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Civil rights lawsuit filed over 2022 Philadelphia fire that killed 9 children and 3 adults

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

Families of the 12 people killed in a Philadelphia row house fire that began in a Christmas tree two years ago sued a pair of city agencies Friday, claiming unsafe conditions on the property violated the victims’ civil rights.The federal lawsuit against the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the city’s Department of Human Services, and various officials of the agencies, alleges that the housing authority knew the four-bedroom apartment it owns in a brick duplex was overcrowded and unsafe. Specifically, they allege that it lacked a fire escape, smoke detectors and other fire safety features. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s spokesperson, Joe Grace, declined comment because the matter is in active litigation. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with spokespeople with the Philadelphia Housing Authority. During two visits to the home in December 2021, a month before the fire, a Human Services social worker noticed the smoke detectors were inoperable, the lawsuit says, but did n...

Cubs claim catcher off waivers from Rockies, sign pitcher to minor league contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs claimed a catcher off waivers from the Colorado Rockies Friday, while also signing a pitcher to a minor league contract that has an invite to major league spring training.The Cubs claimed 28-year-old catcher Brian Serven off waivers from the Rockies.Serven appeared in 11 games with Colorado in 2023, batting .130 (3-for-23) with one double and one RBI. The backstop had two stints on the injured list, May 30-June 6 and July 31-Sept. 26, with a concussion and a left thumb sprain, respectively. In 38 games with Triple-A Albuquerque last year, he hit .199 (30-for-151) with five doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI.Serven made his major league debut with the Rockies on May 18, 2022, and played 62 games that season, hitting .203 in 187 at-bats with four doubles, one triple, six home runs, 16 RBI and 19 runs scored. His first two career major league hits came via the long ball on May 21, 2022, in his second career game.In seven minor league seasons with Colorado, Se...

White Sox make Maldonado signing official, designate infielder for assignment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have officially agreed to terms on a contract with catcher Martín Maldonado, and have designated an infielder for assignment, according to a release from the team Friday.Maldonado's contract is valued at one-year/$4.25 million. Under terms of the agreement, Maldonado will receive $4 million in 2024, with a $4-million club option for 2025 that includes a $250,000 buyout.Maldonado, 37, hit .191/.258/.348 with 12 doubles, a career-high tying 15 home runs, 36 RBI and 33 runs scored over 116 games with the Houston Astros last season. He tied for the American League lead with 116 starts at catcher, which included catching his third career no-hitter on Aug. 1, 2023 versus the Cleveland Guardians when he was behind the dish to catch Framber Valdez. His 3.91 catcher’s ERA ranked sixth in Major League Baseball last season as well. Chris Flexen could earn $1 million in bonuses for innings as part of White Sox contract A 6-foot, 225-pound native of Toa Alta, P...

LaVine and Vucevic set to return from injuries when Bulls host Hornets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are set to return to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation after being sidelined because of injuries.Both two-time All-Stars said they will come off the bench and be on minutes restrictions when the Bulls host Charlotte on Friday.LaVine, averaging 21 points, has missed the past 17 games because of inflammation in his right foot. Chicago was 10-7 in that span.Vucevic, averaging 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds, has missed the past five games with a strained left adductor. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The Bulls were 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15-21 entering Friday’s game. They had lost two in a row.

Video shows earthquake rattle Southern California home, startling dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

(KTLA) – Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, were jolted by a magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck Southern California Friday morning.Among them: Ernesto and Jeanie Moreira of North Fontana.The couple shared security camera footage from inside their living room, which recorded the quake shaking their Christmas tree, holiday decorations and furniture – and frightening their dog, Coco. These were the most on-time US airlines, airports of 2023: report “He was so scared,” Ernesto told Nexstar's KTLA.North Fontana is only about two miles from the quake’s epicenter in the San Gabriel Mountains, so the Moreira’s home likely bore the full brunt of its force.No damage was reported to their home, or any other property across the Los Angeles area, and no injuries were reported, officials said. Latest California Earthquakes - Interactive Map The temblor, which struck at 10:55 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves across Southern California and was felt not only by residents in the ...

