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NTSB: Unsafe speeds blamed for fiery crash that killed 10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Federal traffic investigators said Thursday that unsafe driving speeds of multiple vehicles on wet roads in low visibility was the probable cause of a fiery 2021 interstate crash in Alabama that killed nine children and one adult. The National Transportation Safety Board released a report about the June 19, 2021 crash that involved 10 passenger vehicles and two commercial trucks on Interstate 65. The report described a horrific chain of events as the trucks and an SUV slammed into cars that had slowed because of minor crashes on the rain-slick highway. But it did not assign blame or cause beyond unsafe driving speeds for road conditions. “Driving at speeds above the speed limit or too fast for conditions can have serious consequences, including a loss of vehicle control, increased crash severity, and more severe injuries,” investigators wrote in their conclusion. Investigators wrote that that the probable cause of the crash was the “unsafe speeds of multiple ...

US Park Police investigate attack on Australian journalists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Park Police said it has placed two officers on administrative leave after video showed two Australian journalists being attacked during Monday night’s protest in Washington, D.C.Acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan said the attack is being investigated.Video captured by WJLA-TV in Washington showed reporter Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers being assaulted as law enforcement officials cleared an area near the White House so President Donald Trump could walk to a nearby church that had been damaged during the demonstrations the previous night. The journalists were reporting live for Australia’s Channel 7 on the demonstrations protesting George Floyd’s death at police hands in Minnesota.“As is consistent with our established practices and procedures, two U.S. Park Police officers have been assigned to administrative duties, while an investigation takes place regarding the incident with the Australian Press,” Monahan said in a statement posted on Twitter....

Who killed Alexandra Anaya in 2005? FBI doubles reward to $20,000 for the answer.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

HAMMOND, Ind. — The FBI is doubling its reward to $20,000 in the case of a Hammond teen who was brutally murdered 18 years ago. Alexandra Anaya was reported missing on Aug. 15, 2005, from her home in Hammond, Indiana. Chicago cardinal defends compensation plan, urges info on abusers after Illinois abuse report Three days later, boaters discovered her torso floating in the Little Calumet River. The rest of her body was never found.On the day she disappeared, she was wearing a gold chain with a round, religious medallion. It was never found either.Her family hopes the increased reward will help lead police to her killer.Alex's mother, Sandra Anaya, said she still holds on to hope that the person responsible for Alex's death will be held accountable. Meanwhile, she said family has helped her stay strong after all these years. "She was loving and caring and beautiful inside and out," Sandra said. "I miss her a lot. It's hard to relive everyday thinking of her because it's so painful. ...

Americans more sure about who they don't support in 2024 race than who they do: poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

(The Hill) – Results from a new survey indicate American voters are more set on who they don’t support in the 2024 presidential race than who they do support.Monmouth University polling, released Thursday, tested Democratic President Biden against Republican former President Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in hypothetical head-to-head match-ups. DeSantis officially joined Trump and Biden in the race this week, but Pence has not yet declared his candidacy. The poll found in each hypothetical that between 44 and 46 percent of voters said they “definitely” won’t back Biden, and between 7 and 8 percent say they “probably” won’t vote for him. Roughly a third of likely voters said they’ll definitely vote for Biden against both Trump and DeSantis — or 32 and 31 percent, respectively. Twenty-seven percent say they’ll definitely back him against Pence. Against Biden, 46 percent of voters say they definitely will not cast their ballots for ...

Texas school postpones graduation after majority of seniors declared ineligible

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

MARLIN, Texas (KWKT) — A high school in the small Texas city of Marlin postponed graduation after discovering that a majority of seniors didn't meet minimum grade and attendance requirements.Now, however, parents are speaking out with some saying they weren't adequately notified that their students weren't on track."This is a catastrophic failure of leadership and accountability," said one parent of a high school senior at Marlin ISD said at a recent school meeting.Marlin administrators said the ceremony was postponed after an audit found only five students in the senior class met basic guidelines, according to NPR. The most popular college majors aren’t the highest-paying – these degrees are, study finds However, it was a message some parents wished they knew sooner."How many of ya'll got a letter on April 17th saying that your babies were on track and then come Thursday… told our babies can't graduate," one parent said.Over the last three days, school officials have been conduct...

