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Chicago mayor names the police department’s counterterrorism head as new police superintendent

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Sunday stayed within the ranks and named Larry Snelling, the police department’s counterterrorism head, as his choice for police superintendent of the nation’s third-largest city.The announcement comes after a monthslong search led by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The selection of Snelling, 54, to head the department, is subject to City Council approval.Snelling will succeed David Brown, who in March announced that he would step down the day after Chicago’s mayoral primary election in which crime was a central issue. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost that primary and Johnson went on to win the mayoral race in April.“Today, a new chapter begins in our journey to create a better, stronger and safer Chicago,” Johnson said in a news release. “Chief Snelling is a proven leader who has the experience and the respect of his peers to help ensure the safety and well-being of city residents, and address ...

Police face criticism over central Kansas newspaper raid in which computers, phones seized

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

MARION, Kan. (AP) — A small central Kansas police department is facing a firestorm of criticism after it raided the offices of a local newspaper and the home of its publisher and owner — a move deemed by several press freedom watchdogs as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection of a free press. The Marion County Record said in its own published reports that police raided the newspaper’s office on Friday, seizing the newspaper’s computers, phones and file server and the personal cellphones of staff, based on a search warrant. One Record reporter suffered an injury to a finger when Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody wrested her cellphone out of her hand, according to the report.Police simultaneously raided the home of Eric Meyer, the newspaper’s publisher and co-owner, seizing computers, his cellphone and the home’s internet router, Meyer said. Meyer’s 98-year-old mother — Record co-owner Joan Meyer, who lived in the home with her son — collapsed and died Sa...

Tourists are urged to avoid Maui as hotels prepare to take in evacuees and first responders

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels prepared to house evacuees and first responders on the island that faces a long recovery from the wildfire that demolished a historic town and killed more than 90 people.About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became clear Wednesday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.“In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses,” the agency said in a statement late Saturday. Tourists are encouraged to visit Hawaii’s other islands.Gov. Josh Green said 500 hotels rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced. An additional 500 hotel rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federa...

One person minorly injured from two-alarm house fire near Downsview Park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

One person has been minorly injured due to a house fire in the Downsview Park Boulevard and William Duncan Road area on Sunday afternoon.At approximately 2:41 p.m. emergency services arrived at a home in the area where the roof of a townhouse was on fire.One patient was assessed at the scene with very minor injuries. Two dogs were also removed from the house and both are okay.Toronto Fire says it was up to a three-alarm at the height, but there is no major damage to the house other than the roof.Firefighters remain on scene checking for hotspots and advise anyone in the area to use caution.

He's 'just Ken' but will the 'Barbie' movie change that?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — On and off the big screen, it's Barbie's world and Ken is just living in it.As reflected in Greta Gerwig's blockbuster movie that tackles the legacy Mattel's famous doll, Barbie has always been more popular than Ken. For every Ken doll sold today, there’s generally eight to 10 Barbies sold, according to Jim Silver, a toy industry expert and CEO of review site of TTPM.It's unclear if Warner Bros' “Barbie,” which was also co-produced by Mattel, will increase Ken production and sales. But Silver noted that the movie “gave Ken more attention than Ken has received" in decades.Ken was first introduced back in 1961, two years after Barbie hit store shelves. But he hasn't had nearly the same impact on the Barbieverse since.“Barbie’s world is about Barbie. And (to some), Ken may be an accessory of sorts," said Ed Timke, an assistant professor of advertising and public relations at Michigan State University, pointing to years of marketing that has, naturally, put Bar...

1 dead following boat, jet ski crash on Lake Travis Sunday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead and several others are hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon.Austin-Travis County EMS initially said in a social media post one adult was transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center with potentially serious injuries. A later update confirmed four additional people were transported from the crash: one via ATCEMS, two by the North Lake Travis Fire Department to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center and one by Travis County Starflight to Dell Seton Medical Center.Officials confirmed an adult died at the scene after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.One person is dead and a second is hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)One person is dead and a second is hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)One person is dead and a sec...

SWAT responding to Cedar Park hotel Sunday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Cedar Park Police Department confirmed officers are working a police incident Sunday afternoon at the Best Western hotel, located at 425 E. Whitestone Blvd.Police said officers and SWAT personnel are on scene "in reference to a high risk warrant service," per a department social media post. People are asked to avoid the area.This is a developing story and will be updated once more information becomes available.

Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill finally takes reps in team drills

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

The plan for the Vikings has always been to bring right tackle Brian O’Neill along slowly. He’s working his way back from a partially torn Achilles tendon, and while O’Neill probably would have gone 100 mph as soon as he was allowed, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted at the start of training camp that the team would be cautious.So, it’s been a gradual ramp up for O’Neill, who started by working off to the side by himself, then progressed into individual drills on a limited basis.The biggest step in the recovery process so far came on Sunday afternoon as O’Neill participated in team drills for the first time.“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I was really excited. Just trying to follow the plan that they’ve got for me. I’m starting to shake some rust off.”Though it’s still unclear whether O’Neill will participate in joint practices against the Tennessee Titans this week, it appears heR...

Twins pitchers shut down frustrated Phillies hitters in 2-0 win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Sonny Gray tossed two-hit ball over six shutout innings, reliever Caleb Thielbar pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and Jordan Luplow homered to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.The American League Central leaders bounced back from a 13-2 loss on Friday to win the last two games of the series. Gray (6-5) struck out seven and pitched into the sixth inning for the eighth straight time. He allowed just two singles and otherwise quieted a Phillies’ offense that had hit 20 homers over the last eight games.“Overall nice outing for him,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I think his command was good. We’ve probably seen it better for him, but he attacked. … When you attack and get ahead, good things generally do follow.”Yet after 80 pitches, that was enough for Gray, and it almost cost the Twins.Griffin Jax allowed two singles and hit a batter to load the bases with one out and to send the Philly...

Marin launches tri-county effort to reduce coastal pollution

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:49 GMT

After coastal communities were overwhelmed by visitors — and their garbage — during the pandemic, Marin and two Northern California counties have joined forces to stem the pollution.A three-year campaign, known as the “Cleaner California Coast” initiative, seeks to expand the “leave-no-trace” message often used at national and state parks to all coastal areas of Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.Whether someone is staying at a rental property in Stinson Beach or hiking in a national park, campaign proponents said the intent is to have people pack away any waste they generate or to prevent waste by using reusable or compostable items.“It’s kind of a simple message: If you’re at the coast, come prepared,” said Marin County Parks and Open Space communications manager Cristina Torresan.The initiative will begin in earnest this year, first gaining community-level support and partners and eventually growing into a larger marketing campaign. A new website launched at cleanercoast.org.Su...