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William Friedkin, Oscar-winning director of ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The French Connection,’ dead at 87

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — William Friedkin, the generation-defining director who brought a visceral realism to 1970s hits “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist” and was quickly anointed one of Hollywood’s top directors when he was only in his 30s, has died. He was 87.Friedkin, who won the best director Oscar for “The French Connection,” died Monday in Los Angeles, Marcia Franklin, his executive assistant for 24 years, told The Associated Press on behalf of his family and wife, former studio head Sherry Lansing. His son Cedric Friedkin told the AP he died after a long illness. “He was role model to me and to (my brother) Jack,” Cedric Friedkin said. “He was a massive inspiration.”He cemented his legacy early with “The French Connection,” which was based on a true story and deals with the efforts of maverick New York City police Detective James “Popeye” Doyle to track down Frenchman Fernando Rey, mastermind of a large drug pipeline funneling heroin into the United...

Two Russian missile strikes hit a city in eastern Ukraine, killing 5 people and wounding 31

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Two Russian missile strikes hit the city center of the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region on Monday, killing five people and wounding at least 31 more, Ukrainian officials said.One of the strikes, which targeted the Ukrainian portion of a region partially occupied by Russia, killed four civilians, and the other killed the deputy head of the regional branch of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in an online statement. At least 31 people — including 19 policemen, five rescuers and one child — have been wounded in the attack, the official said. The strikes damaged a hotel, residential buildings and other civilian structures, Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an online statement accused Russia of trying to leave nothing but “broken and scorched stones” in eastern Ukraine. His remarks accompanied footage of a damaged, five-story residential building w...

NYC plans to house migrants on an island in the East River

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan Monday to house as many as 2,000 migrants on an island in the East River where a migrant center was set up last year and then taken down weeks later.The state will reimburse the city for the cost of operating a tent city for adult migrants on Randalls Island, Adams said.“As the number of asylum seekers in our care continues to grow by hundreds every day, stretching our system to its breaking point and beyond, it has become more and more of a Herculean effort to find enough beds every night,” Adams, a Democrat, said in a news release.“We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and New York state for their partnership in opening this new humanitarian relief center and covering the costs, and we need more of the same from all levels of government,” said Adams, who has repeatedly asked the federal government to provide more financial support to efforts to shelter migrants in New York City.The city has rented out hotels to hou...

A Florida man is charged with flooding an emergency room after attacking a nurse and stripping

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — A man in southwest Florida has been charged with flooding a hospital’s emergency rooms after attacking a nurse and stripping off his clothes, authorities said.The 53-year-old became agitated while in a waiting room at the North Collier Hospital in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, according to a report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.He barged into the emergency room, pushed a patient and then pushed a nurse in the head. After the hospital staff got him into a room in an effort to keep him from disturbing other patients, he took off his clothes and pulled a high-pressure water pipe from the wall, the report said.The hospital’s emergency rooms flooded, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage, according to the report.Responding deputies subdued the man using a Taser after he threatened them, and he was taken into custody. He is facing a single charge of aggravated battery and four charges of criminal mischief. The Associated Press

Pregnant woman’s arrest in carjacking case spurs call to end Detroit police facial recognition

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit woman is suing the city and a police officer, saying she was falsely arrested when she was eight months pregnant and accused of a carjacking based on facial recognition technology that is now the target of lawsuits filed by three Black Michigan residents.Porcha Woodruff, a 32-year-old Black woman, was preparing her two children for school on Feb. 16 when six Detroit police officers showed up at her house and presented her with an arrest warrant for robbery and carjacking, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on Thursday. “My two children had to witness their mother being arrested,” Woodruff said. “They stood there crying as I was brought away.”Woodruff’s case was dismissed by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in March for insufficient evidence, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says that Woodruff has suffered, among other things, “past and future emotional distress” because of the arrest. Wood...

