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United Airlines CEO apologizes after taking private jet during flight disruptions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

CHICAGO — The CEO of United Airlines has issued an apology after he took a private jet this week while the airline struggled with widespread flight delays and cancelations due to weather.In a statement, Scott Kirby said it was the wrong decision and insensitive to customers who were waiting to get home. United Airlines experiencing crew, weather problems A spokesperson for the airline told The Wall Street Journal he flew from New Jersey to Denver because he couldn't get a seat on a commercial flight. In a statement, which was sent to WGN-TV, he also apologized to the employees."Watching our team firsthand with our customers at four different airports and during countless meetings this week, it’s clear to me they represent the best of United, and I regret that I have distracted from their professionalism," Scott said. "I promise to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers."United Airlines didn't pay for the private flight...

2 men charged after stealing over 200 catalytic converters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- Investigators with the Chicago Police Department arrested two men on Friday in connection to a string of catalytic converter thefts.According to the Chicago Police Department, members of the Chicago Major Autor Theft Investigations United arrested two men on the 4500 block of West North Avenue on Friday, June 30.Marzel Woodard (left) and Vincent Parks (right)Marzel Woodard, 36, and Vincent Parks, 36, were both arrested and charged in connection with an investigation of stolen catalytic converters.CPD reported that over 200 catalytic converters and equipment used in the thefts were recovered from a building where the pair was arrested.No further information has been made available at this time.

1 dead after crash involving APD officer in northwest Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead and another was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a crash involving a police officer in northwest Austin Friday, Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed to KXAN.The Austin Police Department and medics responded to the 18000 block of North U.S. 183 in the northbound service road for a rollover. Two people were involved in the crash, medics said.One person was pronounced dead on the scene, and the other person was taken to the hospital with non-serious injuries, medics said.One person is dead, and another suffered non-serious injuries after a rollover crash on US 183 in northwest Austin Friday. | Andy Way/KXAN NewsOne person is dead, and another suffered non-serious injuries after a rollover crash on US 183 in northwest Austin Friday. | Andy Way/KXAN NewsA KXAN photojournalist was able to get photos from the scene, and an Austin Police Department vehicle was involved in the crash. While APD did confirm an officer was involved in the crash b...

Team meeting spurs changes as Twins embark on second half of season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

BALTIMORE — The message was placed in a prominent spot, written on the dry erase board near the entrance to the visitor’s clubhouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for all to see.“Let the season begin,” it said in black ink. A rectangular red box had been drawn around it, helping reinforce the note. The Twins’ lineup, as usual, was posted right next to it. But there was something unusual about that, too, a familiar name occupying an unfamiliar spot to him.A frustrated Rocco Baldelli talked of changes — some that would be visible, some that might not — after the Twins lost to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. That loss capped off a sweep in which the team scored just three runs in three games and went a collective 0 for 23 with runners in scoring position.A visible change: Shortstop Carlos Correa, for the fourth time in his career, batted leadoff in Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, an idea that the manager said he’s been thinking about “for a while.” The shortst...

St. Paul school’s beloved pet goat ‘Hazelnut’ is stolen from pen, then found dead Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

A beloved goat that was stolen from a St. Paul school earlier this week was found dead Friday morning, police said.The goat, a 2-year-old, 120-pound female named “Hazelnut,” was reported missing Tuesday morning from Great River School at 1326 Energy Park Drive. Security video showed people around her pen the night before, authorities said.The Montessori charter school asked the public for help in locating Hazelnut, saying its student body was heartbroken about the theft of the trained and friendly Oberhasli goat, said Sgt. Mike Ernster of the St. Paul Police Department.About 9 a.m. Friday, police responded to a report of “suspicious items” in the 300 block of Lafond Avenue, some two miles southeast of the school, and found the remains of a goat in a plastic storage box, Ernster said.“Preliminary investigation revealed that there is a high likelihood that this goat is, unfortunately, the one that was stolen,” he said.No arrests have been made. The ...

