Nearly 3.5M travelers expected at Chicago airports this holiday season

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Nearly 3.5M travelers expected at Chicago airports this holiday season CHICAGO — The holiday traveling season is in full swing with close to 3.5 million people expected to pass through Chicago's two airports between Wednesday and January 2.Wednesday is the busiest day at O'Hare International Airport. Both airlines and the federal government hope this year goes a lot smoother than last year.The Department of Transportation is keeping a close eye on airlines after Southwest had a systemwide meltdown last year. Close to one million people were left stranded with luggage piling up at airports across the country.Earlier this week, Southwest Airlines was fined $140 million, an amount meant to send a message that there is a difference between an act of God, like a snowstorm, and an airline just not being ready."We can't make guarantees on behalf of the airline industry for how Christmas and New Year's will go, but I will say there's been a lot of improvement," said Sec. Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Department. New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular returnin...

1 in 10 million bison found in Oklahoma — why's it so rare?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

1 in 10 million bison found in Oklahoma — why's it so rare? QUAPAW, Okla. (KSNF) — A rare "genetically pure" white bison, whose odds of existing are around 1 in 10 million, was identified in northeast Oklahoma. As the largest land mammal in North America, approximately 30 million bison once roamed the plains states. However, bison suffered greatly during the westward expansion of the 1800s and nearly went extinct. At one point, less than 1,000 remained in the wild.Thanks to conservation efforts, the number of North American bison is now estimated to be upwards of 600,000 and growing.Those same conservation efforts have also led to the discovery of a rare type of bison — one that the Quapaw Tribe of northeast Oklahoma says they're extremely lucky to have in their care.(Photo: KSNF)Mitch Albright, the Director of Agriculture for the Quapaw Nation, is responsible for looking after 175 head of bison located on tribal land. Albright noticed one of the bulls in his care looked different from the rest.His name is Frosty — a name that suits him well...

WATCH: Marine surprises son during school assembly

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

WATCH: Marine surprises son during school assembly WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A third-grader at a Wallingford, Connecticut, elementary school got an early Christmas surprise on Tuesday when his father returned home from Marine training.Marcel Black thought his early morning assembly at Mary Fritz Elementary School was about upcoming events. Principal Eric Carbone said he was going to show a video from Marcel's dad during the assembly, but it seemed to malfunction.That's because the Marine, who is stationed in California for training, was actually there in person. "Once I got a closer look, I realized that was my dad, so I ran up to him and hugged him," Marcel said.Black will head back to California in January. For now, he's soaking up the time with his family."I hadn't seen him in a long time," Pfc. Clayton Black said. "He's my motivation to push through my training.""I really want to catch up on some father-son things we haven't done in a while," Marcel Black said.

Lance Armstrong's storage unit burglarized, over $100K in bikes stolen

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Lance Armstrong's storage unit burglarized, over $100K in bikes stolen Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two Austin men are accused of stealing more than $100,000 of high-end bicycles and parts from the storage unit of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, according to arrest affidavits.Police allege Shaun Thompson, 36, and Ethan Harms, 33, burglarized Armstrong’s ExtraSpace Storage Unit sometime between Dec. 10 and 12 and took four Trek road racing bikes with clear markings identifying Armstrong as the owner. A silver and black Cannondale Super Six Evo racing bike and a Ventum GS-1 gravel racing bike were also taken, police said.Both men have been charged with theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000 – a third-degree felony, according to court records.Harms and Thompson are suspects in other storage units and apartment burglaries, according to the arrest affidavit. Police said they reviewed the storage unit’s surveillance footage and recognized the suspects from...

