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US clears way for deal with Iran to release 5 detained Americans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States.Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers late last week, a month after U.S. and Iranian officials said an agreement in principle was in place. Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday, according to the notification, which was obtained by The Associated Press.The outlines of the deal had been previously announced and the waiver was expected. But the notification marked the first time the administration said it was releasing five Iranian prisoners as part of the deal. The prisoners have not been named.The waiver drew criticism of P...

Cooler, early October-level temps follow the heaviest rainfall in a month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

But, a gradual warm-up arrives later this week, pushing temps close to 80 degrees. Powerful Hurricane Lee threatens to impact parts of Bermuda before heading north toward the Northeast U.S. by the coming weekend.CLOUDY, SHOWERY MUCH COOLER DAY COMPARED TO SUMMERLIKE 83 DEGREES ON SUNDAYOFFICIALLY, IT WAS THE HEAVIEST TOTAL AT O'HARE IN 4 WEEKS, SINCE 0.80" FELL ON AUGUST 14 UNSEASONABLY COOL START TO THE WEEK WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES 10+ DEGREES BELOW NORMAL BUT WARMER WEATHER RETURNS LATER THIS WEEK AS READINGS NUDGE SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL  “COOLER” WEATHER WILL DOMINATE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYSBut, indications of a warmer than normal weather pattern is taking shape for much of the U.S. in the September 19-25 period, except for sections of the southwestBRIEF PERIOD OF “FULL FETCH” NORTHERLY WINDS RUNNING DOWN THE LENGTH OF LAKE MICHIGAN TO PRODUCE HIGH WAVES AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS FOR ILLINOIS/NW INDIANA BEACHESBeach hazards statement in effect from Tuesday morning thro...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for parts of Hill Country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a bit of rain this morning in San Saba County, we're watching for a few strong storms to push into the Hill Country late tonight.Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for San Saba & Mason County until 3 a.m. TuesdayMost of the I-35 corridor and eastern counties will stay dry, but a few surviving storms from a larger complex in West Texas may hold together long enough to reach parts of our area tonight into the overnight hours. Storms will be capable of strong winds and small hail, so be sure to check the KXAN Weather app before heading out to any late night activities. NEW BLOG: Peak Atlantic hurricane season is here, what’s next? A few spotty storms will be possible again Tuesday and Wednesday as a cold front hangs to our north, but better rainfall chances look to arrive Thursday through Saturday. Rainfall totals for the next 7-days still appear to bring most of us 0.5"-1.5" of rain with localized amounts 2"+ in our northwestern counties.Potential rainfal...

Turfgrass company wants more wells, neighbors concerned with water supply

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

PAIGE, Texas (KXAN) --- At a time when wells are running dry and much of Central Texas is under water restrictions, in Bastrop County a company is trying to expand its water supply by drilling for more wells. But now people in the area are outraged. 'It's just devastating'It's something Diann Watson and her husband never expected to see. "We've never been without water there. I mean it's just devastating," they said. Water on their ranch in Paige is drying up; both on the surface and underground. The Watsons said the water dried up within a year. It was something they never saw before. (Photo: KXAN) The Watsons said the water dried up within a year. It was something they never saw before. (Photo: KXAN) The Watsons said the water dried up within a year. It was something they never saw before. (Photo: KXAN) "The shallowest well, which is 440 feet, has dropped 30 feet," Diann said. She said they started noticing this after landscaping company Thomas Turfgrass moved in next door. Diann ...

Twins fall 7-4 to Tampa Bay in series opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

On paper, it had the makings of a pitcher’s duel, a matchup of two of the best starters in the American League, both of whom entered the day with an earned-run average under 3.00.That’s not how Monday night’s game played out.Sonny Gray was forced out of the game after four innings and Tyler Glasnow gave up four runs — though most came after Twins relievers had put the team in a deep hole. The end result was a 7-4 loss to the Rays at Target Field, their fourth in as many games against Tampa Bay this season.Gray endured a rocky first inning, allowing hits to three of the first four batters he faced on the night. He also hit a batter in the inning, but was able to limit the Rays (89-56) to just one run in the inning.He did throw more than 30 pitches in the frame, though, leading to a quick hook later in the night. Gray was removed after just four innings — he threw 89 pitches and gave up one other run, which came in the third inning.The Twins (75-69) never led in the loss, though they ...

