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New initiative gives free cell phones to domestic violence survivors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

CHICAGO — The Cook County Sheriff's Office is launching a free cell phone program to help victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.The partnership with the 911 Cell Phone Bank aims to reconnect survivors with their loved ones and restore their access to support services. President Biden speaks at Stellantis plant in Illinois Abusers often control victims' cell phones by paying for the bill, installing a tracking feature and managing passwords.The Cook County Sheriff's Office says about 40% of the survivors the office works with, do not have access to a phone.

Rogers Park man found guilty of threatening abortion clinic via iFunny

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- A Chicago man was found guilty Wednesday on federal charges after he threatened to kill people at a women’s health clinic in 2019.Farhan Sheikh, 23, of Rogers Park, was convicted of threatening to commit violence at a women's reproductive health clinic after posting explicit threats on the website iFunny in Aug. 2019. Person in custody after shooting outside strip club in South Loop In a series of posts federal agents allege that Sheikh wrote:“I am done with my state and thier [sic] “expletive” abortion laws and allowing innocrnt [sic] kids to be slaughtered for the so called “womans right. I will not tolerate this anymore. Im DONE. On August 23rd 2019, I will go to the [Victim A] in Chicago on [Street A]. I will proceed to slaughter and murder any doctor, patient, or visitor I see in the area and I will not back down. consider this a warning for anyone visiting…”Farhan Skeikh via iFunny (Aug. 13, 2019)Another post on iFunny said in part, “May God forgive me for what I ...

IKEA recalling more mirrors over falling concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — IKEA is recalling about 14,600 more units of one of its mirror models that was originally recalled in March 2023. The recall expansion is due to concerns that the mirror's plastic fittings that attach to walls can break, causing the mirror to fall and potentially injure consumers.IKEA says it has received 10 reports about the LETTAN mirror, in addition to 55 under the previous recall. Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands The mirrors were sold at IKEA stores across the U.S. and at IKEA.com from December 2019 through June 2023. The items were priced between $23 and $56, IKEA says.The recalled model is: Name — LETTANSize — All sizes of this model are being recalled, including 23, 31, 39 and 47 inches wide. The mirrors are all generally 38 inches tall.Date stamp — Date stamp stickers are formatted like this: YYWW. The first two digits represent the year of manufacture and the last two digits represent the week of manufacture. Recalled date stamps are: before and in...

Senators push plan to extend government funding deadline as budget disagreements persist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - With only about a week until the government funding deadline, Senators are moving ahead with a plan to extend the deadline. The move would give lawmakers more time to negotiate at a moment when there's still major disagreement over what to put in the yearly budget. Congress only has until next Friday to pass a funding plan, or risk a shutdown.  Donald Trump’s lawyers ask judge to clarify fraud ruling’s impact on ex-president’s business "The idea that we're playing games with the shutdown, at this moment is just bizarre," President Joe Biden said. There's a feeling of urgency on Capitol Hill. Sen. Raphael Warnock says it's imperative that lawmakers find a solution. "Congress needs to do its job, keep the lights on. We can not afford a government shutdown," Warnock said. Senate leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday he plans to start the process to vote on a continuing resolution, which would move the government funding deadline and give lawmaker...

City of Pflugerville increases water utility rates by $20+ a month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Pflugerville residents will see an increased utility rate on their October water bills, according to the City of Pflugerville.“The average residential water customer will see a $23 per month increase and the average wastewater customer will see a $22.50 increase. The overall effect to an average residential water/wastewater customer in the City of Pflugerville is a $45.50 increase to the total monthly bill,” the city said.According to a release, the new rates support water and wastewater services and infrastructure, the cost of delivering the water, utility operations and maintenance, and improvement projects. Pflavor profile analysis shows Pflugerville has the best-tasting tap water in Texas The city said there were several water and wastewater projects underway, which total more than $600 million in capital improvements.“Studies confirmed that current utility rates would not recover the costs of providing water and wastewater services. These critical...

