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Riverfront brawl brings unwelcome attention to historic civil rights city in Alabama

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Police in Alabama’s capital city said three people are expected to be in custody Tuesday on charges of misdemeanor assault in connection with a riverfront brawl that drew nationwide attention.Videos of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, have proven crucial in investigating what happened, Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert said. One person has turned himself in and the other two have agreed to turn themselves in by the end of the day Tuesday. “The investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely,” Albert said. The fight was largely split along racial lines and began when a moored pontoon boat blocked the Harriet II riverboat from docking in its designated space along the city’s riverfront, Albert said. The Harriet II had 227 passengers aboard for a tour.The viral video of white boaters assaulting a Black riverboat captain and the resulting fight brought unwelcome attention to the historic city — which is known across the country for ...

Suburban man allegedly seen walking with sword accused of deadly DUI hit-and-run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

WHEATON, Ill — A suspected drunken Woodridge man accused in a deadly hit-and-run was allegedly seen walking around his home with a sword minutes before the crash.Prosecutors allege Salil Chander, 33, was nearly three times over the legal drinking limit when he struck and killed 64-year-old Michael Norton of Naperville on Sunday, Aug. 6. As a result, Chander is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident causing death and one count of aggravated DUI resulting in the death of another person. Both charges are felonies. Docs: 9-year-old Portage Park girl intentionally shot in head after buying ice cream; father tackles gunman Just after 5 p.m. Sunday, Woodridge police officers responded to a 911 call of an alleged drunken man walking around his house with a sword. Minutes later, the man, later identified as Chander, was allegedly seen driving away from the home in a silver Kia. Prosecutors said that Chander struck a light pole within a minute of leaving the residence an...

Wild brawl caught on camera at Montgomery dock results in several arrest warrants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) – The Montgomery Police Department has issued several arrest warrants after a fight broke out on the city's riverfront over the weekend.Police were called to the scene of the brawl on Saturday, after a pontoon boat was reported to be blocking a riverboat from docking. Footage of the incident shows a fight breaking out after a Black man, later identified to be the co-captain of a historic Montgomery riverboat, attempted to instruct a group of private boaters to move the pontoon.Several men then appeared to start arguing with the co-captain, until one ran forward and hit him in the face. More bystanders then joined the brawl, with some attempting to punch or kick the guard, and others attempting to help.Police eventually arrived and begin breaking up the melee, videos show.The security guard, in white, is seen being jumped by a man on the dock. Several people soon began attacking the guard, leading bystanders to come to his aid. (Joe Davenport via Storyful)On T...

Red Cross ends blood donor restriction against gay and bisexual men

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- The Red Cross has now implemented an end to blood donor restrictions on gay and bisexual men as a result of the FDA's new guidance."This is one of the most significant changes in blood banking history," Red Cross Senior Biomedical Communications Specialist Rodney Wilson said. "We examine individuals and whatever risks that they may have for exposure to HIV, rather than asking them about their sexual orientation.To keep the blood supply safe, there are now new questions and regulations approved by the FDA that will apply to all donors. Wilson said the changes will help them meet the constant demand for blood."More people engaging, anybody who is willing to roll up their sleeve to donate blood is welcome to do so," Wilson said.The Red Cross estimates only about 3% of the U.S. population donates blood every year. Other organizations, like America's blood centers, are slowly rolling out the same policy."It is hoped that this will allow a whole new segment of dono...

My House Music Festival set to takeover Harrison Park this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- House music will fill the air in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood this weekend.My House Music Festival will head back to Pilsen's Harrison Park for its eighth annual weekend takeover this weekend Aug. 12-13.“Chicago has always been a hub for house music, and this festival is a celebration of that legacy," says Alexandra Castro, Marketing Director for Tribú Presents. Chicago native DJ Casper, creator of the ‘Cha-Cha Slide,’ dies at 58 Performances from DJs Armand Van Helden, Derrick Carter, Bad Boy Bill, Joeski, Marshall Jefferson, DJ Spen, and over 20 artists will bring house music back to its birthplace."We want to continue to honor and pay tribute to the pioneers of house music and the impact that they’ve had on music culture worldwide. We are proud to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all music lovers to come together and enjoy the experience.”My House Music Festival donates a portion of festival proceeds ...

