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Employers want arbitrator for maintenance issues as talks resume in B.C. port strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

VANCOUVER — Talks between the two sides in an ongoing port strike in British Columbia have resumed, ending a days-long stretch away from the negotiating table.The BC Maritime Employers Association issued a statement on Saturday evening saying it met with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and proposed a committee and independent arbitrator to make recommendations related to the key sticking points around maintenance work. The meeting took place a day before the union is expected to hold a rally in Vancouver in support of the 7,400 workers who walked off the job on Canada Day, in part because the union says its jurisdiction over maintenance is being eroded by the use of contractors.Talks broke off on Monday, and the association has accused the union of trying to “aggressively expand” its control of maintenance duties beyond what has been established for decades.In its latest statement, the association says an arbitrator could make non-binding recommend...

‘Very dangerous’ inmate escapes Pennsylvania jail using bed sheets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Authorities from local, state and federal agencies were searching Saturday for an inmate described by police as “very dangerous” who escaped from a jail in northwestern Pennsylvania using bed sheets, officials said.Michael Burham, 34, escaped from a jail in Warren by climbing on exercise equipment and using bed sheets to escape through a window, authorities said. Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said Burham was being held in lieu of $1 million bail on kidnapping, burglary and other charges, and Warren police said he was a suspect in a homicide investigation.Law enforcement officials believed Burham was still in the Warren area and had likely changed clothes since he escaped wearing a blue denim coat and orange jail jumpsuit, Bivens told a Saturday news conference. Burham is “a self-taught survivalist with military experience and could be potentially holed up in a wooded area,” Bivens said.“He is considered very dangerous, and the public is asked to be vigilant...

NU football players release statement, student newspaper details hazing allegations made against team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Northwestern University football team released a statement Saturday after a story from the university's student-run newspaper detailed hazing allegations made against the team that lead to head coach Pat Fitzgerald's suspension Friday.In a statement obtained by WGN, Northwestern's football team wrote "to address the recent hazing investigation" and offer support for their head coach, who they reiterated was not involved, or had knowledge of the hazing allegations until they were brought to his attention during the investigation.The full statement can be read at the bottom of this article.The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University's student-run newspaper, published an article Saturday morning detailing hazing allegations made by a former football player within the program, that were also confirmed by a second player.According to the article, the center of the hazing allegations focused around a practice called 'running.'According to both players, who spoke o...

Brush fire in Hays County around 150 acres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A brush fire near Hilliard Road in Hays County has reached nearly 150 acres as of 9 p.m. Friday. Mike Jones, Hays County director of emergency services, said that emergency responders are calling it the "Vineyard Fire.""We've got plenty of water on hand," said Jones.No homes are currently at risk from the fire, and Jones said that his agency is not planning any evacuation of civilians.South Hays Fire Department is leading the firefighting effort with the assistance of multiple other fire departments, including the San Marcos Fire Department. STARFlight is also performing airdrops of water onto the fire. According to Jones, around 60 firefighters are involved in the operation.This is a developing story. KXAN will provide more details as they become available.

Driverless cars stop traffic on Austin streets, company responds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — Two autonomous vehicles blocked lanes of traffic Friday night, the company that owns them said the vehicles stopped as a safety measure. Self-driving cars roll around Austin Cruise, a rideshare and delivery company, responded to KXAN's inquiry about the cars. One vehicle was stopped in a lane of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, another was stopped near the intersection of W.15th Street and Trinity.Multiple videos show self-driving cars from the company Cruise stopping in the middle of busy roads in downtown Austin. @kxan_news is looking into this traffic hazard. pic.twitter.com/T8Hhz1xOLr— Ricky (@RickyG_TV) July 8, 2023A Cruise spokesperson said when the driverless cars are uncertain of the safest way to proceed, they will pull over and turn on their hazard lights.In a statement, the company said there are Remote Assistance advisors who monitor and occasionally assist vehicles in incidents like this. "Within our dedicated team who continuously monitor...

