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Justice Department announces charges against hundreds of alleged COVID-19 fraudsters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of people have been charged with the theft of more than $830 million in COVID-19 emergency aid following a nationwide operation conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday.More than 60 of the defendants have alleged connections to organized crime, the department said, including members of a criminal gang accused of using stolen pandemic aid to pay for a murder.“This latest action, involving over 300 defendants and over $830 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud, should send a clear message: the COVID-19 public health emergency may have ended, but the Justice Department’s work to identify and prosecute those who stole pandemic relief funds is far from over,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. COVID hospitalizations jump again: Maps show where it’s worst The three-month operation, which ended in July, resulted in more than 300 people being charged,, underscoring the pervasiv...

GOP debate: What to watch for as Republican presidential candidates face off

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – There will be eight presidential candidates on stage Wednesday night at the Republican debate and Donald J. Trump won't be one of them – but there's a good chance the former president will be a popular topic.The debate will take place in Milwaukee from 9 to 11 p.m. EST, with live broadcast coverage on Fox News Channel. Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the debate.The candidates include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.Burgum, 67, is reportedly using crutches after suffering an Achilles tendon tear during a game of basketball with his staff Tuesday, tweeting Wednesday afternoon, "I've played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn't the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes." ...

Death investigation continues after police identify man found dead off Ben White

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Austin Police identified a man who was found dead earlier this month off East Ben White Boulevard in south Austin, according to a APD news release.Shortly after midnight, Aug. 4, officers responded to the scene in the westbound service road of Ben White near Burleson Road, according to police. When police arrived, officers found a man with obvious trauma to the upper part of his body. It’s unclear if there was a weapon found at the scene at this time.Police identified the man as Skylee Williams, 26, the release said. APD launches homicide investigation after body found off Ben White According to police, the body was found by a woman, but it’s unclear what the relationship is between the two. The man’s body was found in a wooded area off the side of the road that is right next to Saint Peter Apostle Church. Police did not know if the man was homeless.Anyone with any information should contact the Austin Police Department at (512) 974-TIPS. You may sub...

Crews contain brush fire caused by unapproved burning on private property

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

Editor's Note: The location of the brush fire has been updated.MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Crews have contained a two-acre brush fire in Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. Travis County Emergency Services District No. 12 and Travis County Fire Rescue responded to the fire.According to Travis County ESD 12, the fire started due to unapproved burning on a private property and quickly spread due to winds. The fire grew to around two acres. Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflu...

Isolated late-day showers and storms return to the forecast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A daily chance of isolated late-day showers and thunderstorms returns to the forecast Thursday and continues for the next 7 days. Otherwise, hotter, more humid weather rules the forecast.A heat dome is loosely controlling our weather, drifting from the Midwest toward New Mexico and Arizona this week. On the periphery of it, mainly dry weather is in the forecast with hotter, more humid conditions.Muggy meter showing more humid conditions over the next several days Live interactive weather radar Beginning Thursday, however, a daily chance of isolated late-day rain returns to the forecast. Isolated showers and storms are possible this weekend into next week. While most areas remain dry, some brief heavy downpours are possible for some.7-day rainfall forecast Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters Stay up-to-date with the First Warning...

Public invited to ‘Tommy’ workout to memorialize fallen St. Paul firefighter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

The St. Paul fire department is holding workouts Thursday to memorialize a St. Paul firefighter on the third anniversary of his death, and community members are invited.The Tommy McDonough Memorial Workout of the Day will be hourly from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shaw Field at Macalester College.Tommy McDonough (Courtesy of Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters)“The Tommy” was designed to remember the fallen firefighter, and to bring awareness to the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on first responders and to suicide prevention. McDonough, 28, died by suicide. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a short memorial service.The workout is in the tradition of CrossFit hero and memorial workouts to honor military members who died in the line of duty. It will be led at the top of each hour by trained professionals representing local gyms and wellness centers, and people can work out at their own pace, said Deputy Fire Chief Roy Mokosso. There will be food, and information about f...

Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy shows Cardinals what they’re missing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy always seems to have that juice whenever he steps onto the field. He is among the most vocal players on the Vikings defense and noticeably took it up a notch during a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, his former team, on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center.“I woke up this morning like, ‘Let’s go out there and compete,’ ” said Murphy, who the Cardinals selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. “I came in with those guys. They’re like my brothers. Just had that energy to compete against them.”To be clear, Murphy doesn’t have any bad blood with his former team. He enjoyed his time with the Cardinals and still keeps in contact with a lot of his former teammates. Not that it stopped him from doing some trash talking on Wednesday after making a nice interception in a 1-on-1 drill.“Oh, man,” Murphy said with a smile. “It felt great.”As the Vikings transition to a...

Parent detained after bomb threat causes Parkway lockdowns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Chesterfield police have detained the parent of a Parkway West High School student after an incident sent several schools into lockdown today. A caller told police that they were threatening to bring weapons and explosives to the West High and West Middle campuses, according to a letter sent home to parents.Chesterfield Police received the bomb threat just after noon today. They sent patrols to the campuses and spoke to each school's resource officers. They say the source of the threat came from outside of St. Louis County. St. Louis police won’t respond in person to car break-ins "We understand that any potential threat and change in activities can be unsettling for students and staff. We thank everyone who did an outstanding job of taking this situation seriously, acting swiftly and according to our procedures, and keeping learning for students as normal as possible during this time. We appreciate the quick and thorough response from law enforcement official...

Missouri AG, governor slam St. Louis mayor's push for new gun laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Just hours after St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced plans for new gun legislation Tuesday, the Missouri Attorney General fired back and said her office is "on notice." Jones, with support from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, plans to introduce new legislation that would ban AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar military-grade weapons on city streets.Andrew Bailey announced Tuesday evening that he wrote a letter to Jones, which stated that new legislation to ban military-grade weapons would "violate the constitutional right of Missourians to keep and bear arms." St. Louis police won’t respond in person to car break-ins “It is my hope that you will reverse course and use existing law to combat the crime plaguing your city, rather than choosing to target the rights of law-abiding Missourians," said Bailey to Jones in the letter. "In other words, I encourage you to go after criminals, not guns."Bailey contends that Jones' proposal "would not survive strict scrutiny analysis c...

'Surprise' donation to help Francis Howell schools tackle student lunch debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - The Francis Howell School District starts the new school year with quite a nice surprise: A $21,000 donation to help the district erase student lunch debt balances. One parent within the district, Scott Otey, recently led the effort to help students in need. Earlier this week, he dropped off a $21,000 check to the district's finance director. Otey tells FOX 2 he recently teamed up with parents in a friendly gesture to raise money and support students."When there’s trust and transparency, a lot can get done. It’s something that society is lacking terribly, and I wanted to bring back some hope," said Otey to FOX 2 about his inspiration behind the donation. Jay-Z stops by the Pulitzer before Beyoncé’s St. Louis show The Francis Howell School District provided Otey with a receipt and letter of acknowledgement for his donation, saying "it's greatly appreciated" in the letter. The Francis Howell School District starts the new school year with quite a nice surp...