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Cops with extremist ties loom over City Council's review of CPD budget plan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

CHICAGO — As members of City Council got the chance to scrutinize Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans for Chicago police, questions about some officers' ties to extremists hovered over the proceedings. In opening comments to council members on Tuesday, Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling addressed the simmering controversy. "We will complete thorough investigations to make sure that we do not have members of hate groups amongst our Chicago Police Department," Snelling said. New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive Snelling referred to bombshell reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times and others that found 27 current and former Chicago police officers appeared in a leaked roster for the Oath Keepers, an anti-government extremist group. According to the report, at least nine officers are still on the force."It serves the Chicago Police Department in no way — in no way good — to have members amongst our department who are filled with bias or are members of hate groups and we wil...

Residents continue to protest against plan for Brighton Park migrant camp

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Residents who live across the street from a vacant lot in Brighton Park are now on the corner 24/7 and our upset over a plan to build a camp to house 1,500 migrants.The street is now closed and police are on site near 38th and California as city trucks move in and out of the site. ‘He was my best friend’: Mother recuperates after 6-year-old boy killed in attack police call a hate crime On Thursday, 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez came to the site to speak with her constituents when she said protesters assaulted her and a staffer."To be really honest with you, I'm looking at big picture," Ramirez said. "I've learned a lot from it. I live a few blocks from that lot. This isn't about that incident. I think it's so much greater than that. I'm just looking forward."Last month, Johnson asked city alderpeople to submit locations for migrant base campsites. Ramirez said she never sent one. Alderwoman, staffer assaulted during migrant site construction protest in Brighton Park, st...

Israel rejects calls for cease-fire in Gaza at major UN meeting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Israel vowed again to destroy Hamas, rejecting calls for a cease-fire from the U.N. chief, the Palestinians and many countries at a high-level U.N. meeting on Tuesday and declaring that the war in Gaza is not only its war but “the war of the free world.”Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also dismissed calls for “proportionality” in the country’s response to Hamas’ surprise attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,400 people and has since led to more than 5,700 Palestinian deaths in Gaza according to its Health Ministry.“Tell me, what is a proportionate response for killing of babies, for rape (of) women and burn them, for beheading a child?” Cohen asked. “How can you agree to a cease-fire with someone who swore to kill and destroy your own existence?” Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed more than 700 people in the past day, Gaza Health Ministry says He told the U.N. Security Council that the proportionate response to the Oct. 7 massacre is “a total destructi...

Taco Bell employee gave haircut in restaurant's kitchen, ex-worker says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

KOKOMO, Ind. (WXIN) -- A photo circulating on social media appears to show an Indiana Taco Bell employee cutting a coworker's hair in the restaurant's kitchen.Jennifer Legear, a former employee, said she took the photo at a Taco Bell location in Kokomo on Thursday, Oct. 19. Legear said she was fired after photographing the incident and sharing it.”I definitely know what kind of things you're not supposed to be doing inside of kitchens," said Legear. "Cutting hair is one of them."Legear said the haircut happened as the crew was getting ready for the lunch rush. The employee getting the haircut had a trash bag draped around her to keep hair off of her clothing. ”It was only about 3 feet away from where you make the food," she said. Taco Bell testing new chicken nuggets in 1 city Legear said she sent the photo to a few friends, not intending for it to be seen by anyone else, but the photo was eventually posted on social media.”I took it out of sheer shock and showed it to a few frie...

Lawrence County breaks ground on one of 3 planned broadband expansion projects

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ind.-- RTC Communications broke ground Tuesday on a fiber internet expansion project, one of three broadband projects planned for the county, all of which will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Lawrence County received $4.4 million in ARPA funds, according to Lawrence County Commissioner Dustin Gabhart. Gabhart said the money will be split for all three planned broadband projects. The county awarded RTC communications $950,000 of ARPA money for its project. The rest of the roughly $3.1 million will be split into two projects spearheaded by AT&T. The commissioner said each project must be completed within two years of breaking ground, and that the county will divvy out all ARPA funds by the end of 2026. He also said that 4,000 residents in some of the most rural parts of Lawrence County will benefit from all three projects combined, and that the projects would not be possible without the ARPA funds. State Sen. Eric Koch represents Lawrence County and cha...

