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Homes damaged by apparent tornado as severe storms rake Tennessee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — First responders in Tennessee were surveying damage from an apparent tornado that damaged homes on Saturday as a line of severe storms raked the area.Police and firefighters in Clarksville were responding to multiple reports of damage in the northern part of the city, which is located north of Nashville near the Kentucky state line. Residents were asked to stay at home while first responders evaluated the situation.The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that a tornado touched down around 2 p.m. and damaged several homes. The statement said that there were no confirmed injuries or missing people but that it was continuing to search the area. A shelter was set up at a local high school.Clarksville city spokesman Jimmy Settle said in an email that he didn’t have any further information on the number of structures damaged or possible injuries.The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee, and said it planned to s...

Vikings offensive coordinator arrested on suspicion of drunken driving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after being stopped for speeding on a Minneapolis interstate highway.Phillips, 44, was driving a Tesla Model S that was stopped around 9:45 p.m. Friday on Interstate 394, Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Jill Frankfurth said in a statement. Phillips “showed signs of impairment” and his blood alcohol content registered at 0.10%, Frankfurth said. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08%.Phillips was booked at the Hennepin County jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. Jail records show that he posted $300 bond and was released at 1:26 a.m., about 2 1/2 hours after he was booked.A court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 21.The Vikings said in a statement that Phillips traveled with the team Saturday to Las Vegas. The Raiders host the Vikings Sunday afternoon.“Wes immediately notified the team following his arrest last night,” the team statement said. ...

The NRA has a surprising defender in its free speech case before the Supreme Court: the ACLU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — In a case of politics making strange bedfellows, the National Rifle Association will be represented by frequent nemesis the American Civil Liberties Union in an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.The New York-based civil liberties group confirmed Saturday that it would provide legal representation for the gun-rights group in its First Amendment case against New York’s Department of Financial Services even as it “vigorously” opposes nearly everything it stands for. “We don’t support the NRA’s mission or its viewpoints on gun rights, and we don’t agree with their goals, strategies, or tactics,” the ACLU in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “But we both know that government officials can’t punish organizations because they disapprove of their views.”The NRA, which reshared the ACLU’s statement on its social media account, wrote in a follow-up post that it was “proud” to stand with the ACLU and others who recognize that “regulatory authority cannot be us...

Non-profit 'HOME' advocates for senior home repair assistance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A new coalition pushing for more resources to help elderly homeowners held a town hall meeting Saturday morning.At Morning Star Baptist Church in Bronzeville, a town hall meeting for the official launch of ix Our Homes Illinois took place, led by the non-profit group Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly, or HOME for short."The goal is to create a unified structure and more home repair specialists," said Gail Schechter, executive director of HOME.Organizers of the event said they are coming together, aiming to push lawmakers to secure more funding to help seniors who want to stay in their homes, but cannot afford costly maintenance and repairs, which make them vulnerable targets of scam artists. More from Gaynor: Comedy and stunts at Leah Orleans ‘Tiny Girl Big Show’ Among the speakers was Kina Smith, whose family fell victim to Mark Diamond, who prosecutors said routinely tricked elderly Black homeowners on the city's South and West Sides into signing w...

White Sox acquire catcher from Atlanta Braves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox acquired a veteran catcher from the Atlanta Braves Saturday, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.Max Stassi, 32, was traded to the White Sox today alongside cash considerations, after he was traded yesterday by the Los Angeles Angels to the Braves with infielder David Fletcher in exchange for first baseman Evan White and left-handed pitcher Tyler Thomas. He missed the entire 2023 season due to stints on the injured list with a left hip strain and Restricted List due to a family medical issue.Stassi is a career .212/.295/.361 (hitter with 41 home runs, 128 RBI and 136 runs scored in 403 games over 10 major-league seasons with Houston (2013-19) and the Angels (2019-22). He combined to record 29 homers and 85 RBI in 220 games over his last three seasons with the Angels (2020-22). Shohei Ohtani to sign record deal with Los Angeles Dodgers According to FanGraphs.com, Stassi’s 38.1 framing rate from 2018-22 was the second best by a catcher ...

