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Ecuador says 57 guards and police officers are released after being held hostage in several prisons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorian authorities announced Friday the release of 50 guards and seven police officers who were taken hostage for more than a day, in what the government described as a response by criminal groups to its efforts to regain control of several large correctional facilities in the South American country.The country’s corrections system, the National Service for Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty, said in a statement that the 57 law enforcement officers —who were held in six different prisons — are safe, but it didn’t offer details about how they were released.Early Friday, criminal groups in Ecuador used explosives to damage a bridge, the latest in a series of attacks this week. Nobody was injured in the explosion.Government officials have described the violent acts as the work of criminal gangs with members in prisons responding to efforts by authorities to retake control of several penitentiaries by relocating inmates, seizing weapons and other st...

Chicago Red Stars officially have new owners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

CHICAGO — The National Women's Professional Soccer team in Chicago officially has a new owner as of Friday. A group led by Laura Ricketts is now in control of the Chicago Red Stars and ready to usher the club into a new era.The @chicagoredstars have officially been sold to a group of investors led by Laura Ricketts for $60 million..Statements from Ricketts & list of investors are below..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/RlkhhSoThQ— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) September 1, 2023The Cubs co-owner and Chicago Sky minority owner along with a collection of business and civic leaders officially purchased them for $60 million on Friday after official approval from the NWSL board. On August 15, it was announced that Ricketts had come to an agreement with former owner Arnim Whisler to purchase the Red Stars. “We wholeheartedly believe in and are excited about the future of the Red Stars and the NWSL. There is unprecedented fan growth in women’s soccer globally, and we want to...

Community rallies to support man injured in shooting at nephew's funeral

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

CHICAGO — A shooting last month outside a funeral home in Grand Crossing left two men seriously wounded, including a beloved member of a local gym community.Brandon Bradberry, 38, was attending his nephew's funeral on Aug. 16 when he was shot in the head, neck and face during a drive-by shooting. Man stabbed while riding on CTA Red Line train: police With a long road to recovery ahead, his family and his gym community at First Ascent are rallying to show him he's not alone.Chicago police were present at the funeral, but the brazen attack left funeralgoers diving for cover.Bradberry's family said the injuries he sustained have required extensive medical attention, surgeries and ongoing rehab.Family and friends said he is loving, energetic and warm to everyone he meets. Now they're overwhelmed by the way people are showing that love in return.Bradberry's family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses, rehab and whatever he may need as he moves forward.They have already r...

Woman accused of mail thefts in Chicago arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman accused of several burglaries and mail thefts around the Chicago area has been taken into custody, according to the United States Postal Inspection Service.In a security video, the suspect, who can be seen using a postal master key, opened the mailboxes in a Bucktown apartment complex and stole several packages and envelopes from the residents. ‘Beyond frightful’: 2 men injured in suburban Metra stairway collapse The Postal Inspection Service says the suspect, 33-year-old Kalea Blanke, was identified thanks to a joint investigation with the Chicago Police Department.“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from criminal activity, preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, and protecting United States Postal Service employees." Ruth Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said. "We value our law enforcement partners and their support of our mission." Nearly 1.6M fl...

CTA offers free post-game transportation for Bears' home opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears take on their oldest rival next Sunday and the CTA has teamed up with Miller Lite to provide fans free post-game transportation for the home opener.The Bears are set to face off against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 10 and Molson Coors, the parent company of Miller Lite, is offering fans fare-free route options after the game, to promote responsible celebrations. Chicago Football Classic makes its return this weekend Fans who attend Sunday's game will be able to ride the following CTA Routes for free afterwards:#128 Soldier Field Express bus#146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express busRoosevelt Red/Green/Orange LineMolson Coors has offered free post-game rides as part of its "Free Rides" program since 1988. The company says since that time it has provided more than 8 million rides to sports fans across the country across the country.“As we kick off the 2023 season, we’re standing with our partners to turn cheers at the game into reliab...

