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South Korea, US troops to hold massive live-fire drills near border with North Korea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean and U.S. militaries were set to begin massive live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, despite the North’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it calls such a hostile invasion rehearsal on its doorstep.Thursday’s drills, the first of the allies’ five rounds of firing exercises until mid-June, mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington. North Korea has typically reacted to such major South Korean-U.S. exercises with missile and other weapons tests.Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-launched more than 100 missiles but none since it fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile in mid-April. North Korea has argued its torrid pace of tests was meant to respond to the expanded military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, but observers say the North aims to advance its weapons development then wrest greater concessions from its rivals in eventual diplom...

Movie Review: ‘About My Father’ is a messy, limp rom-com with Robert De Niro as bait

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

If you were to resurrect the tired storyline of a young couple having to meet their partners’ parents and were looking around for someone to play the gruff, disapproving future father-in-law, one name should definitely not pop out. Robert De Niro.Yes, he’s hysterical as the intense, no-nonsense, overprotective dad who’d make any suitor turned wide-eyed. Yes, he’s good at playing the role with the straightest of faces. We know that because he’s done it to great effect in “Meet the Parents.” Many times. And yet “About My Father” brings out this revered Oscar-winner for a sloppy reprise of that role in a consistently unfunny rom-com that you get the distinct feeling might not be in theaters at all if he didn’t lend his deadpan glower. Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco has co-written and stars in this big sloppy Italian American kiss about family that not only leans into stereotypes — working-class Italians on one side, WASPs on the other — but plows the field ...

Changes proposed for religious order that houses pedophile priests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

WGN Films presents “Sanctuary of Sin,” a series looking at a little-known religious order and the role it played in the Catholic church sex abuse crisis. This is Part 3 of 3.David Clohessy says he was abused multiple times by his parish priest.It began when he was age 11 or 12 and a volunteer at the church.“And to repay me he would take me on out-of-town trips,” he said. “It was always on those trips that he molested me. Always when it was just the two of us. I was just terrorized. I had no idea what was going on or what to do.”Clohessy later sued the priest but the lawsuit was rejected because the statute of limitations had expired.It was a crushing blow but nothing like the news Clohessy would soon receive.“Shortly after that I found out [the priest] had molested three of my brothers,” Clohessy said. “It absolutely just shattered our family.”One of Clohessy’s brothers who was abused grew up to become a priest. In a terrible twist, the brother was later accused of sexually abusing ...

KCSO: Suspect dead after 48 hour crime spree, shootout with police in Batavia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

BATAVIA, Ill. — A man is dead after going on a two-day-long crime spree that ended in a shootout with police at a busy intersection in Batavia Near Geneva late Wednesday afternoon, according to Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain.Police said the suspect had been on a 48-hour suburban crime spree when he carjacked a vehicle in Aurora. Kane County Sheriff's deputies spotted the stolen vehicle in the area of Randall Road and Silver Glen in South Elgin and pursued him, which led to a Kane County sheriff's deputy using their vehicle to stop the suspect, who was in a Honda Accord, near the intersection of Fabyan Parkway and Randall Road shortly before 4 p.m.Once the vehicle was stopped, deputies deployed a K-9 to subdue the man getting out of the Accord, who displayed a weapon toward deputies. An exchange of gunfire ensued where the K-9 and the suspect were hit.The suspect was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, while the K-9 — named Hudson — later succumbed to his injuries and also died....

Man, 2 teens charged in double shooting on Near South Side last month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A 19-year-old man and two teens have been charged in connection with a double shooting last month on the Near South Side of Chicago that left a man dead and another injured.According to the Chicago Police Department, Jordan Parks, 19, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were Tuesday in connection with the April 27 shooting in the 1900 block of South State Street. 1 dead, 1 injured after shooting on Chicago’s Near South Side Parks has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to police.The 15-year-old boy was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon under 21 years old and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to police. The 16-year-old boy was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon - mac...

