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Taylor Swift hit with $3K in fines from NYC sanitation department: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

(KTLA) - Taylor Swift and the New York City Department of Sanitation appear to have some bad blood. The "Blank Space" singer is reportedly facing over $3,000 in fines for not properly disposing of trash outside of her New York City apartment, according to the New York Post. The outlet cited city records, which reportedly showed Swift has racked up 32 tickets for not keeping the sidewalks in front of her Tribeca home clean. According to the fines, the garbage included "piles of newspapers, bottles and cardboard; napkins and wrappers; and 'scattered ashtray contents' and a cigarette carton."“It’s probably the fans waiting for her and smoking while they’re bored,” 33-year-old Christine O’Connor told the Post. “She doesn’t even smoke!” ‘Phineas and Ferb’ co-creator calls Disney Imagineer after Disneyland ride breaks down Swift's sanitation tickets are reportedly the highest of any buildings on the block. She was able to erase $200 in penalties after disputing the fines.Fans claim the...

Cole Kmet gives out awards & thoughts on Bears' possible move to Arlington Heights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — He was back at his high school home field in the northwest suburbs not far from where his professional team could call home.Don't think that Cole Kmet didn't think about it when he was back in Arlington Heights to honor two student-athletes on Wednesday morning. While giving out the boys and girls 2023 BODYARMOR Series soccer player of the year awards, the Lake Barrington native, former St. Viator High School standout, and Bears tight end was asked about the team's possible move to the northwest suburbs.Naturally, Kmet sounded like he'd be a fan of it as he took part in the event on the same field he played his prep football on while with the Lions at Roosevelt University Sports Complex on South Goebbert Road."That would be cool," said Kmet. "I know that there's been maybe some hiccups the past couple of weeks or so, but that would be pretty sweet to be able to get that done. We'll see where that goes."That, of course, is years down the road as Kmet continu...

New York Times ranks 20 of the best 'new generation' Texas barbeque joints, 3 Austin businesses make the list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 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. Distant Relatives The Times wrote that Damien Brockway left a career in fine dining to open Distant Relatives, a food truck in southeast Austin, i...

School safety audit: More than 95% of Texas campuses not accessible to 'intruder'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas School Safety Center released findings from audits on school campus safety during the 2022-23 school year. The findings revealed that most campuses did not need corrective action. The report is a compilation of information gathered during school inspections where security experts showed up unannounced at schools to conduct random, in-person intruder audits at campuses across the state. RELATED: Texas school report shows 95% of campuses didn’t allow access to ‘intruder’ The audits began in September and were conducted through May. They were a direct response to the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. Typically, these audits are due every three years. Campuses originally had until September 2023 to get them submitted to their districts, but Gov. Abbott in June of last year directed the Texas School Safety Center, or TxSSC, to immediately review safety policies after the Uvalde school shooting. PREVIOUS: Texas districts to fast-track audit ...

Scattered showers and thunderstorms again on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Gulf of Mexico sea breeze brought some Central Texans welcome rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, and we expect another round of late-day rain in some areas Thursday.A slug of tropical moisture from the Gulf is expected to lead to mostly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of scattered rain on Thursday. While some areas will miss out, others especially east of I-35 may tally 0.5" to 1" of rain.The heat ridge over the Desert Southwest is forecast to build back into the area Friday through the weekend, bringing the return of 100-degree heat and dry weather. Hotter than normal temperatures continue in the 8-14 day outlook through mid-July.Light amounts of Saharan dust are blowing across the Atlantic into our area. While you may notice a light haze in the sky at times this week, there is no impact expected to air quality.Summer Fan DriveOur Summer Fan Drive is underway! Please click here to find out how you can make an online donation and learn more about Family Eldercar...

