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In a rare appearance, Melania Trump welcomes new citizens at a National Archives ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

In a rare public appearance, former first lady Melania Trump stressed the importance of “guarding our freedom” and the responsibilities that accompany American citizenship as she spoke Friday at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives.Born in Slovenia, Melania Trump is the only first lady who is also a naturalized U.S. citizen. She recounted her path to that citizenship, beginning with a worker visa upon arriving in New York City during her career as a model.“How fortunate to be with the naturalizing individuals and their families as they recite the Oath of Allegiance and become Americans before our great nation’s founding documents,” she said.The location of the ceremony was notable. The national repository for presidential documents has featured as part of one of the criminal cases pending against her husband, former President Donald Trump, as he seeks a second term in the White House.The National Archives sent a referral to the FBI stating that 15 boxes recovered from ...

Mexico’s president inaugurates first part of $20 billion tourist train project on Yucatan peninsula

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president on Friday inaugurated the first part of the pet project of his administration, a tourist train that runs in a rough loop around the Yucatan peninsula.The $20 billion, 950-mile line, called the Maya Train, is meant to connect beach resorts and archaeological sites. However, it is not finished yet. Officials pledged the rest of the line would be ready by the end of February.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador opened a 290-mile (473-kilometer) stretch Friday between the colonial Gulf coast city of Campeche and the Caribbean coast resort of Cancun. That is about one-third of the entire project, and covers the least controversial stretch.It will take about 5 1/2 hours to travel from Campeche to Cancun at an average speed of about 50 miles per hour (80 kph), though officials have promised the train will be capable of speeds of up to 75 mph (120 kph). There will be two trains per day each way, with stops in the colonial city of Merida, the Mayan ruin...

Judge denies cattle industry’s request to temporarily halt wolf reintroduction in Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has allowed the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado to move forward after representatives of the state’s cattle industry asked for a temporary stay in the predators’ release in a lawsuit.While the lawsuit will continue, the judge’s ruling allows Colorado to proceed with its plan to find, capture and transport up to 10 wolves from Oregon starting Sunday. The deadline to put paws on the ground under the voter-approved initiative is December 31.The lawsuit from the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association alleges that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately review the potential impacts of Colorado’s plan to release up to 50 wolves in Colorado over the next several years. The groups argued that the inevitable wolf attacks on livestock would come at significant cost to ranchers, the industry that helps drive the local economies where wolves would be released.Attorneys for the U.S. go...

This winter's El Niño could be one of the strongest in 70 years. What does it mean for Illinois?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The 2023-2024 El Niño is growing more likely to be one for the record books. In an update released Thursday, the Climate Prediction Center said this winter's El Niño was slightly favored to be "historically strong." The national forecasters gave it about a 54% chance of being one of the five strongest since 1950. ‘Strong’ El Niño winter coming: Here’s where we could see more snow Those odds are up from last month, when the Climate Prediction Center gave this year's El Niño a 35% chance of being among the strongest ever, like the one we saw 2015-2016 or 1997-1998.But a super-strong El Niño doesn't necessarily mean super-strong impacts, like storms, flooding or heavy snow. "While stronger El Niño events increase the likelihood of El Niño-related climate anomalies, it does not imply expected impacts will emerge in all locations or be of strong intensity," says the Climate Prediction Center. El Niño predicted to flood both coasts: Here’s where risk is highest What...

Man shot five times after basketball game in LA Fitness parking lot, 1 in custody: Tinley Park PD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

TINLEY PARK, Ill. -- A person is in custody after a man was shot five times in an LA Fitness parking lot following a basketball game in Tinley Park Thursday night. The Tinley Park police department said a man from Richton Park is in custody for shooting another man five times in the parking lot of an LA Fitness location in Tinley Park. Tow truck driver shot multiple times on Eisenhower According to the Village of Tinley Park Public Safety, the incident took place near the 18400 block of Convention Center Drive around 8:00 p.m.Police said an argument ensued at a basketball game inside the gym that carried into the parking lot.Shortly after, the man went to his car, retrieved a gun and walked back to the man and shot him five times. One person was transported to the hospital and another people is in custidy.This was an isolated incident, and the scene is secure.

