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Trump valet pleads not guilty; property manager's arraignment postponed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump's valet, Walt Nauta, appeared before a judge on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to conspiring with the former president to obstruct the investigation into his possession of classified documents at his Florida estate.But the property manager of Mar-a-Lago, Carlos De Oliveira, was again unable to enter a plea in the case because he still hasn't secured a Florida-based attorney, which is required under local court rules.The magistrate judge also formally accepted the latest not guilty plea of Trump, who told the judge in court papers last week that he is not guilty and waived his right to appear at the hearing in person.De Oliveira and Nauta appeared in the federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, on an updated indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith alleging they schemed with the Republican former president to try to delete Mar-a-Lago surveillance video sought by investigators.Walt Nauta, a valet to former President Donald Trump, ...

'Sad tragedy': 3 people recovered from hole in Bastrop County corn field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- The Bastrop County sheriff called it a "sad tragedy" while describing the lengthy recovery efforts it took to pull the bodies of three people and a dog from a hole in a corn field Wednesday. Sheriff Maurice Cook said a man from Red Rock led three people from Florida on a hog hunt and called deputies for help at about 1:02 a.m. Wednesday. The man reported three people trapped in a hole in the 300 block of New Trail, which is close to County Road 461 in northern Bastrop County. The hole turned out to be a cistern that had standing water in it about six to eight feet below ground level. The sheriff said the hunting guide told deputies that a dog escaped from a truck and fell into the cistern. One man apparently jumped into the hole to save the dog, and another man and a woman removed some of their clothes and dove in later. The cistern had a high amount of hydrogen sulfide gas built up inside it, so Cook said that likely killed the three people and the dog. "If...

Residents being allowed access to Cedar Park apartments, townhomes after evacuating due to wildfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Most residents who were evacuated from an apartment complex and townhomes in Cedar Park amid a wildfire that broke out Tuesday are now being allowed access to their apartments and homes. Cedar Park police said crews responded around 6:16 p.m. Tuesday to the fire near 12820 West Parmer Ln., which is close to East Whitestone Boulevard. The fire is being referred to as the Parmer Lane fire. Progress made in 37-acre Cedar Park brush fire; apartment building destroyed According to the city, about 300 apartment units, 95 townhomes and multiple businesses in the area were evacuated.Residents of Bexley at Silverado Apartment Complex as well as the Whitestone Landing Townhomes are now allowed to access their units and homes, with the exception of apartment building 10 at the apartment complex, the city said in a release Thursday morning. VIDEO: Drone footage shows scope of Cedar Park brush fire damage According to the city, the following structural damage was...

MAP: More than 2,600 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 2,600 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far this year, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 29 fires have burned 2,626 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Aug. 10. How far behind normal are rainfall totals this year? KXAN is keeping track of wildfires this year. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map.The table below ranks all the fires in our area this year from largest to smallest. Click on one of the column headers to change how the fires are ranked.We're also keeping track of which counties have burn bans in effect. Click here to see the latest update.

Construction on I-35 Capital Express North means a busy back to school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Depending on what you've been up to this summer, you may or may not have noticed the construction progress on Interstate 35 in north Austin.Construction on the I-35 Capital Express Project North started in March. It is expected to be completed in late 2028.It's a $606 Million project that will add one high-occupancy vehicle lane in each direction along I-35 between SH 45 North and US 290 East.It also includes the reconstruction of bridges, relocating and reconstructing entrance and exit ramps, adding a diverging diamond interchange at Wells Branch Parkway, plus it will add pedestrian and bicycle paths.There are no school zones on the main lanes of I-35, but once you exit the interstate toward your destination, be mindful of the school zones you'll be driving through.Pay attention to children walking, biking, and scooting to school, and put your phone down."Remember to be extra cautious. Of course, put that cell phone away. The kids are going to be talking to you. The...

