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Illinois leaders react to release of Evanston mother, daughter taken hostage by Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois elected leaders have spoken out in support of the release of a mother and daughter from Evanston who were being held hostage by Hamas.In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said that in an agreement with the Qatari government, it was freeing Judith Tai Raanan and her 18-year-old daughter Natalie for humanitarian reasons.SEE ALSO: Mother, daughter from Evanston who were held hostage by Hamas have been releasedIllinois Governor JB Pritzker and many other leaders in the Chicago area and beyond issued statements Friday, expressing gratitude and excitement in welcoming Judith and Natali home.The family’s rabbi confirmed with WGN News that the pair has been released and handed over to the Red Cross and will be taken to Egypt. Their conditions are still unknown.  I am incredibly relieved that Natalie and Judith Raanan of Evanston have been released from captivity in Gaza.In what was supposed to be a visit to their loving family in Israel, they were violently...

Tyson Bagent is the latest rookie to start at QB for the Bears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — As many suspected this week, the Bears will have a rookie quarterback starting for them in Week 7. With Justin Fields not practicing the last three days due to a right thumb injury, Tyson Bagent will make his first career start against the Raiders on Sunday at Soldier Field at Noon. It will be the first time the starter has missed a game this season as the thumb he dislocated in the 19-13 loss didn't heal in time. It's not a surprise since head coach Matt Eberflus said at the beginning of the week that Fields was doubtful with the injury. On Friday, he said he doesn't believe the third-year quarterback is going to end up on IR. Bears get good news in one aspect of Justin Fields' thumb injury (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)Bagent made his NFL debut in relief of Fields against Minnesota, finished 10-of-14 for 83 yards with an interception, a rushing touchdown, and a fumble that was returned by the Vikings for a score. Now he joins a group of 13 players who h...

NY judge hits Trump with $5K fine for violating gag order

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

(The Hill) — A New York judge on Friday fined former President Trump $5,000 after a derogatory post about the judge's principal clerk was not removed from the 2024 candidate's campaign website, despite a clear order from the judge. Judge Arthur Engoron did not hold Trump in contempt of court, but warned that further violation of the gag order he imposed after Trump's Truth Social account made the post could result in serious punishment, including steeper financial penalties, contempt or even jail time."Donald Trump has received ample warning from this Court as to the possible repercussions of violating the gag order," Engoron said. "He specifically acknowledged that he understood and would abide by it." Chesebro becomes second Trump lawyer to plead guilty in Georgia "Accordingly, issuing yet another warning is no longer appropriate; this Court is way beyond the 'warning' stage," he added.The post, posted on Trump's account while he sat just feet away from the clerk, derided her as...

15K pounds of Hanover chicken pot pie soup recalled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

(WDTN) — New Jersey-based distributor Aunt Kitty's Foods Inc. is recalling about 15,728 pounds of Hanover Soup Classics Chicken Pot Pie soup over misbranding and undeclared soy, a known allergen, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. What is coffee badging? And what are managers doing about it? The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says the affected metal cans weigh 15 ounces and bear lot code "P864 4893 23241950" and a best by date of "BEST BY SEP 2026." Both of the numbers are printed on the top of the affected cans.(Courtesy of USDA)The recalled items also show establishment number "P-864" inside the USDA mark of inspection. According to the recall, the affected items were shipped to stores in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia."The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that they conducted an inventory review and realized they used chicken with soy, which was not declared on the label," the release said.No adverse ...

Spirit Airlines cancels dozens of flights to inspect planes. Disruptions will last days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

Spirit Airlines canceled about 100 flights on Friday after pulling some planes out of service for inspections, and the airline expects the disruptions to last several days.Spirit did not describe the nature of the inspections and did not respond when asked for further information.By Friday afternoon, Spirit had canceled 11% of its schedule for the day, easily the highest percentage of scrubbed flights among leading U.S. carriers, according to tracking service FlightAware.“We’ve cancelled a portion of our scheduled flights to perform a necessary inspection of a small section of 25 of our aircraft,” Spirit said in a statement. “The impact to our network is expected to last several days as we complete the inspections and work to return to normal operations.” Canceled flight? Here’s what you’re entitled to The Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of Spirit's decision to pull the planes from service for a “mandatory maintenance inspection." The FAA did not describe the ins...

