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WATCH: Trial day 4 of two former DCFS workers in connection with the 2019 death of 5-year-old AJ Freund

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — The trial for two former Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) workers accused of child endangerment enters its fourth day Thursday.The multiple felony charges filed in Sept. 2020 against Andrew Polovin and Carlos Acosta stem from the April 2019 death of five-year-old Andrew “AJ” Freund of Crystal Lake. They are accused of having known Freund’s life was in danger four months earlier yet not taking action.WGN plans to livestream the trial within this story beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. The livestream will pause when the court takes its lunch break, but will resume within this story following that break. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cross-examination continues on Day 3 of AJ Freund’s death, DCFS workers’ trial The bench trial began on Monday with the McHenry County State’s Attorney providing an opening statement for the prosecution, and separate attorneys providing statements for each of the defendants. Defense attorneys spent most of Wednesday's proc...

Lunchbreak: Hellfire Burger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

Zac Clemetson, Executive Chef at Alamo Drafthouse ChicagoAlamo Drafthouse Chicago3519 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657https://drafthouse.com/chicagoRecipe:Hellfire BurgerINGREDIENTS (makes 1)Ground Beef, .5 lbSalt & pepper to tasteHamburger bunButter, Melted as neededCaramelized Onions* 1 Tablespoon (recipe below)1 onionButter, 2 tablespoons1 slice of pepper jack cheeseReaper Hot Sauce Aioli 1 Tablespoon (recipe below)Mayonnaise, 2 tablespoonsCarolina Reaper Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce), 1 tablespoonBlue Cheese Crumbles, 2 TablespoonsInstructions:Combine ground beef, salt, pepper and  form into a burger patty; don't overmix.Heat grill or skillet to medium heat (about 350 degrees) and cook for 4 minutes on one side and about 5 minutes on the other until the internal temperature is to your liking.With about a minute of cook time left, add the slice of pepper jack cheese and blue cheese crumbles.To make the carmelized onions, melt the butter and saute the onions for 15...

Boy, 10, found dead of gunshot wound after going missing during hunting trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

MASON COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – A 10-year-old boy in Mason County, West Virginia, was found dead on Sunday morning from a gunshot wound after becoming separated from his grandfather during a hunting trip the day before.Wyatt Ray Eaves and his grandfather had set out Saturday to go hunting, an activity they both loved, his mother Adrienne Nibert told Nexstar's WOWK."He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping, he loved it all," Nibert said. "If you’ve seen him, you’ve seen his grandpa. They were best friends.” Former NBA player Brandon Hunter dies after yoga class: report Nibert told WCHS that the two had just finished eating lunch on Saturday when the 10-year-old went off to look for squirrels to hunt. When his grandfather finished cleaning up, the boy was nowhere to be seen, she said. Around 3 p.m. that day, crews from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, as well as local fire and EMS departments, were called to the site of an ATV accident in the Salt Creek area of Mason County. Th...

70% chance of 'strong' El Niño: How long will it last?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – This year's El Niño season is looking stronger and longer in the latest outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The odds of a historically strong El Niño grew to 71% in this month's update. Even more certain is the climate pattern seems determined to stick around. NOAA forecasters said there's a larger than 95% chance it last until the start of spring and a 60% chance it keeps going all the way until summer. ‘Historically strong’ El Niño possible: What it means for winter During an El Niño winter, the southern third to half of the United States, including California, tends to get more precipitation. (Exactly where that dividing line falls varies from year to year.) Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Ohio Valley tend to be dry and warm.Hawaii also often sees below-average rain during an El Niño fall, winter, and spring season.The effects of El Niño are usually the strongest during winter.Even if this year's El Niño f...

