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Kim calls for North Korean military to be constantly ready to smash US-led invasion plot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for his military to be constantly ready for combat to thwart plots to invade his country, as he accused the U.S. of conducting “more frantic” naval drills with its allies near North Korea, state media reported Tuesday.The U.S. and South Korean militaries are holding joint summer exercises that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal. The allies have insisted the drills are defensive in nature.Kim said in a speech marking the country’s Navy Day that falls on Monday that the waters off the Korean Peninsula have been made unstable “with the danger of a nuclear war” because of U.S.-led hostilities, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.He cited a recent U.S.-South Korean-Japanese summit, the deployment of U.S. nuclear strategic assets and the U.S. drills with its allies. “The prevailing situation requires our navy to put all its efforts into rounding off the war readiness to maintain the constant co...

Several homes damaged after fire in Marquette Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Emergency crews were called to the scene of a house fire in Chicago Lawn on Monday afternoon.The blaze broke out at a home near 69th and Rockwell around 5 p.m.SkyCam9 flew above the scene. Details are limited, but SkyCam9 shows a house engulfed, with heavy smoke from the roof area. Chicago fire officials said the blaze has spread to neighboring homes, affecting at least three structures.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAt this time, there is no word on what may have sparked the blaze, but officials say nobody was injured in the fire. This is a developing story. Check back with WGN News for updates.

'For the Youth, By the Youth: Young entrepreneur hosts back-to-school event for South Side kids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A South Side entrepreneur scarred by losing a loved one to gun violence, says his passion is to help Chicago youth prepare for bright futures, while also pursuing his. Just a few weeks into his first year of college, 18-year-old Jaqueza Thomas hosted a back-to-school giveaway at Cole Park in the Chatham neighborhood, giving away over 100 backpacks funded by himself and other organizations. A boy and a Chicago firefighter were having a 1v1 in a basketball game which was tied 20-20.  "Just seeing the smiles on the faces of the families and being able to inspire others at the event was enough for me," Thomas said. 40th annual Chicago Triathlon underway, swimming removed due to dangerous Lake conditions A total of 110 backpacks were distributed, with 50 donated by the Chicago Architecture Center. The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department also attended to ensure safety during the event.Kids from around the neighborhood gathered for activities, b...

Significance of March on Washington still felt decades later

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

60 years ago Monday, hundreds of thousands of people filled Washington D.C. for the historic March on Washington for Jobs and freedom.About a quarter million Americans outraged over the nation’s racial oppression and inequities peacefully marched and gathered near the Lincoln Memorial for the march.During the march, the most influential Civil Rights leaders called for greater racial, ethnic and economic equality.Among those speakers was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.Today, leaders in Chicago say they’re fulfilling ideals presented during the march by helping families become financially stable.It’s an idea historian, author and professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky, Dr. Jemar Tisby says formed decades earlier by A. Phillip Randolph.“He proposed a march on Washington all the way back in 1941 and it was to protest discrimination in the federal government and who they offer federal contracts too,” he said. From WGN Morning News: L...

Update on Safer 6th Street as man charged in Austin 2021 mass shooting heads to trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the trial begins Tuesday for the man accused in the June 2021 mass shooting on Sixth Street, the city continues work on a safety initiative launched in response to the event.Police believe De'ondre White opened fire into crowds following some kind of confrontation between two groups, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others. "My heart goes out to the family of the gentleman who passed away," District 9 Council Member Zo Qadri said. "If you go out for a night of fun and enjoyment with friends and family, you should be able to come home at the end of the night, and that wasn't the case with this."According to court records, White and a group of friends drove to Sixth Street from Killeen when they encountered a rival group of men they knew from Killeen. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said prosecutors believe De’Ondre White was the only shooter.Police said the victim, Douglas Kantor, was an innocent bystander.In response to the shooting, f...

Hays CISD approves good-cause exception for HB 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays CISD Board of Trustees Monday evening voted to get a good cause exception to a new Texas law on school security, according to the board agenda. According to the resolution before board members, the district said it can't comply with House Bill 3 because of a "lack of available qualified personnel." HB 3, which goes into effect Friday, would require armed security officers at every campus.The resolution said the board would develop and document an alternative standard.The district said its looking at guardian and school marshal programs as possible alternatives. The board will take this up again in September. Other local school districts KXAN spoke with said they are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect.

Drippings Springs ISD to move forward with school marshal program, approves exception to HB 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to get a Good Cause Exception from House Bill 3. Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety bill House Bill 3, which goes into effect Friday, would require armed security officers at every campus. The school board voted to move forward with a School Marshal Program as an alternative standard. If districts aren't able to comply, they can claim a Good Cause Exception for not having enough funding or personnel to fill those positions. But they have to come up with another plan. "You can't just ask for the exception and be done. You have to establish that alternative standard. It can look like a Guardian plan, Marshal program, or a level three security officer," said DSISD Director of Safety Sirenna Cumberland.In May 2023, KXAN reported the district had four School Resource Officers (SROs) and the board voted to add three. Dripping Springs ISD to increas...

John Shipley: It’s time to get excited — really excited — about Royce Lewis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

Baseball players are generally happy to talk to reporters — or least are more willing to — when things are going well for them. This might be why Royce Lewis is always so chipper.When he’s playing baseball, healthy and on the field, it always seems to be going well for Lewis. Since first being promoted to Class AAA in 2022, Lewis is hitting .315 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs in 99 games between Wichita, St. Paul and Minnesota. And since returning from his second anterior cruciate ligament surgery on May 29, the rookie infielder hasn’t gone more than two games without a hit — and as many as two only twice — in the big leagues.There are more than a few reasons to believe the Twins might finally be turning a corner, and Lewis is a big one. Because of two serious knee injuries, his track record is light on quantity — he played his 50th big league game in parts of two seasons on Monday against Cleveland — but deep in quality.Is it too early to anoint the No. 1 pick in the 2017 amateur dr...

Beachgoers head to Huntington beach to beat the heat 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

Summer may be ending soon, but the temperatures are still heating up across the Southland with possible record-breaking temperatures in some areas. Several heat advisories are in effect until tonight. The valley areas and the lower mountain elevations are experiencing triple digit temperatures. California residents and tourists from all across the country spent the day at Huntington beach to beat the heat and stay cool. With temperatures in the 70s for much of the day, the beach was an escape from some of the scorching temperatures in other regions. Beachgoers flock to the beach south of the pier in Huntington Beach, Calif., Friday, June 30, 2023. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)“It’s a little toasty in Orange County today. It’s more than 20 degrees higher in Orange than it is here and it's perfect here,” said Cindy Abbott, who was visiting the beach with a friend. “We love the heat, the cool air, a nice strong breeze, that’s what we are here for,” said To...

Man dies after crashing stolen car into San Jose creek

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:58 GMT

SAN JOSE – A man died Sunday morning after he crashed a stolen Kia sedan into Canoas Creek in South San Jose, police said.The solo-vehicle collision happened around 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of Velasco Drive and Avenida Arboles, according to the San Jose Police Department.Prior to the crash, officers saw the car turn into a residential neighborhood west of Snell Avenue, police said. They did not try to stop the car and lost sight of it after entering the neighborhood.Officers found the car down a creek embankment near Velasco Drive and Avenida Arboles.An investigation revealed that the man was speeding westbound on Avenida Arboles when he crashed through a wooden barrier and a chain link fence and into the creek embankment, according to police. The man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time.The man died of his injuries at the scene, police said. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is notifi...