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Wentzville parents among Gold Star families at Congressional hearing over deadly Afghanistan withdrawal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

WASHINGTON – Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz were not holding back."As you can probably tell by now, I'm done biting my tongue," the Gold Star father from Wentzville said to members of Congress. "I identify as a father, a husband, a p----- off, fed-up American patriot, and now, thanks to this Administration, a Gold Star dad."The Schmitzes were among the 13 Gold Star families speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Tuesday afternoon. The mission: to get answers and accountability following the August 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was one of the 13 service members who died in the attack.The families and lawmakers present insist the deaths could have been avoided. The latest revelation was that families said they learned a sniper was in position to take out the suicide bomber Aug. 26, 2021, but that superiors gave instructions not to engage. Search for gunman after Ferguson police chief’s niece...

Ag. Sec. discusses federal investment in bi-state area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited St. Louis Tuesday on a nationwide tour touting the Biden administration’s $800 million investment in rural infrastructure and job creation. Missouri will receive more than $70 million from the USDA.“Whether it’s business and industry opportunities or whether it’s basic infrastructure, it’s about improving lives,” Vilsack said.“Farmers who’re focused on trying to embrace climate smart agriculture and the enormous opportunity that develops for more income for farmers now will have the opportunity to do precision agriculture, significantly reducing the cost of inputs. There are just a multitude of benefits here.”Before his arrival in St. Louis, the secretary paid a visit to the Minnesota State Fair. He’ll be heading to Decatur, Illinois, on Wednesday to attend the Farm Progress Show, where the Farm Bill, which is set to expire Sept. 30, will likely be a hot topic. Close Thanks for signing up! ...

CU Buffs football’s five keys to success for the 2023 season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

Five keys to the CU Buffs’ success in Year 1 under head coach Deion Sanders. CU opens the season Saturday at TCU (10 a.m., Amon G. Carter Stadium).1. Protect Shedeur Sanders. The Buffs are loaded with speed and off-the-charts potential at the skill positions and in the secondary. Around the line of scrimmage, near the so-called box? Not so much. CU’s fortunes could well go as the offensive line goes. Even with a scheme under new coordinator Sean Lewis that’s designed to get the ball out quickly, neutral observers — and even longtime Buffs fans — have been conditioned to expect the worst when it comes to pocket protection in Boulder. And with TCU, Nebraska, Oregon and USC looming in the first month alone, that mettle will be tested pretty much immediately.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | College football predictions: How Air Force, CU, CSU and UNC will fare in 2023 College Sports | Deion Sanders’ football revolution at CU will be televised...

Police in standoff with armed man in Orange County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

Authorities in Orange County are involved in what appears to be a standoff with an armed man outside of a Hobby Lobby store.  Calls about the incident, located in the 1900 block of 17th Street, came into the Santa Ana Police Department just after 4 p.m.  Aerial footage from Sky5 showed the suspect, armed with a handgun, in the parking lot pacing back and forth, shouting at authorities who are barricaded behind their vehicles with guns drawn. A white pickup truck with the driver's side door can be seen just behind police lines. It is unclear if the vehicle belongs to the suspect, but police were seen searching the vehicle at one point. An alleged armed suspect seen pacing in the parking lot outside a Hobby Lobby who has refused to surrender to police on Aug. 29, 2023. (KTLA)An alleged armed suspect seen pacing in the parking lot outside a Hobby Lobby who has refused to surrender to police on Aug. 29, 2023. (KTLA)Police on the scene of a standoff with an alleged armed suspect outside ...

Timeline: Chabot Elementary School play day and bomb threat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- A play day organized for elementary school children in Oakland triggered a firestorm among far right-wing voices on X over the weekend, followed by a bomb threat called into the school on Tuesday. Students were instructed the stay home as Oakland police officers and the Alameda County Sheriff's bomb squad swarmed Chabot Elementary School. No explosives were found. Here's a timeline of how the incident unfolded.Saturday, August 26: Play dayThe Chabot Equity and Inclusion Committee organized and hosted a free event, "Playdate Social For Black, Brown, and API Families," with games and snacks for kids. The event's cheerful flier wrote, "If you family identifies as Black, Brown, or API or are the parent/caregiver of a Black, Brown, or API student, come hang out while we get a chance to know each other and build our community." 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: The 2-hour play day was held in Chabot Upper Yard.Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Tramme...

