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Obama shares his favorite books of 2023 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

(The Hill) — Former President Obama shared his favorite books of this year in a Friday post on X, formerly known as Twitter.“As I usually do during this time of year, I wanted to share my favorite books, movies, and music of 2023,” Obama said in his post.“First up, here are the books I've enjoyed reading,” the former president continued. “If you’re looking for a new book over the holidays, give one of them a try. And if you can, shop at an independent bookstore or check them out at your local library.”The former president’s list included books like “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese, “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,” by Tim Alberta and “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff. Obama has insisted in the past that his annual book, music and movie lists are “stuff” he “actually” likes. “People, they believe the books and the movies, but the playlists, they somehow think — and this is mostly coming from young people like you — somehow you all think you invented rock ...

How rich was the McCallister family in 'Home Alone'?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN-TV/NEXSTAR) — It's been 33 years since Macaulay Culkin first slapped his face with aftershave in the Christmas classic "Home Alone" — and the Chris Columbus-directed comedy has only gotten more popular with age.And while the film remains a constant holiday tradition, it's also spawned many burning questions. Just weeks ago, TikTok users were wondering how much Kevin McCallister's grocery order would cost today. But something else money-related keeps standing out to "Home Alone" watchers: was Kevin's family rich? Which grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2023? Questions about the McCallister family's finances are based on a few details in the movie, including that the entire family was flying to Paris over the holidays. But mostly, people tend to focus on the size and condition of the family's Chicago suburb home.The New York Times recently talked to experts with the Federal Reserve who compared the home to similar ones in Chicago in the ear...

Sources: Woman killed in crash outside El Paso was founding member of Dixie Chicks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A 65-year-old woman from Fort Worth who is being identified as a founding member of The Dixie Chicks was killed and another person was hurt in a head-on collision Friday night, Dec. 22 along U.S. Highway 62 in Hudspeth County. The woman was identified as Laura Caroline Lynch by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The New York Post and CBS Network are both reporting that Lynch was a founding member of The Dixie Chicks musical group and was the woman who was killed in the crash outside of El Paso on Friday night. TMZ is also reporting Lynch, a founding member of the band, was killed in the crash.The band has since been renamed The Chicks.The crash happened at about 5:45 p.m. about 25 miles west of Dell City and about 8 miles west of Cornudas, according to DPS. DPS: 1 dead, 1 hurt in head-on collision on US 62/180 According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a pickup truck was traveling westbound on U.S. 62 when the driver tried to pass another vehi...

Former Texas QB Maalik Murphy transfers to Duke

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Maalik Murphy, Texas' backup quarterback who stepped in to lead the Longhorns to two Big 12 Conference wins this season, will transfer to Duke University.He announced his decision Saturday on social media. He will try to get the starting job for the Blue Devils after previous quarterback Riley Leonard transferred to Notre Dame. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: QB Maalik Murphy to transfer from Texas Murphy has three years of eligibility remaining after finishing his redshirt freshman season with the Longhorns. Duke (8-5) defeated Troy 17-10 in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday with true freshman Grayson Loftis taking the snaps. He threw for 183 yards with an interception against the Trojans (11-3), the 2023 Sun Belt Conference champions.Murphy stepped in for starter Quinn Ewers and led the Longhorns to wins over BYU and Kansas State. Murphy finished the season 40 of 71 passing for 477 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, appearing in seven games including his two s...

How Christmas in Texas has always been different

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

TEXAS (KAMR/KCIT) - From colorful trees to cozy sleigh rides, many ubiquitous holiday symbols and traditions weren't common in Texas until the 20th century, despite being the site of the country's first Christmas. Instead, Christmas in the Lone Star State has historically been distinct from the rest of the United States.From the time of Spanish conquistadors to the reign of the cowboys, Texas for most of its history has been comprised of vast stretches of unincorporated wilderness. Even after the population boom of the 1880s-1890s, most of the communities around the state were rural with lower-density populations, and in decades previous many did not have access to railroads or other convenient trading routes and supplies. Because of this, festive occasions throughout Texas history have depended on the supplies that its people had on hand at the time; meaning Christmas in Texas has far less often featured roasting chestnuts on an open fire than a community rodeo. Christmas caroling ...