APD searching for suspect who threatened north Austin store employee with gun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a suspect in a north Austin aggravated robbery.According to police, the robbery occurred at 1:44 a.m. Oct. 2 at a 7-Eleven in the 1600 block of East Howard Lane.Police said the suspect “aggressively” entered the store and then threatened the employee with a gun before stealing cash and several packs of Newport cigarettes.APD described the suspect as a 5’ 10” to 6’0” tall Black man between 20 to 30 years of age and weighing 230 to 250 lbs. Police said the suspect was armed with a black handgun.According to APD, the suspect was last seen wearing a white floppy hat, white shirt or fabric covering the lower portion of his face, a white long-sleeve shirt, white and gray gloves, blue and white plaid pants, and gray and red sneakers.North Austin aggravated robbery suspect seen on surveillance video (APD photos)Police asked that anyone with any information contact APD's Robbery unit at 512-974-5092. Tips can also be subm...

APD releases 2023 ACL festival arrest numbers, crime statistics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Limits music festival didn’t go without incident, according to the Austin Police Department. Over both weekends, APD said it arrested 15 individuals, responded to 367 calls for service and took 206 offense reports.APD said its police officers worked tirelessly throughout both weekends, and the results helped deter criminal activity, stop crimes in progress and capture several offenders.“These combined efforts dramatically reduced the chance of festival-goers falling victim to a crime,” APD said.According to Austin Police, one of the individuals arrested during Weekend 2 of ACL was 23-year-old Victor Manuel Castro-Ordonez.“At the time of his arrest, Officers caught Castro-Ordonez with 35 mobile phones inside a bag designed to block mobile phone reception in his possession. Castro-Ordonez is currently in the Travis County Jail, charged with Theft and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity,” APD said. Man arrested in connection with pickpocketing duri...

Dalton Risner has been biding his time on the sidelines. Now the Vikings might need him.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

When veteran offensive lineman Dalton Risner signed with the Vikings last month, it seemed like only a matter of time before he was in the starting lineup, whether that be in place of left guard Ezra Cleveland or right guard Ed Ingram.Instead, the 28-year-old Risner has been biding his time on the sidelines. After starting 62 games with the Denver Broncos earlier in his career, Risner has lived the life of a backup for the first time in his career.How has he handled that change?“Every time I have he desire to get onto the field, I ask myself, ‘What can I control?’ ” Risner said. “Then I work my (expletive) off to make sure I’m ready when I’m called upon.”That time finally came for Risner last weekend when Cleveland suffered a foot injury with the Vikings leading the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Risner raced into the huddle and played 10 snaps on offense in relief.“I was able to go out there and execute,” Risner said. ...

Loons play to ‘leave everything out there’ with MLS playoffs on the line vs. Sporting KC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

When Sean McAuley took over for fired manager Adrian Heath on Oct. 6, the Loons’ new interim head coach’s first address to the players included a call back to 2015.While Minnesota United was still playing in the lower-level North American Soccer League and dreaming of becoming an MLS expansion franchise, McAuley was an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers.He saw a lot of similarities to then and now, and he wanted to use it as motivation for his new charges.Eight years ago, the Timbers needed three straight wins, including one on Decision Day, to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. With a playoff berth, Portland produced five more results en route to lifting MLS Cup with a win over the Columbus Crew.“Before you know it, you are on a roll and you never know where it can lead to,” McAuley recapped his message in a later interview with reporters.MNUFC won its first game under McAuley, 5-2 over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Oct. 7. Now the Loons must beat Sporting Kansas City on Saturday and ha...

Democrats push for redistricting redo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- In New York’s highest court, a legal battle could determine the state’s congressional representation yet again. Last year, the court ruled that Democrats didn’t follow the proper process in drawing districts. Ultimately court drawn maps led to Republicans gaining seats in the House of Representatives. Now, Democrats are trying to undo that, calling for a new set of lines to be drawn.Caitlin Halligan, the newest judge on that court, has recused herself from the case."She’s now been replaced by a judge from the appellate division in New York City, Judge Diane Renwick, for the purposes of this case," said Jeffrey Wice, an adjunct professor at New York Law School.He said this could have a significant impact."Not only do we have Judge Wilson, as Chief Judge of the court, but we also have another judge whose track record is that she’s been somewhat favorable to the role of the legislature. Now each case is different and she is impartial. She’s not going to pre-judg...