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Defense rests in federal trial to decide whether Tim Mapes lied to protect Mike Madigan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

CHICAGO — The federal perjury trial of a former chief of staff to longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continued Tuesday, as lawyers for Tim Mapes presented their case.Mapes, former chief of staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, is accused of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice. Prosecutors allege Mapes tried to block a criminal investigation of Madigan and Springfield insider Michael McClain.Using a series of secret recordings, the government told jurors Mapes lied about his knowledge of Madigan and McClain's political activities. In one 2018 call, when 'MeToo' had swept through the legislature, McClain told Mapes he disagreed with Madigan's appointment of Maggie Hickey to investigate the mistreatment of women at the Capitol. Federal trial to decide whether ex-chief of staff lied to protect his boss, Illinois House speaker Before prosecutors rested their case on Monday, they played a wiretap of McClain saying he worked to block t...

Jeffrey Epstein's New Mexico 'Zorro Ranch' sold, attorney confirms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Jeffrey Epstein's roughly 8,000-acre Zorro Ranch in New Mexico sold for an undisclosed amount earlier this month, according to Nexstar's KRQE.The ranch was sold to San Rafael Ranch, LLC, and a new warranty deed was recorded on August 16. The sprawling property was listed for sale for $27.5 million, according to the Santa Fe County Clerks' office. KRQE obtained documents that confirmed the change of ownership from Cypress Inc. to San Rafael Ranch, LLC. Records show Epstein and the Zorro trust bought the ranch from the Gary King family, then built his 33,339-square-foot mansion there in the '90s. JPMorgan reaches settlement with Epstein victims Two years ago, KRQE Investigates uncovered a fake warranty deed connected to the Epstein property in New Mexico. The Florida man associated with the fake deed later faced a federal indictment for allegedly hiring a hitman.On Tuesday, an attorney for the Epstein estate confirmed to KRQE the sale of the Zorro ranch prope...

See the Michigan home listed for just $1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

PONTIAC, Mich. (WJW) — A Michigan home was recently listed for sale for just $1. Sound too good to be true? Well, it might be. But the listing is legitimate.The house for sale is in Pontiac, just north of Detroit. The 700-square-foot space features two bedrooms and one bathroom. It is admittedly a fixer-upper, described in the Good Company Realty listing as potentially the "world's cheapest home." See it: Home made almost entirely of foam being constructed in Texas "Step inside and experience the thrilling rollercoaster of emotions as you discover every nook and cranny that's begging for your creative touch. The roof might have seen better days, but hey, it's not leaking yet -- it's just keeping you on your toes, providing an unexpected shower of excitement when you least expect it," reads the listing. The listing goes on to describe "a garden so wild, even Mother Nature would raise an eyebrow."Credit: Chris HubelCredit: Chris HubelCredit: Chris HubelCredit: Chris HubelCredit: Chr...

PragerU among educational lesson plans allowed in Texas schools under new law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, PragerU announced it is now an educational vendor in Texas, according to a video posted to its website. That means teachers have the options to use its lessons in classrooms.Texas is the second state, after Florida, to approve material from the conservative nonprofit to be used in schools, according to its release. The Hill reported in Florida, the videos aren't required content but "aligns to Florida's revised civics and government standards and can be used as supplemental materials." In Texas, the use of PragerU content is similar. The "State Board of Education has authority under new statute to review and approve commercially available instructional material, such as those sold by PragerU. We welcome all publishers to participate in the SBOE's review and approval process," the Texas Education Association said.Resources for teachersSchool districts throughout the state are still working to fill teacher vacancies. Lawmakers filed multiple bills in an atte...

Oncor customers in Pflugerville affected by Monday power outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Around 630 Oncor customers were affected by a power outage in Pflugerville that started Monday evening, according to Oncor officials.At approximately 7:40 p.m. Monday, crews responded to hundreds of outages in the area. Power was estimated to be restored by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.However, officials said the cause for the outage was underground facilities that needed repair, so the repairs took longer to find and fix.As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, approximately 194 customers remained with power, according to the Oncor outage map.The City of Pflugerville also posted on Twitter and said multiple cooling centers were available for those impacted by the outages. Pflugerville cooling centers:Pflugerville Library - 1008 W. Pfluger St.Travis County Community Center at Pflugerville - 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Suite D

