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Warming weekend temps begin a move toward hotter 90-degrees readings later next week; soaking rains to remain a “no show” any time soon; record heat baking Texas with 120-degree heat indices fueling severe storms from the Plains into the Gulf States

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

MODELS CONTINUE TO FORECAST HEAT TO BUILD HERE LATER NEXT WEEK THROUGH THE WEEKEND WHICH FOLLOWSThe hotter pattern also strongly suggests the Chicago area’s drought will continue with moisture deficits building as a rain-defecting upper air warm-air dome forms. Meantime, record-breaking temperatures to continue across the southern U.S. from Texas to Louisiana and more severe weather is due from the Plains to the Gulf states and southeastHere in Chicago, we’re back in April-level cool air Friday in the wake of the passage of Thursday’s vigorous BACK DOOR COLD FRONT. With the official Chicago O’Hare high temp only likely to reach the low 70s Friday afternoon as clouds break and sunshine emerges, the day is still likely to rank among the coolest 19% June 16s on the books here since 1942. Only 15 of the past 81 June 16s have produced temps AS COOL or COOLER than the 72 predicted today.NOTE FROM TOM: “I’ve opted to go back to 1942 rather than all the way back to 1871 since the 1871 to 19...

Isolated storms Saturday on an excessively hot weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated to scattered severe storms finally brought some much needed rain to parts of the Austin Metro Friday evening. Rain chances will continue to drop overnight as we temporarily dry out. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS Friday was the hottest day of the year with highs in Austin at Camp Mabry reaching 103º. Some areas had "feels like" temperatures close to 120º in our eastern counties!! Expert: Texas heatwave 'driven by climate change' An Excessive Heat Warning continues for the Austin-metro and eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m. Heat index values could reach up to 115°+. A Heat Advisory is in effect for all of the Hill Country until Sunday evening as well where feels-like temperatures will only be slightly lower.Extreme Heat Warning issued for all of the Austin-metro & eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m.Dangerous heat and humidity will continue to be the top concern areawide - be sure to frequently check in on friends, family and neighbors, particularl...

Class 4A state baseball: East Ridge edges Rosemount 1-0 to earn second state title since 2019

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

East Ridge junior Max Arlich repeated the message to his teammates in the dugout throughout Friday’s Class 4A state championship game at CHS Field in St. Paul: “Just get one run, that’s all we need.”Arlich was his usual dominant self on the bump for the Raptors. But scoring Friday was easier said than done. Rosemount lefty Liam Bystol was equally up to the task, mixing up his three pitches with precision to keep East Ridge off balance. Both pitchers held the opposing offenses scoreless through six frames.East Ridge had its chances prior to that, but couldn’t quite muster that key hit. Bystol was able to strand runners in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Bystol induced a ground ball with a runner on second and two outs to get out of the frame. That grounder came off the bat of East Ridge outfielder Riley Schwellenbach.In the top of the seventh, Schwellenbach got his shot at redemption.East Ridge senior designated hitter Josep...

Saints score seven in 10th, top Bats 8-3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

It took a while for the St. Paul Saints to heat up Friday night. But boy did they come alive in the 10th.After Andrew Stevenson hit a liner off Louisville Bats pitcher Eduardo Salazar that advanced placed runner Elliot Soto to third but got himself thrown out, the Saints had eight consecutive hitters reach base as they plated seven runs, powering their way to an 8-3 victory at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky.Mark Contreras started things off with an RBI triple, Trevor Larnach added an RBI single and Jose Miranda followed with a double. Then Matt Wallner was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Chris Williams, who hit a two-RBI bloop single to left. Jair Camargo was walked after a pitching change, and Anthony Prato singled up the middle to score two more. Soto closed out the run with an RBI single, giving the Saints an 8-1 lead in a game that was tied 1-1 heading into extras.Matt Reynolds hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th to give the Bats (36-29) a little...

Records: Man accused of scamming St. Louis slots is cross-country cheater

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A Georgia man accused of stealing from slot machines at small St. Louis area businesses is known to some as a cross-country game cheater.St. Louis County authorities said 29-year-old Tio Robinson is facing a felony stealing charge (Class C felony) because the value totaled more than $25,000.Investigators said Robinson, along with other men, were able to obtain winnings from the machines by altering a $100 bill with a string attached, then pulling it out, ultimately tricking the machine into thinking money had been inserted. Triple shooting at North St. Louis gas station one dead, two injured Police said the thieves targeted four businesses in the metro, including Garner's Market located at Seibert Avenue and Morgan Ford Road.Cijo Mathews is the owner of the family-operated grocery store. One day, he noticed a group of individuals come in and target the slot machines."It's not fair," he said. "We work hard every day for the money that's being earned and made."Mathews sa...

