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Why do we say ‘bless you’ after someone sneezes?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

(WTAJ) — "Bless you" or "God bless you" is a phrase most Americans say when someone sneezes, but why do we say it and where did it come from?The exact origins of the saying are unclear. However, there are a few theories and possibilities about where it may have come from.According to Dictionary.com, two common theories involve demons and spirits, hence the need to bless someone. It was believed that a person's soul would momentarily leave their body which would leave it vulnerable to being captured by the devil. It was also believed a person who sneezed expelled evil spirits from their body and the blessing was used to prevent the spirits from reentering. Saturn’s awe-inspiring rings will ‘disappear’ in 2025: Here’s why The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) International Students Office found the phrase may have originated in 14th-century Europe during the bubonic plague. People who fell ill with the deadly disease would be offered a benediction through the phrase "God B...

TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday morning, an Austin Police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in south Austin.APD said despite the efforts of its officers, medics, hospital staff and the Austin Fire Department, an officer died from injuries. A second injured officer was in stable condition as of 10 a.m. PREVOUS: 1 officer dead, 2 others killed after SWAT in south Austin Two other victims were found inside the residence with fatal injuries and were pronounced dead on the scene, according to APD.APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the incident was captured on police body-worn camera.Multiple APD officers fired their department-approved firearms; however, the officers were not identified during Saturday morning’s media briefing. RELATED: Support pours in for APD officer killed, another hurt "I’d like to thank Travis County medics and Travis County EMS, our officers on scene, Austin Fire, and the medical staff that treated our officers and worke...

4 dead, including APD officer and suspect, in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One Austin police officer was killed, and another officer was injured in south Austin Saturday morning, according to Austin officials. The Austin Police Department said it responded to a call for a stabbing in the 9300 block of Bernoulli Drive at 2:49 a.m.Sources said officers entered a house to free hostages when the suspect shot at the officers. One officer was killed, and another was shot in the shoulder. TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin Sources said multiple shots were fired by other SWAT members, and those officers were now being processed at a police substation.According to a city council message board, the officer-involved shooting happened at about 4:10 a.m.APD held a procession for the fallen officer from Dell Seton Medical Center to the medical examiner's office. RELATED: Support pours in for APD officer killed, another injured in line of duty APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the department is no...

How many APD officers have been shot, killed in line of duty?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is mourning after one officer was shot and killed and another was injured after a SWAT situation in south Austin early Saturday morning. This was the third APD officer shot and killed in the line of duty in 45 years, a law enforcement source told KXAN. APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the department is not identifying the officers involved at this time, and the officer who was hurt is in stable condition. Henderson also confirmed that "two apparent victims of the suspect" were found dead inside the residence off Bernoulli Drive. The suspect also died at the scene. MORE DETAILS: 1 officer dead, 1 officer injured after SWAT situation in south Austin The Austin Police Association (APA) has data on its website dating back to 1875 of APD officers who were killed in the line of duty. While other officers have died in crashes or from COVID-19 in recent years, the last APD officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty was Senior Po...

Dr. Phil to start new TV Network out of North Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Many movie, television studios and celebs are abandoning the LA life and moving down south to good ol' Texas. Including Emmy-winning TV Host and Producer, Dr. Phil C. McGraw. The TV Host has announced a new television network that will be called Merit Street Media and will have a TV studio located in Fort Worth, according to outlets. The network is said to be focused on delivering, "essential news and entertainment delivering common sense television," as described on their website. Dr. Phil's show ended with a final episode airing earlier this year in May. After Media Ventures confirmed the ceased production of the show. Merit Street Media will be airing a new version of The Dr. Phil Show called Dr. Phil Primetime, which is set to air on Feb. 26, 2024, at 7 p.m. central time. Other TV show lineups will be announced in February 2024 as well. "Emmy award-winning Executive Producer and TV Host, Dr. Phil McGraw, is set to launch a new version of the Dr. Phil show in Pr...

