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Merrionette Park PD raises over $16K for officer's wife who died suddenly

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

MERRIONETTE PARK, Ill. — A GoFundMe fundraiser, organized by the Merrionette Park Police Department, has raised over $16,000 in honor of a fellow officer's wife who suddenly passed away.Kris Chlapecka, who has worked in law enforcement for many years, received a call last Thursday that his wife, Suzanne, was experiencing difficulty breathing while at work. She was rushed to an area hospital where she later passed away, according to the department.The couple have a 7-year-old daughter together. Suzanne was an instructional math coach at an elementary school in Glen Ellyn. Suburban woman found guilty after pregnant nurse kicked in stomach The Merrionette Park Police Department started the fundraiser Friday to help Chlapecka with his wife's funeral expenses. As of 1 p.m. Monday, it had already raised $16,563.For more information, go to: www.gofundme.com

Chicago State goes on strike for faculty pay

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

CHICAGO — The union and Chicago state administration remains at an impasse when it comes to their issues, most notably, a wide gap on faculty pay. Chicago State and the faculty union met as recently as Saturday trying to come to an agreement.WGN spoke to a member of the negotiating team. He says what they’re asking for per year over a four-year contract is less than $400 thousand dollars.  Suburban woman found guilty after pregnant nurse kicked in stomach "It's less than the president's salary, less than a half percent," Economics Professor Ernest Coupet said.Chicago State is the first of three universities in Illinois that are having contract negotiation issues with their faculty. The faculty at Governors State University is expected to become the second state university faculty to go out on strike Tuesday.Eastern Illinois University in downstate Charleston, is also looking at a possible strike.

Texas DA calls Gov. Abbott's vow to pardon man who killed protester 'deeply troubling'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza called Gov. Greg Abbott's promise to pardon convicted murderer Daniel Perry "deeply troubling" in a statement Sunday.On Friday, a jury found Perry guilty of murdering Garrett Foster during a July 2020 protest in Austin but not guilty of an aggravated assault charge. Perry has not yet been sentenced for the conviction.But by Saturday afternoon, Abbott declared on social media that he would sign a pardon recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles for Perry "as soon as it hits my desk." The Governor also said that he has instructed the agency to "expedite its review" of the case. Abbott calls for pardon of Daniel Perry after guilty murder verdict In Garza's Sunday statement, the DA noted that the jury deliberated on their verdict for 15 hours, after days of court proceedings.You can read the full statement below:PR-Abbott-PerryDownload"In our legal system, a jury that gets to decide whether a defendant ...

A little rain before two days of a bright sky

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few small showers were over the western Hill Country to start the day. Late-morning showers and thundershowers fell over the western half of Gillespie County. The rest of the day will be overcast with a chance of seeing additional showers and thunderstorms mostly in the Hill Country. Any rain would end during the evening leaving the area dry overnight. This forecast repeats tomorrow. The rain chances both days are low.The Hill Country gets a little more rain late this afternoonAfternoon highs both afternoons will be in the low to mid 70s. A few days of sunshine will bathe Central Texas Wednesday and Thursday with highs both days in the upper 70s to around 80. It will be nice to see almost a complete day of sunshine.Another upper-level trough will move from the western states into the middle of the country late in the week increasing the chance of seeing some rain by Friday afternoon with only a few hundredths measured. That will bell be followed by the next cold f...

Austin FC grants 7-year-old's Make-A-Wish, signs him as honorary player

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A seven-year-old boy's dreams came true last month thanks to Austin FC, St. David's HealthCare and the Make-A-Wish Foundatin. Eli Saenz has been fighting an ongoing battle with cancer, which is currently in remission, and loves soccer, Austin FC and the color green. Those loves, plus the atmosphere at Q2 Stadium, motivated him to choose an experience with the Verde as his Make-A-Wish wish, an Austin FC release said. Eli went to an Austin FC training session, played soccer with his favorite players and was invited to the Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids match as a special guest of the team. Austin FC also signed him as an honorary player. Austin FC, St. David's HealthCare, and Make-A-Wish grant 7-year-old Eli Saenz's wish (Credit: Austin FC) Austin FC, St. David's HealthCare, and Make-A-Wish grant 7-year-old Eli Saenz's wish (Credit: Austin FC) Austin FC, St. David's HealthCare, and Make-A-Wish grant 7-year-old Eli Saenz's wish (Credit: Austin FC) Eli ate lunch with Aus...