Ford leads a group of five Longhorns on preseason All-Big 12 Team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In their final season in the conference, Texas leads the way with five players named to the 1st Team All-Big 12 team voted on by the media.Linebacker Jaylan Ford was not only voted to the 1st team but named preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Ford's 119 tackles was the most by a Longhorn since 2004 and his team-leading four interceptions was most by a Texas linebacker since 2003. Junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy II joins Ford on the All-Big 12 defensive team. Murphy made just one start in 2022 but recorded 26 tackles including three tackles for loss and one sack. Days before the 2023 MLB Draft, Sykora is focused on pitching for Longhorns Wide receiver Xavier Worthy leads a trio of Longhorns on the All-Big 12 1st-team offense. Worthy had 60 receptions for 760 yards, and a Big 12-leading nine touchdowns. Tight End Ja'Tavion Sanders is also on the 1st team after leading Big 12 tight ends with 54 receptions for 613 yards. Sanders also had five touchdown catche...

Ransomware criminals post kids’ private files after school hacks in Twin Cities, elsewhere

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

The confidential documents stolen from schools and dumped online by ransomware gangs are raw, intimate and graphic. They describe student sexual assaults, psychiatric hospitalizations, abusive parents, truancy — even suicide attempts.“Please do something,” begged a student in one leaked file, recalling the trauma of continually bumping into an ex-abuser at a school in Minneapolis. Other victims talked about wetting the bed or crying themselves to sleep.Complete sexual assault case folios containing these details were among more than 300,000 files dumped online in March after the 36,000-student Minneapolis Public Schools refused to pay a $1 million ransom. Other exposed data included medical records and discrimination complaints.Rich in digitized data, the nation’s schools are prime targets for far-flung criminal hackers, who are assiduously locating and scooping up sensitive files.Often strapped for cash, districts are grossly ill-equipped not just to defend themselves but to respon...

Northern Minnesota man dies in apparent drowning after going fishing with his dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

PENGILLY, Minn. — A northern Minnesota man died in an apparent drowning Monday.A 911 caller told dispatchers Monday morning that they saw an empty boat circling the northern end of Swan Lake, the Itasca County County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday. Moments earlier, the caller said, they had seen the boat moving past them with a man and a dog inside.Responding sheriff’s deputies secured the boat with the dog safely inside, but the man — James Kleffman, 52, of Pengilly — was still missing.The county’s search and rescue team found Kleffman’s body at the bottom of the lake that evening. Kleffman, authorities said, had left his home around 8 a.m. to fish with his dog.County staff told the Duluth News Tribune that it’s unclear how Kleffman ended up in the water. An autopsy is pending.Related ArticlesLocal News | Bodies of 3 missing swimmers recovered from Minnesota river Local News | Search continues for 3 from Oakdale who remain missing after swimmin...

Wild RFAs Filip Gustavsson and Brandon Duhaime file for salary arbitration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

As contract negotiations with the Wild continue, goaltender Filip Gustavsson and winger Brandon Duhaime filed for salary arbitration Wednesday.It’s not as bad as it sounds on the surface.All it means is Gustavsson and Duhaime, both of whom are restricted free agents, now have the option for a hearing later this summer where an arbitrator would decide how much their salary would be. In the meantime, the Wild can continue to speak to both players with hopes of coming to an agreement. Typically, when a player files for salary arbitration in the NHL, both sides are able to finalize a contract before a hearing is necessary.But in a perfect world for Wild general manager Bill Guerin, this already would have been figured out. There is clearly a disconnect between the Wild and the representatives for Gustavsson and Duhaime. If there wasn’t, both players already would be under contract.The top priority for the Wild this offseason has been signing Gustavsson. He established himsel...

UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled after child located safe in Creve Coeur

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:27 GMT

BRECKENRIDGE HILLS, Mo. – Approximately 10 minutes after issuing an Amber Alert for a child abduction in Breckenridge Hills, the Missouri State Highway Patrol canceled said alert. The child in question was located found safe by Creve Coeur police.The prior alert said authorities were looking for a white 2020 Chevy Equinox with unknown license plates. No additional details were provided.It's unclear if police have anyone in custody.This is a breaking news story. FOX 2 will have more information as it becomes available.