WATCH LIVE: Defense calls first witness after House rests its case in Paxton impeachment trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Defense attorneys representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton called their first witness on day eight of the historic impeachment trial when it resumes at 9 a.m. Thursday.An attorney representing the House impeachment managers rested their case Wednesday afternoon, but did so accidentally before the defense could cross-examine another whistleblower.Watch the live stream above and follow Reporter Monica Madden's updates on X below (Note: you may have to sign into X to view)Tweets by themonicamadden After wrapping up questioning of Blake Brickman — another whistleblower — attorney Rusty Hardin said, “The House rests.” He then apologized and added, “Here’s the problem: I messed up and shouldn’t have rested until [Tony Buzbee] finished his cross.” Buzbee then interjected by saying, “And yet you did.” CATCH-UP: House attorney calls it ‘screw-up’ to rest case against Ken Paxton His move promoted Paxton's attorneys to make a swift motion to dismiss the articles ...

Another round of storms expected later today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We started the morning with heavy rain and storms bringing parts of Central Texas 1-3" of rain within a roughly 2 hour period. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS More storms are expected to gradually redevelop later this afternoon. Before that we'll see a mix of sun and clouds with high temperatures heading into the low to mid 90s as a warm front makes a push into the area. While isolated storms are possible before 3 p.m., the best chance for scattered storms appears to be 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. with storms approaching from west-northwest moving east-southeast. Keep an eye on the Hill Country later today as a preview for what we could get in the Austin Metro and Eastern Counties.Future radar for 6pmLocalized flash flooding and isolated severe storms with damaging winds and large hail the primary concerns.Rounds of storms and downpours appear to return Friday and Saturday, but specific timing on these rounds would be hard to nail down. Additional rainfall amounts will generall...

Iowa police officer killed; suspect captured hours later in Minnesota

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

ALGONA, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa police officer died after being shot while trying to arrest a man who was later captured in Minnesota, officials said Thursday.Algona Police officer Kevin Cram was shot just before 8 p.m. Wednesday as he tried to serve an arrest warrant on 43-year-old Kyle Ricke, said Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Cram, a 33-year-old husband and father who had been an officer in Algona since 2015, was pronounced dead at a hospital.The shooting prompted a Blue Alert to let the public know a suspect who posed a potential threat to law enforcement was on the loose. Ricke was captured without incident just before midnight and taken into custody in Brown County, Minnesota. Brown County is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Algona.“Tragic, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching pain and agony, but we will bow our backs, we will be strong, and we will continue to do our jobs,” Iowa Department of Public Safety Co...

Defendant pleads not guilty in Albany homicide case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A South Glens Falls man has pleaded not guilty in relation to an Albany homicide case, according to the Albany County District Attorney's Office. Jeff Henderson, 20, stands accused of the murder of Benjamin Rowe. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The indictment alleges that at 2 a.m. on June 25, Henderson caused the death of Rowe in the area of 503 Hamilton Street in Albany. Henderson is also accused of possessing a loaded firearm at the time and place of the incident. On September 14, Henderson pled not guilty to the charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon before the Albany Supreme Court. He was remanded to the Albany County Jail and will return to court on October 27.

Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: September 15-17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The weekend is almost here! From festivals to Oktoberfest events to the Capital District Reptile Expo, there are quite a few things happening on September 15, 16, and 17. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Here are some of the events going on around the Capital Region this weekend.Friday, September 15Outlaw Music Festival, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 5 p.m. You can still buy tickets on the Live Nation website.Cage Wars 61, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, 7 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Cage Wars website.Apple Festival, Warrensburgh Riverfront Farmers' Market on River Street in Warrensburg, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.St. Johnsville September Fest, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Baseball Park, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nightclub takes over former Bradley bar spot in Troy Saturday, September 16Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Empire State Plaza in Albany, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.PearlPalooza, North Pearl Street in Albany, 11 a.m....

Pay Transparency Law to take effect on September 17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2022 will take effect beginning on Sunday. Moving forward, employment agencies and all employers with at least four employees must include a salary or salary range for all advertised jobs and promotions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to Governor Hochul, the law is a critical tool to help end pay gaps for women and people of color. "In order for New York to continue being the best place to work, we must create the best protection for our workers - and this legislation will help do exactly that. This historic measure will usher in a new era of fairness and transparency for New York's workforce."The range should show the job postings' minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range. All employers must also disclose the job description and keep records of the compensation ranges.