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Algeria passes law to protect media freedom. Others used to imprison journalists remain on the books

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algeria’s National Council passed a new media law that officials hailed as a major victory for the country’s journalists as concerns about press freedoms have plagued President Abdelmajid Tebboune’s first term in office.The new law repeals the country’s “press offense” law and enshrines new protections for journalists to ensure they will not face arrest or imprisonment for doing their jobs. However, two prominent journalists remain behind bars and the laws that authorities have used to prosecute journalists — including one banning foreign funding for media outlets — remain on the books.Still, the law’s author, Algerian Minister of Communications Mohamed Laagab, called it “the best law in the history of independent Algeria regarding the journalism industry.” He said it was a directive that came from President Tebboune.Many journalists hailed the law passed Tuesday as major progress. Some responded with more caution. Retired ...

Police: Woman killed, body dumped on side of road in north suburbs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — A woman's body was found on the side of a road Wednesday morning in Old Mill Creek and police believe she was killed.Lake County sheriff's deputies responded to Hunt Club Road, south of Route 173, on the report of a possible body on the side of the road at around 7 a.m.Police located the body of a woman on the east shoulder of the roadway. Following a preliminary investigation, deputies believe the woman was killed and her body was dumped during the early morning.The woman has not been identified at this time and a cause and manner of death are currently unknown.No one is in custody.

Death investigation underway after fatal shooting inside Burbank home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

BURBANK, Ill. — A death investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot, and another man was injured, inside a home in Burbank.According to police, officers responded around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a home in the 5300 block of State Road.Upon arrival, officers observed a man outside the house — who then ran inside. Police said officers on scene heard several gunshots coming from inside the home. Police made entry into the house and found two men with gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead on the scene. Police: Woman killed, body dumped on side of road in north suburbs Another man was transported to Christ Hospital where he is receiving treatment.A gun was recovered from the scene. Police said this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.

Bellinger, Hendriks selected as MLB's Comeback Players of the Year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Reliever Liam Hendriks and outfielder Cody Bellinger were selected Major League Baseball's Comeback Players of the Year on Tuesday.The pair, both free agents, were chosen in voting by MLB.com beat writers.Hendriks, a 34-year-old right-hander, made his season debut on May 29 following treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He went 2-0 with one save and a 5.40 ERA in five appearances for the Chicago White Sox, the last on June 9. He went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and on Aug. 2 had Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him until late in the 2024 season or 2025.A three-time All-Star, Hendriks is 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA and 116 saves in 140 appearances in 13 major league seasons for Minnesota (2011-13), Kansas City (2014), Toronto (2014-15), Oakland (2016-20) and the White Sox (2021-23).Hendriks went 8-3 with a 2.54 ERA and a career-high 38 saves in 2021, his first year after signing a $54 million, three-year deal with Chicago as a free agent, then 4-...

Hammond police seek whereabouts of missing 14-year-old girl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

HAMMOND, Ind. — Hammond police are seeking information about the whereabouts of a 14-year-old girl. While police did not say how long Mica Rodriguez has been missing, officials described her as 5 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes.Mica weighs about 100 pounds.SEE ALSO: Police search for missing Lynwood woman with dementiaAnyone with information is asked to call 911 or (219) 852-2995.

Isolated severe storms possible east of I-35 on Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds increase today ahead of a western storm that will bring rain, isolated thunderstorms, and a low-end tornado risk to parts of Central Texas on Thursday.Today, gray skies will keep temperatures down. We'll be lucky if we clip 60º this afternoon. As clouds lower and thicken late in the day and the atmosphere moistens, drizzle, mist and light fog develop this evening, but generally we should stay dry during the daylight hours today.On Thursday, we are expecting a low risk of severe thunderstorms in our eastern communities, including the possibility of a brief, weak tornado.Scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday morning through early afternoon may begin to rotate, mainly east of I-35, potentially leading to an isolated, weak tornado similar to what Caldwell County saw in late October. The UPDATED (late morning) severe weather risk from the Storm Prediction Center has shifted the "Enhanced" risk (3 out of 5) east of the KXAN viewing area. Most of the Austin M...

Man sentenced to 10 years in prison after Austin synagogue fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The man who pled guilty in the 2021 arson of an Austin synagogue was sentenced by a federal judge to 10 years in prison. The judge also recommended a mental health facility and that marshals put him on a suicide watch. Franklin Barrett Sechriest pleaded guilty in April to arson and hate crime damage to a religious property. Man accused of Austin synagogue arson pleads guilty to 2 charges In October 2021, arson investigators responded to a fire that started on the ground outside of Congregation Beth Israel in central Austin.According to the government's sentencing memorandum filed on Nov. 20, normal sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of 60-63 months or 5 years. However, prosecutors asked Judge David Ezra to sentence Sechriest to 120 months or 10 years in prison due to the "tremendous damage" they say Sechriest did and what they call "his deep-seated hatred of persons of the Jewish faith." ‘I set a synagogue on fire’: Man accused in Austin arson faces fe...

Austin recommends Barton Springs Bridge replacement post-analysis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will consider Nov. 30 approval of an item to replace Barton Springs Road Bridge, following a preliminary engineering report that found "significant degradation" in the bridge's deck and structure.Officials said in a memo Tuesday a full bridge replacement would be the most cost effective option, compared to rehabilitative work. Engineering teams suggested the bridge's replacement should incorporate a three-span structure with "Y-shaped" piers, the memo added. PAST COVERAGE: Barton Springs Bridge in need of major rehabilitation, here is what is coming next Currently, approximately 20,000 vehicles travel across Barton Springs Road Bridge each day, per city documents. Preliminary city estimates anticipate construction and soft costs for the project will amount to roughly $37 million.Under the three-span structure replacement, the reconstruct...

Texas' Christmas tree industry generated $714M in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) — Texas' Christmas tree industry contributed more than $700 million to the state's economy in 2022, according to a Tuesday Texas A&M Forest Service release.The Texas A&M Forest Service found more than four million real Christmas trees are sold each year statewide. Last year, the real Christmas tree industry had an overall impact of $714 million on the state economy — when accounting for direct, indirect and induced impacts — and helped assist almost 6,000 jobs statewide.When broken down into direct economic impacts, the Texas Christmas tree industry generated $397 million and employed just shy of 4,000 people, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.“It’s a tradition in many households to have a real Christmas tree,” said Dr. Aaron Stottlemyer, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Analytics Department head, in the release. “The process of going as a family to pick out a tree is a fun activity that supports rural economies across the state.” RELATED: Will Texas Ch...

A Hudson grocer’s death left a hole in the community. A budding co-op hopes to help fill it.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:50 GMT

HUDSON, Wis. — When Fresh and Natural Foods owner Kerry Larson passed away this summer, residents here mourned the loss of their friend and the way he held court at the town’s close-knit grocery store.Fresh and Natural customers didn’t look for items, they looked for people. When a customer needed a specific cut in the meat department, they went and found Bill. When they had a question about produce, they looked for Brittany. Kerry even met his wife, Kris, at the store.Larson’s death at 64 left the future of the store uncertain, but Hudson Grocery Cooperative announced this week that they plan to purchase Fresh and Natural Foods, aiming to carry on that legacy, and also build their own as a community-based, locally sourced grocery store.The sale is expected to be finalized Thursday.“I have very fond feelings for the store and how it all happened,” Fresh and Natural Foods President Kris Larson said. “It’s going to be hard, but at the same time, with him gone, it is for the best. And ...