8 Texas school districts receive failing scores in TEA's financial accountability ratings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eight school districts in Texas received a failing grade in the Texas Education Agency's financial accountability ratings for the 2022-23 school year.The TEA released the ratings for each school district Monday. Districts are assigned a letter grade and a corresponding financial management rating.The School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) is designed to encourage districts to improve financial resources "to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes," according to the TEA.The vast majority of districts received an A grade, which the TEA classifies as 'superior.'More than 90% of all districts statewide received an A rating. Fifty districts received a B 'above standard' rating, while 41 districts received a C 'meets standard' rating.The eight districts that received an F 'substandard' rating were Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD, Denver City ISD, Holliday ISD, Keene ISD, Matagorda ISD, Priddy ISD, Sunray ISD and Tioga ISD.The...

Austin City Council advances childcare property tax exemption approved by voters Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved a resolution to implement a 100% property tax exemption for eligible childcare facilities just two days after Texas voters approved a proposition allowing the city to do so. Roughly 65% of Texans who voted Tuesday approved Proposition 2, which amended the state constitution to provide some financial relief to childcare facilities through property tax exemptions. In anticipation of the proposition’s passage, Distinct 10 Council Member Allison Alter wrote a resolution to ensure eligible centers can receive 100% abatement by the time the 2024 financial year begins.  Proposition 2: Texans vote on child care property tax exemption “As federal funds expire, we are on the precipice of what experts call ‘a child care cliff,’” Alter said, referring to a Texas Association for the Education of Young Children survey reporting that "without more funding, up to 44% of child care centers in Texas could close their doors."“Our economy can’t fu...

No. 13 Texas women's hoops thumps Southern in season opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 13 Texas Longhorns women's basketball team held Southern to single-digits in three of four quarters and rolled to an 80-35 win in the season opener Wednesday at Moody Center.Forwards Taylor Jones and Amina Muhammed both notched double-doubles to lead the Longhorns. Muhammed scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Jones scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down 12 boards in 22 minutes off the bench.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersFreshman Madison Booker scored seven points with seven rebounds and seven assists in her Texas debut. Gisella Maul, another true freshman, scored nine points all on 3-point field goals,Point guard Rori Harmon did a bit of everything with eight points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals. The Longhorns held Southern to 29% shooting and outscored them in the paint 38-14. Texas forced 22 turnovers and sco...

Former Superior, Wis., gymnastics coach sentenced to 25 years in federal prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

A former Superior, Wis., gymnastics coach was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and producing child pornography.The punishment handed down by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez was the first in a series of sentencings for George Francis Deppa, who has admitted in three jurisdictions to the abuse of at least six minors.Deppa, 50, a former coach at Twin Ports Gymnastics, pleaded guilty in federal court in June to a count of production of child pornography.He acknowledged taking photographs while coercing the 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct. Court documents said he subjected that victim to “extreme inhumane conditions,” routinely drugging the girl before molesting or raping her, from the approximate ages of 8-16.George Deppa. (Courtesy image via Forum News Service)Deppa also pleaded no contest in Douglas County Circuit Court to two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of exposing g...

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson never thought about sitting out this season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:59 GMT

There seemed to be a school of thought last month that suggested star receiver Justin Jefferson might be willing to sit out this season if the Vikings didn’t turn things around and start winning some games. He suffered a hamstring injury on Oct. 8 as the Vikings dropped to 1-4 with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.The fact that Jefferson did not have a contract extension in his possession left many to wonder if there was enough incentive for him to push himself to get back on the field. Why rush back if the Vikings might be out of the playoff race by the time he’s 100 percent?Talking to reporters on Thursday for the first time since his hamstring injury, the 24-year-old Jefferson defiantly dispelled those notions. Never mind that the Vikings haven’t lost a game since he went down. He emphasized that he would have been doing everything in his power to get back even if they had lost every game in his absence.“I always say I want to be a hall of famer,” he...