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Memphis school officials make 'After School Satan Club' decision

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG/NEXSTAR) — After weeks of controversy, officials at a Tennessee school district say that despite some community objections, a school program operated by The Satanic Temple will be allowed to operate on campus facilities in January.The Satanic Temple announced plans to host its “After School Satan Club” at Chimneyrock Elementary School in Cordova beginning Jan. 10. Attendance at the after-school club is not mandatory for students and it is not sponsored by MSCS — nevertheless, some parents were concerned after the news made the rounds on social media. What is an After School Satan Club? The club is a project of The Satanic Temple (TST), which, despite its name, doesn’t worship the Biblical figure — or even believe Satan exists. Instead, TST says Satan is a literary figure representing “rejecting tyranny over the human mind and spirit.”The religious organization is well-known for its advocacy, saying it aims to “encourage empathy, reject tyrannica...

Sheriff: Teen who planned shooting at Jewish temple was member of antisemitic online groups

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

CANTON, Ohio (WJW) -- A 13-year-old boy accused of plotting a mass shooting at a local Jewish synagogue admitted to being a member of multiple online antisemitic and political groups, according to county authorities.The teen is accused of creating "a detailed plan to complete a mass shooting at the Temple Israel," according to Stark County Family Court filings. The temple is along 30th Street Northwest in Canton. Supreme Court refuses to block Illinois law banning some high-power semiautomatic weapons .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }The plan was discovered Sept. 1 in Plain Township, on the social media platform Discord, and reported to authorities, filings show. The platform supports group text, voice and video chats, and is primarily designed for video game players...

Calls grow for Israel to scale back its aggressive military strategy

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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, 13 Feb 2025 11:11:16 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...