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"We are mourning:' Chicago Palestinian Christians reflect on deadly war in Gaza as Christmas nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

CHICAGO -- While baking cookies and setting up a cave under a Christmas tree is a part of her family's usual traditions, a Palestinian Christan living in Chicago says the holiday can't be celebrated this year as the others.As communities around the world gear up for Christmas celebrations, the Palestinian Christian community in the Chicago says it's hard to be joyous as they mourn the lives of over 20,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments since Oct. 7. Officials in Bethlehem said Christmas celebrations will be canceled in Jesus’ traditional birthplace due to the Israel-Hamas war and the thousands of Palestinians lives lost.'Kahaf' or cave under Christmas tree, representing where Mary gave birth to JesusPalestinian-Jordanian Marlene, a Chicago-native moved to America in 2001, shortly before 9/11, at just eight years old. Christmas celebrations cancelled in Bethlehem, Jesus’ traditional birthplace due to Israel-Hamas war "It got pretty bad there, my dad said we n...

Mike Nussbaum, prolific Chicago stage actor with film roles including 'Field of Dreams,' dies at 99

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Nussbaum, reputed as the oldest professional actor in America with a prolific stage career and roles in films including “Field of Dreams” and “Men in Black,” has died. He was 99.He died of old age at his Chicago home on Saturday, just days before his 100th birthday, his daughter, Karen Nussbaum, told The Associated Press.“He was a good father and a good man who raised us to care about other people and respect other people and care about justice,” she said. 1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home Mike Nussbaum was acknowledged by the Actor’s Equity Association union multiple times in the past several years as the oldest professional actor in the country. When asked about his status as a working nonagenarian over the years, Nussbaum said he simply enjoyed the work.“I am gifted and lucky to still be able to do the thing that is the most fun for me in life,” he told WBEZ Chicago in 2019 when he was 94 years old. “As long as I can do it, I wil...

Arctic front tonight makes for a cold and breezy Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We had the best of both worlds today with heavy and beneficial rain in the morning giving way to warm sunshine in the afternoon pushing highs into the 70s. Most areas got 0.5"-1.5" since midnight. Check rainfall totals where you are at the link below. We'll be dry the rest of the day and the week ahead. CENTRAL TEXAS RAIN TOTALS An arctic cold front arrives overnight bringing gusty winds and much colder temperatures. Winds will gust 20-30 mph and temperatures will drop through the night with lows Christmas morning in the low 40s and upper 30s. Wind gusts Christmas morningDespite sunshine and high clouds, we'll find highs Christmas Day only reach the mid to upper 50s.Christmas forecastThe wind will back off late in the day tomorrow setting us up for an even colder night Monday night into Tuesday morning.A widespread freeze is expected to start the day on Tuesday, but it seems Austin will avoid a freeze this time.Some may freeze Tuesday morningWe'll have lots of su...

Texas Longhorns allow transferring players to stay with program during Sugar Bowl prep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The college football landscape is rapidly changing, and if teams and programs don't adapt, they risk being left behind. Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is typically at the front of the line in those situations and made a big philosophical shift in response to the transfer portal.As the Longhorns prepare for the Sugar Bowl and potentially the CFP National Championship Game, the rest of the college football world still keeps spinning at a ridiculous pace — much of it fueled by the free agency-style player movement due to the portal. Players have until Jan. 2 to enter their names into the transfer portal, leaving those who are on teams with bowl games in a situation that "sucks," Sarkisian said. Texas Longhorns’ 2024 recruiting class jumps to No. 3 after early signing period "They put in a lot of hard work, and since January they've been busting their tails with the team," Sarkisian said. "They committed a lot to the program, and for them to not be able to ...

Bah humbug! Vikings cede NFC North crown to Lions in 30-24 loss on Christmas Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

No longer are the Vikings the kings of the NFC North. That title now belongs to the Detroit Lions.As much as star receiver Justin Jefferson tried to will the Vikings to a Christmas Miracle, it wasn’t enough in a 30-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. Fittingly, the game ended with quarterback Nick Mullens throwing his fourth interception of the day.With a chance to give the Vikings the lead in the final minute, Mullens couldn’t get enough mustard on a pass to Jefferson near the goal line. That allowed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu to swoop in at the last moment for an interception that helped the Lions capture their first division title in 30 years.The game started with the Lions’ dominant 14-play, 75-yard drive during which they kept the Vikings completely on their heels. It culminated with running back David Montgomery finding the end zone to put Detroit up 7-0.Fortunately for the Vikings, they responded with an impressive drive of their own,...

