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Freedom Library hands out 4,500 books in Massachusetts to combat book bans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

Having handed out thousands books in the South, the NAACP and American Federation of Teachers “Freedom Library” traveled north to give out another 4,500 often-disputed books.“The youth here understood because of what’s going on in Florida what’s going on in Texas, the attack on knowledge,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten at a book giveaway Tuesday. “It’s starting with the attack on reading and on the opportunity to read, the freedom to read books of their choosing.”The giveaways held at the NAACP National Convention and the Boston Teachers Union headquarters throughout the week distributed a wide variety of books, including titles like “Nuestra America,” Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” “B is for Baby” and “The Hate U Give.”The Freedom Library initiative, a collaboration between the NAACP, First Read and AFT, has given away over 1.5 million ...

Russia launches missile and drone barrage on Ukraine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia unleashed a missile and drone barrage Sunday across parts of Ukraine that killed six people, Kyiv officials said, as Moscow followed through on its promise to retaliate for an attack on a Russian tanker.Separately, Moscow’s second-largest airport briefly suspended flights early Sunday following a foiled drone attack near the Russian capital.Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 70 drones and missiles from aircraft over the Caspian Sea, including Iranian-made, Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs.Three waves of missiles hit the Starokostiantyniv area, damaging several buildings and igniting a fire at a warehouse, said Serhiy Tyurin, deputy head of Ukraine’s Khmelnytsky region military administration. The strike may have been intended for the city’s airfield, officials said.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the facilities of aircraft engine manufacturer Motor Sich in the Zaporizhzhia region had also come under attack.The Russian barra...

East County shooting prompts police response

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

LA MESA, Calif. -- Police are investigating a shooting at 8000 University Ave. in La Mesa, authorities tweeted at 4:32 p.m. Sunday.According to the La Mesa Police Department, there is no current threat to community safety. However, they are advising the public to stay clear of the area.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Daimler Truck finance chief Jochen Goetz, credited with its spinoff from Mercedes-Benz maker, dies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

Jochen Goetz, the chief financial officer of Daimler Truck and credited with its successful spinoff from the automotive giant that makes the Mercedes-Benz, has died, the company said Sunday. He was 52.Goetz spent more than three decades working at the Daimler Group, the Stuttgart, Germany-based company best known as the maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. Daimler Truck said he was “decisively responsible” for the spinoff in 2021 of Daimler’s truck division, which is the world’s largest maker of trucks, from the rest of the company that renamed itself Mercedes-Benz Group AG.The company’s statement said Goetz died in a “tragic incident” on Saturday but didn’t give details.“The death of Jochen Goetz is a tremendous loss for Daimler Truck, both personally and professionally,” said a statement from Martin Daum, chairman of the company’s board of management, of which Goetz was also a member.The Associated Press

At least 2 buildings destroyed in flooding in Alaska’s capital from glacial lake water release

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — At least two buildings have been destroyed and residents of others have been evacuated in Juneau after flooding caused by a release of water from a glacier-dammed lake, officials said Sunday.The Mendenhall River flooded Saturday because of a major release from Suicide Basin above Alaska’s capital city, a news release from the City and Borough of Juneau said.Video posted on social media showed towering trees behind a home falling into the rushing river as the water ate away at the bank. Eventually, the home, teetering at the edge, also collapsed into the river.River levels were falling Sunday but the city said the banks of the river remain highly unstable. Some roadways have been blocked by silt and debris from the flooding, it said. Such glacial outburst floods happen when glaciers melt and pour massive amounts of water into nearby lakes. A study released earlier this year found such floods pose a risk to 15 million people around the globe, more than half...

2 injured after being shocked on CTA tracks in Oak Park on their way to Lollapalooza

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

OAK PARK, Ill. — Two people were injured, one critically, after officials said at least one of them touched an energized CTA rail at a stop in Oak Park.According to officials, the two people and a group of friends were going to Lollapalooza when they decided to jump down onto the tracks to take pictures and a man touched an energized rail. Officer-involved shooting under investigation in South Shore The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgeland Green Line CTA station in the 300 block of South Boulevard.Another person, a woman, who also jumped down to take pictures, was also injured possibly trying to help the male. On Sunday, officials said they aren't sure if she was shocked.Several of their friends jumped down and were able to help remove them from the tracks, officials said.The man was in cardiac arrest and taken to a hospital in critical condition, officials said. The female was conscious and also taken to a hospital.As of Sunday, the man is still in critical conditi...

Future uncertain for the US after crashing out of Women's World Cup

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The rest of the world has finally caught up to the United States.The once-dominant Americans crashed out of the Women’s World Cup on penalties after a scoreless draw with Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday. It was the earliest exit ever for the four-time tournament champions.A shootout in the 1999 World Cup — with a much different outcome — supercharged the U.S. team's prominence atop the sport globally. The Americans defeated China on penalties in front of a sellout crowd at the Rose Bowl and Brandi Chastain doffed her jersey in celebration.Except for some desperate energy in the final match, this U.S. team looked uncharacteristically timid and disorganized throughout this World Cup. The two-time defending champions squeaked by in the group stage with just a win against Vietnam and disappointing draws against both the Netherlands and Portugal.The Americans have fallen victim to growing parity in women’s soccer. Former powerhouse team...

'Euphoria' actor Angus Cloud's death was not a suicide, mother says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

(KRON) -- The mother of Angus Cloud, an actor on the HBO show "Euphoria" who died in his home last week, said her son's death was not a suicide. Lisa Cloud posted an update on Facebook Friday about the "shattered time" for their family. She said she appreciates the love the family has received since Cloud's death on Monday. "I also want you to know that although my son was in deep grief about his father's untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one," Lisa Cloud wrote. She said he spent his last day reorganizing his home and talking about how he wanted to take care of his sisters. "He did not intend to end his life," she said. Lisa Cloud said she was not aware if her son took any substances. She said he put his head on his desk, which was filled with art projects he was working on, and he fell asleep. Cloud never woke up. He was 25 years old."We may find out that he overdosed accidentally and tragically, but it's abundantly clear that he did not intend to check ou...

Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 50% contained; Kyle mayor said 1 home destroyed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — At least one home and numerous outbuildings were destroyed along with multiple homes evacuated after a wildfire in Hays County started Saturday. Officials said no more evacuations were in place Sunday. Officials responded to the fire, named the Oak Grove Fire, shortly after 3 p.m., according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services website. PHOTOS: Oak Grove Fire burns in Hays County The fire was first reported to be near Oak Grove Road near San Marcos. It is estimated at 400 acres and 50% contained as of Sunday evening, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Forest Service said the fire did not grow and any flare-ups and visible smoke came from inside containment lines.Community members gather supplies for those impacted by the Oak Grove Fire Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Community members share their gratitude with local firefighters and other agencies responding to the Oak Gro...

1 dead, 1 taken to hospital after rollover in far west Austin

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:53:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One adult was killed and another suffered potentially serious injuries after a rollover crash Sunday in far west Austin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.The crash happened at 3210 Hillbilly Lane near Bunny Run, Rivercrest Drive and St. Stephens Episcopal School. ATCEMS posted on social media at 6:20 p.m. saying that one person died at the scene of the crash and that there was a possible ejection. A follow-up post said medics took an adult to St. David's South Austin Medical Center as a trauma alert with potentially serious injuries.ATCEMS said it received the call at 5:46 p.m. Please avoid the area as first responders investigate the scene.We will update this story with more information as it becomes available.