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The Iron Sheik, WWE Hall of Famer, dead at 81

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

Correction: A previous version of this article contained inaccurate information concerning the surviving family members of the deceased.(KTLA) – Former professional wrestler the Iron Sheik has died, according to an announcement posted to his Twitter page Wednesday morning. He was 81 years old.The Sheik — real name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri — was born in Iran but came to prominence in the United States in 1979 with World Wrestling Entertainment, which was then known as the World Wrestling Federation.During the 1980s, he was a mainstay of professional wrestling, developing a fierce rivalry with Hulk Hogan and later Sgt. Slaughter. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.Iron Sheik poses backstage at Power 96.1's Jingle Ball 2013 at Philips Arena on Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Ben Rose/Getty Images for Clear Channel)More recently, his Twitter account, @the_ironsheik, drew hundreds of thousands of followers to read his often profane reactions, usually in capital let...

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, begins erupting after 3-month pause

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea, the second largest volcano in Hawaii, began erupting on Wednesday after a three-month pause, U.S. Geological Survey officials said.The survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement that a glow was detected in webcam images from Kilauea’s summit early in the morning, indicating that an eruption was occurring within the Halema’uma’u crater in the summit caldera.The images show fissures at the base of the crater generating lava flows on the crater floor's surface, the observatory said.Before issuing the eruption notice, the observatory said increased earthquake activity and changes in the patterns of ground deformation at the summit started Tuesday night, indicating the movement of magma in the subsurface.All activity is within a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on Hawaii's Big Island.The volcano’s alert level was raised to warning status and the aviation color code went to red as scientists evaluate the eruption and associated hazards...

Batman foils Italian retailer in EU trademark fight

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

(The Hill) - Batman foiled an Italian retailer on Wednesday as DC Comics successfully defended its trademark in the European Union. Reuters reported that the Luxembourg-based General Court, Europe's second top court, ruled in favor of Warner Bros Discovery's DC Comics more than two decades after it registered its Batman logo with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Commerciale Italiana Srl had filed a challenge to the logo in 2019, arguing that the logo lacked a distinctive character and that it should be allowed for usage on clothing and carnival items. "The evidence submitted to the General Court is not sufficient to show that the EU trade mark representing a bat in an oval surround was devoid of distinctive character on the date of filing of the application for registration," the court ruled, according to the report. "For the relevant public, that distinctiveness makes it possible to associate, according to EUIPO, the goods covered by the trade mark with DC Comi...

Dean's A-List Interview: Dewayne Perkins on 'The Blackening'

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

CHICAGO — It was a most unique edition of "Dean's A-List Interview" on Wednesday as a native of the city talked about his newest project at a popular diner downtown.Actor, writer, and producer Dewayne Perkins, who grew up in Chicago and graduated from Curie High School, joined Dean Richards at Lou Mitchell's on the WGN Morning News to talk about his newest project "The Blackening," which is set to be released in theatres on June 16.They discussed the project that centers around Black friends who gather to celebrate Juneteenth weekend but find themselves trapped in a cabin with a "twisted killer."Dewayne talked with Dean about how the film came together and what viewers can expect during their conversation on the June 7 show. You can watch their full discussion on "Dean's A-List Interview" in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Developer expresses 'astonishment' over hearing to consider state park takeover

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a meeting was scheduled to consider acquiring a state park through eminent domain, the developers purchasing the property have expressed their "astonishment" that the state would consider that option.Fairfield Lake State Park permanently closed to the public on Sunday. The park, about 70 miles east of Waco, has been leased to the state for decades by Vistra Energy, which formerly operated a power plant on Fairfield Lake. After the plant closed in 2018, the company gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notice that it would terminate its lease.Vistra says it encouraged TPWD to put in a bid to purchase the property, but it did not. The company then entered into a contract with developer Todd Interests in April 2022. ‘Not constitutional’: Lawmakers hear how efforts to save a state park from permanent closure failed The developer plans to turn the property into a gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course. TPWD's l...

