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Federal trial to decide whether ex-chief of staff lied to protect his boss, Illinois House speaker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The trial of a former chief of staff to longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan opened Wednesday with a federal prosecutor arguing that the defendant lied under oath to a grand jury to protect his boss.The 68-year-old Tim Mapes, who served for almost two decades as Madigan’s chief of staff, faces single counts of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice. A conviction on the obstruction count alone carries up to 20 years in prison.Mapes lied repeatedly when he testified in 2021 to a grand jury investigating Madigan and others. In opening statements, the prosecutor told jurors Mapes also lied when he said he couldn’t recall any relevant details about Madigan’s ties to Michael McClain, who is a Madigan confidant, the Chicago Tribune reported.“The defendant lied. Not just once but again and again and again, to prevent the grand jury from finding out” what Madigan, a Democrat, was up to, prosecutor Diane MacArthur said.Federal jurors in May convi...

Robbie Robertson of The Band dies: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

(WGHP) -- Rock guitarist Robbie Robertson has died, according to multiple reports. He was 80 years old. Robertson died in his home in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness, according to his management. Jared Levine, who was Robertson's manager for over 30 years, released the following statement to Variety and Rolling Stone: “Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’ In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Center.”THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1131 -- Pictured: Music...

How many UFO sightings have been reported in Illinois this year?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) – Have you experienced an aerial phenomenon? You aren't alone.According to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), roughly 2,000 unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings have been reported in the U.S. so far this year.NUFORC is a non-governmental, nonprofit corporation that investigates UFO sightings. The center says it receives, records, corroborates and documents reports from individuals who believe they have witnessed an aerial phenomenon. Did the government confirm aliens exist? Since its founding in 1974, NUFORC says it has processed over 170,000 reports, which are listed online by date and location. The center explained that guaranteed anonymity to callers is a longstanding policy of the corporation. NUFORC makes available to the public all of its data in summary form with the time, location, duration of the sighting, and a short summary describing the UFO. The organization notes that it can't validate the information provided in reports but it does re...

Progress made in 50-acre Cedar Park brush fire; apartment building destroyed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

Editor's note: The City of Cedar Park has updated the location of Red Cross shelter operations to the Hill Country Bible Church CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Crews are making "significant progress" toward containing a wildfire still burning Wednesday in Cedar Park, city officials said.The fire near Parmer Lane and East Whitestone Boulevard destroyed a building containing 24 apartments and damaged two other apartment buildings, Cedar Park said. In total, 38 apartment units were damaged by the fire. WILDFIRE TRACKER: How many acres have burned in Central Texas this year? The Texas A&M Forest Service shared the Parmer Lane Fire burned an estimated 50 acres and is now 60% percent contained. It also said in a social media post on Wednesday morning that dozer crews made progress overnight with building a containment line. Cedar Park police said crews responded around 6:16 p.m. Tuesday to the four-alarm fire near 12820 West Parmer Ln., which is close to East Whitestone Boulevard. Reside...

Man arrested in connection with July homicide investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An arrest was made Friday in connection with a fatal July shooting in east Austin, according to Travis County court documents.Tajuarae Dymanicc Jones, 20, was charged with murder for the death of Tijarious White. White died during a shooting July 16 at a gas station in the 1100 block of Airport Boulevard. PAST COVERAGE: APD identifies victim in gas station homicide, still searching for suspect According to the arrest affidavit, investigators found Jones' Social Security and ID cards inside the vehicle White had been in before entering the gas station. The affidavit said the items had been reported stolen earlier that day.In the affidavit, police said it was likely the shooting was connected to the burglary of the vehicle.According to court documents, Jones is being held on a $500,000 bond at the Travis County jail.Court records showed the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Jones.

How fire conditions this year compare to 2011, the year of the Bastrop County Complex fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Nearly 30 Central Texas fires in the KXAN viewing area have burned over 2,400 acres of land so far this year.Central Texas has had some bad fire years in the last couple of decades as summers have been hot and drought conditions have not significantly improved. One of the worst wildfire years in recent memory was in 2011, when a conflagration burned for 55 days, destroyed more than 1,600 homes, scorched 32,000 acres and claimed two people’s lives.  MAP: More than 2,400 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this year No fire this year has come close to the destruction that took place almost 12 years ago, but KXAN asked the Texas A&M Forest Service how the conditions this year compare to the ones in 2011. How do the conditions compare? “Each fire period of wildfire activity in Texas is different in terms of what leads up to it and [the] triggers behind the increased fire activity,” said Lucas Kanclerz, a Texas A&M Forest Service fire ana...

Austin Disaster Relief Network supporting those impacted by Parmer Lane fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) began preparing emergency supplies on Wednesday to support Cedar Park residents displaced by the Parmer Lane wildfire, according to a news release.A grass fire that broke out Tuesday and is still burning Wednesday destroyed a building containing 24 apartments and damaged three other buildings, according to the latest update from Cedar Park leaders. Cedar Park brush fire now 50 acres, 60% contained; apartment building destroyed “Even at this early stage while firefighters still work to contain the blaze, we know that many people have suffered a huge loss in this fire,” said ADRN Associate Director Stephen Brewer. “We want to get items that they need into their hands right away. Items like clothing and hygiene items like toothbrushes can make a huge impact for those who escaped the fire with little to nothing left. We’re honored to serve our neighbors this way.” MAP: More than 2,400 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfi...

Traffic Alert: Gas line issue diverting traffic in Buda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 9, 2023BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — A gas line issue closed a portion of Jack C Hays Trail Wednesday in Buda.The Buda Fire Department is rerouting traffic to Bluff Street due to the punctured gas line, the city said.CenterPoint Energy also responded to the call. The repair is estimated to take about four hours, the city said.The city said it will provide updates when they become available.

A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

Brian Eldridge is loved.But it took his death and an uncommonly candid obituary for the world to express it.The obituary, published in Sunday’s Pioneer Press, has spread across social media and garnered online tributes from people he never met. Most newspaper obituaries focus on the positives. Eldridge’s obituary recounts a life of sadness and isolation.Brian Aldridge, in a 1965 St. Paul Central High School senior picture, left, and in a 2022 family photo at Taylors Falls, was found dead July 11, 2023, at his apartment in Mounds View. He was 76. (Courtesy of Steve Eldridge)“Brian was bullied as a child and teenager because of his shyness and vulnerability,” the obituary says. “As an adult, he didn’t fit in. He never learned to use a computer or a cell phone, which kept him from applying for most jobs. He worked and supported himself through paper routes, aluminum can recycling and janitorial work. He was exploited by employers. His last job was cleaning a bingo hall at midnigh...

Two arrested following drug investigation in Mohawk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

MOHAWK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An investigation into narcotics sales in the Town of Mohawk has resulted in the arrest of two individuals from Fonda. Police charged Syed F. Husain, 41, and Meghan J. Lee, 27, with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, the investigation lasted nearly six months. Husain and Lee were processed at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and are being held pending arraignment in the Town of Mohawk Court.