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Indiana moves closer to state-funded teacher gun training

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana state lawmakers are inching closer to sending the state’s Republican governor a bill that would create a state-funded handgun training program available for teachers, something critics have said could wrongly increase the number of guns in schools.Final approval from the state Senate is expected later in the day. Efforts by Indiana lawmakers to offer additional training failed in recent years amid opposition from both gun-rights advocates, who said training mandates would overstep local control, and gun-control proponents, who argued against steps they see as arming teachers. Machine gun switches will become illegal under Indiana bill Supporters have also said the 40 hours of optional training could help teachers learn how to defend themselves and students if needed, especially in situations with an active shooter.“This is not a solution, and there are no guarantees,” GOP Rep. Jim Lucas, the bill’s author, said before the 72-20 vote. “This is a tool tha...

Fugees rapper Pras found guilty in political conspiracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Fugees rapper accused in multimillion-dollar political conspiracies spanning two presidencies was convicted Wednesday after a trial that included testimony ranging from actor Leonardo DiCaprio to former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.Prakazrel “Pras” Michel was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.The defense argued the Grammy-winning rapper from the 1990s hip-hop group the Fugees simply wanted to make money and got bad legal advice as he reinvented himself in the world of politics.Michel first met Malaysian financer Low Taek Jho in 2006, when the businessman usually known as Jho Low was dropping huge sums of money and hobnobbing with the likes of Paris Hilton. Low helped finance Hollywood films, including “The Wolf of Wall St...

White Sox struggles to start 2023 are historic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

TORONTO — For a second-straight year, the club is off to a bad start, but this one in 2023 has been historically poor. In fact, there have been few beginnings as forgettable as this one in the 123 seasons the White Sox have played baseball.They were swept for a second-straight series, losing 8-0 to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, who cruised to three-straight wins in Toronto by a combined score of 20-2. Couple that with a three-game sweep by the Rays last weekend & a defeat to end the last homestand to the Phillies, the White Sox have lost seven in a row to fall to 7-18 on the season. So how bad is this start in terms of club history? Through 25 games, the 2023 White Sox are off to their third-worst start since the franchise began play in 1901. They've matched their beginning to the 1986 campaign, when the club fired Tony La Russa mid-season and finished 72-90, along with 1932, when they finished 49-102-1.It's still a few wins above the White Sox worst start through 25 games, as the...

VIDEO: Kenosha police save elder driver after flat tire sparks vehicle fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

KENOSHA, Wis. -- A minivan burst into flames Tuesday night when an 84-year-old kept driving with a flat tire that was emitting sparks.According to the Kenosha Police Department, officers attempted a traffic stop just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday when a minivan's wheels started sparking on the road. VIDEO: Indiana deputy saves woman from choking on french fries The 84-year-old driver kept driving until the sparks ignited the minivan and quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames.When the minivan stopped, Kenosha police officers ran from their cruisers and pulled the 84-year-old from the burning vehicle, the video shows.No injuries were reported.

Travis County Emergency Services rescues woman from sewers, who was possibly stuck for up to 2 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) –  Pflugerville Emergency Services rescued an adult woman who was lost in the storm sewers for up to two days, per a witness’ account.The Travis County Emergency Services Department No. 2 (ESD No. 2) said they received a call Tuesday night after 7 p.m. about a woman who was stuck in the storm sewers. ESD No. 2 Assistant Chief Mark Moellenberg said she was neither injured nor distressed when crew members found her. “[She] had wandered into the storm sewer. [I’m] not really sure how [she] got access into there,” Moellenberg said. “[She] wandered into there and basically became lost -- didn't know how to get back out.” Moellenberg said it was relatively easy to get her out. The incident took only 30 minutes and required one crew. She was also able to return home that night, he said.  Travis County Emergency Services Department No. 2 (ESD No. 2) rescues woman from storm s...