Local doctor speaks on intervention to help teenage depression: 'The primary goal is prevention'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

CHICAGO — May is Mental Health Awareness Month and teens make up a large population facing mental health issues. Statistics show that more than 13% of teens are diagnosed with depressive disorders each year.   Fueled by loss, Chicago nonprofit partners with law firm to combat youth bullying Dr. Huma Khan, an adolescent medicine physician with Advocate Health Care, joined WGN Evening News to discuss a local clinical trial to help teens with depression.“The primary goal is prevention,” said Khan about the early results of the new online program 'CATCH-IT.' "What this study is doing is looking at a computer-based program that can possibly prevent depressive disorders in teens." Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesData has shown that the program helped reduce depressive episodes in teens by 30-40% six months after completion. "The study is not about medicine," Khan said. "It's about teaching coping skills." Advocate Children’s is one of just six sites nationwide to join ...

McCallum grad leaving her mark with Texas rowing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Knifton grew up around rowing. Her dad, a Texas alum who rowed for the national team, tried to push the sport onto a hesitant Kaitlin. Eventually, he started to get his wish with Kaitlin in high school."My dad, he did have to bribe me to go to rowing practice," said Knifton, a graduate student. "He got me some Lululemon which at the time was all I wanted. And he would buy me JuiceLand every day before practice to get me to go."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/newslettersGrowing up with more of a passion for dancing, Knifton stayed on the rowing path as she grew up. She has helped power Texas to its first and second national titles in 2021 and 2022."I really dreamed of that moment," said Knifton. "That was a big reason I chose Texas. I wanted to be part of a building team and the first for something."The two-time first-team All-American has accomplished a to...

Texas' 88th Legislative Session: Which bills made it to the governor's desk?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 88th legislative session has been a busy five months. The Texas Senate and House of Representatives filed more than 8,000 bills and 3,400 resolutions. As of Thursday morning, only 848 bills and 3,168 resolutions have passed.Wednesday was the last day for both chambers to consider bills passed by their counterparts. Which bills died in the 88th legislative session? With less than a week before the last day of the session (Sine Die) approaches, which bills have moved on to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for him to potentially sign into law?Changed bills pending review A bill passed in one chamber can change, whether through amendments or committee substitutions, as it moves through the other. In order for a bill to advance to the governor's desk, the chamber that originally filed the bill has to approve those changes; if they don't, a conference committee is formed for further debate on it. HB 100: Districts in "dire straits" as they watch school funding fights in Tex...

Gov. Walz enacts paid family and medical leave plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

Minnesota is officially on the way to creating a tax-funded, state-administered paid family and medical leave program for workers.Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday signed a bill creating a state program that would offer 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave with a 20-week annual cap.All businesses would be required to participate or offer equivalent benefits. Benefits start in 2026.Low-wage workers often do not have access to the same benefits as higher-paid members of the workforce. Advocates say one-third of Minnesota workers — about 900,000 people — don’t have any paid time off. House Bill Sponsor Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-Mendota Heights, said the program will help eliminate economic disparities among ethnic and racial groups.The bill was a priority this session for Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers, who won complete control of state government in November.How it worksUnder the program, workers who use paid leave will qualify for compensation based on their ...

MN native Carolyn Wiger talks ‘Survivor’: ‘I had this mission to go out there and be myself’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:03 GMT

She didn’t start crying or howling like she did on TV, but talking to North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger on the phone turned out to be a lot like watching her compete on “Survivor.”She was animated, effusive and more than a little chaotic Thursday during a brief interview following her third place showing on the 44th season of the CBS reality show juggernaut.“Honestly, watching I always felt like, oh my gosh, there’s no way I could do this,” Wiger said. “I’m too weird. As I got more confident with myself, (I thought) I can do this. I had this mission to go out there and be myself, because I didn’t see enough people like me. You can play this game. There is no one way of playing.”The daughter of former state Sen. Chuck Wiger, the 35-year-old Wiger lives in Hugo, where she works in substance recovery. Friday, she celebrated her 14 years of sobriety in a social media post.She made it to the “Survivor” finale thanks to her tight alliance with Carson Garrett, a 2...