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WGN fixes Taylor Swift ticket trouble for suburban family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

It’s not just Ticketmaster struggling to keep up with the enormous demand for Taylor Swift tickets as the superstar brings her shows to Chicago next week.WGN Investigates was contacted by a LaGrange Park family frustrated after spending the past six months trying to secure tickets for seats they purchased via StubHub.“They state: ‘Your order guarantees a ticket valid for entry in the event,’” Diana Finnegan said reading off the confirmation email she received after purchasing four tickets last November. When the electronic tickets didn’t arrive, Finnegan embarked on a six month ordeal that included dozens of phone calls, emails and messages to StubHub customer service.“We’re here to make sure you get your tickets in time for the event” StubHub reps wrote in multiple emails. “We will provide you all the help that you need to receive the tickets for the event.” However, the fine print of StubHub’s “Fan Protect Guarantee” says the company promises to get buyers the tickets th...

Some US cities may be at risk for mpox outbreaks this summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The mpox health emergency has ended, but U.S. health officials are aiming to prevent a repeat of last year’s outbreaks.Mpox infections exploded early in the summer of 2022 in the wake of Pride gatherings. More than 30,000 U.S. cases were reported last year, most of them spread during sexual contact between gay and bisexual men. About 40 people died.With Pride events planned across the country in the coming weeks, health officials and event organizers say they are optimistic that this year infections will be fewer and less severe. A bigger supply of vaccine, more people with immunity and readier access to a drug to treat mpox are among the reasons.But they also worry that people may think of mpox as last year's problem.“Out of sight, out of mind,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who is advising the White House on its mpox response. “But we are beating the drum.”Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to U.S. doctors to...

3 more APD officers facing possible indictments related to 2020 protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Multiple sources have confirmed three more indictments against Austin Police Department officers are being presented to a special grand jury Thursday related to their actions during racial justice protests in May 2020. KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorney's Office about the new APD officer cases, but the office told KXAN it could not confirm or provide a comment at this time. RELATED: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protests The new cases being presented Thursday comes five days before the three-year anniversary of the May 31, 2020 protests. The three year anniversary also marks the last day that charges could be pursued against officers for their actions on May 31, because of the statute of limitations outlined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures. With the exception of specific felony offenses outlined in the code, felony indictments must b...

$350K in safety upgrades coming to North Lamar, West Koenig intersection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Safety improvements are underway this summer to enhance the North Lamar Boulevard and West Koenig Lane intersection.The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department will begin construction this month on a $350,000 intersection upgrade project, funded through the 2016 Austin Mobility Bond. The intersection has been flagged as a high-crash zone in the past, with more than 150 crashes reported there across the past five years, per TPWD.The project includes two crossing islands "for pedestrian protection and motorist safety," as well as signal infrastructure improvements and signal timing upgrades. A new median, added pavement markings and flex posts would be added to help slow the speeds of vehicles making right turns. Restriped, high-visibility crosswalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps are also planned to enhance pedestrian access. Construction on...

Longhorns go 2-and-out in Big 12 tournament, have to wait and see if they'll host NCAA regional

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament is out after just two games.Texas lost to fifth-seeded Kansas State 6-0 Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington to go 0-2 in the tournament and leave its NCAA regional hosting aspirations in question. Had the Longhorns won a couple of games in the tournament following a 3-game sweep of West Virginia, the selection committee would potentially be more inclined to put Texas in the top 16. Now, there's another reason to send them on the road to start the NCAA tournament.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/newslettersKansas State's pitching and defending gave the Longhorns problems all game long. Texas didn't get its first hit until an infield single in the fifth inning by Mitchell Daly, and even when the Longhorns made hard contact, the Wildcats were positioned well to make routine plays. Texas was 0-for-8 with...

Hill Country showers before a few dry days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Storms in West Texas have arrived in parts of the Hill Country this afternoon bringing brief rain to parts of Mason, Gillespie, Llano and San Saba Counties. Other parts of the area may see a stray shower, but most of the rest of us stay dry.Mainly dry conditions under a mix of sun and clouds can be expected for most of today. Afternoon highs will return to the mid-80s, slightly below normal for this time of year.Next 24 hours BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin Hotter and mainly dry weather is in the forecast Friday through Sunday, but scattered late-day storms return on the Memorial Day holiday. Be sure to download the KXAN Weather App so you get lightning alerts as you are enjoying the outdoors.Holiday weekend forecastFlood Awareness WeekWhile this weekend's rain chance does not appear to bring a high flood threat at this time, Memorial Day floods in Central Texas in 2015 killed 14 people and destroyed thousands of homes. On Memorial Day 1981...

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ is one of the year’s goriest novels. It’s also one of the best.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

Christopher Borrelli | Chicago Tribune (TNS)In the first nine days that Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah was on tour this month for his novel, “Chain-Gang All-Stars,” there were 23 mass shootings in this country. More than 30 people were killed. Many more were injured. That’s according to the Gun Violence Archive, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that defines mass shootings as four or more killed or wounded. (They take their cue from the FBI, which defines mass “killings” as four or more victims.) When I met Adjei-Brenyah in the West Loop, he didn’t know those statistics; I didn’t know them, either. I looked them up later at home. Still, on a whim, I asked if he had an idea of how many people were killed by guns since his tour began.He didn’t, and why would he? But the thought was not lost on him:Adjei-Brenyah, who belongs on anyone’s shortlist of great new American writers, specializes in tales of acceptable violence: How much do we endure? Who suffers? Is some amount of violence in the Unite...

WAMC president and CEO Alan Chartock retires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- WAMC's longtime president and CEO Dr. Alan Chartock has announced his retirement. The media leader has headed the organization since 1981. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! After over 40 years of growing WAMC into a network of 29 stations, the 81-year-old professor emeritus of the University at Albany believes it is time for new leadership to take charge. The organization's Executive Committee of their Board of Trustees announced that they have named Stacey Rosenberry, Director of Operations and Engineering, as WAMC's interim CEO. Dorothy Reynolds, Chair of the WAMC Board of Trustees, said that “More than all the stations and all the programming, Alan built a community. He built it with a passion and an energy that was just boundless. While we are incredibly sorry to see him leave the leadership of WAMC, he has more than earned the right to step down and relax a bit. While Alan’s retirement is effec...

NYSP: Vermont man arrested for burglary in progress in Granville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

GRANVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Tuesday afternoon, New York State Police Troopers responded to a burglary in progress at a residence in Granville. Troopers located the suspect, Dylan S. Drost, 32, of Poultney, Vermont, on the property. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, Drost caused damage while trying to get inside the home and disturbed items inside. No one was home at that time. Drost was arrested for second-degree burglary and turned over to the Washington County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Adirondack town: Do rental homes need governance?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:50 GMT

CHESTERTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A southern Adirondack community with many short-term rental properties to its name is looking for community input on the rental homes among its houses. This week, the Town of Chester, containing the hamlet of Chestertown, has put out a call for public input on whether rental properties need to be regulated. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A new survey gives residents and visitors the chance to sound off on how they see the situation regarding rental properties. The survey asks applicants to clarify whether they themselves operate short-term rentals, and whether they think such properties should be regulated, including a requirement to confirm New York State Building Code compliance. Multiple options are available for the airing of concerns regarding rentals.Short-term rental dwelling units are defined as a space that may be inhabited by a given occupant or set of occupants for a period of less t...