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Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel, condemns 'sheer evil' of Hamas militants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas as he condemned the militant group for the “sheer evil” of its shocking weekend assault on Israel.“Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared the brutality of the Hamas militants to that of the Islamic State terrorist group. He added: “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”The president coupled his unflinching defense for Israel with only a glancing reference to the suffering that innocent Palestinians are enduring from Israel's barrage of retaliatory fire on the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas attack was launched. That hardline approach could prove more difficult to sustain going forward if, as expected, the humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians worsens as Israel expands its military operatio...

Charges filed against north suburban man accused of beating family member, hitting police K9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill, — Charges have been filed against a Round Lake Beach man accused of violently beating a family member and hitting a police dog.According to officers, 36-year-old Sanjuan Reyes allegedly drove to a relative's home early Saturday morning while he was covered in blood and intoxicated. Police say relatives contacted Joliet police after Reyes left the home, as they were concerned he may have killed a family member he lives with. Man killed after attempted armed robbery leads to shooting on West Side Round Lake Beach police responded to Reyes' home but were unable to locate him. Shortly after, officers received word that Reyes was in an area near Route 83 and Rollins Road, in Round Lake Beach. Officers responded to the scene and located the suspect's vehicle, which police say had a "significant amount of blood inside of it."According to police, after arriving in the area near Route 83, officers learned that Reyes had allegedly battered the family member he lives with. ...

Damage from Woodstock home explosion twice as bad as originally estimated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Officials from the Woodstock Fire and Rescue District are offering updates about an explosion that destroyed a home and damaged several nearby structures on Monday afternoon.Crews spent nearly 24 hours on the scene in Woodstock assessing the damage left behind and working to put out hot spots from the subsequent fires that broke out.Officials say 20 buildings were damaged and 22 people were displaced after the devastating explosion, which happened around 2:40 p.m. Man arrested after climbing Accenture Tower in Chicago According to the fire and rescue district, two homes and a detached garage are considered a complete loss and two other nearby homes are now structurally uninhabitable.According to fire officials, two dogs remain in critical condition at a local veterinary clinic. Officials said they are not able to confirm if any other pets are missing or deceased. An investigation continues into the cause of Monday's explosion, however, officials said Monday ...

Israeli soldiers in NY head home to fight Hamas: 'I need to go'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – There are more than 2 million Jewish people living in the New York City area, making it the second largest metropolitan Jewish community in the world, behind Tel Aviv. Now, some are heading back to Israel following attacks by the militant group Hamas.“I don’t think there’s another option,” Itay, an Israeli soldier who only wanted his first name used, told Nexstar's WPIX. “I can’t stay in New York. I just want to go and help my friends out.” Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally in NYC streets The 22-year-old said Monday that he and his Israeli army buddy Koren are flying back to Tel Aviv.After serving the mandatory two years and eight months in the Israel Defense Force, they arrived in New York City on Saturday night for a two-month tour of the United States.But when they heard of the surprise Hamas attack in Gaza, killing hundreds of Israeli civilians, they knew they would be recalled to fight for their homeland and willingly wanted to go.“It’s a weird feeling a...

'It gives you goosebumps watching him:' Young hockey fans excited for Bedard's debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Tuesday night is the night Chicago hockey fans have been waiting for. When the puck drops to start the Blackhawks regular season in Pittsburgh, it will also mark the debut of Connor Bedard, one of the most highly touted prospects in generations.Bedard is widely considered to be the best player of his generation — a once in a lifetime talent.The Blackhawks rookie center hasn’t even played a game, but he’s already captured the hearts and of Chicago’s youngest hockey fans.Afterall, he was the NHL’s number one overall draft pick. Related: ‘I’m so excited’: The Connor Bedard era of the Blackhawks starts Tuesday And for youth hockey players the anticipation of seeing the next “great one” in a Hawks jersey is hard to handle, like a slippery puck.WGN’s Mike Lowe went to north suburban Vernon Hills to talk with some of Bedard’s newest fans.

Sarah's Spooktacular Halloween DIY: Jell-O Treats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

Sarah's social media feed is filled right now with Halloween DIY projects, maybe yours is too. So we thought we'd test the popular ones out for you! Check them out in this segment. Recipe for Eyeball Jello ShotSpotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

'Literally shook the ground': Memphis pastor in Israel during attack shares his story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – A Memphis pastor who was in Israel to watch his son perform with Bruno Mars when the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas militants started is sharing his story.Pastor Kenneth Whalum Jr. with New Olivet Worship Center in Cordova had been touring Israel for a week and was scheduled to leave the day the first rockets struck.  What to know as war between Israel and Hamas militants rages on for a third day There was a moment of calm Wednesday night as people of all backgrounds, religions, nationalities came together to hear Bruno Mars perform in Israel for the first time. Pastor Whalum Jr.'s son plays in Bruno’s band. "You know they don’t speak English, but they were singing, ‘Just the way you are!’ They were singing the same words Bruno was singing, ‘That’s the way I like it,'" Whalum said. "I’ve never heard Bruno perform so pristinely as he did."That calm was shattered days later when Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel. Pastor Whalum...

Illinois leaders 'unequivocally stands' with Israel amid recent attacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) — Leaders across Illinois have spoken out and released statements after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Saturday.Gov. JB Pritzker spoke during the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Solidarity Gathering, which was held Tuesday. He said he is praying for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces."Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should all know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks," Pritzker said.Pritzker also stated that state police and law enforcement have been put on alert for attacks against synagogues and other gathering places for Jews across the state, though no threat has been reported at this time. WATCH: Pritzker gives remarks at Israel Solidarity Gathering U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement on the attack on Saturday.“My heart goes out to the people of Israel as they face these horrific, unconscionable and ongoing coordinated...

Can you take a picture of an eclipse with your phone?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first of two upcoming eclipses is poised to dazzle Central Texans just before noon on Saturday. Can an eclipse damage your device’s camera? For those keen to snap a photo of the natural phenomenon, University of Colorado at Boulder Astronomer Doug Duncan advised keeping your cell phone camera down unless equipped with the proper gear. “The lens of your camera, the lens of your phone or the lens of your eye will concentrate the sunlight and ruin your camera, your phone or your eye,” Duncan said.  MORE: Solar eclipse takes big stage during ACL weekend two “If you point your camera toward the sun and hold it there for any length of time, you're going to concentrate so much heat, it's going to ruin your phone camera, and you're not going to get a good picture anyway,” he added. How to protect your deviceThere is, however, a way to snap a quality photo of an eclipse without damaging your device. Duncan is a bit of an eclipse hunte...

Isolated, light rain showers possible

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:53:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture moving over the state is leading to cloudy skies with a few isolated, light rain showers. Skies clear late Wednesday as the moisture exits.Moisture from east Pacific Hurricane Lidia and former Tropical Storm Max is moving over the area off of a southwest wind aloft. This is leading to overcast skies. Rain in our area remains limited, however, with isolated accumulations up to 0.10" from Austin southeastward.A period of dry weather returns from Wednesday afternoon through the coming weekend, but expect some big swings in temperature.Temperatures ramp up quickly to the upper 80s Thursday and potentially the lower 90s Friday. A dry autumn cold front is delaying its arrival locally until Friday afternoon, clearing skies and dropping temperatures for ACL weekend two.Behind the front, we'll enjoy another gorgeous weekend at Zilker Park for music fans. Overnight low temperatures will drop into the 50s for several nights in a row.Annular solar eclipse Satu...