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'To bring joy': Highland family collecting for Toys for Tots with Christmas display

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

HIGHLAND, Ind. — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, one Northwest Indiana family has made it their mission to collect for Toys for Tots by putting out bins at the front of their elaborate Christmas display.Matt Hanft and his family obviously noticed that not as many people were headed to the stores ahead of the holidays in 2020 due to the pandemic, so they took matters into their own hands.Hanft, a union ironworker by day, decided to contact Gary's Toys for Tots chapter, which serves all of northern Lake County. He wanted to put a Toys for Tots box in front of his Christmas display — something he's been passionate about for ten years.The chapter was delighted to hear about the idea and sent the family boxes for their home at 8483 Delaware St. in Highland."We got a late start at the beginning of COVID but were able to fill up a pickup truck in a matter of five days," Hanft told WGN News.Since 2020, the Hanfts' operation has steadily grown with some boxes in Griffith and at five Jimmy John'...

Decision expected in Jussie Smollett's appeal on Friday

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A ruling is expected Friday on Jussie Smollett's appeal of his conviction.In 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors sought to prove that the former ‘Empire’ actor paid two brothers to stage a racist and homophobic attack on him in 2019 so that he could gain notoriety. A Cook County judge sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago, and a $25,000 fine.  Jussie Smollett enters rehab after ‘extremely difficult past few years’: TMZ But Smollett's lawyers argue a deal with the Cook County state's attorney meant he could no longer be prosecuted. The state says there was no agreement made.

How much Christmas lights add to your — and Clark Griswold's — electric bill

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Believe it or not, the holiday season is again upon us. Whether you're wrapping your tree in a simple strand of lights or adorning your home in enough lights to make Clark Griswold jealous, the type of bulbs you select could have a big impact on your electric bill. A recent survey found that on average, Americans will spend about $384 on outdoor holiday light decorations. That does not, however, include the cost of the electricity used to light them. Before you purchase your lights, there's a relatively easy way to figure out how much your electric bill will go up due to your light display. Where it will cost most to heat your home this winter First, you'll want to find the wattage of the strand of lights. This is usually printed on the box or listed on the specifications section if you're buying online. Then, follow this formula:Multiply the wattage by the hours per day the lights will be on, then divide by 1,000 to find kilowatt hours, or kWh per dayMultiply th...

WATCH: New York congressman's profane altercation with former staff member

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSYR) – New York Congressman Brandon Williams is defending himself after an altercation with a former campaign manager at a holiday party was caught on camera.The video, obtained by Nexstar's WSYR, shows the Republican congressman verbally berating Michael Gordon, who managed Williams' 2022 campaign for Congress.With his finger pointed in Gordon's face, Williams can be heard shouting: "You f*** with my family, I will end every relationship you have. Every single friend.""Do you understand me?" Williams demanded, before asking again, "Do you understand me?" The confrontation appears to be diffused by a woman stepping in and asking, "Excuse me?"Williams then appears to knock down the phone used to record the incident. Williams' office has identified the person recording as another former staff member, Ryan Sweeney. How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate In a statement, Williams' office writes: "What you are seeing is two former staffers who were fir...

Tesla Cybertruck rolls out in Austin — would you drive one?

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  In Texas, a good barbeque spot can draw a crowd. Just ask Sheri Kurland, who stopped at la Barbecue in east Austin for dinner."I am sold on Texas Barbeque," said Kurland, who was visiting Austin from California.There's something else that can draw a crowd as well, like the new Tesla Cybertruck."It was pretty awesome," Kurland said. "I didn't know it was going to be here."Phillip Sarofim, the new owner of the Cybertruck, got the best of both worlds, a little barbecue and a new ride."Today was delivery day, so I was lucky enough to be in the first 20 people to get cars," Sarofim said. Tesla plans to spend $700M+ to expand Austin gigafactory Sarofim lives in Los Angeles and made the trek to Austin when he heard he would be getting one of the first Cybertrucks at the Giga Factory in Texas."It's like driving a spaceship," Sarofim said.Sarofim was nice enough to show KXAN some of the features."Here is the door, you press here and open it," Sarofim said.Inside you can se...

