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Judge weighs whether to block removal of Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge expressed strong misgivings Tuesday about extending a restraining order that is blocking Arlington National Cemetery from removing a century-old memorial there to Confederate soldiers.At a hearing in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston said he issued the temporary injunction Monday after receiving an urgent phone call from the memorial’s supporters saying that gravesites adjacent to the memorial were being desecrated and disturbed as contractors began work to remove the memorial. He said he toured the site before Tuesday’s hearing and saw the site being treated respectfully. “I saw no desecration of any graves,” Alston said. “The grass wasn’t even disturbed.”While Alston gave strong indications he would lift the injunction, which expires Wednesday, he did not rule at the end of Tuesday’s hearing but said he would issue a written ruling as soon as he could. Cemetery officials have said...

Car crashes into building, catches fire in Northbrook

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — A driver was hospitalized after a fiery crash in Northbrook on Tuesday afternoon.According to authorities, the vehicle veered off the Edens Expressway, traveled down a ditch and crashed into a building in the 800 block of Skokie Boulevard.Authorities say after the vehicle crashed into the building, which houses "Lewis Floor & Home," it burst into flames. Woman found dead after apartment fire in Waukegan Fire crews were called to the scene and were able to extinguish the blaze, and officials say the driver was taken to a Highland Park hospital for treatment.Authorities have not identified the driver or offered details on the extent of their injuries.Currently, it is unclear what led up to the crash and officials say the building was not badly damaged in the fire.

Texas Poison Center Network reports 500% increase in calls related to 'weight loss drugs,' like Ozempic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As some drugs containing semaglutide that can lead to weight loss — such as Ozempic and Wegovy — have increased in popularity, so have the number of calls to U.S. and Texas poison control centers. The Federal Drug Administration has approved three products that contain semaglutide. Among other things, these products are prescribed to lower blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and help people with obesity remove excess weight, the FDA said.While both Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, the FDA has only approved Wegovy to help people ages 12 and over lose weight.“Since 2019, Texas poison centers have seen about a 500% increase in calls related to weight loss drugs like semaglutide,” said Lizbeth Petty, the public health education manager at the North Texas Poison Center.Up until Dec. 13, the Texas Poison Center Network had received 490 reports related to semaglutide thus far in 2023, compared to only 86 calls in 2019, Petty said. “In terms ...

Damp weather returns starting Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds lower and thicken on Wednesday as a period of on-and-off wet weather returns through much of the holiday weekend.An upper-level storm system is moving southeastward along the California coast. This system is going to set up to our west and send waves of moisture and energy toward Texas, leading to periods of rainfall at times, especially later this week.A Pacific storm system will lead to wet weather locallyScattered mist, drizzle and light rain showers begin late Wednesday, then passing rain showers become more likely Thursday and Friday. Trail of Lights plans may be damp starting Wednesday evening, and are more likely to be impacted by rain Thursday and Friday.The timing of rainfall this weekend is difficult to pin down several days in the future, but overall, periods of wet weather are likely to continue at times Saturday and on Christmas Eve day.A cold front sweeps through the area early Christmas Day, clearing out the rain and dropping temperatures to se...

Lawsuit alleges new details in fatal Austin airport truck incident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The family of a man who died after being hit by a fuel truck at Austin's airport is now suing the aviation company involved, according to court records obtained by KXAN.On Oct. 31, Aviation Department employee Michael Wills was hit by a truck near a service road that goes by the tarmac at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according the Austin Fire Department. In the lawsuit filed this week, Wills' family names the driver of the fuel truck in this incident and accuses his employer, Menzies Aviation, of negligence. Menzies provides ground-handling services such as fueling and cargo loading for commercial airlines, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit alleges the company failed to properly train and supervise their employees or contractors on the "safe use and operation of equipment." Background: Employee dies after being hit by fuel truck at Austin airport On the morning of the incident, the driver of a fuel truck owned by Menzies Aviation was waiting to re-fuel a p...