Beer battlegrounds: Should colleges sell alcohol at sports games?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

(NewsNation) — The Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday to authorize a liquor license at four home football games this year. It’s a move Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who supported legislation to lift bans on alcohol sales at college sporting events, says will bring in "a heck of a lot more revenue" and could reduce binge drinking at pre-games. Could rising gambling revenues be a sign of a stronger economy? However, University of Massachusetts alum and New York Giants wide receiver Brandon London says he has concerns about the alcohol sales and even contacted MSU."When you throw alcohol in the mix, and especially when people get overly drunk or too drunk, then instead of it being a rowdy and raucous atmosphere, it becomes unpleasurable for everybody: Both player and fans," London said. At the University of Kentucky’s football games this season, fans at Kroger Field will for the first time have a chance to purchase beer and hard seltzer at th...

Michigan zoo making changes after fatal pygmy hippo attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Months after a pygmy hippo attacked and killed a sitatunga, a medium-sized antelope, the John Ball Zoo, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has updated its protocols and procedures for introducing animals.The internal review found that the attack was "likely due to individual animal behavior as zoo staff undertook significant efforts to be fully prepared before and during the introduction of the two animals," the zoo said.The attack happened in May during a controlled introduction between the hippo and a male sitatunga named Chopper. The two had visually been introduced in preparation for them to be in a new multi-species habitat together. Those meetings went well, the zoo said. Pygmy hippo attacks, kills sitatunga at John Ball Zoo “Based on our team’s extensive research and the animal behavior we observed, we believed this would be a successful introduction,” Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo, said in a press release. "We are deeply saddened that t...

APD identifies man accused of shooting 1 person, seriously injuring another at The Arboretum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified a man accused of shooting one person and seriously injuring another at the Teapioca Lounge in The Arboretum outdoor shopping mall on Thursday.Police identified the suspect as Tang-Kang Dave Chiang, 38, and identified the victim who died on the scene as Laura Jauregui, 64. It's still not known what the relationship between Chiang, Jauregui and the other shooting victim was, per a Friday APD press release. Teapioca, the boba tea business, was closed Friday afternoon with one of its windows boarded up. Teapioca Lounge posted to its Facebook Friday about the shooting. "It is with heavy hearts that Teapioca Lounge, a dedicated member of the Arboretum in Austin, Texas, expresses its deepest condolences to the victims, families, and communities affected by the recent tragedy that took place," the business wrote in a Facebook post. "We will continue to stand by the Arboretum as we work towards ...

Number of Texans receiving abortions out of state almost tripled in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of Texans seeking an abortion out of state almost tripled in 2022, after a state law went into effect that bans the procedure in almost all cases.New data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission shows at least 4,718 Texas residents received an abortion in a different state last year, up from 1,712 in 2021.Still, the total number of abortions for Texas residents more than halved in the same timeframe, state data shows. Fewer than 22,000 abortions were performed last year, down from more than 52,000 in 2021.In the first four months of this year, just 17 abortions have been reported in Texas, all due to medical emergency and to preserve the health of the mother.Texas receives reports from other states through the State and Territorial Exchange of Vital Events, a public health reporting system maintained by the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems.Reporting abortion data to the system is voluntary, and not ...

A walk to remember: Sarkisian's pregame stroll is about staying grounded, being focused

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Going on a walk can serve a lot of different purposes. Some use walks for exercise, to take a break from life's stresses or just to have some time to themselves. When Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian takes his pregame walk around DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium before his team hosts Rice, his goal is to enjoy the moment.It's something he does before every game, and when he's leisurely making his way around, he's reflecting on all the work that gives him the opportunity to soak it all in. Players to watch: Longhorns relying on offensive, defensive stars this season "It's like the walks we all go on. I have some music on and I try to take it all in," Sarkisian said. "There's a lot of cool things that come with being a football coach, and there's a lot of hard work to get here. I never want to miss the moment. I want to enjoy the opportunities we have."DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on the University of Texas campus (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) He's typically on...