Former Miss Texas announces campaign for Texas House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

DALLAS (KXAN) — The first Asian American woman to win the Miss Texas crown is now hoping to add another title to her name: state lawmaker. Averie Bishop, who won the statewide pageant in 2022, made it official Tuesday afternoon that she's running to unseat a longtime Republican state representative in a competitive district located outside of Dallas. She posted a video on her social media accounts announcing her campaign for Texas House District 112, which includes the communities of Addison, Richardson and Sunnyvale in Dallas County. "We are tired of being left behind. We are through with waiting for Austin to protect our public schools, to take action in the face of climate change or give us access to basic human rights like health care," Bishop said in her video. "It's time for a change. It's time for the next generation of Texans to lead. It's time to remember every time we say y'all, it has to mean all."Bishop, 26, is running as a Democrat in the race. She said she would be the...

Tropical Depression Harold weakening south of Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

Editor's Note: This story is no longer being updated. Check the KXAN First Warning Weather forecast for the latest.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island, Texas at 10 a.m. Tuesday with winds of 50 mph. Harold has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it weakens over land. KXAN: First Warning Weather Flooding rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are possible along the South Texas coast inland toward the Rio Grande Valley. So far, the reporting station at Corpus Christi has measured more than three inches of rain.Tropical Storm Harold's projected rainfall RainfallTD Harold sent welcome rain bands into Central Texas Tuesday evening, bringing parts of Austin our first measurable rainfall in a month -- and breaking Austin's 100-degree streak after 45 days of hot sunshine.The last measurable rain in Austin at Camp Mabry was back on July 22. On that day we picked up 0.01" which was just enough to end our previous dry ...

Texas women's basketball set for marquee Moody showdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas women's basketball is one of the premier programs in the country, especially with some of the success they've had as of late. But without much question, one of - if not the - biggest name program in the nation is the University of Connecticut.While the Huskies haven't won a national championship since 2016, they're still perennially one of the top teams in the nation. And now in 2023, UConn will make the trip to Central Texas."Obviously that name is very recognizable in the realm of women's basketball," Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer said. "Playing a team of that caliber early in the year certainly generates interest."Connecticut will play at Moody Center against Texas at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3. The game will be part of the Jimmy V Women's Classic.Schaefer referenced his goal of having 5,000 season ticket holders for Texas women's basketball and how they are yet to reach that goal. He hopes games like this will help attract fans for good."If you come see us play once,...

Event in Stillwater to celebrate Swiss heritage will include Appenzeller cheese and a 100-year-old beer keg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

An event to celebrate the state’s Swiss heritage will be held this weekend at the Washington County Heritage Center in Stillwater.The event, which will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, will include a screening of “In Adventura Americana,” a documentary that explores the journey of Swiss Romansh immigration to Minnesota. The documentary follows the adventures of two Swiss men who started in Stillwater, ventured to other parts of the Twin Cities, and, eventually, settled in Badus, S.D.Several of the filmmakers will be joining the event via Zoom from Switzerland for an interactive question-and-answer session.The event is hosted by the Washington County Historical Society, and Pat and Kathy Wolf, owners of Stillwater-based Joseph Wolf Brewing Co. The sisters are the great-granddaughters of Joseph Wolf. Wolf, along with his brother, Martin, came to Stillwater in 1855 from Trun, Switzerland, and started the brewery in downtown Stillwater in 1868.Swiss delicacies such as Appenzeller cheese, ...

Here’s our 53-man roster projection for the Vikings. Who stays? Who goes?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:13:48 GMT

There is less than a week until cut-down day across the NFL. Though some of the older players  leaguewide can’t wait for training camp to be over, some of the young players are still trying to make an impression. And there are only a few more days to do that for anyone on the bubble.As for the Vikings, they close out training camp this week by hosting a couple of joint practices with the Arizona Cardinals. Those workouts will be held at TCO Performance Center on Wednesday and Thursday, and should give the coaching staff more data points ahead of final cuts.Here’s our 53-man roster projection for the Vikings:Quarterback (2)Staying: Kirk Cousins, Nick MullensGoing: Jaren Hall, Jordan Ta’amuAnalysis: There’s no doubt that Cousins will be the starter this season and Mullens will be the backup. The main reason Hall gets cut is because he still has so much to learnt to play the position at the highest level. His inexperience has been on display in both preseason games so...