CPD: Food vendors targeted in 7 carjackings and robberies Tuesday morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Food vendors across the South and West Sides were targeted in at least seven robberies and carjackings Tuesday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said food vendors and other victims in Humboldt Park, Garfield Park and Little Village were targeted in robberies and aggravated vehicular hijackings from 12:01 a.m. to 7:48 a.m. Tuesday as they left or arrived for work.Tuesday Incident Times and Locations3200 block of West Polk Street on May 24, 2023 between 12:01 a.m. and 7:15 a.m.2400 block of South Drake Avenue on May 24, 2023 at 6:30 a.m.2400 block of South Kedzie Avenue on May 24, 2023 at 6:44 a.m.900 block of North St. Louis Street on May 24, 2023 at 6:59 a.m.800 block of North Keystone Avenue on May 24, 2023 at 7:05 a.m.4000 block of West Hirsch Street on May 24, 2023 at 7:05 a.m.600 block of North Trumbull Avenue on May 24, 2023 at 7:48 a.m.In each instance, a group of unknown suspects exited a stolen vehicle, displayed handguns and took victims' ...

New Sweden neighbors fight concrete plant to be built nearby

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — More than 100 people from the community of New Sweden attended a public meeting in protest of a proposed concrete-batch plant. Nearly every neighbor who made a comment criticized the Texas Commission Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for "insufficient notification."According to the TCEQ notice of application for an air-quality standard permit, the site of the plant would be off Manda Carlson Road just left of Manor -- a developing but still rural area of Travis County.Five Star Concrete submitted this application and declined to give a comment to KXAN at the public hearing.Residents in this area have formed a group called "Save New Sweden" in response to the company's proposed plant. They said their goal is to stop the plant's construction. The group cited concerns that it would bring noise and light pollution to the quiet, farming community.“We don’t expect it to stay the same obviously but people want to stand up and say this is not development that we want...

St. Paul City Council poised to approve Summit Avenue bikeway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

Following a lengthy and emotional public hearing that drew strong words from cyclists, homeowners, historic preservationists and environmental advocates, the St. Paul City Council was poised Wednesday night to approve a protected bikeway along nearly five miles of historic Summit Avenue.The vote, expected to unfold shortly before 10 p.m. following four hours of staff and public testimony, represents the culmination of more than 18 months of planning and public engagement led by St. Paul Public Works and St. Paul Parks and Recreation. The elevated bikeway, which has yet to be funded, would be installed as Summit Avenue is reconstructed in phases, with curb, parking and other features effectively protecting cyclists navigating at sidewalk level.“I really regret that it has gotten so divisive,” said Council Member Rebecca Noecker, who represents a stretch of Summit Avenue. “Just because an idea is divisive, though, isn’t a sign that it’s wrong. … I t...

Walz signs $72 billion Minnesota budget: ‘We’re leaving no one behind’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

Major pieces of a $72 billion state budget DFL lawmakers passed during what could shape up to be one of the most consequential legislative sessions in recent memory are falling into place.Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday signed into law a dozen bills enacting a significant portion of what he and fellow Democrats call the “One Minnesota” budget. It’s a significant expansion of government spending backers say will reduce child poverty and make the state a better place to raise a family.Standing in front of Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers and state officials on the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday, Walz told a crowd that Minnesota wanted to see the end of partisan gridlock at the Capitol and elected DFL majorities to boost education funding, protect abortion rights and enact policies like paid family and medical leave.“It’s going to mean a fairer, more inclusive, better and more prosperous Minnesota,” Walz said. “We’re leaving no one behind.”With control of the Senate, House and gov...

State officials hope COVID vaccine mandate repeal will relieve staffing crisis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With a healthcare staffing shortage across New York, Governor Kathy Hochul continued the declaration of a statewide disaster emergency last month. Some workers had left their jobs over the COVID vaccine requirement. Some believe repealing the mandate will help with the staffing crisis. But Stephen Hanse from the New York State Health Facilities Association says it may not encourage everyone to return.“I’m aware of some individuals who pursued some careers or other avenues where they may not leave those new jobs,” Hanse said. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! When the covid vaccines were mandated in 2021, health facilities around the Capital Region encouraged their staff to vaccinate. Timothy Turbiak is an X-ray Technologist for a private practice, and he remembers how the mandate affected staffing.“We did a little shuffling around of employees who wouldn’t get the vaccine,” Turbiak said. “So, we made t...