Vehicle stolen with child inside in St. Louis County; two arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Authorities have arrested two people accused of stealing a vehicle in broad daylight Friday in St. Louis County while a child was inside. The incident unfolded in the 1300 block of Green Elm Drive, near Fenton, around noon Friday. Officers were initially called to the scene in response to the stolen vehicle. When they arrived, a woman said her vehicle was stolen by someone unknown with her child inside. Triple shooting at North St. Louis gas station one dead, two injured Shortly after the incident, police found the vehicle and the child abandoned at a nearby intersection. The child was not hurt and is considered safe. Two suspects are now in custody and face pending charges, according to the St. Louis County Police Department.

St. Louis steps up pedestrian safety after teen fatally struck on Chippewa Street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Nearly a year ago, 17-year-old Matthew Nikolai was hit by a car and killed near Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewea Street. Now, with help from several districts, the city is funding new traffic-calming measures around the area. On Friday, Ted Drewes was packed with people, waiting in line, and walking around. For Matthew, it was around the same area when he crossed the street last July and was hit by a car. Triple shooting at North St. Louis gas station one dead, two injured “A tragedy such as this, such a great kid, can never be replaced.” said St. Louis Alderman Joe Vollmer. A friend of Nikolai’s family, Vollmer says this tragedy has deeply affected the family. What’s frustrating to family and friends is the fact that all it took for change was a walk across the street and a car passing by to claim his life. “Unfortunately it's a little too late for the Nikolai family, said Vollmer. He tells us, to avoid another situation of losing a life too soon, it’s the reas...

Family of 14-year-old killed by Aurora police calls for answers, chief’s resignation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

Jor’Dell Richardson, center, with his mother and older brother. (Family photo provided by Rathod Mohamedbhai law firm)Hundreds marched in the rain Friday evening behind the casket of a 14-year-old boy and demanded answers about the fatal shooting of the teen by an Aurora police officer.The family of Jor’Dell Richardson demanded the release of all videos showing the June 1 shooting as well as the resignation of interim Chief Art Acevedo. An Aurora police officer shot and killed the teen after Jor’Dell fled from police investigating suspicious activity. An officer shot Jor’Dell in the stomach after tackling him to the ground and seeing a weapon, which police later revealed was a pellet gun that replicated a handgun.“Whatever went on that day, it should not have been a death sentence,” Jor’Dell’s mother, Laurie Littlejohn, said at a public memorial for the teen held Friday outside the Aurora Municipal Center.Jor’Dell’s family ...

Rickie Fowler’s wild ride gives him 1-shot lead in US Open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer)LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rickie Fowler was flamboyant as ever Friday in the U.S. Open, not so much with his attire as a golf game so wildly entertaining that he made only four pars in his 2-under 68 that gave him a share of the 36-hole record and a one-shot lead going into the weekend.Los Angeles Country Club tried to fight back after a record opening day of low scores, and help arrived in the form of a blazing sun and just enough wind to keep the toughest test in golf from turning into a festival of birdies.Fowler still did his part, making birdies on half of the holes he has played over two rounds. What mattered was leading a major at the halfway point for the first time, and growing confidence that his three-year slump is well behind him.He was at 10-under 130, tying the U.S. Open record set by Martin Kaymer in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2. Fowler led by one shot over Wyndham Clark (67), with Rory McIlroy (67) and Xander Schauffele (70) two shots behin...

Mom accused of murder after toddler strapped to booster seat for 15 hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:35 GMT

A 24-year-old Florida mother is accused of murdering her toddler son, authorities said. Rebecca Gussage-Johnston told deputies the 2-year-old acted out and she punished him, according to the arresting officer's report. The report said Gussage-Johnston told deputies she watched her son take his last breath and die in her arms. Gussage-Johnston did not call 911, despite having a working phone. Deputies said a concerned family member called authorities to report a toddler in distress.“This is just a case that's just as heartbreaking as it is disturbing,” said Phil Martello, with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Thousands protest Dodgers’ Pride night event honoring LGBTQ+ ‘nun’ group Family confirmed Gussage-Johnston lived in an RV on a commercial property along U.S. Highway 301 with her 2-year-old son Eli, her 8-month-old daughter and their father.“When they arrived, what they saw was horrific,” said Martello. “They saw a child strapped to a chair — signs of extreme neglect ...