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Twitter is purging inactive accounts including people who have died, angering those still grieving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Emily Reed lost her younger sister Jessica more than 10 years ago. For much of the last decade, she’s visited Jessica’s Twitter page to help “keep her memory alive.”Twitter became one of the places where Emily processed her grief and reconnected with a sister she describes as almost like a twin. But Jessica’s account is now gone.Twitter became one of the places where Emily processed her grief and reconnected with a sister she describes as almost like a twin. But Jessica’s account is now gone.Last week, owner Elon Musk announced Twitter would be purging accounts that have had no activity for several years. That decision has been met by an outcry from those who have lost, or who fear losing the thoughts and words of deceased loved ones linked to now-inactive accounts.Reed immediately returned to Jessica’s page as she had done a day or two earlier after learning of the purge. In place of Jessica’s page was an “account suspended” message that suggested it m...

Buffalo Grove High School students killed in Wheeling crash ID'd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

WHEELING, Ill. — Four students at Buffalo Grove High School were killed in a three-vehicle crash in Wheeling.The victims have been identified as: 16-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, 17-year-old Kevin R. Hernandez-Teran and 18-year-old Richard De-lta of Wheeling, and 17-year-old Ricky Barcenas of Arlington Heights.High School District 214 has confirmed all four boys were students at Buffalo Grove High School. According to police, the crash happened around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Dundee and Schoenbeck roads.One student remains hospitalized, according to the school district.Police said speed and a disregard for traffic signals seem to be the primary factors of the crash. Police investigate after reported shooting on I-290; all lanes closed at Central The school district released the following statement:Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these students during this time of tragedy. We also offer condolences to all Buffalo Grove students, families a...

Funeral services held Wednesday for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Funeral services were held Wednesday for fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston.Visitation took place at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 W. 103rd St in Oak Lawn, Tuesday afternoon.The 24-year-old officer had just returned from a shift in the 5th District when she was shot and killed on the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue. Four suspects have been charged in her fatal shooting. Fallen CPD Officer Aréanah Preston honored at Loyola graduation Preston earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University and joined CPD three years ago.Preston's mother told WGN she was a smart and driven woman who was looking forward to her graduating with her master's from Loyola University. On Saturday, Loyola posthumously awarded Preston's degree to her mother.Her law enforcement colleagues said she was brave and compassionate. Preston's last arrestee, taken into custody just hours before her death, reportedly wept when they heard the...

Minnesota prosecutors drop state sex charges against R&B singer R. Kelly, citing federal convictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors have dropped sex abuse charges against disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly that alleged he invited a 17-year-old girl to his hotel room in 2001 and paid her $200 to dance naked with him.The Hennepin County Attorney's Office said in a statement Tuesday that it believes her and that Kelly would likely be convicted if tried, but prosecuting him on charges that had been dormant since being filed in 2019 wouldn't make a difference now that Kelly's federal convictions could keep him in prison for the rest of his life. Singer R. Kelly moved to North Carolina prison from Chicago “The overwhelming impact of proceeding to trial in this case on the survivor victim, the community, and the Hennepin County legal system would be enormous while a conviction would not add any additional time in prison,” the statement said.The woman Kelly allegedly abused in Minnesota wanted to testify at a trial anyway, her lawyer said.Attorney Gloria Allred issued a state...

Olympic figure skating champion Sarah Hughes files to run for Congress

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

(The Hill) - Sara Hughes, a former Olympic figure skating champion, has filed to run for Congress in her home state of New York. A campaign spokesperson confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday that Hughes plans to run in her Long Island district as a Democrat. “Born and raised on Long Island, Sarah is concerned about where we’re headed, whether it’s rising prices, public safety and gun violence, or threats to women's health," Hughes spokesperson Max Kramer said in statement to The Hill. He also said Hughes plans to put the “pieces into place to make an announcement in the next few weeks.” Hughes, 38, plans to run in New York's fourth district for a seat now held by freshman Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) D'Esposito flipped the seat to Republicans last year after Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) declined to run for another term.The Cook Political Report lists the district as GOP toss-up. It's one of several GOP-held seats in New York that Democrats will be looking to win back in 2024 as...

