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Skilling: Cloudy, cool week ahead for Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

Temperature-wise, it's been a Christmas for the books here in Chicago. The overnight low temp of 50 degrees has set a new record for the warmest minimum temp for a Dec. 25th, eclipsing by 4 deg the 87-year-old previous record for the lowest minimum temp for Dec. 25th —which, until Monday, had been 46-deg, set in 1936.What a difference a year makes! Last Christmas saw us coming off two days with sub-zero temps and an inch of snow on the ground. Also, the low temp a year ago was +2 deg, which puts Monday morning's low of 50 deg an eye-catching 48 deg warmer!And our 59-deg official high at O'Hare (Midway recorded a Christmas Day high of 60-deg) missed by only 6-deg the record high of 65 in the extraordinary Christmas of 1982. A year ago, the high only reached 14 deg. So Monday was 45 deg warmer than Christmas a year ago.Interestingly, both the 1982 Christmas and Monday occurred with A Strong El Niño underway in the equatorial Pacific. El Niños, which involve the warming of Pacific Ocea...

Dry, cool weather for the final week of 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cooler than normal conditions blew into the area Christmas morning, and largely look to stick around through the end of 2023. Following a welcome period of wet weather, we are not expecting any rain through at least Jan. 1.1-3 inches of rain fell in many areas over Christmas weekend, but only raised the level of Lake Travis by three inches. The lake is 50 feet lower than its full elevation.Behind the cold front that cleared out the wet weather, expect mainly clear skies and brisk temperatures. A few high clouds drifting in overnight will keep temperatures above freezing in most areas, but the coldest rural valleys northwest of Austin may freeze early Tuesday.Forecast low temperatures Tuesday morningA secondary, dry cold front looks to blow through quietly Wednesday night. This front will lead to colder mornings areawide, with a widespread freeze expected Friday morning. Temperatures may even drop to 32 degrees in Austin.Forecast low temperatures in Austin this weekD...

CLEAR Alert issued for 18-year-old Leon Valley girl last seen Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

LEON VALLEY, Texas (KXAN) -- A CLEAR Alert was issued Monday for an 18-year-old girl who was last seen on Friday afternoon. The Leon Valley Police Department is searching for Savanah Soto, who was last seen at 2 p.m. on Dec. 22 in the 6000 Block of Grissom Rd, Leon Valley, TX, in a Gray, 2013, Kia Optima bearing TX TEMP TAG 4289D57. What is a CLEAR Alert, and when is it issued? Leon Valley on the northwestern side of San Antonio and is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan statistical area.Soto is described as a white female, 18 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes, 5'01 in height, and 115 lbs. CLEAR-Alert-Activation-Leon-Valley-PD-Soto-English-FlyerDownloadLaw enforcement officials believe this person’s disappearance poses a credible threat to their own health and safety.If you have any information regarding Soto, contact the Leon Valley Police Department at 210-812-3259.

6th Street bar hosts giveaway to connect with people experiencing homelessness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

In addition to food, Friends also provided clothing and blankets to those in need.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- "They're our roommates," said Colleen Womack, a shift manager at Friends bar on Sixth and Brazos, talking about the unhoused community living downtown. She greeted many of them by name as they walked through the front door Christmas Day.The business hosted a giveaway Monday where staff handed out clothes, shoes, blankets and food to people experiencing homelessness. Following a stint of violent crime downtown the last couple of weeks - including a homicide on Congress Avenue and an officer-involved shooting on Sixth Street - Friends want to turn things around."When things happen on this street, we really try to band together," Womack said.Live music played at Friends during the giveaway.She said the now annual and multi-holiday giveaway idea was spearheaded by Jorge, the bar's kitchen manager Jorge Trejo. On Thanksgiving, the bar held a similar event while also collecting shoes, clothe...

Gophers lineman Aireontae Ersery, a role model, with wit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

DETROIT — Aireontae Ersery’s chuckle comes out quick and easy when he sees the picture.Sitting in the lobby at The Westin Book Cadillac hotel days before the Quick Lane Bowl, the Gophers offensive lineman was getting a kick of an image of himself as a freshman at Ruskin High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 2016.The resemblance is there, but little else is the same. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound left tackle was 6-1 and 220 pounds back then, wearing a loose-fitting Nirvana band T-shirt, unsure of what he was doing in the weight room or what sport he would play.“I see young ‘Tae, no muscles,” Ersery told the Pioneer Press. “Man, I don’t even know what I was doing in that picture. I just had a dumbbell in my hands.”Ersery has seen this photo before. His former coach at Ruskin, William Perkins, recently sent it to Ersery to remind him of how far he’s come since then.Finishing his fourth season at the U, Ersery was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the Big Ten in 2023, according to P...

