Latest news with #WAFF
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kroger closing 60 stores across US: What shoppers need to know
Grocery chain Kroger announced it will close 60 stores across the United States over the next 18 months, representing about 5% of its 1,239 Kroger-branded locations operating in 16 states. The Cincinnati-based company disclosed the decision in a recent regulatory filing. Kroger will close 60 stores across the United States over the next 18 months.(REUTERS) "In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closing of approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months. As a result of these store closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit," the company said. Kroger said employees at affected stores will be offered positions at other nearby locations. While the company did not release a full list of affected locations, WAFF reported that the Kroger store at 1707 W. University Drive in McKinney, Texas, will be among those shutting down. "Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to close our McKinney store located at 1707 W. University Dr.," Kroger said in a statement to WAFF. 'This closure is part of a larger company-wide decision to run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business.' Also Read: Kroger under fire for 'Lazy' Juneteenth cakes Store Closures Follow Modest Sales Decline The announcement comes shortly after Kroger reported its first-quarter earnings, with sales falling slightly to $45.1 billion, compared to $45.3 billion during the same quarter last year. Despite the decline, Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent said the company made 'solid progress' in several key areas. 'Kroger delivered solid first quarter results, with strong sales led by pharmacy, eCommerce and fresh. We made good progress in streamlining our priorities, enhancing customer focus, and running great stores to improve the shopping experience,' Ron Sargent said in a statement. 'Our commitment to driving growth in our core business and moving with speed positions us well for the future. We are confident in our ability to build on our momentum, deliver value for customers, invest in associates and generate attractive returns for shareholders.'
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Married Alabama Lunch Lady, 41, Fired After She Allegedly Confessed to Sexual Relationship with Student
Amy Nicole Wigginton, a former lunch lady at Lauderdale County High School in Florence, Ala., was terminated from her job after allegedly confessing to having a sexual relationship with a student. The Lauderdale County School Board voted unanimously to fire Wigginton, 41, on Monday, April 21, Times Daily reported, citing Superintendent Jerry Hill. Court documents state that Wigginton, who is married, allegedly waived her Miranda rights when being questioned by police and confessed to having intimate relations with a student "under the age of 19" on school grounds on March 7 and March 31, per local news outlet ABC WAAY 31. According to court documents, Wigginton, who is from Rogersville, Ala., was charged with two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act on April 4, Fox 34 reported. Related: Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes Allegedly Said She 'Dreamed' of Sex with Students, Then Revealed Bizarre Regret: Police She was previously placed on administrative leave upon her arrest, but has now been officially fired from her post. The age of consent in Alabama is 16, but sexual abuse charges involving victims up to the age of 18 can be filed if the suspect is a school employee, according to Alabama state law. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Wigginton was booked at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond that she posted shortly after her arrest, per the Daily Mail and WAFF. The high school employee is married and has several children whom she often posts on Facebook. 'The Lauderdale County Board of Education is aware of the allegations, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave," the school district said in a statement previously issued to WAFF. "We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials, and have no further comment on this matter.' Related: Texas Teacher Accused of Sex with Male Student After Allegedly Texting Him to Meet Up: Authorities PEOPLE reached out to the Lauderdale County School District for comment on Friday, April 25, but did not receive an immediate response. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Associated Press
Bank robbery suspect was killed and 2 others were injured in an exchange of gunfire, officials say
FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — A law enforcement officer shot and killed a bank robbery suspect Tuesday in north Alabama during an exchange of gunfire, state officials said. A police officer and a bystander were also wounded during the shooting. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the fatal shooting that occurred in Florence. Louis Michael Hill, 26, of Rogersville was killed in the shooting, the agency said. Deputies with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office and officers with the Florence Police Department were responding to a call about a bank robbery, a news release from the state agency said. The suspect's vehicle became disabled during a chase. 'While attempting to steal another vehicle, Hill presented a firearm and fired at law enforcement officers. Officers returned fire, fatally wounding Hill,' state agency officials wrote in the news release. The agency said a person in the vehicle that the suspect was attempting to steal, as well as an officer with the Florence Police Department, were struck by gunfire. Their injuries were not life-threatening. Center Star Fire/Rescue, a small fire department in north Alabama, identified one of its firefighters, Grace McClusky, as the injured bystander. The department wrote in a Facebook post that McClusky came upon the scene of the car crash and 'immediately pulled over to render aid, unaware that the individual involved was engaged in a police pursuit with local law enforcement.' 'Without hesitation, she acted in accordance with her training, prioritizing the well-being of those in need,' the department wrote. The fire department said McClusky is recovering at home. A witness told WAFF that the man began shooting after crashing his car. 'And he got out and ran toward another red car and tried to open the door. He couldn't get into the car, so you could see where he gave up and just made his way to the police officers just aiming at them and shooting at them.' Kaden Agee told WAFF.
