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Country singer-songwriter Charlie Robison dies in Texas at age 59

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Charlie Robison, the Texas singer-songwriter whose rootsy anthems made the country charts until he was forced to retire after complications from a medical procedure left him unable to sing, died on Sunday. He was 59.Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, according to a family representative.Robison launched his music career in the late 1980s, playing in local Austin bands like Two Hoots and a Holler before forming his own Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his solo debut, “Bandera,” named for the Texas Hill Country town where his family has had a ranch for generations.When he was approached by Sony in 1998, Robison signed with its Lucky Dog imprint, which was devoted to rawer country. His 2001 album “Step Right Up” produced his only Top 40 country song, “I Want You Bad.”In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat. &#...

End may be in sight for Phoenix’s historic heat wave of 110-degree-plus weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — A historic heat wave continues to stifle Phoenix — but the end may finally be in sight for residents of Arizona’s largest city.The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.7 degrees Celsius) on Monday and 102 F (38.8 C) on Tuesday.“I hate to say, ‘Yes, this will be the last,’ but it’s more than likely that will be the case — this will be our last stretch of 110s this summer,” said Chris Kuhlman of the National Weather Service in Phoenix.An excessive heat warning was expected to expire at 8 p.m. Sunday.Meteorologists said Phoenix reached 112 F (44.4 C) by early afternoon Sunday and could top out at 114 F (45.5 C) for the second consecutive day.Either way, it eclipsed the previous record of 111 F (43.8 C) for the date, set in 1990. It also marked the 55th day this year that the official reading at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached at least 110 F (43.3 C). The city eclipsed the previous record of 53 days — set in 2020 — when it hit 11...

Michigan State suspends coach Mel Tucker after allegations he sexually harassed a rape survivor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

Michigan State suspended football coach Mel Tucker without pay on Sunday, less than 24 hours after allegations became public in a USA Today report that he sexually harassed activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy during a phone call last year.University President Teresa K. Woodruff and athletic director Alan Haller announced the suspension pending the results of an outside investigation into the allegations.The university hired a Title IX attorney to investigate Tracy’s complaint and the investigation concluded on July 25. A hearing is scheduled for the week of Oct. 5 determine if Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment and exploitation policy.When the investigative report was finished, Tucker was told not to have contact with Tracy and that Haller would increase his oversight of him and the program, Haller said at a news conference Sunday evening.Haller said he didn’t immediately suspend Tucker in July because the entire process of the investigation was not compl...

River Forest kids make Sept. 11 a day of action

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

RIVER FOREST, Ill. — A group of River Forest kids are making Sept. 11 a day of action instead of a day of sadness.On Sunday, they set up for Lemon-Aid 9/11 on Boonie Brae Place. 64 Fall Festivals and events coming to Chicagoland this autumn Teenagers are in charge and they work to create a family-friendly experience, with popcorn and baked goods.They have kids' activities, live entertainment and ways to honor the lives lost.All of the money will help a youth summer internship program for Proviso Youth and a mentorship program in Oak Park middle schools.

Kids, Chicago first responders come together for day of fishing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

CHICAGO — First responders and kids from Chicago's Austin neighborhood spent Sunday fishing.About 100 kids got free rods, reels and lessons from Chicago police officers and firefighters who were willing to share their love of the sport. ‘Braids and Brilliance:’ Black girls learn empowerment and entrepreneurship Doug Aller with New Concept Benefit Group, a company that does financial planning for first responders, came up with the idea one day while sitting in traffic and seeing students leaving school.For the third year, the event lured kids outdoors in hopes they'll start a new hobby and learn about the importance of protecting the environment.The event also gives children a chance to see officers and firefighters in a new light.

Would you let mosquitoes feed on you in the name of science?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — It's lunchtime at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District and a colony of sabethes cyaneus — also known as the paddle-legged beauty for its feathery appendages and iridescent coloring — find their way to Ella Branham.“They're not very aggressive and they're kind of picky eaters,” said Branham, a technician, as she exhaled into a glass tank to attract the insects to the carbon dioxide in her breath. “So I'll be feeding them with my arm.”Branham had volunteered to let the South American mosquitoes feed on her blood so they can produce eggs and maintain the colony for education and research at the lab in the Salt Lake City district. It's one of the many mosquito control districts around the United States that seek to hold in check one of the world's deadliest animals — one well-positioned to thrive as climate change fosters a warmer and wetter environment.Mosquitoes can carry viruses including dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika. They are e...

