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Powerful earthquake strikes Morocco, causing shaking in much of the country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday, and shaking was felt from Rabat to Marrakesh. There was no immediate word on any casualties or damage.The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 and occurred about 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the surface.It said the quake hit at 11:11 p.m. and was centered about 56.3 kilometers (34.9 miles) west of Oukaimeden, a popular ski resort in the Atlas Mountains.The Associated Press

Auto union rejects wage offers from Detroit companies with strike deadline 6 days away

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union on Friday rejected wage and benefit offers from all three Detroit automakers, raising tensions just six days before a strike deadline for 146,000 employees.Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket. “The automakers have yet to offer our members a fair contract,” he said.Negotiations are continuing through the weekend, but Fain warned that if there aren’t agreements by 11:59 p.m. Thursday “there will be a strike at all three if need be.”On Friday, Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, made its first counteroffer to the union’s demands with a bigger pay raise than offers from Ford and General Motors. Stellantis offered wage increases in each year of a new four-year contract totaling 14.5%.Ford’s counterproposal offered 9% raises over four years, but it also included lump sum payments, while GM’s offered 10% plus lump sums....

Mayor Johnson proposes plan to house migrants in camps with military-grade tents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago is working to solidify housing plans for more than 1,000 asylum seekers and migrants who are currently being housed in police station lobbies across the city.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to relocate nearly 1,600 migrants and asylum seekers to winterized base camps where they would be housed in large military-grade tents.The mayor answered questions about plans to create tent-style housing for migrants and asylum seekers at an unrelated press conference Friday morning. 2 women tasked with constructing migrant housing plan lay out road ahead "We've identified multiple locations around the city that can be suitable to treat the families and individuals, who by law are seeking asylum constitutionally, legally, to have a place that recognizes their dignity," Mayor Johnson said.Over the past year, more than 13,000 asylum seekers have been bussed from Texas to Chicago, creating a humanitarian crisis in the city. While 16 shelters have been opened, hun...

Child safe after reported parental abduction in Elgin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. — Authorities say a child has been located after reports of a parental abduction in Elgin.Police say the child was safely found just after 6 p.m. on Friday afternoon.According to the Elgin Police Department, officers responded to a report of a parental child abduction in the 1300 block of Amanda Circle just before 2 p.m. Taste of Chicago begins, Eli’s Cheesecake returns for 43rd year Elgin Police say the alleged abduction did not qualify for an Amber Alert, per the Illinois State Police.Police say the child was safely located and an investigation is ongoing. Officers did not provide updates on where the child was found

'I'll go to jail. Let's do it': Officials release details on musician Zach Bryan's Oklahoma arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

CRAIG COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Country music singer Zach Bryan ran into problems with Oklahoma law enforcement this week, not once, but twice.Bryan’s second encounter with an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper led to his arrest in Craig County on Thursday night. A newly released affidavit reveals more information on what led up to the incident, according to arresting officers. Are men still afraid of wearing pink? The 27 year-old Bryan, an Oklahoma native, said he was headed to Boston when his security guard, who was driving in a different car, was pulled over in Craig County by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper. According to the affidavit, during the traffic stop, Bryan pulled up along the passenger side of his security guard’s SUV. "I'll go to jail, let's do it." Zach Bryan quoted in law enforcement affidavit Due to the nervous behavior of his security guard, the trooper said he “was already at a heightened sense of a potential threat to his safety.” B...

9-year-old Illinois boy struck and killed by freight train while riding bike to school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

ROYAL, Ill. (AP) — A 9-year-old boy who was riding a bike to school was struck and killed by a freight train Friday in central Illinois, authorities said.Union Pacific railroad says the boy was struck by one of its trains in the village of Royal, Illinois, at about 7:45 a.m. CDT. It says the train crew was not injured.The boy was near other people who were not injured, said Lt. Curt Apperson of the Champaign County Sheriff's Office. Bally’s Casino temporary location officially opens Saturday Apperson called it a “tragic accident.” The railroad said its thoughts were with the family of the boy.The child was struck along tracks about two blocks from Prairieview-Ogden North Elementary, The News-Gazette of Champaign reported.No additional information about the boy was immediately released Friday by authorities.Prairieview-Ogden Superintendent Jeff Isenhower said grief counselors would be present at all three district schools Friday in Royal, Flatville and Ogden.The village o...

WATCH: Murder suspect chased through Ohio Walmart

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

CLEVELAND (WJW) -- Video released to Nexstar affiliate WJW's FOX 8 I-Team shows a Cleveland police chase inside a local department store.The video shows officers running down a woman wanted for murder, and they take down another suspect at gunpoint.It happened last month inside the Walmart in the Steelyard Commons shopping complex. VIDEO: Angry Chipotle customer in Ohio slams burrito bowl in worker’s face Police video shows officers walking through the store and looking around, but not shopping -- instead, searching for a murder suspect.When they spot her, an officer reaches out to grab her, but she takes off running.She goes down aisle after aisle.An officer yells, “Stop!” She pauses, then tries to run again.Two officers finally arrest Shanaja Jones.Then officers confront a man trying to leave through the front door. An officer orders him to the ground at gunpoint. They arrested the man identified as Walter Robinson Jr. Courtesy: Clev...

Barton Springs tree 'Flo' scheduled for removal, city to hold celebration of life

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said the iconic Barton Springs leaning pecan tree “Flo” is tentatively scheduled to be removed Sept. 14.Third-party Certified Arborists completed their assessments of the tree after it was discovered to have an infection known as Kretzschmaria deusta, a wood decay fungus.Brittle Cinder Fungus seen on a tree (City of Austin photo)The city said all four Arborists recommended the removal of “Flo” due to safety concerns and the lack of treatment options, so the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said it would remove the tree. RELATED: Barton Springs pecan tree ‘Flo’ diagnosed with infection PARD said it recognizes the importance of the tree to many community members and welcomed people to visit “Flo” for a Celebration of Life ceremony Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Barton Springs Pool.The city said the event honoring “Flo” would feature a water blessing and provide attendees with time to say farewell.PARD said it was collecting stori...

RRISD PD to start self-dispatch service, continues partnership with county dispatch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Independent School District said while it is starting its own dispatch service for its district police force, it is not terminating a dispatch agreement it has with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.Friday, screenshots of an internal letter from Williamson County to RRISD expressing concerns about the self-dispatch service circulated on social media. Parents criticized what appeared to be a lack of communication between the WCSO and RRISD about the matter and how it could complicate how 911 calls were distributed.RRISD Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez said the contents of that letter are now "moot" as the district is already working with WCSO on its plans for a dispatch service. "It is not uncommon that school districts have their own dispatch, but there are always going to be some kind of partnership with another law enforcement agency. So we're not stopping this service. We're just enhancing what we have," Azaiez said.Williamson Count...

Build-a-Bear launches Dia De Los Muertos collection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:45 GMT

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Build-a-Bear is launching a collection inspired by Dia De Los Muertos. The bears and their outfits have traditional Catrin and Catrina makeup and costumes. Marigold flowers can be seen in the fabric of their clothing. (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) Marigolds are often associated with the Day of the Dead as it is believed the bright flowers attract the souls of those who have died. Build-a-Bear announced the launch on its social media along with some educational photos of the cultural significance of the items used on that day. The collection is out now and available online.