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Metra Rock Island train derails near LaSalle Street; service halted in both directions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Metra Rock Island trains have been halted in both directions due to a train derailment Monday morning.The incident involving Rock Island train No. 704 happened around 8:30 a.m. near Clark Street and 15th Street. Train No. 704 was scheduled to arrive at the LaSalle Street Station at 8:30 a.m., but will not operate past 35th Street due to the derailment. According to Metra, both inbound and outbound service has been stopped near LaSalle Street. . Extensive delays are anticipated. At least 6 carjackings, armed robberies within 2-hour span on Chicago’s North and West sides: police CTA will honor Metra tickets at 35th Street and for outbound passengers at the LaSalle Street Station.No further information has been provided. This is a developing story. Check back for details.For the latest update go to: metra.com

Lincolnshire junior high school evacuated after bomb threat: District

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Daniel Wright Junior High School students and staff were evacuated after a receiving a computer-recorded message of a bomb threat, the school district said. The school district said a staff member first received the message on the school's attendance voicemail hotline around 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.District 103 immediately evacuated the school and the Lincolnshire Police Department is currently conducting a search of the building. South Elgin High School evacuated over call of bomb threat: District There was no threat to any other District 103 schools.There is currently no other information provided.WGN is actively following the situation and will update as more information is provided.

South Elgin High School evacuated over call of bomb threat: District

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. -- School district U-46 said South Elgin High School received a callof a bomb threat Monday morning.The school district said they received a call around 7:40 a.m. that was believed to be a swatting call with a bomb threat. The school district said in a Facebook post that students were moved outside. The South Elgin Police and Kane County Sherriff are investigating and that no other U-46 schools are involved. The school said students are safe. There is currently no other information at this time.WGN is actively following the incident and will update as more information is recovered.

'Like liquid gold': Central Texans turning to rainwater collection amid drought

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Even though there hasn't been a consistent amount of rain in Central Texas for the last few months, one local business said many people are turning to them for rainwater collection tanks. It is in such high demand, one farmer is on a months-long wait list to get one. 'It's like liquid gold.'While Central Texas is starting to see rain here and there, it hasn't been enough to get Kathleen Mooney's well up and running again. "My well went dry earlier this spring and I'm a farmer," Mooney said. "So I need water for my crops."Mooney is the owner of EIEIO Farm in Wimberley. She said she is now turning to rainwater harvesting. She's on a three to four month waitlist to get a tank installed. "I have friends out here that have rainwater collection systems. None of them have gone dry during this entire drought," Mooney said. "They marveled at how their skin feels silky soft after showering with the rainwater, that their hair is just exquisite. They have to use less...

Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to intensify, life-threatening storm surge 'likely' for parts of Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.Officials said Tropical Storm Idalia is moving at 8 mph and is located about 90 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. LIST: Evacuation zones announced ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia Meteorologists said Idalia's winds are near 65 mph, with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight. It is forecast to move over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida by early Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds will extend outward by 70 miles from the center of the storm.A hurricane watch has been issued for the areas south of Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.The NHC said Idalia could bring dangerous storm surge to the coast of Florida. "The c...

TGIF: Central Texas school district embraces four-and-a-half day school week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

(KXAN) -- "Thank God it's Friday" has some extra meaning for students and staff at Harmony Public Schools in Central Texas.While some Texas school districts have switched to a four-day-week, and most still have a traditional five-day-week, the charter school district is meeting the two in the middle, with early release on Fridays. 76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks, affecting almost 90,000 students Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Chankin said the request for a change came from staff looking for more flexibility in their lives. "They really wanted the autonomy and the flexibility to be able to invest in themselves and their families at home," Chankin said. "Therefore, we moved our early-release Fridays."Prior to this year, the district let out early on Wednesdays. Chankin said at times that proved to be disruptive for some families unable to leave work early or without the flexibility to pick up their kids in the middle of the day. The new schedule is receivin...

Hays CISD to consider claiming good-cause exception for HB 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays CISD Board of Trustees Monday evening will consider claiming a good cause exception to a new Texas law on school security, according to the board agenda. According to the resolution before board members, the district said it can't comply with House Bill 3 because of a "lack of available qualified personnel." HB 3 goes into effect on Friday. The resolution said the board would develop and document an alternative standard.Other local school districts KXAN spoke with said they are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect.

Mental health crisis continues to be a challenge for educators

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Educators are still seeing lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the classroom, especially when it comes to learning and hiring. They're also seeing more students come into the classroom struggling with mental health. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Dr. Gladys Cruz, Superintendent for Questar III, said the number of students who experience challenges with their mental health has skyrocketed. “We have seen behavior issues go up," Cruz said. "We’ve seen attendance issues so we really need to work with all of these components because if a student doesn’t feel safe, isn’t in the classroom, they can’t learn.” Cruz said those behaviors can be made worse if a student's basic needs are not met. Large police presence outside Crossgates Mall Sunday “Students can bring to school a lot of external hardships," Cruz said. "It’s important for a teacher, an educator, to identify those signs so ...

Open houses start today on I-70 expansion project          

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The planned expansion of Interstate 70 across Missouri will be the focus of several MoDOT open houses starting Monday in Wentzville. Governor Mike Parson signed the state budget two weeks ago, earmarking funding for the major project.MoDOT said that Monday’s open house is really the kickoff for the statewide I-70 improvement program. Missouri’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year provides $2.8 billion in general revenue funds to add a third lane to I-70 in each direction from Wentzville to Blue Springs.We’re told the project will plan, design, construct, and rehabilitate approximately 200 miles of I-70. Five new Missouri laws to know that become official Monday MoDOT is currently in the planning stage of this major effort. There will be no formal presentations at the open house. However, MoDOT engineers will be on hand to share preliminary information about the goals and construction schedules for the project.MoDOT hopes to begin construction next summer. The g...

Man charged after shooting at officers in south St. Louis Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A man is facing charges for shooting at police officers early Sunday morning. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office has charged Derek Morado Gama, 20, with assault and armed criminal action. He is in jail with no bond allowed. Five new Missouri laws to know that become official Monday Three officers were driving in the 4900 block of Christy Sunday, just after midnight, when they heard gunshots. They saw the driver of a pickup truck stick a handgun out of the driver's side window. The driver then fired shots at the officers, and the bullets flew past the marked police vehicle.The pickup truck driver then sped off, across the parking lot. The officers turned on their lights and sirens and attempted to pull the truck over. The driver eventually stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Itaska and Alfred. He was placed under arrest and officers found a black Springfield XD 9mm semi-automatic pistol, with an extended magazine in the truck.No officers were injured in t...