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A multiday warm-up gets underway Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

Much of the coming two weeks to feature above normal temperatures with prospects for a White Christmas (defined as 1"+ snow on the ground) looking grim right nowWGN WEATHER HEADLINESMuch of the country to experience above normal overall temperatures the next two weeks leading up to ChristmasFORECAST HIGHS — HOW MUCH ABOVE NORMAL?Following a chilly Monday, daytime highs forecast to surge above normal the remainder of the weekMuch of the lower 48 off to a remarkably mild open to December, the U.S. average temperature is running a surplus of 5.5 degreesAMONG MILDEST 10% OPENS SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1871December 2023 off to a mild open — each day this month has been at or above normalFORECAST TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES FROM NORMALProspects for a White Christmas looking quite low across the Chicagoland area as a warmer than normal temperature regime, by and large, is expected to dominate the next two weeksHEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS SECTIONS OF THE NORTHEASTWidespread 3-5” totals across parts of C...

Austin defense attorney running against DA Jose Garza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A former Travis County assistant defense attorney told KXAN he is running against Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza.Jeremy Sylestine is currently a defense attorney in Austin and surrounding areas, according to the Sylestine Law website. DA Garza ‘stands by’ dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions Monday was the last day for potential candidates to file, and Sylestine said he is running as a Democrat.Garza announced his 2024 reelection campaign in August. We have reached out to Garza and his campaign for a statement and will update this article once it has been received.

Timberwolves’ six-game winning streak snapped in New Orleans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

There have been many times already this season where Minnesota has taken down good teams who were playing sans a star.New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) slam dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Including a couple previous matchups against New Orleans in which the Pelicans did not have Zion Williamson.The roles were reversed Monday, as New Orleans was at full strength and Minnesota did not have Anthony Edwards, who missed his third game out of the team’s last four contests with a hip pointer.And the end result was a 121-107 Timberwolves loss in New Orleans.Minnesota struggled to impose its will at any point in the night as the Pelicans felt like the team in control from start to finish.Jaden McDaniels returned from a three-week absence with an ankle sprain and played 27 minutes, but he struggled to find a rhythm on either end. He finished with 12 points...

Sexual assault on Arch Grounds under investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Federal authorities confirmed Park Rangers are investigating a reported sexual assault that happened on the grounds of the Gateway Arch. Police sources said it happened last Wednesday, December 6, at around 5 p.m.A spokeswoman for Gateway Arch National Park confirmed the reported incident on Monday evening."NPS Law Enforcement officers made an arrest relative to a reported sexual assault. We cannot comment on any details relative to that arrest at this time as this investigation is ongoing," the statement read.Sources said Metro Link security cameras happened to catch a person of interest on its state-of-the-art security cameras. Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home Bi-State Development General Manager of Security Kevin Scott wrote in a statement that Metro Transit Public Safety is assisting federal authorities in the investigation."Although the incident occurred off of our property, our camera technology allowed us to provi...

Missouri teen killed in hunting incident remembered for joy he brought others

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

 WINFIELD, Mo. - The Pike County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Missouri Department of Conservation in investigating a shooting death at the Ted Shanks Conservation Area Sunday.  Authorities identified the victim as Trent Busch, 18, of Winfield.  Investigators said Busch died from a gunshot wound while duck hunting.  Preliminary findings indicate the shooting was an accident with no malicious intent.  Busch was a senior at Winfield High School.  The school’s principal, Jill Johler, described the teen as a sparkling star who made her laugh every day and those around him smile.  “He was just one of those children who brought light to the building,” said Johler. “He’s just beloved by his friends and by us.” She said the school offered additional counseling and a safe space for any students or staff in need of additional support.  Busch was a senior and spent half of his school days in a welding program.  Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at C...

Archdiocese of St. Louis prepares to announce school closures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- An announcement is expected any day on the potential mass closure of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Schools from Ferguson to South County are fighting and praying for survival.In November 2022, the Archdiocese postponed the restructuring of its more than 80 schools until this year. A spokeswoman confirms an announcement on school closures will come by Friday, which is just 10 days before Christmas.The Archdiocese notified about 26 schools that they might be closing, giving those schools a chance to present a plan for financial viability and staying open. The schools represent a cross-section of Catholic parish elementary schools based on enrollment numbers, demographic trends, parish and school financial strength, and proximity to neighboring Catholic parish elementary schools, according to the Archdiocese. Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home St. Simon the Apostle in south St. Louis County not only came up wi...

Man shares odd reason for cutting down St. Louis power poles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Police say an electrical transformer theft investigation led them to a 43-year-old man with an unusual story. Court records say a witness spotted two men, who didn’t appear to be Ameren electrical workers, cutting down a power near Elliot and Sullivan avenues – to steal a transformer. It was one of two reports of damaged power poles and stolen transformers this past November 15th and 16th. A St. Louis Police investigation led them a mile away to Vincent A. Groves – who is now charged with five felonies including felony stealing and property damage. A police probable cause statement adds “These transformers produce large amounts of oil. Defendant's backyard appears to have a significant oil spill wherein he would have emptied those transformers before selling them.” Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home Court records also indicate the suspect admitted moving one of the transformers but claimed he did it because someone from the Na...

Rise in COVID and other respiratory illnesses has local health officials on guard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

ST LOUIS – This holiday season is becoming a season of sickness in the St. Louis area. Local health officials are watching COVID, Flu and other respiratory illnesses very closely.“We’re definitely seeing an uptick in cases.” said Hilary Babcock, infectious disease doctor and Chief Quality Officer at BJC Healthcare.“It’s not just regional; it appears to be a national uptick in cases throughout the country.” James Hinrichs,  infectious disease physician and acting director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.Babcock and Hinrichs are on COVID watch. But they say it’s not just COVID cases on the rise in St. Louis. Patients with the flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses are being hospitalized. With more home testing, they say it’s harder to know how widespread these illnesses are in the community. Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home “We just know there’s a lot of sick people out there. Some of them have COVID. Some have the flu....

Several Florissant officers recognized for outstanding service

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

FLORISSANT -- On Monday, several Florissant police officers and a dispatcher were recognized for their work on three separate incidents. Arresting a suspect in a robbery, saving a woman's life after she fired a gun at an officer, and patrolling neighborhoods on their days off are a few reasons the officers were commended at Monday's city council.“We put out the call to our officers and said, 'hey we would like some volunteers to come in on their days off, work some extra hours, and try to get in that area and see what’s going on and what our residents were concerned about,'" said Chief Tim Fagan. He said residents contacted the police department about issues near Graham and Dunn. For two months, officers came in on their days off, made 12 felony arrests in the area, and made arrests for drug charges.  Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home Chief Fagan said three officers Monday night were also commended for their response to a distress call of...

Livestock associations sue Colorado, U.S. Fish and Wildlife to delay gray wolf reintroduction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:54 GMT

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association sued Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week to delay the reintroduction of gray wolves into Colorado.Through a lawsuit filed in federal district court Monday, the industry organizations are seeking a court order to delay the release of gray wolves into Colorado by Dec. 31, a deadline required by the state’s Gray Wolf Introduction Initiative narrowly approved by voters in 2020.The complaint alleges the two agencies violated the National Environmental Policy Act by not conducting an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement on the “environmental consequences of reintroducing gray wolves to Colorado.”Previous environmental impact studies released this fall did not address those issues, the lawsuit states.The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, which represents 6,000 members, has long opposed the ballot measure to reintroduce gray wolves, with officials...