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Italy OKs aid mega-package for flooded north, with museum ticket surcharge to help pay for it

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

ROME (AP) — The Italian government on Tuesday approved more than 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in aid for the flood-stricken region of Emilia-Romagna in the north, including for farmers and business owners in one of the country’s most productive regions.The government is envisioning raising by 1 euro ($1.1) the price of admission tickets to state museums, Premier Giorgia Meloni said. The money would be earmarked to help pay for repairs to damaged cultural institutions. Also being considered is a special lotto game to raise funds. Meloni told reporters that the assistance approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday includes the suspension of tax payments as well as utility bills over the coming months. Mortgage payments in areas considered disaster zones will also be suspended.“In the situation which Italy finds itself, finding 2 billion euros in a few days isn’t an easy thing,” Meloni said. She cited many of the categories receiving aid, including education, wh...

WATCH LIVE: Illinois AG to provide 'significant update' on clergy sex abuse investigation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is holding a press conference Tuesday morning to provide a "significant update" on his office's clergy sex abuse investigation.The press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in downtown Chicago.In late 2018, then-Attorney General Lisa Madigan began the investigation after accusing the Catholic Church of dramatically underreporting the allegations of clergy sex abuse in the state.At the time, her investigators said they found at least 500 accusations against priests and clergy.In a release, Raoul stated his investigation continues what Madigan started and follows the recent Maryland attorney general investigation. ‘The damage this does is chronic:’ Clergy sex abuse survivor shares story According to the Maryland report, more than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability.This year, Pope Francis updated a 2019 church law aimed at hol...

'Food was amazing': Bride feeds 99 wedding guests for $1,950 by ordering from fast-casual chain, reheating food hours later

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

(WJW) — With the average cost of weddings continuing to break bank accounts across the country, it makes sense people would take note of a bride who found a sneaky way to cut costs on catered food.Vlogger and TikTok creator Madison Mulkey recently revealed she spent just $1,950 on food for her 99 wedding guests — and she did it by getting Chili's to cater the dinner."We loved the price point, I mean you really can't beat that price point — you just can't," she told her TikTok followers in a viral video posted earlier this month. "It's insane that we only spent that much money for our wedding food."The menu, Mulkey said, included chips, salsa, salads, egg rolls, chicken tenders, sliders, Cajun chicken pasta, and even five specialty meals for guests with dietary restrictions. How much does the average wedding cost in your state? Mulkey and her family also offset the cost by picking up the food themselves instead of paying for delivery. And since her nuptials took place over a busy S...

Man accused of poisoning 50+ fish at Rhode Island inn

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

FOSTER, R.I. (WPRI) — A man accused of killing dozens of pet fish at a Rhode Island inn is facing an animal cruelty charge.Jeffrey Gronski, 59, was arrested following the incident last Thursday, according to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA). Report: 8,000 vehicles in RI pose serious safety risk The RISPCA said it was contacted by Foster police after a long-term resident of Stone House Motor Inn in Foster allegedly put Miracle-Gro in the koi and goldfish pond during a dispute with management.Around 50 fish died as a result, some of which were more than 20 years old, according to the RISPCA.Gronski was charged with malicious injury or killing of animals. He was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment and is due back in court in August.

First look at Lyric Opera's production of 'West Side Story'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards sits down with some of the cast of the Lyric Opera's new production of "West Side Story" that opens next week.The show features almost 100 artists who will perform on the massive Lyric Opera stage.Dean interviewed stars Yurel Echezarreta, who plays Bernard, and Amanda Castro, who plays Anita. Watch the interview in the player aboveGet Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

LIVE: Recommended Project Connect light rail plan unveiled

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The transportation entity tasked with constructing Austin's Project Connect mass transit system unveiled Tuesday which light rail route they want to see built in the capital city.The Austin Transit Partnership is recommending Austin's initial light rail system runs from 38th Street down south to Oltorf Street, as well as southeast to Yellow Jacket Lane. The 9.8-mile route would feature 15 stations and service an average ridership upwards of 29,000 people per day, if adopted.ATP Project Connect Light Rail RecommendationDownloadThe recommended route's sticker price comes in between $4.5 billion and $4.8 billion, with possible Phase 1 buildout points to Crestview in the north and the airport to the southeast, depending on costs and available funding. Future light rail extensions post-Phase 1 could carry the two-line system to the North Lamar Transit Center and Stassney Lane, with southern stops proposed at St. Edward's University and the South Congress Transit Center. ...

Austin police searching for suspects who stole Kia, crashed it, then stole 2 other cars

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department officers are looking for the suspects of two cases of car thefts that happened consecutively in March. According to APD, officers responded to an auto theft call on Saturday, March 18, at 5:44 a.m. in the 3700 block of Werner Avenue. Police said two suspects broke into a Kia Soul and drove away in it. The next day, APD officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 2000 block of Alamo Street, where they found a white Kia Soul crashed into a home. Suspect running away after crashing a stolen Kia Soul into a house on Alamo Street. (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department) Stolen Kia Soul (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department) Stolen Kia Soul (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department) The crash site is about a mile away from the area the car was stolen from Werner Avenue. Surveillance video posted on APD's YouTube shows one of the suspects running aw...

NOAA releases Texas summer weather predictions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – This summer is shaping up to be a hot one in Texas. In its long-range weather outlook for June, July and August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts most U.S. states are leaning toward a hotter-than-average summer – and Texas is no exception. The temperature map (below) is lit up in shades of orange and red. The darker the color, the higher the probability of above-normal temperatures. Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin? Texas summers are usually hot, but this year may be even more blistering. Most of the state is "likely" to see above-normal temperatures, according to the outlook. The highest chances are found in the western edge of the state, near El Paso, where the heat can be scorching even in a normal month. The average high in El Paso in June is 98 degrees. The predictions for this summer's precipitation are more of a toss-up. Most of the Lone Star State has equal chances of above-normal and below-normal rainf...

East Greenbush Fire Company warns residents of increased activity

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- East Greenbush residents should not be alarmed by the presence of fire departments around the town on Tuesday night. According to the East Greenbush Fire Company, they will be performing drills with mutual aid companies. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The participating fire departments will also utilize hydrants near the Town of East Greenbush Highway Garage on Gilligan Road, Schodack Plaza near Tractor Supply, and the area of Empire State Blvd. in Schodack Center. Travelers in those areas are asked to use extra caution.

Poughkeepsie PD investigating fatal motorcycle crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:28 GMT

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that took place on Monday around 5:29 p.m. A 23-year-old Poughkeepsie man, whose name was not released by police, was pronounced dead on the scene. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say a Toyota SUV collided with a 2003 Honda Motorcycle driven by the 23-year-old. The crash took place on State Route 55 at the intersection of Machester Road.Police say the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office pronounced the man dead at the scene. Members of the Arlington Fire Department, Mobile Life Support Services, and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office responded as well. Two deputies shot executing search warrant in Clifton Park This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit at (845) 790-4685.