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Democratic mayors renew pleas for federal help and coordination with Texas over migrant crisis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The mayors of Chicago, New York City and Denver renewed pleas Wednesday for more federal help and coordination with Texas over the growing number of asylum-seekers arriving in their cities by bus and plane. The mayors’ requests come as U.S. cities have struggled to manage the increasing number of migrants sent from Texas and other states. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s busing operation has transported more than 80,000 migrants to Democratic-led cities since last year. His administration recently stepped up the practice with chartered planes.The mayors sharply criticized Abbott and the effort, saying buses arrive at all hours and outside designated drop-off zones with no details on who is aboard. “We cannot allow buses with people needing our help to arrive without warning at any hour of day and night,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a virtual news conference with the other mayors. “This not only prevents us from providing assistance in an orderly wa...

Juvenile sperm whale euthanized after stranding on North Carolina beach

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) — A juvenile sperm whale that appeared to be in poor health was euthanized Wednesday after stranding on a North Carolina beach. The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reported the whale was put down near Jennette’s Pier in the Outer Banks town of Nags Head. The whale was spotted in the surf about 7:30 a.m., prompting members of the OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network to respond. They observed the mammal for a few hours until the tide dropped. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island said in a statement that euthanasia was the best course of action because rehabilitation for many large whale species is difficult or impossible. “Unfortunately, these single marine mammal strandings indicate that the animal’s health is rapidly declining,” the aquarium stated. The aquarium said experts will perform a thorough examination of the whale’s body to learn more about it and possibly determine the cause of its stranding. Sperm whales are the biggest species of whale ...

New Mexico native will oversee the state’s $49B savings portfolio amid windfall from petroleum

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A state cabinet secretary and former economist to the Legislature was selected Wednesday to oversee New Mexico’s $49 billion nest egg of savings and trust accounts at the State Investment Council.As state investment officer, Albuquerque native Jon Clark will oversee financial assets including the New Mexico land grant permanent fund — built largely from petroleum production on state trust lands since the 1970s to benefit schools, hospitals and other public institutions.The 11-member investment council — a board of elected and appointed officials with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham serving as chair — conducted a nationwide search that generated more than 80 applications.Clark in 2019 joined the Economic Development Department and rose this year to acting cabinet secretary at an agency that administers annual incentives worth hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at creating private employment opportunities, from job-training grants to film production “rebates...

Family of Iowa teen killed by police files a lawsuit saying officers should have been better trained

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The family of a 16-year-old who was killed by Des Moines police in December 2022 has filed a lawsuit arguing that the teen never pointed a gun at officers and police should have had better training in de-escalation before the confrontation.The shooting of Trevontay Jenkins was linked to the Jan. 23 shooting at the Starts Right Here alternative school in Des Moines that left two teenagers dead and the program’s founder injured. Disparaging comments about Jenkins surfaced online following the police shooting, which prosecutors say led Jenkins’ half brother and another teen to kill 16-year-old Rashad Carr and 18-year-old Gionni Dameron.Jenkins’ sibling, Bravon Tukes, was acquitted this fall of a murder charge after prosecutors accused him of helping planning the school shooting and acting as the getaway driver. Preston Walls was convicted of murder and manslaughter in a separate trial.The federal lawsuit that Jenkins’ mother, Monica Woods...

Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to abusing children with YouTube mom Ruby Franke

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah mental health counselor arrested alongside parenting advice blogger Ruby Franke pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of aggravated child abuse for physically and emotionally abusing Franke’s children.Jodi Hildebrandt was the business partner of Franke, a Utah a mother of six who ran a once-popular YouTube channel called “8 Passengers” in which she documented her family life. The two worked together at Hildebrandt’s counseling company, ConneXions Classroom, offering parenting seminars, launching another YouTube channel and publishing content on their shared Instagram account, “Moms of Truth.”Together, they doled out advice and promoted honest lifestyles, using their brand as parenting role models to conceal what was happening behind the scenes.On Aug. 30, Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped through a window of Hildebrandt’s house in the southern Utah city of Ivins and asked a neighbor to call the police, according to a 911 call release...

Armed robbery investigation underway at Woodfield Mall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- One person has been taken into custody after an attempted armed robbery at Woodfield Mall Wednesday afternoon.According to the Schaumburg Police Department, officers are investigating an armed robbery at the Woodfield Mall that occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Suburban babysitter charged after allegedly stabbing 2 young girls One person has been arrested. No injuries have been reported.No further information has been provided at this time.The investigation is ongoing.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

These busy airports could be hit with bad weather this weekend, National Weather Service says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Weather conditions were pretty tame over the busy Christmas travel weekend, but we might not all be so lucky over New Year's. In an updated forecast, National Weather Service meteorologists said airports on both coasts could be impacted by inclement weather this weekend. But first, the good news: "A sprawling area of high pressure will keep most of the country dry," the forecast reads. That should make conditions clear for most people hitting the roads this long weekend. The exception is the lower Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians, which is expected to see some rain, according to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center. On the other side of the country, in the Cascades and the northern part of the Sierra Nevada, snow is possible on New Year's Day. "However, the impact on travel should be low, as the snow is likely confined to elevations above the mountain passes and major interstates," the forecast reads. Testing negative but still feeling sick? Doctors explain why...

'Really difficult': Work truck stolen from Austin business owner, auto thefts up

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a story we've heard more and more over the last couple years from our viewers, this time from a south Austin business owner."I looked outside and my truck and trailer weren't there and it was just surreal, I was like 'what happened?'" Michael Burton said.Burton built a tree services company from the ground up. His gear, truck and trailer are his livelihood. Just before Christmas someone stole it all. Thankfully, one of Burton's neighbors found the trailer in the woods during a run, but the rest -- including his expensive climbing gear for work -- is still missing. Michael Burton's truck was stolen from his south Austin home just before Christmas (Courtesy: Michael Burton) Michael Burton's truck was stolen from his south Austin home just before Christmas (Courtesy: Michael Burton) "It's literally been the work horse of my company. It means everything. It's silly to think that a vehicle could be like that but you spend a lot of time in it. It was really important...

Reinforcing shot of cooler air has arrived

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Many communities will see freezing cold mornings through Saturday as a reinforcing shot of cool air blows into Central Texas.As northerly flow continues, dry, sunny weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week with cool days and cold nights. Overnight low temperatures in rural valleys will freeze every morning through Saturday morning. Downtown Austin will likely stay just above freezing each of those mornings, but it would be a safe idea to protect pets, pipes, plants and people.The final weekend of 2023 looks to bring warmer, sunny afternoons, but another dry cold front blows through New Year's Eve keeping jacket weather around for the first few days of 2024. We are expecting a chance of rain next Tuesday and Wednesday, although the storm track is still uncertain, so rain is not a guarantee. Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for rainfall and ice risk Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date w...

Justin Jefferson praises Kirk Cousins with decision looming for Vikings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:50 GMT

With franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins set to become a free agent this offseason, the Vikings are a few months away from having to make a big decision.Will they sign him to a new contract? Will they let him walk away? All of that remains to be seen.If the past couple of months are any indication, however, the Vikings have to at least be considering the idea of keeping Cousins. They have seen what life can look like without a competent player under center. The deficiencies of veteran Nick Mullens and journeyman Josh Dobbs have underscored the value of Cousins.Just ask star receiver Justin Jefferson, who, until recently, had never caught a pass in the NFL from anybody other than Cousins.“It’s definitely tough without him being there,” Jefferson said. “His leadership. His knowledge of the game. His awareness. There’s definitely something missing not having that main piece out there on the table.”Never was that more apparent to Jefferson than in the ...