UPDATE: ERCOT misattributes cause of record-hot 2023, avoids mentioning climate change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

Editor's note: This article has been updated with information from the ERCOT Board of Directors meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 19AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's electric grid operator, released its winter outlook for power supply and demand ahead of a Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday. Weather can heavily influence the power grid, as Texas experienced in the February 2021 freeze.In its 2023-2024 winter outlook, ERCOT mentions that it has been a record-warm year in Texas and worldwide (January through October). But climate scientists say that the factors ERCOT is attributing the record heat to are not true and echo talking points of those who deny climate change.We spoke with Dr. Andrew Dessler, professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University and Director of the Texas Center for Climate Studies, about ERCOT's claims and what is responsible for the heat.Claim No. 1: Hunga Tonga volcanic eruptionThe first thing ERCOT blames for...

Texas added more people than any other state in the past year, new census estimates show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' population increased more than any other state over the past year, new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show.As of July 1, 2023, an estimated 30,503,301 people reside in Texas, making the state second only to California, which has just under 39 million residents. New population estimates show which areas of Texas grew the most in 2022 The figures show Texas' population increased by an estimated 473,453 people since July 2022, or 1.58%.Florida's population grew by more than 365,000 over the past year, while North Carolina and Georgia each added more than 100,000 new residents.In total, 42 states and the District of Columbia saw an increase in population, while eight states and Puerto Rico saw a decline in population.Most notably, New York lost more than 100,000 residents, while California's population fell by 75,000.When looking at percentage change, Texas is the third-fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 1.58% between 2022 and 2023.South...

Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday marks a day that many high school football players dream about, the day they can sign a letter of intent to play college football.The early signing period for Division I football programs begins Wednesday and runs through Friday, giving athletes who are ready to officially pledge allegiance to a college program. Athletes will have another chance to sign letters in February 2024, but the early period is now the main event for most. Texas Longhorns flip nation’s No. 2 safety recruit Xavier Filsaime from Florida Gators Local athletes from all over the viewing area will sign their letters throughout the day. As of Tuesday afternoon, the schools who have confirmed signing ceremonies with KXAN are:Westlake, 8 a.m.Weiss, 8:30 a.m. Vandegrift, 11:25 a.m.Crockett, 2 p.m.If your school is having a ceremony, send an email to [email protected] to let us know.Vandegrift has two athletes in the 247Sports Texas recruiting rankings set to sign with Power 5 colleges, offens...

After nearly losing his leg last month, Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks hopes to play this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

If veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks has his way, he will be running out of the tunnel in full pads on Christmas Eve when the Vikings play host to the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.After nearly losing his leg last month due to compartment syndrome, Hicks got some good news this week when he was designated for return from injured reserve. Asked if he plans to be back this weekend for the game against Lions, he responded, “That’s the hope.”In the meantime, Hicks is busy working himself into playing shape, making his presence felt on Tuesday at TCO Performance Center as a limited participant in practice. Though he’s gradually ramped up his physical activity, Hicks hasn’t done anything with his teammates until now.“Obviously I haven’t played football yet,” he said. “We’ve got to see how it responds.”It’s hard to believe that Hicks is already back on the field considering he had to be rushed to the hospital last month. He...

St. Paul man found guilty in killing of 22-year-old walking home from work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:49 GMT

A jury on Tuesday found a St. Paul man guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder in the death of 22-year-old Alex Becker, who was shot six times in an alley behind his North End home after walking home from work last December.Jurors deliberated for about four hours Tuesday before convicting Detwan Cortell Allen in the death of Becker, who prosecutors argued was ambushed Dec. 27 in an apparent robbery by Allen and two accomplices.Detwan Cortell Allen (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)Jurors acquitted Allen, 19, of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder, a charge that was added Monday over the objection of prosecutors.Ramsey County District Judge Paul Yang set Allen’s sentencing for April 26. He also agreed to consider the prosecution’s motion in support of an aggravated sentence.Arteze Owen Kinerd, 21, of Minneapolis, also faces an aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder charge in Becker’s slaying. He has pleaded n...