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Colorado releases first 5 wolves in reintroduction plan approved by voters to chagrin of ranchers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

GRAND COUNTY, Colorado (AP) — Wildlife officials released five gray wolves into a remote forest in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on Monday to kick off a voter-approved reintroduction program that was embraced in the state’s mostly Democratic urban corridor but staunchly opposed in conservative rural areas where ranchers worry about attacks on livestock. The wolves were set free from crates in a Grand County location that state officials kept undisclosed to protect the predators. It marked the start of the most ambitious wolf reintroduction effort in the U.S. in almost three decades and a sharp departure from aggressive efforts by Republican-led states to cull wolf packs. A judge on Friday night had denied a request from the state’s cattle industry for a temporary delay to the release.About 45 people watched as the first two wolves — 1-year-old male and female siblings with gray fur mixed with black and brown patches — were set free. The male bolted up the golden grass, runn...

Court date set in Hunter Biden’s California tax case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden is set to appear in a California courtroom next month on nine tax counts, the latest fallout from a special counsel investigation into his business affairs. President Joe Biden’s son is scheduled for an initial appearance at an arraignment in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, according to a federal court calendar posted Monday. He is facing three felony and six misdemeanor counts, including filing a false return, tax evasion, failure to file and failure to pay. Prosecutors say he spent millions on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills. His defense attorney has said that prosecutors bowed to political pressure in bringing the case and Hunter Biden was targeted because of his father’s political position.The cases come after the implosion of a plea deal involving tax and gun counts that would have spared him jail time. Instead, Hunter Biden is now also charged with federal firearms courts in Delaware alleging he broke laws against drug use...

Suburban high school wrestler ineligible for senior year after transfer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has denied the transfer of a suburban high school wrestler in his senior year.Harrison Konder, who was born deaf, is a senior at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard. He transferred from Downers Grove North after struggling academically as a junior.Konder’s academic counselor at Downers Grove North High School wrote a letter in support of the transfer, saying the teen would thrive in a smaller school setting with more individualized attention. The family received similar letters from his Therapist and Audiologist from Lurie Children’s Hospital. Taylor Swift, a Kennedy, doggie treats and tuna: 5 memorable moments from the historic Ed Burke corruption trial The family changed guardianship of Konder to his grandmother as part of IHSA bylaws to meet transfer requirements, and family members say so far, the move has been great for his grades.But, the IHSA ruled last Friday that Konder is ineligible to wrestle at Monti...

Student fires officer's gun during incident at Hammond middle school

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

HAMMOND, Ind. -- A 14-year-old middle school student is accused of firing a police officer's weapon Monday inside the school during an incident.According to the Hammond Police Department, the student was seen leaving Eggers Junior High School against regulations and was stopped by an officer. 5-year-old child living at migrant shelter in Pilsen dies: Mayor's office In the office, while the officer was trying to secure the student, the student was able to get her finger on the officer's duty belt and fire their weapon, police said. The bullet struck a wall in the office and no injuries were reported, police said.Police said the student has a history of confrontations with law enforcement."It is important to note that the police department, while not assuming responsibility for the incident, believes in transparency and deems it necessary to report this information to the public," Lt. Steve Kellogg said in a statement. "The safety of the students and staff at Eggers Junior High Sch...

Air fryers sold at Walmart, Target, Kohls recalled

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

(WJW) – More than 300,000 air fryers sold at popular retail stores like Walmart, Target, and Kohls, are being recalled due to a potential burn hazard.According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Empower Brands is recalling two models of the PowerXL dual-basket air fryer after dozens of reported malfunctions. Applesauce pouches may have been contaminated with lead on purpose: FDA official The alert states that the plastic connector, which can be used to combine two food baskets inside of the units, can break during use and pose a burn hazard. Empower has received 41 reports of breakage and three reports of burns, according to the CPSC. The recall applies to air fryers labeled: PowerXL Dual-Basket Air Fryer models DUAF-005 and DUAF-10.Credit: CPSC.govCredit: CPSC.govConsumers can find a model number on the bottom of each unit or the unit’s power cord. Quaker Oats recalls granola products over concerns of salmonella contamination The recalled air fryers...

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

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (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 to be 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 the record heat is a massive underwater volcano that erupted in January, spewing massive amounts of water vapor into t...

Concerns raised after 6th street shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A weekend shooting involving police left one person dead and three others injured on Sixth Street.The shooting took place around 11 p.m. on Saturday between Brazos and San Jacinto Streets.The officers were responding to someone trying to illegally carry a gun into a bar Saturday night according to the Austin Police Department.APD said that person pulled out the firearm and pointed it towards officers before they opened fire.This recent shooting has some people looking at the Downtown Entertainment district with a little more caution."All of a sudden I heard gunshots," said Abdou, who works about a block from where the shooting took place. "Everybody started clearing out."Haley Salzwedel said she avoids what many refer to as "dirty sixth" as much as possible, especially after shootings. One killed, three injured in officer-involved shooting on 6th Street "I will say overall I don't typically feel safe," Salzwedal said. "I think it has definitely influenced my decisi...

Police: Shooting at Barton Creek Mall started by fight during 'private party sale'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department says a shooting that left one injured Saturday at the Barton Creek Mall started when two groups of two men showed up for a "private party sale of merchandise that was being sold on a social media platform." The police department did not specify what the merchandise was. APD said when the two parties arrived at the mall, a fight broke out. The man who was shot was one of the people who showed up for the sale. He has not been identified by law enforcement. Police: 1 shot at Barton Creek Square Mall Police say before they arrived the suspects involved took off from the scene. APD said this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public. Still, APD said it would be doing more patrols in the area. Police are asking anyone with information to contact APD's Aggravated Assault unit at (512) 974-5245. You can also send a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting its website or callin...

Harmon, Abmas tabbed Big 12 Conference weekly award winners

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Longhorns earned Big 12 Conference basketball honors with their play last week, the conference announced Monday.On the men's side, guard Max Abmas earned the league's Newcomer of the Week award with his performance against Louisiana State. As part of The Halal Guys Showcase in Houston, Abmas led the Longhorns to a 96-85 win with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes on the floor. He shot 6 of 13 from the field including a 4-for-9 performance from 3-point range. Texas Longhorns flip nation’s No. 2 safety recruit Xavier Filsaime from Florida Gators Abmas leads the team in scoring this year, averaging 17.8 points per game and he's shooting 41.1% from 3-point range. The men's team takes on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday at Moody Center.On the women's side, Rori Harmon continues to show why she's one of the best guards in the country. She picked up a co-player of the week honor after her near triple-double on the road in an 88-75 win over A...

12/18/23: Quiet Weather Leading up to Christmas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

Latest Forecast Update from Meteorologists Steve Caporizzo & Rob Lindenmuth:A very soggy day across the Capital Region with rainfall amounts on the order of 1.5" to just over 5" for some. This has lead to localized flooding this evening with the main concern being near creeks, streams and rivers as the runoff will continue into the night and there could continue to be a rise on these waterways into Tuesday morning.This storm system will continue to pull away tonight, leaving the region with mostly cloudy skies, a bit of a breeze and even a few more showers, otherwise we do expect things to remain mostly dry and quiet.There is the chance for a few scattered snow showers into Tuesday afternoon as colder air continues to flow into the Northeast in the wake of the storm. Winds will also be a bit gusty during the afternoon with gusts on the order of 25-35 mph from the west northwest.High pressure will be building in for Tuesday night and into Wednesday. This means things will be quie...