Chicago Cubs move Drew Smyly to the bullpen ‘for probably a short amount of time,’ hoping for short bursts of aggression

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

Drew Smyly’s time in the rotation is over, at least for the foreseeable future.Opportunities to work through struggles extend only so long when a team is pushing for the postseason. Smyly’s inconsistencies combined with three off days in the next week led the Cubs to rework the rotation and move the veteran lefty to the bullpen “for probably a short amount of time,” manager David Ross said before Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets.Adding Smyly to the bullpen and an off day Thursday to end a stretch of playing 16 consecutive days provides needed relief.The Cubs (59-56) fell short of securing a series win at Citi Field with a 4-3 loss Wednesday. Seiya Suzuki delivered a three-hit game, including a home run to lead off the ninth, in his first start since Friday. The comeback Cubs ended the game with the bases loaded, wasting multiple chances with runners on base. The tying and go-ahead runs advanced to scoring position after Nick Madrigal’s p...

Gary Phillips: Yankees must consider more drastic options for Luis Severino

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

Back on July 31, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake was asked if the team had discussed sending Luis Severino on a minor league assignment for the purpose of working through his troubles.The Blue Jays had recently done that with their own struggling starter, Alek Manoah, and Severino was fresh off another disastrous outing. However, Blake said that the Yankees had yet to bring such an idea to Severino, who is out of minor league options and would have to approve such an assignment.At what point would the Yankees have to consider broaching that conversation?“It’s good question,” Blake told the Daily News. “It’s one that we’d have to consider in the probably near-term if [Severino’s struggles] continued.“But at the same time, it’s probably a little bit premature to go that far with him.”Since then, Severino has allowed 10 hits, nine earned runs, three home runs and four walks over six innings and two games. That includes Wedne...

Dan Rodricks: After absurd suspension, hoping Orioles announcer Kevin Brown can shake off the big chill | STAFF COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

If, as expected, Kevin Brown returns to the MASN microphone Friday night to call the game between the Orioles and Mariners, he might want to skip the part about Baltimore’s record against Seattle since 2016. It isn’t pretty, and the mention might get Brown another suspension.KB should probably leave out the part about Seattle’s starting pitcher having a better earned run average than Baltimore’s. Why go there? The boss might not like that.Should a camera pick up the image of a Mariners fan chewing pork bao buns or crispy fish taquitos, Brown might want to avoid the subject of food: T-Mobile Park has the No. 1 ranking for eats in Major League Baseball, according to a Thrillist survey. Camden Yards ranked a respectable ninth, but why get into comparisons fraught with peril?Surely I jest.But given what reportedly happened in July, when Brown dutifully stated facts about the Orioles’ dismal record in recent seasons against the Tampa Bay Rays, any slip of th...

The best and worst habits for eyesight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

If you were ever scolded as a child for reading in the dark, or if you have used blue-light-blocking glasses when working on a computer, you might have incorrect ideas about eye health.About 4 in 10 adults in the United States are at high risk for vision loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many eye conditions are treatable or preventable, said Dr. Joshua Ehrlich, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Michigan.Here are nine common beliefs people have about eye health, and what experts have to say about them.Reading a book or looking at an electronic device up close is bad for your eyes: True. Our eyes are not meant to focus on objects close to our face for long periods of time, said Dr. Xiaoying Zhu, an associate clinical professor of optometry and the lead myopia researcher at SUNY College of Optometry in New York City. When we do, especially as children, it encourages the eyeball to lengthen, which over t...

What's coming at The Great Escape for Fright Fest, Oktoberfest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:57 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Summer isn't over yet, but Six Flags Great Escape is already picturing its iconic roller coasters framed by orange leaves and long sleeves. On Thursday, the park released its schedule of events for Oktoberfest and Fright Fest 2023. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Oktoberfest gets rolling before summer ends. Starting on Saturday, Aug. 26, guests can expect German-inspired cuisine, craft beers and ciders, as well as live music and games. On Saturday, Sept. 30, the masks come on and the fog machines get running to set the mood for Fright Fest, featuring scare actors, new hours, costume contests, and the all-new "Hell Block IV." At both the park and Great Escape Lodge, Boo Fest will offer family Halloween fun on weekends. ‘Endless Summer’ on the way at West Mountain Here's what to expect at The Great Escape this fall:OktoberfestSaturday, Aug. 26 - Sunday, Sept. 24New: "Festival Marketplace" area featu...