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Americans released from Venezuelan prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Several Americans who had been jailed in Venezuela touched down on American soil last night following a deal between the Biden administration and the Venezuelan government.The White House says the deal was months in the making. Ten Americans were freed in the prisoner swap."We have secured the release of every American being held in Venezuela," said President Joe Biden.Fugitive Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," was also returned to America.The defense contractor escaped house arrest in California last year and fled to Venezuela. The U.S. released a close ally of the Venezuelan president, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who had been arrested on federal money laundering charges.President Biden defended the controversial deal last night." It's okay because we heard Americans, people who were held illegally and we made a deal with Venezuela that they hold free elections so far, they've maintained the requirement," said Biden.As part of the deal,...

In-N-Out adds first new items to menu since 2018

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

(KTLA) – For the first time in five years, In-N-Out has added new items to its menu.Earlier this week, the California-based chain announced that Lite Pink Lemonade and Cherry Coke are now available at restaurants, effectively making them the first new menu items since 2018."We are so excited to share two new options on our beverage menu that we think you are going to love!" reads a post shared to In-N-Out's social media pages.The new lemonade — a lower-calorie version of its classic pink lemonade — is made with lemon juice and is sweetened with stevia leaves and monk fruit. Cherry Coke, meanwhile, takes its place among other Coca-Cola-owned offerings including classic Coke, Minute Maid zero-sugar lemonade and Barq's root beers. In-N-Out last augmented its menu with a new item in 2018, when hot cocoa was introduced. Restaurants have also been known to provide free hot cocoa to children 12 and under on rainy or snowy days, depending on the location. The not-so-secret meaning behind ...

Vehicle thefts on the rise at Austin's airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Data from the Austin Police Department shows the number of vehicles stolen from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, including thefts in the parking garages, has risen this year when compared to the past five years. KXAN reached out to APD after multiple viewers said their vehicle was stolen from one of the parking garages at the airport while they were traveling. Those viewers said their cars were eventually found in other Texas cities like Houston and Dallas. Over the past five years, the data shows there have been 230 reports of stolen cars from the airport. Of those, 177 cars were stolen from one of the designated garages where the airport offers overnight parking for travelers. This chart shows the car theft data at ABIA from Jan. 2018 to Aug. 2023. Car thefts happen in parking lots around the airport, not just the parking garages (Courtesy Austin Police Department).The data in the 2023 column only shows crime statistics between January and August. In th...

Matt's El Rancho is one of America's most successful restaurants -- here's how

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The story on Matt's El Rancho will air on KXAN Thursday afternoon. AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Some may wonder if a 71-year-old restaurant has the vitality to keep up with Austin’s fast-changing food landscape and rising real estate costs.But Matt’s El Rancho, an iconic Tex-Mex restaurant off South Lamar Boulevard — one of those places that would create a community-wide uproar if it ever closed — has staying power. It has the family members to sustain it for generations to come, and they're sitting on a license to print money.Inside Matt's El Rancho.ARNOLD WELLS / ABJConsider these numbers from the website Restaurant Business: Matt's consistently plays among the nation’s top 100 independent restaurants, ranking No. 43 right now. Matt’s served more than 630,000 meals last year, which is on par with New York City’s famous Tavern on the Green. With an average check of $31 and annual ...

12-year-old piano prodigy serenades the White Earth Reservation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

NAYTAWAUSH — Music has been filling the air more frequently on the White Earth Reservation in recent weeks.Whenever 12-year old Jayme Littlewolf has free time, he can be found in his living room on the piano bench.His favorite song to play is “River Flows In You.”Littlewolf has only been playing the piano for a few months. He taught himself by watching YouTube and practicing on an electronic keyboard.“Usually I would pause the video, and then I would look at the keys and then I would press them,” he said.The sixth grader said his love for piano music started at a young age as he would listen to it before bed.Recently he began to think the music would sound better if he played it.“It’s so peaceful, it’s really, really peaceful listening to him play,” said his mother Amy.Wherever Jayme goes music fills the air.“Every time I see a piano, it’s hard not to want to play it,” he said.“Every town or city we go through, ...