Stock market today: Wall Street rises to regain momentum after last week’s lull

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are climbing Monday as Wall Street regains momentum following a pause in its big rally for the year so far.The S&P 500 was 0.8% higher in late trading to recover about a third of its loss from last week. That was its first losing week in four and just its third in the last 12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 404 points, or 1.2%, at 35,469, as of 3 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was 0.4% higher. Berkshire Hathaway rose 3.9% and was a major force lifting the market after the company run by famed investor Warren Buffett reported stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Pharmaceutical company Viatris also rose after its results topped forecasts. Viatris’s stock climbed 4.1%.The stronger-than-expected reports helped offset a 5.1% drop for Tyson. The company’s results for the latest quarter fell far short of analysts’ expectations, and Tyson said it would close four chicken facilities as it tries to cut cost...

Tim Anderson, Jose Ramirez, and others get MLB suspensions for fight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Major League Baseball has decided on the discipline for a fight that took place between White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, and Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez on Saturday.Major League Baseball has handed out discipline for the White Sox-Guardians fight during the game on Saturday, including:.Tim Anderson - 6 Games, FineJose Ramirez - 3 Games, Fine.More suspensions below..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/uhWWoTSJ9c— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) August 7, 2023The league announced that Anderson will be suspended six games along with given an undisclosed fine for his role in the fight. Ramirez also got a fine but he's only suspended for three games. Both will appeal their suspensions with the MLB.White Sox manager Pedro Grifol along with Cleveland manager Terry Francona and third base coach Mike Sarbaugh were suspended for a game and given an undisclosed fine. Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase got the same punishment - a one-game suspension with an undisclosed fine. It was a dr...

MLB suspends Chicago's Tim Anderson 6 games, Cleveland’s José Ramírez 3 for fighting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Chicago's Tim Anderson has been suspended six games and Cleveland's José Ramírez for three games by Major League Baseball for fighting and touching off a lengthy, wild brawl between the White Sox and Guardians on Saturday night.MLB announced the discipline for Anderson and Ramírez on Monday along with other suspensions and fines following one of baseball's ugliest fights in several years.Anderson and Ramírez were also fined an undisclosed amount. Both players are appealing.Also, Cleveland manager Terry Francona, closer Emmanuel Clase and third base coach Mike Sarbaugh have been suspended one game each. Chicago manager Pedro Grifol was also suspended for one game.In addition, White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and Guardians rookie Gabriel Arias have been fined an undisclosed amount for his actions.Francona and Clase will serve their suspensions Monday when the Guardians open a four-game series with Toronto. Grifol will also serve his suspension Monday when the White So...

Illinois residents get free admission to Shedd Aquarium certain nights in August

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Night Dives at the Shedd Aquarium is returning, once again offering Illinois residents a chance to experience the indoor marine exhibit at no cost.Starting this Thursday, Aug. 10, visitors can experience the aquatic animal world from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. with a valid ID or proof of Illinois residency. Shedd Aquarium transformation plans unveiled New dates include:Thursday, Aug. 10Tuesday, Aug.15Thursday, Aug.17Tuesday, Aug. 22Thursday, Aug. 24Tuesday, Aug. 29Thursday, Aug. 31Advanced reservations for Night Dives are required and can be made online by clicking here.Free general admission also includes viewing an animal spotlight at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Abbott Oceanarium and the Stingray Touch. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe latest guests can enter for free is 7 p.m. Shedd Aquarium leaders recently unveiled "never-before-seen renderings and new details about construction plans" for their Centennial Commitment. Learn more in the video player above.

Large grass fire reported close to Fredericksburg

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:17:32 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 7, 2023FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) -- Multiple crews are working a "large, grass fire" Monday near Fredericksburg, the Gillespie County Communications Center wrote on Facebook. Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 65% contained The center said Ranch Road 1631 is closed near Klaerner Road due to the fire. That area is about four miles east of downtown Fredericksburg.The communications center said multiple fire departments are at the scene.The Texas A&M Forest Service said it has responded to 80 wildfires that have burned 8,521 acres over the past seven days. Forty-one of those wildfires occurred since Friday.This developing story will be updated with more information.