North Side concert venue staffers robbed moments after leaving work

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

North Side concert venue staffers robbed moments after leaving work CHICAGO — Two employees of a popular concert venue on the North Side were robbed moments after departing work, leaving staffers and the owner stunned by the incident."We’re just glad everyone is safe," said Ray Quinn, the owner of Martyrs' on Lincoln Avenue in the city's North Center neighborhood.  A popular place to enjoy live music, the venue had been closed for nearly three hours before the alleged robbery. Unifying Chicago on the minds of Johnson, Vallas as mayoral runoff election approaches A couple of the employees – a man and a woman - left the premises around 4 a.m. Sunday after helping clean up after a concert. The man and woman were walking around the corner onto Byron Street when a sedan pulled up. As the man and woman headed east on Byron Street, four guys from inside the vehicle exited with guns drawn. WGN News was told that one of the armed men struck one of the victims with the weapon before stealing everything the pair had on them. “They took their cellphones, a pu...

Train derailment spills cases of Coors, Blue Moon beer along Montana river

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Train derailment spills cases of Coors, Blue Moon beer along Montana river PARADISE, Mont. (AP) — Crews could face a difficult cleanup task after a 25-car train derailment spilled powdered clay and cases of beer beside a scenic western Montana river, leaving some cars off the tracks in a narrow, century-old tunnel with limited access, officials said.“It’s a terrible spot to get in and out of,” Bill Naegeli, manager for Sanders County Disaster and Emergency Services, said of the derailment on the Clark Fork River. “The biggest issue is the cars derailed inside the tunnel” with little clearance.Montana Rail Link has said nobody was hurt and no hazardous materials spilled Sunday morning in the derailment that left some cars precariously close to the banks of the river and some slightly dipping into the water in an area where the railroad tracks run between the base of the mountain and the river. McDonald’s offices to close briefly ahead of layoffs: report Seven cars are believed derailed in the narrow tunnel where it will be hard to extricate them, Naegeli ...

Machine gun switches will become illegal under Indiana bill

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Machine gun switches will become illegal under Indiana bill INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers have given final approval to a proposal that would it illegal for anyone to possess devices for adapting a firearm into a machine gun.The Indiana House voted 71-23 on Monday in favor of a bill expanding state law to include so-called Glock switches that are already illegal under federal law. Police officials say such switches can convert a semi-automatic gun into one that shoots continuously while the trigger is pressed, firing dozens of bullets within a few seconds.The state Senate previously approved the proposal, which now goes to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb for a decision on whether to sign it into law.SEE ALSO | Chicago area law enforcement sees rise in machine gun conversion device recoveriesSupporters said the broader state law was needed so local police don’t need to rely on federal prosecutors pressing charges in such cases. If it takes effect, people with such gun switches could face felony charges under the state ...

TEA report: AISD waited up to 9 months to evaluate some kids suspected of needing special needs services

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

TEA report: AISD waited up to 9 months to evaluate some kids suspected of needing special needs services AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Education Agency investigators allege Austin Independent School District has repeatedly missed strict state and federal deadlines on evaluating kids suspected of needing special education services, according to its final investigative report published Friday.The district is now facing state intervention in the form of a management team taking over district operations that pertain to special education. Austin ISD to discuss possible appeal of TEA conservatorship Monday night The report alleges that TEA investigators substantiated allegations submitted over the last three years showing the district has sometimes waited as long as nine months to evaluate students who needed special education evaluations.State law requires school districts to evaluate students within 45 days of parental consent.“I would tell you that as an organization we have made tremendous progress over the last several months, but it has been an ongoing challenge for this organization for yea...

Albany PD investigating threats against Hackett MS

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Albany PD investigating threats against Hackett MS ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany police are investigating threats of violence made against one of the city's schools last week. The district superintendent said multiple threats have been made against Hackett Middle School since Friday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! All the threats were unfounded, but investigators believe they all may have been related. Superintendent John Yagielski said police executed a search warrant at a home connected with the investigation and said those responsible will face criminal charges.Investigators said the threats against Hackett were separate from swatting calls made on March 30. Law enforcement agencies received hoax calls that falsely reported a shooting at dozens of schools around the state.The search for those responsible for the hoax calls is ongoing.

