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Dancing police officer brings new meaning to term cop 'on the beat'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — After a day of solemn remembrances for the victims of last year’s shooting in Highland Park, the evening carried a tone of celebration.Gary Sinise, the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his role in Forrest Gump, brought his “Lt. Dan Band” to his hometown for a concert.The band was just a few songs into its two-hour concert Tuesday, when, off to the side of the stage, an unlikely couple started dancing – a police officer, and a 8-year-old girl, bopping, shuffling, and twisting to the band’s cover of the Bruno Mars hit, “Uptown Funk.”  “It’s been a long year and I love to dance,” said April Prete, a Highland Park Police Dept. patrol officer. “I think we should be out there and engaging and having a good time. Sometimes I see officers engaging and playing basketball.  I’m not a big basketball player because I’m short. But I love to dance.” Gary Sinise makes a few stops in Chicagoland on 4th of July With the smiling approval of police chief Louis ...

New York Times: 5 Central Texas barbecue joints named to 'best in Texas' list

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The New York Times said Texas barbeque is in a “golden age,” with emerging pitmasters bringing dynamic flavors from different cultures, thus reinvigorating the classic cuisine. NYT made a list of 20 Texas barbeque restaurants that best reflect the new generation of pitmasters and chefs, which included three Austin joints. One of the authors, Brett Anderson, traveled to Texas seven times to seek out the best barbeque haunts across the state, and the second author, Priya Krishna, is a Dallas native, according to NYT. “A renaissance in Texas barbecue has transformed what was once a hidebound tradition into one of the country’s most dynamic vernacular cuisines, changing the landscape of American barbecue in the process — and turning Texas into the country’s ultimate barbecue destination,” the authors wrote. Barbs-B-QBarbs has only been operating for a couple of months, but the Times reported its arrival was hotly anticipated. The restaurant is owned by two...

Twins right fielder Max Kepler heats up at the plate

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

The month of June was largely a forgettable one on the field for Max Kepler.The Twins’ right fielder came back on May 29, following a trip to the injured list for a hamstring strain. He forwent a rehab assignment and struggled mightily at the plate upon his return to action.From May 29 through June 28, Kepler hit .178 with a .573 OPS, his batting average on the season falling below .190. But in recent days, Kepler has had a much-needed resurgence for a Twins’ lineup that has desperately needed its veterans to step up.“As long as he stays positive and stays within himself, that’s the Kep we know,” designated hitter Byron Buxton said. “I know he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing and we’re here to keep him positive. That’s what we expect to see.”It’s a small sample size, but in the five games heading into Wednesday, Kepler sure seems to be heating up. The right fielder had gone 8 for 17 (.471) with seven runs driven in and a pair of home runs.In the Twins’ 9-3 win...

Timberwolves knew they needed to push every button to keep Naz Reid because of who he is, and what he can become

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

Frankly, it didn’t make much sense for the Timberwolves to re-sign center Naz Reid. Not positionally, anyway. So much of the NBA franchise’s future finances are already committed to two other big men, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.Allocating another $42 million over the next three years to another big wouldn’t make good roster sense.But Reid isn’t just another big.He’s a 23-year-old rising star who has shined in every role and opportunity, and is beloved by teammates and the fan base alike. Had Timberwolves basketball boss Tim Connelly allowed Reid to walk away to another organization, it likely would have haunted the decision-maker for years to come.“The best basketball is in front of him. I think he’s been scratching the surface of who he is as a player. He’s one of the more unique, I think, players that I’ve been around,” Connelly said at the press conference for Reid’s contract extension Wednesday. “Probably has as good ...

St. Paul driver charged with injuring two in hit-and-run after Hudson fireworks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

A St. Paul man has been charged in a hit-and-run case that left two women injured after a post-fireworks traffic altercation Sunday in Hudson, Wis.One of the injured women was a bicyclist who was not involved in the altercation and suffered broken bones and collapsed lungs, according to a criminal complaint.Thaddeus John Smith, 34, was charged on nine counts, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing injury, a hit-and-run causing great bodily harm and first-degree recklessly endangering safety.According to reports from Hudson police, Smith, his female partner and two children, ages 6 and 1, had traveled to the St. Croix River waterfront for fireworks on Sunday evening.Smith and his partner shared drinks with friends, and then got into their 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee to drive home.While waiting in line to leave the Hudson dike, Smith’s vehicle came into contact with a 2022 Kia Sorento operated by Travis Lee Heffron of Hudson. It is not clear which vehicle was at faul...

