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Man walks to all 22 Chicago police districts over 3 days for mental health awareness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

CHICAGO — The slogan "serve and protect" is emblazoned across countless Chicago police cars. But a local man says he is doing his part to ensure officers know they're supported.Robert Swiderski, Jr. has spent the last three days carrying out what he called "Operation Serve and Protect," a movement that seeks to raise awareness about a growing threat to officers in Chicago.When a criminal takes an officer's life, there is an avalanche of support. But when an officer takes their own life, it's equally somber but less discussed. SEE ALSO: Man running, walking around City Hall for 28 hours to raise awareness for CPD officer mental health"So many of our brothers and sisters in blue have carried the burden on their own," said Swiderski, the son of a retired Chicago police officer.Over the last three days, Swiderski has walked to all 22 police districts — a journey that spans nearly 80 miles. It's not his first time, however. "That's why I'm here at City Hall. To let our mayor and superint...

Central Health wants $56 more a year from you, commissioners push back on services

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Central Health Board of Managers will take another look at its finances in a special called meeting Monday after Travis County Commissioners pushed back on the more than $744 million FY-24 budget proposed to them. The budget breaks down to include the following: Nearly $300 million for healthcare delivery Nearly $30 million for administration $35 million for an agreement with the University of Texas to provide services at Dell SetonAnd more than $379 million for contingency reserves That last bullet was one of the reasons Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea pushed back on the proposed budget Tuesday in what she described as a "stern conversation" with Central Health staff. "They're putting twice the amount of money in their contingency reserve as they list as expenditures on direct health care services," Shea said. "And their main mission is health care services for the poor."Central Health staff say building reserves is part of it's strategic effort to build...

Oklahoma judge arrested in Austin for firing gun, road rage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KFOR) — Long-time Garfield County judge, Brian Lovell, was arrested September 11 in Austin, Texas, and now faces charges of reckless driving and deadly conduct discharge firearm.Lovell, who lives in Waukomis and works at the Garfield County Courthouse in Enid, was nearly 500 miles from his home with the incident occurred. News 4 is unsure why Lovell was in Austin.According to the arrest affidavit, Lovell fired shots into at least five cars at the intersection of Matamoros Street and Santa Maria Street. Several cars were hit. Witnesses at the scene told police a man in a white SUV was seen leaving the area.Austin Police got a second call of a road rage crash that took place about 1.7 miles away near the intersection of East 7th Street and N IH-35 Service Road. According to the report, Lovell slammed his white SUV into the back of a woman’s car. The two reportedly got into an argument then Lovell allegedly “intentionally” hit the woman’s car a second time and attempted to push...

Next rain chance comes with a low severe risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Bergstrom reached 100° this afternoon, the 58th day of triple digit heat this year (second-most on record). Camp Mabry got close recording a temperature of 99°.A few isolated sea breeze showers will make a run at our extreme eastern counties this evening, but no meaningful rain is expected. We'll likely see another opportunity for isolated rain tomorrow, but this round will favor the far northwest Hill Country. Again, most areas stay dry.Weekend forecastA better chance of showers and thunderstorms comes late in the day Sunday as a cold front approaches from the north. Some thunderstorms late Sunday into Monday could be strong to severe, with a marginal risk (1 out of 5) in place for the majority of the Hill Country and I-35 corridor.Low risk of severe storms late Sunday into MondayMonday still looks to be our wettest day of the next 7 with a 60% chance of rain. These scattered showers and storms could drop enough rain to cause some isolated flooding issues, b...

Jury finds Oakdale man guilty in Woodbury grad party shooting that killed Maplewood boy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

A jury on Friday convicted one of two shooters charged in the murder of 14-year-old Demaris Hobbs-Ekdahl, who was shot in a car outside a Woodbury graduation party in 2021 shortly after his stepfather fired his gun.Xavier Le’Drew Hudson, 20, of Oakdale, was found guilty of all 10 charges against him, including aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder and eight counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, in connection with the June 5, 2021, shootout.The jury of nine men and three women deliberated about seven hours Thursday and Friday before reaching the verdict, which followed a nine-day trial. Prosecutors presented forensic evidence that showed Hudson fired a volley of shots, although not the one that struck and killed Hobbs-Ekdahl.Xaivier L. Hudson (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Hudson, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, remains jailed ahead of a sentencing date yet to be determined.“While no outcome can ever fully heal the ...

