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Pop acts sing for glory at Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, with Ukraine in spotlight

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The final of the Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in Liverpool, with a Swedish diva and a party-loving Finnish rapper among favorites to win a joyous music competition clouded, for a second year running, by the war in Ukraine.Britain is hosting on behalf of Ukraine, which won last year but can’t take up its right to hold the contest because of the war. Under the slogan “united by music,” the grand final fused the soul of English port city that birthed The Beatles with the spirit of war-battered Ukraine.The sights and sounds of Ukraine ran through the show, starting with an opening film that showed 2022 Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra singing and dancing in the Kyiv subway, with the tune picked up by musicians in the U.K. — including Kate, Princess of Wales, shown playing the piano.The folk-rap band itself then emerged onstage in the Liverpool Arena on a giant pair of outstretched hands, accompanied by massed drummers.Contestants from the 26 f...

Tennessee police shootout leaves 1 dead, police dog wounded

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A gunfight between police and a man inside a home in east Tennessee left him dead and wounded a K-9 police dog named Hank, who is recovering from surgery, authorities said Saturday.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation did not say if police gunfire killed the man, 63-year-old David Wright, who was found dead inside the house. The bureau said an autopsy would determine the manner and cause of death. A second person in the home was hospitalized with unspecified injuries. The bureau’s news release did not identify the injured person.Officers went to the house in Sevierville on Friday night after a felony in which someone evaded police in a vehicle, the bureau said. Someone inside the home fired at the officers, who shot back. The bureau is investigating the shooting.Sevierville city spokesperson Bob Stahlke said Hank the K-9 officer underwent surgery for a gunshot wound and was transferred to a veterinary clinic in Knoxville. The Belgian Malinois was lat...

Kelly Clarkson responds to report accusing her daytime talk show of being a toxic workplace

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kelly Clarkson has responded to a Rolling Stone report accusing her daytime talk show of being a toxic workplace.Clarkson issued a statement on her Instagram page Saturday. She addressed the allegations after 11 current and former employees complained about being overworked and underpaid on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and also called their work “traumatizing to their mental health” in the magazine’s Friday report.In the report, the anonymous employees called Clarkson “fantastic” but said show producers were “monsters” who made their lives “hell.”Clarkson said she loves her team.“To find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable,” she said in the post. The talk show host said she wants to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.“As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team is moving, but also our new team in NY is comprised of the best and kindest in the bus...

North Carolina governor vetoes abortion limits in front of crowd of supporters: 'We can stop this ban'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — In front of an exuberant crowd, North Carolina’s Democratic governor vetoed legislation Saturday that would have banned nearly all abortions in his state after 12 weeks of pregnancy.About 1,000 abortion-rights activists and voters watched on a plaza in the capital of Raleigh as Gov. Roy Cooper affixed his veto stamp to the bill in an unconventionally public display. The veto launches a major test for leaders of the GOP-controlled General Assembly to attempt an override vote after they recently gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The bill was the Republican response to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade."We’re going to have to kick it into an even higher gear when that veto stamp comes down,” Cooper told the crowd. “If just one Republican in either the House or the Senate keeps a campaign promise to protect women’s reproductive health, we can stop this ban.”Andrea Long, a 42-year-old mother of three from Cary, said she was ...

Woman walks into Illinois dealership, steals keys from office and drives car off the lot, video shows

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

CRESTWOOD, Ill. (WGN) – The manager of a Chicago-area car dealership said a woman came into the facility on Thursday, took some keys when no one was looking, and took off with one of the cars.Mike Elsayed, the manager of Your Choice Auto Sales in Crestwood, said it all happened within a matter of minutes. Elsayed said the woman almost hit him as she was leaving, too."I was like 'Stop, stop' and she was looking into my eyes, 'No, no,'" Elsayed said. "She started driving the vehicle and I just had to jump at the last second, otherwise she would have run me over." Kansas driver in Bud Light beer can costume arrested on suspicion of DUI The theft took place around 4 p.m. Thursday, after an unknown woman walked into the office and helped herself to several keys that were hanging in an area exclusively for employees. "At the beginning, I thought one of my co-workers — because I have a mechanic and a detailer — gave her a key and she's going for a test drive," Elsayed said. "I rushed to ...

LIVE BLOG: Severe weather floods roads, lightning causes fires in Central Texas

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

(KXAN) — Severe storms began to move through parts of Central Texas late Friday and are expected to continue through Sunday with an increased risk of flash flooding.According to projections, the main concerns would be lightning, large hail and damaging winds coming ahead of heavy and widespread rain.Overnight Friday into Saturday, the KXAN First Warning Weather team said there were no reports of hail or damaging winds and a beneficial 1-2 inches of rain totals for many locations within the viewing area. "The only weather threat overnight has been from lightning," Meteorologist Rich Segal said. KXAN First Warning Weather According to the KXAN First Warning Weather team, rainfall rates could exceed 2″ per hour.A Flood Watch was issued for all of Central Texas beginning 7 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday with the potential to get extended into Sunday. A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding or stream, creek or river flooding during the watch peri...

Parents left without answers after physicians at Dell Children's Adolescent Medicine clinic 'depart'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When parents Tom Crawford and Rev. Joanna Crawford brought their child to the Dell Children's Medical Group Adolescent Medicine clinic for long-term post-cancer care, it was "awesome across the board."Their child developed bone tumors at six months old and again when she was 3 years old. Doctors used chemotherapy and radiation therapy to destroy those, but the treatments damaged the Crawford's child reproductive system. According to her parents, she now requires treatment as though she was post-menopausal."As a teen, she's already considered to be a long term survivor," Joanna said. "When your child at age 16 is being told, you may be going into menopause during the next year, you know, that's difficult.""They were really focused on talking to her and working with her, which I appreciated," Tom said.However, this level of care no longer remains an option for the Crawfords.Ascension Seton released a statement Saturday:Dell Children’s Medical Group Adolescent Medicine ...

Gophers football adds another defensive back from portal, Tyler Bride of Georgia Southern

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

The Gophers football program continued to get results in addressing its shortage of defensive backs on Saturday when Georgia Southern transfer cornerback Tyler Bride committed to Minnesota.The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Atlanta native had a strong season in the Sun Belt Conference last fall, where he earned a 68.4 grade across 676 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.“Time to be LEGENDARY,” Bride tweeted.Bride was a strong tackler, with 42 total tackles, along with two interceptions and nine pass breakups last season, including a season-high-tying six tackles against Nebraska in September. He started the season in the nickel spot but moved to wide corner to finish the year. His PFF grade was in the top one-third in the nation.Bride, whose father Larry played football at Arizona State, has two years of eligibility remaining for the U.Bride is the third transfer defensive back to pledge to Minnesota since spring practices ended in late April. Bride joined cornerback Ta’Von Jones (Elon) an...

Water main break closes Gurley Avenue in Troy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A water main break in Troy closed both directions of traffic on Gurley Avenue. Currently, the road is closed between Northern and Cemetery Drives. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A representative from the water plant told NEWS10 that there is not yet an estimate for reopening the road or a reason for what caused the break. Stick with us for more as the story develops.

Thunderstorms, wind & some hail Saturday in St. Louis region

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:15:15 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Some severe thunderstorms, gusty winds and small hail chances are likely Saturday from the afternoon to early evening hours in the St. Louis region. A storm system is moving east toward St. Louis County and City from St. Charles County. Some viewers tell FOX 2 they have seen some hail through the area. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for St. Louis through 7 p.m. Saturday. If it becomes a warning in your area, take shelter immediately. Check back for more updates.