Hundreds celebrate those who served at the Albany Veteran’s Day Parade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On Saturday, hundreds lined the streets for the 2023 Albany Veteran’s Day parade. Many, like Tahcier Graham, were excited to participate in the cheers and music and celebrate our veterans.“I think it’s amazing because these people fought for our country,” Graham said. “Without them, who knows what this place would have been.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Albany County Comptroller Susan Rizzo was seen walking around the parade, passing out American flags to spectators.“And I love representing the vets,” she said. “It’s all about the vets. Whatever we can do.”Like Elizabeth Baran, many participated in the parade to share their pride for those who chose to serve.“And we brought all of our family and the dog, too,” Baran said. “We’re very proud to be marching in this parade and very grateful.”But whether veterans were part of the parade or watching from afar, many say they feel grateful to have been part ...

Armed robbery in Scotia under investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Scotia Police Department announced they are investigating an armed robbery. The incident took place on November 10. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Friday at 11 a.m., offers responded to Bruce Street in Scotia following a report of an armed robbery. The victim reported to police that he was approached by someone from behind and threatened with a handgun. According to police, the suspect then reportedly stole the victim's vehicle by force before fleeing the area, heading in the direction of North Ballston Avenue (Route 50). Shortly thereafter, officers were able to locate the car parked at the Cambridge Manor apartments. Albany Police investigating Judson Street homicide Police say the incident is considered to be random and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Scotia Police Department Investigators at (518)374-3110 ext. 3267.

2 men arrested for catalytic converter theft in Simi Valley 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

Officers with the Simi Valley Police Department arrested two men after they were found to be in possession of a stolen catalytic converter early Saturday morning. According to a SVPD release, police were dispatched to a Mobil gas station on reports of a catalytic converter theft in progress at 3:52 a.m. Saturday morning. The exact location of the gas station was not released by authorities. Upon arriving on scene, responding officers located the suspects’ vehicle – a white Kia – and detained the two occupants.  “Further investigation revealed a stolen sawed-off catalytic converter in the vehicle, along with a floor jack and a reciprocating saw,” Simi Valley police said.  10 Freeway shut down in downtown L.A. due to massive storage yard fire The suspects were identified as two 29-year-old men from Los Angeles County: Edwin Nava of South Gate and Louis Rodriguez of Inglewood. Both were booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  Nava was charge...

Iran leader visits Saudi Arabia for first time in years for summit on Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

(CNN) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is in the Saudi capital Riyadh for a major summit on the Israel-Hamas war, where Arab leaders pressed for an end to the conflict.It marks the first trip by an Iranian leader to Saudi Arabia in 11 years after the two countries restored diplomatic relations in March.He shook hands with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the heir to the Saudi throne and the country’s de facto ruler.As he departed Tehran airport, Raisi said, “Palestine is the most important issue in the Islamic world,” and Gaza should not be an “arena for words” but for action.He called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to make a “decisive, actionable and implementable decision on Gaza.”In his opening remarks, MBS said the Kingdom “categorically rejects” the war to which Palestinians are being subjected.“This summit is being held under exceptional and painful circumstances,” he said.“We categorically reject this brutal war that our brothers and sisters...

Three commercial burglaries in one night, Petaluma PD investigates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:26 GMT

(KRON) – The Petaluma Police Department is investigating a series of commercial burglaries that occurred on Friday night.     Petaluma officers received a call from a security alarm company confirming an alarm activation at a closed business on Holm Road on November 10, at 4:50 a.m. APEC traffic, wet storms, protests: San Franciscans brace for rough week Upon arrival, officers found damage to a roll-up shipping and receiving door at the building. A representative for the business responded and confirmed power tools were taken from the business, police said. According to the police investigation, at least two suspects drove a white Ford Econoline van into the shipping and receiving door, which allowed the suspects access to the building.Petaluma officers received a second call from a security alarm company reporting an alarm activation at a similar-style business on Lindberg Lane at approximately 5:17 a.m. Petaluma police and a representative of the business responded to the a...