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Fulton Market developers, restaurant groups look to hire private 24 hour security

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

CHICAGO -- A proposal to hire private security to patrol Fulton Market has been drawing fire Friday afternoon.A new association of powerful developers and restaurant groups, backing a proposal to annually pay a $800,000 price tag, that reportedly calls for building owners merchants to foot the bill for private 24 hour security."Businesses are extremely upset that their property taxes have gone through the roof and now Walter Burnett, and other city officials now want them to pay more money for police security that they've already paid for," Romanelli said.Roger Romanelli reached out publicly to City Hall to ask Mayor Brandon Johnson and 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett to stop the proposed Fulton Market private security plan.  "Everybody in the neighborhood has got to pony up $1 million? Alderman Burnett? This makes no sense," Romanelli said.Romanelli, long time executive Director of the Fulton Market Association, said smaller, family-owned restaurants are being forced out of Chica...

Chicago firefighters battle 2-alarm fire in West Pullman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire Department is battling a house fire Friday afternoon in West Pullman.According to the Chicago Fire Department, some sort of explosion was reported in the two-alarm fire in the 12000 block of South Lafayette Avenue. Shots fired on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach hours after opening for the summer One firefighter was injured and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the fire department said. It's not clear if anyone else was injured.Provided / Chicago Fire DepartmentPictures from the Chicago Fire Department show flames coming from the second story of the home.This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

70-year-old man in critical condition after drive-by shooting near UIC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

CHICAGO — A 70-year-old man is fighting for his life after being shot outside a Near West Side apartment complex within walking distance of the University of Illinois Chicago.  According to police, the shooting occurred around 2:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of S. Morgan St. when someone inside a vehicle opened fire.   Shots fired on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach hours after opening for the summer The shooting victim was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. Police are investigating.  Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesSkyCam9 flew above the scene. 

'Dangerous road': Debt ceiling negotiations linger as U.S. inches to deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – In Washington, lawmakers are racing toward an agreement to raise the debt ceiling as the country is approaching a potential default – which could have major negative impacts on the economy.The United States is only a few days away from the June 1 deadline when the country could potentially run out of money to pay for debts. Additionally, it’s possible the government could be unable to pay for things like military paychecks and Social Security checks.While negotiators say talks over the debt ceiling are progressing, publicly, neither side seems to be backing down.“We got to make more progress,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said.Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott added, “we cannot be raising people's taxes. We cannot be increasing the size of government. We should be living within our means."Republicans continue to demand budget cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.“I do not think it's right that you borrow money from China to pay people to st...

Judge approves mistrial motion in APD officer murder case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A judge granted the defense's motion Friday for a mistrial for an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to a defense attorney involved in the case. The trial was supposed to begin Wednesday, but there were several snags with the jury selection process. Christopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020. Taylor is on administrative leave with the department. The Travis County District Attorney's Office released the below statement about the mistrial Friday afternoon. Our hearts go out to the Ramos family, who have to wait even longer for the trial of Christopher Taylor. Due to the release of Monday’s jury panel because of a constitutional violation, the parties were not able to select a jury this week. The judge will reset the case to a future date, and the state will be ready to try the case then.Travis Co...

How students can get into Typhoon Texas for free

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Typhoon Texas Waterparks announced students with good grades can get into its Austin and Houston locations for free from May 30 through June 2.The waterpark said its Great Grades Days event was dedicated to recognizing and rewarding students for exceptional academic achievements during the previous school year.According to Typhoon Texas, in order to join, the student must show their report card with 3 ore more As, along with the matching Student ID for free admission.Discount tickets are also offered to parents or friends of the student as part of the promotion. The $17.99 ticket must be purchased at the ticket window, according to the waterpark.Here are the opening times for Typhoon Texas Austin:Tuesday, May 30th: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Wednesday, May 31st: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Thursday, June 1st: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.Friday, June 2nd: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Post-Uvalde transparency bill moves forward after late-session hold up by Lieutenant Governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 26, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite hitting a last-minute snag in the final full week of the legislative session, a years-long fight to close a controversial legal gap known as the "dead suspect loophole" is still moving toward the Texas governor's desk. This development comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, which put a spotlight on the importance of public records, transparency and the truth."We've agreed to the changes that would make this bill operational and the House conferees have signed off on that," Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, who authored the bill and has been trying to close the loophole for years, said earlier Friday. "So, we're simply waiting to see what happens."The hold up had been Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, according to several sources with inside knowledge. KXAN reached out Friday to his office to ask about the statu...

Bill to rid Texas of paper license plates goes to governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sparked in part by KXAN's "Risky Rides" investigations, a bill to rid Texas of its paper license plates received final approval in the House on Friday with a vote of 137-0. It now goes to the governor. If signed into law, metal plates would replace temporary dealer plates. For years, KXAN has investigated what became a $200 million black market. Criminals were able to not only counterfeit paper plates but also infiltrate the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle's system to print and sell real ones with phony information. EXPLORE: "Risky Rides" KXAN investigates Texas' paper license plate problem Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, holds up a paper plate that reads "CONCUR" on the House floor May 26, 2023 as he announces the bill's passage (Texas House Photo)"This was a major deal," said Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, as he picked up a piece of paper and turned it over so his fellow lawmakers could see it."And with that Mr. Speaker, I concur with senate amendments," ...

Two Austin students head to Scripps National Spelling Bee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Tuesday, 231 children aged 9 to 14 will face off in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C, perhaps leading to many of us feeling ashamed of our over-reliance on spell-check. Two Austinites – Shrethan Botla,14,  and Tarini Nandakumar, 12 – will compete to be this year’s spelling champion. Bolta, who said this is his first and last entry into the national competition, said he feels both nervous and excited ahead of the trip.“I'm feeling really happy because I've never been to an event, a big international level,” he told KXAN. Other spelling contestants beware if the word “onomatopoeia” is called as it is Bolta’s favorite. “It’s just a very unique and perplexing word overall,” Bolta said on why he finds the word compelling. “And words that kind of stumped me are probably words that just don't follow the language pattern. If they're of an unknown origin, it just makes it harder to spell [because] I can't follow any of the r...

Patient safety bill, sparked by KXAN, goes to governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A major bipartisan bill aimed at protecting patients from dangerous doctors — filed in direct response to KXAN's "Still Practicing" investigations — received final approval from the House on Friday with a vote of 120-16. It now goes to the governor."I am pleased that we were able to achieve meaningful reform to the Texas Medical Board," said the bill's author, Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmer's Branch. "We have closed a loophole that allowed for situations like Dr. Death cases to happen and gave the TMB necessary tools to propely credential and investigate physician malpractice. Texas patients will have greater protection and transparency going forward." READ THE BILL: The final version of HB 1998, inspired by KXAN's investigations What the bill doesThe bill was championed for its strong patient safety measures and received overwhelming support from Republicans, Democrats and even the Texas Medical Board. If Gov. Greg Abbott signs it into law, it will address many of...