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Jayne Anne Phillips, Paul Harding are among National Book Award fiction nominees

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Historical novels by Jayne Anne Phillips and Paul Harding and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s dystopian prison novel “Chain-Gang All-Stars” are among the nominees on the National Book Awards long list for fiction. Phillips, a former National Book Award finalist, was cited for “Night Watch,” and Harding, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was nominated for “The Other Eden.”The 10 fiction titles announced Friday by the National Book Foundation also include Mona Susan Power’s multigenerational “A Council of Dolls,” Eliot Duncan’s coming-of-age novel “Ponyboy,” and two other historical works: Hanna Pylväinen’s “The End of Drum-Time” and Tania James’s “Loot.” The other nominees are Justin Torres’ “Blackout,” his first novel since his acclaimed debut “We the Animals” was published more than a decade ago, and a pair of story collections: Aaliyah Bilal’s “Temple Folk” and LaToya Watkins’ “Holler, Child.” Some of the year’s most highly praised and anticipated f...

Alaska lawmaker’s husband was flying meat from hunting camp when crash occurred, authorities say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The plane flown by the husband of Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola was carrying a load of moose meat from a remote hunting camp when it crashed, killing him earlier this week, authorities said. Eugene Peltola Jr., 57, was the only person aboard the small plane when it crashed late Tuesday. Two hunters who were at the camp in western Alaska at the time provided medical care, authorities have said.The chairperson of the National Transportation Safety Board had previously said the plane appeared to have crashed under unknown circumstances upon takeoff after Peltola dropped off a hunter and equipment about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of St. Mary’s. But Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel on Thursday said the plane crashed shortly after takeoff while carrying a second load of moose meat from the two hunters who later gave him medical aid.A federal team has arrived in Alaska to begin investigating the incident, the Anchorage Daily News reported...

Benchmark hosting 'Catalina Wine Mixer'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Fans of "Stepbrothers" will be able to enjoy the "Catalina Wine Mixer" next Friday at Benchmark in Old Town.The seventh-annual event features 30+ wine tastings, appetizers, a DJ, raffles and prices.Attendees will be able to purchase wine by the bottle directly from Benchmark’s wine vendors throughout the evening at discounted prices.The tickets are $20 and it takes place Friday, Sept. 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Closing arguments end, deliberations begin in Ken Paxton impeachment trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton gave closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video players within this story, or on KXAN's Facebook page. Closing arguments wrapped up just before noon. The above video shows suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton's defense attorneys giving closing arguments. The above video shows the House board of impeachment managers giving closing arguments. The above video shows the prosecution giving their final closing arguments before deliberation began Friday. Paxton appeared in the Senate chamber Friday morning for the first time since his impeachment trial began. He'll listen to the prosecution and defe...

End of an era: Free parking on South Congress will soon be a thing of the Austin past

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There is about a month and a half left to park for free in the heart of South Congress before those free street parking spots become metered spots.KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes reports on the end of the free parking era on SoCo."I had no idea that was happening. I think that's terrible. You have to pay for everything now in this town," said Austin resident Chase Myers.You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone on SoCo thrilled to hear there will no longer be free parking on South Congress, including visitor Nicia Adebanjo, "I had to pay $15 to park for literally 15 minutes. That's annoying."We're talking about the spots currently free between Riverside Drive and Oltorf Street.The pricing would vary based on the length of time you need to stay.To make your life easier, the city recommended downloading the Park ATX App."This is actually a fully digital area. So we actually won't see those pay stations on the street that you normally see downtown, you'll have to use the p...

Texas pharmacist convicted for role in 'pill-mill'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) -- A Houston jury convicted a Texas pharmacist Wednesday for her role in a pharmacy that dispensed over 100,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash. According to prosecutors, Deanna Winfield-Gates worked as a relief pharmacist at Health Fit Pharmacy, located in Houston. The Department of Justice characterized the cash-only pharmacy as a "pill-mill." Magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported in South Texas Prosecutors argued Health Fit handed out the drugs, oftentimes based on fraudulent prescriptions, issued in the names of doctors who'd had their identities stolen. Winfield-Gates filled prescriptions for opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, as well as drugs like the muscle relaxer carisoprodol, the anxiety drug alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine.The federal jury in Houston Wednesday convicted Winfield-Gates of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances. She faces up to 20 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11...

For past 30 years, the Travelin’ Gophers have journeyed across the country to support the U

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

The Erbans have brought Gophers fans all around the country: from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, Alaska to New York City and more than 400 other destinations in between.Based in Stillwater, Steve and Dorothy Erban have organized and led trips for Gophers fans to criss-cross the nation and follow their favorite maroon-and-gold teams since 1993. As the years have become decades, they’ve become known as the Travelin’ Gophers.The Erbans’ Creative Charters business will celebrate 30 years with their first football trip of the 2023 season. Roughly 150 fans are on a long-weekend journey from the Twin Cities to Chapel Hill, N.C., for the Gophers-North Carolina football game on Saturday.“We appreciate everything they are doing,” said Mike Wierzbicki, a U senior associate athletics director. “No better place to celebrate than on the road with the Travelin’ Gophers, so good for them.”This Travelin’ Gophers bunch also took a few high-speed laps at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday. It adde...

Kingsbury woman charged with assault

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

KINGSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Kingsbury woman has been arrested following an assault investigation, according to police. Amanda Carbone, 37, faces multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Washington County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into allegations of abuse towards a child which resulted in the arrest of Carbone. She was charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Additionally, a man whose name was not released was also arrested in connection to the investigation. He was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Klein to represent himself in trial Carbone and the man were both arraigned in CAP court and released. They are scheduled to appear in the Town of Kingsbury Court at a later date.

Schedule of 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race events

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The anticipated 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race Fest is this weekend. It kicks off tonight with the balloon glow and then transitions to race day on Saturday. This event is at Emerson Central Fields, in Forest Park.Originating in 1973, Balloon Fest has grown from a gathering featuring just a few hot air balloons and a small audience to an internationally renowned event with 50 or more hot air balloons and skilled pilots preparing for the race.On Saturday, the flight window for the race is set between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. While the aim is always to launch as scheduled, the exact timing hinges on weather conditions.The pilot teams will monitor wind conditions and flight path details in coordination with the national weather service, fellow pilots, and air traffic control. Stay updated with real-time information on the balloon race's media channels. List of Events: "The Glow" on Friday, September 155 p.m.: Gates Open at Emerson Central FieldsEnjoy a variety of fo...

St. Louis mom desperate for a kidney donation using signs to find a donor

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – One local mother is desperate to find a live kidney donor. Her campaign has expanded to include social media posts, signs in her front yard, coverage by local news outlets, and decals on her family's personal vehicles.“I have had kidney disease for many years, which has been progressing over time. My diagnosis is Chronic Kidney Disease,” said Yelena Gass-Bronstein, a 1991 Ukrainian refugee. She worked as a nurse at Barnes Hospital for many years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, before retiring due to her illness.“My nephrologist told me that I will need a kidney transplant and advised me to be proactive in searching for a living kidney donor. The wait for a deceased kidney donor is very long and can take 3-5 years or longer,” Gass-Bronstein said.A nephrologist is a kidney specialist. Her doctor also mentioned that receiving a kidney from a living donor has better outcomes during and after surgery in terms of organ longevity and fewer surgical and post-surgical complic...