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Mayor Johnson in Washington D.C. over migrant crisis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson is joining other mayors in Washington D.C. Thursday to ask federal officials for help with the migrant crisis.It's happening a day after city council members showed division on purchasing land for a new shelter.Johnson joined mayors from New York, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles to ask for financial assistance with handling migrant housing.Since last year, Chicago has received more than 20,000 migrants from the Texas border — and opened 24 shelters.The handling of asylym seekers has divided Chicago's City Council.Purchasing an abandoned retail property to build a Morgan Park shelter for migrants was derailed by a group of frustrated alderpeople Wednesday, some saying the money spent on migrants could be given to communities in need.The discussion led to a call for a special city council vote regarding whether Chicago should keep its status as a sanctuary city. City Council vote on migrant shelter in Morgan Park temporarily shelved A group of council...

Prosecutor: Former Memphis officer pleads guilty to state and federal charges in Tyre Nichols' death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis police officer changed his plea to guilty Thursday in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, becoming the first of five officers charged to reverse course.Desmond Mills Jr. entered his plea during a hearing at the Memphis federal courthouse as part of a larger agreement to settle charges in state court as well. It wasn’t immediately clear how the four other officers planned to respond and specifically whether they would follow suit. Their attorneys declined to comment on Mills’ guilty plea.Mills pleaded guilty to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice on Thursday and has agreed to plead guilty to related state charges. Prosecutors are recommending a 15-year sentence for the former officer, although the final sentencing decision rests with the judge.Caught on police video, the Nichols beating in January was one in a string of violent encounters between police and Black people that sparked protests and renewed debate ...

Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins to play at Wrigley Field next summer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Green Day is bringing "The Saviors Tour" to Chicago next summer.The rock band made the tour announcement Thursday, which will celebrate 30 years of their 'Dookie' album, 20 years of 'American Idiot' and our their new album 'Saviors.' Part of the huge announcement was news that the Smashing Pumpkins will join the tour, along with Rancid and the Linda Lindas.The Saviors Tour will kick off in North America on July 29 in Washington DC — and will make a stop at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 13.Pre-sales for tickets begin November 7. General ticket sales begin on November 10 at greenday.com.

Ex-Memphis police officer pleads guilty to charges in the death of Tyre Nichols

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – Former Memphis police officer Desmond Mills pleaded guilty Thursday morning to federal charges and has agreed to plead guilty to state charges in the death of Tyre Nichols, according to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. Mills has also agreed to cooperate with federal and state investigations.Judge Mark Norris will decide on his sentencing at an upcoming hearing. Both federal and state prosecutors have agreed to a recommended sentence of 15 years. "This is but the first domino — the first domino — to fall," Nichols' father said in a press conference outside the federal courthouse. "It's a start," his mother said.Tyre Nichols' father, mother and attorneys speak outside a federal courtroom in Memphis after a former Memphis police officer agreed to plead guilty to several charges related to Nichols' death. (WREG)The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee said Mills pleaded guilty to using excessive force and failing to intervene ...

Third suspect sentenced in connection with 2020 death of Austin ice cream man

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The third and final man charged in connection with the death of an Austin ice cream man in 2020 was sentenced on a lesser charge for robbery Oct. 23.Court records showed 22-year-old Devlon Wardy was sentenced to serve 15 years in state prison related to the death of 68-year-old Adelaido Bernabe Urias. PAST COVERAGE: APD searching for getaway driver, identifies 3 arrested on murder charges in death of Austin ice cream man According to plea documents, Wardy agreed to have a capital murder charge and an aggravated robbery charge waived.Wardy was given a jail credit of 1,176 days — more than three years — toward his sentence, according to court documents.In connection with Urias’ death, Marquis Davis and Jermaine Jones were both previously sentenced to serve time in prison.

Austin Public Works prepares for winter weather

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A large part of Central Texas experienced its freeze of fall Thursday morning.This could mean much more cold weather this winter—something that Austinites will try to properly prepare for following two major winter storms in recent years. How this ice storm compares to our February 2021 winter storm This week, the City of Austin's Street and Bridge Operations division held a field training on a variety of topics to prepare for winter weather response.Crews participated in several drills that included debris removal, brine application and chain installations on cars.The City of Austin's Street and Bridge Operations division held a field training this week to improve its winter weather response.Reiner Hershaw is the assistant director for the city’s street and bridge operations division."Our goal is to get our staff comfortable and confident in their skills,” he said. “To be able to deliver services when Austin depends on them.”The city's focus is to keep the right o...

