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Judge: Lawyers can gather evidence for $40M lawsuit filed by teacher who was shot by 6-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Lawyers for a teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student in Virginia can start the process of interviewing eyewitnesses, reviewing the boy’s disciplinary files and accessing other records for a $40 million lawsuit against the school system, a judge ruled Friday.But the judge is yet to decide whether Abby Zwerner’s case will end up in a civil courtroom or before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. The Newport News School Board wants the lawsuit dismissed and argues that Zwerner suffered employment-related injuries. Workers’ compensation provides up to 500 weeks of benefits and lifetime medical care for injuries.Zwerner was a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School when she was shot in the hand and chest while sitting at her classroom reading table. The 25-year-old spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has had multiple surgeries since the January shooting. Newport News Circuit Court Judge Matthew Hoffman said Friday th...

69-year-old woman killed by an alligator drowned and had blunt force trauma, autopsy finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C (AP) — A 69-year-old woman killed by an alligator in South Carolina on Tuesday had drowned and experienced blunt force trauma, according to local news reports on the autopsy.Holly Jenkins has been identified by the local coroner as the woman who the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said was walking her dog near a neighborhood lagoon on Hilton Head Island when a 9.75-foot (3-meter) alligator “engaged,” WTOC-11 reported Friday.The department said a necropsy report showed no evidence that anyone had fed the alligator, which was euthanized and removed from the lagoon. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office told WTOC-11 that the woman suffered alligator bites, but it is unclear whether they happened before or after her death.The local sheriff’s office said the death marked the second fatal alligator attack in Beaufort County over the past year.The state Department of Natural Resources’ website reminds the public that feeding alligators is i...

Young athletes host signing day on South Side to celebrate success

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- A group of young athletes representing teams founded on the city’s south side had an exciting day Friday as they celebrated their success with a college signing day.Students who compete for a South Side traveling baseball program and cheer and dance team have received scholarships from colleges and universities across the country.On Friday, they were surrounded by family and friends, along with Chicago Police Department interim superintendent Fred Waller as the colleges they will attend were announced.20 young men who played for the show baseball team and one young lady who cheered for the Lady Wolves cheer and dance team proudly lined up on the Jackson Park football field for signing day.Out of the 20 students, five students received full rides to the colleges they will be attending and several other students have earned partial baseball and academic scholarships.Some of the schools the young athletes will be going to include the University of Miami Florida, Morehouse Co...

White Sox struggles produce a few forgettable stats this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A few things took place that the White Sox nor their fans wanted to see during a disappointing day at the ballpark on Thursday, with the worst being the end result of their play over two games. It's all part of what's been a disappointing season that's spirling a bit as the team heads towards the All-Star Break. Thanks to a 6-2 loss in Game 1 and a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jays on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox have fallen to a season-low 15 games under .500 as they approach their final series before the All-Star Break. It puts them 8 1/2 games behind the Twins for first in the American League Central division before a three-game series against the Cardinals at home starting Friday.They've lost five of their last six games, including the sweep at the hands of Toronto this week at home. It marks the first time since the Blue Jays started playing in the majors in 1977 that they've swept the White Sox in a season series. They also swept the series...

Coors Light offering 'temporary retirement' — here's how to enter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

CHICAGO (NEXSTAR) — Ready for retirement? Well, come August, you and five friends could enjoy a slice of a retiree's life — at least for one workweek.Now through July 19, U.S. customers ages 21 and older can enter the Coors Light Temporary Retirement Sweepstakes, which comes with a stay at Coors Light's luxury villa in Tucson, Arizona from August 25 to 29. Mysterious flying creature terrorizing Oklahoma family at night Included in the grand prize are round-trip airfare, food and beverages, cleaning service and $2,400 to cover winner's and guests' paid time off. Additionally, the grand prize comes with $8,736 to help any tax liability.No purchase is necessary to enter, according to the company.The Coors Light Temporary Retirement Villa in Tucson, Arizona (Courtesy of Molson Coors)The Coors Light Temporary Retirement Villa in Tucson, Arizona (Courtesy of Molson Coors)The Coors Light Temporary Retirement Villa in Tucson, Arizona (Courtesy of Molson Coors)“We believe retirement is a s...

Chicagoland has 2 of Yelp's Top 100 ice cream shops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The rankings are in, and an ice cream parlor in Nebraska has been named the best in the US and Canada for 2023, according to Yelp's annual Top 100 list.The business review site looked at the total volume and ratings of reviews, among other factors, between Jan. 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 to determine the top shops.Coneflower Creamery in Omaha, Nebraska took the top prize this year, according to Yelp. Owned by two pastry chefs, the hot summer delicacies include "farm-to-cone" flavors such as Sun-Ripened Strawberry and Sweet Corn. Powerball jackpot nears record size: What are your odds of winning? As for what ice cream lovers are talking about on the app, several trends emerged over the past year, according yelp. Ube, a yam native to Southeast Asia, has been a hot favorite thanks to the deep purple color it gives ice cream and other sweets. The top barbecue joint in every state, according to Yelp Vegan flavors are also enjoying a moment as well, as evidenced by the ar...

Dean's Weekender: Dave Matthews Band, 'The Who's Tommy' and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.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!

Houston might be getting a fifth area code in 2025 as growth strains current numbers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) — The Houston area could soon be getting a fifth area code thanks to continued growth, according to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.The region is currently served by four area codes: 281, 346, 713 and 832, but the North American Number Planning Administrator (NANPA) projects the region will run out of numbers by the third quarter of 2025.The new code would overlay the existing codes, covering all or parts of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller counties.Existing phone numbers would not change if a new area code is added. Residents in the area are already required to dial a 10-digit number for local calls because the region is served by multiple area codes.PUCT is accepting public comments on the proposed new area code through Aug. 5. You can find information on how to file a comment here.

Tips from law enforcement officials on how to avoid becoming a victim of jugging

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Law enforcement officials are reminding people how to avoid becoming the next victim of jugging, a crime that is happening more often, according to the Sunset Valley police chief. Jugging is defined by Austin police as a form of theft that includes robbery. A person will stake out a bank parking lot and wait for people to come out with money. They will then follow that person to their next location and take the money from them or their car. What is ‘jugging’? Austin police see uptick in cases Juan Cabrera, a south Austin man, is one of the most recent victims of jugging. "Even when you feel you are in a safe neighborhood, it can still be dangerous," Cabrera said about the incident. He had gone to a Chase bank in south Austin and withdrew an envelope of cash. He placed that cash in his glove box and drove to a nearby Best Buy to run a quick errand. Cabrera was in the store for less than five minutes, and when he returned to his car, he found his window smashed and...

LGBTQ+ home buyers face costly choice: Protections versus Price

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A recent study by the real estate marketplace Zillow shows that areas with LGBTQ+ protections have higher average home values, but LGBTQ+ people are less likely to be able to afford homes in those areas.Manny Garcia, senior population scientist at Zillow, said that homes in jurisdictions with legal protections are around 46% more expensive than ones without protections. He also notes that around half of U.S. states have LGBTQ+ housing protections. Realtor helps LGBTQ+ Texans leave through ‘Flee Red States’ service However, he notes that the protections do not cause an increase in property values."The places that are enacting these legal protections tend to be more educated, more inclusive, they have a lot more technical and skilled workers. That's the real association with higher costs," Garcia said. "But that same population, people who are more educated and inclusive, are the ones that are also enacting these types of protections."In order to afford higher down ...