Sheriff's department releases images of MetroLink armed robbery suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect and person of interest in connection with multiple armed robberies and attacks involving a firearm that happened at MetroLink locations.In each of the crimes, the sheriff’s department claims the description of the suspect has remained consistent, leading investigators to believe the suspect is the same individual.The first armed robbery happened on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Deputies met with a victim who claimed a man on a westbound train approached him, displayed a handgun, and took personal items and money from him before departing the train. City officials saw bodycam footage after police SUV crashed into bar – Source On Dec. 21 around 10:30 p.m., deputies met with another victim who reported a similar robbery.Around 11:50 p.m. on Dec. 23, deputies received word that a man had been shot at the Belleville MetroLink Station. The victim’s injury was not life-threatening an...

Shohei Ohtani gives teammate’s wife new Porsche as thank you for jersey number 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

Shohei Ohtani made headlines when he announced he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and while many fixated on the zeros in his contract, another number needed to be focused on. The number on the back of his jersey, that is. After Ohtani announced he would test free agency after multiple unsuccessful seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, a leaguewide scramble for the superstar two-way player began. Fans from across the country campaigned for Ohtani to sign for their club, but one woman – a fellow MLB player’s wife – may have had the best pitch for the two-time American League MVP.  Dodgers officially introduce Shohei Ohtani Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly’s wife Ashley started her “#Ohtake17” campaign in the hopes that it would catch Ohtani’s attention. “Take 17” refers to the number worn by her husband during his time in L.A.; not only did Ashley say that Ohtani could have Joe’s jersey number if he signed with the Dodgers, but she even joked in an Instagr...

Local church gives away thousands of toys as part of annual event 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

Children in Whittier were treated to some early Christmas gifts on Sunday as part of a local church’s annual toy giveaway. The Freedom City Church, located at 6355 Greenleaf Avenue in Whittier, hosts its annual Christmas at Freedom event each year during the holiday season.  Shohei Ohtani gives teammate’s wife new Porsche as thank you for jersey number This year’s giveaway theme was “Christmas Toy Wonderland,” complete with Santa, “Toy Story” characters and real snow. The children receiving the toys could not have been more excited to receive their gifts a day before many others do, but church staff are just as enthusiastic about giving the toys out.Children in Whittier were treated to some early Christmas gifts on Sunday as part of a local church’s annual toy giveaway on Dec. 24, 2023. (KTLA)“We are thrilled to be able to spread Christmas cheer on Christmas Eve,” Senior Pastor of Freedom City Church Jason Lozano said. “It’s really special to have the opportunity to share Ch...

Coastal flood, hazardous beach advisories for Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

(KRON) – The National Weather Service for the Bay Area has issued a minor coastal flooding advisory as a result of a hide tide on Christmas Day around 9:26 a.m. The coastal flood advisory will be active from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday. The areas most likely impacted are low-lying, flood-prone spots adjacent to the San Francisco Bay. Animal shelter offering half-price on all pet adoptions during holiday season For your safety, avoid underpasses and coastal trails.  A Beach Hazards Statement was issued for the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay region, and Big Sure Coast for Christmas Day. The hazard is forecasted from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 25.The weather service says there will be an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip currents for northwest-facing beaches.Long-period breaking waves of 10 to 12 feet and increased risk for sneaker waves are expected. According to the NWS, there could potentially be dangerous conditions for inexperienced surfers and swim...

At least 70 are killed in central Gaza, in one of the war's deadliest strikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:33 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) — At least 70 people were killed in Gaza in one of the deadliest strikes of the war, health officials said Sunday, while the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend rose to 15.Associated Press journalists at a nearby hospital watched frantic Palestinians carry the dead, including a baby, and wounded following the strike on the Maghazi refugee camp east of Deir al-Balah. One bloodied young girl looked stunned while her body was checked for broken bones.Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said the toll was likely to rise. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.“We were all targeted,” said Ahmad Turokmani, who lost several family members including his daughter and grandson. “There is no safe place in Gaza anyway.”As Christmas Eve fell, smoke rose over the besieged territory, while in the West Bank Bethlehem was hushed, its holiday celebrations called off. In neighboring Egypt, tentative efforts continued on a deal for anot...