Royce Lewis lands on injured list with hamstring strain; postseason availability in question

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

Royce Lewis will miss the rest of the regular season. Now, it’s a question of if the rookie’s left hamstring can heal in time for him to be included on the roster for the first round of the postseason.The Twins put Lewis on the injured list on Friday, calling up Jordan Luplow to fill his spot on the roster. While he would be eligible to return during the last weekend of the regular season, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said that won’t be their priority.“We’re not going to focus on that one day. We’re going to focus on how we evaluate it after that,” Falvey said. “I would anticipate him getting treatment all the way through and then get live work and off-the-field work.”As for when they might know if the first round of the postseason — if the standings hold, the Twins would host a wild-card series beginning on Oct. 3 — is realistic, Falvey said it’s possible that they won’t know that until the day before.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a strain, which manager Rocc...

Rainy weekend on tap as Twin Cities descend into ‘extreme drought’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

A slow-moving wet-weather system is expected to bring cooler temperatures, much-needed rain and possible thunderstorms to the Twin Cities this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.The expected rainfall Saturday and Sunday would be welcome after this week’s report in the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that much of the metro area is facing “extreme drought” conditions for the first time this year. The Twin Cities are facing an annual precipitation deficit of 7.65 inches as of Friday.Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday, with a low of 55 and a high of 80. On Sunday, rain chances continue into the evening. Temperatures cool, with a low of 50 and a high of 70.The rain is expected to move out of the region by Monday.Although it may be a wet weekend, fall colors are beginning to pop in Minnesota.According to an updated fall color report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, foliage is changing a bit faster than  last year so don’...

One dead, several hurt after five-vehicle crash in north St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - An investigation is underway after five vehicles were involved in a rush-hour crash Friday in north St. Louis. One woman has died and several other people involved in the collision are dealing with injuries. The St. Louis Fire Department is assisting with the crash response. The department reports at least one person was removed from their vehicle via extrication. Two victims from the crash are also in critical condition, two are in serious condition, and three suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the fire department. Officers no longer employed in aftermath of inmate escape from Mercy Hospital The crash happened near the intersection of Humboldt Avenue and North Broadway in the North Riverfront neighborhood. Police have blocked off a stretch of Broadway with tape to assist with the situation. Additional details are limited at this time. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

Illinois police pursuit nets arrest, sparks review of new no-cash bail system

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

DUPO, Ill. - Multiple investigations are underway after two people led police on a long-standing pursuit that ended Friday morning near Dupo, Illinois. Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX captured the moments the driver of the stolen 2015 Nissan Altima surrendered to police on Friday morning, following a 25-minute police chase from one end of Monroe County to the other. But it didn’t start there. Officers no longer employed in aftermath of inmate escape from Mercy Hospital Police say the pursuit stemmed from a strong-armed robbery of a vehicle in Normandy, Missouri, on Thursday evening. "We've had this individual that you know obviously has committed several violent crimes, including robbery, aggravating fleeing and alluding, and possibly armed violence," said Monroe County Sheriff Neil Rohlfing. After three sets of spike strips, the car kept going for some time. Rattling on its rims, it suddenly lit up like a firework. Around milemarker 11 on Interstate 255 is where the culprits c...

Centers of attention: Avalanche need Ryan Johansen, Ross Colton to fill critical roles behind Nathan MacKinnon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT

Nathan MacKinnon is one of the best centers in the world, but the entire depth chart behind him could be different this season.For a Colorado Avalanche team with the highest expectations possible, finding the right players to fill those spots could be the difference between another disappointing postseason exit and one that ends with a parade. The Avalanche traded for two players this offseason, Ryan Johansen and Ross Colton, with clear designs to slot them behind MacKinnon as the second- and third-line centers.They are coming from different situations, with different but equally enticing resumes. If they both succeed, it will be a master stroke of roster building by general manager Chris MacFarland. It’s an interesting spot for both, being the guys earmarked to ease arguably the biggest concern on an otherwise loaded roster.“In terms of pressure and stuff like that, I don’t think we want to focus too much on that,” Colton said. “They brought us in to just play our game. I think the...