Calls for ceasefire in Gaza split Texas Democrats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War have driven a wedge between the top two Democrats running to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.After the Texas Democratic Party unanimously passed a resolution supporting a ceasefire, Dallas Congressman Colin Allred stopped short of echoing their calls."What we have to do in terms of this conflict is continue to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza to try and protect civilians as much as possible -- but, understanding, this is a war of choice by Hamas. They chose this war, they're still holding over two hundred hostages right now. They can release those hostages, they can lay down their arms," Rep. Allred told Nexstar in a Dec. 4 interview. Demonstrators hold rally, silent protest to demand Austin leaders call for ceasefire in Gaza As a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, Allred said this is a time for "mature and solid leadership." He acknowledged Israel's obligation to follow international law while supporti...

Home prices in Austin continue to cool but have a ways to go to reach pre-pandemic levels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Home prices in Austin continue to cool but are still quite high compared to this time four years ago, according to the Austin Board of Realtors November report. The report shows that the median home price in the Austin and Round Rock region – around $425,000 – is down nearly 10% compared to last month. Though prices are dropping, they remain considerably high relative to pre-pandemic princes, ABOR said. “On a year-over-year basis, we certainly saw a decline in November,” said Clare Losey, the housing economist for the Austin Board of Realtors. “However, relative to November of 2019, the median sales price in the Austin [metropolitan sales area] is about 40% higher.” “So overall, home prices are still very much elevated,” Losey continued. Nevertheless, Losey said the depreciation is a welcome relief, “especially to those lower income or first-time buyers who would not have otherwise been able to enter the door had home prices continued to appreciat...

Pflugerville ISD names interim superintendent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Pflugerville ISD named its interim superintendent during a special meeting on Thursday, according to the district’s board of trustees.Steve Flores is a former superintendent of Round Rock ISD and Harlingen CISD. He also served as the interim superintendent in Taylor ISD for the fall 2023 semester.“It’s wonderful for me and my family to be a part of the Pflugerville community once again, even if it is for a short time,” Flores said. “I look forward to working with the PfISD Board, staff, and community as they navigate this change.”The board also unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Douglas Killian, who served PfISD for nearly seven years. His last day with PfISD is Dec. 31, according to the district.“Dr. Flores is an experienced superintendent who we believe is an excellent choice to lead our district while the board works to find a replacement...

St. Paul murder charge: Man killed on University Avenue had back to shooter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

E’Shaun Maurice Funches called his friend Wednesday afternoon and asked for a ride. Once they pulled up to a store along University Avenue in St. Paul, Funches hopped out and began firing, killing a 30-year-old man who was standing with his back to him, according to murder charges filed Friday.Funches, 22, was arrested shortly after running away from the shooting and denied being the one who killed Alfonzo Avery Armstead outside Sunrise Grocery and Tobacco at 440 University Ave. However, his friend and his friend’s girlfriend who had picked him up for a ride — as well as video surveillance footage — told a different story, according to the criminal complaint.Funches, of St. Paul, was scheduled to make his first appearance in Ramsey County District Court Friday on two counts of second-degree intentional murder.Last month, Funches completed a three-year probation term in a 2019 aggravated robbery case out of Minneapolis, court records show.According to Friday’s crimi...

Disney On Ice brings magic to Albany's MVP Arena

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:12:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Mickey Mouse and his friends are in Albany for an adventure with world class skating and acrobatics, featuring Disney songs and characters from the movies. NEWS10 got a preview of what you'll see at Disney On Ice: Mickey's Search Party. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The show will bring beloved movies to life, with a Coco production number, and other character appearances including Moana, Anna and Elsa, Woody from Toy Story, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. “It’s always amazing to see the kids' reactions, and not just the kids, the parents too," said Performance Director Alexander Allen. "There’s something for everybody in this production."The fun doesn't end with the skating.  “We have eleven different acrobatic elements throughout the show," said Anna Rossiter, a performer in the production."A little fun fact, many of our acrobats are skaters too...