Search underway after string of arsons on North Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are asking for help as they look to identify the man responsible for an arson string on the city's North Side.According to Chicago police, the fires were all set over a period of about two hours on Wednesday afternoon in Andersonville and Lincoln Square.Police say during each incident, the person responsible set fire to a trash receptacle located in an alley. About 87,000 massage guns recalled due to fire, burn risks Police notified the public about the arson string in a press release sent out on Thursday. Chicago police provided the following timeline of Wednesday's fires: 5100 block of North Clark Street in Andersonville on Jan. 3 at 4:28 p.m. 2400 block of West Carmen Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 5:34 p.m. 2100 block of West Foster Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:06 p.m. 2000 Block of West Berwyn Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:17 p.m. 2200 Block of West Berwyn Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:25 p.m.&nbs...

Free Week celebration of Austin's local music scene returns for 21st year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Red River Culture District's annual Free Week returns Friday and Saturday nights, with 11 venues hosting dozens of local musical acts and performers, all entirely free to the public. Austin Free Week 2024 lineup Die Spitz guitarist Ellie Livingston performs on stage at Stubbs during Free Week 2023. (Courtesy Red River Cultural District/Renee Dominguez)RRCD, an Austin-based nonprofit, tells KXAN that the event is a "rare opportunity" to attend shows at the city's "iconic" music venues for free.Nicole Klepadlo, Red River Cultural District's interim executive director, calls Free Week a "for locals, by locals" event."What Free Week intends to do is be a celebration of what has made Austin such an iconic destination — Music is part of our fabric, it's part of our economy," Klepadlo said. "It's really an opportunity to check out potentially a band that you've never heard of, check out some genres that you've never heard of, maybe step foot into a venue that you've never...

A look at EMS, AFD 2023 response times in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) Chief Robert Luckritz said 911 calls don't just come in for major emergencies anymore. "911 has evolved from just calling for life-threatening emergencies to calling for assistance," he said.He doesn't want to discourage people from calling 911 when they need help, but he said he recognized this new normal means he has to reorganize the agency's workflow. Previously, he said, when you called 911 and asked for EMS, the department would automatically dispatch the closest ambulance to you."Now we're going to take a few seconds or a minute longer to find out what is the real resource that you need," he said. While that adds more time on the front end, Luckritz said it has contributed to keeping response times to the highest priority calls on target. Activists participate in police use-of-force training "We can't send an ambulance to individuals to people who may not have life-threatening injuries, making those ambulances unavailable f...

LIST: Texas Longhorns players entering transfer portal, declaring for NFL Draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Texas Longhorns football program turns the page to another offseason following the 37-31 loss to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, players with plans elsewhere are either finalizing transfer destinations or declaring for the NFL.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersRunning back Jonathon Brooks, wide receiver Xavier Worthy and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II have declared for the NFL Draft and more announcements from draft-eligible players are expected in the coming days. There are also a handful of players transferring out of the program, most notably backup defensive tackle Trill Carter and backup quarterback Maalik Murphy.Texas has the No. 3 ranked recruiting class for 2024 so far, according to 247Sports, and has added three players through the transfer portal, so they're doing their due diligence to help replace the departing players.Here's a list of ...

Sunshine and 60s return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sunshine and beautiful weather has finally returned to Central Texas!Expect high temperatures on Saturday and Sunday to climb into the low 60s. Sunday afternoon will also be breezy with southeast winds gusting to near 20. Wind speeds will increase significantly Sunday night with gusts between 25 and 35 mph. As the next cold front approaches the winds will come out of the southwest. Gusts will increase up to around 35 to 45 mph.Incredibly strong wind gusts before and after Monday's cold frontThe front will pass late Monday night. Forecast gusts overnight Monday to Tuesday will be in the 40 to 50 mph range but there could be some gusts up to 55 mph, especially in our Hill Country.The air will dry out as dew points lower from the 50s at noon Monday to the 20s at noon on Tuesday. This, along with those gusty winds could lead to a fire danger so we will be watching the Fire Weather Forecast for those possible changes.Our next storm arrives Sunday night into MondayThere i...