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'The Great Dechurching' hitting cities across America

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Throughout the nation, one can spot aging, abandoned churches falling into despair, with some even bearing graffiti inside. However, on any given day, you could pass by an unassuming building like Soul City Church in Chicago without realizing that hundreds of Gen Z'ers gather there to worship. What becomes evident is American spirituality isn't fading away; rather, it's undergoing a transformation. A third of US adults identify as spiritual not religious, poll YouTubers are also providing virtual tours of these dilapidated, graffiti-covered old churches, offering viewers a glimpse inside.These churches, once community cornerstone, now have empty pews. However, what might not be immediately evident is the vibrant gathering of young people, often in modest surroundings, uniting to worship.Pastor Jarrett Stevens of Soul City Church in Chicago is very aware of the dechurching trends, but appears to have found a solution."The average age of our church right now ...

Powerball: What's the largest jackpot ever won in Illinois?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Without a winner Wednesday, yet another record-setting Powerball jackpot is brewing, building to an estimated $725 million ahead of the next drawing. At its current size, the Powerball jackpot stands as the eighth-largest in the game’s history. The newest jackpot now sits roughly $6 million behind the seventh-largest jackpot, a $731.1 million prize won in Maryland two years ago. It’s also the third-largest in 2023, coming in behind a $754.6 million jackpot won in Washington in February, and a $1.08 billion prize won by a ticket in California in July (which has yet to be claimed).  These are the best, worst states to win the lottery in Depending on where the winning ticket (or tickets) is sold, it could also become a state’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot. Powerball is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Only five of these jurisdictions have never sold a Powerball jackpot-winning ticket: Maine...

Photos: A look inside Austin's Marshalling Yard converted to a homeless shelter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Mayor Kirk Watson visited the City's Marshalling Yard last week, his staff shared photos with KXAN of the inside of the warehouse-like facility turned temporary homeless shelter. “I’m very pleased with the progress I’ve seen at the Marshalling Yard. Things are going well and there is a sense of community and well-being among its residents. Folks have access to hot meals, showers, and service providers. Endeavors creating a sense of stability and trust for folks living in the shelter, and I’m grateful for their work. We will lean on their guidance as we proceed with creating more shelter beds.”Mayor Kirk WatsonIt's our first real look at the facility. You can find some of the photos courtesy of the Mayor's office below: Inside the Marshalling Yard after it was converted into a temporary emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness (Courtesy: Mayor Kirk Watson's office)Inside the Marshalling Yard after it was converted into a temporary emergency shelte...

Movie based on the Heidi Broussard's murder premieres Sept. 23 on Lifetime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Texas murder case that garnered national attention is now getting its own movie, which premieres Saturday, Sept. 23, on Lifetime, according to the Lifetime website. "Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard" will tell the story of Magen Fieramusca, the woman accused of killing Heidi Broussard and kidnapping her 3-week-old baby in December 2019. Broussard and her family lived in Austin at the time. Magen Fieramusca case: Woman accused of killing Austin mom, kidnapping baby to plead guilty The Murder CaseBack in January, Fieramusca pleaded guilty to the murder of Broussard, who was her best friend. Travis County District Court Judge Selena Alvarenga sentenced her to 55 years in prison.Magen Fieramusca (Photo courtesy of APD)Broussard’s body was found stuffed in a duffel bag in the trunk of a car near a home in Jersey Village, Texas, where Fieramusca was living with her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Green in late 2019. She had been missing for more than a week before...

ADL: 'Hate in the Lone Star State' report finds extremism on the rise in Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A recent report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) claims that antisemitic and white supremacist incidents rose 89% from 2021 to 2022 and are still continuing to rise in Texas.The report, "Hate in the Lone Star State," looked at incidents between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, another ADL report ranked Texas as having the sixth most antisemitic incidents. In the latest report, Texas now ranks fifth. 2021: Rise in Texas antisemitic incidents expected for 2022 "One of the largest white supremacist extremist organizations in the country is actually based in Texas, that certainly does drive some of these incidents" ADL Regional Director Jackie Nierenberg said. "Texas isn't the only state, obviously, where we've seen increases in these sorts of events and crimes. So it is a nationwide phenomenon, unfortunately."According to the report, the ADL tracked 365 incidents in Texas, as well as 1,073 "propaganda incidents" since 2021. Antisemitic graffiti found near UT Austin campu...