Man killed in hit-and-run crash in West Garfield Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is dead and an investigation is underway after a hit-and-run crash in West Garfield Park, according to Chicago police. Officers say the crash happened in the 500 block of South Independence Boulevard on Saturday evening.  3 CPD officers hospitalized after dog attack in West Garfield Park Police responded to reports of a car crash in the area just before 8:20 p.m. and after arriving on scene, officers found a man who had been hit by a car. The victim, who is believed to be between 45 and 55 years of age, was badly injured in the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. According to police, the victim was not in the crosswalk when he was found by responding officers and the vehicle that hit the man had fled the scene.  2 Uptown businesses vandalized, spray-painted by at least 10 people Area 4 detectives are now investigating the deadly crash.Anyone with information that could help officers in their investigation can leave a tip for police at CPDtip.com. Tip...

Bijan Robinson scores his 1st NFL touchdown in Falcons' 24-10 win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bijan Robinson looked right at home in his first NFL game Sunday with the Atlanta Falcons.Robinson scored his first professional touchdown, making a nifty move and then bulldozing two Carolina defenders on his way to an 11-yard receiving score, to help lead the Falcons past the Panthers 24-10 in the season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersRobinson gained 83 total yards, 56 on the ground and 27 catching passes, on 16 touches. He averaged 5.6 yards per rush and he hauled in six passes. Atlanta offensive coordinator Dave Ragone used Robinson as a traditional tailback and also as a slot receiver and H-back.In true Bijan fashion, he said his first game in the NFL was, "super fun.""I had a great time with my teammates," he told FOX Sports sideline reporter Jen Hale after the game. "The O-line opened everything up and gave us opp...

Lynx drop regular-season finale to finish with No. 6 playoff seed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

Minnesota needed a win and a little help to nab the No. 5 seed in the WNBA playoffs and a seemingly more winnable first-round matchup against Dallas.It got the help. It did not get the win.The Lynx dropped their regular-season finale 87-72 to the Indiana Fever on Sunday in Indianapolis, securing Minnesota’s first-round date with third-seeded Connecticut.Atlanta, which lost Sunday to Dallas, still grabbed the No. 5 seed by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreak with Minnesota and will meet the Wings in Round 1.Connecticut won 27 games this season. Dallas won 22.So Sunday was certainly a missed opportunity for the Lynx (19-21), who lost to a 13-win team. The score was tied 67-67 with eight minutes to play, but the Fever (13-27) closed the game on a 20-5 run.Game 1 of Minnesota’s best-of-three series with the Sun is set for Wednesday in Connecticut. Only a decisive Game 3, if necessary, would be played in Minneapolis. The Lynx went 1-3 against the Sun (27-13) in four regular-sea...

Twins’ Max Kepler on offensive breakthrough: ‘Healthy toes and a healthy mind’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:27 GMT

Max Kepler’s dramatic turnaround — most of which has happened in the second half of this season — can be explained in a multitude of ways.But the right fielder does so simply.“I’m healthy,” he said. “I’ve got healthy toes and a healthy mind. It helps.”Kepler hit .211 in 2021, posting a 98 OPS+. A year later, he hit .227 with a 92 OPS+ (100 is league average) and just nine home runs, down from 19 a season before and 36, his career high, in 2019. The season was disrupted by a broken pinky toe, suffered in July when he was hit by a pitch.“Last year, I was playing with a fractured toe for a while which, people might care or not, but it affected my game, personally,” Kepler said. “So I’m just happy to be healthy, mentally and physically.”While he had a slow start to this season — he was slashing .207/.279/.409 at the all-star break — his second-half numbers have shown a return to peak form for the outfielder. In the second half of the season, those numbers have improved...