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Illegal border crossings into the US drop in October after a 3-month streak of increases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Illegal border crossings from Mexico fell 14% in October from a month earlier, U.S. authorities said Tuesday, ending a three-month streak of big increases.U.S. officials highlighted the resumption of deportation flights to Venezuela on Oct. 18, shortly after Venezuelans replaced Mexicans as the largest nationality appearing at the border. Customs and Border Protection said Venezuelans were stopped 65% fewer times in the second half of October compared with the second half of September, though that figure includes Venezuelans who made asylum appointments through a mobile app as well as those who crossed the border illegally.Arrests for illegal crossings totaled 188,778 for all nationalities in October, down from 218,763 in September, which was the second-highest month on record. Arrests had more than doubled over the previous three months as migrants and smugglers adjusted to new asylum regulations introduced in May.“We continue to enhance our border security ...

Iraq’s top court has ruled to remove the country’s parliament speaker. No details are announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top court ruled Tuesday to terminate the parliament speaker.The Federal Supreme Court said in a statement it decided to terminate Mohamed al-Halbousi’s membership in Parliament along with that of Laith al-Dulaimi. It did not give a reason.Halbousi has been the highest Sunni official in Iraq. Under the country’s sectarian power-sharing system, the parliament speaker is always Sunni, the prime minister Shiite and the president Kurdish.The court decision came against the backdrop of a dispute between Halbousi and Dulaimi, also Sunni. Dulaimi had filed a lawsuit against Halbousi claiming that the speaker had forged Dulaimi’s signature on a resignation letter.Two Iraqi parliamentary officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the matter said the court decision cannot be appealed and the parliament will need to elect a new speaker.The legislature will be managed by First Deputy Speaker Mohsen Al-Manda...

Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on drunken pursuit to get to girlfriend's house

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on a drunken pursuit early Saturday in an effort to get to his girlfriend's house.At around 5:05 a.m., a Porter County Sheriff's deputy was traveling eastbound on US 30 approaching CR 500 W when they observed a 2007 gray Nissan pass the other direction at the high-rate of speed.The officer activated emergency lights and a police pursuit began.Police said the pursuit reached speeds over 100 miles per hour in front of Deep River Waterpark on US 30.The pursuit stretched further into Lake County and ended near US 30 and Utah Street.The driver, later identified as Andrew Chavez, 23, of Portage Township, was held at gunpoint and placed into custody.According to police documents, Chavez told the officer he was "just trying to go to his girlfriend's house in Crown Point." Group accused of stealing, selling $2M worth of scrap intended for Northwest Indiana steel mill He also told police he drank three alcoholic Monster Ener...

House GOP aims to pass stopgap funding bill over conservative opposition: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

House Republicans on Tuesday are set to try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government into the new year.In a surprise late-night announcement, GOP leaders said they would try to move the continuing resolution (CR) under a fast-track process that will require support from Democrats, an attempt to work around GOP opposition that threatened to tank the bill on a procedural vote.The gambit is sure to draw howls from the party’s right flank, but Democratic leaders have indicated the party could support the substance of the unusual two-part stopgap.Under suspension of the rules, the bill would need two-thirds support to pass the House and head to the Senate.Follow along with live updates below.

Man driving 'Santa's Train' for kids charged with DUI in Tennessee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A man accused of operating a motorized train for children while under the influence during a Christmas event in Tennessee was arrested over the weekend.Police in Tazewell say Henry Meade, 40, was operating "Santa's Train" at the town's Christmas Tractor Parade — i.e., driving a motorized lawn mower that he was using to pull carts full of children and their families.On Saturday evening, visitors at the event said they saw Moore acting erratically. Local police officers were soon alerted to the man's behavior, according to the Tazewell Police Department.Officers said Meade was unsteady on his feet. A field sobriety test determined he was under the influence, according to an arrest narrative. Meade was taken into custody, and police found a syringe, meth and several other narcotics on his person. When will it feel like winter? NOAA updates holiday season forecast The town's mayor and police chief released a joint statement saying Meade was not hired by the c...

