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Thousands of residents in Oklahoma and Louisiana remain without power following weekend storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Thousands of residents in Oklahoma and Louisiana remained without electricity Wednesday as work crews continued to repair power lines damaged by weekend storms.In Tulsa, Oklahoma, less than 92,000 customers remained without power after three tornadoes northeast of the city caused extensive damage Sunday, including downed trees and hundreds of snapped utility poles.The three tornadoes were each rated EF1 with winds between 86 miles per hour (138 kilometers per hour) and 110 miles per hour (177 kilometers per hour ), National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sellers said Wednesday.“There was a lot of wind damage, but most of the damage was straight line winds,” Sellers said.Thunderstorms that moved through the Tulsa area on Wednesday slowed down repair crews, Wayne Greene, a spokesperson for Public Service Company of Oklahoma, the state’s second largest electric utility provider, said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.“Our numbers actually bumped up a littl...

Plea for video as police say two killers of Sikh temple leader escaped through park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

SURREY, B.C. — Homicide investigators in Surrey, B.C., said the killers of a Sikh temple leader likely escaped in a vehicle that had been waiting for at least an hour a few blocks away from the crime scene.Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said Wednesday that police are urging residents near Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara to check their vehicles’ dash cameras for possible video of either the suspects or the getaway car in the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.“Vehicles such as Teslas have excellent cameras that are capable of recording movements in their surrounding area, even if the vehicle is turned off and no one is inside the vehicle,” Pierotti said. “We believe that not only may the occupants of these vehicles have been witnesses to the homicide of Mr. Nijjar, but the vehicle itself may have recorded critical evidence that could help advance our investigation.”B.C.’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team describes the two suspects in the s...

King salmon season back on in Alaska after federal appeals court lets fishery open July 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday halted a lower court ruling that would have shut down southeast Alaska’s chinook salmon troll fishery for the summer to protect endangered orca whales that eat the fish.The ruling by a three-judge 9th Circuit Court panel means the summer chinook, or king, salmon season will start as usual next week for an industry that supports some 1,500 fishery workers in southeast Alaska.The opinion said the state and others who were part of the appeal established a sufficient likelihood that certain and substantial impacts of the lower court’s decision “outweigh the speculative environmental threats.”The ruling “recognized the absurdity of closing down a vital economic industry for an issue that is already being remedied by the federal government,” Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor said in a statement. “Thanks to the 9th Circuit, fishing season is on come July 1.” Last month, U.S. District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle ruled in favor ...

Critics becoming impatient with Mayor Johnson's approach towards crime prevention in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to play the long game trying to get at the root causes of crime, while some are growing impatient wanting answers about police staffing.Johnson spoke about his plans to curb crime in Chicago during a press conference Wednesday as the city enters its summer season."We're working collaboratively. It's a layered approach," Johnson said in response to Chicago’s interim police superintendent Fred Waller expressing concern about officer reduction while implementing the mayor's anti-crime strategy.Mayor Johnson favors a multi-tiered long-term crime fighting strategy, as he works to promote 200 more detectives, but he's not promised to fill vacancies."Everybody knows that police strategy, alone, is insufficient, it's a failure. And I don't know how you scramble to hire people - a process that takes 18 months. Do you really want to scramble to find police officers? I don't think we want to scramble to find anyone that requires the professional t...

17-year-old girl shot in the eye in Garfield Park dies, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

CHICAGO — A 17-year-old girl has died after being shot in the eye Monday night amid a triple shooting in Garfield Park. Shaniya Robinson was one of three teens talking on a porch in the 3800 block of West Gladys when someone from inside a passing dark-colored sedan opened fire. SEE ALSO: Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks on crime, migrants after City Council meetingA 17-year-old girl was shot in the right eye and is in critical condition at Stroger Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Another 17-year-old girl was transported in good condition to Stroger Hospital after being struck in the left leg and buttock. A 19-year-old boy was transported in good condition to Mount Sinai Hospital after being struck in the arm.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesPolice said the shooting took place just before midnight.Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.No one is in custody.

