Ed Burke trial resumes, opening statements begin

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

Ed Burke trial resumes, opening statements begin CHICAGO — After a week-long interruption because of COVID-19, the Ed Burke trial is set to resume Thursday.The judge in the high-profile case wants jury selection wrapped up by noon on Thursday and opening statements took place in the afternoon.She got her wish with 12 jurors and four alternates being selected after lunch Thursday.One week ago, Judge Virginia Kendall announced this trial would be delayed after a defense attorney tested positive for COVID-19. At the beginning of Thursday, she addressed all parties saying she hoped everyone was feeling well.One potential juror was excused after testing positive for COVID-19.Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and his wife Anne arrived at the Dirksen Federal Building around 8 a.m. on Thursday. This is the second week of his high-profile corruption trial.He is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery, and extortion. Prosecutors say he abused his public office for private gain, but withholding permits unless business owners used...

TikTok 'aggressively' removing content praising Osama bin Laden after letter goes viral

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

TikTok 'aggressively' removing content praising Osama bin Laden after letter goes viral (The Hill) — The social media platform TikTok said it is “aggressively” removing content that praises Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America.”The letter, published about a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was bin Laden’s attempt to justify the targeting and killing of American civilians. It has been recirculating online recently.Bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in 2011. Long-haul carrier Emirates orders 15 Airbus A350 after engine dispute during Dubai Air Show Many videos supported bin Laden’s argument and urged others to read the letter in the wake of the United States’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas.“Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism,” TikTok Policy posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.”TikTok said the number of videos supporting bin Laden’s message is small, altho...

Dense fog may disrupt your Friday morning commute

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

Dense fog may disrupt your Friday morning commute AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a foggy, misty start on Thursday, areas of dense fog may slow down your morning commute again on Friday.Mostly cloudy skies are streaming into Texas from a large storm system slowly moving toward the California coast. Low clouds and fog build in early Friday as more moisture has moved into the area. Patchy mist and drizzle may wet your morning drive.A weak cool front moves into the area late Friday, continuing our stretch of comfortable temperatures under a mix of clouds and sun.The California storm eventually clips our area with mostly cloudy skies and just a few isolated showers Sunday and Monday. Rain looks spotty and light with most areas tallying 0.25" or less.Generally light and limited rainfall Sunday and MondayA stronger cold front blows through late Monday, bringing colder than normal temperatures through Thanksgiving Day. Very strong north winds are in the forecast Tuesday behind the front, potentially gusting to 40 miles per hour in some communi...

Class 6A state football semifinal: Centennial reaches championship game for first time since 1984

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

Class 6A state football semifinal: Centennial reaches championship game for first time since 1984 Daylen Cummings made sure Centennial will play for a state title for the first time since 1984.The senior quarterback rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another to lift his team past Lakeville South 20-13 in a Class 6A state semifinal matchup that pitted Cougars vs. Cougars Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.Centennial (11-1) advances to meet the winner of Friday night’s other semifinal between Edina (8-3) and Eden Prairie (11-0) in the Class 6A championship game at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at U.S. Bank Stadium. It marks the program’s first trip to a state title game since falling to Hutchinson 32-7 in the Class A championship matchup in 1984.Lakevillle South — which won a state title in 2021 — finished its season 10-2 overall.Junior running back Connor Cade got his team going on the first play of Lakeville South’s second possession, rumbling 45 yards up the middle for a touchdown that established an early 7-0 lead. Centennial then got a huge break when a botched snap on a p...

Preview of floats ahead of Schenectady Holiday Parade

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

Preview of floats ahead of Schenectady Holiday Parade SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Officials gave a sneak peek on Thursday of some of the floats that will be in the 54th annual holiday parade in Schenectady. This year's theme is New York State of Mind.One float is called Upstateopoly, which is a twist on the classic board game Monopoly. The game board will have notable Capital Region locations. There are also several features of the float, including hotels, game pieces and players. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Teachers and staff from Hamilton Elementary School came together for the float idea. This is the school's second year in the parade.The parade takes place at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The 109th Airlift Wing will serve as grand marshal. Santa will make an early stop in Schenectady, and NEWS10's Lydia Kulbida will serve as emcee.

