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Texas moves large floating barrier on US-Mexico border closer to American soil

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has moved a floating barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border closer to American soil as the Biden administration and Mexico protest the wrecking ball-sized buoys that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott authorized in the name of preventing migrants from entering the country. The repositioning comes ahead of a hearing Tuesday that could decide whether the buoys remain. Texas began installing the bright-orange buoys on the Rio Grande in July and the state was quickly sued by the Justice Department, which argues the barrier could impact relations with Mexico and pose humanitarian and environmental risks. During a trip Monday to the border city of Eagle Pass, where the buoys are located, Abbott said the barrier was moved “out of an abundance of caution” following what he described as allegations that they had drifted to Mexico’s side of the river. “I don’t know whether they were true or not,” Abbott said. It is not clear when U.S. District Judge David Ezra of Au...

President Biden delivers remarks in Maui during 1st visit since wildfires

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

Watch President Biden's remarks live in the video player aboveSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are traveling to Maui on Monday to comfort survivors of the devastating wildfires that ripped through the western part of the Hawaiian island earlier this month, as his administration responds to the devastation whose full scope is still unknown.The Bidens are taking a detour from their weeklong vacation in the Lake Tahoe area for the day trip to Lahaina, a historic town of 13,000 people that was virtually destroyed by the flames. While there, the first couple will meet with first responders and be briefed by state and local officials about the ongoing response.They will also view the damaged town, both from helicopters and on the ground, and the Democratic president will deliver remarks paying tribute to the victims of the wildfires, which have killed more than 100 people since they began on Aug. 8. The president ...

French Bulldog owner recalls River West attack

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Dog owner Nick Christen walks his French Bulldog in the River West neighborhood all the time. But on Friday night, Christen noticed something odd. "I see a car pull into the far end back there — It's a dead end and it pulled back out a little bit," Christen said, recalling the attack made on him and his dog. "[Then] I made a decision and I ran with my dog."Christen was chased by two teens armed with golf clubs, one of which can be heard laughing as they chase after him."They hit me in the head, fractured my skull, knocked me down," Christen said. "I was just trying to hold onto my dog for dear life." FEMA support arrives in Chicago, provides update for flooding victims While this was happening, a neighbor heard the commotion and threatened to shoot the suspects if they didn't leave."I have the skull fracture, they broke the bone right behind my ear," Christen said about his injuries. "I've got blood in my ear drum pushing on my brain. My jaw is messed up and I can't chew...

German-American Fest set to make annual return in Lincoln Square

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — For more than 100 years, Chicagoans have come out for German-themed bands, dancing, singing and food at this North Side festival, which is set to make it's return in early September.Since 1920, the member clubs of the United German-American Societies of Greater Chicago have come together to celebrate German-American Fest, a festival centered around German traditions of hospitality and family associated with Oktoberfest.“We have a large German community here and love celebrating and sharing our German culture and traditions with Chicago every September,” said Joe Bradtke, President of German-American Fest. “As we pass down cultural traditions to our children and their children, we open our arms and hearts to everyone to celebrate along with us.”The free three-day festival begins Friday, Sept. 8, and runs until Sunday, Sept. 10, with festival hours being 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday. Special events include the festival's o...

New blood test tells patients if they will experience future heart, kidney problems

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

For Monday, Aug. 21, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Biomarkers for heart and kidney disease in diabetes patients An analysis of more than 2,500 people with Type 2 diabetes found that high levels of four biomarkers strongly predict the development of heart and kidney issues. The journal, Circulation, outlines the research and the potential to address and stop the progressive conditions in people at risk. Study participants who were treated with a sodium-glucose inhibitor before their problems began saw biomarker levels come down and the threat of heart and kidney disease decrease.Acid reflux drugs and dementia Treating acid reflux could wreak havoc on the brain. Long-term use of acid reflux drugs is linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a study by University of Minnesota researchers. Millions of Americans use proton pump inhibitors which decrease stomach acid to treat symptoms of heartburn, indigestio...

