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West Virginia University makes wide-ranging cuts to academic programs and faculty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Despite shouts of “stop the cuts” from students, West Virginia University’s board voted Friday to make wide-ranging reductions to academic programs and faculty positions as it grapples with a $45 million budget shortfall.The state’s largest university will drop 28 of its majors, or about 8%, and cut 143 of the faculty positions, or around 5%. Among the cuts are one-third of education department faculty and the entire world language department, although there will still be seven language teaching positions and students can take some language courses as electives. The university in Morgantown has been weighed down financially by a 10% drop in enrollment since 2015, revenue lost during the pandemic and an increasing debt load for new building projects.Students chanting slogans and holding signs, including one that read, “This isn’t the WVU that I fell in love with,” briefly interrupted Friday’s meeting just prior to the board’s vote. Dozens of speakers, i...

Over 15,000 without power on the South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 15,000 people are without power on the city's South Side on Friday afternoon, according to ComEd.In a post shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Alderman Matthew O'Shea said the 19th Ward suffered a major power outage impacting several thousand homes and businesses. 10 hospitalized after Salmonella outbreak at Avondale taqueria According to the ComEd outage map, as of 3:50 p.m. on Friday, over 15,882 customers were without power.Ald. O'Shea says ComEd is expected to provide an update on the outage on Friday afternoon.Currently, it is unclear what caused the outage or how long it will take crews to restore service.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Friday Forecast: Mostly sunny, cooler lakeside

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

Friday: Mostly sunny, cooler lakeside, S 0-5. High: 77, Low: 73Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, increasing clouds, S -5 G10. High: 60Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Saturday: Cloudy, a few AM showers and evening thunderstorms, SW 0-5 G10. High: 73

2 teens accused of carjacking, robbing man in West Pullman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Two teens are in custody accused of carjacking and robbing a man at gunpoint in the city's West Pullman neighborhood.Police say the alleged carjacking and robbery took place in the 11800 block of South Lafayette Avenue. Police: 3 shot while driving on South Side According to police, two 17-year-old boys allegedly robbed and carjacked a 28-year-old man at gunpoint around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.Officers located the two teens shortly after the alleged carjacking and both were arrested just before 6 p.m. in the 11300 and 11400 blocks of South Calumet Avenue.Both teens were charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking and armed robbery and police have not yet identified the two who were arrested.

Teen girl accused of throwing food at transit employee during argument arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A teen girl is in custody accused of throwing food at a Chicago Transit employee on Thursday, according to police.Police say the 17-year-old girl was charged after she allegedly threw food at a transit employee during an argument that broke out on a bus in East Village. Peso Pluma’s Chicago concert postponed after singer reportedly threatened by cartel in Tijuana Police say the alleged altercation unfolded just before 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, in the 6600 block of South State Street.According to police, the teen girl entered a bus and an argument broke out shortly after. Police say the argument escalated and the girl allegedly threw food at the 60-year-old man.Police say officers caught the teen minutes later and she was arrested just after 9 a.m. 10 hospitalized after Salmonella outbreak at Avondale taqueria The 17-year-old girl was charged with Aggravated Battery of a Transit Employee.Currently, it is unclear what led to the alleged argument and police have not i...

Watch: Indiana police pull over man accused of driving Power Wheels Jeep while intoxicated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Body camera and dash camera footage from a recent traffic stop involving a man driving a Power Wheels Jeep in Vincennes, Indiana was released Friday.The footage was obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Nexstar's WTWO.In the video, an Indiana State Police Trooper is seen patrolling the area of Second Street in Vincennes when he pulls up behind 51-year-old John McKee driving the child's toy.After initiating the traffic stop, the trooper asks where McKee is headed, and McKee informs him he's heading home from the Huck's gas station with a can of gas, as he gestures to the back of the plastic Jeep. PREVIOUS: Man gets OWI while driving a Power Wheels Jeep "Where's your gas can at?" The officer asks."Oh man, I left it back there!" McKee responds.After checking with dispatch regarding the situation the trooper then administers field sobriety tests, which McKee fails.(Image taken from ISP dashcam footage)(Image taken from ISP bodycam foo...

911 lines remain out of service in Hays County due to cut line

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Due to a line cut in the area, the Hays County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said the majority of their 911 service is out, the agency confirmed to KXAN.On Thursday afternoon, HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying 911 lines were out of service.As of Friday, Hays County officials said 911 was still down but that the problem was close to being fixed in order to restore service. Calls have been routed through Travis County 911 since Thursday with minimal disruptions or issues in terms of response time, according to officials.HCSO is re-routing calls to other agencies in the area. If you don't get anyone on the line, you can call HCSO at (512) 393-7896.

Cellphone service down in Lockhart since Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- Cellphone service in Lockhart has been down since Thursday, according to a Caldwell County spokesperson.It is unknown at this time what caused the outage, the spokesperson said. However, it could be a cut in fiber optics but not sure what the cause was Friday.People are reporting either not having service at all or having limited service.There was no word on when the services were expected to be fixed.

AISD listens to plan to improve Mendez MS rating, adopts new guidelines to protect district students, staff in hot weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, nonprofit Third Future Schools updated AISD's board on an action plan to improve Mendez Middle School.The board of trustees approved the collaboration with Third Future Schools in March 2022 following consistent "F" ratings by the Texas Education Agency.The outlined plan included improving the campus to a "D" rating this school year, a "C" rating next year, and a "B" rating by the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.KXAN is still waiting on ratings from this past school year. On Tuesday, the TEA delayed the release of those ratings to have more time to analyze growth. AISD said it was also adopting new guidelines to protect students and staff in hot weather.Five-minute water breaks are required every 15 to 20 minutes for outdoor activities once the temperature hits 95 degrees.Starting at 100 degrees, outdoor practices for athletics and fine arts are limited to 2 hours, and starting at 105 degrees, outdoor practices are limited...

Local Realtor Group says housing inventory increasing, but still tight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:56:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A report released Thursday by the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) claims that an increase in closed sales on homes shows buyer confidence in the Austin-Round Rock Metro housing market. The group also claims that housing inventory has increased, but still lags behind a six-month supply benchmark.ABoR's "Central Texas Housing Report" is updated monthly with data from the previous month. According to a press release from the group, the area saw an 8.8% month-over-month increase in closed sales. Homes are also staying on the market 28 days longer than in August 2022, averaging 60 days before sale.ABoR director and City View Realty owner Brandy Wuensch said that the housing market is always fluid, but Austin's has remained active. RELATED: $18 billion deal reached: Texans to get biggest property tax cut in state’s history "We're seeing buyers get back out into the market, having more opportunities to buy and so you know, now's a good time to purchase a home while sell...