How researchers use mushrooms to break down cigarette butts

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 10, 2023.AUSTRALIA (KXAN) -- Researchers in Australia are tackling a major, continent-wide issue: littered cigarette butts.According to the World Wildlife Fund Australia, half of the roughly 18 billion cigarettes smoked a year end up in a landfill.The company taking the lead, Fungi Solutions, uses fungi to divert waste from landfills and create natural alternatives to plastics. Cigarette butts will be broken down in an Australian-based trial by a familiar fungus: the oyster mushroom. In 2021, scientists began training the oyster mushroom to essentially eat these cigarette butts.The early success and now implementation of this trial will limit the amount of chemicals that will end up in Australia's waterways or limit the negative impacts these butts have on the ecosystem and wildlife. Many fisheries have even captured butts in many fish and whales' stomachs. Cigarettes also leach toxic waste that can end u...

Melissa Etheridge to perform in Albany, Rutland

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Rock singer Melissa Etheridge is coming to The Egg in Albany, as well as the Paramount Theatre in Rutland. The Albany concert is set for August 8 at 8 p.m. and the Rutland concert is set for August 6 at 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Etheridge is best known for the songs "I'm The Only One," "Come To My Window," and "Like The Way I Do." She most recently released her album “One Way Out” in September 2021. The album features a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.Tickets go on sale for both concerts on April 14 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on The Egg website and on the Paramount Theatre website.

Hochul floats Wilson as state's next top judge

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated Associate Judge Rowan Wilson for the Chief Judge position at New York's Court of Appeals. She also said that she intends to nominate Caitlin Halligan to take the spot he would vacate if confirmed. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "These highly-qualified, thoughtful jurists will serve with distinction and ensure our courts deliver justice to all," Hochul tweeted on Monday.Wilson has been an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals for since 2017. His confirmation would prove historic, making him the state's first Black person to ever fill the role. He has degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law from the early '80s. New nominees for chief judge vacancy released "Serving as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals would be the honor of my career," Wilson said in a press release announcement from the governor. "Protecting the rights of New Yorkers is my top priority."Previous ...

NYSP: Two arrested on drug charges in Malta

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

MALTA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Sunday afternoon, the State Police of Saratoga arrested two individuals in the parking lot of Home2 Suites in Malta. Troopers initially responded to a report that the two refused to leave, but located them in a vehicle with drugs. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police observed a glass smoking device containing drug residue in the car and both individuals were found to possess multiple Controlled Substances. Erica T. Fredette, 31, of North Creek, was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. The other suspect, Philip M. Horowitz, 35, of Clifton Park, initially provided police with false identifying information. Horowitz was charged with False Personation and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. NYSP: Man assaults ...

Best restaurants in Rhinebeck, according to Yelp

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:55:57 GMT

RHINEBECK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- If you’re looking for a place to get some great food in Dutchess County, you have quite a few options. These are the best restaurants around Rhinebeck, according to Yelp. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! 10. Willow at MirbeauYou can view the menu on the Mirbeau website.Rated 3.5 out of 5 (37 reviews)Address: 46 West Market StreetTop review: "Fantastic! Went for thanksgiving dinner and it was delicious. They were understaffed and although we waited for our table, the GM bought us a glass of wine. That's the way to do it!! For dinner I had the beet salad, short ribs, and the chocolate tart for dessert. All very very good. Liked the atmosphere, service was good, and the food was great." -- Lara G.9. Smoky Rock BBQYou can view the menu on the Smoky Rock BBQ website.Rated 4 out of 5 (201 reviews)Price: $$Address: 6367 Mill StreetTop review: "We found this place a few months ago and have been there basi...