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DPS urging Texans to 'remain vigilant' after Israel attacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety said it has concerns after the recent attacks against Israel and want to remind Texans to remain vigilant at all times, as well as report any suspicious activity, according to a news release from DPS.DPS responded to Gov. Gregg Abbott's directive this week to work with local partners and federal intelligence agencies to heighten public safety measures due to the Israel attacks, the release said.However, DPS said it is not aware of any specific, credible threats to Texas at this time. Though, the department said it has concerns the current conflict could inspire homegrown violent extremists and foreign terrorist organizations in the United States to target the Jewish community and institutions that are associated with Israel outside of the Middle East, according to DPS.The agency encourages Texans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity via iWatchTexas. The iWatchTexas program is a critical resource used for reporti...

Former la Barbecue employee suing restaurant after losing fingers in meat grinder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former employee of la Barbecue in Austin is suing the restaurant and its owners after a 2016 incident that caused him to lose four fingers. The lawsuit follows 2022 insurance fraud charges from the Texas Department of Insurance. In 2016, Aaron Gomez was working to prepare sausage overnight at la Barbecue when his glove caught in the meat grinder, causing him to lose four fingers on his left hand, the lawsuit said. A lawsuit filed Tuesday is seeking a jury trial to recover Gomez's full range of damages, his attorney Jon Clark said. Gomez is suing la Barbecue, the estate of Leann Mueller, restaurant manager Alison Clem and Paychex Business Solutions.KXAN has reached out to the defendants regarding the lawsuit. A Paychex spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation. This article will be updated if any statement is received. Gomez said the meat grinder switch worked sometimes and didn't work sometimes. His attorney said employees were told to pl...

Judge finds man mentally ill, not guilty of killing father in St. Anthony home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

A Ramsey County judge has acquitted a man in the beating and stabbing death of his 88-year-old father at their St. Anthony home nearly two years ago.Judge DeAnne Hilgers found Rodney Berg Christopherson, 49, not guilty by reason of mental illness in the December 2021 murder of Donald Allan Christopherson, who died of head trauma and blood loss caused by sharp-force injuries. Christopherson showed “he was laboring under such a defect of reason as not to know the acts constituting the alleged offense were wrong,” the judge wrote.Rodney Berg Christopherson (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)Hilgers’ ruling was issued last week; a bench trial was held in July.Christopherson, who had been diagnosed with psychotic disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, struck his father in the head with a metal mallet and stabbed and slashed him with a knife, according to court documents.The elder Christopherson had a long career as chief of pharmacy services for the Vet...

President Joe Biden comments on attacks in Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

The White House released a transcript of President Joe Biden’s remarks on Tuesday regarding the terrorist attacks in Israel.The transcript reads:“Good afternoon.You know, there are moments in this life — and I mean this literally — when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world.The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend.  The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas — a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews.This was an act of sheer evil.More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered — not just killed, slaughtered — in Israel.  Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed.Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children.Stomach-turning reports of being — babies being killed.Entire families slain.Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace — to celebrate peace.Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies.Families hid their fear...

Election 2023: Mounds View School Board (Elect 4)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARDMounds View voters will elect four school board members on Nov. 7 from a field of 11 candidates.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Heidi DanielsonHeidi Danielson of New Brighton, candidate for Mounds View School Board (District 621) in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 54What qualifies you to hold this position? I bring depth of experience with Mounds View schools – as a classroom volunteer, PTA leader, work on district committees (Equity Council, curriculum, facilities), and the MV school board the past 4 years. I am passionate about the commitment we make to EACH student in our schools an...

Gunfire investigated along I-44 near Fenton, one struck

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Police are investigating an exchange of gunfire Tuesday morning along Interstate 44 in St. Louis County. St. Louis County Police say two people reportedly exchanged gunfire in the eastbound lanes of I-44 in St. Louis County near Bowles Avenue. It happened during the 8 a.m. hour. One person was taken in custody in connection with the case, but the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has refused all charges as of Tuesday afternoon. Investigators say two drivers pulled over along I-44 at some point, which was then followed by an exchange of gunfire. Monthly $500 payments coming soon for some St. Louis families One man was shot in the hand and ended up in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The driver of one of the car linked to the shooting then headed toward I-270 and Gravois Avenue, where he reportedly called police about the incident. No one else was struck by gunfire, though the situation led to some traffic delays Tuesday morning...

Illinois leaders react to recent attack on Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) -- Leaders across Illinois have spoken out and released statements after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Saturday.Gov. JB Pritzker spoke during the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Solidarity Gathering, which was held Tuesday. He said he is praying for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces."Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should all know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks," Pritzker said.Pritzker also stated that state police and law enforcement have been put on alert for attacks against synagogues and other gathering places for Jews across the state, though no threat has been reported at this time. WATCH: Pritzker gives remarks at Israel Solidarity Gathering U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement on the attack on Saturday.“My heart goes out to the people of Israel as they face these horrific, unconscionable and ongoing coordinate...

Avalanche addresses depth concerns by trading for Caleb Jones, placing Pavel Francouz on injured reserve

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

There was more personnel shuffling one day after the Colorado Avalanche set its season-opening roster.The big move was trading for defenseman Caleb Jones from the Carolina Hurricanes. Jones, the younger brother of Seth Jones and the son of Nuggets assistant coach Popeye Jones, could be an important depth defenseman for the Avalanche. Colorado sent minor-league forward Cal Burke to the Hurricanes.“I like his experience,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I like his ability to get up in the play and help a little bit offensively. He’s got decent size. … We’ll get him into our system, teach him what we know and see if he can be a fit.”The Avs are going to start the season with six defensemen on the active roster, but Jones joins a group with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL that includes veteran Brad Hunt and younger players like Sam Malinski and Nate Clurman who could jostle to be the first player recalled at the position. Bednar noted that he’d like to add another defenseman to the NHL ros...

Aurora police arrest 16-year-old boy in fatal Southlands mall shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

A 16-year-old boy wanted in connection with a fatal shooting outside the Southlands shopping center in September turned himself into police on Monday, according to the Aurora Police Department.The boy, who was not identified because he is a minor, was booked into the Aurora Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and failing to report an accident to police.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora police officer who shot 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson cleared of policy violations, two others cited Crime and Public Safety | Aurora police seek 5 suspects in fatal shooting of 15-year-old outside Southlands mall Crime and Public Safety | 2 shot in Aurora during Sunday morning road rage incident Crime and Public Safety | Neck hold used on Elijah McClain emerges as focal point in officers’ trial over his 2019 death Crime and Public Safety | Police blame some deaths on “exci...

Jury deliberating in first trial of Aurora police officers charged in Elijah McClain’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:19 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of two Aurora police officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain more than four years ago.Attorneys for both sides made their closing arguments to jurors Tuesday afternoon, following two-and-a-half weeks of testimony in the jury trial for Aurora police officer Randy Roedema and former officer Jason Rosenblatt.Roedema, 41, and Rosenblatt, 34, are each charged with reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault in connection with McClain’s 2019 death. They are the first of the five people indicted in the killing to stand trial in Adams County District Court.McClain was walking home on Aug. 24, 2019, when officers contacted him because a 911 caller had reported McClain as a suspicious person. The 23-year-old was wearing a runner’s mask that night, as he often did because he was frequently cold. Within seconds...