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How the hostage deal came about: Negotiations stumbled, but persistence finally won out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The negotiations hardly ran smoothly. But in the end, persistence paid off.Six weeks ago, not long after Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took scores of others hostage in a surprise assault, the government of Qatar quietly reached out to the United States to discuss how to release those who had been taken captive by the militant group.But the mission demanded extreme sensitivity. It was so secret that U.S. officials established a communications cell to reach Hamas directly, and kept those negotiations tightly guarded throughout the U.S. government. Only a handful of people were aware of the talks, according to a senior White House official.For weeks through the cell, which allowed the small circle of negotiators to speak regularly without additional bureaucracy, U.S. and Israeli officials would scramble to put together a deal that would release dozens of hostages held by Hamas. The White House saw that as the only realistic way to halt the bloody combat th...

Animal welfare advocates file lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s new wolf management plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Animal welfare advocates filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to invalidate Wisconsin’s new wolf management plan, accusing state wildlife officials of violating the state’s open meetings law and disregarding comments from wolf researchers and supporters.The lawsuit reflects how contentious the debate over wolf management has become in Wisconsin. Farmers in northern Wisconsin have complained for years that the population is multiplying too quickly and preying on their livestock. Hunters argue wolves are devastating the deer population across the northern reaches of the state. Conservationists believe that wolves have yet to firmly establish themselves in Wisconsin and need protection.The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, also known as Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Wildlife, filed the latest lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court. The organization describes itself as a statewide group of hunters, farmers, politicians, business owners and animal welfare adv...

Peru lost more than half of its glacier surface in just over half a century, scientists say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface in the last six decades, and 175 glaciers became extinct due to climate change between 2016 and 2020, Peruvian scientists from the state agency that studies glaciers said Wednesday.“In 58 years, 56.22% of the glacial coverage recorded in 1962 has been lost,” said Mayra Mejía, an official with Peru’s National Institute of Research of Mountain Glaciers and Ecosystems, or Inaigem.The factor that causes the greatest impact is the increase in the average global temperature, causing an accelerated retreat of glaciers, especially those in tropical areas, Jesús Gómez, director of glacier research at Inaigem, told The Associated Press.The South American country has 1,050 square kilometers (405 square miles) of glacial coverage left, an area representing about 44% of what was recorded in 1962, when the first glacier inventory was carried out.Mejía, an expert in glaciology, said there are some mountain ranges in Peru w...

Aurora teen to play in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band at the Thanksgiving parade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

CHICAGO -- A hardworking teen from the Chicagoland will make the trip to New York City to perform with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band on Thursday.Aurora’s Marmion Academy Junior Tommy Chapski will soon board a plane to New York City to play in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band as part of the iconic Thanksgiving day parade.Tommy actually found out he made the cut for the Macy's Parade when he was away at band camp in June. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Which performers, balloons can viewers expect to see? Tommy’s parents and extended family members will be along the parade route come Thanksgiving morning as well.Tommy's band director Rene Rosas said to excel at band you have to have talent for sure if you have to have an equal amount or more of dedication. Tommy he says has shown that from the get go.WGN's Patrick Elwood has more.

60 years later, Bozo Show contestant remembers the moment President Kennedy was shot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

Everyone of a certain age remembers exactly where they were when they heard president John F. Kennedy had been shot, Friday, Nov. 22, 1963.But few have a story like Mary Jane Joyce-Byrne, who was at the WGN TV studios when the news broke. WGN's Dean Richards helps deliver the memory, 60 years to the day.

Evanston health department investigating virus outbreak linked to $1 burritos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Evanston Health and Human Services Department (EHHSD) said they are investigating a confirmed norovirus outbreak at a local taco restaurant with the help of Northwestern university.According to the EHHSD, the confirmed outbreak took place Saturday, Nov. 18, at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos, where a "$1 Burrito for Northwestern Students" was taking place that afternoon and evening.Two days later on Monday, the EHHSD said they started receiving complaints, which prompted an investigation of Big Wig Tacos & Burritos. Based on information gathered during the investigation, individuals said they experienced stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea after consuming food at the $1 burrito event.According to the EHHSD, the restaurant has fully cooperated with the investigation, and staff confirmed the presence of an employee health policy and reviewed cleaning and sanitizing procedures.Sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “stomach flu”, norovirus is not related to th...

Colts owner Jim Irsay says police pulled him over because he's a 'rich, white billionaire'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told HBO Sports his arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated nearly a decade ago occurred because of police prejudice against “a rich, white billionaire.”Irsay made the comments in an interview aired Tuesday by the network.Police in Carmel, Indiana, stopped Irsay for driving erratically in 2014. In the car, they found prescription drugs and more than $29,000 in cash. A toxicology report later revealed Irsay had oxycodone, hydrocodone and a drug used to treat anxiety in his system.Irsay insisted there was another reason for the arrest."I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” he said. “If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.”The Carmel Police Department responded to the accusations in an email to The Indianapolis Star.“We have a very professional agency consisting of officers that strive to protect our community with integrity and professionalism,” Carme...

With dog mystery illness spreading, vets urge caution around Thanksgiving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Between dog boarding, play dates and trips to the dog park, Thanksgiving presents additional risk for pets this year as a mystery canine illness continues to spread in multiple states.Oregon, Colorado, California and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics. In some dogs, the illness has been fatal.Symptoms of respiratory illness include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy. Some cases of the pneumonia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours."Since we do not have all the answers to this disease, pathogen, and transmission, it is most prudent for dog owners to avoid [bringing] their dog into contact with any ill animals," Dr. Karl Jandrey, associate dean and professor at U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, told Nexstar. "Also, avoid or limit travel, confined spaces, multi-dog locations (shelters, dog p...

Broncos QB Russell Wilson relishes two-minute drill chances: “We’re going to win this game and that’s how it’s going to be”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

Over the course of Denver’s four-game winning streak, the Broncos have scored points in a two-minute drill situation five times.They got a field goal before the half against Green Bay to lead 9-0, two field goals in the final minute of the first half against Buffalo to lead 15-8, then a field goal before the half and a game-winning touchdown for nine of their points in a 21-20 victory against Minnesota last Sunday.While Sean Payton would gladly take more touchdowns than field goals in those instances, the situation is clearly one in which quarterback Russell Wilson is comfortable.“It’s time to be lights out,” Wilson told reporters Wednesday. “That’s got to be your mentality going into it. What I always think about is, ‘this is a great opportunity to go win the game here.’ It’s the little details and playing clean. Focusing on the fundamentals. If you ask any great free-throw shooter, when the game’s on the line, what are they thinking about? ‘Elbow in.’ Just the little details.”Poin...

Traffic collision leads to 29-mile backup along 5 Freeway near Grapevine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:46 GMT

Heavy traffic along the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway near the Grapevine has led to a 29-mile backup, authorities announced Wednesday.“Two lanes are open Northbound, backup is up to 29 miles, approximately 1.5-to-2-hour delays,” Caltrans posted on X, formally known as Twitter.The significant backup was due to a big rig collision, which spilled debris across all lanes. Passengers pack out LAX before Thanksgiving; protest planned for Terminal 7 Crews are actively working to clean up the debris and all southbound lanes of the freeway remain open.The traffic nightmare comes one day before Thanksgiving, with many taking to the roads and skies to reach their destination.About 4.6 million Southern California residents are expected to travel until Nov. 26, according to the Auto Club of Southern California.Last year, a record 4.5 million people in the region traveled for the holiday — about 3% less than this year’s forecast.