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CNN faces backlash over chaotic Trump town hall event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN is facing a backlash over its town hall featuring former President Donald Trump, an event that swiftly turned chaotic in a stark display of the tightrope facing journalists covering a leading 2024 Republican candidate who refuses to play by the rules.The town hall Wednesday was the first major television event of the 2024 presidential campaign, and CNN defended its decision to hold it as a chance to put Trump in front of a wider audience, outside of the conservative media bubble he has largely kept to since early in his presidency.Critics said the event, which was staged in front of Republicans and unaffiliated voters who were expected to vote in the GOP primary, instead turned into a Trump campaign rally that produced little actual news and allowed Trump to repeat longstanding falsehoods while dodging difficult questionsTom Jones, a senior writer at the media research institute Poynter, said he had favored the idea of CNN holding the town hall at St. Anselm Coll...

Some scenes from the US-Mexico border, where immigration rules are set to change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

From El Paso and Ciudad Juárez to San Diego and Tijuana, migrants were massing Thursday along some sections of the U.S.-Mexico border in a last attempt to cross into the United States in the hours before the pandemic-era health rule known as Title 42 ends.Migrants who have traveled from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Central American fear that it could be harder for them to stay on U.S. soil once the restrictions are lifted.Here are some of the scenes playing out along the 1,950 mile (3,140 km) international boundary:___María José Durán, a 24-year-old student from Venezuela, was on the verge of tears as she sat on a riverbank in Matamoros, Mexico.Mexican immigration officials were trying to move migrants back to an improvised camp and away from a spot where they could wade across the Rio Grande.Durán said she dropped out of college when her parents could no longer afford it and set out for the U.S. with a group of friends and relatives. They crossed the treacherous Darien Ga...

US approves $8.5 billion sale of Chinook helicopters to Germany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday approved an $8.5 billion sale of Chinook helicopters to NATO ally Germany. The approval comes as the war in Ukraine continues to tax the military stocks of Western countries but is not directly related to the conflict. The State Department said it had notified Congress that the U.S. would sell Germany 60 Chinooks along with engines and associated spare parts, including missile warning systems. The Chinook is the Army’s key heavy-lift helicopter, used to transport troops and equipment, and was a familiar sight in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.The sale is meant to boost Germany’s heavy lift military capability and “deter regional threats,” the department said. The helicopters are not intended to be used in Ukraine. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” it sai...

‘Chonkosaurus,’ plump Chicago snapping turtle captured on video, goes viral

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Footage of a plump snapping turtle relaxing along a Chicago waterway has gone viral after the man who filmed the well-fed reptile marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus.”Joey Santore was kayaking with a friend along the Chicago River last weekend when they spotted the large snapping turtle sitting atop a large chain draped over what appear to be rotting logs.He posted a jumpy video of the turtle on Twitter, labeling it the “Chicago River Snapper aka Chonkosaurus.”In the video, Santore can be heard sounding stunned by the size of the turtle, which was displaying folds of flesh extending well beyond its shell.“Look at this guy. We got a picture of this most beautiful sight. Look at the size of that … thing,” he says, using an expletive. “Look at that beast. Hey, how ya doing guy? You look good. You’re healthy.”Chris Anchor, the chief wildlife biologist with Forest Preserves of Cook County, said the snapping turtle Santore filmed is q...

Suburban school fight leads to attempted murder charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

LAGRANGE, Ill. — A fight at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange has resulted in a student being charged with attempted murder. The student who was beaten sustained significant injuries and remains hospitalized for treatment, according to the school.The Cook County state’s attorney charged a juvenile, whose name has not been released due to his age, with attempted murder and aggravated battery. It’s unclear if that person was a student at the school. A judge ordered him to remain in custody at least until his next court hearing May 31.A 17-year-old James Hernandez Jr was previously charged with misdemeanor battery.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesSchool officials say the altercation happened just after 4 p.m. outside of a door on the school’s north campus.   “A physical altercation took place and no weapons were present,” the school principal said in an email to parents.  LaGrange police have said it was a “targeted incident.”