TravCo officials receive national award for linking a man's firearms with an unsolved murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County officials got national recognition for how they handled a 2022 violent crime investigation and tracked down a suspected murderer. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) awarded Travis County District Attorney's Office attorneys Habon Mohamed and Victor Erbring, and investigator Fred Spenser, for their collaboration with members of the ATF, Austin Police Department and U.S. Attorney's Office in the handling of the investigation, per a Travis County spokesperson. APD arrested Shane Alexander Taylor, 37, in Dec. 2022 for his alleged involvement in a burglary. Police found two firearms and ammunition on Taylor when he was arrested. APD’s Burglary Unit contacted ATF for testing, and the confiscated firearms were linked to casings collected at a murder crime scene of Olmero Lopez Santos, 42, which took place in Nov. 2022, per a press release. Taylor is now facing state charges of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and ...

Four goals leads to three big points for Austin FC against Minnesota

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Austin (KXAN) - Austin FC headed north and made things go south for Minnesota United FC Saturday evening. The Verde and Black struck for four goals to secure the 4-1 victory over Minnesota at Allianz Field.In the second of three matches in the group's road trip, Austin withstood a strong start from the hosting bunch. Minnesota came out aggressive with plenty of chances around the goal but was unable to get anything past Austin's goalkeeper Brad Stuver.In the 35th minute, the visitors were the first to strike with a Diego Fagúndez goal. A beautiful touch to a streaking Fagúndez from Dani Pereira set up a curling shot to open the scoring.Right before stoppage time in the first half saw a run from Jon Gallagher where he was tackled in the box leading to a penalty kick for Austin. Verde captain Sebastián Driussi calmly slotted it into the right corner of the net after a replay review confirmed the penalty.The 2-0 lead was taken into the break and quickly added to in the second half. Per...

Loons can’t convert and get clobbered in 4-1 loss to Austin FC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Minnesota United supporters chanted “We want Pukki” in the 50th minute on Saturday night at Allianz Field. The Loons were down 2-0 and needed their new striker to save them.Moments later, Sebastian Driussi silenced the crowd with Austin FC’s third goal of the game.The fans’ request was met when Pukki subbed in for his MNUFC debut in the 56th minute, but the Loons and their Finnish forward only got one goal back in a 4-1 defeat.MNUFC (6-8-6, 22 points) remains on only two home wins — the second fewest in MLS this season. Austin FC (8-8-5, 29 points) widened its gap on the Loons.The Loons dominated the opening half hour and had nothing to show for it.Mender Garcia botched an open shot in the 11th minute; the Colombian didn’t shoot when open in the 21st minute and instead passed behind Bongi Hlongwane; and Garcia had a shot easily saved by Brad Stuver in the 30th.Suspended manager Adrian Heath was forced to watch the match from a room adjacent to the press box. He looked perplexed and ...

Simeon Woods Richardson shines out of bullpen as Saints top Cubs, 5-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Simeon Woods Richardson fanned a season-high seven batters coming out of the bullpen, Anthony Prato hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the St. Paul Saints topped the Iowa Cubs 5-2 Saturday night in Des Moines, Iowa.Woods Richardson (2-5) earned the win, allowing just three hits and one run, which came on a solo homer by Luis Vazquez in the fifth inning. His appearance out of the bullpen followed a two-inning shutout start by Brent Headrick, who fanned four while allowing just two hits and no walks.The Saints (8-3 second half) struck first in the third inning as Elliot Soto drew a one-out walk and was scored on an RBI double from Austin Martin. They were then held relatively quiet until the seventh inning, when Mark Contreras hit a single off the right-field wall and was brought home on Prato’s 408-foot blast. They added one more run in the inning when Matt Wallner hit a single to score Soto, who was walked and had moved to second on a groundout.Chris Williams hit a ...

Former Orange County Marine killed in missile strike in Ukraine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Loved ones are devastated as they remember a former Marine from Orange County who was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine.Ian “Frank” Tortorici, 32, was a Marine Corp. veteran, a former law enforcement officer and a paramedic who was killed in Ukraine.“He really loved that country,” said Jon Frank, Tortorici’s father. “He would backpack and he was looking to one day retire and open a farm. He has so much kindness in his body that he would always do the right thing but never looked for any type of recognition. Always positive, always happy, always fun.”Fifteen months ago, Tortorici left his Lake Forest job with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement and enlisted in the Ukrainian International Legion.The legion was a group of foreign soldiers contracted members of the Ukrainian military. Tortorici fought on the frontlines against invading Russian troops and provided medical care to both soldiers and civilians.“He was doing the most dangerous work that anybody was doing over there,”...