Search underway for driver involved in deadly hit-and-run in Garfield Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

CHICAGO — The search continues this weekend for a driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Garfield Park on Friday night. According to Chicago police, a search is underway for a driver who hit a pedestrian in the 4200 block of West Congress Parkway just before 9:40 p.m. Officers say the driver involved was traveling westbound in a red SUV with a sunroof and police say it could have possibly been a Dodge Durango made between 2011 and 2023. Officers say the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged in the crash. On Saturday morning, Chicago police issued a community alert asking for the public's help as they look to track down the driver who allegedly sped off after the crash.A resident in the area who was woken up by the sound of the crash said paramedics worked tirelessly to try and help the victim.Authoriteis have not yet identified the victim killed and an investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the deadly crash is asked to contact the CPD Major...

Weekend Break: Christkindlmarket Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

CHICAGO — If you haven't made it to the Christkindlmarket at Daley plaza yet, there's still time! It's become one of the most popular winter attractions in the City, with lines forming even before it opens, and it runs until Christmas Eve.WGN's Courtney Spinelli shares the history and excitement of it all on Saturday's edition of Weekend Break!

Aurora PD holds 'Shop With A Cop' for local kids in the community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

AURORA, Ill. — With two weeks before Christmas, the spirit in Aurora is being shopped with a cop.Twelve-year-old DeAndre Lee is one of about 40 kids who came to Meijer Saturday to pick out what they wanted for a gift."When I first saw the officers I thought something was wrong when we first parked," Lee said. "I’m hoping I can take home a Nintendo switch."From a Nintendo Switch to Squishmellows, each child received $100 to pick out their presents, with the help of an Aurora police officer."I thought something bad happened, like there was a crime or something," said 10-year-old Isaiah Williams. "And then when I came in I realized … the sign said ‘shop with a cop’ … And then I realized that there was nothing wrong." More from Sean: ‘Everyone loved him’: Father of 3, limo company owner fatally shot in Austin According to the Aurora Police Department, about 15 officers volunteered their time to be at the event in uniform."The officers who come out, they wait all year for this event," ...

5 takeaways from the latest indictment of Hunter Biden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

(The Hill) — A new indictment of Hunter Biden became public on Thursday evening.President Biden’s son faces a total of nine charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — in relation to tax evasion and other tax-related matters.Biden already faces gun charges, relating to allegedly lying about his use of illegal drugs in the process of buying a gun in 2018.The new charges were approved by a grand jury empaneled by Special Counsel David Weiss. Weiss was first appointed as the U.S. Attorney for Delaware by former President Trump but continued in the role after Present Biden’s election.  Elon Musk declares war on Disney and Bob Iger Weiss has received criticism from Republicans more recently for purportedly being too lenient on Hunter Biden. He was appointed special counsel in August.The charges, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, come after a plea deal collapsed during the summer.Biden is expected to vigorously contest the charges. If convict...

North Shore takes out Westlake in the 6A Division I semifinals for 2nd consecutive season 23-14

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the wind swirling the entire game Saturday at The Pfield, Galena Park North Shore did what they did last season and topped Westlake in the Class 6A Division I semifinals 23-14. Texas high school football playoff scores for Friday, Dec. 8 North Shore took a 17-14 lead midway through the third quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Jonathan Soto, set up by an incredible display of elusiveness by quarterback Kaleb Bailey on fourth down. Bailey stepped out of two tackles, shuffled to his right and hit Cameron Smith for an 8-yard gain on fourth-and-6 to keep the Mustangs drive alive to eventually take the lead.On the last play of the game, Westlake tried to set up a screen pass with sophomore quarterback Rees Wise backing up in his end zone. The pass was tipped and as time ran off the clock, the Mustangs intercepted it to make the margin of victory two possessions.In two seasons at the helm, Chaps head coach Tony Salazar is 28-2 with both losses coming against the Must...