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New Kristin Hannah novel, ‘The Women,’ coming in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The next novel from million-selling author Kristin Hannah is a war story set in the 1960s.St. Martin’s Press announced Tuesday that Hannah’s “The Women” will be published next winter, Feb. 6. The novel follows the life of young nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath, whose traditional upbringing is upended by the Vietnam War, her decision to volunteer and the bitter divisions it creates in the U.S.“’The Women’ is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others,” according to the publisher. “Women whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has all too often been forgotten.”Hannah’s previous works include such best-sellers as “The Nightingale,” “The Great Alone” and “The Four Winds,” one of the most popular releases in 2021.The Associated Press

2 men found dead on West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A death investigation is underway after two men were found dead on the city's West Side.Police said two men, between the ages of 40-50, were found unresponsive in the 900 block of North Pulaski around 12:23 a.m. Monday. Both were pronounced dead on the scene. 16-year-old boy fatally shot in Glenwood According to police, there was no signs of injury of trauma to either of the men's bodies.Detectives are conducting a death investigation.

17-year-old boy critical after South Side shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A 17-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot while inside a vehicle on the city's South Side.The shooting happened around 5:37 a.m. Tuesday in the 0-100 block of East 59th Street. Police said the 17-year-old was inside a car when a red SUV approached, a male offender exited the vehicle and opened fire.The offender then fled down an alley with the SUV following. 16-year-old boy fatally shot in Glenwood The teen was shot on the left side of the head. He was dropped off at St. Bernard Hospital and was then transferred to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, according to police.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.

'Misty of Chincoteague' home saved by fans from around the country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) - The home of the most famous of Chincoteague Island's beloved ponies, Misty, will live on as a museum thanks to donations "from every corner of the country" and beyond.As of Monday, more than $450,000 had been raised to save the Beebe Ranch, which still includes the original home where Misty and her foal Stormy rode out the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 -- in the kitchen, that is.A statue dedicated to Misty from Brian Maughan in downtown Chincoteague (WAVY/Brian Reese)Aside from just saving the physical history, it's also become a refreshing reminder in the pony-centric Virginia town of just how important the 1947 book "Misty of Chincoteague" and subsequent series from author Marguerite Henry means to people of all ages. The book "...is still one of the most sought-after books for kids about horses..." said Cindy Faith, whose Museum of Chincoteague Island will buy the ranch through the fundraiser. The Beebe Ranch, including the original Beebe home (WAVY/Brian...

CPD: Man shot after running away from attempted robbery at Near West Side gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was shot after an attempted robbery early Tuesday morning at a Near West Side gas station.Just before 3:45 a.m., police said a 48-year-old man was at a gas station, located in the 2400 block of West Roosevelt Road, when four other males approached with guns.They demanded his property and the man attempted to run. The 48-year-old man was shot in the legs and drove himself to Mt. Sinai. CPD said he is in serious condition. Man wanted after 35-year-old battered, robbed on Blue Line train No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

These are the best (and worst) US states for broadband access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

(The Hill) -- After the pandemic knocked millions of Americans back home to continue work and school, the importance of broadband access in the U.S. has come under a microscope.While the transition had sweeping effects on our mental health, the struggle was compounded in states and areas with poor broadband access. Federal and state authorities have directed billions toward closing the broadband divide, but many Americans may still have a long wait for high-speed internet in their homes. Read more from The Hill's special coverage on the future of broadband here. Here are the best and worst states for broadband internet in the U.S.Northeast dominates the best states for broadbandThere are two key considerations for how good the broadband infrastructure is in a state — overall coverage and quality of those connections.A February report from BroadbandNow Research, a research firm that conducts comparisons on internet companies using data from the Federal Communications Commission a...

After School Satan Clubs gain popularity amid legal victories

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

(The Hill) - After School Satan Clubs have been steadily increasing in popularity and are not likely to slow down as their supporters rack up media attention and legal wins fighting for free speech. The clubs, associated with the Satanic Temple and currently only offered in primary schools, began at the beginning of 2020 and quickly gained attention from parents who wanted an alternative to religious clubs, according to June Everett, campaign director of the After School Satan Club.“That's kind of when things started blowing up. And I anticipate that every year moving forward is going to get busier and busier,” Everett told The Hill. Last Monday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Satanic Temple and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which sued when a Northampton County school district would not allow the club to meet at on its grounds. “In a victory for free speech and religious freedom, a federal court has ...

Daniel Perry to be sentenced for murder in 2020 shooting at downtown Austin protest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Daniel Perry, who was convicted last month of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin in 2020, is set to be sentenced Tuesday at 9 a.m. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death During Perry's trial, a jury was presented evidence including police body camera footage after the incident, interview footage of Perry in the Austin Police Headquarters interrogation room, 3D renderings of how close Foster was to Perry’s car, 911 calls, cell phone records, witness video, photos and more.Over the span of eight days, the jury heard testimony from nearly 40 witnesses: Protesters, Foster’s fiancé, police officers, and the lead detective who investigated the case.After deliberating for around 15 hours, a group of 12 jurors found Perry guilty of murder on April 8. Perry was found not guilty for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.A day after Perry’s conviction, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for his pardon, saying in a&...

Why are TxTag customers getting pay-by-mail bills?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Almost immediately after buying her car, Bobbie Wilson ordered a TxTag sticker to automatically deduct money from her account when she travels through tolls. She thought it would make her commutes easier and save her money, since those with one pay less than if bills are sent by mail."It arrived in the mail, on time, and I stuck it to my car," she said. "So, so happy that I had one....

'It ain't working.' TxTag auto pay problems leave some drivers with big bills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:51 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Joe Hanson's job repairing and consulting on screen printers takes him all over Texas. “As far north as you can go, as far south as you can go, I have customers, so I do a lot of driving,” he said.With all the time Hanson spends on the road, he usually pays more than $100 a month in tolls. For years, he's relied on a TxTag — the system that touts itself as making it easy to pay...