White Sox gifts local Miracle Leaguers a chance to play ball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

CHICAGO — The do-gooders at White Sox Charities are at it again. On Wednesday, Guaranteed Rate Field hosted some young athletes who play for the Joliet chapter of the Miracle League. Believing that everyone deserves to play baseball, Miracle League of Joliet's mission is to provide opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities.With their love of the game on full display, the sights and sounds of 30 exceptional young athletes swinging for the fences put smiles on supporters' faces and beyond.Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito greets a Miracle League baseball player on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo/WGN)"It's really amazing that everybody puts this together for them. They're having fun, running around and playing," said Isabella Gandor. Her son, Damian, is in his first year playing America's pastime. By Game 3, he was all about it. "We just started with the Miracle League this season. The first two games were the hardest, but then after that, he got accustomed to it," Gandor ...

Dozens miss Luke Combs concert after fake tickets sold on StubHub

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (WDAF) -- A Kansas woman is warning other concertgoers about purchasing tickets after her family couldn't get in to see country star Luke Combs at Arrowhead Stadium."It was very disappointing," Kristi Swarthout said.Swarthout and her daughter had been planning to see Luke Combs in concert in Kansas City for months. She said they bought two general admission tickets on StubHub in April and paid about $540. Swarthout received a QR code for tickets through StubHub, and they were set - or so she thought. Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes makes surprise appearance at Luke Combs concert They were stopped at the entrance. "She said, 'Oh not you guys, too,'" Swarthout recounted to Nexstar's WDAF. "And I was like, 'What do you mean "not us guys, too?"' and she pointed to the grass and she goes, 'All those people, they were scammed by, on StubHub.'"Swarthout said there was a swarm of more than 200 people with similar stories. They were told their tickets were fake a...

Lawmakers introduce bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) -- "We will stand with the LGBTQ+ community forever," said Hakeem Jeffries.Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined other lawmaker calling for better protections for LGBTQ+ Americans."Many live in fear that around the corner could be violence or bigotry or state-sanctioned hate directed at them, just for who they are," said Sen. Jeff Merkley.They say that's why congress needs to pass the equality act."It is not illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It's incredible," said Sen. Chuck Schumer.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says the bill amends the civil rights act to extend non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ community.Schumer continued, "They deserve peace of mind...knowing their rights will be protected in this country."Louisiana Senator John Kennedy agrees...life should not be harder for those Americans."I don't think people ought to be discriminated against because of an immutable characteristic, I don't," said Sen....

Severe storms moving through Hill Country, Austin metro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin set an unofficial heat index record Wednesday afternoon as "feels like" temperatures soared to 117°. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. Excessive Heat Warning in effect until 9 p.m. WednesdayStrong to severe thunderstorms are moving into the area, capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. Frequent lightning is a significant danger in many areas this evening as well.Evening and overnight severe weather threat (SPC)A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for all of the Austin Metro, parts of the Hill Country and all of our Eastern Counties until 11 p.m.Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 p.m.Austin FC fans heading to the 8:30 p.m. game Wednesday should keep an eye to the sky and heed official warnings if storms threaten.1-2" of rain is possible in the heavier storms as they bring brief, welcome heat relief tonight. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July? A few isolated storms remain in the forecast Thursday and Frid...

The Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In shutting down its Mueller location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In announced Wednesday it is closing down its Mueller location on July 5. The iconic local business will, however, open another spot to replace Mueller in several months. The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In has operated in Austin since 2009. The owner, Josh Frank, said it’s common for them to find an open site, set up some movie screens for a few years and then move on to another location. Since opening, they’ve operated from five different spaces, Frank said.  MORE: ‘It hurts so much’: Austin Blue Starlite Drive-in theater chain reports $20,000 in equipment stolen They were at the Mueller location for a little more than four and a half years; Frank said he is going to miss operating from there. “We became a part of the community, and we just love that community and the people,” Frank told KXAN. “It's this really great little part of town that we've been in where it still feels like old Austin,” he continued. Though July 5 ...