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Judge orders federal agents to stop cutting Texas razor wire for now at busy Mexico border crossing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge Monday ordered Border Patrol agents not to interfere with razor wire that Texas installed at a busy crossing for migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border, ruling that the barrier can only be cut to provide aid during medical emergencies.The temporary restraining order signed by U.S. District Judge Alia Moses allows federal agents to cut the wire in order to “provide emergency medical aid” to migrants, some of whom were gashed or snagged by the wire after crossing the Rio Grande seeking to enter Texas. But Moses otherwise ruled that the barriers should remain intact for now as a court case over the barrier moves forward.The state last week sued the Biden administration over the destruction of razor wire in Eagle Pass, where thousands crossed in late September outpacing federal processing resources and humanitarian aid. “Another win for Texas & our historic border mission,” Abbott posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Spokespersons for U.S. Custom...

Heavily armed man with explosives found dead at Colorado amusement park prompting weekend search

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

DENVER (AP) — The body of a heavily armed man wearing body armor and tactical clothing was found with homemade explosives at a Colorado amusement park, shutting down the attraction over the weekend as investigators looked for more bombs and searched his home, authorities said Monday. The 22-year-old man was found dead at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on Saturday morning before it opened to the public, apparently breaking into the park while it was closed, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Walt Stowe said in a press release. Multiple improvised explosive devices were found with him and in his vehicle, he said. Authorities searched the rest of the park for other explosives but suggested no others were found.“While this investigation is still ongoing and very active it is important to realize that given the amount of weaponry, ammunition, and explosive devices found, the suspect could have implemented an attack of devastating proportions upon our community and first...

Housing group brings renters’ troubles with corporate landlords to review panel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

A national housing advocacy group delivered about 400 stories of renters’ difficulties in dealing with large corporate landlords to federal offices in 10 Canadian citiestoday.The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, held rallies in cities including Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Ottawa as they provided the testimonials to Liberal MPs and to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.The tenantsdescribe how after their rental units were taken over by real estate investment trusts or large companies, they often faced higher rents, and — in some instances — poor maintenance.The group made the deliveries as their national spokesperson, Tanya Burkart, joined with other advocate groups providing testimony toan online federal review panel that is examining the impact of rental housing being bought up by large investment firms.The testimonials were also providedin Augustto the federal review panel, which will report to the federal housing minister next year.Acco...

Judge wants to know why men tied to Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot were moved to federal prisons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — A judge wants to know why two men convicted of secondary roles in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have been transferred to federal prisons out of state. Paul Bellar and Joe Morrison are entitled to appeal their convictions following a trial on state charges in Jackson County in 2022. But their lawyers said it’s extremely hard to work with them hundreds of miles away.They said the distance interferes with a right to have access to Michigan courts.The transfer is “mind-boggling” and “appalling,” said Michael Faraone, who represents Morrison.“Whatever we may say about this case, however we may feel about it, I think we can agree we’re not dealing with al-Qaida,” Faraone told a judge Friday, referring to the Middle East terrorist group.Bellar, Morrison and Pete Musico were found guilty of providing material support for a terrorist act and other charges. They had no direct role in the kidnapping conspiracy but had held gun training with leader Adam Fo...

An Israeli ministry, in a ‘concept paper,’ proposes transferring Gaza civilians to Egypt’s Sinai

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli government ministry has drafted a wartime proposal to transfer the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people to Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, drawing condemnation from the Palestinians and worsening tensions with Cairo. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office played down the report compiled by the Intelligence Ministry as a hypothetical exercise — a “concept paper.” But its conclusions deepened long-standing Egyptian fears that Israel wants to make Gaza into Egypt’s problem, and revived for Palestinians memories of their greatest trauma — the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of people who fled or were forced from their homes during the fighting surrounding Israel’s creation in 1948. “We are against transfer to any place, in any form, and we consider it a red line that we will not allow to be crossed,” Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said of the report. “What happened in 1948 will not be allo...

