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No panic from Bears' Ryan Poles but few details on Alan Williams's resignation

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The last 24 hours would be a difficult situation for any general manager, let alone someone who is just in his second season.But after the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and comments by quarterback Justin Fields, Ryan Poles was trying to present a calm front as the team endures a difficult week"No one in our building is panicking," said Poles during a news conference at Halas Hall. "No one is flinching at any situations. Not our owner, not our president, not our head coach, not myself, none of our players. Everyone is focusing on solving the issues that we have so that we can be a better football team."Yet Poles wasn't able to offer much in terms of details on Williams' resignation, which came with a one-line news release from the Bears on Wednesday afternoon and nothing else. The defensive coordinator had been out the previous week, including the loss to the Buccaneers last Sunday, with what was termed a personal issue. "In terms of Al...

Would a government shutdown impact Social Security, VA benefits?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — As lawmakers continue to try to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, many are growing concerned about how it could affect them, especially when it comes to federal monthly payments they receive. The government could shut down by the end of next week, if Congress isn't able to pass a spending bill. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy vowed Wednesday he would not give up trying to persuade his colleagues to pass a temporary funding bill.Still, the shutdown looms. Conservatives deal blow to McCarthy with second failure to advance Pentagon funding So what would that mean for your Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or Veterans Affairs payments? In short, they will not be impacted. Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are funded through permanent appropriations, unlike other programs that require renewal (those are impacted by the current budget discussions). According to the Department of Veterans Affairs contingency plan (the most recent was last u...

Tropical storm warning issued for parts of East Coast ahead of potential cyclone

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — A tropical storm warning was issued Thursday from coastal North Carolina to Delaware ahead of a potential tropical cyclone that's headed toward the East Coast.The National Hurricane Center announced “Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen” on Thursday morning. The disturbance was located about 370 miles (595 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, forecasters said, and moving north at 9 mph (15 kph). Maximum sustained winds were 35 mph (55 kph).The hurricane center defines a potential tropical cyclone as a disturbance that poses a threat for tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land within 48 hours. The current system could reach the North Carolina coast around Friday night or early Saturday.The tropical storm warning is in effect from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. It also includes the Chesapeake Bay south of Smith Point, and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.A storm surge watch was also issued from Surf City, North Carolina, to Chinco...

Trial dates set for three Austin police officers indicted in connection to 2020 protests

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Trial dates have been set for three Austin Police Department officers who were indicted in connection to their alleged involvement in racial justice protests in downtown Austin. That's more than three years since those protests erupted in May 2020. Once of those officers, Chance Bretches, was charged with felony offenses after he was indicted in May 2022. The charges included aggravated assault with serious bodily injury by a public servant and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant. BACKGROUND: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protests The charges against Bretches stem from a case in which a woman allegedly working as a street medic was injured in the protest. Travis County District Attorney José Garza's office said Meredith Drake was shot with a “deadly weapon” by Bretches and lost part of her finger as a result. Drake previously told KXAN she was hit by a bean bag round.Bretches' trial was set for April 8, 2024. Jeff...

Music venues, creative spaces to receive $1.5M from Austin

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Dozens of Austin arts nonprofits and businesses are set to receive a total of $1.5 million from the city's Economic Development Department.In an effort to preserve spaces that contribute to Austin's creative, forward-thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, the Creative Space Assistance Program is set to give amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to 65 local organizations.The program, originally launched in 2018, provides grants specifically for organizations and establishments with the intention of assisting organizations at risk of displacement due to increasing commercial lease rates.The approved grants for 2023 include a $50,000 contribution to the downtown music venue Antone's, the East Austin music venue Hotel Vegas, the local production company Juno Black Music, the Austin Creative Reuse Center and the Museum of Human Achievement, an East Austin arts center and event space.Read the full story at Austin Business Journal.

Austin vying for federal grant for I-35 Cap and Stitch program

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council approved Thursday submitting a federal grant application for construction funding assistance with its Our Future 35 Cap and Stitch program.Council approved the item on consent, meaning no additional discussion was held prior to the vote. Council's approval directs Interim City Manager Jesús Garza to submit the grant application to the United States Department of Transportation.The funding is made available through the U.S. DOT's Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program. That federal program aims to prioritize projects that assist disadvantaged communities, facilitate equitable development and restoration as well as "reconnecting communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development."Our Future 35's construction grant application will request $105.2 million in funds to help cover caps from East...

Lake George 5K raises nearly $3K in seventh year

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Last weekend, an annual run around the village of Lake George saw its best and biggest year since the COVID-19 pandemic. The seventh annual ADK 5K saw around 500 runners come out in support of this year's beneficiary - among about 1,000 attendees overall. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This year's run raised nearly $3,000 for the Lake George Land Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit and lake protection organization. The annual 5K starts and ends at Adirondack Pub & Brewery. Runners gathered there on Saturday from not only the Lake George area, but as far as parts of Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Quebec.“It was great to see all the runners enjoying one of the most beautiful 5ks in New York State," said Adirondack Pub & Brewery Owner John Carr. "It was also exciting to see how many of the Adirondack Brewery staff ran in it. A great day for everyone.”From the brewery, the run takes a ro...

Hudson man arrested on burglary charges

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

BRUNSWICK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Hudson man has been arrested following a burglary investigation, according to State Police. James Smith, 52, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On April 3, 2022 at 4:41 a.m., troopers responded to the report of an active burglary at a business on Hoosick Road in Brunswick. Upon arrival, police found that the suspect had already fled the scene. The investigation by State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office identified Smith as the person responsible for the burglary. Further investigation revealed that Smith also reportedly attempted to burglarize a nearby restaurant on the same date, but failed to enter the second business. Troy man arrested in connection to fatal Lansingburgh shooting Smith surrendered himself to SP Brunswick for processing. He now faces the following charges:ChargesThird-degree burglaryThird-degree attempted burglaryPossession of burglary to...

Double your discount with the Fall special from Approved Home Improvements on internal chimney repairs

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The days are getting shorter and that means we are going to be lighting up the fireplace. Make sure your fireplace is safe and fall-ready. On Thursday, we learned why it’s important to have your chimney inspected and repaired. Approved Home Improvements is an expert at spotting and correcting any issues. The special going on right now is that customers can get 25% off internal chimney repairs and if you call today, that discount is doubled. Don’t delay; get your chimney and fireplace in working order before fireplace season.Call 314-780-6080 and visit ahillcstl.com

Denver to sweep homeless encampment near governor’s mansion, offer residents hotel rooms

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:57:52 GMT

The city of Denver plans to clear a large homeless encampment in Capitol Hill next week and offer the people living there the chance to move to a hotel.City officials say the sweep at East Eight Avenue and Logan Street will be the first public step toward meeting Mayor Mike Johnston’s goal of moving 1,000 people living on the city’s streets into temporary or permanent accommodations before the end of the year.Seventy people are living in rows of tents and other makeshift shelters clustered across from the Colorado governor’s mansion, city spokesman Derek Woodbury said.Starting Monday, city outreach workers will begin efforts to move those people indoors. A seven-day notice posted this week for the clearing of the camp allows that activity to begin Tuesday.“We’re working to match as many of the residents as possible with housing and shelter, including offering them indoor placement at a non-congregate shelter at an undisclosed hotel,” Woodbury said Thurs...