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Hamas frees 24 hostages in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire deal.The freed hostages included 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines, according to Qatar.The agreement opened the way for sorely needed aid to flow into Gaza for beleaguered residents. It was also a moment of hope for families in Israel and elsewhere worried about loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.With the truce’s start Friday morning, Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians saw quiet for the first time after seven weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, which has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and flattened vast swaths of residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well. Israel allows for temporary ceasefire...

Corey Perry sits again as Blackhawks remain quiet about forward's status

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Corey Perry was a healthy scratch for Chicago's game against Toronto on Friday, and Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson declined to provide any update on the forward's status with the team.The 38-year-old Perry has four goals and five assists in 16 games in his first season with the team. He skated for almost 15 minutes during a 3-2 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, and then was a healthy scratch for Wednesday night's 7-3 loss at Columbus.“He won't be in the lineup today,” Richardson said before the matchup with the Maple Leafs, “and I'm unable to give any more information at this time.” Korchinski scores in OT and Dickinson gets hat trick as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs 4-3 Asked if Perry's absence was his decision or coming from above him, Richardson responded: “That's just going to be kept internal for now in the organization. Hopefully we'll be able to give updates soon, but we can't give a timeline on that.”Perry was acquired in a June trade with Tampa Bay. He then agreed...

Korchinski scores in OT and Dickinson gets hat trick as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs 4-3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski scored 4:30 into overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Friday to stop a five-game slide.Jason Dickinson scored three times for Chicago, completing his first career hat trick 15 seconds into the third period. Arvid Soderblom finished with 34 saves.“There’s been a lot of emotions going around,” Dickinson said. “A positive win at home, doing the right things, details, all of that leads to a really good feeling to head forward.” Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall is expected to miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury The last-place Blackhawks improved to 4-10-0 in their last 14 games.“We needed this and really dug down and got it,” coach Luke Richardson said. “We were more into the battle.”Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Reaves and Nicholas Robertson scored for Toronto, which had won four in a row. Max Domi had two assists and Ilya Samsonov made 30 stops.The Maple Leafs had a 3-1 lead midway through the second...

Obituary: Former St. Paul City Council Member Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Megard remembered for ‘tireless’ community work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

Family and former colleagues of a longtime St. Paul activist and former city council member are remembering her for community work and a strong belief in government’s ability to improve lives.Two-term Council Member Roberta “Bobbi” Megard died Nov. 16 at age 87. Megard represented northwestern St. Paul’s 4th Ward on the council after being elected in 1993, and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1997 and 2001.One of her lasting marks is on downtown housing, said Ann Cieslak, who was a legislative aide to Megard for four years. Cieslak remembers Megard making early calls for more housing in the struggling downtown district, which has since seen significant residential development.Megard was an advocate for affordable housing as well as a critic of former Mayor Norm Coleman’s unwillingness to raise property taxes, something she said would only shift problems to future St. Paul residents, Cieslak said.Megard was a frequent foil to Coleman, who was elected in 1993 as a Democrat but became a...

Cody Schrader runs for 217 yards and a TD, No. 9 Missouri beats Arkansas 48-14

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Cody Schrader ran for 217 yards and a touchdown and No. 9 Missouri limited Arkansas to 87 yards in the first three quarters to help the Tigers win their regular-season finale, 48-14 on Friday.Missouri (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) had it best regular-season record since 2014 to likely secure a berth in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games.Schrader ran for 194 yards and a TD in the first half as the Tigers built a 20-0 lead against the overmatched Razorbacks (4-8, 1-7). Brady Cook had a 6-yard run in the half and threw two TD passes.Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson went down on the first play of the Razorbacks' second drive. Jefferson took off up the middle for a gain of 22 yards, but was twisted up when he was tackled and had to be helped off the field, nursing a lower-leg injury.Missouri took advantage of five Arkansas fumbles, including one on Jefferson’s injury, recovering four and turning them into 24 points. The last turnover came as Jacolby Cri...

Christmas past coming back to life in St. Charles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

ST CHARLES, Mo. -- Trees lining Old Main Street are trimmed, and holiday traditions are kicking off for the St. Charles Christmas Tradition’s 50th season.Pipers were piping as drummers were drumming, all as Santa's started strolling. Kicking off the tradition that’s been around for ages, the start of the season was clearer to see on Black Friday afternoon.“This is truly a tradition for many families, and we love the fact that we get to see the same people, new people, and people from all over the world. They to come to this event; it's heartwarming," said Debbie Ladd, the Managing Director of St. Charles Christmas Traditions.There are 33 Christmas actors along Old Main Street, and you can collect character cards during their skits. The event runs until December 24th. Learn more here.

Gov. Parson pardons more than any Missouri governor since the 1940's

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Governor Mike Parson has pardoned more than 600 people in the past three years. That's more than any Missouri governor since the 1940's.Parson is a former sheriff; he says he still believes in law and order and that criminals must be held accountable. But he adds, "It doesn't mean they've been criminal all their lives.""I think it's important to me that we set a standard so people know what happens when you commit a crime. There are going to be consequences. You've learned to accept that, and once you realize that, yeah, I made a mistake," said Gov. Mike Parson.So far, Gov. Parson has granted 613 pardons and commuted 20 sentences. He has also denied about 2,400 clemency requests.

Wonderlights returns to World Wide Technology Raceway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

MADISON, Ill. -- For the fourth year in a row, World Wide Technology Raceway is hosting the Wonderlights Christmas Festival, a spectacular light show that dazzles those driving through the show. Emily Fleenor is the marketing director and says the holiday season is the highlight of the year for her family."This all started because our family loved to load up in the car and drive around our community and look at everyone's beautiful Christmas displays that they had on their homes," said Fleenor.The track has millions of individual lights that are set to go on and off to a wide variety of Christmas songs, from all-time classics to Christmas-themed versions of iconic songs. Another St. Louis resident loses property via Recorder of Deeds Office "You tune in your car radio to 89.5 FM, and as you drive through the lights, you're going to see the lights are actually dancing to the music all around you," said Fleenor.It took about six weeks to assemble the scene. Visitors will see dancing...

Stolen vehicle suspect arrested after pursuit in downtown L.A.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

A stolen vehicle suspect was arrested after a pursuit through downtown Los Angeles Friday night. Los Angeles police officers tried to pull the suspect over after spotting the reported stolen vehicle. The driver refused to yield leading officers on a chase, police said.The pursuit wound through surface streets at relatively slow speeds, with the suspect driving on the wrong side of the road at times.A pit maneuver eventually disabled the vehicle, spinning it out near South Figueroa Street and Figueroa Drive. The male suspect then stepped out of the vehicle, laid down on the road and surrendered to officers.A crowd of onlookers could be seen gathered at the scene as a large police presence was seen blocking the roads.Full video of the pursuit can be seen in the video player above.

Suspicious death investigation underway after man's body found in water in Hermosa Beach 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

Authorities are investigating a suspicious death after the body of a man was found in the water off the Strand in Hermosa Beach Friday morning. According to the Hermosa Beach Police Department, the man had been shot, although the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.Authorities investigating a body found in the water near Hermosa Beach on Nov. 24, 2023. (South Bay Responders)Officers responded to the 2200 block of the waterline around 7 a.m., where they located and recovered the body of a man in the water. Woman dead after vehicle crashes into lake in Orange County The victim's identity has not been released, but police said he's estimated to be in his 40s. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting in the investigation, which is ongoing.Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by calling 800-222-8477.Luis Zuñiga contributed to this report.