CEO of The Trail Conservancy to step down

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Trail Conservancy, an Austin nonprofit dedicated to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, announced Thursday its CEO, Heidi Anderson, will step down at the end of the year after serving in the position for seven years. Hanna Cofer, TTC’s current COO, will serve as interim CEO while TTC’s Board of Directors conducts a comprehensive national search to identify the next leader to steer the organization forward. The position will be officially posted on the TTC website in the coming months.“Heidi’s remarkable leadership not only shaped the present state of The Trail Conservancy but also laid a strong foundation for its future,” said Andy Austin, Board Chair, in the release. “Her dedication to enhancing the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail has been nothing short of inspirational. While we will miss her greatly, we are excited for the next chapter and remain committed to preserving this treasured community asset.” The announcement said that Anderson helped...

Man, pet dog and pig die in Columbia Heights house fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

A man and two pets — a dog and a pig — were killed in a house fire in Columbia Heights early Thursday, authorities said.Firefighters and police were called to the burning home near the 4600 block of Seventh Street Northeast just before 1 a.m. When responders went inside, they found the man unconscious, the Anoka County sheriff’s office said in a statement. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The pets were found dead in the home.The incident remains under investigation, and authorities did not release the name of the man.Related ArticlesLocal News | Lino Lakes murder charge: Man serving life for killing toddler in Maplewood said he ‘snapped,’ killed cellmate Local News | Judge sentences Fridley man to 40-year prison term in brutal slaying of girlfriend in St. Paul apartment Local News | Animal Humane Society now caring for 30 dogs from Andover animal rescue after 8 found dead in Cottag...

Gophers football vs. Illinois: Keys to game, how to watch and who has edge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

ILLINOIS vs. MINNESOTAWhen: 2:30 p.m. ThursdayWhere: Huntington Bank StadiumTV: Big Ten NetworkRadio: KFAN, 100.3 FMWeather: 44 degrees, partly sunny, 6 mph north windBetting spread: Minnesota, -1.5Records: The Gophers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) won its second-straight game, 27-12 over Michigan State last Saturday. The Illini (3-5, 1-4) had a bye week to prepare for Minnesota after giving up 18 fourth-quarter points in a 25-21 homecoming loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 21.History: Bret Bielema is a 9-0 against Minnesota — 2-0 at Illinois and 7-0 at Wisconsin. With Minnesota, P.J. Fleck is 3-3 against the Illini and can win his 50th game at the U on Saturday.Key matchup: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer vs. Gophers linebackers. Altmyer, an Ole Miss transfer, leads the team with 453 rushing yards gained this season. He has 259 yards on scrambles, which might force Cody Lindenberg and Co. to spy and better contain him.Who has the edge?Gophers offense vs. Illinois defense: Last year’s Illini DC Ryan...

High school football: Friday’s section final predictions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:22 GMT

CLASS 6ANo. 3 Rosemount (5-4) at No. 2 Woodbury (5-4), 7 p.m.Whichever defense performs better will win this game. But, for Woodbury, can a passing game led by quarterback George Bjellos make those one or two big plays that prove to be the separator? OUR PICK: Woodbury 17, Rosemount 13No. 4 Shakopee (6-3) at No. 1 Lakeville South (8-1), 7 p.m.Shakopee is the most dangerous fourth seed in the Class 6A bracket. The Sabers have played Lakeville South well in previous seasons. All of their losses have been highly competitive, and they’ve been very impressive of late. But you have to be lights out to knock the Cougars out of the postseason. OUR PICK: Lakeville South 17, Shakopee 14No. 6 East Ridge (3-6) at No. 2 Minnetonka (7-2), 7 p.m.East Ridge dropped a number of tight games during the regular season. It’s funny how a playoff run can drown out so many bad memories. The Raptors made the big plays they lacked this fall in a Round 1 win over Anoka. Do they have another upset in them? OUR...