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Former 'Family Feud' contestant Timothy Bliefnick gets life for wife's murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) — A judge sentenced a former contestant on the television game show “Family Feud” to life in prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois.Timothy Bliefnick, 40, showed no reaction as Adams County Circuit Judge Robert Adrian read the sentence Friday, news outlets reported.A jury in May convicted Bliefnick of murder, home invasion and use of a firearm to commit first-degree murder in the Feb. 23 shooting death of Rebecca Bliefnick, 41. Her body was found by a family member inside her Quincy home after she failed to pick up her children from school. She had been shot multiple times.The couple was separated and going through a divorce. Hawaii works to identify 99 confirmed dead after Maui wildfires as teams intensify search Bliefnick’s attorney did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.In 2020, Timothy Bliefnick and some of his family members appeare...

Texas sues Planned Parenthood, wants millions of dollars repaid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas wants Planned Parenthood to give back millions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements — and pay far more in fines on top of that — in a lawsuit that appears to be the first of its kind brought by a state against the largest abortion provider in the U.S.A hearing was set for Tuesday in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who earlier this year put access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S. in limbo with a ruling that invalidated approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.The case now before him in America's biggest red state does not surround abortion, which has been banned in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. But Planned Parenthood argues the attempt to recoup at least $17 million in Medicaid payments for health services, including cancer screenings, is a new effort to weaken the organization after years of Republican-led laws that stripped funding and imposed restrictions on how its...

WATCH: Congressman berates officers after being wrestled to ground at rodeo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Police video released Monday shows U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas being taken to the ground by officers, profanely berating them and threatening to report them to the governor during an altercation at a rodeo last month.In body camera video, the former White House physician can be seen approaching a group of people surrounding a 15-year-old girl who authorities have said was having seizures. The two-term Republican congressman later has what looks like an argument with one of the people attending to the teenager before she is put on a stretcher. Sheriff says Ronny Jackson angry, aggressive, threatened to ‘beat’ trooper; Jackson claims local authorities’ actions ‘overly aggressive and incompetent’ Shortly afterward, Jackson is wrestled to the ground by at least two officers. The 31-minute video, which has sound in only some portions, shows officers turning Jackson facedown and putting him in handcuffs before helping him to his feet.In this screen grab from body came...

LIVE: Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions Tuesday; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it would move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan Tuesday, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city last week said the combined storage level in the lakes was projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within a few days. LCRA enters Stage 2 drought response; asks water cutback of 10-20% Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought," said Shay Ralls Roalson, director of Austin Water. "As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource. We’re all in this together, and there is no substitute for water." LIST: What are the current water restrictions in your city? Here are the changes to watering restrictions under Stage 2:Automat...

Williamson County launches donation drive for wildfire victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County said Monday all four county Justices of the Peace along with the Austin Disaster Relief Network were collecting donations for families impacted by area wildfires. The county announcement said people can drop off new socks and undergarments for children and adults at any of the JP offices in Williamson County. Workers will collect donations will be collected through Friday at each JP office. Justice of the Peace, Pct. 11801 E Old Settlers Blvd., Suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78664Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 350 Discovery Blvd., Suite 204, Cedar Park, TX 78613Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4211 W 6th Street, Taylor, TX 76574Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How a son's journey with addiction inspired a Texas farm's recovery program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- His hands are calloused and covered in a thin layer of dirt and soil, and the thick fabric of worn blue jeans stick to his skin in the Texas summer heat.If it weren't for the straw hat atop his head, the black Metallica cotton t-shirt he wears would've made for an unbearable choice of clothing. His left earlobe is pierced with a single diamond, the sun's rays dancing off the shimmery gem.The middle-aged man kneels before a row of crops, his body leaning into a bed of weeds.A hand holds out a pepper picked from the field. (KXAN Photo/Katharine Vaughn)The row he now crouches before produces peppers, of various colors and kinds. The red ones — ghost peppers and habanero peppers. The yellow ones — Jamaican yellow mushroom peppers. The green ones — well, those are tricky. They can be jalapeños, serrano peppers or shishito peppers.He tugs at a stubborn root tucked deep into the earth, finally pulling it free. With a quick motion of his arm, he tosses it aside to the mound...

Altercation on St. Paul’s Raspberry Island on Monday night ends with man fatally shot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

A man died after he was shot on St. Paul’s Raspberry Island Monday night.Police were called to the Mississippi River park across from downtown just after 9 p.m. on a report of a shooting. There had been a large group gathered, an altercation and shots fired, police said of preliminary information.Officers found a man with apparent gunshot injuries. Paramedics took him to Regions Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Homicide investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and who was responsible. Police didn’t announce arrests early Tuesday.Officers located possible witnesses Monday night and also asked anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.Police said they will release the victim’s name after the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office confirms his identity and cause of death.The man’s homicide was the 23rd of the year in St. Paul. There were 22 homicides in St. Paul as of this date last year. Related ArticlesCrime &...

Gov. Mike Parson updating Missouri NIL law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Missouri Governor Mike Parson will sign updates to the state's NIL bill. It allows athletes to make money from their name, image, or likeness.The law passed in 2021 and was amended last year. The new changes allow a coach or school official to assist students with negotiations, though the officials cannot be the player's agents. City of St. Charles shuts down water treatment plant due to ammonia drop The bill will also extend NIL benefits to high schoolers as long as they sign a letter of intent with a public university in Missouri. The law takes effect in August.

Missouri School Board of Education adopting social and emotional standards to improve student behavior

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri School Board may adopt some new proposals today to improve student behavior in the classroom.A research group was appointed to help with recruiting and keeping teachers. The state board of education hears from them Tuesday in Jefferson City. ‘Blind Side’ lawsuit: Michael Oher alleges family pushed ‘false’ adoption story to make money They also proposed 15 standards to improve students behavior, including ways to process and manage emotions. The experts presented a draft proposal to the school board in May.

Firefighters respond to flames at North Florissant home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Crews are at the scene of a house fire Tuesday morning.Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter is flying over the area located on North Florissant Avenue and Herbert Street, where fire crews are currently putting out the flames. The building was occupied at the time the fire broke out, but so far, no injuries have been reported. ‘Blind Side’ lawsuit: Michael Oher alleges family pushed ‘false’ adoption story to make money The cause of the fire is still unknown. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.