Lifeguard shortage impacts Adirondack, Catskill campgrounds

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Summertime often means cooling off in a pool or lake, but experts say that could spell trouble this year with more areas having limited to no lifeguard supervision.According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, there’s been a change in policy that will allow unsupervised swimming at the Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Campground Program Supervisor, Jessica McBride, says it’s about enhancing the customer experience. The old policy required lifeguards on duty to supervise swimming at the campgrounds and that has been in place since the campgrounds first opened.McBride believes many families won’t even notice the difference. “We really feel as though people on our campgrounds were already swimming a lot of times when lifeguards weren’t on duty, and so for most people it’s really not gonna change their experience, so we feel good about the transition,...

Student debt: White House faces backlash for restarting interest on loans

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

The White House is facing backlash about its decision to reactivate interest for student loans as part of its “on-ramp” repayment program, which progressives and advocates argue isn’t enough to help struggling borrowers.The program aims to help those who can’t repay their loans when payments resume this fall by removing the threat of default or harm to credit ratings for 12 months if bills aren’t paid. It’s one of the only routes the Biden administration argues it could have taken since ending the payment pause that ultimately became part of the debt limit deal President Biden struck with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).The so-called “Plan B” for providing student loan relief was laid out late last week hours after the Supreme Court struck down a program the White House attempted to implement that would have forgiven up to $20,000 in student loans dependent upon earnings. The alternative route aims to help borrowers make their journey to repayments easier.But the president’s plan ...

New SLPS superintendent discusses goals, challenges facing district

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After a nationwide search, the St. Louis Public School District selected Dr. Keisha Scarlett to become its new superintendent.Scarlett previously served as a superintendent of academies and in other capacities with Seattle Public Schools for 24 years. She replaces Dr. Kelvin Adams, who stepped down after 14 years at the post.Scarlett visited the FOX 2 News studios to discuss her goals as superintendent, and the challenges facing the district.

'It’s hotter inside than outside' - On 4th day of outages, Ameren hopes most will be fixed Wednesday night

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

HAZELWOOD, Mo. - Thousands were still without power in Missouri Wednesday evening. Some of the hardest-hit areas include north St. Louis County and north St. Louis City.As many residents are now on their fourth day without power, it’s been frustrating for both residents and Ameren employees."You can see the sweat dripping down my face, and I just walked out the door about 10–15 minutes ago," said Arnold McClelland, a Spanish Lake resident.Hot and high temperatures are something McClelland and others who live in Spanish Lake dealt with Wednesday afternoon, all while having no power since heavy storms swept through the area this past weekend. Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death "You got a lot of elderly people out here that need it, it's so hot you can't even sit in the house," McClelland said.He said by Wednesday, it felt cooler outside than inside.It’s what drove Ameren to set up a makeshift storm station in a heavy-hit region."Right now, we have 1,800 res...

Missouri farm's crop art welcomes Taylor Swift to Kansas City area

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:24 GMT

ORRICK, Mo. - Normally it's an ordinary field, but now it's Taylor's Version. Precision Mazes spent hours Monday etching Taylor Swift's likeness into a field in Orrick, Missouri. Are you ready for it? What to know before Taylor Swift concerts in Kansas City FOX4 put up a drone for an overhead view Monday as they worked on the crop art. Precision Mazes said the project said the project sits on 25 acres of a more than 250-acre field. They cut 6.3 acres of wheat stubble to make the image. The company said it would take the average person over 15 minutes to walk around the perimeter of the crop art. Taylor Swift heads to Arrowhead Stadium for “The Eras Tour” on Friday and Saturday. With just days until the concerts, ticket prices are well over $1,400 for both nights. But the Chiefs have said ticketless fans hoping to create a memorable moment outside of Arrowhead Stadium are out of luck. Fans who don't have a ticket won't be allowed to gather outside the stadium. Beyonce fans...