Traffic stop leads to illegal gun possession arrest in Albany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was arrested following a traffic stop on Quail Street in Albany on Sunday. Kymir Pearson, 32, faces multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Sunday, December 17, around 2:34 a.m., troopers pulled over a car on Quail Street in Albany for a vehicle and traffic law violation. State Police identified the driver as Pearson, who they say did not have a valid driver's license. State Police say they saw a gun in the passenger seat which led to a search of the car. Police say a second handgun was found, both loaded with one having an illegal high-capacity magazine. Police say Pearson did not have a pistol permit and illegally possessed the firearms. Albany woman in critical condition after pedestrian crash Charges:Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (two counts)Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (three counts)Other vehicle and traffic law violationsPearson was arrested and...

St. Louis man convicted in shooting death of his ex-girlfriend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and then shot her mother has been found guilty of murder and assault. The St. Louis County Circuit Court convicted has convicted 23-year-old Dairius Kinnie in the death of 19-year-old Tianna Baker. Investigators say Kinnie shot and killed Baker on March 24, 2021. He also shot and injured her mother, then ran away from police as they chased him.The state called witnesses to the trial, one being a daughter who saw the shootings but wasn't injured, as well as several detectives, police officers, crime lab technicians, and the medical examiner.The jury heard a ShotSpotter recording that showed Kinnie paused after beginning to shoot and then started shooting again, clear evidence of deliberation. He shot Tianna Baker more than a dozen times.ShotSpotter is a device that hears gunshots and uses acoustic sensors to find illegal gunfire and immediately notify law enforcement and security staff.“The courage and composure this mother a...

Warmer weather and rain likely in St. Louis for Christmas Eve and Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS - If you wanted a White Christmas this year, you'll need to wait for another time. The FOX 2 weather team is tracking several developments that point to a relatively warm, but also rainy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the St. Louis metro. For Christmas Eve, this Sunday, we're looking at highs of up to 61 degrees. There's also a moderate chance for rain near the end of the night. For Christmas Day, this Monday, we're looking at highs of up to 58 degrees. Anyone around St. Louis should also anticipate some periods of rain. Could this Christmas Day holiday be the warmest ever in St. Louis? The current record has stood for more than a century. According to the National Weather Service, it reached 64 degrees in the St. Louis area in 1889. As of Thursday, FOX 2 estimates around a 50% chance of rain on Christmas Eve and an 80% chance of rain on Christmas Day. Despite the precipitation, the warmup dampers hope for a White Christmas this year. St. Louis weather from Meteorologi...

Adams County sheriff’s deputies kill man in shootout; deputy also injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

Adams County sheriff’s deputies killed a man in an overnight shootout in which a deputy also was injured, officials said in posts on social media.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | No charges for Denver officer who fatally shot man holding marker Crime and Public Safety | Boulder police fatally shoot woman carrying replica gun near recreation center Crime and Public Safety | Police shooting reported near North Boulder Recreation Center Crime and Public Safety | Colorado Springs police shoot armed man after suspected stolen vehicle pursuit Crime and Public Safety | Commerce City man sentenced to 50 years in neighbor’s shooting death The shooting occurred about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, but the Adams County Sheriff’s Office did not say where it happened. A sheriff’s office spokesperson did not immediately return a call Thursday morning seeking more information about the shooting....

Letters: How can Xcel, a public utility, justify such lavish digs in RiNo?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:49 GMT

Lavish digs for public utilityRe: “Why Xcel’s new HQ stings so bad,” Dec. 17 editorialBravo to the editorial board for this piece. Wearing my RiNo landlord hat, this is great news for the neighborhood and will likely serve as a catalyst for continued momentum and growth. However, when switching to my Xcel ratepayer hat, one must question this decision. The T3 building may be the best-in-class building in RiNo and likely in the entire downtown sub-market. It is incomprehensible that a public utility can justify the need or expense for such a high-caliber building.Certainly their workforce should occupy a building with appropriate amenities and a work environment commensurate with similar types of entities, but it’s hard for me to imagine there is justification for best in class. Given the plethora of vacant and bargain office space currently on the market, one would think there are far more economical options.This decision on its own is bad enough, but in light of Xcel’s ...