APD provides details surrounding deadly motorcycle crash in northwest Austin

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department provided information Tuesday about a crash that killed a motorcyclist last month in northwest Austin.According to police, at approximately 2:38 a.m. on May 26, officers responded to a single-motorcycle crash in the 10200 block of Research Boulevard heading north. Body found at Zilker Park near volleyball courts Monday evening APD said detectives believed the motorcyclist lost control and crashed into the inside guardrail. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital and died shortly thereafter, according to police.In a news release, APD said the motorcyclist who died remained unidentified.Austin police said an investigation into this incident is still pending, but they're looking into it as Austin's 39th fatal crash of 2023.Anyone with any information regarding this incident was asked to contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visit...

Austin man finds multiple puppies at golf course

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Charlie Crenshaw has earned the nickname "The Dog Whisperer of Balcones" after finding three puppies at a golf course in the past month. "Quote."Crenshaw, who works as a golf instructor at the Balcones Country Club, said the puppies were found on or near the country club property. Austin Animal Center, the city's no-kill shelter, said abandoned animals XXX. The shelter previously told KXAN it cannot track the number of "dumped" animals unless there is a witness. But it does track animals as "demonstrably abandoned." The shelter has taken in 268 abandoned animals so far in 2023, including 192 dogs. The shelter took in over 300 animals in the past two years. These include "demonstrably abandoned" animals, including animals left tied up, witnessed to be dumped out of a car or similar situations. An AAC spokesperson said many people make assumptions that an animal is "dumped" but usually the animal is lose from its home." INVESTIGATON: Neighbors worry about abandoned ...

Eanes ISD board approves creation of district police department

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Eanes ISD Board of Trustees approved a policy Tuesday that would form a school district police department.According to the district, the policy authorizes armed peace officers on each of its campuses, including elementary schools."The new Eanes ISD security force will work closely with district and school officials, local law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to create safe surroundings for all students, staff and community," the district said.Eanes ISD said the policy would have specific training, protocols and procedures in accordance with state law enforcement code and Texas Education Agency requirements."This policy places a strong emphasis on training related to student mental health, restorative justice and accommodations for students with special needs," the district said.According to a release from the district, the newly formed police department would assume a broad range of responsibilities, including:Emergency response to incidents on campusE...

Black Music Month: How one organization is using $100,000 to help Black Austin musicians, promoters, studios

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In what's been deemed the Live Music Capital of the World, those whose contributions have perhaps laid the foundation have one message: "There is no Austin without US."That's the tagline for the month-long celebration put on by an organization called the Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action (DAWA). Where much of Austin's musical soul is tied to, DAWA will showcase some of the city's Black musicians at Antone's Nightclub downtown, from June 8 through the 30 for Black Music Month. 'Austin's best and brightest'During the month-long celebration, you can expect performances from jazz/funk band Sketch.Band, Latasha Lee, Past Lives, Riders Against the Storm and Topaz Jones. "From blues to rock, soul, hip hop, house, and country, the sonic imprint of Black musicians is indelible," DAWA Founder and Director Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone said. "We have been here, producing abundantly, but our incredible fruits have not necessarily benefited us directly due to the industry prac...

Where support for same-sex marriages stands in Texas

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:50:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pollsters found support for same-sex marriages remains at an all-time high among Americans as a whole, but another recent survey tells a slightly different story about how Texans feel about these unions. Gallup released its latest numbers Monday showing 71% of Americans said they believe same-sex marriages should remain legal in the U.S., which is a record that held steady from last year's poll. Since the early 2010s, the polling organization noted public support for legally recognizing gay marriages has now exceeded 50%. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: What rights does the Respect for Marriage Act protect? The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 by a narrow 5-4 vote that same-sex couples had the right to marry. Congress passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act last year to protect some of the rights that came from that decision should it be overturned by the high court's new conservative supermajority. In its latest poll conducted between May 1-24, Gallup found majorities o...