General Electric Vernova makes first wind turbine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

General Electric Vernova makes first wind turbine SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -New strides towards renewable energy are being made right here in the Capital Region. General Electric Vernova announced that their first onshore wind turbine is built, and ready to ship. NEWS10 looked into how the local production of these powerhouses is electrifying the economy.GE Vernova is looking toward renewable energy for the future as its first wind turbine is about to be shipped from its historic location in Schenectady. Apart of a fifty million dollar investment, the one million square foot building is being renovated to fit this massive hardware. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The plant manager of building 273, Brian Carlson, explained what goes into this innovative technology. "We have a long legacy of steam turbines and generators for GE. Being able to bring in a whole new product line is really exciting." Carlson, a third-generation GE employee, is looking forward to leading...

New York's most popular hunting season begins Saturday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

New York's most popular hunting season begins Saturday (NEWS10) -- The most popular big game hunting season in New York State begins this weekend. Regular firearms season for deer and bear hunting kicks off Saturday.Officials said about 85 percent of the state's licensed hunters participate. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the past two years have been the safest hunting seasons on record. They hope to keep that trend going by requiring all hunters to wear fluorescent orange or pink and are encouraging everyone to take precautions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "And then, if you're out hiking or recreating in the outdoors, wear some blaze orange as well," NYS DEC Big Game Wildlife Biologist Brendan Quirion said. "It will help hunters see you, and it will keep everyone safe."Other safety recommendations include: (1) using a tree stand and harness since most hunting-related injuries happen when hunters are climbing in and out of a tree; (2) ...

Stolen, found, sold: Auto tow lot auction shock

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

Stolen, found, sold: Auto tow lot auction shock ST. LOUIS - Some stolen car victims say they’re paying twice for someone else’s crime. Only FOX 2 reported a recent case of a Ballwin woman’s stolen car, recovered, then accidentally sold by the St. Louis tow lot.After hearing from other alleged victims, we attended a recent St. Louis tow lot auction. About 90 cars were sold Thursday. One sold for $200, while a 2018 Audi sold for $28,500.Buyers don’t know their histories. Some were stolen, recovered, and brought there. Donna Boren’s son’s pick-up was one of them earlier this year.We asked her, “How much did you get?” Boren answered, “Zero – nothing.” St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins She showed us video of her son’s pickup being stolen in Arnold. She added, “They had completely pulled wires out of the stealing column, and I guess that’s how they started it. They also poked a hole through the outside lock because his truck was locked.”She added, “It wouldn’t take full coverage. We could only get liability ...

East St. Louis whistleblower removed from housing authority board  

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

East St. Louis whistleblower removed from housing authority board   EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Shonte Mueller was joined by family and supporters as she arrived at the East St. Louis City Hall Thursday night for a personnel hearing.  Following that hearing, she learned she had been removed from the East St. Louis Housing Authority board. “They voted to replace me due to the allegations I made against the ex-interim executive director for wrongdoing,” Mueller said.   St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins The You Paid For It Team outlined Mueller’s accusations that the former director steered contracts to relatives resulting in unnecessary and pricey up-charges.The previous director was removed but denied the allegations.   Mueller said after raising the allegations, her husband, who worked for the East St. Louis Police Department for 32 years, was terminated. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

MoDOT nearing construction start date on new I-55 lanes in Jefferson County

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:57:45 GMT

MoDOT nearing construction start date on new I-55 lanes in Jefferson County JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. - Early next year, MODOT is planning to break ground on a near $250 million project.The Interstate 55 Corridor Upgrades project will add a northbound and southbound lane in Jefferson County from Festus to Pevely.“Anyone who drives on Interstate-55 in Jefferson County should care about this project,” Justin Wolf, the I-55 project director, said. “Even people that live further south in Farmington and Park Hills. Anyone who travels this corridor should care about this.” St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins The lane upgrades will stretch eight miles from the Route Z interchange in Festus to the US 67 in Pevely. MoDOT will also be replacing 14 bridges and fixing 12 more during the three-year construction timeline.  “Hopefully it will alleviate a lot of ,” area resident Brett Herzog said.  Herzog and about 200 others attended a MoDOT meeting on the project in Festus on Thursday night.   Close Thanks for signing up! W...