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Illinois family of 4 missing since February; FBI joins investigation

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

NEWTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A Jasper County, Illinois family of four has been missing for two months. A mother, father and their two young sons were last seen at home on Feb. 10. While several law enforcement agencies conduct a nationwide search, loved ones back in Newton reflect on the red flags they noticed leading up to their disappearance. CPD: One shot and killed by officer on West Side One of the last messages 11-year-old Aiden Lutz sent his half-sister, Brittany Lutz, said "There's nothing to do when we're not going somewhere."He said his family was taking a vacation but he didn't know where, and that it was "boring" because he's "usually playing video games." Brittany said she hasn't heard from Aiden since the day he left with his brother and parents."On Feb. 14 I did text my father Stephen and said if they needed to get away, I could take the boys and just get them back to a normal life. He said they have a normal life, they aren't together and he's not allowed to be around the...

Former CIA chief says Greene 'not fit to hold public office'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

(The Hill) – Former CIA Director John Brennan blasted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) over her defense of the accused U.S. intelligence leaker, saying she shouldn’t hold office.“From my perspective, I think Marjorie Taylor Greene has demonstrated time and time again that she’s not fit to hold public office with some of her commentary that she has made, even previously,” Brennan said in an MSNBC interview. “And so, therefore, I believe she should not be involved in any type of sensitive, classified information. And she does have some clearances because of her role within the Congress and position on the committee,” he added, referring to the House Homeland Security Committee. Pentagon leaks: Suspect identified as 21-year-old Air National Guardsman Greene came to the defense of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who was arrested and charged this week in connection with the leak of hundreds of sensitive and classified military documents including information about the war...

Hot with isolated severe storms, mainly east of I-35

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The heat is on with highs in the low to mid 90s. The record high for today is 94º and we could come close between 4 and 5 p.m.. Through April 15th we've had six 90º+ days since the start of the year. Only one year had more 90º days by now, in 1967 they had eight 90º days. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that means We're watching the potential for isolated storms between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. near the Austin Metro and moving into our Eastern Counties. First 2023 Atlantic Hurricane forecast released Updated thunderstorm potential late Saturday afternoonSome of the thunderstorms could be strong to severe. The Storm Prediction Center keeps areas near and east of I-35 in a level 1 or 2 risk for severe weather (out of 5). The highest risk for damaging storms is near and into Fayette County and east. Large hail and damaging winds are our greatest concern. Severe risk through mid-evening (SPC)A cold front arrives this evening. It delivers a breezy north wind tonight that ...

AFD: Solar panels at south Austin movie theater catch fire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire Department said crews responded to a south Austin movie theater Saturday where solar panels on the roof caught fire. AFD said around 2 p.m. it was working the fire at Cinemark in Southpark Meadows. At the time, the fire was under control, and the evacuation was complete. Austin Fire said it was using a machine to blow the remaining smoke from the building. AFD did not report any injuries. KXAN has reached out to Cinemark for more information about when the theater will reopen.

Texas quarterbacks Ewers, Murphy shine in Orange and White scrimmage

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns ended its spring practice session in style, giving fans a first look at the 2023 squad in the Orange and White game Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.The White team, quarterbacked by returning starter Quinn Ewers, controlled the game and won 21-10, capping the 15 spring practices the Longhorns get until they officially reconvene for fall camp in August.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersRedshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy had a tremendous game for the Orange team. He finished the day 9-for-13 with 166 yards and a touchdown. He hit freshman wide receiver Johntay Cook II with a 79-yard scoring pass in the third quarter for the longest play of the day."When he really started to settle in, he has a natural ability to pass the football," Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Murphy. "He brings a lot of positive energy eve...

Report detailed ‘toxic culture’ at Hastings veterans home months before leaders acted

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

A state human resources consultant reported to leaders of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in early January that there were widespread feelings of “doom, fear, and intimidation” among workers at the state Veterans Home in Hastings.It was the third time in eight months that allegations of a toxic workplace were probed by state officials. But it wasn’t until mid-March, after caregivers went public with stories of years of bullying and intimidation of staff at the Hastings veterans home, that Commissioner Larry Herke decided to fire two top officials in charge of the facility.Lynn Wachtler, a nurse practitioner and former primary care provider at the Hastings home, said it was “regrettable that the agency failed to address our claims in a timely manner and left employees no other choice except to involve the media to effect necessary changes.”Wachtler is one of more than a dozen current and former workers who have spoken out on the problems at ...

Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek skates on his own for first time since injury

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

Joel Eriksson Ek skated by himself Saturday morning TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul. It was the first time he has taken the ice since suffering a lower-body injury in an April 6 game against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.The fact that Eriksson Ek is already back on his skates is pretty impressive considering he got injured blocking a slap shot from from Penguins star Evgeni Malkin.Though the Wild listed him as week to week after the injury, Eriksson Ek seems to be progressing faster than expected.There’s a good chance he will at least travel with the Wild as they begin their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Stars in the upcoming week. Asked if Eriksson Ek could possibly be ready on Monday night when the Wild play the Stars in Game 1, coach Dean Evason tried his best to downplay the timeline.“He skated on his own this morning,” Evason said. “Just the positivity of being on the ice is encouraging.”Johansson feeling 100 percentAfter taking a cross ch...

Minnesota Public Radio joins others in quitting Twitter

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

Minnesota Public Radio will no longer use Twitter, joining National Public Radio, PBS, and other public media stations who have said that the social platform is undermining their integrity by saying they are “state-affiliated media” and “government funded.”MPR joined the ranks on Friday night with an announcement sent to members by Jean Taylor, CEO of American Public Media.“…contrary to our mission and core values. Instead of being a neutral and efficient channel for serving the public, Twitter is now actively aiming to undermine the integrity of public media organizations like ours,” she wrote, noting that all of American Public Media Group’s channels were quitting Twitter.MPR News posted several tweets Friday night saying “MPR News is an independent nonprofit news organization in service to the public” and offered various ways and links for listeners to find them.While the decision was effective immediately, the “wi...

After sticky substance drama, Twins fall to Yankees

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

NEW YORK — Two years ago, the Twins and Yankees were at the center of things when Major League Baseball cracked down on foreign substances.Then-Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson, now with the Yankees, was one of the most vocal players to speak out on the issue, calling out pitchers, including Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, for using substances to doctor baseballs, which increase their spin rates and subsequently bettered their performances.Major League Baseball, in response, established new guidelines to crack down on foreign substances, introducing random checks and penalties that included an immediate ejection.It was during one of those checks that an issue arose between the two teams again on Saturday. Yankees starter Domingo Germán appeared to have a substance on his hand, though he was allowed to remain in the game after a lengthy check, to which Twins manager Rocco Baldelli took exception.Baldelli did not stick around to watch the rest of the Twins’ 6-1 loss to the Yankees from the...

Boston remembers deadly marathon bombing 10 years later

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:56 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — With a bagpiper playing “The Bells of Dunblane” and a few runners looking on, families of those killed in the Boston Marathon bombing marked the 10th anniversary of the tragedy early Saturday by slowly walking together to the memorial sites near the finish line and laying wreaths.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who was making her first run for City Council when the bombing happened, joined the somber procession along with Gov. Maura Healey. At each memorial site — marked with three stone pillars — they stood with the families in silence. Thousands, including many marathon runners in their blue and yellow windbreakers and several former Boston Red Sox players, came out to a second ceremony Saturday afternoon near the finish line. Church bells were rung and the Boston City Singers and Boston Pops performed “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.”The 127th running of the Boston Marathon takes place Monday.“The day never leaves me," said Jennifer Black, 71, a realtor from Lo...