Stolen military medals returned but decades-long crime remains unsolved

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield Armory National Historic Site has recovered 24 Marksmanship Medals from the 19th century. The return of the artifacts has done little to explain why they were stolen from a local community college campus decades ago. Credit: U.S. Attorney's OfficeMilan and Freeman Bull, two brothers that worked at the armory for more than 50 years, were awarded medals from marksmanship competitions across the world in the late 1800s. Milan and Freeman were part of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. In 1944, the medals were donated by Freeman's daughter to the Springfield Armory, which is now located on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College.Several decades ago, the medals were unlawfully taken and have been missing ever since. Then in October 2021, a private collector from Tennessee called the Springfield Armory about medals that he had recently acquired. It was discovered that those medals matched the description of the stolen medals. The...

Biden signals willingness to compromise on work requirements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

President Biden signaled on Wednesday that he would be willing to work with House Republicans on a compromise when it comes to work requirements for government assistance programs but cautioned that he wouldn't support a major overhaul on such mandates. Biden expressed optimism that the U.S. would not default on its debts as he prepared to leave the White House for a trip to Japan, saying he and congressional leaders were working on the contours of a budget deal that would be acceptable to all sides.One of the key sticking points in those talks has been calls from Republicans for tougher work requirements for government assistance programs. But, Biden indicated he would not support a significant change.“I’m not going to accept any work requirements that’s going to impact on the medical health needs of people; I’m not going to accept any work requirements that go much beyond what is already — I voted years ago for the work requirements that exist. But, it’s possible there could be a ...

Dr. Pepper ice cream? Blue Bell teases new flavor, hints at collab with soda company

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

(KXAN) -- What do Texas, noted author John Green and Blue Bell have in common? An affinity for Dr. Pepper, it seems. Blue Bell teased a new flavor in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday, leading to speculation that it has something to do with Dr. Pepper. While the ice cream company didn't overtly say it has anything to do with the soda, the video's caption, which depicted a Dr. Pepper-colored deep red can of soda being poured, did say, "The sound of 23 flavors."Dr. Pepper, John Green's favorite soda company, is a Texas-based company known for having 23 flavors packed into one soda. MORE: Made in Texas: Viewers name the top Texas brands, businesses they love Blue Bell is also a Texas-based company, headquartered in Brenham, which is between Austin and Houston. So, it would make sense for the companies to collaborate, especially considering the love and popularity of ice cream floats. Plus, Whataburger, another Texas company, and Dr. Pepper collaborated earlier this year to release a...

Food Truck Festival returning to East Greenbush

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The second annual Food Truck Festival is returning to East Greenbush on June 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The festival takes places at the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush at 1 Gilligan Road. The event features live music, face painting, corn hole and kids' activities. The East Greenbush Police and Fire Department will also be in attendance.FoodLivin' the Dream Food CartNick's LighthouseHeisenburger Food TruckIce Cream StationMichele's Lemonade and Fried Dough New HGTV show set in the Hudson Valley The event will go on rain or shine. Attendees can bring a chair to watch the local musicians perform.

31st Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Fishing Derby fundraiser returns to Pittsfield

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:55 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The 31st Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will be held at the Frank Controy Pavillion at Onota Lake on June 3. No fishing license is required as the derby will be held during Massachusetts' free fishing weekend. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The derby is open to the public and runs from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. The annual fundraiser raises money for the Jimmy Fund - Dana Farber Cancer Institute for Children. All proceeds will be donated in memory of Harry A. Bateman, a former member of Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.The fee to enter is $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 years and younger. All participants will receive a wristband during registration. All children will receive a free gift, and a child 5-14 years old will get a chance to take home a mountain bike. Pit...