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Facing legal peril, Trump calls on GOP to rally around him and focus on investigating Biden

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — At a moment of growing legal peril, Donald Trump ramped up his calls for his GOP rivals to drop out of the 2024 presidential race as he threatened to go after Republican members of Congress who fail to focus on investigating Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump also urged a halt to Ukrainian military aid until the White House cooperates with congressional investigations into Biden and his family.“Every dollar spent attacking me by Republicans is a dollar given straight to the Biden campaign,” Trump said at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night. The former president and GOP front-runner said it was time for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and others he dismissed as “clowns” to clear the field, accusing them of “wasting hundreds of millions of dollars that Republicans should be using to build a massive vote-gathering operation” to take on Biden in November.The comments came two days after federal prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges against Trump as part of ...

Salvage crews begin towing a burning cargo ship to a new location off the Dutch coast as smoke eases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Salvage crews started towing a burning cargo ship loaded with thousands of cars to a temporary anchorage location off the northern Dutch coast on Sunday after smoke pouring from the stricken vessel eased, authorities said.On Saturday night, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management had said the Fremantle Highway was unlikely to be moved because of a southeasterly wind blowing smoke from the days-old fire over tugboats.But that changed Sunday.“The smoke from the cargo ship subsided considerably this afternoon and the salvage combination Multraship/Smit Salvage immediately made use of this,” the ministry said in a statement referring to two salvage companies involved in the operation.The ship was being slowly towed by two tugs to a temporary anchor point about 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.Experts are continuously monitoring the ship’s stability and a specialized boat used to clean...

4 tornadoes touchdown in south suburbs Friday: NWS

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

CHICAGO -- There were four confirmed tornadoes that touched down in the Chicagoland area, according to National Weather Service. NWS Chicago confirmed an EF- 1 tornado far north Minooka to Shorewood to the west side of Joliet. Severe weather causes damage in Chicagoland area They confirmed another EF-0 tornado in the Central part of Minooka eastward to the Des Plaines River. NWS said they will continue additional survey work on Sun from Kendall and Grundy counties east into northwest Indiana. Another EF-0 tornado confirmed near Kankakee and an EF-1 tornado was confirmed near Momence.

Have an older Verizon phone plan? Your bill could increase soon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

CLEVELAND (WJW) - Verizon customers with older phone plans could see their bill go up next month. According to the company, starting Aug. 29, some older plans will be charged an additional $3 or $5 per mobile phone line every month. Customers with Go Unlimited 2.0, Beyond Unlimited 2.0, Above Unlimited, and 5G Start 1.0 plans will see the $3 monthly increase, while single basic phone plans will see the $5 monthly increase. AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile? Maps show which cell provider gives your area best coverage The company says unlimited plans that are currently available to new customers won't get hit with the additional charge. Verizon says lines with tablets, smartwatches, and other devices also won't be affected.This comes after a price hike back in April, which, as reported by USA Today, saw a $2 monthly increase for some wireless plans. In June 2022, Verizon raised some plan fees in response to "pressure," the company's head of business said at the time. It led to a $1.35 i...

Do smartphones belong in classrooms? Four scholars weigh in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

(The Conversation) - Should smartphones be allowed in classrooms? A new report from UNESCO, the education arm of the United Nations, raises questions about the practice. Though smartphones can be used for educational purposes, the report says the devices also disrupt classroom learning, expose students to cyberbullying and can compromise students’ privacy.About 1 in 7 countries globally, such as the Netherlands and France, have banned the use of smartphones in school – and academic performance improved as a result, particularly for low-performing students, the report notes.As school leaders in the U.S. wrestle with whether or not to ban smartphones, The Conversation has invited four scholars to weigh in on the issue.Daniel G. Krutka: Use smartphones to encourage ‘technoskepticism’While the issue of smartphone use in schools is complicated, evidence suggests that spending more time on smartphones is associated with young people being less happy and less satisfied with life.Technology...

Former Hays CISD assistant band director sentenced on child porn, invasive recording charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, a former Hays CISD assistant band director was sentenced to state prison on charges of possession of child pornography, according to Hays County court documents.Documents showed that 33-year-old Tyler Dan Townsend received a 30-year sentence for 17 counts related to invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography for an August 2020 offense. RELATED: Hays CISD assistant band director arrested, accused of having child porn, recording students As a part of the sentencing agreement, Townsend was required to register as a sex offender.Towsend received a jail credit of two days that will apply toward his sentence, according to court documents.Court records showed 10 charges for possession of child pornography were dismissed.

1 dead after motorcycle crash in northwest Austin Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person has died following a motorcycle crash in northwest Austin Sunday afternoon.Austin-Travis County EMS said it responded to a crash around 1:19 p.m. Sunday in the 13100 block of North FM 620, near U.S. Hwy. 183. Officials tweeted CPR was in progress but ultimately, the adult patient died at the scene.Crews added closures are expected on multiple roadways in the area as officials investigate the crash. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

What are some weird car issues technicians are seeing during the Texas heat spell?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's no surprise that the summer months in Texas can do significant damage to your vehicle. But as Austin continues its second-longest stretch of 100° days in recorded history, car technicians are finding some unusual vehicle issues from the extremely high temperatures and heat indexes.Doc Watson works as a national training manager with Bosch Diagnostics. This summer, he said Bosch's teams of car technicians and vehicle specialists are seeing typical summertime issues, like dead car batteries and flat tires courtesy of the heat. ICYMI: Austin’s 22-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 2nd-longest in recorded history However, he said crews in Texas and along the west coast are recording unusual vehicle complications due to extensive heat waves, beyond the already high summer temperatures these regions traditionally see."People don't stop to think about wiper blades -- they don't need them until it rains, right?" Watson said. "You're driving around in 112° tem...

Max Scherzer trade doesn’t mean Mets are rebuilding, GM Billy Eppler says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

Trading ace Max Scherzer doesn’t mean the Mets are preparing to undergo a full-blown rebuild, general manager Billy Eppler insisted Sunday.Eppler said the front office isn’t punting on the 2024 season and expects to field a competitive roster, despite sending Scherzer to the Texas Rangers with another year left on his contract.“We took this opportunity to serve another goal of the organization, which is to enhance the farm system,” Eppler said Sunday after the trade became official. “But I do want to be clear: It’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale. It’s not a liquidation. This is just a repurposing of [owner Steve Cohen’s] investment in the club, and kind of shifting that investment from the team into the organization.”In trading Scherzer, the Mets received minor-league infielder Luisangel Acuna, the 21-year-old brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. and one of the Rangers’ top prospects. The Mets als...

Ulster County Canines unveils new dog park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:58 GMT

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The non-profit dog rescue Ulster County Canines in Saugerties has unveiled their new Woof Gardens Dog Park as part of an expansion of their facility. The park is curated by behavior professionals who offer advice and guidance, helping to maintain an enjoyable environment for all owners and their companions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Woof Gardens Dog Park (Ulster County Canines)The new space features a variety of terrain for running, climbing, playing and exploring, with plenty of shade and seating. The park offers memberships, with both daily and monthly use rates. UCC also provides public boarding as well as behavior and training support. The organization has plans for further expansion with the addition of an event space and a short nature trail over the next few months. Lake Champlain celebrates bicentennial with 200 paddlers Ulster County Canines is located at 3539 Route 32 in Saugert...