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Hamas practiced in plain sight, posting video of mock attack weeks before border breach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Less than a month before Hamas fighters blew through Israel’s high-tech “Iron Wall” and launched an attack that would leave more than 1,200 Israelis dead, they practiced in a very public dress rehearsal.A slickly produced two-minute propaganda video posted to social media by Hamas on Sept. 12 shows fighters using explosives to blast through a replica of the border gate, sweep in on pickup trucks and then move building by building through a full-scale reconstruction of an Israeli town, firing automatic weapons at human-silhouetted paper targets.The Islamic militant group’s live-fire exercise dubbed operation “Strong Pillar” also shows militants wearing body armor and combat fatigues swiftly carrying out operations that included the destruction of mock-ups of the wall’s concrete towers and a communications antenna, just as they would do for real in the deadly attack last Saturday.While Israel’s highly regarded security and intelligence services were clearly caught flatfooted by Hamas’...

Person accused in fatal shooting of 2 in Georgia dies by suicide while fleeing, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

SMYRNA, Ga. (AP) — A person suspected of fatally shooting two people on Thursday near a dental office northwest of Atlanta died by suicide when officers tried to stop the individual’s vehicle, police said.The Cobb County Police Department said in a Facebook post that their major crimes unit is investigating a double homicide that happened near a dentist’s office in Smyrna. Preliminary investigation suggests that a person approached the business and then shot and killed two people who were known to that person, police said. The suspected shooter then fled in a vehicle that was spotted later, according to law enforcement. When police tried to stop it, the person died by suicide. No further information was immediately released, including the names of the people involved. The Associated Press

80-year-old critically injured in Hamilton-area crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

An 80-year-old has suffered life-threatening injuries following a three-vehicle crash in Hamilton on Thursday afternoon.OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says a vehicle travelling southbound on Highway 6 crossed over into the northbound lanes and struck two other vehicles between Parkside Drive and 5th Concession around 1 p.m.The 80-year-old driver of the southbound car was taken to hospital with critical injuries. Three other people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.Collision: #Hwy6/4th Con. – 3 vehicles involved, a SB vehicle entered NB lanes colliding with two NB vehicles. Driver of SB vehicle sustained serious injuries. Hwy 6 closed between 5th Con. and Parkside Dr. #BurlingtonOPP ^ks pic.twitter.com/jS4GEy1R9j— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) October 12, 2023

CPD: Thieves breaking into contractor work vehicles on South Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent out a community alert Thursday to warn South Side residents about a string of incidents where thieves broke into contractors' work vehicles earlier this week.According to police, the work vehicle break-ins took place in the Douglas, Grand Boulevard and Kenwood neighborhoods from Tuesday through Thursday, and in each incident unknown offenders made entry into a parked contractor work vehicle and took property from within. 2 charged in $5M high-end theft ring: Lyons police Times and Locations4800 block of South Lake Park Avenue on Oct. 10, 2023 at 9:15 a.m.4100 block of South State Street on Oct. 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.3500 block of South Prairie Avenue on Oct. 12, 2023 at 8:45 a.m.4800 block of South Chicago Beach Drive on Oct. 12, 2023 between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.Those who have information that could help lead CPD toward making an arrest and conviction in the investigation of these incidents are encouraged to reach out to Area One B...

WGN-TV legend Tom Skilling to retire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN-TV) — Tom Skilling, who has defined the gold standard of being a TV meteorologist and has been forecasting the weather on WGN-TV for the past 45 years, announced tonight on "WGN Evening News" that he will retire on February 28, 2024.“If you had told young Tom Skilling that he would go on to have a career in weather spanning seven decades, working in Chicago, with some truly wonderful people, I think he would be overjoyed,” says Skilling. "And that’s how I feel today: Overjoyed at the colleagues I’ve worked with, the viewers I’ve met, the stories I’ve covered. Overjoyed and grateful. I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it for anything.” WATCH: Tom Skilling announces retirement Skilling started his successful career at the unheard-of age of 14 at WKKD in Aurora, while still in high school. He had a series of radio and TV jobs in Illinois and Wisconsin before coming to WGN-TV in August of 1978. Known for his in-depth and highly detailed weather segments, Tom has elevate...