Texas woman connected to multi-million PPP fraud sentenced to prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- A Lubbock woman was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison for "concealing a PPP Loan Fraud," the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced on Monday.According to court documents, Hope Leticia Hastey, 51, founded a company that provided contract services such as speech and occupational therapy. Along with her company, Radar Supports, federal court records said Hastey also founded Radar Foundations, a non-profit that organized community fundraisers for people with "intellectual limitations."The company had about 10 employees and the foundation had none, court records said. Court records stated in May 2020, an assumed name certificate was filed for "Radar Supports Construction," indicating Hastey as the owner. Court records stated the entity never provided services of any kind and never filed a tax return. File image of Hope Hastey (Nexstar/Staff)Hastey hired Andrew Travis Johnson for bookkeeping services. Johnson later pleaded guil...

Charley Walters: Vikings’ owners facing tough financial decisions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

During the 17 years that Zygi and Mark Wilf have owned the Vikings, the team has made the playoffs seven times. A loss on Sunday to the favored Detroit Lions would make the postseason unlikely. Going forward, the Wilfs face difficult spending decisions.Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) loosens up during warm ups before the start of a NFL Wildcard Round game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)Foremost will be quarterback. It’s unclear whether the underwhelming play of Vikings backups will improve Kirk Cousins’ free agency market, which could reach $40 million next spring.It seems likely that had Cousins not been lost for the remaining nine games due to Achilles surgery, the Vikings would have won a couple more games and been a legitimate NFC North contender with the Lions.But Cousins isn’t expected to be fully recovered in March when free agency begins. The draft isn’t until April, and the...

Police: Troy man arrested after search yields drugs and cash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Police arrested Royal Teasley, 37, of Troy on Friday. This after a monthlong investigation by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit and the Sheriff’s Emergency Service Unit. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Those agencies executed a search warrant at Teasley's home on 6th Avenue in Troy, where they claim to have found over a pound of coke and fentanyl, an ounce of meth, 20 pounds of weed, a loaded handgun without a serial number, scales and packaging for sales, and over $20,000 in cash. He was arrested on several charges:First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceTwo counts of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceThird-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponcriminal possession of a firearmTeasley went to jail without bail after his arraignment in Brunswick Town Court.

Israel strikes 2 homes, killing more than 90 Palestinians. Biden says he didn't request a cease-fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 90 Palestinians, including dozens from an extended family, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on two homes in Gaza, rescuers and hospital officials said Saturday, a day after the U.N. chief warned that nowhere is safe in the territory and that Israel’s offensive creates “massive obstacles” to distribution of humanitarian aid.U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation a day after the Biden administration again shielded Israel in the diplomatic arena. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution that calls for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not for a cease-fire.“I did not ask for a cease-fire,” Biden said of the call. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “made clear that Israel would continue the war until achieving all its goals.”Also Saturday, the Israeli military said troops arrested ...

Antioch: 26-year-old man shot and killed, suspect arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:23:40 GMT

A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in Antioch on Friday evening, police said.At around 6:30 p.m., police received reports of a shooting and found the man with a gunshot wound in the 800 block of Sunset Drive. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.Officers later arrested a suspect in the neighborhood.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Person injured in Daly City shooting remains in critical condition, police say Crime and Public Safety | Two men wounded in Oakland shootings Crime and Public Safety | Three detained after an East Bay shooting leaves one dead Crime and Public Safety | Mother of 6-year-old school shooter gets 2 years in prison Crime and Public Safety | Two shot in North Oakland residence early Saturday morning The name of the victim was being withheld until his family was notified. Police said they were not releasing any more information pending an investigation into the shooting...