U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to service members onboard the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier on Wednesday. Austin has ordered sailors on board to remain at sea to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from spilling over into a deadlier regional conflict.“It’s great to be here and I’m here today with a simple message and that’s just to say thank you. Thanks for your service and for your skill,” Secretary Austin said over the aircraft carrier’s intercom system.Austin was in the region to meet with Israeli leaders to discuss several pressing topics, including to pressure Israel to scale back its military campaign in Gaza.The U.S. has been concerned that Israel will launch a similar military operation along its northern border with Lebanon to expel Hezbollah militants there, which could potentially widen the war.Austin ordered the crew on board the USS Gerald R Ford to the Eastern Mediterranean to be closer to Israel the day after Hamas m...

UPDATES: Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

UPDATES: Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday marks a day that many high school football players dream about, the day they can sign a letter of intent to play college football.The early signing period for Division I football programs begins Wednesday and runs through Friday, giving athletes who are ready to officially pledge allegiance to a college program. Athletes will have another chance to sign letters in February 2024, but the early period is now the main event for most. Texas Longhorns flip nation’s No. 2 safety recruit Xavier Filsaime from Florida Gators Local athletes from all over the viewing area will sign their letters throughout the day. As of Tuesday afternoon, the schools who have confirmed signing ceremonies with KXAN are:Westlake, 8 a.m.Weiss, 8:30 a.m. Vandegrift, 11:25 a.m.Crockett, 2 p.m.If your school is having a ceremony, send an email to [email protected] to let us know.Vandegrift has two athletes in the 247Sports Texas recruiting rankings set to sign with Power 5 colleges, offens...

Austin ISD Police adds lieutenant, first hire under new House Bill 3 mandate 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Austin ISD Police adds lieutenant, first hire under new House Bill 3 mandate  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District Police Department announced it has added to its force. On its social media platforms, the department introduced its most recent hire: Lieutenant Belinda Mangum. "Lt. Mangum is one of our first hires under the new House Bill 3 mandate and we are excited to have her knowledge and years of experience here with Austin ISD," the post said. RELATED COVERAGE: Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety bill The lieutenant's background According to the department, Mangum retired as a lieutenant after serving 25 years with the Travis County Sheriff's Office. The department listed the various roles she's held:PatrolDWI EnforcementTexas Standardized Field Sobriety Testing InstructorCrisis Intervention DeputyAISD Police said it's excited Lt. Belinda Mangum chose to bring her skillset as it continues to build the future of the department. (Photo: AISD Police)AISD Police said it's excited Lt. Belinda Mangu...

Thinkery children's museum coming to Del Valle

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Thinkery children's museum coming to Del Valle DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — Del Valle is getting a children's museum next year. Thinkery announced Wells Fargo donated $100,000 to support the new location, which is projected to open to the public in August 2024. The museum will feature over 13,000 square feet of "joyful learning space, including a maker space, indoor learning lab, and 30 hands-on, play-based exhibits," according to a release. Earlier this year, Thinkery partnered with the Del Valle Independent School District to open a shared facility at the ISD’s central campus. That facility integrates a new Del Valle Child Development Center (CDC) with Thinkery’s play-based, STEAM-learning approach. Del Valle opens new childcare facility with help from Thinkery The Del Valle location will be the museum's second, following the Mueller location on Simond Avenue in Austin."We aim to have the museum freely available to the Del Valle ISD community outside of the school day, which will only be possible through philanthropic support, ...

Capital Region's top searches in 2023, according to Google

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Capital Region's top searches in 2023, according to Google ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- What did Capital Region residents search for the most in 2023? Google has the answers in its "Local Year in Search 2023." Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to Google, the Albany area ranked first in the United States in top trending searched for "South Park." It was also the only place in the U.S. where "Chiefs vs. Lions" was a top trending search.Here are some of the top trending searches in the Capital Region in 2023, according to "Local Year in Search 2023." Capital Region restaurants that opened, closed in 2023 Top 5 trending "near me" searchesAir quality near meYard sales near meDispensary near meEstate sales near meAquarium near meTop 5 trending "versus" searchesJake Paul vs. Nate DiazTyson Fury vs. Francis NgannouColorado vs. OregonChiefs vs. LionsLogan Paul vs. Dillon Danis Schenectady man wins $10M on CASH4LIFE ticket Top 5 trending "tour" searchesTaylor Swift | The Eras TourMe vs. Myself To...