City of Austin on high alert as war wages on in Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is on high alert according to Mayor Kirk Watson as the war wages on in Israel."We have not received any information to believe that a threat is imminent here in Austin. However, our Austin Police and Homeland Security & Emergency Management departments are on high alert to help prevent and respond to any act of violence that may be attempted." said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson in a press release released Thursday.As fighting continues in Israel and Gaza, reports of a former Hamas leader calling for a day of action has left many concerned.Some are calling Friday Oct. 13 a "day of Jihad", "day of anger", or "day of terror.""I think at the moment people should have situational awareness," said Ryan Bohl who works for RANE, a political risk advisory firm.Bohl said these threats can cause panic, but that is one of the main goals."There is no need to necessarily engage in paranoia, but taking a look and thinking to yourself where are the exits at a locat...

Thousands flooding to Austin for events staying in unlicensed short term rentals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As tens of thousands of people flood to Austin for major events, like Austin City Limits Music Festival and F1 racing, a majority of them staying in short term rentals (like AirBnB or VRBO) will be staying in rentals unlicensed by the City of Austin.Despite Austin City Council chatter about how to get property owners to comply, thousands of short term rentals remain without a City-required license, according to the City's Development Services Department. KXAN previously reported that a previous crackdown on unlicensed rentals faced legal challenges. As of Thursday, the department said there are 2,201 active short term rental licenses, "ranging from single-family to multi-family residences." 2022: Thousands flooding to Austin for events are staying in unlicensed short-term rentals While the City of Austin said it doesn't have an accurate way of tracking all short term rentals in the City, AirDNA -- which has been used by the City to provide estimates to City Counc...

Preschool students decorate spider donuts for Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Halloween is just a few weeks away, and some local preschoolers got into the spooky season spirit. Dunkin' donated spider donut decoration kits to the Capital Region BOCES preschool in Albany.Organizers said the kids learned a lot from the activity and then got to enjoy a tasty treat. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Children are learning how to follow directions. Each child was given directions on how to put the donuts together, so they're learning how to follow directions," Capital Region BOCES Preschool Dir. Colleen Munger said. "They're also learning how to share, because there was a common frosting being passed between the children to make the legs, so they're learning how to cooperate with each other and make an art activity and then enjoy eating it after."The spider donut consists of orange frosting topped with a chocolate glazed donut hole and chocolate drizzle.

Juvenile briefly taken hostage in St. Charles County, suspect arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - A juvenile was briefly taken hostage Thursday evening in rural St. Charles County, but he was found safe and unharmed. Authorities have arrested one suspect linked to the investigation. The St. Charles County Police Department responded to the situation around 6:30 p.m. Thursday. An initial report to the department claimed an armed man took a juvenile hostage at the Lake Sherwood development near New Melle. Football coach shot in front of players at practice, St. Louis community shocked A SWAT team arrived to the area just after 7 p.m. Nearly half an hour later, the suspect attempted to get away with the juvenile. Investigators say his vehicle was spiked by Warren County deputies, and the suspect turned himself in shortly after that. The St. Charles County Police Department tells FOX 2 the juvenile was not hurt, nor were any law enforcement officers. Police say there were not any shots fired during the encounter. Close Thanks for s...

Colorado Rapids considering Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere for head coach job, according to reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Since becoming the head figure at the Colorado Rapids in 2018, club president Pádraig Smith has significantly built up and enhanced the connections with its sister club, Arsenal FC of the English Premier League.On Thursday, multiple reports stated Arsenal under-18 head coach Jack Wilshere interviewed for and is being considered for the vacant Rapids head coach position. Both teams are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and Thursday.The Athletic’s David Ornstein first reported the news Arsenal formally approved the Rapids to speak to Wilshere, 31, to interview for the role. Ornstein added “he is thought to have impressed during his interview”.In a statement to The Denver Post, a club spokesperson said the team would “respectfully decline to confirm or deny any rumors about specific candidates out of respect for our pool of candidates.”The Post reported last week that the Rapids were down to five candidates after the first round of interviews, wh...