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Israeli Cabinet approves truce for hostages deal with Hamas; Palestinian prisoners also to be freed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a temporary cease-fire with the Hamas militant group that is expected to bring the first halt in fighting in a devastating six-week war and win freedom for dozens of hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.The deal calls for a four-day cease-fire, during which Israel will halt its military offensive in Gaza while Hamas frees “at least” 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it and other militants are holding, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The first hostages to be released are women and children.“The government of Israel is committed to bringing all of the hostages home. Tonight, the government approved the outline for the first stage of achieving this goal,” the office said in a statement. A statement released by Qatar, which mediates with Hamas, Wednesday morning said the deal includes “the release of a number of Palestinian women and children ...

Former Chalet Motel demolished in Lakewood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — A long-time eyesore in Lakewood is now reduced to rubble.On Tuesday, crews tore down the former Chalet Motel, built back in the 1950s, off West Alameda Avenue. Video shows suspects in 18 car break-ins in Highlands Ranch Project Manager Katie Faltys, with the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority, said they bought the property back in May from a willing seller.“We are super excited to have this opportunity,” Faltys said. “Again, this was a willing seller, willing buyer, so that was a key factor in this process. So the ability to just beautify the area will just be a catalyst on this part of town, and we’re excited to see the growth that comes out of this.”On Tuesday, crews tore down the former Chalet Motel, built back in the 1950s, off West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood. (KDVR)Former Lakewood motel a hotspot for crimeFOX31 was told the area has been a hotspot for criminal activity over the years.The Lakewood Police Department said it responded to 65 calls for servic...

Tax relief, TABOR checks and more: What passed in Colorado's special session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The special session wrapped at the Colorado Capitol on Monday night. Now that lawmakers have gone and tempers cooled a bit following contentious moments on the floor in both chambers, what did lawmakers accomplish to lower property taxes?As if Proposition HH passed, Colorado property taxes are only going to decrease a little bit, leading the governor and state lawmakers to push harder for long-term answers."With this action from the special session, along with tax relief that was passed in 2021 and 2022, we're saving Coloradans between $400-700 of what would have been a $1,000 increase," Gov. Jared Polis said during the bill signing for the property tax relief measure.The exact math depends on home price and location. Still, Polis is celebrating what he said the average family will save thanks to relief passed in the special session: It's around $300 for without the savings implemented during previous years. Trump ballot case to be heard by Colorado Supreme Co...

Survivors of terror attack at Israeli music festival share their stories at Miami Beach event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Survivors of the terror attack at an Israeli music festival gathered in South Florida on Tuesday to speak out and share a story that needs to be heard.The morning of Oct. 7 was the moment that life changed forever for the 3,000 people at the Nova Music Festival.“At 6:30, the music stopped and we realized that there is a massive attack,” said Millet Ben Haim.Ben Harim, 27, is now able to say that she is a survivor of the attack that killed nearly 1,400 Israelis.To survive, she hopped in a car with a few friends to try and escape.‘Hearing the shooting from everywhere, we decide that we have to ditch our cars and run toward the fields,” said Ben Harim. They were in the middle of big open fields, with few trees and few places to hide.As bullets flew near them, she finally found a place to hide in a ditch, covering herself with leaves.In another field, 24-year-old Yarin Levin was in a car driving down a dirt road to escape, when all of a sudden he saw Israelis dri...

South Florida woman discovers identity is stolen, used multiple times for people to open fraudulent rideshare driver accounts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Rideshare apps like Uber are used all the time, and many drivers are getting behind the wheel to help pay their bills. But when one South Florida woman tried to sign up, she got a startling surprise.7’s Karen Hensel investigates.The holiday season is right around the corner. It has people like Teresa Dotson looking for ways to make some extra money.Teresa Dotson/identity stolen: “Because at my job, I’m a server and I was like, ‘You know, let me make some extra cash.'”Last month, she signed up to be a driver on Uber.com.Teresa Dotson: “You put in your driver’s license and your date of birth. They had you to put in your maiden name, all that information.”That’s as far as she got because her account was immediately locked.Teresa Dotson: “That’s when I called support and support actually was the one who discovered that I had multiple accounts with them. I told them that I never signed up for Uber, and then they discovered...

American Airlines flight returned to MIA after fuel leak detected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

A fuel leak Tuesday night forced a plane back to the gate at Miami International.An American Airlines flight 1513 was set to take off for Guyana, when the crew detected the problem.Miami-Dade Fire Rescue met the jet on the tarmac.American Airlines released a statement, which reads as follows, “American Airlines flight 1513 from Miami (MIA) to Georgetown, Guyana (GEO) returned to the gate prior to departure due to a possible mechanical issue. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our team is working to get customers to Georgetown as soon as possible.”

Alex Diaz de la Portilla loses Miami commission race in runoff election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Following a mayor’s race in Miami Beach, changes are also coming to Miami City Hall.The closely-watched runoff contest was centered on the District 1’s Commission seat.Businessman Miguel Gabela on Tuesday defeated the embattled incumbent, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, by a margin of 54% to 46%.Diaz de la Portilla was recently charged with money laundering and bribery and was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Steven Meiner elected Miami Beach Mayor after winning runoff election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Miami Beach residents on Tuesday hit the polls and elected a new mayor. It was decision night on Miami Beach and Commissioner Steven Meiner will now be the city’s next mayor.“We never doubted it,” Meiner said. “I just kept hammering on the message, talking about what our residents care about.”Out of more 10,000 ballots that were casted, Meiner won with 54% of the vote compared to his opponent, former Commissioner Michael Gongora, who received 46%.The attorney ran on a law and order platform.“Protecting our residents, reducing crime, a safer city,” he said.Meiner also hopes to focus on infrastructure and development.“Mitigating traffic, responsible development, not over-development,” he said. “Resiliency issues that we need to address.”The election lead to this Thanksgiving week runoff after the top two candidates didn’t secure enough votes to win the seat earlier in November.Gongora said some words for his oppo...

Widow speaks out after husband killed in shooting in NW Miami-Dade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

A woman is sharing her pain and heartbreak after her husband was killed. Police said her husband and another man were shot at random during a gunman’s one-man crime spree.That widow spoke exclusively with 7News.Alexia Benard’s world is now shattered. “This man is my everything! My everything,” she said. “Just doesn’t make any sense.”Her husband, Mike Benard, was murdered on Saturday in Northwest Miami-Dade.“I have to re-figure out my entire life for me and my kids,” she said.Days before Thanksgiving, 10-month-old Adrian and 6-year-old Alaia are now without a father.The loving family man also enjoyed riding and even spoke to 7News about it two years ago.“I try to ride as safe as possible,” he said.7News was told that his passion was to fix anything with wheels, whether they be dirt bikes, ATV’s or cars. It was his life’s work as well, and he had his own mechanic business in his back yard. He would help frie...

Qatar confirms Israel-Hamas truce for hostages deal, Palestinian prisoners also to be freed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Qatar has confirmed an agreement for a cease-fire and swap between Israel and Hamas, saying the start time will be announced in the next 24 hours and that it will last for four days.The statement early Wednesday morning from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the talks that produced the agreement as a mediation by Egypt, the U.S. and Qatar for a “humanitarian pause.”“The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” the statement said. “The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement.”It added that the cease-fire will “allow the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.”...