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No charges for man who fired gun in the air near rallies in Skokie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. — No charges will be filed against a man who was arrested after firing a gun into the air near a pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel rally in Skokie on Sunday, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.In a statement Monday, the office said that the man is a FOID card holder and acted in self-defense upon being surrounded by the crowd.The full statement reads:The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has reviewed the events that took place yesterday along Touhy Ave in Skokie and Lincolnwood during the Israeli and Palestinian demonstrations.  After reviewing the evidence, which includes surveillance video and witness statements, we have determined the individual, who holds a valid FOID card and Conceal Carry License and has no criminal history, acted in self-defense upon being surrounded by a crowd and attacked by some of those individuals. No charges will be filed in this case.  Cook County State's Attorney's OfficeThe incident happened Sunday evening at At...

Dozens of states suing Meta, alleging its social platforms addictive, harmful to kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people’s mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.The lawsuit filed in federal court in California also claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law.“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children.”In addition to the 33 states, nine other attorneys general are filing in their respective states, bringing the ...

Airbnb using AI to deter party rentals in Austin ahead of Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of Halloween, vacation rental company Airbnb started a new system to stop party house rentals over the spooky holiday weekend. The company said its new system, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning, aims to restrict some one-night and two-night bookings for entire homes. RELATED: Is an Airbnb ‘collapse’ happening in Austin? Airbnb's system will look at hundreds of indicators when someone is trying to book a rental, the company said. These include the length of the trip, the distance to the listing and if the booking is last minute. Guests must also attest to the company's party ban policy, which was used last year. Over Halloween in 2022, about 1,500 bookings were deterred in Austin due to the company's party house preventions, per Airbnb. Across Texas, a total of 11,000 people were discouraged from Halloween house bookings compared to booking...

Report: Politics drives school district leaders away

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Politics is the top reason superintendents are stressed out, according to a recent report by the RAND Corporation, a non-partisan research group.“The RAND Corporation did a pretty comprehensive study showing that we're having the highest turnover rate that we've ever had in district leaders,” Doug Roberts, the CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, said. The group said it is striving to empower superintendents nationwide.“This is not the job they signed up for 20 years ago. It was a very different role then than it is today,” Roberts said.The report found the turnover of superintendents nationally increased to 17% in 2022–2023 from 13-14% prior to and at the beginning of the pandemic in 2019.“They didn't necessarily sign up to be involved in political arguments between one group and another group in a community. And for that reason, a lot of people are saying, ‘...

Z'Tejas opening restaurant in Kyle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas officially opens its newest location in Kyle at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Z'Tejas originated off Sixth Street in Austin in 1989, before that location ultimately closed April 1.The restaurant specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine with southern influence.“What better way to celebrate 35 years of being in business than marking off another first. We look forward to being a staple in this vibrant community and providing guests with an unforgettable dining experience,” Z’Tejas CEO Robby Nethercut said in the release. “We invite everyone to come explore the best of two culinary worlds and experience the charm of Z’Tejas.” Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant...

Twins position breakdown: shortstop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

Heading into last offseason, one of the biggest questions facing the Twins was how they could possibly fill the hole left by Carlos Correa, who was expected to opt out of his three-year contract and sign elsewhere.Correa did opt out of that contract, but a series of twists and turns — and concerns about his right ankle — ended up leading him back to Minnesota, where the Twins were ecstatic to welcome him back.Now, the Twins have no such questions as they look forward to their third season with Correa manning the position.2023 RECAPAfter all the offseason talk about his right ankle, it ended up being his left foot that bothered him throughout the course of the 2023 season. Correa was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in May but played through it, appearing in a team-leading 135 games.Though he was on the field, his production did take a hit. But Correa was always the first one to not blame it on the pain he felt in his heel. Correa hit .230 with an on-base percentage, slugging percent...

Opinion: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are desperate distraction from a world on fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

I’m not a Swiftie. I don’t own a single friendship bracelet, concert merch or a ticket stub from her “Eras Tour” movie.But I know everything about Taylor Swift and her now official boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.Well, saying I know “everything” might be stretching it a bit. But I certainly know way more than I should about the love life of two 30-somethings I’ve never met.And now, I’m deeply invested in this must-see-NFL-TV romance.They were on “Saturday Night Live” together, swoon! He helped her from the car like a true gentleman! They even held hands! And omg, his hand is larger than hers! Finally, Taylor has security in a relationship! Not some manboy like the other guys she dated, every one of whom I have never laid eyes on and could not name if I wanted to.Still, I hope this romance never ends because then I will have to peel my eyes from the VIP box of practically any and every NFL stadium to look at what exactly?The news is nauseating of late. It was a crue...

Former Cuomo aide to discuss new book at UAlbany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Melissa DeRosa, a former top aide for ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be discussing her new book at the University of Albany's Page Hall on October 25 at 7 p.m. Her memoir "What’s Left Unsaid My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis" was released on Tuesday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! DeRosa was Cuomo's communications director, chief of staff, and secretary. She was known for appearing at the governor’s side during his COVID-19 pandemic briefings and became one of Cuomo’s most vocal defenders during the sexual harassment scandal that forced him out of office in August 2021."All too often, women are defined by the men around them. For all of my life I've been known as the 'daughter of,' 'wife of' 'top aide to,'” said DeRosa. “Writing this book allowed me the opportunity to slow down and reflect on my own journey while giving readers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to one ...

NYSP investigate fatal I-87 Orange County crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

WOODBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York State Police are investigating a fatal crash on I-87 in Woodbury that happened early Tuesday morning involving a tractor-trailer. Police say Sama Exantus, 25, of Monroe, N.Y., was pronounced dead at the scene. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say Exantus, who was driving a 1997 Ford Escort southbound on I-87, pulled onto the shoulder just after passing exit 16. While trying to re-enter the roadway, police say Exantus didn't yield to a Penske tractor-trailer traveling southbound. The tractor-trailer was unable to stop and struck the Ford. Police say Exantus suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. Exantus was taken to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office pending an autopsy.The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured in the crash. All southbound lanes were closed for a period of time. Troopers were assisted at the scene by Troop F...

Michael Cohen, Trump’s ex-fixer, takes the stand against him at his New York civil fraud trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:37 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Five years after publicly turning on Donald Trump, his former fixer Michael Cohen faced off with him Tuesday at the civil fraud trial that threatens to upend the ex-president's real estate empire.Cohen didn't look at Trump while walking past him to testify as a key witness against his former boss. Trump voluntarily came to court for the highly anticipated testimony, attending the Manhattan trial for a sixth day this month. Cohen, whose appearance was delayed from last week by an unspecified health issue, has said it is his first time seeing Trump in five years.“This is not about Donald Trump vs. Michael Cohen or Michael Cohen vs. Donald Trump," Cohen said as he arrived at the courthouse. "This is about accountability, plain and simple.”Trump, heading into court, noted that Cohen served prison time after pleading guilty to tax evasion, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations.“He’s a proven liar," said Trump, who is expected to testify later in the trial. Tru...