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Nazi ties halt Christie's auction of late Austrian billionaire's jewels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

(The Hill) – Christie's announced Friday that it is canceling an upcoming auction of a late Austrian billionaire’s jewels after “intense scrutiny” over ties to Nazi Germany.Heidi Horten’s jewel collection was scheduled for its second auction this November after the initial May sale was also criticized over her late husband’s membership in the Nazi party. German billionaire Helmut Horten had made his wealth in the department store industry and got his start when the Nazi government pressured the Jewish owners of successful stores to sell their companies in the 1930s. He later expanded his business, purchasing a major textile manufacturer from a Jewish owner fleeing persecution. World War II-era map sparks hunt for Nazi treasure in tiny Dutch village Heidi Horten died last year at 81, with a net worth estimated by Forbes to be near $3 billion. The May sale of the first portion of her estate netted more than $200 million, a record for a single private collection.Multiple Jewish ...

Impeachment trial: what are the allegations against Attorney General Ken Paxton?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the Ken Paxton impeachment trial rules.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — All eyes will be on the Texas Senate Tuesday, when senators embark on the first impeachment trial of a statewide elected official in more than 100 years: suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.At the end of May, the House voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton on a host of allegations — making false statements, obstructing justice, accepting bribes from a campaign donor and more. KXAN will have live coverage for the entirety of the Ken Paxton impeachment trial. Click here for in-depth coverage and the latest live stream of the trial.Although an impeachment trial is purely political, in the sense that lawmakers are not bringing any criminal charges against Paxton, legal experts note that the process will likely mirror what happens in a criminal or civil courtroom. The House acts like a grand jury, with their vote signifying that the majority found there was enough probable cause to impeach Paxton...

Judge blocks enforcement of Texas law to require ID verification on adult websites

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Senior U.S. District Court Judge David Alan Ezra issued an order Thursday in a lawsuit against a Texas law that would require pornographic websites to collect users' identification and post "health warnings" on the websites.The lawsuit brought by a trade association, the Free Speech Coalition, argues that House Bill 1181 violates the U.S. Constitution and would not effectively prevent minors from accessing pornography. RELATED: Pornhub, coalition of adult websites sue Texas over law requiring them to collect user’s legal ID The order grants a preliminary injunction, preventing enforcement of the law by Interim Texas Attorney General Angela Colmenero until a decision is reached in the case. The law went into effect on Friday.Ezra states that Colmenero's "core" defense of HB 1181 would require a change in precedent by the U.S. Supreme Court and suggests that Colmenero may "certainly attempt a challenge.""But it cannot argue that it is likely to succeed on the merits ...

Travis Scott adds additional show for Austin's Moody Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After selling out tickets for his Nov. 21 show at the Moody Center in one day, another show for Travis Scott's “Utopia The Circus Maximus” world tour has been added. Travis Scott adds Austin show to first tour since Astroworld tragedy Due to the "overwhelming demand," a second show was added for Nov. 22, the Moody Center posted on Instagram. Tickets went on sale for the show Friday. The Houston-based rapper’s tour will be his first since the tragedy at Astroworld Festival nearly two years ago, where ten people died and dozens more were injured due to a crowd surge during his concert.Scott announced the tour Tuesday, following the release of his new album ‘Utopia’ at the end of July.According to a release from the Moody Center, several shows on the tour have sold out, and Scott has added additional dates in multiple cities because of the demand. If you can't catch the shows in Austin, the rapper will also perform two shows in Dal...

ERCOT announces leadership changes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the different levels of ERCOT alerts.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas' main electrical grid operator on Friday announced changes in its leadership. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, called the changes a "strategic leadership reorganization." The changes are effective immediately.“These changes were designed to harness the collaborative talents and strengths of our experienced team in supporting the delivery of reliable and efficient energy to the millions of Texans that we serve,” said Pablo Vegas, ERCOT President and Chief Executive Officer. The changes are detailed below, per ERCOT: Woody Rickerson, who was previously the vice president for system planning and weatherization, has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president & chief operating officer. In this position, Rickerson will oversee grid operations, weatherization, planning, and commercial operations. “This new position will le...

