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Calls grow for Israel to scale back its aggressive military strategy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The White House says it’s pushing Israel to scale back its current aggressive military strategy which has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians in Gaza.Thursday, National Security Council Spokesperson, John Kirby, said the U.S. is urging Israel to make adjustments in the “near future.”“…Possibly from what we would call high intensity operations, which is what we're seeing them do now to lower intensity operations sometime,” Kirby said.The White House says that message was delivered to Israel directly by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Sullivan met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet Thursday in Tel Aviv.Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Sullivan destroying Hamas and its tunnels will take a long period of time. “It will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them,” said Gallant.The White House would not comment on Israel’s projected timeline nor give details about when they want to see a...

House departs without reaching deal on Ukraine aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- House lawmakers have left town without reaching an agreement on additional Ukraine funding."We're a democracy, we push back against authoritarian dictators who threaten peace and stability in the world," said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.Jeffries blames Republicans for the deadlock on the supplemental aid package."There is a pro-Putin caucus that has increasingly taken over the Republican party, " Jeffries said.Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling on GOP lawmakers to support more aid."We need to support them in that effort," she said.Earlier this week, Ukraine's president asked the U.S. to give his country what it needs to have a fighting chance.But Zelenskyy's visit to Washington this week did little to win over GOP lawmakers."We have to, in this conflict, ask what is in America's national interest here?" said, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).Vance argues that aiding Ukraine could create long-term problems."I think it's going to turn Ukr...

'We will see this through': Austin Disaster Relief Network lays off portion of staff second time this year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Austin Disaster Relief Network is ending 2023 with less than half the staff it started with. That's because for the second time this year, the nonprofit had to let go of some of its employees. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Disaster Relief Network lays off portion of staff It's a decision ADRN Executive Director Dwight Bailey said was not easy. "You realize that these folks essentially are going through their own crisis now as they have to transition," Bailey said. "This is our family. So it was very difficult."'Bring hope into crisis'From picking up debris after the ice storm to helping those impacted by the Cedar Park fire, ADRN was there. Bailey said they've responded to 115 disasters this year alone. "Our mission is to bring hope into crisis, particularly with natural disasters," he said. "Support some of the physical, emotional and spiritual needs that they have."Bailey said this year challenged the organization when it comes to funding. "If we can't help ou...

Scattered rain on Friday, then a beautiful winter weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A storm system clipping by north of Texas Friday is expected to bring scattered rain showers locally, then a very pleasant weekend.A strong Pacific storm moving out of the Four Corners region that has dumped more than 18" of snow in the southern Rockies will swing a cold front through Central Texas on Friday. A northward shift in the storm track will mean most of the heaviest rain will remain north of us, but periods of rain are still expected locally.Rain is most likely:Hill Country: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.Austin area: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.Eastern Counties: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.With the northward shift in the storm track, rain totals appear to disappoint yet again with under 1/2" areawide.Behind this storm system, gusty winds usher in dry air and slightly cooler temperatures Saturday. Sunday looks sunny with less wind and warmer afternoon temperatures.Looking further down the road, we expect periods of wet weather over Christmas weekend. Stay tuned for updates on timing. Winter Wea...

Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat snags AFCA All-America honor, making him a unanimous pick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas senior defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat is a unanimous All-American.Sweat, along with junior receiver/returner Xavier Worthy and sophomore offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., were named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team, announced by the organization Thursday. First SEC schedule for Texas football released Sweat's first-team nod was his seventh of the season and rounds out other first-team selections by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, the Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. To be a unanimous All-American, players must be selected to teams of all five organizations recognized by the NCAA. Sweat was tabbed an All-American by The Athletic and CBS Sports.Sweat is the fifth defensive tackle at Texas to be named a unanimous All-American and sixth defensive lineman. Brian Orakpo, a defensive end, was a unanimous All-American in 2008. Sweat won the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's most ...

