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Police union & city near deal on raises, new homicide teams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Despite pre-election fears that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson would “defund the police,” Chicago police officers would receive raises, retention bonuses and stipends for specialized training under a tentative deal reached with the police union and mediated by the Illinois Labor Board.Highlights of the agreement, per the union, include:16%-20% raises over four yearsRetention bonus for every officer of $2,500Stipends for officers with specialized crisis intervention, medical triage and bicycle unit training New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive Even police union president John Catanzara, who has criticized the Mayor's approach to crime, seemed pleased they’ve come to terms. “I want to thank the Johnson administration for their commitment to getting this deal done,” Catanzara told WGN Investigates. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The City Council would also need to approve the agreement, which comes after an e...

Hamas says it is releasing two U.S hostages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

JERUSALEM — Hamas said Friday it was releasing two American citizens they were holding captive in Gaza since their Oct. 7 raid on Israel.The Palestinian militant group said in a statement that in an agreement with the Qatari government it was freeing a mother and daughter for humanitarian reasons.U.S. and Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the statement.Israel says Hamas has taken 203 people from Israel into Gaza.More on this story as it develops.

Bridgeview school, mosque in high alert after threats to Muslim community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Muslim institutions around the Chicagoland area have been in high alert in response to the increasing number of threats. A father attending morning prayers with his children confirmed to WGN that parents received a letter notifying them that Asqa school had received a threat.According to the Sun-Times, Aqsa school in Bridgeview had been on a soft lockdown all week and middle school students were given homework packets and highschoolers will be attending classes virtually. Oussama Jamal, from the Mosque Foundation, told WGN their community has not seen such threats since 9/11. Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview also received a threat that said, "All Muslims must leave Bridgeview by Friday, Oct. 20 or die," with Fridays being the busiest day for mosques. "The person who made this threat knows exactly what goes on in this area, Friday is our big day," Jamal said. FBI warning Chicago residents about growing threat of hate crimes This week a Lombard man was charged f...

Beverly woman with 'severe' mental health conditions missing: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

CHICAGO — A 23-year-old Chicago woman who suffers from multiple mental health conditions is missing, authorities said Friday. Francia Graham was last seen Sunday, Oct. 15, in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood in the 9500 Block of South Prospect Ave. Police said she wore a red jacket, blank pants and black Addidas gym shoes with white stripes. Graham suffers from 'severe bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. She stands 5'8" and weighs 120, with brown eyes and black hair.Graham also has a flower tattoo around her waist and a queen tattoo on her chest. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Anyone with information is asked to call police at (312) 747-8274.

Crews install iconic Zilker Holiday Tree with more than 3,000 lights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Halloween may still be more than a week away, but the city of Austin is already getting ready for the Christmas season.Crews from Austin Energy installed the iconic Zilker Holiday Tree at Zilker Park Friday.The 155-foot 'tree' — one of Austin's original 31 moonlight towers — is decorated with 39 strings of LED lights, each containing 81 red, yellow, green and blue bulbs, according to Austin Energy. There are 3,309 lights on the tree in total. 59th annual Austin Trail of Lights returns Dec. 8-23 The yellow bulbs are strategically placed on each string to give the tree its "distinctive and dizzying swirl pattern," the city said in a press release.Austin Energy crews installing the Zilker Holiday Tree on Oct. 20, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Austin Energy crews installing the Zilker Holiday Tree on Oct. 20, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Austin Energy crews installing the Zilker Holiday Tree on Oct. 20, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Austin Energy crews installing the Zilker...

Texas posts strong job numbers, but report highlights heat's chilling effect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas governor bragged Friday about the state's economy after the most recent jobs report included some impressive numbers, but a report released this week warns that increasingly hot summers may have a chilling effect on the business atmosphere. Gov. Greg Abbott's office put out a news release touting the state's employers adding 61,400 non-farm jobs in September, which they said makes Texas the leader in the nation for most jobs added, not only over the last month but also the last year. Abbott also noted Texas reached a new high of 14,049,400 total jobs in the state. Austin records hottest summer on record, driest in 113 years "Jobs are surging in Texas thanks to the best business climate and strongest workforce in the nation," Abbott wrote in a statement. However, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released a new report Wednesday looking at how hotter summer days are possibly slowing down the state's growth. The four authors noted the heat may not have muc...

Police searching for 4 suspects in north Austin robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin police are searching for four suspects they say robbed a store on Research Boulevard on Monday. According to the Austin Police Department, the suspects entered a store located at 8728 Research Boulevard around 12:30 a.m. Monday with guns drawn. APD said the suspects attacked a security guard and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. They also stole the customers' cell phones. Suspect 1 description: Black maleApproximately 20 to 25 years oldDreadlocks with orange tipsArmed with a black handgunHe was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black shirt, black pants, white slides with white socks, and carrying blue bandanaSuspect 1 in a robbery that happened at 8728 Research Blvd. Monday, Oct. 16 at 12:30 a.m. (Austin Police Department Photo) Suspect 1 in a robbery that happened at 8728 Research Blvd. Monday, Oct. 16 at 12:30 a.m. (Austin Police Department Photo) Suspect 1 in a robbery that happened at 8728 Research Blvd. Monday, Oct. 16 at 12:30 a.m. (Austin Police Dep...

Funding rural roads, park space in Travis County on the ballot starting next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Early voting starts next Monday, and in Travis County, voters will be casting their vote on a Roads and Parks Bond worth more than $500 million.KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes sat down with County Commissioner Ann Howard to learn more about what the money will fund if it passes.Erica: How in Travis County can we make sure that people understand what they're going to see on the ballot starting next week? If you can believe it when it comes to roads and parks bonds in Travis County?Howard: We're referring to our bond package as the Travis two-step. Prop A is for $233 million for roads and bike paths and sidewalks. Prop B is for $276 million and change for Parkland acquisition and park amenities like ball fields. The Travis County bond package for roads and parks is significant right now, because of the growth and the congestion, the safety issues. If we have an opportunity, the voters have an opportunity to help us protect more green space. Our strategy...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 7

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

49ers at Vikings (+7½)Kirk Cousins raised eyebrows last Sunday by giving partial credit for the Vikings’ victory in Chicago on their pregame locker-room blaring of the 1990s metal band mediocrities Creed. Minnesotans have not had so much collective embarrassment for a local figure since watching Jesse Ventura play governor.Pick: 49ers by 3Former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura pauses while speaking about his book “They Killed Our President” October 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. Ventura, who is considering a long-shot independent run for the White House, said he would immediately clear the intelligence leakers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden if elected. Ventura, who served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003 and is an avid proponent of conspiracy theories, said it was “wonderful” for individuals within government to expose abuses. Ventura’s book “They Killed Our President,” alleges that the 1963 Kennedy assassination was a conspiracy in rea...

Baroness to perform at Empire Live

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:02 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Empire Live will be hosting a performance by metal band Baroness. The concert is scheduled for November 22. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Baroness has put out six studio albums across their two decade career, with their latest record "Stone" being released back in September. The show is a stop on their Sweet Oblivion 2023 tour. The band will be joined for the performance by hardcore punk group Soul Glo. The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m. Heavy metal band Avatar to perform at Empire Live Empire Live is located at 93 North Pearl Street in Albany. You can buy Baroness tickets online through the Ticketmaster website or by visiting the venue's box office.