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Remains of Marine veteran killed in Ukraine flown home to US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The remains of a U.S. Marine veteran who was missing in Ukraine for more than a year returned to the United States on Friday and were headed to his hometown in eastern North Carolina.A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Istanbul with the remains of retired Marine Capt. Grady Kurpasi landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in the early evening. They were loaded onto a private jet bound for Wilmington, North Carolina.Kurpasi, a 50-year-old Iraq War veteran, volunteered in February 2022 to help evacuate Ukrainian residents and later fought in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, according to the Weatherman Foundation, the group that located his remains and repatriated them. He was last seen in April 2022 after investigating the source of some gunfire with fellow volunteers in southern Ukraine and was declared dead last month by the U.S. State Department.“There is an unspoken bond between those who serve in uniform,” said Weatherman Foundation President Megha...

Pregnant woman, toddler fatally shot in Idaho, sheriff says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

WALLACE, Idaho. (AP) — A 33-year-old pregnant woman and her toddler son were found shot to death in a home in northern Idaho, authorities said. Deputies responded at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a death at the home, Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey announced on Facebook. There they found the bodies of Elizabeth Lawley and her 2-year-old son. Both had gunshot wounds, and a preliminary investigation indicates that Lawley shot and killed the boy and then herself, according to the sheriff. News outlets reported that the sheriff said Lawley had been pregnant.Lindsey said in her 19 years of service in Shoshone County, she’s never seen the sheriff’s office so somber and devastated.“Today was an extremely difficult day for the family, for our office, and for this community. And I can only imagine what the family is going through,” the Facebook post said.Wallace is a small town east of Coeur d’Alene along Interstate 90. The Associated Press

Colombia on edge as search continues for 4 children who could have survived plane crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombians were on edge Friday as a search continued for four Indigenous children who might have survived a deadly plane crash in the Amazon jungle 19 days ago.The accident occurred in the early hours of May 1 when a Cessna C206 with seven passengers on board declared an emergency due to engine failure. Shortly after, the small aircraft fell off radar and a frantic search for survivors began.Colombian troops found the wreckage Tuesday along with the bodies of three adults: the pilot, a guide and the children’s mother. But there was no sign of the youngsters.The children, members of the Uitoto Indigenous community, were identified as Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 13; Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 9; Tien Noriel Ronoque Mucutuy, 4; and Cristin Neriman Ranoque Mucutuy, 11 months.On Wednesday, there appeared to be a breakthrough when Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to Twitter to announce that the four children had been found alive. But any elation was ...

At 99, suburban World War II vet awarded honorary college degree

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — A 99-year-old veteran who fought in World War II can add an honorary degree to his list of accomplishments."It’s so fabulous and very unexpected," said Bernard Bluestein, also known as 'Bernie.'The war veteran was part of the deception unit known as 'The Ghost Army.' Leaving college at 19 to join the Armed Forces, Bluestrin was a prime recruit for a special top-secret unit that would create battlefield illusions to trick the Nazis. 12 year-old set to graduate from Fullerton College with 5 degrees Bluestein was pursuing a degree in art before leaving for the service. Years later, his passion for the craft led him back to Harper College. The Palatine native has been a student of Harper College for 34 years, taking various courses mainly focused on art. Bluestein's son, Keith, a Harper College alum, shared his take on the honor.  "Everything that he’s been through with WWII and then later finding out that he was a part of the Ghost Army and then being a ...

Friends create allergen-free food company in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Two moms who met at a book club and while coaching start-ups together have started a growing food business on the West Side of Chicago.They are serving allergen-free food while also serving those in need of a second chance and a job. Beyond batteries: How scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are improving the future of clean energy Under the label Every Body Eat, Trish Thomas and Nicole Wilson started the business that sprung from necessity when Trish developed chronic health issues.Nicole Wilson (L) and Trish Thomas (R)"I ended up with a whole bunch of autoimmune diseases," Thomas said. "I worked with the doctor here in town, changed my diet. So I took out gluten, dairy, soy, corn and egg and really put all of my autoimmune diseases into remission, but there was nothing I could eat."So Thomas started to search for food she could eat and the rest of her family as well. "I always try to be a gracious host, so we would be eating lunch and I'd be like 'Do you wanna eat...

