his book.He does not, however, write those words down, not even on a napkin.“I have a theory,” he said, “that if you can’t remember ’em, it probably wasn’t that good.”Nelson actually started out as a poet of sorts. At age 6 in Depression-era Texas, he composed a verse in response to the looks he got when he picked his nose and...

White House lays out early framework for regulating AI development, growth

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order on Monday laying out the ground rules and guardrails for the explosive development and growth of artificial intelligence. The order requires the industry to establish standards for safety and security, as well as safeguards to ensure the protection of consumer and privacy rights. The White House is billing the order as the most sweeping actions any government has taken to date to confront both the promise and the perils of AI. Canada was among several U.S. allies that Biden administration officials say were consulted on the proposal in the months leading up to its release. “Canada welcomes the strong action from the White House to ensure safety, security, and trust in the use of AI,” Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement. Champagne and Vice-President Kamala Harris were among the government officials making their way to London for a summit Tuesday on AI with U.K. Pri...

Ohio woman accused of killing 4 men with fatal fentanyl doses to rob them pleads not guilty

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman who authorities say killed four men with lethal doses of fentanyl in order to rob them pleaded not guilty to murder charges on Monday. Rebecca Auborn entered her plea in court accompanied by her attorney, Mark Hunt. Authorities said there are likely more victims, and the investigation is ongoing. Auborn 33, of Columbus, is accused of killing the men and nearly killing a fifth man after meeting them for sex in Columbus between December 2022 and June 2023. Authorities did not identify the men. Auburn had already pleaded not guilty last month to murder and drug-related charges in connection with one of the men’s deaths.She will continue to be held without bond.__Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.Samantha Hendrickson, The Associated Press

Illinois man pleads not guilty to hate crime and murder charges in attack on Muslim mother and son

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A man accused of murder, attempted murder and a hate crime in an attack on a Palestinian American woman and her young son pleaded not guilty Monday following his indictment by an Illinois grand jury.Joseph Czuba, 71, is charged in the fatal stabbing of six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and the wounding of Hanaan Shahin on Oct. 14. Authorities said the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith.Shahin told police that Czuba, her landlord in Plainfield in Will County, was upset over the Israel-Hamas war and attacked them after she had urged him to “pray for peace.”Shahin, 32, is recovering from multiple stab wounds. Hundreds of people attended her son’s funeral on Oct. 16.The murder charge in the indictment against Czuba describes the boy’s death as the result of “exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior.”Czuba appeared in court Monday wearing a red jail uniform, socks and slippers. His attorney George Lenard entered the not guilty plea. Czuba did not speak, l...

Tarantula causes crash in Death Valley; motorcyclist hospitalized

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) - A tarantula crossing the highway in Death Valley National Park caused a crash that sent a motorcyclist to the hospital, according to the National Park Service. On Saturday afternoon, a couple was driving on California State Route 190 when they suddenly hit the brakes to avoid hitting a tarantula crossing the road. A 24-year-old motorcyclist then crashed into the back of the couple's camper van, according to NPS. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital in Pahrump, Nevada. His condition is unknown at this time. “Please drive slowly, especially going down steep hills in the park,” Superintendent Mike Reynolds, who was the first NPS employee on the scene said. “Our roads still have gravel patches due to flood damage, and wildlife of all sizes are out.”  These cars and trucks are stolen most often in Nevada, crime data shows Tarantulas spend most of their long lives in underground burrows. However, they are seen most often in the fall, when 8- to 10-year-old male ta...

Ken Paxton to face criminal trial next year on securities fraud charges

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.HOUSTON (Nexstar) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will go to trial on April 15, 2024, after eight years of delays in a case relating to two felony indictments for securities fraud.Paxton appeared in a Houston courtroom Monday morning for a pretrial hearing. He is facing charges that allege he broke state securities regulations and failed to disclose stock transactions to the state. That case has been delayed since 2015.Paxton was acquitted of 14 articles of impeachment by the Texas Senate in September, but the jury of senators did not consider the charges of securities fraud. Paxton's special prosecutors say this case, in a real courtroom with an impartial jury and real threats of prison time, will be different."The Senate was just a complete farce," prosecutor Kent Schaffer said. "This case is going to be different. There will be evidence, rules of evidence will be followed. And I t...

22-year-old hospitalized after Coeymans boating accident

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

COEYMANS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Saturday, the Albany County Sheriff's Office responded to the Port of Coeymans to assist with a boating injury involving a 22-year-old. Deputies say the man had his leg crushed between a boat and a barge. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! When deputies arrived, the man was stuck and unable to move, quickly losing consciousness. Deputies, Coeymans Police, and EMS personnel were able to free the victim.He was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital via ambulance. Deputies say the injuries suffered are non-life-threatening.

John Mellencamp to perform in Schenectady

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- John Mellencamp is coming to Schenectady. He is set to perform at Proctors Theatre on March 14, 2024. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This concert announcement comes after Mellencamp canceled his sold-out Albany stop at the Palace Theatre for June 13. No reason for the cancellation was made public.Mellencamp’s “Live and In Person 2024” Tour is set to begin in Rochester on March 8 and end in Savannah, Georgia on April 23. This is an extension of his sold-out "Live and In Person 2023" Tour. Sold-out John Mellencamp concert in Albany canceled Mellencamp's 25th studio album "Orpheus Descending" was released in June. He is best known for the 1980s songs "Jack & Diane," "Hurts So Good," and "Small Town."Artist presale tickets go on sale November 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 3 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Proctors website.

Man arrested and charged with attacking 3 people in Central West End Sunday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A shocking attack occurred in the Central West End on Sunday morning. This happened just before 9:00 a.m. near Euclid and West Pine.Police said Anthony McGee, 19, approached a family and hit one person over the head with a glass bottle. The attacker then tried to grab an infant, then choked an elderly woman and broke her arm. All three victims needed medical treatment but are expected to be okay. Second Missouri teacher suspended for OnlyFans account Police revealed that McGee was later arrested after a short chase on foot. His charges include first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, and resisting arrest.

Georgia man dies in Missouri semi truck crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:25:31 GMT

PHELPS, COUNTY, Mo. -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol says that a Georgia man was killed in a crash involving a semi truck on Sunday. Mohamed Aden, 25, was killed in the crash and a 25-year-old man traveling with him was seriously injured. Second Missouri teacher suspended for OnlyFans account The crash happened at around 7:45 a.m. on westbound I-44 near the 200-mile marker. The truck drove off of the left side of the road and collided with another semi truck that was involved in an earlier crash.Aden was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for his injuries.