Observer
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman U23 team crowned WAFF champions
MUSCAT, MARCH 26 The Oman Olympic (U-23) national team was crowned champions of the sixth edition of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U23 Championship after a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Jordan in the final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Tuesday. This marks Oman's first-ever title in the WAFF U23 Championship and a historic achievement for national head coach Badr al Maimani, who took charge of the team just 10 days before the tournament kicked off. The match began at a fast pace, with the Jordanian team dominating the early proceedings through an aggressive attacking strategy and multiple attempts to threaten the Omani goal. In response, the Omani side relied on quick counterattacks. Despite both teams exchanging chances, the first half lacked any real danger for the most part. Oman's most notable chance in the first half came in the 24th minute, when Osama al Mahrouqi broke down the right flank and delivered a cross that bypassed the Jordanian defence but was poorly finished by Luqman al Jadeedi, who shot wide. Jordan maintained pressure, but Oman's well-organised defence, led by goalkeeper Mazin al Harrasi, thwarted all attempts. In the 36th minute, Sultan al Marzuq sent a powerful shot as a warning sign. Minutes later, in the 43rd minute, he opened the scoring for Oman with a superb strike from outside the box, skillfully evading the Jordanian defenders and sending the ball past the keeper into the right corner. The first half ended with Oman leading 1-0. Jordan came out with clear attacking intent in the second half, creating several chances — most notably a header by Ayham al Samarnah that narrowly missed the left post. Omani goalkeeper Mazin al Harrasi continued to shine, stopping a dangerous one-on-one opportunity from Saif Darwish in the 52nd minute. Oman nearly doubled their lead in the 60th minute after a Jordanian goalkeeper error, but defender Jaafar al Samarnah cleared the ball off the line. Jordan finally equalised in the 74th minute through Badr Kalboona, who converted a corner with a well-placed header, levelling the match at 1-1. Tactical Substitutions Following the equaliser, Oman's coach made tactical substitutions, bringing on Abdulaziz al Shaqsi and Abdulalim al Rawahi for Nasser al Saqri and Ali al Balushi. The changes reignited Oman's attacking momentum, culminating in a stunning overhead kick goal by Turki Bait Rabia in the 86th minute, capitalising on confusion in the Jordanian defence following a double bicycle kick delivered by Ahad al Mashaikhi. In stoppage time, specifically the 93rd minute, Ahad al Mashaikhi sealed the victory with a brilliant free-kick goal, confirming Oman's superiority and their historic championship win. Oman U23 player Mohammed Bait Subeea expressed immense joy following the victory, dedicating the win to Omani fans who supported the team throughout the tournament. In a post-match statement, he said: 'We congratulate the Omani public on this achievement. Many may not have expected this level of performance, but as players and technical staff, we remained united from the start. We didn't use the circumstances as an excuse but rather as motivation to fight until the end.' He added, 'The tournament was held on our home soil and in front of our fans. We had determination until the final whistle. The players fulfilled their roles on and off the field, and today we are reaping the rewards of our commitment and sacrifices.' Bait Subeea praised the coaching staff for their confidence in the players despite the short preparation time. The trophy ceremony was overseen by Shaikh Mohsin al Masroori, a member of the WAFF Executive Committee; Qutaiba al Ghailani, a board member of the Oman Football Association; and Mustafa al Hosni, the tournament director. They awarded Oman's players with gold medals and the championship trophy, while Jordan's players received silver medals as runners-up. Individual awards were also presented. Sultan al Marzuq was named best player of the tournament, goalkeeper Mazin al Harrasi won best goalkeeper award and Jordan's Bakr Kalboona claimed the top-scorer award. The referees of the final match were also honoured for their efforts. In the final rankings, Syria claimed third place, followed by Bahrain in fourth, Saudi Arabia in fifth, Kuwait sixth, UAE seventh and Lebanon eighth. In the final round of matches, Syria defeated Bahrain 1-0, Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait 2-0, and the UAE triumphed over Lebanon 3-0. PICS BY Abdulwahid Al Hamadani
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama police officer's murder trial will proceed, court rules
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The immunity hearing for an Alabama police officer charged with murder will proceed in March, a criminal appeals court ruled, after finding no evidence to support the officer's accusation that the judge overseeing the case improperly divulged his intentions to rule against him. All five judges in the state criminal appeals court ruled that attorneys for former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette failed to present 'any sworn affidavit or factual evidence' that proved Alabama circuit court judge Charles Elliot had compromised his integrity in the case. Marquette's lawyers filed an appeal with the state criminal appeals court after Elliot denied their motion that he recuse himself. Marquette is charged with murder for fatally shooting Steve Perkins in 2023 while accompanying a tow-truck driver to repossess Perkins' truck. Marquette's lawyers said Perkins pointed a gun at the tow-truck driver, and that the officer should be granted immunity under 'stand your ground" laws, which remove the duty to retreat before using deadly force in the face of danger. A neighbor's home surveillance video, broadcast by WAFF, appears to show Marquette firing his weapon almost 20 times. The shooting sparked intense public outcry and protests across Decatur, a city of approximately 60,000 people in northern Alabama. Protesters and civil rights attorneys say Marquette didn't give Perkins time to follow his orders. In a petition to the state court of criminal appeals, Marquette's attorneys accused Elliot of engaging in improper communication outside of official court proceedings on multiple occasions, and called for a hearing to present evidence on those allegations. In at least one instance, Marquette's lawyers accused Elliot of telling Decatur Police Department Lt. Mike Burleson that he had already decided to deny Marquette immunity because of the high-profile nature of the case, and out of fear for the safety of his family and potential backlash in his 2026 reelection campaign. The petition cited an unidentified witness who told Marquette that they overheard the conversation. In a written affidavit, Elliot said defense lawyers filed the motion for his recusal 'recklessly and with disregard for the truth.' He said he had a longtime friendship with Burleson but vehemently denied that the conversation took place. The recusal petition also said Elliot attempted to 'intimidate' and 'bully' one defense attorney in a call made on a holiday outside of official court proceedings. The appeals court ruled that it was not improper for Elliot to call the defense attorney because the call was procedural. Attorneys for Marquette did not respond to an emailed request for comment Tuesday morning. A call to Elliot's office was not returned. The immunity hearing will begin March 25. ___ Riddle 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.