MAP: Tracking deaths near Lady Bird Lake in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — People in Austin are questioning a series of deaths in lake waters in Austin.Online reports have been swirling in recent weeks about a possible connection between the deaths in Lady Bird Lake. Texas expert explores why conspiracies swirl around Lady Bird Lake deaths This report aims to provide KXAN viewers with full transparency and facts. As of now, there is no strong connection to the deaths, according to Austin Police. “There are a lot of allegations that there’s a serial killer, but there’s no proof or evidence in any of our investigations to sustain that,” APD Assistant Chief Jeff Greenwalt told KXAN in April.APD said the "circumstances, exact locations and demographics surrounding these cases vary.”“One common theme of the drownings in Austin this year is the combination of alcohol and easy access to Lady Bird Lake,” the department continued.Deaths in Lady Bird LakeSo far this year, there have been at least four bodies that were found in Lady Bird Lake. Last ...

Drug overdoses leading cause of Travis County accidental deaths in 2022

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the second year in a row, the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office reported drug toxicity was the leading cause of accidental deaths countywide in 2022. Last year, the trend marked the first time in a decade there were more accidental drug-related deaths than motor vehicle fatalities or fatal falls.The medical examiner's office released its 2022 annual report Wednesday, noting 417 people died from accidental drug toxicity last year. Among other accidental deaths, motor vehicle fatalities and falls rounded out the top three causes, at 193 deaths and 149 fatalities, respectively. RELATED: Travis County fentanyl deaths more than double between 2021, 2022 It comes as Travis County leaders navigate a continued public health crisis related to drug overdoses, particularly those involving fentanyl. Of the 417 accidental drug deaths recorded last year, 245 of those involved fentanyl, per TCME. Beyond fentanyl, accidental drug deaths involving illicit substances in 2...

Potential stormy weather causes UT to cancel softball game vs. UTSA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to storms forecasted for the Austin area Wednesday evening, Texas Athletics has canceled the Longhorns softball game against UTSA.With a bye this weekend in the Big 12 Conference schedule, it was the only game of the week for the No. 5 Longhorns. Now, the team is off until May 3 when it hosts Sam Houston State. Texas plays its final Big 12 series against Baylor May 5-7, and then the postseason begins with the Big 12 Conference tournament in Oklahoma City the following weekend.According to KXAN's First Warning Weather Team, strong to severe storms could pop up throughout the afternoon and evening, and then a line of possibly severe storms will be in the area around 9 p.m. Texas moved into the top five in three of the four national polls released Tuesday after a 3-game sweep of Oklahoma State last weekend.

Red Sox’s Richard Bleier says fans at Camden Yards threw beer, spat into bullpen Tuesday; Orioles ejected 2 fans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

The Orioles say they ejected two spectators from Tuesday night’s game at Camden Yards for violating the team’s fan code of conduct after being accused by Red Sox relief pitcher Richard Bleier of spitting and throwing beer at members of the Boston bullpen.Bleier, a former Oriole and an eight-year veteran, said he’s accustomed to normal heckling from fans but that what he experienced Tuesday was the worst he’s seen in person.“We are used to it. It’s part of baseball. You’re the visiting team, and especially with the Red Sox coming to town, we get it. But there’s a line that just should not be crossed,” Bleier said Wednesday. “Obviously throwing stuff at players is definitely crossing the line. If you decide to do that, there should be consequences for your actions.”An Orioles spokesperson said Wednesday that they “have and strictly adhere to a fan code of conduct and our Ballpark Operations addressed the matter ac...

Flood report: Mississippi River to crest on Thursday, St. Croix has crested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:12 GMT

Good news on the flood front.The St. Croix River at Stillwater has crested, and is on its way down. The river reached 689.26 feet above sea level on Monday – its highest level this year – and is now steadily dropping. On Wednesday, it fell below major flood stage (689 feet above sea level) for the first time since Friday. According to the National Weather Service, it should drop almost a foot by May 3.“I’m hoping for a dryer forecast and keeping my fingers crossed,” Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski said Wednesday. “At this rate, we could be back to around normal by Memorial Day.”This year’s flood was the seventh-highest crest on record at Stillwater since the National Weather Service started officially keeping track of river levels in the 1930s. In 2019, the river reached 688.48 feet above sea level; in 2001, it reached 691.10 feet above sea level.The Mississippi River is expected to crest at 18.3 feet on Thursday. On Wednesday, the river was at 18.07 feet; the...