Democratic Gov. Beshear downplays party labels in campaigning for 2nd term in GOP-leaning Kentucky

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear downplayed party labels while campaigning Monday for a second term in Republican-leaning Kentucky, touting his role in creating jobs, improving roads and leading recovery from a series of disasters as rising above partisan politics. Starting the last full week of campaigning before his Nov. 7 showdown against GOP challenger Daniel Cameron, the governor promoted his plans for teacher pay raises and state-supported pre-K for 4-year-olds in Kentucky.As he addressed a standing room-only crowd at a Richmond brewery, Beshear made his pitch that he is the best candidate for fulfilling basic needs regardless of party affiliation, while praising the state’s resilience after a string of disasters.“Together, we’ve been through a pandemic, flooding, tornadoes, two wind storms, two ice storms, the polar plunge and now the hottest summer on record,” Beshear said. “Yet still we are here today moving forward at a speed and in a direction we ha...

Remembering Matthew Perry's visit to Wrigley Field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

CHICAGO — After his death at the age of 54 this weekend, many people are remembering favorite moments from the life of actor Matthew Perry. That includes a visit by the "Friends" star to the "Friendly Confines" over a decade ago. The late Matthew Perry, who has died at the age of 54, took part in @KerryWood’s “Woody’s Wiffle Ball Classic” at Wrigley Field in August 2013 to benefit the former Cubs’ pitchers foundation along with other celebrities..Here’s his Facebook post from that day..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/5hSGxss3lM— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 29, 2023Perry was one of the celebrities who was invited to a wiffle ball tournament to support the foundation of former Cubs' pitcher Kerry Wood on August 10, 2013. https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/fans-friends-co-stars-react-to-matthew-perrys-sudden-death/?nxsparam=1 The actor posted a picture of himself at Wrigley Field before the start of the event on Facebook writing "Not Bad. Wrigley Field."Dubbed "Woody'...

AFD responding to 'fully involved' 2-story structure fire in Rollingwood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.ROLLINGWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department is battling a two-story structure fire in Rollingwood, the agency said on social media.Austin Fire Department crews responded to a two-story residential structure fire in Rollingwood on Monday | Courtesy AFDAustin Fire Department crews responded to a two-story residential structure fire in Rollingwood on Monday | Courtesy AFDAustin Fire Department crews responded to a two-story residential structure fire in Rollingwood on Monday | Courtesy AFDAustin Fire Department crews responded to a two-story residential structure fire in Rollingwood on Monday | Courtesy AFDShortly after 2 p.m., AFD responded to the 2900 block of Pickwick Lane for a "fully-involved" fire, which was described as a "residential structure with multiple exposures." Drivers are urged to avoid the area at this time, AFD said.This is a developing story. Check back for u...

Kaitlin Armstrong trial: Cameras only allowed for opening, closing statements

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The judge presiding over the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong is allowing media to film opening statements and closing arguments, but not witness testimony, according to a court bailiff. Armstrong is accused of shooting and killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022. TIMELINE: Ahead of Kaitlin Armstrong’s trial, a look back at pro-cyclist murder case Jury selection began Monday in Armstrong's trial. Cameras are never allowed inside the courtroom for jury selection to protect the identity of jurors. Judge Brenda Kennedy is presiding over Armstrong's trial, according to a Travis County court coordinator. KXAN reached out to the judge Monday morning to ask about her decision-making process regarding when cameras are and are not allowed during the trial. We will update this story when we hear back from her. Decisions are up to each individual judge. Retired Travis County judge Charlie Baird said when it comes to making decisions about whether...

Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer's murder trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:31 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors have told a judge they are nearly finished presenting their case against Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who is on trial for murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor's attorneys are expected to take over as early as Tuesday. Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.Previous coverage of this trial: APD Officer Christopher Taylor’s statement read during murder trialMedical Examiner walks through autopsy of Mike Ramos in APD officer’s murder trialAPD officers testify in fellow officer’s murder trial‘I would take that back’: Woman who called 911 testifies in APD officer’s murder trialWitness video shown in first day of APD officer murder caseOpening statements wrap up in murder trial involving APD officerJury selected ...