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Durbin calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire tied to hostage release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, backed a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war Thursday but stipulated that it must start with the release of all hostages. Asked by CNN's Poppy Harlow whether it's time for a cease-fire, Durbin said: “I think it is." “At least in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release. That should be the beginning of it,” Durbin said. “An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians.”Durbin’s use of the term “cease-fire” is notable in its departure from language used by both President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).Biden on Wednesday suggested a "pause" in fighting was needed to "get the prisoners out," in response to a heckler who asked him to call for a cease-fire. Asked about his use of the term cease-fire and the fact that the president has purposefully not used t...

UPS announces 'hiring blitz' across Chicago area this Friday and Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

CHICAGO — The United States Parcel Service is launching its "Brown Friday" efforts to attract thousands of workers nationwide. Locally, the delivery service looks to hire more than 2,300 people across the Chicago area. Search for jobs on our job board Jobs in demand include warehouse workers, seasonal driver helpers, package delivery drivers, CDL drivers and seasonal support drivers. Hiring events will take place Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 at the following locations:3740 S Morgan Street (Chicago)1400 S Jefferson Street (Chicago) 6700 W 73rd Street (Bedford Park) 2050 N Hicks Road, (Palatine)2525 Shermer Road (Northbrook)16328 John Lane Crossing (Lockport) Inaugural Southwest Job Fair set for January Virtual interviews are available Friday for stores in Northwest Indiana:3147 169th Place (Hammond, Indiana)860 W Main Street (Westville, Indiana)Click here for more information. UPS said most applicants will have a job offer in less than 20 minutes.  

New TDCJ webpage tracks A/C projects at state prison facilities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new page on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) website now tracks air conditioning construction projects at state jail facilities.According to the TDCJ, the mission of the projects was to help protect the public, its employees and the inmates in its custody. RELATED: Texas inmates ‘being cooked alive’ in heatwave with no air conditioning “During the 88th Texas Legislative session, TDCJ received a historic infusion of funding for major repair and improvement projects at facilities,” the TDCJ said.According to the TDCJ, as a part of the funding, it received $85 million to install additional air conditioning.The TDCJ said it currently had 31 units fully air-conditioned while 55 units were partially air-conditioned.

Choosing to relocate an old house rather than demolishing just got easier in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved on consent Thursday a resolution that will reduce barriers to relocating homes, increasing the potential for historical preservation and reducing waste associated with demolitions. District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter was behind the item, saying it will “promote preservation, affordability and sustainability throughout Austin,” Alter said at the council meeting Thursday. The resolution will raise awareness about the option to relocate a structure when a property owner might otherwise consider demolition, streamline the process by making it cheaper and faster, and create a market for those who are interested in buying and selling these types of homes, Alter said. “With the concerns that increased density will result in the demolition of older, smaller homes, house relocation provides an opportunity to preserve existing housing,” Alter said. “Relocation helps divert waste to lands fills… 25% of the waste in our landfills is a ...

In early going, Wild special teams have taken step backward

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Much was made of the disparity between the Wild’s special teams and those of Dallas during the Stars’ first-round postseason victory over Minnesota last spring, and for good reason.They were the primary reason the Stars won the best-of-7 series in six games.Wild players landed in the box 24 times against Dallas, and the Stars scored on nine of those man advantages. Minnesota scored on 4 of 22 power-play chances. When it was over, the Wild thought they were the better team at even strength, but it didn’t really matter.They also were missing forward Joel Eriksson Ek, a key piece on both special-teams units. He played just one playoff shift because of a broken leg.Eriksson Ek is back and playing well; he leads the team with 10 points and three power-play goals. The Wild also went out this offseason and hired assistant coach Jason King to help with the special teams. Yet the regular-season numbers have been worse through nine early games — down from a 80.6 percent success rate to 67.9 o...