Jamal Murray scores 28 to lead Nuggets to Christmas Day win over Warriors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

The Nuggets used a perfect day at the foul line from Nikola Jokic, key shots from Jamal Murray in the fourth quarter and some defensive stops by Michael Porter Jr. to gift-wrap a 120-114 victory over Golden State on Christmas Day.The Nuggets won their fifth straight and halted the Warriors’ five-game winning streak in the process.Jokic was a perfect 18 of 18 from the foul line, setting a new career-high for free throws made. He finished with 26 points. Murray led all scorers with 28 points, including a couple of big baskets late.Related ArticlesDenver Nuggets | Reggie Jackson’s Colorado: A Palmer High legend shaped by snow ice cream, unforgettable highlights and lasting friendships Denver Nuggets | Nuggets don’t allow field goal first 11 minutes of second half in wild win over Hornets Denver Nuggets | Jamal Murray erupts in second half, starters carry Nuggets to win at Brooklyn Nets Denver Nuggets | The mos...

Football recruiting: Former Florida State linebacker DJ Lundy commits to CU Buffs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is tackled by Florida State linebacker DJ Lundy (10) and Florida State defensive lineman Byron Turner Jr. (54) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)More reinforcements are on the way through the transfer portal.The Colorado football team added a holiday bonus present on Monday as former Florida State linebacker DJ Lundy committed to the Buffs.Lundy played four seasons at Florida State, collecting 170 tackles, with 14 for a loss plus 2.5 sacks. Lundy also recorded seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.Lundy played a total of 42 games with the Seminoles, including all 13 this season as FSU went undefeated and won the ACC championship game but was left out of the College Football Playoff. Lundy ranked third on the team in tackles (54) and finished with six tackles for loss.Lundy has one more season of eligibility remaining.Related ...

Kamar de los Reyes, 'One Life to Live' and 'Call of Duty' actor, dead at 56

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

Kamar de los Reyes, a television, movie and voice actor best known for playing a gang member-turned-cop in the soap “One Life to Live” and a villain in the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II," has died in Los Angeles at 56, the family announced. De los Reyes died Sunday following a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from Lisa Goldberg, a publicist for de los Reyes’ wife, Sherri Saum.In “One Life to Live,” de los Reyes starred as Antonio Vega, a former gang member who became a lawyer and then a cop, alongside Saum. In the popular video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II," he played the villain Raul Menendez. He also had roles in Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow,” ABC’s “The Rookie” and CW's “All American.” ‘Killer whale madness’ continues off Southern California coast The family statement said that at the time of his death, de los Reyes was filming “All American” — and had recently shot roles in Marvel’s upcoming “Daredevil” series and Hulu’s yet to be released “Washington B...

Raiders stun sloppy Chiefs with 2 defensive TDs in 20-14 victory on Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of the victory cigars wafted down the tunnel beneath Arrowhead Stadium, straight from the Las Vegas Raiders in the celebratory visiting locker room to the despondent home locker room of the Kansas City Chiefs.For one, the scent of success. For the other, the stench of a sloppy mess.Taking advantage of two defensive touchdowns for the second straight week, and riding an aggressive mindset that shut down Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City offense, the Raiders held off the Chiefs 20-14 on Monday to not only deny their longtime AFC West rival another division crown but keep their postseason hopes alive.“That was one of our mantras," Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce said afterward, “by any means necessary."That meant big defensive tackle Bilal Nichols returning a fumble 8 yards for a touchdown, and Jack Jones taking an interception 33 yards for another score 7 seconds later. It meant Aidan O'Connell never completing a pass after the firs...

Officers nab loose llama on California freeway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:01 GMT

The California Highway Patrol says its officers are prepared for anything they may encounter on the state's roadways, but this case stood out from the norm.Last Wednesday, officers responded to a call of an animal on Interstate 80 in the Truckee area. It wasn't the usual dog or cow or horse...but rather a llama that had gotten loose, CHP shared on social media.CHP officers apprehended a llama that was loose on Interstate 80 on Dec. 21, 2023. Thankfully, there would be almost no llama drama with the rescue.Officers were able to locate the animal, safely apprehend it, and even gave him the name of "Challenger." After a quick picture on the side of the roadway, the llama was returned to its owners. ‘Killer whale madness’ continues off Southern California coast Commenters praised the officers, saying that the situation could have ended tragically, and several joked that the llama may have been looking to join Santa's herd of reindeer.CHP officers apprehended a llama that was loose on...