LIVE: Austin, Travis County leaders talk weather preparedness ahead of winter season

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County and Austin leaders are holding a press conference Friday morning to talk about preparedness ahead of the winter winter season. Their remarks will be live-streamed at 10 a.m. in the video player at the top of this story and on KXAN's Facebook page. Meteorological winter began Friday and will last through February. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, predicted in an updated version of its winter weather outlook that almost all of Central Texas will be in the “wetter than normal” category for the winter precipitation forecast. Parts of the far western corner of our viewing area have dropped into the “equal chances” category with no clear signal on precipitation. DETAILS: NOAA updates December, winter forecasts Texas has experienced impactful winter weather events over the last few years with significant freeze events in February of this year and during the same month in 2021. During this year's freeze, Austin experienced major ...

Why FEMA's new message targets one specific group to plan now for next natural disaster

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants everyone, especially older adults, to plan now for the possibility of a natural disaster.“Like the one that happened recently in Texas, the ice storm. What will people do in case of a storm that maybe they don't have any services, there's no electricity, there's no water, they can't leave the house?” said Daniel Llargues with FEMA.Disasters and emergencies can affect anyone, but FEMA stresses older Americans are more susceptible to damaging consequences, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or live in rural areas.“We want older adults to take control of their own preparedness because we know that when something happens, they might be needing more help than any other group,” said Llargues. “We want them to take control of their own preparedness now before something happens.”To get that message across, FEMA teamed up with the AD Council to create a new PSA called “Take Control in 1, 2, 3”...

Oak Hill Parkway Touch A Truck and car seat check this weekend

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly half of all children are not properly buckled in their car seat, but on Saturday December 2, you'll have an opportunity to make sure your kiddo doesn't fall into that category.At a Texas Department of Transportation Community Event, there will be an update on the Oak Hill Parkway Construction progress, a car seat check, and construction vehicles and emergency vehicles on display.Since the last time we checked in on the Oak Hill Parkway Construction in Southwest Austin, there have been some big changes. TxDOT wants families to check out equipment at major project "One of the big things that we've done here recently, earlier this month, we opened the eastbound us to 90 main lanes that are lowered main lane. So you're gonna get a taste of what the Oak Hill Parkway project is going to be like when it's completed," said Bradley Wheelis, a TXDOT Spokesperson.It should be completed in early 2026, but in the meantime it does mean heavy traffic through the Hwy 290 H...

Loons and right back D.J. Taylor agree to new contract

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

Minnesota United and right back D.J. Taylor have agreed to a new two-year contract, with a club option for 2026, the Loons said Friday.Taylor, 26, played 2,511 MLS minutes across 30 matches for the Loons in 2023. Taylor has been a bargain a year ago with a guaranteed compensation of $98,261, according to MLSPA.But the Loons back line struggled in its end-of-season swoon that cost manager Adrian Heath his job. When interim head coach Sean McAuley took over, Zarek Valentin started at right back over Taylor in the final two regular season games.MNUFC is now amid transition with new leadership atop its sporting department. Chief Soccer Officer Khaled Al-Ahmad has been hired but is still seeing out his term with English club Barnsley, and the Loons have a vacant head coaching position.Taylor’s new contract was completed before the end of the 2023 season. Given the top-level changes within MNUFC, it’s unclear what style of play the Loons will have in 2024 and what type of role Taylor migh...

Diesel still needs a home, and other pets from December’s Morning Report

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:25 GMT

In addition to curating our local news headlines on weekdays, the Morning Report newsletter also signs off with a daily pet photo.So far in 2023, we have shared more than 250 photos from our readers pet photos, both in the Morning Report and in the related slideshows online:November: 20 photos, including those submitted for our thankfulness prompt.October: 31 photos, including pets in costumes — and an adorable goat called Misty.September: 19 photos, featuring pets going on hikes, smelling the flowers and more fun.August: 23 photos, including a camera-roll challenge (send in the last photo you took of your pet).July: 20 photos, some involving a challenge to send us photos of pets enjoying porches, decks and the outdoors.June: 26 photos, some from our summer challenge.May: 35 photos, including one for National Rescue Dog Day.April: 26 photos and introducing Cat Week.March: 27 photos — including a Betta fish named Chomp.February: 23 photos and sharing the work of Pooches U...