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Israeli soldiers in NY head home to fight Hamas: 'I need to go'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – There are more than 2 million Jewish people living in the New York City area, making it the second largest metropolitan Jewish community in the world, behind Tel Aviv. Now, some are heading back to Israel following attacks by the militant group Hamas.“I don’t think there’s another option,” Itay, an Israeli soldier who only wanted his first name used, told Nexstar's WPIX. “I can’t stay in New York. I just want to go and help my friends out.” Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally in NYC streets The 22-year-old said Monday that he and his Israeli army buddy Koren are flying back to Tel Aviv.After serving the mandatory two years and eight months in the Israel Defense Force, they arrived in New York City on Saturday night for a two-month tour of the United States.But when they heard of the surprise Hamas attack in Gaza, killing hundreds of Israeli civilians, they knew they would be recalled to fight for their homeland and willingly wanted to go.“It’s a weird feeling a...

'It gives you goosebumps watching him:' Young hockey fans excited for Bedard's debut

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Tuesday night is the night Chicago hockey fans have been waiting for. When the puck drops to start the Blackhawks regular season in Pittsburgh, it will also mark the debut of Connor Bedard, one of the most highly touted prospects in generations.Bedard is widely considered to be the best player of his generation — a once in a lifetime talent.The Blackhawks rookie center hasn’t even played a game, but he’s already captured the hearts and of Chicago’s youngest hockey fans.Afterall, he was the NHL’s number one overall draft pick. Related: ‘I’m so excited’: The Connor Bedard era of the Blackhawks starts Tuesday And for youth hockey players the anticipation of seeing the next “great one” in a Hawks jersey is hard to handle, like a slippery puck.WGN’s Mike Lowe went to north suburban Vernon Hills to talk with some of Bedard’s newest fans.

Sarah's Spooktacular Halloween DIY: Jell-O Treats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

Sarah's social media feed is filled right now with Halloween DIY projects, maybe yours is too. So we thought we'd test the popular ones out for you! Check them out in this segment. Recipe for Eyeball Jello ShotSpotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

'Literally shook the ground': Memphis pastor in Israel during attack shares his story

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – A Memphis pastor who was in Israel to watch his son perform with Bruno Mars when the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas militants started is sharing his story.Pastor Kenneth Whalum Jr. with New Olivet Worship Center in Cordova had been touring Israel for a week and was scheduled to leave the day the first rockets struck.  What to know as war between Israel and Hamas militants rages on for a third day There was a moment of calm Wednesday night as people of all backgrounds, religions, nationalities came together to hear Bruno Mars perform in Israel for the first time. Pastor Whalum Jr.'s son plays in Bruno’s band. "You know they don’t speak English, but they were singing, ‘Just the way you are!’ They were singing the same words Bruno was singing, ‘That’s the way I like it,'" Whalum said. "I’ve never heard Bruno perform so pristinely as he did."That calm was shattered days later when Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel. Pastor Whalum...

Illinois leaders 'unequivocally stands' with Israel amid recent attacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) — Leaders across Illinois have spoken out and released statements after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Saturday.Gov. JB Pritzker spoke during the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Solidarity Gathering, which was held Tuesday. He said he is praying for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces."Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should all know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks," Pritzker said.Pritzker also stated that state police and law enforcement have been put on alert for attacks against synagogues and other gathering places for Jews across the state, though no threat has been reported at this time. WATCH: Pritzker gives remarks at Israel Solidarity Gathering U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement on the attack on Saturday.“My heart goes out to the people of Israel as they face these horrific, unconscionable and ongoing coordinated...