Illinois lawmakers still unable to pass state budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois lawmakers wrapped up a busy week in Springfield Friday after still being unable to pass the state's budget by the democratic imposed May 19 deadline.The Illinois General Assembly technically has until the start of the fiscal year in July pass the state budget, but they tend to aim for a May 31 deadline."Well that’s come and gone, and the reason they wanted to do that was essentially to give them the rest of the month to get other things done and do other work.," WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek."By May 31 they can pass a budget with a majority vote, but after May 31, in the month of June prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, it will require a supermajority to pass the budget.” Lawmakers approve south suburban cargo airport study Aside from the budget, things got heated Thursday on the Senate floor during several Democratic-led measures.One of those – an amendment to House Bill 1286 -- that would give businesses the option to create all...

Woman accused 3 armed robberies within minutes of each other in West Town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A 26-year-old woman is charged with multiple felonies following a spree of armed robberies in West Town, Chicago police said Friday. Mercedes Jackson was arrested around 11:20 a.m. in the 800 block of N. Racine Ave on May 18. Police allege that hours earlier, Jackson was responsible for robbing three people at gunpoint. The incidents occurred in the following locations:1700 block of W. Crystal St. (14th Dist.) at approx. 9:05 a.m. - 44-year-old male victim  1800 block of W. Chicago Ave. (12th Dist.) at approx. 9:56 a.m. - 36-year-old male victim  700 block of N. Willard Ct. (12th Dist.) at approx. 10:10 a.m. - 30-year-old male victim. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesJackson was due in bond court on Friday.

City of Austin employees going back to the office later this year: Will it hurt hiring?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As City of Austin employees shuffle to in-person work starting later this year, recruitment and staffing companies say the city could face hiring challenges. Murray Resources -- a recruiting and staffing firm with an office in Austin -- said clients that don't offer a work from home option at all get anywhere from 25% to 75% less candidates, depending on the position. "If it's 100% in the office, what we tell our clients is that you are giving up a large portion of the candidate pool," Keith Wolf, managing partner at Murray Resources, said. He noted that the hybrid role, where people can work in the office some days and at home others, are typically the most sought after. Some positions with the city will be hybrid starting later this year. Starting in early June, employees in management positions with the city will be required to work five days a week in person. Non-executive staff who have been working from home will have to return to the office no less than three...

New study: Texas earned the title of 'Most Superstitious'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

DALLAS(KDAF) — Texas takes its superstitious beliefs very seriously...very superstitious.. like writing on the walls superstitious.Online Sports Betting website, BETMGM listed the states who are the most to least superstitious states. BETMGM said "We surveyed people from all 42 states to see which states are the most and least superstitious and which superstitions are the most popular across the country. Based on these answers, we developed a “superstition score” that took into account the percentage of respondents from each state who said they believed in each superstition we asked about".Texas has been ranked the highest in superstitious out of all 50 states with a score of 73.96 out of 100. It is no surprise that Texas' favorite superstitious belief is four-leaf clovers, while the bad luck superstitious is breaking a mirror. The most common superstitious action that Texans take is knocking on wood. It is believed that this action will bring protection from bad luck, and bring goo...

PD: Texas mom upset after losing weed, slaps newborn 'I can hit her'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:22 GMT

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas woman told police she hit her child after becoming upset when she could not find weed, documents reveal.Zaira Rina Worrel, 23, of Edinburg, was arrested on charges of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, according to Hidalgo County records.On April 30, Edinburg police received a call from a relative of Worrel, who said Worrel had slapped her 4-month-old several times. The relative told police she heard Worrel scream "callate" several times followed by four or five loud slaps.According to a criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral, Worrel told her relative, "lt's my child. I have the right to hit her," before hitting the child again with an open hand on her face.When police arrived at the residence, Worrel told them she was tired when she got home from work and wanted to rest but her baby would not stop crying."[Worrel] admitted to striking [her baby] in front of her [relative] to prove that she can do whatever she wants ...