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FBI-Chicago warns of charity fraud amid ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a warning to the public about scammers seeking fraudulent donations amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.According to Robert Wheeler Jr., the special agent-in-charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, criminals are using the tragedies unfolding in the Middle East to solicit fraudulent humanitarian donations, before using the money for their own expenses or to support criminal enterprises. Chicago City Council committee holds hearing on Peoples Gas rate hike request What is charity fraud?According to the FBI, charity fraud, which is also known as "disaster fraud," can come in many different forms. Special agent Wheeler said some perpetrators taking part in these types of crimes may prey on victims within the local community by claiming to collect funds for victimized families abroad. Foreign terrorist organizations may also take part in these types of crimes by establishing fake charities on soc...

Second Colorado officer acquitted in Elijah McClain's death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A suspended Aurora police officer has been acquitted of charges in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died after he was pinned with a carotid hold by Aurora, Colorado, police officers and injected with a potent sedative by paramedics.Nathan Woodyard was charged with and found not guilty of reckless manslaughter and the lesser included charge of criminally negligent homicide after being on trial for the 2019 death of Elijah McClain. The trial included two and a half weeks of testimony and a jury began deliberations just after 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3. The verdict was returned on Monday, Nov. 6, around 3 p.m.The trial focused on what had ultimately killed McClain, who was stopped walking home from a convenience store on Aug. 24, 2019. He was reported to 911 as suspicious for wearing a black ski mask and listening to music. After the police stopped him, officers quickly became physical with McClain.McClain went into cardiac arrest and never re...

Marijuana use increases risk of heart attacks, new studies suggest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

(The Hill) – Two new studies suggest that regular use of marijuana could be linked to a higher risk of heart failure or heart attack, especially among older people. The preliminary findings of the studies, which have yet to be published, will be presented next week at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2023 in Philadelphia.The first study followed 156,999 people for 45 months. It found that those who used marijuana daily had a 34 percent increased risk of developing heart failure, when compared to those who said they never used marijuana. Throughout the study, nearly 2 percent – 2,958 people – developed heart failure.When accounting for coronary artery disease, however, the risk dropped from 34 percent to 27 percent, which researchers said could reveal that “coronary artery disease is a pathway through which daily marijuana use may lead to heart failure.” If marijuana is rescheduled, will it be legalized nationwide? The survey looked at “using marijuana whe...

What a strong El Niño pattern means for Texas winter weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the difference between La Nina and El Nino.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Last February brought Austin's worst ice storm on record. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration after hundreds of pounds of ice accumulated on trees and power lines, knocking out power for more than 250,000 people and damaging one-third of all trees in the city. KXAN First Warning Weather forecast As this winter approaches, the weather pattern is changing as our three-year La Niña ends and a strong -- or very strong -- El Niño ramps up.An El Niño pattern features warmer than normal ocean temperatures near the Equator in the eastern Pacific, which influences weather patterns across the U.S. (KXAN Weather graphic) The First Warning Weather team found that a strong El Niño pattern this winter could mean less ice, more rain, and much-needed drought relief in Central Texas.Low lake levels claim another businessGreg Winborn had high hopes and a vision in 2022 when he opened...

Defense rests case in APD officer's murder trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, attorneys representing Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor finished presenting their case after the state rested last week. Taylor is on trial for murder in the death of Michael Ramos. Jurors were released Monday but are expected to return Tuesday for closing arguments, should the state choose not to bring forward any rebuttal witnesses. They could begin deliberations as soon as Tuesday. Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trial Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex's parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader will be in court Monday providing live updates of the trial on social media platform X: Week 3: Back in court this morning for the third week of APD Officer Christopher Taylor's murder trial. As always, I'll have a thread here🔽 A reminder that you'll get more detail over at https://t.co/YjssmH...

Following a warm start to the week, colder weather blows in Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Unseasonably warm and humid weather continues Tuesday and Wednesday, but a strong cold front arriving during the day Thursday will bring an extended stretch of colder weather and periods of light to moderate rain.Highs will be in the 80s and lows in the 60s through midweek under a mix of clouds and sun. South winds will keep things noticeably warmer than average for early November.Late week cold frontA storm system trekking east across the Plains will send a cold front our way on Thursday. We currently expect the cool air to arrive in the Hill Country early Thursday morning, Austin Metro area late-morning, and eastern counties by Thursday afternoon. This will send temperatures dropping and bring periods of rain through much of the day.Next cold front arrives ThursdayRain is expected to clear the area by Friday afternoon, but additional rain may build back into the area Saturday and Sunday as a separate storm system approaches. BLOG: El Niño into 2024: What that me...

CapMetro to begin installing revamped bus shelters ahead of 2 new Metro Rapid lines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro announced Monday new Metro Rapid bus shelters will begin being installed this week. It comes as part of the two new Metro Rapid lines in development through Project Connect, the City of Austin's multi-billion-dollar mass transit program.Installation work on two of the 80 new Metro Rapid shelters is set to begin Tuesday, CapMetro officials said in a release. The shelters will service the new Expo Center and Pleasant Valley Metro Rapid lines under development, which are slated to go online in 2025. CapMetro delaying launch of 2 new Project Connect MetroRapid lines The first two being installed will be for the Expo Center Line, officials added. The Expo Center Line will run from the Travis County Expo Center southwest to Republic Square in downtown Austin, while the Pleasant Valley Line will service from the Mueller neighborhood south to Goodnight Ranch, per the release.Shelter features include a lower roof to help maximize shade, perforated panels to protect...

Three arrested in Schodack following attempted theft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

SCHODACK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people from the Bronx were arrested following an attempted theft investigation, according to state police. Victor Baez Amador, 26, Elmer Rodriguez Rose, 25, and Jose Rosario Herrera, 26, were all charged with attempted petit larceny and third-degree trespassing. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On November 2 at 7:55 a.m., police received a complaint from a business in Castleton-on-Hudson. The owner stated that three people were on their property without permission, and that they were allegedly trying to steal used cooking oil that the business saves and sells to a biodiesel company for reuse. Police say that after being confronted by an employee of the business, the suspects fled the scene in their vehicle. Upon patrolling the area, troopers located the car on Greenwood Drive and conducted a stop. There’s a new sheriff coming to Rensselaer County During the stop, the driver was identified as ...

St. Louis man admits to $150,000 pandemic load fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis man pled guilty in federal court to fraud to get a $150,000 loan for a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demetrice Black, 53, applied for the loan using a Social Security number that did not belong to him and a fraudulent Missouri driver's license on July 24, 2020.Prosecutors say he worked with another person to move the funds to a separate bank account and withdrew some in cash. The Economic Injury Disaster Loans were designed to assist business owners impacted by the pandemic.Black is set to be sentenced on February 8, 2024. The charge of misusing a Social Security number carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, and the theft charge may lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Both offenses also come with the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000.

Jury finds Aurora police officer who put Elijah McClain in neck hold not guilty in 23-year-old’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:49:25 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)Jurors on Monday found the Aurora police officer who put Elijah McClain in a neck hold during a violent arrest not guilty on all counts related to the 23-year-old’s death more than four years ago.Nathan Woodyard, 34, was acquitted of reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, the conclusion of the second of three criminal trials in a death that garnered widespread local and national attention following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.Jurors in the first trial similarly acquitted former officer Jason Rosenblatt on all counts last month, but found officer Randy Roedema guilty of the lesser charges of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault.McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain was in the courtroom and wiped tears from her eyes after the verdict was read.Defense lawyer Megan Downing said, “We believe it was the right verdict, not an easy one...