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2 charged with murder after 'brutal attack' at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve: prosecutors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — Two men now face second-degree murder charges for the death of a man in a Lake County Forest Preserve last September. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office linked 20-year-old Nicholas Caban and 19-year-old Jacob Firestone to the death of 45-year-old Matthew Ascaridis, whose body was found in the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve on Sept. 17, 2022, in the first block of Cliff Road.Nicholas CabanJacob FirestoneSEE ALSO | Gun charge filed against suspect in Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve deathProsecutors allege that Ascaridis had a 'violent confrontation' with Caban and Firestone near his home, resulting in his death. Authorities said that Ascaridis allegedly approached the two men because they were loud on the lakeshore around 1 a.m.PREVIOUS STORY: Body found on Lake Michigan shore in Highland ParkAuthorities would later find a semi-automatic pistol with no serial number while searching Caban’s home, though authorities stated that the weapon was not used amid t...

Pence says whether Trump drops out if indicted is up to him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

Former Vice President Mike Pence said former President Trump should decide for himself whether to drop out of the 2024 presidential race if he is indicted for charges. Pence chose not to call on Trump to drop out if charges are filed against him while the former vice president was visiting New Hampshire, Politico reported Thursday. “Look, it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,” he said. Pence’s comments come as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg appears to be close to potentially be filing charges against Trump for hush-money payments that were made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election. Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen paid Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair she had with Trump. Trump later reimbursed Cohen for the payment, and the Trump Organization declared it to be a legal expense. Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one for campaign finance violatio...

Dramatically colder weather blows in as severe threat winds down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A strong cold front and passing storm system led to numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across the area Thursday night. While gusty winds and small hail were reported along with a near-constant lightning show, we have not received any reports of storm damage. Rain showers and a few rumbles of thunder continue overnight into the first half of the day Friday.Strong winds and uncomfortably cold temperatures settle in behind the cold front. A Wind Advisory continues through midday Friday as wind gusts near 45 mph will be possible, ushering in winter-like air.Wind Advisory for most of the area through midday FridayFreezing temperatures are possible in the Hill Country Saturday morning, and as light rain showers return to Austin and eastern areas, wet snow could bring a light accumulation on grass and elevated surfaces in Fredericksburg and Blanco. Read the full details below: FIRST WARNING: Snow accumulation possible in the Hill Country Spring officially begins Monda...

LIVE BLOG: Severe storms move through Central Texas; SXSW music shows canceled due to weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong to severe thunderstorms are moving though Central Texas Thursday evening, which at last check put SXSW music venues on pause due to lightning. The storms are expected to continue into Friday as a cold front moves in and drops temperatures. Hail and wind damage are possible but widespread damage isn't expected.Severe Weather Resources:How to talk to your kids about severe weatherLive Central Texas radarCentral Texas rainfall totalsLocal forecast and what's nextTraffic mapDownload KXAN Weather AppSign up for KXAN daily forecast newsletter and severe weather alerts newsletterFollow our live blog below:10:17 p.m.As of the latest check, the Austin Energy Power Outage Map showed 10 active outages and 696 customers without power. It appears there were 400+ customers without power in South Austin near the South First and Slaughter Lane area.9:56 p.m.Moody Amphitheater canceled all event programming due to severe weather in the area, according to a tweet.9:45 p.m.Video...

Despite 'disappointing' tip time, No. 4 Texas is ready for No. 13 East Carolina in NCAA women's 1st round

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team tips off its March Madness run Saturday, they'll be starting typically when they're done playing late games.The fourth-seeded Longhorns take on No. 13 seed East Carolina in the opening round at Moody Center, and due to the broadcast schedule set by ESPN, the game won't begin until 9 p.m. That's two hours later than a typical late game, and Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer isn't a fan of that.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/newsletters"I'm disappointed," he said with a chuckle after he was asked about the late tip. "I don't know how that helps grow our game. We have a lot of fans with young families and a lot of older fans — we'll have to have naps for kids and naps for the older folks to make the tip."Schafer continued with the point that both the Longhorns and Pirates will be walking out of Moody past midnight, an...

