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Thomas took dozens of trips paid for by billionaire friends: Report

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

(The Hill) - Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has taken dozens of trips paid for by at least four billionaire friends during his time on the bench, a new report from ProPublica found.The report expands upon ProPublica’s previous investigation into Thomas’s relationship with Harlan Crow, a GOP megadonor who gifted the justice with vacations, flights and even paid for his mother’s house in Georgia. ProPublica’s newest story sheds additional light on the two men’s friendship and details trips Thomas purportedly accepted from three other billionaires: former Berkshire Hathaway executive David Sokol, oil businessman Paul “Tony” Novelly and H. Wayne Huizenga, who helped expand Blockbuster.The report detailed how Thomas’s friends footed the bills for at least 38 destination vacations, 26 private jet flights and eight helicopter flights. Besides travel costs, billionaires paid for 12 VIP passes to sporting events, two resort stays in Florida and Jamaica and one...

Travelers return to O'Hare from Hawaii amid deadly fires

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

CHICAGO -- One of the first flights from Hawaii landed in Chicago Thursday morning as the deadly fires burn through Hawaii.An Illinois resident who landed at O'Hare Thursday morning was one of the first travelers to leave Maui as the fire spread throughout the island."We had power outage for about 36 hours, there were hurricane winds. It was really bad," Mark Mautino from Spring Valley, Illinois said.Mautino said it looked like a bomb went off. Lahaina Maui, Photo Courtesy of Mark MuatinoAt least 36 people have died from the fires. Some people were fortunate enough to jump in the Pacific Ocean to escape the smoke and flames. Mautino said due to the power outage the resort he was staying at started grilling burgers and chicken to feed guests. At least 36 dead on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, county reports | WGN-TV (wgntv.com)He tried to leave Hawaii earlier but couldn't because so many roads were closed. Mautino said Wednesday morning a north road opened through a one road moun...

Did the banyan tree in Hawaii's historic Lahaina Town survive the wildfire?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A wildfire has caused sheer devastation in Hawaii’s Lahaina Town, and the fate of what is believed to be the largest banyan tree in the United States has been left uncertain. According to Nexstar's KHON, Lahaina means “the cruel sun” in Olelo Hawaii, and residents have historically embraced its traditional sunny climate. But in recent days, heat from a different source has claimed lives and threatened to destroy major landmarks in one of the state's most historic cities and the one-time capital of the former kingdom. The wildfire, sparked Tuesday, quickly spread throughout the western Maui community of less than 13,000 residents, causing the deaths of at least 36 people and damaging or destroying hundreds of structures. Lahaina: Yesterday and today It’s feared that the fire consumed much of historic Front Street, home to restaurants, bars and stores, as well as other parts of Lahaina.Maui officials said the banyan — a fig tree located in Banyan Court Park w...

LIVE: BCSO investigating after three people found dead in hole

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three people fell into a well, BCSO confirmed to KXAN Wednesday.BCSO later confirmed all three bodies were recovered including two men and one woman, as well as one dog. The agency will hold a news conference with more details Thursday morning at 9 a.m., BCSO said.The Austin Fire Department confirmed it responded to a recovery at a hole on New Trail near County Road 461. AFD said the hole was filled with hydrogen sulfide or sewer gas.The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three people were found dead in a hole on Wednesday, Aug. 9. | Andy Way/KXAN NewsThe Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three people were found dead in a hole on Wednesday, Aug. 9. | Andy Way/KXAN NewsThe Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three people were found dead in a hole on Wednesday, Aug. 9. | Andy Way/KXAN NewsAFD said it had to ventilate the hole before anyone can...

Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety bill

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) – After a mass shooting killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, a school district four hours away in Jarrell started the process of getting shatterproof film on the windows of its high school.The invoice, according to the superintendent, was $50,000. Jarrell Middle School campus (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)With the passage of the state’s latest school safety bill, House Bill 3, lawmakers handed districts new requirements to place one armed officer on every school campus and bring campuses up to new safety standards. But some districts KXAN spoke with are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect Sept. 1. “Everybody recognizes safety for our children is the number one priority. We all say it — but to prove that, the dollars have to follow,” Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. The price of safetyThe original bill authored by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, ...

Plum Hopper fire in Caldwell County 100% contained

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A fire in Caldwell County is now 100% contained after approximately 200 acres burned, according to an update from the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office initially posted about the fire, called the Plum Hopper Fire, on social media Wednesday afternoon, saying it was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Dickerson Road.The fire burned 200 acres and is now 100% contained, per an update from the Forest Service at 2:08 a.m. Thursday. Common wildfire terms and what they mean, per the Texas A&M Forest Service A 7:46 a.m. update from CCSO on social media said the fire was not controlled, meaning firefighters hadn't yet completely extinguished the fire. Caldwell County fire crews were on the scene overnight and didn't report any flare-ups, according to the post. The sheriff's office said one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion overnight.

City of Georgetown buys space for future park

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Georgetown said Wednesday it acquired 35 acres of parkland near the intersection of SE Inner Loop and Southwestern Boulevard. It said the land will go towards a future park on the southeast side of the city that was identified as a priority in both the 2009 and 2022 Parks Master plans.The city purchased the land for $6 million with money from several funding sources, the city said. The money came from a 2008 bond, parkland dedication fees and a donation from the Friends of Georgetown Parks via proceeds from Two Step Inn.Development of the park is several years out and the agreement allows the sellers a seven-year leaseback, according to the city. The city said that will give it the time to develop a park master plan, which will include input from the public on possible amenities and features for the new park, and to develop a plan to fund the improvements.“Creating a park on the southeast side of Georgetown has been a community and City priorit...

Gov. Hochul to make transportation announcement in Albany

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Governor Kathy Hochul will be making a transportation announcement from the Albany International Airport Observation Deck on Thursday. The announcement is slated to begin at 10 a.m.

Stewart's brings back ice cream to honor Funny Cide

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Stewart's Shops is bringing back a former ice cream flavor from 20 years ago to honor Funny Cide, the champion racehorse who passed away in July. "Funny Cide Pride" will be available at select shops in Saratoga County for a limited time. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Funny Cide was the winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was the first horse bred in New York to win the Kentucky Derby and was only the 30th horse in history to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown.The racehorse, who used to run for Sackatoga Stable, retired in 2008 to Kentucky Horse Park. He passed away at 23 years old on July 16 from complications with colic. Renowned champion racehorse Funny Cide passes away “Funny Cide Pride is a sweet nod to the amazing racehorse, Funny Cide, and a flavor that was a big hit among his fans 20 years ago," said Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops. "He was such...

KTVI celebrates 70 years today

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:32:39 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's time to celebrate. KTVI turns 70 years old Thursday.The station went on the air on August 10, 1953. At the time, the station was WTVI Channel 54 in Belleville, Illinois.A few years later, the station moved to St. Louis and eventually became KTVI, Channel 2. The 'I' still stands for Illinois. Scammers pose as utility workers to rob Belleville residents Back in 1959, a huge tornado toppled the old transmitting tower, and over the years, the station was bought and sold several times. In 1995, the station switched from ABC to FOX.