Annual pinwheel planting brings awareness to child abuse

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Annual pinwheel planting brings awareness to child abuse RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and New York State officials are working to build awareness to protect children from mistreatment.The New York State Office of Children and Family Services held its annual pinwheel planting in Rensselaer on Monday. Pinwheels are a universal symbol of a childhood free of fear and trauma. This year's campaign focuses on strengthening and supporting families. The goal is to prevent abuse before it happens. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "The shift from what we have commonly thought about as straightforward child abuse reporting to how do we support these families in real time is revelational," Prevent Child Abuse NY Exec. Dir. Tim Hathaway said.State buildings were also lit in blue Monday evening in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

RPI graduate named commander of Artemis II mission

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

RPI graduate named commander of Artemis II mission HOUSTON (NEWS10) -- NASA is taking the next major step to eventually put people back on the moon. Four astronauts have been selected to man the upcoming Artemis II mission. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The team consists of three Americans and one Canadian: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The crew is set to make history. Koch and Glover will become the first woman and the first person of color to eventually step foot on the lunar surface.The Capital Region is playing a small role in the return to the moon. Wiseman, the mission's commander, is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. NASA chooses Artemis II crew to fly to the moon "He is just a marvelous person, and it is really thrilling to know he has been given this opportunity," RPI Pres. Martin Schmidt said. "Reid really personifies and embodies much of the student body here today, a huge curiosity and passion for science and e...

Animal Protective Foundation receives $68K donation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Animal Protective Foundation receives $68K donation GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local animal shelter received a record breaking donation on Monday. Capitaland Subaru presented the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville a $68,000 donation.The money was raised during Subaru's "Share the Love" event. The company set aside a total of $400 per car sold during the event to give to their chosen non-profit. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "This represents almost a 50% increase over what they have done in the past, so it is a pretty remarkable effort for a very dedicated group of our supporters, and we are so thankful for that," APF Exec. Dir. Joe Lisella said.Since 2016, the company has contributed more than $300,000 to the shelter.

Afghanistan war veteran announces primary challenge against Santos

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Afghanistan war veteran announces primary challenge against Santos Kellen Curry, an Afghanistan war veteran and former vice president at J.P. Morgan, announced a primary challenge against Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Monday, becoming the first Republican to take on the embattled congressman who has faced calls to resign.In a statement on his campaign website, Curry said he is running to “restore honesty and integrity” to the congressional representation in New York’s third congressional district, directly pointing to Santos.“From day 1 George Santos has completely violated our trust. As a result, our equities are not carried on Capitol Hill, our interest are not advocated for in the Congress and our phone calls continue to go unanswered,” Curry said. “It’s time for change, it’s time for new leadership and it’s time for a fresh face that we can actually believe in. And that’s why I’m running for Congress," he added.Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. (Annabelle Gordon)Santos has not yet said if he plans to run for reelectio...

Missouri official under fire for opposing LGBTQ+ protections

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:38:40 GMT

Missouri official under fire for opposing LGBTQ+ protections EFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Democrats on Monday called for the removal of the leader of the state's Human Rights Commission after he testified last week against a bill for LGBTQ+ rights.Timothy Faber, chairman of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, has “lost the trust of elected leaders," Senate Democrats wrote in a letter to Gov. Mike Parson, who appointed the fellow Republican to the commission in 2021. The commission handles cases of alleged discrimination in the state.The bill in question, brought by the state’s only openly gay senator, would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It would offer protections against landlords refusing to rent to LGBTQ+ people or employers firing them. Top story: Timeline of severe weather near St. Louis Tuesday Faber testified against it last week, telling Senate committee members that “this bill cannot be separated from religion, and particularly religious liberty.”“The U.S. Constitution and the Missouri...