Attend a free Naloxone training in Schenectady County

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Attend a free Naloxone training in Schenectady County SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady County Public Health Services is hosting a free Naloxone training in the McChesney Room at the Hon. Karen B. Johnson (Central) Library. The training will run from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 21. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “Learning to use naloxone is crucial, especially now, as it’s the most risky time for drug-relatedincidents,” said Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich, Chair of the Health, Housing& Human Services Committee. “We provide free training, both in-person and online, to make it easy for everyone to help save lives.”The training is free for Schenectady County residents. Those unable to attend can access online training. Those who complete the online training will be eligible to receive a free Naloxone kit.

Lincoln County teen Ruby Leigh earns second-place finish on 'The Voice'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Lincoln County teen Ruby Leigh earns second-place finish on 'The Voice' LINCOLN COUNTY – Ruby Leigh, a 16-year-old from Lincoln County, has achieved second place on "The Voice," marking a significant accomplishment in her budding musical career. With this feat, Leigh proudly declares that she has shared the stage with the best and emerged victorious.Leigh captivated audiences with her soulful renditions of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" and The Eagles' "Desperado," securing her well-deserved second-place title in the competition. The season finale of "The Voice" unfolded in two parts. Huntley won first place on 'The Voice' season 24.THE VOICE -- "Live Finale, Part 2" Episode 2422B -- Pictured: (l-r) Ruby Leigh, Huntley -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)In a live video, Leigh expressed her pride in being the first Missouri native to reach such heights on "The Voice," highlighting the impact she has made regardless of the final outcome.Hailing from Foley, Missouri, Leigh is a self-taught singer and musician, specializing in country music....

New Census figures show small growth in Missouri, tens of thousands leaving Illinois

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

New Census figures show small growth in Missouri, tens of thousands leaving Illinois ST. LOUIS - New Census estimates released Tuesday indicate that Missouri noticed small growth in its population this year while Illinois lost tens of thousands of residents. The U.S. Census Bureau released new Vintage 2023 population estimates on Tuesday. According to the estimates, Missouri gained roughly 19,000 residents from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023. Illinois reportedly lost around 33,000 residents during that same time frame. Stolen car seen in Central West End belongs to long-time police officer Illinois' estimated total population loss was larger than every other state besides California (-75,000) and New York (-102,000), per Census. Earlier this year, FOX 2 analyzed how population trends within Missouri and Illinois impacted demographics for the St. Louis region. We found there to be very small growth in the Metro East (Illinois), significant growth in St. Charles County (Missouri) and considerable losses in the City of St. Louis (Missouri) over the last several decade...

Missouri officials react to Colorado's ballot ruling on Trump

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Missouri officials react to Colorado's ballot ruling on Trump JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Colorado Supreme Court ruled former U.S. President Donald Trump ineligible to run for the White House again under the Constitution’s insurrection clause. Tuesday's declaration is a first-of-its-kind and could remove him from the state’s presidential primary ballot next year. The Trump campaign says it plans to appeal.In Missouri, many elected officials chimed in about the recent developments: Jay Ashcroft, Missouri Secretary of StateAshcroft told FOX 2 Chief Capitol reporter Emily Manley he thinks the decision was “wrong.” He adds, “My concern is that such a pronouncement causes confusion in the general election," and he believes “the Supreme Court is not going to uphold this decision.”Andrew Bailey, Missouri Attorney GeneralBailey offered the following comments Tuesday via Twitter: "Colorado has ruled that President Trump can be barred from the 2024 presidential ballot.This is a violation of the rule of law and the character of our nation.This undermines M...

Man dies in north St. Louis County shooting

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:05 GMT

Man dies in north St. Louis County shooting ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - An investigation is underway after a man died in a shooting Wednesday morning in north St. Louis County. The shooting happened in the 7400 block of West Florissant Ave. in north St. Louis County. Officers first responded to reports of a shooting around 6 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, they found a man who had a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Stolen car seen in Central West End belongs to long-time police officer The St. Louis County Police Department is investigating the shooting incident.Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371- 8477.