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Elected officials raise alarm about ‘terrifying’ rise in antisemitism in Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

Federal politicians are raising the alarm about what they say is an increase in antisemitism in Canada after a Montreal-area synagogue and a local Jewish organization were hit with firebombs this week.Liberal MP Anthony Housefather told reporters this morning he has never seen a time when Jewish Canadians felt as scared as they do now.Housefather says the firebombing, which caused minor damage to the synagogue he attended as a child, is not something that can be taken lightly.As the Israel-Hamas war enters its second month, he is calling on police to “crack down” on hate speech and crimes.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the country is seeing a “terrifying” rise in antisemitism, including threats of violence aimed at Jewish establishments.He said both Jews and Muslims in Canada have been targeted by expressions of hate and violence, calling the acts unacceptable.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2023.The Canadian Press

Valparaiso University student dies after stabbing at Planet Fitness; Man in custody

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

VALPARAISO, Ind. — A 24-year-old man is suspected in the stabbing death of a Valparaiso University student at a Northwest Indiana-area Planet Fitness.Valparaiso University president José D. Padilla confirmed the passing of Varun Raj Pucha on Wednesday, calling his death "an immense loss to our campus family, and an immeasurably greater loss for those close to him."According to Valparaiso police, authorities responded to the fitness center, located in the 1200 block of Strongbow Centre Drive, on Oct. 29 following reports that a man had been stabbed. The investigation led police to Jordan Andrade of Porter Township, who was initially booked on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Charges are expected to be upgraded to murder.Jordan AndradePolice did not speculate on a motive, but the Northwest Indiana Times reports that Andrade had previously been diagnosed with serious mental health conditions. The newspaper adds that the stabbing took place a...

Cook County officials propose resolution focused on food insecurity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Cook County commissioners came together Wednesday at City Hall to unveil a new resolution they’re proposing to tackle food insecurity.It is called the Food is Medicine resolution and specifically highlights the impact of you are what you eat.Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer of the 2nd District is leading the charge and supported by five other Cook County commissioners.The resolution builds upon money already in the pot for this kind of work to the tune of about $650,000 – and adds an additional $350,000 to it to bring the funds up to a million dollars.The money would then be used for a number of things including:Building partnerships with fresh produce providers and the Illinois Restaurant Association to highlight healthy eating optionsCreating a new website where people can locate the informationCreating a campaign expressing the importance of quality food and nutrition – of which the south and west suburbs of the county have the least access to.The resolution wi...

Police in Wisconsin find alligator near Lake Michigan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) – Alligators are known to be native to the Southeast and Gulf Coast areas of the United States — which is why officials are questioning how one ended up on a beach in Wisconsin this week.On Monday, officials with the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of an alligator on Lake Michigan Beach in the city's Grant Park. With the help of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), an officer with the department was able to locate and take the animal into custody safely. Florida woman says snorkel mask saved her from serious injury in gator attack The alligator is now in the care of MADACC, according to police.Alligator found on the beach of Grant Park in South Milwaukee. (South Milwaukee Police Department)Chief William Jessup of the South Milwaukee Police Department told Nexstar on Wednesday that officials have not yet determined how the 2-foot alligator ended up on the Lake Michigan beach, but he said he was grateful to the...

APD arrests man with fentanyl-laced cocaine, gun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police arrested a man Thursday who was carrying half a kilogram of fentanyl-laced cocaine.The Austin Police Department said officers saw a vehicle in downtown Austin not following multiple traffic codes, so the officers initiated a traffic stop.Handgun and plastic bag with fentanyl-laced cocaine found on Diaz Cantu (APD photo)According to APD, the vehicle stopped and the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Jesus Diaz Cantu Jr., got out and ran, but the officers were able to catch up and detain him.APD said Diaz Cantu was carrying a plastic bag that had more than half a kilogram of fentanyl-laced cocaine, as well as a handgun.According to police, Diaz Cantu was charged with unlawful carry of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and evading on foot.KXAN reached out to Diaz Cantu's attorney Wednesday. This story will be updated if a statement is received.APD said with Diaz Cantu’s arrest, the officers were able to remove ro...

Sherman ISD board blocks students from already-cast roles in 'Oklahoma!' production over students' assigned sex at birth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

SHERMAN, Texas (KXAN) — A group of high school student actors will not be allowed their cast roles after a decision by the Sherman ISD school board just two weeks after auditions, according to reporting by Dallas NBC station KXAS.The decision, summarized, requires a student's genitals at birth to match those of whichever fictional character they were cast as in the school's production of Oscar Hammerstein II's 1943 musical "Oklahoma!"In a longer statement, Sherman ISD said it took action after a review of the script found content that it claims to be too mature for high school students: "mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content.""The public performance of a high school musical requires the consideration and balance of a variety of factors given the fact that it is a production by students, the majority of whom are underage," the statement reads. "Unfortunately, all aspects of the production need to be reviewed, including content, stage production/props, and casting ...

Several injured in explosion at southeast Texas chemical plant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

SHEPHERD, Texas (KIAH) -- Multiple explosions were reported Wednesday morning at a chemical plant in Shepherd, which is an hour northeast of Houston. The Montgomery County Police Reporter said the plant had a major explosion around 8:30 a.m.Authorities have said that 19 employees were at the plant at the time of the explosion. One employee received minor burns and was taken to a local hospital. The plant is identified as Sound Resource Solutions, located at 731 FM 1127. It has been operational since 2014 and reported to have 40 employees. According to its website, the company stores and recycles chemicals including phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, methanol, xylene, hexane, and more.The San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management is asking everyone within a one-mile radius of the plant to shelter in place and turn off all HVAC systems in nearby homes and businesses immediately. Smoke is drifting northward as winds continue to blow from the south at five to 15 miles ...

Mounted horse patrol coming to Texas State University, help monitor higher crime areas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Texas State University is welcoming two new members to its University Police Department: horses named Duke and Lyndon. In a news release, the university said they'd be the first Texas university with a mounted horse patrol unit as part of their police department. The university said the plan is to fully implement the horses during the spring 2024 semester. Texas State University said its implementing mounted patrol on campus starting in the 2024 spring semester. (Photo: Texas State University Police Department) Texas State University said its implementing mounted patrol on campus starting in the 2024 spring semester. (Photo: Texas State University Police Department) "Duke and Lyndon will live at Freeman Ranch, a university research facility. UPD will use the rest of the fall semester to train the horses on campus terrain to get accustomed to the university environment," the university's release said.TXST said the times they'll be patrolling will vary day...

New Hays County housing stability program in development

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A new partnership between Hays County and a local nonprofit approved Tuesday will help create a housing stability program for county residents to access.The program is being developed alongside the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T), a San Marcos-based nonprofit that provides housing stability resources for those living in Hays, Caldwell, Blanco and Guadalupe counties. Services include:Overseeing or connecting eligible residents with affordable housingAiding those experiencing homelessness or housing instability with rental security and pet deposits, utility deposits, rental application fees and short-term housingAssisting those facing eviction or who've had utilities disconnected/received a disconnection notice with rental and utility assistance opportunitiesHays County Commissioners Court authorized the use of $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contributions to help "mitigate and recover from the extraordinary expenses and revenue los...

Albany man pleads guilty to police station vandalism

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany man accused of vandalizing the Albany Police South Station on August 22 has pleaded guilty to the full indictment. Charges included four counts of criminal mischief in the third degree. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The indictment alleges that Laquan Brown, 24, caused four instances of property damage exceeding $250 at the Albany Police South Station. He reportedly caused damage to the front door of the building and three vehicles.Brown faces a term of 16 months to four years in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10.