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A new immigration policy that avoids a dangerous journey is working. But border crossings continue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (AP) — Five years ago, Alexis Llanos and his family fled Venezuela for Colombia, escaping death threats and political persecution. The family then planned to make the dangerous and deadly journey north, through the Darien jungle leading through Panama, with hopes of eventually crossing illegally into the United States.Their plans changed when a friend mentioned a new migration program from the U.S. government that would allow them to stay put while they pleaded for a chance to come legally. It worked. After a four-month process that included medical exams and interviews with the United Nations and the U.S., Llanos, his partner and their 7-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy arrived in Florida. “It was a unique opportunity, a miracle that God prepared for me,” said Llanos, 27, during an interview with The Associated Press from his new home. “I feel blessed, grateful. … I did not want to take the risk. I would not have forgiven myself if something had happened to...

Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius freed after serving nearly 9 years in prison for killing girlfriend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, a double-amputee who became a global star competing at his sport's highest level while running on carbon-fiber blades, was released from prison on Friday after serving nearly nine years for killing his girlfriend, the model Reeva Steenkamp.Pistorius, 37, was released early Friday from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center in Pretoria and processed at a parole office before being released to his family, Department of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press. Nxumalo, who referred to Pistorius' release as an “operation” designed to avoid a media scramble, declined to give further details.“I can only tell you he was released this morning,” Nxumalo said.Pistorius served nearly nine years of his murder sentence of 13 years and five months for the fatal shooting of Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. He became eligible for early release having served at least half his sentence, and then was approv...

4 women injured after jeep rollover crash in Little Italy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

CHICAGO -- Four women are in fair condition after a jeep struck a poll and rolled over in the city's Little Italy neighborhood overnight.According to police, a woman was driving a jeep at a high speed near the 800 block of West Roosevelt Road around 1:45 a.m. when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a barricade and pole. Attempted carjacking ends in crash on Northwest Side Police said the crash caused the jeep to rollover to its roof before coming to a stop. Four women, including the driver, were transported to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. There were no other injuries reported.

Blinken heads to Middle East in an effort to contain the war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - U.S. officials are concerned that the conflict in Gaza could spread throughout the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to the Middle East to make sure progress is made on that front.As Israel continues its efforts to crush Hamas, the Biden administration is doing everything it can to prevent a region-wide war from breaking out.Secretary of State Blinken is headed to the Middle East to focus on fears that the Israel-Hamas war could erupt outside of Gaza."It is no one's interest… For this conflict to spread beyond Gaza," said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.This is Blinken’s fourth time traveling to the region in three months."He believes we need to make progress on continuing to try to keep the conflict from escalating which is why he's returning to the region," Miller added.Earlier in the week a senior Hamas leader was killed by an alleged Israeli strike in Lebanon.With international criticism of Israel’s operations in Gaza on t...

Winter storm is forecast to hit Northeast, Mid-Atlantic with heavy snow, dangerous ice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

(The Hill) -- A substantial winter storm is set to hit much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this weekend, with the worst of the weather expected on Saturday and Sunday.Snow is expected to pile up from western Maryland to southern Maine, with the wide-range Nor'easter also bringing severe ice that could make roads treacherous, the National Weather Service warned Friday.The worst of the snow is set for the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut, Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Manchester, New Hampshire, could see between six and 12 inches of snow, according to local meteorologists.Heavy ice is also forecast for Appalachia as the storm moves north and east, threatening travel. Northeast, mid-Atlantic facing first chance of significant snow in almost two years The major East Coast cities are expected to miss out on much of the storm. Significant snow is not forecast to fall in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, or Philadelphia due to high temperatures that are predicted to bring r...

Dean's Reviews: 'All of Us Strangers'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

In his latest Dean's Reviews, WGN's Dean Richards reviews "All of Us Strangers," playing in Chicagoland theaters this weekend. And don't forget: The 81st Golden Globes, hosted by Jo Koy, kicks off the awards season Sunday night. Jo Koy talks about hosting Golden Globes with short notice Dean’s Weekender: An Elvis tribute, Tony Award winners and stand-up comedy highlight Chicagoland entertainment Get Dean’s reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean’s Downloads weekly newsletter. You’ll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Dean's Weekender: An Elvis tribute, Tony Award winners and stand-up comedy highlight Chicagoland entertainment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

WGN's Dean Richards highlights this weekend's Chicagoland entertainment options in his latest Weekender, including an Elvis Tribute Spectacular at Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Ind., to honor what would've been the King's 89th birthday, Tony Award-winning musicals, stand-up comedy and more. Dean’s A-List Interview: Real-life subjects of the Bradley Cooper-directed film ‘Maestro’ Dean’s Home Video: Dan Levy stars in ‘Good Grief’ and much more in the first picks of 2024 Get Dean’s reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean’s Downloads weekly newsletter. You’ll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius freed on parole after serving nearly 9 years for girlfriend's murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was released from prison on parole early Friday morning and was believed to be at his uncle’s mansion after authorities secretly moved the world-famous double-amputee athlete who killed his girlfriend at an undisclosed time to avoid the glare of news crews waiting outside the jail.South Africa's Department of Corrections announced in a two-sentence statement at around 8:30 a.m. that Pistorius had been released and was “now at home.” It gave no more details other than to confirm Pistorius' new status as “a parolee.”Pistorius, 37, served nearly nine years of his murder sentence of 13 years and five months for the fatal shooting of model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. He became eligible for early release from prison having served at least half his sentence and was approved for parole in November.Department of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press that Pistorius was pr...

NYC sues bus companies bringing migrants from Texas-Mexico border

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) -- The City of New York has filed a lawsuit against more than a dozen Texas charter bus and transportation companies that have taken migrants to the Big Apple on behalf of the State of Texas, officials announced on Thursday.New York Mayor Eric Adams and Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix announced a lawsuit against 17 bus companies seeking to recoup costs incurred by providing emergency shelter and services to those migrants. Suburbs put brakes on migrant bus arrivals after crackdowns in Chicago and New York New York officials said they are trying to recoup approximately $708 million in expenses incurred in the last 20 months. They argue that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has admitted to facilitating the transport of more than 33,600 migrants to New York City without having the companies transporting those migrants pay for the cost of care, which they say violates New York's Social Services Law.The money for which New York City is suing would also ca...

Win tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:11 GMT

Win four tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters play at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m. The contest opens Jan. 8 and closes Jan. 14./**/