2 CPS students killed days before start of new school year

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — As Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson rang the bell to mark the start of the school year, his first as mayor, he faces ongoing challenges regarding the safety of students, including outside the classroom.On Monday, crisis counselors were present at two different CPS schools as the first day of class got underway after two CPS students were killed in separate shootings on the weekend ahead of the new school year. Mayor Johnson visits Chicago Public Schools ahead of new school year Over the weekend, 40 people were shot in the city. Seven people were killed, including two CPS students who were ready to start the new year."He was 14. He just turned 14 in March," said Athena Harshaw, the aunt of RayJohn Harshaw, who was killed over the weekend. "Everywhere he went. We was just a sweetheart."RayJohn was shot and killed just steps away from his home in the 8700 block of South Cregier Avenue while walking back from his godparent's home in Calumet Heights Saturday evening.Monday ...

Tori Spelling released from hospital after four days: report

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

(KTLA) - Actress Tori Spelling revealed on social media that she was hospitalized over the weekend.In a post to her Instagram Stories, which has since disappeared (these posts only last 24 hours; and it was posted Sunday), the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum shared a photo of a hospital band around her wrist and an IV in her hand.“4th day here and I’m missing my kiddos so much," the text over the photo read. "Grateful and so proud of my strong, brave, resilient, and kind to the core children who remain positive no matter what comes our way.” ‘Hell on wheels’: Ohio teen sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for double-fatal crash Her hospital bracelet shows Spelling was admitted on August 17. She was released Monday, according to TMZ, which noted she had what appeared to be bruising on her face.She has not revealed the reason for her hospitalization.The social media post comes over three months after Spelling revealed she discovered "extreme mold" in her home after her children start...

Austin Animal Center receives dozens of positive cases of distemper disease

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Animal Center (AAC) continues to see increases in distemper, which is a deadly disease affecting unvaccinated dogs, according to a news release from the City of Austin. AAC received 39 positive results from 94 dogs tested.“As expected, the dogs testing positive are generally under a year old and have only been in the shelter for a few weeks, meaning they didn’t have time to build up appropriate vaccination immunity before being exposed,” said AAC’s head veterinarian Dr. Debbie Elliott. “We are seeing a range of symptoms, from dogs that aren’t showing any signs to dogs developing seizures. We have been working with experts at the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program as well as our partners at Austin Pets Alive! to provide treatment and slow the spread of disease through the shelter.”Earlier this month, AAC recently asked for help to move 60 healthy dogs out of the shelter and into foster or adoptive homes due to the rise in distemper cases, acc...

As season opener nears, Longhorns depth, health have been key during training camp

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the first game of the season nears for the Texas Longhorns, the depth chart is beginning to come into focus but head coach Steve Sarkisian said the team's third scrimmage Saturday will go a long way in defining roles early in the season.During Monday's press conference after practice, Sarkisian said he wants to have at least a 2-deep chart solidified after the scrimmage but still wants the players to "continue to compete."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"To be fair to them, they need to know who is the first unit, second unit and who's the backup in all three phases," Sarkisian said, "so if a guy goes down, a shoe comes off, a helmet pops off, the next guy needs to know. We need to continue to compete and find the right combination of people."He reiterated that just because there will be a depth chart created doesn't mean that's all who will play. Wh...

As the death toll in stifling Texas prisons climbs, congressional Democrats ask for investigation

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:50 GMT

(Texas Tribune) -- At least 41 people have died in stifling, uncooled prisons of either heart-related or unknown causes during Texas’ relentless and record-breaking heat wave this summer, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. 135 people have died in Texas prisons since June 1; Families demand answers Relatives of those who died and prison rights advocates insist at least some of those deaths were caused by the heat. More than a dozen of the prisoners were in their 20s or 30s, with at least four people 35 and under reportedly dying of cardiac arrest or heart failure. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says no prisoner has died from the brutal heat in its facilities since 2012, around the time the agency began being bombarded with wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits over the heat.On Monday, Democrats on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability implored Republican Chair James Comer to launch an investigation into conditions at prisons enduring sweltering t...