New leader picked to oversee Travis County property appraisals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis Central Appraisal District's board of directors announced Wednesday it appointed Leana Mann as its upcoming chief appraiser.Currently, Mann works as the district's deputy chief appraiser, per a Wednesday release. She has worked with the district for more than a decade, previously serving as a staff accountant, the finance and facilities director as well as the deputy chief of operations. Hays County to release tax statements by end of year Mann graduated from Texas State University and has a government finance officer certification, per the release.“I am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve Travis County taxpayers and ensure that our appraisals are equitable, accurate, and fair,” she said in the release. “The District will remain committed to being accessible and transparent so that all residents have the support they need to navigate the property tax system.” Mann's upcoming role includes overseeing and managing a team of ...

Former Burnsville nursing home aide admits to sexually assaulting resident, 75

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

A Bloomington man has admitted to sexually assaulting a woman last year while employed as her health aide at a Burnsville assisted-living home.John Akonkoh, 54, pleaded guilty in Dakota County District Court to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with assaulting the then-75-year-old woman at Regent at Burnsville last December. The woman had dementia and was partially paralyzed from an earlier stroke, the charges said.John Akonkoh (Courtesy of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office)Akonkoh’s admission last week came three days before a trial was set to begin. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed not to pursue an aggravated sentence of 25 years in prison. The plea deal calls for concurrent 15- and 12-year prison terms. Sentencing is scheduled for March 8.Akonkoh was released from custody Jan. 17 after posting a $250,000 bond.In August, a lawsuit the woman’s sister had filed against the facility and its three entities was dismissed after a settlem...

Bayport-based Andersen will pay out $55.4M in profit sharing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

Andersen Corp. employees got good news this week, just in time for the holidays.The Bayport-based window and door manufacturer announced Thursday it will pay out $55.4 million in 2023 to eligible employees as part of the company’s annual profit sharing program. Eligible employees will receive up to $4,400 apiece, company officials said.“Despite high interest rates impacting the housing market, Andersen continued to achieve remarkable growth in 2023,” Chris Galvin, Andersen Corporation president and chief executive officer said in a statement. “This success is a testament to the unwavering commitment, adaptability and resilience of our employees. We take pride in acknowledging our employees for embodying our core values and going above and beyond to consistently exceed customer expectations.”This year’s payout was a 33 percent increase over 2022, when the company distributed $41.5 million. Eligible employees last year received $4,000 in profit sharing, p...

Man killed in St. Paul shooting identified; 21-year-old jailed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

A man fatally shot in St. Paul on Wednesday has been identified as a 30-year-old.Alfonzo Armstead died at Regions Hospital. Officers found him on the southwest corner of University Avenue and Arundel Street after responding to a 911 call just before 3 p.m.A police sergeant on patrol in the area saw a man running from the area and took him into custody. The 21-year-old man was booked into the Ramsey County jail on suspicion of murder.The Ramsey County attorney’s office is reviewing a case for potential charges against the man.Police said Thursday their investigation is ongoing.The suspect completed a three-year probation term last month in a December 2019 aggravated robbery case, according to a court record. He was charged with robbing a man of his cellphone, showing a handgun in his waistband, as the man left a downtown Minneapolis bar. He was sentenced to 60 days in the Hennepin County workhouse and probation.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Texas men ch...

Vikings choose Jaren Hall over Josh Dobbs as backup quarterback

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

It will be rookie Jaren Hall, not journeyman Josh Dobbs, as the backup quarterback when the Vikings play the Bengals on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati. It seemed to be trending in this direction after head coach Kevin O’Connell named veteran Nick Mullens the starting quarterback over Dobbs earlier this week.Asked to explain the decision, O’Connell noted that Hall is fully healthy after recovering from a concussion, adding that the idea was to get him in the mindset that he could potentially be playing this week.“He has really gotten back on the grass and really worked through his continued development,” O’Connell said. “He’s done a nice job, and (we) just kind of want to go about it that way.”This is the first time Hall will be active since he suffered a concussion last month while making the first start of his career.Filling in for the injured Kirk Cousins, Hall was 5 for 6 passing for 78 yards early in the game against the Falcons in Atl...