Silver Alert for New Braunfels woman discontinued

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert was discontinued Friday afternoon after a woman was reported missing out of in New Braunfels Friday morning. The New Braunfels Police Department said the woman has a diagnosed cognitive impairment.At the time. law enforcement officials believed her disappearance posed a credible threat to her health and safety.

Shopping center revamp coming to South Lamar with Brodie Oaks redevelopment approval

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A redevelopment plan for an empty shopping center near South Lamar and the 360 Loop was approved on its final reading at the Austin City Council meeting Thursday night. PAST COVERAGE: South Lamar could get small skyline where the old Toys-R-Us used to be A planning commission signed off on the Brodie Oaks proposed planned unit development, or PUD, late last year, and was sent to city council for approval. Council members added amendments over the course of three readings they heard prior to signing off on the project during its final reading Thursday. Roughly four decades after the shopping center was built, it's now in the early stages of becoming a small skyline in south Austin. The space to be developed is nearly 40 acres, located in the shopping center near the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and South Capital of Texas Highway, or the 360 Loop. It'll be on the opposite side of Lamar from the Target and Radio Coffee. MORE: Austin City Council: ‘Safe P...

Cam Akers likely won’t play for Vikings on Sunday. He’s still excited for the fresh start.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

Cam Akers got traded to the Vikings on Wednesday, passed a physical on Thursday and talked to reporters about his new situation on Friday.Talk about a whirlwind.“It ain’t been bad,” Akers said with a smile. “I’ve got a village with me. My family has helped me set some stuff up. I’ve been able to focus on football.”Though he now has a couple of practices under his belt since arriving in Minnesota, Akers isn’t likely to suit up for the Vikings against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.That much head coach Kevin O’Connell essentially confirmed while praising the acquisition of Akers.“He’ll work toward potentially being a part of what we do next week,” O’Connell said. “It’s a little too soon to ask him to go this week.”After getting selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Akers emerged as the starter during a strong rookie season. He tore his Achilles tend...

‘Downtown Owl,’ partially shot in St. Paul, to close Twin Cities Film Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

“Downtown Owl,” which was filmed partially in St. Paul, will close out the 14th annual Twin Cities Film Festival on Oct. 28.Passes for both online and in-person screenings are priced from $165 to $55 and are on sale now via twincitiesfilmfest.org. Tickets to individual screenings go on sale Sept. 29. The festival runs from Oct. 18 through 28 at the Showplace ICON Theaters at The Shops at West End in St. Louis Park.Based on the 2008 novel by essayist and North Dakota native Chuck Klosterman, “Downtown Owl” is set in 1983 in the fictional North Dakota town of Owl. It follows Julia Rabia (Lily Rabe), a Milwaukee teacher who moves to the small town for a one-semester teaching job in order to give her husband the space to finish his doctoral thesis. Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, Jack Dylan Grazer, Finn Wittrock and Henry Golding are also in the cast.A film crew at work in St. Paul’s Spot Bar on April 21, 2022. (Courtesy of Chey Eisenman)Actors and real-life couple Rabe and Hamish Lin...

Voting begins for Nov. 7 local elections across Minnesota  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:16 GMT

Voting began in Minnesota on Friday for Nov. 7 local elections.There will be dozens of municipal, county, township and school board races on the ballot across the state this year. To find out about election in your area go to: mnvotes.gov/pollfinder.The state’s no-excuse absentee voting law allows for eligible voters to cast ballots beginning 46 days before the November election. They can request an absentee ballot from their local election offices. All absentee and mail ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day.This is the first general election since election laws passed by the 2023 Legislature. They included a measure giving Minnesotans the right to paid time off from work to vote any time during the 46-day voting period. In addition, voting rights have been restored for felons on supervised release.Related ArticlesElections | School resource officers could be returning to schools after AG’s legal opinion, meeting with governor Elections | ...