Cohoes stabbing, assault suspect pleads not guilty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 39-year-old man accused of attacking two people in Cohoes appeared in court on Friday. Thomas Spears pleaded not guilty to four counts, including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.He was remanded to jail pending an application for bail and is due back in court in August. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Spears is accused of stabbing someone in the neck with a screwdriver at the Stewart's Shop on Columbia Street. The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. He also allegedly attacked a woman in the Columbia Gardens apartment complex.Orders of protection were issued for the victims.

Avalanche’s Denis Malgin, Ryan Merkley to become unrestricted free agents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

The Colorado Avalanche extended qualifying offers to all of their restricted free agents except Denis Malgin and Ryan Merkley by the deadline to retain negotiating rights to those RFAs.The list of players who have been extended qualifying offers is made up of Bo Byram, Ben Meyers, Justus Annunen, Sampo Ranta, Alex Newhook (who was traded to Montreal) and new trade acquisition Ross Colton.Malgin and Merkley, both acquired in midseason trades during 2022-23, will become unrestricted free agents Saturday as a result of not receiving qualifying offers. Merkley didn’t appear in an Avalanche game, but Malgin scored 13 goals in 65 games and even slotted into Colorado’s top-six forward group when the team was dealing with injuries.The deadline for eligible RFAs to file for salary arbitration is July 5. Malgin was arbitration-eligible, so the Avalanche allowing him to go to the open market is a sign that the process might have led to an average annual value Colorado wouldn’t have felt comfor...

LAX bans single-use plastic water bottles to reduce waste 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

Beginning today, travelers will no longer be able to use plastic water bottles in the Los Angeles International Airport, the company announced. The company tweeted, “Effective today, LAX will ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.” The ban comes two years after the L.A. Board of Airport Commissioners announced in 2021 that they’d be phasing out single-use plastic bottles at LAX and Van Nuys airports to move toward zero-waste in their facilities and fight climate change. "Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles is the right thing to do for our airports, our communities and our environment," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "We thank L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti for leading the city’s vision for a better, more sustainable future and our Board of Airport Commissioners for taking action to achieve zero waste at our airports by 2045."To aid the transition of banning single-use plastic water bottles, the L.A. Department of Water and Power part...

Lakers bring back Hachimura on 3-year deal: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

A late season acquisition for the Los Angeles Lakers who contributed some critical scoring performances in the NBA Playoffs is returning on a new deal. Hours after the NBA Free Agency window opened on Friday, the Lakers agreed to a deal with Miami Heat point guard Gabe Vincent. The team followed that transaction by agreeing to a deal that brings back forward Rui Hachimura into the Lakers rotation.Hachimura, 25, is returning to the Lakers on a three-year, $51 million deal, according to the Athletic's Shams Charania. Hachimura was acquired by the Lakers in a mid-season trade with the Washington Wizards. The former Gonzaga product was traded by Washington to L.A. for Kendrick Nunn and multiple second-round picks.The No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hachimura appeared in 33 games for the Lakers, averaging 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Purple and Gold in the regular season. But it was the Western Conference Playoffs where the former Bulldog made his presence known...

Extreme heat, wildfire threats cover July 4th festivities in Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

As an excessive heatwave warning covers July 4th festivities in SoCal, fire officials are concerned as scorching temps amid wildfire season may be a recipe for disaster.The threat of fireworks or explosives igniting a wildfire remains high as Inland Empire fire crews remain on alert throughout the holiday weekend.Earlier on Friday, the Lantz Fire in Moreno Valley promoted evacuations as it grew to about 15 acres. Video from the scene shows air crews overhead working to extinguish the flames which had grown dangerously close to Russ Holt’s home.“My kids are the ones who called the fire department,” said Holt. “You can see the smoke right over the hill, so they ran over there to see what was going on and they see the homeless camp burning.”“The fire started in an area that we see a lot in Riverside County,” said Rob Roseen with Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire. “It’s an area that’s got a lot of light, grassy fuels.”A home burns in the Juniper Fire in Riverside County, California. J...