Concert to celebrate American choral music

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - (NEWS10) - Schenectady-based Octavo Singers is used to performing masterpieces from all over the world. But on November 4, the group will be performing works specifically from American composers. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The concert is called, "Down to the River: Celebrating American Choral Heritage." Artistic director and conductor Andrew Burger chose a wide range of works that tell the story of American choral music, from William Billings in the 18th century to 85-year-old John Corigliano who won a Grammy in 2014.The program will include music from Aaron Copeland, Samuel Barber and traditional American folk songs. It features mezzo-soprano Tess McCarthy and accompanist Trevor Kahlbaugh.The concert is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church, 8 N. Church St. in the Stockade section of Schenectady. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door.

Greene County man pleads guilty to drug, gun charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 24-year-old male from Catskill is facing at least five years and up to life in prison. Atniel Pagan pleaded guilty to possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Pagan, a previously convicted felon, admitted to possessing 225 grams of cocaine and 22 grams of cocaine base with intent to sell. He was also found in possession of two loaded ghost guns, including a semi-automatic AR-style rife, to guard against potential theft. Sentencing is scheduled for March 1, 2024. Pagan faces a fine of up to $1 million and a term of post-release supervision of at least three years and up to life.

Hermann, Missouri 'Christmas Vintage' movie now streaming

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

GASCONADE COUNTY, Mo. – A Christmas movie filmed in Hermann is now available for streaming on major platforms. The film, titled "Christmas Vintage," is produced by Nicely Entertainment and will be distributed on Amazon, Peacock, Freevee, Tubi, Roku, and Xumo channels. This heartwarming movie was shot during the Christmas season in Hermann last year. Notably, the two lead characters, who are sisters, share the last name "Hermannhof," which cleverly nods to the film's setting. In "Christmas Vintage," the story revolves around the two sisters, Samantha and Emily, working together to create a magical Christmas moment. Samantha returns home to support her lovesick sister, Emily, during the holiday season. The plot takes a turn when Samantha discovers that Emily's romantic aspirations with Tony, a man she deeply cares for, hinge on an unusual condition. Samantha must undertake the challenging task of attracting and dating Parker Williams, the owner of a rival winery. &...

Becky Bliefnick: Illinois killing to be profiled on Dateline NBC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Quincy, Ill. – The murder of Becky Bliefnick is the subject of an upcoming Dateline episode titled "Ghost Rider." The episode delves into the death of Becky, the trial of her husband, and the ultimate verdict in the case.Scheduled to air on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 9 p.m. Central Time, this Dateline NBC special shines a light on a tale of love gone awry.Becky Bliefnick, a 41-year-old nurse at Blessing Hospital and a mother of three boys, was discovered dead at her home in Quincy, Illinois. When she failed to pick up her children from school, her father came to check on her. He then found Becky's body. She had been shot multiple times. Becky was found in her bathroom in February 2023. In March, her husband, Timothy, found himself facing a first-degree murder charge. Prosecutors say he broke into his estranged wife's home and shot her 14 times. The children were under Timothy's care at the time.Becky and Timothy were married in 2009. They had been living separately for roughly...

North Denver Cares Food Pantry struggling to stay open amid rising costs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

When Bryan Decker started the North Denver Cares Food Pantry nearly 20 years ago, it was a big deal to be able to provide groceries to six families a night out of his church’s kitchen.Now Decker, 82, works with hundreds of volunteers to provide free meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables and dry goods to an average of 400 families every week at the pantry’s warehouse at 6900 W. 117th Ave. in Broomfield.Despite being entirely volunteer-run, Decker is struggling to keep the pantry open as costs for rent, fuel, food and repairs continue to rise. In September, one of the pantry’s volunteers launched a crowdfunding campaign to try to keep the pantry afloat.“If I can’t find more funding to keep us open, we would have no alternative but to close the doors,” Decker said.Decker started the food pantry in 2003 with his wife and a group of friends after a discussion about the number of people asking their church, Calvary Evangelical Free Church, for help buying food.“We decided to try it out and see w...