Adidas to sell Yeezy shoes and donate proceeds months after Kanye West split

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months wrestling over the fate of milions of unsold Yeezy shoes, Adidas has decided to sell a portion of its remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to chartitable organizations, CEO of the German sportbrand Bjørn Gulden said Thursday.Adidas cut ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, in late October, following his antisemitic comments on social media and in interviews. As a result, the fate of 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) worth of the unsold Yeezys, a lucrative sneaker line launched with Ye, was unknown.At Adidas’ annual shareholders meeting, Gulden said the company had spent months trying to find solutions. The CEO also added that Adidas spoke to NGOs and organizations that were harmed by Ye’s comments and actions.SEE ALSO: Adidas cuts ties with Ye over antisemitic remarks“Burning those shoes cannot be the solution,” Gulden said, noting that Adidas was going to try to sell part of the remaining Yeezy inventory and “donate money t...

Man arrested after Texas child gives bus driver note asking to call 911

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – A man from Odessa, Texas, was arrested earlier this week after a child passed a note to her bus driver asking for help on Tuesday. That morning, officers with the Odessa Police Department were notified of the girl's actions and responded to an address listed on the note, intending to investigate an unknown issue. When they arrived, officers found a man and a woman, who police said is the girl's mother, sitting on the porch. As investigators approached, the couple walked inside their home and took several minutes to open the door.  El Niño’s arrival is imminent and there’s a 90% chance it lasts all year, forecasters say Eventually, officers managed to speak with an alleged victim who said her boyfriend, identified as 38-year-old David Amado Gonzales, had arrived home around 1:00 a.m. intoxicated. The woman said Gonzales had pulled her hair and punched her several times. She said he then bit her forehead and held a switchblade to her neck, leaving a cut b...

Possible flash flooding in Austin, city urges residents to prepare

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the City of Austin urged residents to be prepared for possible severe flooding following heavy rainfall.According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall was in the forecast, with the potential of flash flooding likely from Friday night through Sunday. Large hail and damaging winds are also primary concerns.“Flash flooding can occur very quickly and without warning,” the city said. “It is important to be prepared in advance of a possible emergency.”The city provided tips to prepare.“Clean out drains and gutters. Keep drainage easements clear of debris, and do not dump brush into creeks or open channels. Gather supplies to last for several days, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water, in case utility service is interrupted in your area,” the city said.The city also recommended keeping a charged cell phone or battery-powered radio close by to monitor local weather conditions.If you know you live in a floodplain or if your hous...

I-35W northbound will close from Burnsville to Bloomington beginning May 19

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will close northbound Interstate 35W between I-35E in Burnsville and Interstate 494 in Bloomington on three weekends starting at 10 p.m. May 19, a week from Friday, for road resurfacing and other improvements. There will be two other weekend closures later in the spring and summer.All northbound ramps between I-35E and 82nd Street, and the southbound I-35W E-ZPass lane between 82nd Street and 94th Street, will be closed. Drivers will be detoured to I-35E to Minnesota 77 to I-494. Local access to northbound I-35W will remain open at 82nd Street via Lyndale Avenue.Certain ramps and lanes will remain closed after the weekend, including the ramp from 94th Street to northbound I-35W.For more information, visit the project webpage at tinyurl.com/I35W2023. For real-time travel information, visit 511mn.org.Related ArticlesLocal News | Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan voters OK state record $493M school bond referendum Local News | ...

Fort Snelling State Park to reopen Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:24 GMT

Fort Snelling State Park will reopen Monday after being closed due to flooding from the Mississippi River.However, some areas remain closed due to continued high water conditions, ongoing cleanups, and trail maintenance, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.Furthermore, some construction projects scheduled for later this spring and summer also require closing some areas. Visitors are encouraged to check visitor alerts on the park webpage of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ website at mndnr.gov/fortsnelling to learn what to expect.Those visiting will need a state park vehicle permit to enter the park. Vehicle permits can be purchased online or in person at the park when the park office is staffed. For more information go to mndnr.gov/permit.The park — established in 1961 — is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.Related ArticlesNews | Letters: Protec...