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Poland to double troops number at border with Belarus, accuses it of organizing illegal migration

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Polish government announced Wednesday that it is planning to deploy an additional 2,000 troops to its border with Belarus, twice the number the Border Guard agency had requested, as fears of illegal migration rise. In an interview with state news agency PAP, a deputy interior minister, Maciej Wasik announced the decision and accused the Belarusian authorities of organizing illegal migration. He said migration pressure on the Polish-Belarusian border area is growing, although it cannot compare to the situation two years ago.At the time, large numbers of migrants from the Middle East and Africa arrived at the border, their travel there facilitated by flights and visas provided by the Minsk government — something Warsaw considered to be a form of “hybrid warfare.”“If we had real border guards on the other side and not a smuggling service, these crossings would not exist at all,” Wasik said. Polish authorities retaliated by building a tall steel wall, whi...

The US Open is adding video review for double bounces. It’s a first for Grand Slam tennis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

New U.S. Open tournament referee Jake Garner recalls being a chair umpire and having a tough time figuring out in the moment whether a ball bounced twice before a player got it back over the net. If that happens at Flushing Meadows this year, though, an official can check a replay: Video review will make its Grand Slam tennis debut when main-draw competition begins in New York on Aug. 28.“There were certain situations, of course, where you would see a video post-match and wish you had made a different decision,” Garner told The Associated Press, “or wish you had assistance in making that decision.”Video review — which is separate from the electronic line-calling used for ruling balls in or out at all matches — will be set up for five of the Open’s 17 competition courts: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand, Court 5 and Court 17. That sampling, which should include a little more than 50% of singles matches, according to Garner, will be studied before decidin...

Steve McMichael returns home after being released from hospital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — There was some very good news to report about "Mongo" late Tuesday evening. Steve McMichael, who has been battling ALS, returned to his home in Homer Glen after being released from the hospital, per his family. The former Bears' defensive tackle had been in the ICU as he dealt with sepsis and pneumonia, receiving treatments since last Friday. He will continue to receive antibiotics upon his return to his house. A "Team Mongo" rally will be held on Wednesday evening at Homer Glen's Village Hall, 14240 West 151st Street, at 6:30 p.m. ‘He’s still got a lot of personality in there’ – With help from many, Steve McMichael continues ALS fight and push for Hall of Fame It marks a positive moment for McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in January 2021 and continues to battle the disease. He's received support from his former teammates, professional wrestling performers, and fans from around Chicago as his ALS has progressed over the past two-and-a-half years. There are...

Niles introduces feral cat program for rat control

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

NILES, Ill. — Niles announced Wednesday that they are piloting a feral cat program to help control rats and other pests.Authorities are working with a resident in the 7800 block of North Nordica Avenue who will provide food and shelter for five feral cats.The cats will be released in the same block for a two-month trial program. Niles police will then evaluate the program's effectiveness. Meet the cats fighting Chicago’s rat problem If the program is found the be effective, it will potentially be expanded to other areas of Niles.

Here are the best cities to start a marriage, career, or both

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

Related video above shows where more Americans are moving. (The Hill) -- It’s wedding season and time to consider where the happy couple should settle after the honeymoon.But what about finding jobs? Hiring runs slower in summer, with so many managers off at the beach.In the interest of efficiency, we looked at two recent reports, one examining the best cities for newlyweds, the other tabulating the best cities to launch a career.The cities-for-newlyweds list comes from StorageCafe, an online marketplace that feeds our national obsession with storage space. The tally of best cities to start a career comes from Bankrate, the personal finance site.What makes a city good for newlyweds? The StorageCafe analysis considered marriage and divorce statistics, housing availability and costs, employment rates, restaurant options and a host of other variables.Here are five of their picks:Arlington, VirginiaThe Washington Monument is seen in the background behind a new apartment building in Crys...

Del Valle ISD starts school with 6% pay raise for staff, new $69 million school campus

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Del Valle Independent School District welcomes its students back with a brand new $69 million campus for students and a 6% raise for staff. The new building has lots of learning spaces, flexible seating, a robotics lab, science lab and many more features. Now, it's ready for students to step on campus. It was all paid for by a 2019 bond. This year, Del Valle ISD has put in place a 6% pay raise for all its staff. Del Valle ISD approves 6% raise for all positions The district’s starting salary for teachers is now $58,000 a year, with the chance to earn a $1,000 stipend that comes with completing a professional development plan.This gives Del Valle ISD the highest starting salary for teachers in the Central Texas area.The district's superintendent Dr. Annette Tielle, said she hopes this makes it a destination district for educators throughout the state.“It is difficult for them to be able to afford housing. In order for them to be able to stay in the distric...

City of Austin to celebrate redevelopment of old Home Depot site

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video included in this story features the morning headlines for Aug. 9, 2023.  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin will host a celebration Saturday morning to mark the redevelopment of the former site of the Home Depot store in north Austin. According to a city release sent out Tuesday, the city said the free, family-friendly event featuring live music, local performances, children’s activities and breakfast tacos will happen from 9-11 a.m. at 7211 N. Interstate 35. PAST COVERAGE: City gets 6 bids to redevelop vacant Home Depot property; building ‘not habitable’ for homeless housing The city told KXAN demolition of the old Home Depot building's vertical structure would begin Monday, Aug. 14, and take three weeks. The site, officially called the St. John Site, held significant historical importance for the Black community, according to the announcement. The site's roots trace back to the 1890s when the St. John Regular Missionary Baptist Association obtained...

City of Austin to waive fees at most pools through Sept. 30

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department said Tuesday it would not charge admission fees at all but one of the city swimming pools from Wednesday, Aug. 9, through Saturday, Sept. 30. It said it would still charge admission fees at Barton Springs Pool. Parks and Rec said the fee waiver is because of the record heat the city is currently dealing with.  

Buda to add acres for future parkland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

Editor's Note: The video included in this story features the morning headlines for Aug. 9, 2023.  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Buda said Tuesday it acquired more land for a future park just north of downtown. According to the city announcement, the 4.5 acres added to the future Garison Park site will provide the City with continuous access along Onion Creek where the park will be constructed as part of the 2021 Proposition B Bond Program.The original 40-acre property was purchased in 2016, the City said, for water play, access for non-motorized watercraft, fishing, hiking and bird watching. “Acquisition of this property was a priority for City Council as it creates opportunities to better connect our trail system and to build out the future Garison Park,” said Buda City Manager Micah Grau. The City said Hays County helped make the purchase of the property possible. It said the commissioners' court pledged up to $900,000 for the purchase through the Hays County 2020 Parks Bond.

Mega Millions ticket wins $1.58 billion jackpot, the third-largest in US history

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:51 GMT

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A single ticket sold in Florida is good for a $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot, ending a stretch of lottery futility that had stretched for nearly four months.A Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach sold the winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery. The winning numbers drawn Tuesday night were: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 and the yellow ball 14.A message was left seeking comment Wednesday from Publix. Messages left for the Florida Lottery weren’t immediately returned.Before the big win, there had been 31 straight drawings since the last time someone won the game’s jackpot on April 18. That enabled the prize to steadily grow to be the third-largest ever in U.S. history.Mega Millions jackpot winners are so rare thanks to odds of one in 302.6 million.The $1.58 billion payout would go to the winner if they opt for an annuity, doled out over 30 years. But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday’s jackpot was an estimated $783.3 million.The ...