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Texas prosecutor says he will not seek death penalty for man in slayings of 2 elderly women

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A Texas prosecutor says he will not seek the death penalty for a man convicted of killing two elderly women and suspected of killing nearly two dozen total.“Billy Chemirmir is an evil person who preyed upon our most vulnerable citizens,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a statement Thursday.“Although he is certainly deserving of a death sentence, my decision … is informed by the fact that he has already been tried three times in another county and he will never be a free man again,” Willis said.The first murder trial of Chemirmir, 50, for the slaying of Lu Thi Harris, 81, ended in mistrial in Dallas County. He was later convicted in a second trial for Harris’ death and convicted of a second killing in the death of Mary Sue Brooks, 87.Chemirmir has maintained his innocence of the crimes.Authorities say Chemirmir preyed on older women, killing them and stealing their valuables.He was caught after a 91-year-old woman sur...

21-year-old dies following Fox Lake crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

FOX LAKE, Ill. — A man died following a crash Thursday night in Fox Lake.At around 9:40 p.m., authorities responded to a call of a crash on Route 12 near Route 59.Two vehicles were involved and a 21-year-old man died at the hospital.Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles. The other driver suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Dean's Weekender: 'The SpongeBob Musical,' the Jonas Brothers and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events happening in 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!

What is Stockholm syndrome? It started 50 years ago with a bank robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — It's a common term these days, deployed to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors: “Stockholm syndrome.” And it got its name 50 years ago this week, during a failed bank robbery in Sweden's capital.In this photo released by police, three of the four hostages and bank robber Clark Olofsson, standing right, are seen in a bank in Stockholm, Sweden, Aug. 27, 1973, shortly before the gunmen were overwhelmed by police. This week marks 50 years since a failed bank robbery that gave rise to the Stockholm syndrome, a term used in psychology to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors. (AP Photo, File)The Stockholm syndrome — initially dubbed “Norrmalmstorg syndrome,” after the square where the bank heist took place — has since been used in connection with hostage-takings around the world, including the kidnapping of newspaper heires...

Trump recounts 'terrible experience' of being booked in Georgia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump said he had a “terrible experience” while being booked at the Fulton County jail Thursday night, surrendering after being charged on 13 counts related to seeking to overturn the 2020 election.Trump, in separate interviews with Fox News Digital and Newsmax just a short time after his arrest, described the process as “very sad” and uncomfortable as he recounted being processed and having his mugshot taken."They insisted on a mugshot, and I agreed to do that," he told Fox Digital. "This is the only time I’ve ever taken a mugshot.""It is not a comfortable feeling — especially when you’ve done nothing wrong,” he added.Trump recounted his experience at length in an interview with Newsmax’s Greg Kelly after landing back in New Jersey.  Trump mugshot makes history after surrender at Fulton County jail Trump at one point claimed he’d “never heard the words mugshot” only to later find himself taking one. He quipped that they didn’t teach hi...

Hundreds of inmates evacuated as fire erupts at Texas prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (KIAH) -- The prison unit in Huntsville caught fire overnight and still burns this morning as fire crews work diligently to put the fire out. CW39's Kara Willis and Seth Kovar are bringing us updates throughout the morning. We talked with the fire chief there in Huntsville LIVE on air for an update. "The Walls" unit caught fire about 2:30 a.m. Friday morning. Heavy smoke was reported. Crews arrive to find heavy fire coming from one unit. Units have knocked out the main body of fire. All inmates have been evacuated from the area to another facility and are accounted for. No word on where the main fire started. As it is a state facility, the fire marshall is on the scene still investigating. On scene, a fire coming from an old tower can be seen. This is pretty significant so it will take some time.Greg MathisThe roads are closed to the main facility. Traffic passing through in the 6 a.m. hour. No word on the cause of the fire at this time. Smoke can still be seen com...

Curiosity caused the traffic: Why do we love to rubberneck?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you've ever been stuck in traffic, only to realize it was all because of a crash on the other side of the highway, that is a common experience thanks to rubbernecking.KXAN Traffic Anchor, Erica Brennes, sat down with the hosts of the podcast Two Guys On Your Head, Dr. Bob Duke and Dr. Art Markman, to find out why we can't help but slow down to take a look.Erica: "Why can we not resist the urge to rubberneck?"Dr. Bob Duke: "You know, when you look at toys that you get when you're five, they include fire trucks and ambulances and things like that, because we love those vehicles and you don't get to see them that often." 3:10 And then here you are on the highway. And you've waited all this time behind all these other people. And so one of the things you do is you just got to get that look at what happened." Dr. Art Markman: "And I think you know, most of the time when you're driving there's a real sameness to the experience, especially if you're traveling along route...

Workers to start Phase 1 of flood risk reduction project in NE Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin said a road will be closed starting Saturday on a project to reduce the risk of flooding in a northeast Austin neighborhood. The city said Thursday that workers with the Capital Delivery Services Department will start Phase 1 of construction on the Little Walnut Creek Flood Risk Reduction Project. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the construction of Phase 1 is expected to wrap up in Spring 2024, the city said. According to the city, Mearns Meadow Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Rutland Drive to Parkfield Drive during construction. Little Walnut Creek homeowners frustrated after project put on hold Detour signage will be posted to guide travelers in the area, the city said.  During construction, equipment operators will excavate a 20-foot deep trench along Mearns Meadow Boulevard to install 13-foot by 10-foot concrete box culverts, the city said. According to the city, when the project is done, floodwater w...

Austin apartment Fire leaves dozens without a home, how you can help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the second time this month, the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is working to help people rebuild their lives after two separate, devastating apartment fires.The latest fire left 60 people, including children without a home after an overnight fire ripped through the Sonora Apartments on Sam Rayburn Drive.“These are our neighbors right here in our own community,” said Dwight Bailey Jr., the executive director of the ADRN.“And when you hear folks just like us who one day, things are fine, and literally, overnight, they're devastated.”Resources have been stretched thin this month for the non-profit, which is also helping others recover from a separate wildfire at the Bexley at Silverado Apartment Complex in Cedar Park.“We are completely reliant upon generous donors to help us to do what we do and that's an area of need and opportunity.”The ADRN is asking for donations of emergency supplies—hygiene items, clothing and funding.“We'll have an intake center at th...

Weed 101: St. Cloud State to offer cannabis education certificate programs this fall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:39 GMT

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — St. Cloud State University is offering new online certificate programs in cannabis education, starting this fall.This comes after Minnesota recently became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana. The SCSU programs are the first of their kind in Minnesota, but similar programs are offered in Illinois, Michigan and other states.“The cannabis industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, and the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever,” said SCSU President Robbyn Wacker. “Our endeavor is to meet workforce demand to provide educated professionals in this quickly evolving industry.”SCSU’s Professional and Continuing Education division plans to partner with California-based cannabis education company Green Flower.The four programs are in cannabis agriculture and horticulture, cannabis health care and medicine, cannabis compliance and risk management, and the business of cannabis.Each program costs $2,950, with payment plans available. Financial a...