Use Batiste dry shampoo? You could claim part of $2.5M settlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Church & Dwight Co., the owner of the popular Batiste hair product line, has agreed to a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement over claims its dry shampoo contains the carcinogen benzene. If you purchased one or more Batiste dry shampoo items before May 30, 2023, you may be able to file a claim to participate in the settlement. No proof of purchase is necessary, though those who provide proof may receive more than the maximum amount for those without proof, which is $10 (which amounts to $2 per item at a maximum of five items). Who doesn’t qualify for a Facebook settlement payment? Although Church &. Dwight Co. denies any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to the $2.5 million to settle the lawsuit, which alleges Batiste dry shampoo products "contained unsafe levels of benzene."The deadline to submit a claim in this settlement is Nov. 15, 2023. A final approval hearing is set for Sept. 16, 2023. Final payment amounts may increase or decrease depending on ...

Kyle homes evacuated as precaution as crews battle wildfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Wildland Task Force responded to a wildfire in the 290 block of Roland Lane in Kyle Tuesday, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services website.Officials with Hays County OES said homes were being evacuated out of an abundance of caution. The fire was estimated to be 25 acres and 75% contained.Officials responded to the fire at approximately 3 p.m. It was not immediately clear how the fire started or the size of the fire.Evacuees can go to the Kyle Public Library. 550 Scott St., for temporary shelter, the website said. Additionally, First Baptist Church, 400 W. Center St., is also available for shelter.Beginning at 4 p.m., the Krug Activity Center, 101 S. Burleson will open beginning at 4 p.m., and city park staff will be on site, the website said.Air support was on its way, and Hays County OES said do not attempt to operate drones/unmanned aerial syste...

Austin theater part of 2nd lawsuit filed against Texas drag performance law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — A theater company based in Austin for more than 30 years is part of a second lawsuit challenging a Texas law that some argue would amount to a ban on public drag performances. The VORTEX Repertory Company located in east Austin joined seven other plaintiffs suing Texas and local leaders to block Senate Bill 12 from going into effect next month. The other plaintiffs include four actors as well as the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Their lawsuit comes almost a week after five plaintiffs, including the Austin-based drag performer Brigitte Bandit, filed a separate case over the same law. Austin performer joins new lawsuit to block Texas drag performance law Bonnie Cullum, the co-founder and producing artistic director of The VORTEX, released a statement explaining why her company is joining th...

Travis County approves $860K in overdose prevention funding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County commissioners approved Tuesday the allocation of $860,000 to assist with opioid overdose prevention and mitigation resources.The $860,000 in funding comes from the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council. Travis County received and accepted roughly $1.4 million from the council during Tuesday's meeting, with projected distributions of an estimated $7.5 million in opioid crisis funding to be made available over the next 18 years.However, that funding figure is fluid and could change as the state of Texas receives funding from opioid crisis court rulings.Under action taken Tuesday, the $860,000 in funds will be divvied up in the following ways:$175,000 for the purchase of NARCAN$350,000 for two-year contract with Communities for Recovery to cover the costs of two peer recovery specialists (one at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center and one at The Other Ones Foundation-Esperanza Comm...

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US are on the rise again, but not like before

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP Medical Writer)Here we go again: COVID-19 hospital admissions have inched upward in the United States since early July in a small-scale echo of the three previous summers.With an updated vaccine still months away, this summer bump in new hospitalizations might be concerning, but the number of patients is far lower than before. A look at what we know:HOW BAD IS THE SPIKE?For the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions were at 9,056. That’s an increase of about 12% from the previous week.But it’s a far cry from past peaks, like the 44,000 weekly hospital admissions in early January, the nearly 45,000 in late July 2022, or the 150,000 admissions during the omicron surge of January 2022.“It is ticking up a little bit, but it’s not something that we need to raise any alarm bells over,” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.It’s likely that infections are rising too, but the data is s...