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Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this ye...

Driver, passenger of scooter critical after car crash on NW Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

CHICAGO -- A driver and passenger of a scooter are injured after a vehicle crash on the Northwest Side overnight, police said.According to police, the crash happened near the corner of Belden and Cicero in the Belmont Craigin neighborhood around 12:45 a.m.The male driver of the scooter and a male passenger were headed northbound on Cicero when they hit the side of a gray sedan that was travelling westbound. Man shot after pulling knife during fight at Red Line station Both the driver of the scooter and passenger were injured and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured and refused treatment from EMS.Citations are pending and police have not said who was at faith in the crash.

How Austin's 'lakes' got their names

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – With its dazzling views, miles of lush trails and recreational activities that allow folks to escape the summer heat, Lady Bird Lake is a true oasis nestled beneath the gleaming towers of Austin’s downtown. If you’re like me, when you first moved to Austin, you may have wondered to yourself, “But is it called 'Lady Bird Lake' or 'Town Lake?' And is it even a lake?” If you’re still confused, here is some historical context on how the “lakes” in Austin were formed and named. MORE: Things you may not know about historic Barton Springs Lake Austin Before we had any lakes in Austin, there was only the Colorado River. That changed in 1893 when a dam was built and formed Lake Austin, which at the time was referred to as Lake McDonald.“It was named after [John McDonald], the mayor who really was seen as being an impetus for getting the dam going,” said Sarah Marshall, who works with the Historic Preservation and Tourism Program for the Austin Parks and Recreation...

A bright week to end the year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Merry Christmas from David, Jim, Kristen, Nick, Sean, and me. We hope you have a good day celebrating with family and friends.The second of two cold fronts has passed through Central Texas leaving a cold northwest to north wind. After highs that made it to the low 70s yesterday, today's daytime maximum temperatures won't get out of the 50s.Rain was plentiful on Sunday with most of our reporting stations recording more than one inch. The highest daily rain total was at a gauge in Burnet where 2.99" was measured.A record rain was measured at Austin Bergstrom International Airport where 1.66" was recorded, easily breaking the former record of 1.48" set in 1975. Camp Mabry recorded 1.28" Sunday adding to the rains Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In all, 1.89" was measured during that four-day period.Some of the higher four-day rain totals:3.26" Burnet2.87" Round Rock2.79" Georgetown2.52" Giddings2.46" Hamilton Creek near Marble FallsToday will be partly cloudy with thos...

Texas State takes on Rice in SERVPRO First Responders Bowl, Bobcats' first-ever bowl game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in FBS program history, the Texas State Bobcats are playing a game outside of the regular season.Texas State (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt) will take on Rice (6-6, 4-4 American Athletic) Tuesday in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The opening kick is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe Bobcats are led by the nation's most productive all-purpose back, sophomore Ismail Mahdi. He averaged 167.83 all-purpose yards per game to lead FBS and was the only FBS player to amass more than 2,000 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and kick returns). Quarterback TJ Finley had a nice season with 273.92 passing yards per game, No. 19 in FBS, and he helped guide the Bobcats offense to its most total yardage in FBS program history at 5,661.Head coach GJ Kinne turned t...

'We Can Now' fighting to end homelessness in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fight to end homelessness in Austin continues, but it's not an easy fix.It takes a coordinated effort from several groups, and it is a continuous fight to make sure once people get off the streets, they stay off the streets."We Can Now" is one of the nonprofits working to make that happen."This is the house," said Carol Parks, who recently experienced homelessness. "This is it. This is for me and my son."Parks takes pride in her new apartment, which she just moved into."Home is where the story begins, and that is home. This is home," Parks said as she pointed to a sign in her kitchen.Parks smiles every time she says the word "home," but at one point in her life, that word seemed unattainable."The economy has been rough on Austin," said Parks. "The rent was so high, and it was hard for me to maintain with kids, so that is when I fell short."When she fell short, Antony Jackson stepped in to help. He helped pay her deposit and offered help with furniture and even ga...

San Bernardino County deputy sheriff arrested for drug possession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

A veteran with the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department has resigned after authorities found him high on drugs with a gun inside a car with a former colleague, authorities said.Jonathan Campos, 32, faces two felony gun and narcotics charges. In mid-November, authorities received a tip that Campos and former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy Ricardo Baires, 32, were “involved in drug activity,” the department said in a news release.Narcotics detectives picked up the case and, on Dec. 17, investigators found Baires and Campos sitting inside Baires' vehicle in an empty housing development in Hesperia."Campos was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance which was suspected of being cocaine," the department said. "Although Campos was off-duty at the time of the incident, he was in possession of a firearm."Suspected cocaine and paraphernalia that "indicated sales" were located inside Baires' vehicle, and drug paraphernalia was also found at Campos' residence, aut...

Three-bedroom home sells in San Jose for $3 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

1027 South Blaney Avenue – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 1000 block of South Blaney Avenue in San Jose was sold on Dec. 1, 2023. The $3,005,000 purchase price works out to $1,687 per square foot. The house, built in 1956, has an interior space of 1,781 square feet. This single-story house has three bedrooms and two baths. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the home includes a two-car garage.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In August 2022, a 1,265-square-foot home on West Riverside Way in San Jose sold for $1,900,000, a price per square foot of $1,502. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On West Riverside Way, San Jose, in April 2023, a 1,265-square-foot home was sold for $2,652,000, a price per square foot of $2,096. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 2,173-square-foot home on the 1000 block of Belvedere Lane in San Jose sold in December 2022, for $2,749,000, a price per square foo...

Palestinian medical officials say death toll from Israeli airstrike in central Gaza has risen to 106

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say death toll from Israeli airstrike in central Gaza has risen to 106.Source

Denver weather: Cool and breezy before quick Tuesday snow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) – Sunshine is back early on Christmas Day before the wind picks up, clouds increase and snow moves in for Tuesday morning.Weather today: Chilly with a late breezeSunny skies are in Denver for Christmas morning, but clouds will increase through the afternoon as the wind picks up. Highs are below average in the low 30s with the wind making it feel cooler later in the day. Over 400 flights canceled, delayed at DIA on Christmas Eve Weather tonight: Cloudy with morning snowClouds linger overnight with a breezy wind out of the northwest at 10-15 mph. Lows on Monday night will dip into the upper teens with light snow arriving in the morning hours.Looking ahead: Tuesday snow and wind, then warmingDenver could see a quick dose of snow on Tuesday morning, totaling possibly up to an inch of snow. Winds will be breezy through Tuesday with partly cloudy skies and highs in the low 40s. Snow chances are better across the Eastern Plains where there is a blizzard warning from 11 p.m....