Juvenile detention center under investigation by St. Louis County leaders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. – Complaints about the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center have led to a demand for answers from county councilmen.The county council was ready to officially begin an inquiry last week with a special meeting when the courts slowed things down over concerns of potential confidentiality breaches.FOX 2 spoke with the parents of two different children, who say they speak on behalf of about a dozen families.“I’m willing to fight for my son, for what’s right,” said the mother of a 17-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous.The other parent, Michael Hicks, is the father of a 15-year-old in juvenile custody.“My son? I’m 100% behind him while he’s there,” he said.Both parents say their children are being mistreated inside the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News ...

Wounded Bonne Terre police corporal returns to work 18 months later

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

BONNE TERRE, Mo. – Eighteen months after he was injured in a motel shooting, a corporal with the Bonne Terre Police Department has returned to work.Corporal Garrett Worley and his partner, Patrolman Lane Burns, were shot while responding to a disturbance in the overnight hours at a Motel 6 on March 17, 2022. Lane died from his injuries. He was 30.Worley, 27 at the time, was shot in the right leg, just below his knee. The prognosis from doctors was devastating.“I woke up that morning, after the injury. They told me I was going to lose my leg. It was just a matter of time,” Worley said.The news was hard to accept, as Worley and his department were just beginning to grieve the death of Burns. But Worley vowed to return to his job. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

Construction site concerns in University City neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – Residents in a University City subdivision are up in arms over a construction project next door. They say too many large construction vehicles are going in and out of their subdivision along Delmar and Kingdel, making life difficult for them.Resident Jani Bunn says she almost ran into one of the trucks.“My concern is the safety of my family,” she said. “We have been living through this construction site when I am coming out of the neighborhood with my children in the car.”University City had passed an ordinance to regulate activities on the construction sites as they related to the construction project. The ordinance was supposed to limit traffic.Bunn says she’s had close calls. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW “I’...

Lighting upgrades for Clark Bridge in Alton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

ALTON, Ill. – A big change is coming to light up a St. Louis area landmark that has lost its luster.The Clark Bridge in Alton once drew worldwide acclaim, but it no longer lights up the night.When the bridge opened nearly 30 years ago, in 1994, it was really something to see at night.Every one of the 44 cables connecting to the bridge deck had a pair of lights straight up the length of the entire cable - 176 lights total.“You’ve got 176 of them and only one of them works,” Alton Alderman Ray Strebel said.If you look at the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge in Downtown St. Louis, you see lights shining up from the deck with spectacular effect, much like the Clark Bridge used to. Now, it has only streetlights shining down on the pavement. The public works department has received complaints about how shadowy it is. Report: Ladue students died in crash following aborted police chase “The director, Mike Parsons, came to me and said, ‘I’ve had complaints about the lighting on the bri...

Senior tax freeze approved in St. Charles County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:13 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – Senior citizens in St. Charles County are getting some good news on their property taxes and will soon get some relief in the form of a tax freeze.The county council on Monday approved a new tax freeze after the state legislature approved a state law earlier this year, allowing each county to decide if they want to implement the tax freeze bill.The new bill was met with cheers from senior citizens at the county council meeting. Don Schoedel spoke before the council's vote, urging them to approve the tax freeze. He said the new bill is needed relief for seniors, especially with the current inflation."My valuation in 2023 increased 34% in a two-year period. No improvements to the home. A little three bedroom home in St. Charles County, and it's a function of the aberration of the market. The point is the valuation which you're going to be holding us to is inflated," he said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. ...