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Powerball jackpot climbs to $875 million for Saturday after no winner in latest drawing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot soared to an estimated $875 million after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.No ticket for Wednesday’s $750 million jackpot matched the white balls 23, 35, 45, 66, 67 and red Powerball 20.The new jackpot for Saturday’s drawing is the third highest in the history of the game. Ticket buyers have a chance at either $875 million paid out in yearly increments or a $441.9 million one-time lump sum before taxes.The game’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion Powerball last November.The last time someone won the Powerball jackpot was April 19 for a top prize of nearly $253 million. Since then, no one has won the grand prize in the past 36 consecutive drawings.Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.The Associated Press

European court says suspension of Polish judge criticizing government was against EU law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Europe’s top court ruled on Thursday that suspension in Poland of a judge who had criticized the government is against the EU’s law and he should be returned to the bench with full pay. The decision was the latest in a string of European Union decisions ordering Poland’s right-wing government to roll back changes to the judiciary that the EU says are in violation of the rule of law.Judge Igor Tuleya was suspended in 2020 and had his pay reduced by a judicial disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court, a body created and controlled by the government. The body had been also used against other judges who had defended judicial independence under the Law and Justice party government that has been in power since 2015. Tuleya had criticised the government’s actions and had turned to European courts for opinions on the disciplinary actions against him. The Polish disciplinary chamber has since been discontinued because the EU said it violated democrati...

EU rejects Myanmar’s diplomatic role and says it still doesn’t recognize generals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The European Union’s top diplomat on Thursday expressed opposition to Myanmar’s upcoming role as the overseer of relations between the 27-nation bloc and Southeast Asian nations and reasserted its non-recognition of the strife-torn country’s military government.The comments marked the latest diplomatic fallout from the Myanmar army’s forcible seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government on Feb. 1, 2021 that plunged the country into deadly chaos.Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, raised the concern in a meeting with foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The 10-nation ASEAN includes Myanmar and Indonesia, which leads the regional group this year.“We face a challenge related to the potential of Myanmar assuming the role of ASEAN coordinator for relations with the European Union,” Borrell told his ASEAN counterparts at the start of their meeting. ”We...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in upper 70s with slight rain, storm chance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

CHICAGO — Thursday will be fairly quiet with some patchy fog to start the day and a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day. Highs will reach the mid to upper 70s this afternoon with light northwesterly winds. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Our next chance of showers and storms moves in overnight will just a small chance of non-severe storms likely after midnight. Friday Forecast: Potential of showers and thunderstorms as well with highs into the mid 80s.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Mike Halac, former WWE pro wrestling star, dies at 55

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

(WKBN) -- Former WWE professional wrestling star Mike Halac has died. Halac, who was known as Mantaur in WWE, has died at the age of 55. WWE announced the news on its website. "WWE is saddened to learn that Mike Halac, better known to WWE fans as Mantaur, has passed away," the WWE said. Andrea Evans of ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘Young and the Restless’ dies at 66 Halac, a wrestling star in the 1990s who wore the persona of being half-man, half-minotaur, came to the ring wearing a giant bullhead. The WWE said, "Halac’s combination of size and charisma immediately captivated fans worldwide."He competed against such legends in WWE as Razor Ramon, Bret Hart and Bam Bam Bigelow. Halac wrestled in WWE, WCW, ECW, and the USWA during his career. A family member confirmed on Facebook that Halac passed away in his sleep.

Excessive heat continues for the next 1-2 weeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even by July standards, this ongoing heat wave is impressive, and for all the wrong reasons.Afternoon highs will climb well above seasonal average today with most of us topping out between 102°-108°. Morning clouds will quickly clear allowing maximum sunshine (a UV index rating of 12-extreme today).Heat alerts continue through the day ThursdayLooking back: Austin's high temperature soared to 108° on Wednesday, our 21st 100° day of the year and the hottest temperature recorded so far in 2023. It was also a tie for the 14th-hottest temperature Austin has ever been with records back to 1897.As an unusually strong heat dome continues to control our weather, there is no relief in sight for at least the next week.An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. tonight, but will likely be extended as the unrelenting heat continues. Heat index values may reach 114°, presenting a serious risk to the health of those without access to air conditioning.Heat index val...

How Round Rock may get projects moving before getting any bond money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock City Council will discuss paying for certain parts of a bond package before the bonds are even issued during its council meeting Thursday night. The projects that could be funded are a part of the biggest bond package to ever be approved by voters in the city's history. The council agenda reads, "Consider a resolution expressing official intent to reimburse certain project expenditures for parks, roads, facilities and public safety." A city spokesperson explained simply that the resolution, "allows us to begin dedicating existing cash to fund projects to get them moving (most are still in the design phase) until we can get the bonds issued." On May 6, voters approved a $274 million bond package. Before the entire bond package is financed, the city will use $84.3 million of existing cash to pay for certain parts of the projects in the package now, and will then reimburse itself once the bonds are issued. That money in the proposed resolutio...

Austin shelters launch new push for fosters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two Austin shelters said Wednesday they need fosters to help reduce the need for space. According to Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center, APA! will care for up to 30 medium/large dogs at a time to help with space at AAC. That is in addition to the 120-250 animals APA! takes in from AAC each month. “We understand the need for immediate solutions to Austin Animals Center’s overcrowding challenges,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President and CEO of Austin Pets Alive! in the release. “We have been actively working with AAC to help reduce the number of dogs housed in crates and ensure the animals get the lifesaving care they need. This is a stretch for APA! on top of the animals we are already serving who are at extreme risk of euthanasia. We need the community’s support to find foster homes for these new dogs so they can stay out of crates.”According to the announcement, foster homes provide a calm and cool environment for the dogs to de-stress and wait for the...

I-94 West closed in MN near Hudson, Wis. due to crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

Thursday morning commuters, take note: Due to a crash, Interstate 94 West is currently closed and traffic is being diverted at exit 258 at St. Croix Trail North (Lakeland), just over the border in Minnesota from Hudson, Wis.The Minnesota Department of Transportation estimates the closure will last until about 8:45 a.m.View traffic cameras at 511mn.org. Traffic appears to be backed up into Wisconsin due to the crash.Related ArticlesLocal News | St. Paul’s Rice Park unveils last part of redesign: a high-tech lighting display Local News | Minnesota 36 overnight lane closures planned for next week Local News | Blue Cross employees stumble upon long-forgotten time capsules hidden in Eagan Local News | ‘Mission Impossible’? No, it’s an electrical worker dangling from that copter Local News | Groundbreaking for The Heights development in St. Paul in advance of soil remediation   

5 things to know this Thursday, July 13

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The wait is over and before you know it, the horses will be coming down the home stretch. Happy opening day horse-racing fans! Visitors headed to Saratoga Race Course should be aware of potential traffic delays ahead of Opening Day. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie, we can expect highs hitting the mid to upper 80s across the region. There will also be breezy conditions from time to time with winds out of the south, bringing in more humidity. A body was pulled from the Hudson River in Troy on Wednesday. Police say the body was found near Madison Pier around 1 p.m. Also, a vigil was held for Jessica Ebbighausen, who at 19, was the youngest law enforcement officer in Vermont's history to die in the line of duty. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Body recovered from Hudson River in TroyA body w...