Can you take a picture of an eclipse with your phone?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first of two upcoming eclipses is poised to dazzle Central Texans just before noon on Saturday. Can an eclipse damage your device’s camera? For those keen to snap a photo of the natural phenomenon, University of Colorado at Boulder Astronomer Doug Duncan advised keeping your cell phone camera down unless equipped with the proper gear. “The lens of your camera, the lens of your phone or the lens of your eye will concentrate the sunlight and ruin your camera, your phone or your eye,” Duncan said.  MORE: Solar eclipse takes big stage during ACL weekend two “If you point your camera toward the sun and hold it there for any length of time, you're going to concentrate so much heat, it's going to ruin your phone camera, and you're not going to get a good picture anyway,” he added. How to protect your deviceThere is, however, a way to snap a quality photo of an eclipse without damaging your device. Duncan is a bit of an eclipse hunte...

Isolated, light rain showers possible

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture moving over the state is leading to cloudy skies with a few isolated, light rain showers. Skies clear late Wednesday as the moisture exits.Moisture from east Pacific Hurricane Lidia and former Tropical Storm Max is moving over the area off of a southwest wind aloft. This is leading to overcast skies. Rain in our area remains limited, however, with isolated accumulations up to 0.10" from Austin southeastward.A period of dry weather returns from Wednesday afternoon through the coming weekend, but expect some big swings in temperature.Temperatures ramp up quickly to the upper 80s Thursday and potentially the lower 90s Friday. A dry autumn cold front is delaying its arrival locally until Friday afternoon, clearing skies and dropping temperatures for ACL weekend two.Behind the front, we'll enjoy another gorgeous weekend at Zilker Park for music fans. Overnight low temperatures will drop into the 50s for several nights in a row.Annular solar eclipse Satu...

Fentanyl documentary shares Leander mom's loss, set to debut at Round Rock theater

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Through the stories of families that have lost loved ones to fentanyl and law enforcement officers trying to respond to the crisis, the documentary "Fentanyl Unlimited" aims to give a vulnerable but unflinching look at the current epidemic and the work still needed to stop it.Stefanie Turner of Leander is a mother turned activist.Since the death of her son Tucker, 19, from a fentanyl poisoning in 2021, Turner has mobilized Texas Against Fentanyl.Turner, along with the group's network of Angel Moms, have visited schools to share their stories of loss and educate students and parents about the deadly drug. The group is also working now to make curriculum that will be taught throughout the Lone Star State. Bill that would require Texas schools to teach fentanyl-awareness passes through House Turner is heavily featured in the documentary, with a scene centered around her son's own accidental overdose.Turner said just months before her son's fatal poisoning, ...

How many registered youth voters are there in Travis County?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Tuesday marks the final day eligible residents can register to vote ahead of the November election -- and there's been a sizeable appetite in new voter registration among Travis County youth voters in the past year.Travis County officials told KXAN there are currently 296,821 registered voters between the ages of 18 and 29. As of the November 2022 election, there were 213,748 registered youth voters -- marking an increase of more than 83,000 in the past year.Overall, there are now 883,449 registered voters residing in Travis County. That figure is slightly down from November 2022's registered voter headcount of 890,316 -- but county representatives clarified the gap extends from a state requirement."After the Nov. 2022 election, we performed the state required voter roll maintenance, so that's why you see a slight decrease in overall registered voters," a spokesperson for the Travis County Tax Office told KXAN. Voter Guide: What you need to know ahea...

Zilker Eagle to start test runs as soon as 'late fall'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 10, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Eagle is on track to start running after years of delays. In an update posted on social media, the operators for the mini-train revealed track repairs are now 90% complete.The post also explained work retrofitting the coaches with air brakes, for safety reasons, is also nearly done. Braking problems in 2022 further delayed the debut of the once-popular tourist attraction. Zilker Eagle train restoration back on track after 10-month delay These developments mean the testing phase will happen in the late fall or early winter. It's not clear how long testing will last. Track erosion due to rain in 2019 caused the old train, the Zilker Zephyr, to shut down. The previous operators were working with Austin Parks and Recreation to repair it, but they couldn’t reach an agreement on a new contract. The former operators then removed the old tracks in August 2020. Since then, the A...