Other voices: SVB mess demands a rethink on government bailouts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

The demise of Silicon Valley Bank has put the U.S. government into an uncomfortable position, backstopping depositors like never before to prevent a broader and potentially devastating bank run.Given the risks, officials did the right thing. The hard part will be figuring out how to handle the consequences.SVB’s failure shouldn’t have presented a systemic threat. The cash crunch that forced it to sell assets at a loss was specific to its tech-startup customers, not a widespread phenomenon. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was amply capable of handling its liquidation, which would entail reimbursing insured deposits and possibly imposing some losses on uninsured ones. The FDIC has successfully resolved hundreds of other banks this way.But SVB went down differently. Its customers, goaded by industry influencers, proved surprisingly quick to pull out their deposits ($42 billion in one day). Other banks’ customers started getting jittery, increasing the risk t...

Class A girls basketball quarterfinals: BOLD rolls into semifinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

BOLD’s defense, its quickness and the 1-2-3 punch of Mari Ryberg, Lainey Braulick and Mackenzie Visser proved to be a good fit for Maturi Pavilion as the third-seeded Warriors beat United Christian Academy, 67-29, in a Class A quarterfinalBOLD (25-5) advances to play Hayfield at 2 p.m. Friday at Williams Arena.“It’s gonna be fun,” said Visser, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for the Warriors. “(It’ll be on) an even bigger stage now. …I think as long as we can keep playing the same defense that we have been, and work the ball around on offense, I think we’re sitting pretty good.”Ryberg added 26 points, eight rebounds, four steals and four assists for the winners.“I’d say we’re riding high,” Ryberg said. “We really just feed off of each other and play well together, so we’ve got to keep going.”Olivia Haukoos scored nine points, and Elizabeh Corley added seven points, five rebounds and three assists for (14-12), which was making its second straight state appearance but...

New York: State Rural Ambulance Services appoints final task force member

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

CAPITAL REGION (NEWS10) - Over 40 New York counties are considered to be rural, meaning they have a population of 200,000 or less. Yet, the needs of emergency medical services across the state are growing. Valatie 8-year-old with cerebral palsy inspires through family business The task force was created in January of 2022 and regulated by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and is comprised of a twelve-member team. The newest appointee is Dr. Mariom Terenzio, President at SUNY Cobbleskill.“I am fortunate enough to learn from my faculty, all of whom are practicing paramedics. I see it up close and personal, their needs, how they train and the impact they have on our rural communities.The task force will evaluate and provide guidance for managing rural community EMS service needs in an effort to better provide more efficient services to those who may need it most.“One thing we're learning early on from the data is there's a direct correlation between lower staff and higher...

Mother of Jefferson County detainee wants to visit son in ICU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. - Raynah Rey is the mother of a detainee in Jefferson County. She was surprised to learn from another inmate that her son, Cedric, was taken to an area ICU for an apparent overdose.“If this is a facility where outside visitors are not allowed, how on earth did fentanyl get into this facility?” Rey said.Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak confirmed an inmate was being treated at an area hospital for what is believed to be an overdose related to fentanyl. He said jails across the country face challenges regarding fentanyl because a small amount can generate a high.The department recently added a body scanner to help detect contraband. Marshak said his office takes its responsibilities for inmate health seriously and that poor health decisions by inmates create challenges. Third teenage boy arrested in killing of Lake St. Louis girl Rey said she tried to visit her son in the ICU but was informed it would be unlawful to see him.“I don’t understand why I would b...

Dogtown prepares for St. Patrick's Day parade “rain or shine”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:04:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Dogtown neighborhood is gearing up to celebrate the Irish with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.On Thursday, a sea of green packed St. James the Greater Church. The special mass kicked off a weekend of festivities despite the rain and cold."The weather may be cold and windy tomorrow, but that's a lot like it is in Ireland," said Jim Mohan, publicity chairman for the St. Patrick's Day parade. "So we kind of feel like a good sign of something similar to our Irish heritage and our homeland." Third teenage boy arrested in killing of Lake St. Louis girl That pride was already on full display, along with safety measures to keep crowds at bay. It includes barricades, fencing, and a slew of road closures along the parade route.Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will be patrolling the event with additional officers on foot. Their traffic safety division will assist with street closures and rerouting traffic. To make sure you don't drink and d...