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The average long-term US mortgage rate falls to 7.22%, sliding to lowest level since late September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell for the fifth week in a row, more good news for prospective homebuyers grappling with an increasingly unaffordable housing market.The latest decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.22% from 7.29% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.49%.The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at the lowest level it’s been in 10 weeks, when it was 7.19%.“Market sentiment has significantly shifted over the last month, leading to a continued decline in mortgage rates,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The current trajectory of rates is an encouraging development for potential homebuyers, with purchase application activity recently rising to the same level as mid-September when rates were similar to today’s levels.”While the recent string of rate declines are welcome news for would-be homebuyers, the average rate on a 30-year home loan remains sh...

Academy Sports is paying $2.5 million to families of a serial killer’s victims for illegal gun sales

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A sporting goods chain is paying the families of three people shot to death by a South Carolina serial killer $2.5 million after one of its stores sold guns to a straw buyer who gave them to the killer, a felon who couldn’t legally buy the weapons.At times, Todd Kohlhepp stood near the buyer, picking out guns at Academy Sports Outdoors to be purchased for him, the families said in a lawsuit that led to the settlement.Academy Sports asked that the amount of the settlement be kept confidential because it could encourage other lawsuits, but a judge ruled it didn’t make much of a difference because the case had attracted so much publicity already, and that the public had a right to know how it turned out. The estates of the victims will split the settlement.Kohlhepp pleaded guilty in 2017 to killing seven people — three on his property in Spartanburg County and four others about 12 years earlier at a motorcycle shop. In between the killings, he ran a re...

VIDEO: Gurnee police officer pulls driver from burning car

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

GURNEE, Ill. — Police bodycam video captured the moment a Gurnee officer pulled the victim of a crash from a burning vehicle.Officer Kassandra Canadzic's patrol car was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver on November 9. The officer went to check on the occupants inside the other vehicle, when it caught fire due to the collision.Canadzic was able to rescue the unresponsive female driver from the front seat of the burning vehicle, with the help of a bystander that helped carry the driver to safety. With swift actions, she ensured the well-being of the passengers and cautioned others to stay clear of the escalating danger. 6 people, including firefighter, injured after West Chicago apartment building fire The Gurnee Village Board will honor Canadzic with the "Life Saving Award" at its meeting on Monday.

Bills star Von Miller accused of assaulting pregnant woman in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Police in Dallas, Texas, issued an arrest warrant for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller, who is accused of assaulting a pregnant woman Wednesday.Police told Nexstar's WIVB that around 11 a.m., Miller and the woman "got into a verbal argument and the suspect assaulted the victim," who suffered minor injuries but was not hospitalized. A television station in Dallas, Miller’s hometown, reported that the woman was Miller's pregnant girlfriend. Under Texas law, assault against a pregnant person is a third-degree felony.The Buffalo Bills said the team was made aware of an incident involving Miller on Thursday and is "in the process of gathering more information.” The Bills are currently on their bye week. They visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 10. Snow sculpture recreates Josh Allen horse-collar tackle no call Miller, 34, was acquired by the Bills in 2022. He has appeared in eight games this season after rehabbing from a ...

Jill Biden unveils holiday ice rink at White House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – First lady Dr. Jill Biden on Thursday announced the opening of an ice rink on the South Lawn of the White House.  After an ice-skating performance, 1988 Olympic gold medalist, Brian Boitano, introduced the first lady, who recounted her childhood memories of skating on the “frozen canals of the Delaware river.” She said her town was “transformed into a bright sparkling landscape, just glittering as if it were covered in magic. That’s how children often see the world in this time of the year, with magic wonder and joy. " Winds take down National Christmas Tree The 50-by-70-foot rink will operate through December, but the White House did not specify days and hours.Washington, D.C.-area schoolchildren and children from families with service members, frontline workers, first responders and teachers will be invited to skate. The National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association will provide lessons through their “Learn to Play/Learn to S...

Dean's A-List Interviews: 'Genie' screenwriter Richard Curtis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

Dean sat down with screenwriter Richard Curtis in the new movie 'Genie' that starts Plainfield native Melissa Mcarthy.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Study names Austin ‘best college town’ in America

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is no stranger to college students, and according to a recent study by WalletHub, it is the best college town in the United States.WalletHub, a personal finance company, took a look at the top college towns for 2024 and crowned Austin the winner following a comparison of more than 400 U.S. cities.Austin is well-known for The University of Texas at Austin, Concordia University, St. Edward’s University and Austin Community College. “The city ranks in the top 15 in the U.S. for quality of higher education, and it has a 7.04% average annual job growth rate, one of the highest in the country. Graduates can look forward to good career opportunities after receiving a solid education,” the study said.According to the study, there are plenty of ways for students to stay entertained in Austin.“Austin has a ton of nightlife options – the city is known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ and it’s famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine, plus students can enjoy recreation at L...

Texas funds approved to tackle opioid epidemic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) announced measures to distribute $25 million of opioid settlement funds to Texas hospital districts to address the opioid crisis on Tuesday.OAFC is a council dedicated to making sure statewide opioid settlement agreements are allocated fairly to "remediate the opioid crisis." The Texas Comptroller’s office provides administrative support to the Council.Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who also serves as the chairman of the OAFC, praised OAFC's decisions in approving abatement strategies, grant plans, and funding rules.“I want to thank the Council members for their efforts in developing strategies that are designed to have an immediate impact,” said Hegar in a press release. “The grant plans take a multifaceted approach to treat Texans most at risk of overdose, increase substance use prevention and awareness among parents and students, and support our behavioral health workforce.”Over the course of next year, OAFC's laid out t...

Gophers football: Running back Zach Evans set to transfer out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

The Gophers’ running back depth suffered a blow Thursday.Tailback Zach Evans said he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.Evans was third on the team this season with 230 rushing yards on 52 carries as he battled injuries and played in only six games. The redshirt freshman from Heath, Texas, was Big Ten freshman of the week after rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in a win over Louisiana on September.Evans’ announced plan to leave comes two days after true freshman running back Marquese Williams announced he will go into the portal as well. Williams did not play despite the rash of injures at the position this fall.The Gophers have had six scholarship players announce their exits since the regular season finale on Saturday. Four walk-on players have also said they are leaving, including running back Max Grand.The Gophers had backup tailback Sean Tyler exhaust his eligibility this season, while sixth-year senior RB ...

At least one dead after South St. Paul house explosion and fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:51 GMT

At least one person is dead following an explosion and house fire Thursday in South St. Paul.A call came in at 6:18 a.m. with reports of an explosion and a fire at a home in the 1200 block of South Ninth Avenue. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly, South Metro Fire Chief Mark Juelfs said, but a deceased victim was located in the garage area of the house.Responders are sorting through the debris to look for other people who could have been inside the house.South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke said they are working to determine the cause and origin of the fire as well as who lived in the home.No other injuries have been reported, Wicke said, but the adjoining properties were impacted from both the explosion and the heat of the fire.Neighbor Mike Schuno said he was letting his dog outside when he heard a “massive boom,” adding that it knocked glasses out of his cupboard.Schuno said his first thought was that maybe cargo fell out of a plane as it was taking off fro...