Raspberry Island murder charges: Man shot 20-year-old after telling him to turn off song associated with rival gang

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

A 20-year-old man was playing a song associated with gangs from St. Paul’s East Side when a man tied to a rival West Side gang shot him on Raspberry Island, according to murder charges filed Friday.Marcus Anthony Baker Jr., of St. Paul, was taken to Regions Hospital and pronounced dead that night, Aug. 14.Police announced Thursday they’d arrested two men Wednesday in Brooklyn Center. The Ramsey County attorney’s office charged Romello Markell Ifonlaja-Randle, 23, of Maplewood. Prosecutors declined to charge the 24-year-old who was also arrested, saying evidence presented by law enforcement didn’t support felony charges against him.The criminal complaint against Ifonlaja-Randle includes the following information from police and prosecutors:Officers were sent to Raspberry Island, the Mississippi River park across from downtown St. Paul, about 9:10 p.m. Aug. 14. Baker was in the backseat of a vehicle and died from three gunshot injuries.Witnesses said four to fi...

Newly signed running back Myles Gaskin eager for opportunity with Vikings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

Myles Gaskin is absolutely terrified of flying, so naturally, getting from Florida to Minnesota amid Hurricane Idalia wasn’t ideal for him.“All that turbulence had me stressed out,” said Gaskin, who signed with the Vikings this week after being cut by the Miami Dolphins. “I sweating like crazy next to a stranger.”Fortunately for the 26-year-old running back, he touched down safely on Wednesday night after only a minor delay, and he was on the field at TCO Performance Center on Thursday afternoon.“I was worried about getting here,” Gaskin said. “I’m glad I made it.”The next step for Gaskin is learning the playbook as quickly as possible. He was brought in to compete with Ty Chandler for the role as the primary backup to Alexander Mattison this season. The fact that Gaskin already has a few seasons under his belt in the NFL could go a long way in that competition.“Just study up,” Gaskin said. “I know everybo...

Capital Region Restaurant Rundown: August 28-September 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The restaurant industry is ever-changing with restaurants opening, closing, relocating, or just doing their thing. Here’s a recap of the latest Capital Region restaurant news, August 28 through September 1. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Lake George Restaurant Week dines again in SeptemberTwice a year, it’s time to try some unique eats at restaurants around Lake George. This September, Lake George Restaurant Week is back again.Nonna Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Halfmoon up for saleNonna Maria’s Italian Kitchen, located at 1505 Route 9 in Halfmoon, is up for sale. As the restaurant approaches its 10th year in Halfmoon, owner Gerry Cunsolo is ready to retire.Scotia at-home bakery planning to open storefrontLeigh Baker started her small-batch bakery Scotia Sweets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she’s planning on opening up a storefront to sell her baked goods from.Rug once lost, twice found at O’Toole’s in Queens...

Teen charged in 2022 homicide in north St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY -- On Monday, August 28, 2023, murder charges were filed against a 17-year-old in connection with a north St. Louis homicide that occurred in 2022.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Zechariah West with second-degree murder, attempted robbery, and armed criminal action. West, who has been charged as an adult, is currently held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.The victim in this case was identified as Tayvion Whitby, aged 16. On September 24, 2022, officers from the North County Precinct responded to a vehicle accident in the 12600 block of Spanish Pond Road. License plate reader leads to arrests in stolen identity ring At the scene, they discovered a vehicle that had collided with a utility pole, with two individuals inside. Whitby was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound and was treated at a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. A female passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries related to the traffic accident.West arr...

15 Denver schools release children early because of excessive heat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

At least 15 public schools in Denver are releasing students early Friday because of excess heat, according to the district. Denver Public Schools has ended the school day early multiple times because of the heat since classes resumed last week. The latest decision to let kids out early comes as Denver is expected to see temperatures in the mid-90s through Sunday. Not all DPS buildings have air conditioning, although the district has been adding cooling in more of its schools in recent years.This summer, 11 schools received air conditioning and another 13 schools will get it over the next year. That will leave 31 DPS schools without air conditioning. The schools releasing students early on Friday are:Stephen Knight Center for Early EducationAsbury ElementaryBryant Webster Dual Langauge ECE-8 SchoolCowell ElementaryLake Middle SchoolMcMeen ElementaryPark Hill ElementaryPolaris ElementaryStedman ElementarySteele ElementaryUniversity Park ElementaryDenver Center for International Studie...