New road opens in east San Marcos, providing an alternative route to I-35

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

New road opens in east San Marcos, providing an alternative route to I-35 HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Christmas came early for some Hays County drivers as a new route opened Wednesday in east San Marcos.The new FM 110 road, part of the East San Marcos Loop, begins slightly east of Interstate 35 and Yarrington Road and ends at SH 80. It has one lane in both directions,10-foot shoulders and a bridge over SH 21.FM 110, part of the East San Marcos Loop, begins slightly east of Interstate 35 and north of San Marcos at Yarrington Road and ends at SH 80 (Courtesy: Hays County Government X Account). The roadway was constructed to provide drivers with an alternative to the frequently congested I-35 and costs just over $39 million. The Texas Department of Transportation, Hays County and the City of San Marcos funded the project. Stakeholders broke ground in March 2022, and it's the final of three projects that complete the East San Marcos Loop.“There were many who doubted this project would ever be built,” Hays County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe told KXAN at the ...

Pedestrian killed on Coon Rapids Boulevard identified

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Pedestrian killed on Coon Rapids Boulevard identified Authorities have identified a pedestrian fatally struck last week in Coon Rapids.According to the Anoka County sheriff’s office, rescuers were summoned to Coon Rapids Boulevard Northwest and 111th Avenue Northwest shortly after 8 p.m. Dec. 13, on a report of a motor vehicle-pedestrian collision.Investigators say Mary Katherine Kessler, 53, was crossing Coon Rapids Boulevard when she was struck by a westbound vehicle. Kessler then was struck again by a second westbound vehicle.Kessler, of Coon Rapids, was later declared dead at an area hospital.The men who were driving the vehicles were not injured and are cooperating with investigators, the sheriff’s office said.The incident remains under investigation by the Anoka County sheriff’s office, Coon Rapids police, Minnesota State Patrol and Anoka County medical examiners.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Proctor School District, family of former football player settle lawsuit over 2021 hazing incident Crim...

Copake man sentenced on child pornography charges

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Copake man sentenced on child pornography charges ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Christopher Stickles, 35, was sentenced to seven years and one month in prison on child pornography charges. Stickles is also required to serve 15 years of post-release supervision and pay $6,000 in restitution to the two victims. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Stickles admitted that he downloaded image and video files containing child pornography from file-sharing websites. The offenses occurred between January 2021 and August 2022. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

Halfmoon man accused of forcibly touching child

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Halfmoon man accused of forcibly touching child HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Halfmoon man was arrested on Friday and is accused of forcibly touching a child under 17. Tommy Johnson, 49, is charged with forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, December 14, around 12:16 p.m., troopers received information that an adult man made inappropriate contact with a child under 17. According to New York State Police, an investigation found Johnson touched a child inappropriately while they were in Halfmoon in October.Johnson surrendered himself to Clifton Park State Police. He was arraigned at the Clifton Park Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Children's Museum to remain open over winter break

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Children's Museum to remain open over winter break SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Children's Museum at Saratoga is keeping its doors open for families over the holiday break. The museum will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and reopen on the 26th. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “School break is a perfect time to bring the little ones to the Children’s Museum,” said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of the Museum. “We’re simply inviting them to play–and the bonus is that they’ll be learning important social and educational skills as they’re doing it.”The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families are invited to attend the Winter Wonderland education programs offered daily at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. The Winter Wonderland programs are free with admission. Additional programs offered throughout the week include:Beautiful SnowflakesSuited for children of all ages. Tuesday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Children will learn about snowflake...

Clothes with apparent blood on them found in Gloversville cemetery

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:37 GMT

Clothes with apparent blood on them found in Gloversville cemetery GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Gloversville Police Department is asking for the public's help in figuring out the origin of two pieces of clothes, covered in apparent blood, that were found in Prospect Hill Cemetery on S. Kingsboro Avenue in Gloversville. The clothes, based on brand and size, appear to belong to a young woman, according to Gloversville Police. Image via Gloversville PoliceImage via Gloversville Police Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Gloversville Police responded to Prospect Hill Cemetery on Monday around 3:47 p.m. for reports of clothes that had been found covered in apparent blood. A search of the area was conducted which yielded no new information. Another search of the area was conducted on Tuesday with additional K9 units, again yielding no new evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chris Pescetti at (518) 773-4513.