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Russian lawmakers approve a budget with a record amount devoted to defense spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, approved a federal budget Friday that increases spending by around 25% in 2024 and devotes a record amount to defense.The budget for 2024-2026 was developed specifically to fund the Russian military and to mitigate the impact of “17,500 sanctions” on Russia, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said. Under the spending plan, the country’s largest ever, defense spending is expected to overtake social spending next year for the first time in modern Russian history. The development comes as the Kremlin is eager to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin before a March presidential election. Record low unemployment, higher wages and targeted social spending should help the Kremlin ride out the domestic impact of pivoting the economy to a war footing but could pose a problem in the long term, analysts say. The budget “is about getting the war sorted in Ukraine and about being ready for a military confront...

NTSB investigating CTA crash that injured 38; Yellow Line remains suspended Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

CHICAGO — The CTA Yellow Line remains suspended Friday morning after a CTA train crashed into a snow plow Thursday on the city's North Side.According to police, a Yellow Line train was traveling south around 10:35 a.m. near the 7500 block of North Paulina Street when it collided with a rail-mounted snow-removal equipment in the Howard Rail Yard.The Chicago Fire Department reports 38 people were injured and at least 23 were taken to local hospitals — including four children and seven CTA employees. The train operator was among three people who suffered critical injuries. Fifteen people refused treatment at the scene. Just hours after the crash, a man who was onboard the second train filed a lawsuit.The lawyers — Simmons and Joseph T. Murphy — said 52-year-old Cleon Hawkins was seated in the second car of the Yellow Line train when the collision sent him flying into one of the metal poles in the car, injuring his shoulder and leg.The CTA has not yet responded to the lawsuit....

Sox trade Bummer to Atlanta, get former all-star in return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox traded relief pitcher Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves late Thursday night in exchange for a package of players that includes a former all-star pitcher and a Naperville native.According to a press release from the team, the White Sox received 2019 all-Star pitcher Michael Soroka, along with pitchers Jared Shuster, Riley Gowens, and infielders Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake.Soroka, a 6-foot-5, 225 pound left-handed pitcher, spent most of the 2023 season with the Triple A Gwinnett Stripers, going 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 17 starts. At the major league level with Atlanta in 2023, Soroka went 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA and 29 strikeouts over seven games, six of which were starts.Soroka has gone 17-8 with a 3.32 ERA and 200 strikeouts across 44 games over parts of four seasons with the Braves, including a 13-4, 2.68 ERA campaign his rookie year in Atlanta, when he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting and made the NL Al...

Friday Forecast: Temps in upper 40s with decreasing clouds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

CHICAGO — Morning showers Friday with decreasing clouds. Winds: N 5-15 G25. 48 (afternoon temp). Temperatures will drop around 40 degrees by 5 p.m. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mainly clear tonight. Winds: WSW 5-10. Low: 31.Saturday Forecast: Mainly sunny, WSW 5-15 G20. High: 53.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Funeral, procession for Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore, who died in the line of duty Nov. 11, will be honored in Austin Friday morning.Law enforcement is expected to begin setting up for the funeral procession at 7 a.m., and all vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join. The procession for Pastore’s final patrol will begin at 8 a.m.KXAN will use this story to host the livestream of the procession and funeral. MAP: Funeral procession route for fallen Austin Police officer People were encouraged to line the route to show support.The Austin Police Department said public visitation would be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the Funeral Service was from 11 a.m. to noon at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard. ‘A man of service’: Officer remembers Jorge Pastore, talks how community can help On Nov. 11, Pastore and another officer were shot while responding to a SWAT call in south Austin.Pastore and ...

Warm weekend featuring more clouds than sun

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Similar to yesterday, be sure to allow extra time for your morning drive as dense fog and mist may disrupt your early commute.Fog and mainly cloudy skies will be with us through at least midday before sunshine peaks its way through this afternoon. Although we don't expect blue skies, we do anticipate enough sunshine to help warm temperatures into the upper 70s.Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 10AM FridayThis warmth comes ahead of a dry cold front arriving late today, not doing much more than shifting our winds and cooling temperatures just slightly.Mainly cloudy skies, warm temperatures and generally dry conditions can be expected through the weekend.Weekend forecastA West Coast storm eventually clips our area with mostly cloudy skies and just a few isolated showers late Sunday and Monday. Rain looks spotty and light with most areas tallying 0.25" or less.A stronger cold front blows through late Monday, bringing colder than normal temperatures through Thanksgiving...

What is the most-visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown for 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — From mountains and canyons to forests and swamps, the vast scale of Texas provides so many natural wonders.Across the Lone Star State, there are 86 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, opened in 2012. TPWD also has plans to develop five sites into future state parks.Fairfield Lake State Park, meanwhile, closed to the public on June 4, after the property was sold to a private developer. From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield Lake TPWD splits the state into seven 'natural regions,' each of which is home to several state parks. The Prairies & Lakes region is home to 22 parks, more than any other region. The South Texas Plains region is home to the fewest, with seven parks.Across the system, state parks welcomed more than 9.2 million visitors in Fiscal Year ...

Lake Elmo water access issues could derail plans for new elementary school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

Stillwater Area School District officials say they may need to look for a new site for a new Lake Elmo Elementary School because of issues regarding access to city water.The Lake Elmo City Council met Tuesday night to review an initial sketch plan of the project, and some council members raised concerns about hooking up city water to the 47-acre parcel on the northwest corner of Lake Elmo Avenue and 10th Street North — kitty-corner to Cimarron Park, a mobile-home community in Lake Elmo.District officials are now working with the seller of the land to extend the purchase agreement, which was set to expire on Nov. 28, for three months, to give district officials time “to collaborate with our community partners to come up with a solution that best meets the needs of our students and community members,” Superintendent Mike Funk said.An undated courtesy photo, circa December 2021, of Lake Elmo Elementary School in Lake Elmo. (Courtesy of Stillwater Area Public Schools)The district’...

Stillwater Police conduct overnight death investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

STILLWATER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Stillwater Police Department conducted a death investigation on Gurba Drive South in Stillwater. Not much information is available at this time, but police say there is no threat to the public. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The investigation lasted overnight into Friday morning. Mechanicville Police, Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Deputies, and NewYork State Police are also assisting with the investigation. Stick with NEWS10 as more information becomes available.

5 things to know this Friday, November 17

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie, a cold front will be approaching from the west soon, bringing wet weather tonight and cooler air over the weekend. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl in Moreau Lake State Park will be arraigned in Saratoga County Court on Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m., according to the Saratoga County Court Clerk’s office. Meanwhile, the rebirth of Lark Street made some headway on Thursday when crews started work on the final paving operations. Lane shifts and intersection closures are expected to occur between Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue until Friday, expect delays and find alternate routes if possible. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Craig Ross Jr. to be arraigned FridayThe man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl in Moreau Lake State Park will...