Arby's releases meal inspired by 'Good Burger' movie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

(KTLA) - "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?"Arby’s, in partnership with Paramount+, is bringing the iconic meal from the 1997 "Good Burger" movie to life. The "Good Burger 2 Meal" consists of Arby’s Deluxe Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, a strawberry shake and fries. Arby’s is bringing the iconic Good Burger meal to life with its latest menu offering. (Arby's) “Many of our guests have such fond memories of watching GOOD BURGER when they were younger, and in many ways, Arby’s evokes a similar sense of nostalgia as a place they grew up going to with family and friends,” Ellen Rose, Arby’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.The meal, which costs $12.99, is currently available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time. Del Taco to debut beef birria ramen, other items at restaurants nationwide Fans of Arby’s and “Good Burger” can also find exclusive merch on the Arby's Shop website. The collection includes a gray crewneck sweats...

More ballistics evidence testimony expected at Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As testimony wrapped Monday, a firearms forensics examiner, Steven Aston, was addressing bullets found at the east Austin apartment where police believe Kaitlin Armstrong killed Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson on May 11, 2022.He will likely continue his testimony Tuesday, as defense attorneys were still cross examining Aston when Judge Brenda Kennedy called for a recess until Tuesday morning.  Digital, GPS data reviewed at Kaitlin Armstrong’s murder trial Monday The trial began about two weeks ago. So far, we have heard from the following witnesses:Wilson’s brotherWilson’s friend Caitlin Cash who called 911 when she found Wilson wounded on the floor in her apartment Crime scene analystsAustin Police Department homicide detectivesPeople who live near the home where Wilson diedArmstrong’s former boyfriend Colin Strickland who was friends with WilsonArmstrong’s friends A U.S. Deputy Marshal who found Armstrong in Costa Rica about one month after Wilson’s deathT...

Texas to close red snapper fishing Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said Monday anglers will not be able to catch a popular fish starting next week. TPWD said it would close red snapper fishing in state waters at Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. until Jan. 2024. Federal waters will stay closed until the summer. “While we are disappointed to close state waters earlier than we had hoped, the pattern of prolonged federal seasons highlights the success of Texas’ state-managed red snapper fishery,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division Director in the press release announcing the closure. “This year, anglers had a chance to take advantage of a 93-day federal season. Also, unusually calm offshore conditions in early June and July allowed anglers to catch red snapper at a higher rate than in 2022.”  According to the announcement, TPWD can establish the opening and closing dates of the annual red snapper fishery in federal waters while also continuing to manage red snapper fishing in state wat...

Expert discusses study between heavy marijuana use and schizophrenia in young men

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A report published in "Psychological Medicine" found young men with marijuana use disorder have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia.“Drug use and especially marijuana use in adolescence and early adulthood can bring out more schizophrenia," said Dr. Christoph Correll. Correll did not take part in the research but is an expert in psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, and is familiar with the various studies.“Schizophrenia is a severe brain disease that affects everything that we take for granted and makes us human. The way we think, use language, the way we act and feel — that sense of ourselves and of the world,” he explained. Studies: Hearing aids can reduce risk of dementia, but people may not be buying them over the counter The National Institute on Drug Abuse said, “Using statistical models, the study authors estimated that as many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disord...

The top-trending pet names in Austin, according to a new study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When it comes to naming our pets, lots of Americans favor ever-popular choices such as Max, Charlie, Milo or Luna, recent studies have shown. But other, more offbeat names have been gaining steam over the last year, even if they’re not yet popular enough to dethrone the classics.That seems especially true in Austin, according to a new study.Rover, an online marketplace for pet owners, has released the results of its 11th annual “Most Popular Pet Names” report, detailing not only the most common pet names across the country but also the top-trending names that pet owners are increasingly embracing in the United States. Some nickels may be worth more than 5 cents, especially if they feature this animal For instance, the three top-trending dog names in the United States for 2023 are “Kelce,” “Wednesday” and “Oak,” with Kelce seeing a 135% increase in popularity over the last year, and Wednesday and Oak trailing behind with popularity spikes of 92% and 90%, respectively.Fo...