Report: South Congress listed as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the country

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- What do Williamsburg in New York City, Venice in California and Austin's very own South Congress have in common?They were listed in an Architectural Digest report as the trendiest neighborhoods in the United States. The report titled "The Cost of Living in America’s Trendiest Neighborhoods (2023 Study)" detailed the price people pay living in those places.What are the trendiest neighborhoods?The trendiest neighborhoods were ranked from highest to lowest salary needed to afford rent:Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New YorkSouth End in Boston, MassachusettsGreenwich Village in New York CityMission District in San Francisco, CaliforniaVenice in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLogan Circle in Washington, DCWynwood in Miami, FloridaSilver Lake in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWest Loop in Chicago, IllinoisCapitol Hill in Seattle, WashingtonRiver North Arts District in Denver, ColoradoOld Fourth Ward in Atlanta, GeorgiaSouth Congress in Austin, TexasFishtown in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSouth...

How many units? Austin City Council to discuss proposed HOME initiative

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — How many units should be allowed on a property in Austin?This is a question Austinites will have the opportunity to discuss on Thursday as the city talks about proposed Land Development Code Changes.The HOME Initiative would make it legal to build up to 3 homes on a property, tiny homes also would be allowed on properties.The move comes as the city has discussed ways to make homes more affordable for years. While some are for the proposal, not everyone is sold on the idea of more units on a property."Say no to this proposal, say no to this proposal," chanted a group speaking out against the HOME initiative."The home initiative is dangerous to low-income renters and homeowners because it drives and spurs speculation, gentrification and irresponsible development," Carmen Llanes with Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) said. GAVA describes itself as a community group "working to improve the health of communities" in south Austin, according to its website.Property owners can a...

APD: Chief data officer arrested in connection with assault, family violence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department's chief data officer was arrested over the weekend on an assault/family violence charge, the agency confirmed to KXAN Tuesday in a statement.On Sunday, Oct. 22, APD arrested Jonathan Kringen, 48, who "has been a City of Austin employee for three years," the statement said. Kringen works as a data analyst for the department.Jonathan Kringen, 48 | Mugshot provided by the Austin Police DepartmentAs per APD protocol, Kringen was placed on administrative leave "until further notice."No other information will be provided by APD as it conducts its "thorough investigation," the statement said.

Williamson County statements give early look at state property tax relief

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Tuesday, Williamson County began sending out property tax statements adjusted to show the impact of the state's proposed $18 billion property tax cuts for home and business owners. $18 billion deal reached: Texans to get biggest property tax cut in state’s history Proposition 4 is on the November ballot for Texans. If passed, it would deliver the largest property tax cut in the state's history by raising the homestead exemption to $100,000 and cutting school property taxes for average-priced homes.According to Governor Greg Abbott's Office, that would result in a reduction of $1,250-$1,450 to the average home's property tax. Those opposed to the measure say the relief bill will benefit homeowners at the expense of Texas public schools. ‘Is it sustainable?’ $12 billion to reduce school property tax rate Larry Gaddes, Williamson County tax assessor collector, said the county issued property tax statements with the presumption that Prop 4 will pass...

Meadows granted immunity deal in election interference case: ABC News

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:31:32 GMT

Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows secured an immunity deal with special counsel Jack Smith in order to testify before a grand jury in the election interference case, ABC News reported.Meadows testified before a grand jury empaneled to hear evidence in the case on at least three separate occasions, the outlet reported, doing so after being granted immunity.The Hill has reached out to Meadows’s attorney for comment. Meadows reportedly told the grand jury that after former President Trump’s election loss, he repeatedly told the him that his claims of widespread fraud were baseless.That testimony would counter a claim Trump has repeated since losing the election — and that his lawyers defended as recently as Monday night.Meadows also told investigators that Trump was being “dishonest” with voters when he proclaimed victory on election night. That aligns with the testimony of Trump campaign staff who told the House committee investiga...