After starter leaves with sore knee, bullpen lifts Guardians over first-place Twins 4-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians overcame an early exit from starting pitcher Gavin Williams caused by knee soreness, taking a three-run lead by the fourth inning and beating the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Tuesday night.Minnesota, which leads second-place Cleveland by six games, went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranded three runners on third base. The Twins’ Royce Lewis hit a solo homer in the fourth following grand slams in his previous two games.Williams retired Lewis on a bases-loaded popup in the first, then was replaced by Hunter Gaddis (2-1), who allowed one run over three innings. Sam Hentges (two innings) Trevor Stephan (one inning) and Nick Sandlin (one inning) followed with scoreless relief.Emmanuel Clase allowed Michael A. Taylor’s one-out homer in the ninth before getting his AL-leading 35th save in 44 chances. Taylor’s home run was his career-high 20th.Bo Naylor homered in consecutive games for the first time ...

The Angels wave a white flag on their season, reportedly placing 6 players on waivers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lucas Giolito found out on X he could become an ex-Angel.ESPN reported Tuesday that Los Angeles has placed Giolito, relievers Dominic Leone, Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez, and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk on waivers. Teams have until 2 p.m. EDT Thursday to claim the players.Giolito said he read the news on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.“I’d say, surprised,” Giolito said after a 12-7 loss to Philadelphia. “But at the end of the day, it’s a business. It can be a very strange business sometimes. You just roll with it.”Los Angeles, 63-70 and headed to its eighth straight losing season, would get some salary relief if the players are claimed and their contracts assumed.Giolito allowed three homers in a loss Monday.ESPN cited unidentified sources confirming the waiver placements.“Thursday is when it all goes down,” Giolito said. “Until then, I’m here. We’ll see what happens after Thursday.”Giolito was acquired before the trade ...

Justin Steele stars as the Cubs stop the Brewers’ 9-game winning streak with 1-0 victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Justin Steele struck out eight in six effective innings, shaking off a comebacker that hit him on his left leg, and the Chicago Cubs stopped Milwaukee’s nine-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory over Corbin Burnes and the Brewers on Tuesday night.Steele (15-3) allowed six hits and walked one, throwing 80 of his career-high 111 pitches for strikes. The All-Star left-hander improved to 6-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last eight starts.Bouncing back from a 6-2 loss in the series opener, Chicago (70-62) pulled within four games of NL Central-leading Milwaukee (74-58).Steele was struck near his left knee by Victor Caratini’s one-out liner in the second. After a visit from manager David Ross and a trainer, along with a few warmup throws, he stayed in — drawing a big cheer from the Wrigley Field crowd of 33,294.Burnes (9-7) also was terrific, striking out seven in seven innings. But the three-time All-Star remains winless in seven starts since he pitched eight spark...

'Shots fired' call at Bennett park locks down nearby school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Deputies were investigating Tuesday after a report of someone with a gun put an elementary school in Bennett on lockdown.The investigation was in the area of Trupp Park, according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office.Deputies got a call at 5:15 p.m. reporting someone with a gun at the park, and a witness said "shots fired," according to the sheriff's office. Soccer practice was underway at the park as this was happening.A person of interest was detained shortly after at 5:25 p.m., the sheriff's office said. Later, investigators said two people were in custody for questioning.No victims were located, and investigators had not confirmed whether shots were fired as of Tuesday evening, although investigators did find shell casings. A large perimeter was established for the investigation.Witness interviews were continuing, the sheriff's office said. Investigators said there was no threat to the public.Parents were directed to go to Bennett High School to reunite with thei...

Colorado natural disasters rise 275% over 20 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado has seen its fair share of wild weather, but over the last 20 years, severe damage caused by hail, tornadoes and wildfires has only increased.The frequency of natural disasters in the state is up by 275% over the last 20 years, according to data from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Men who rushed Coors Field arrested for trespassing, disturbing peace From 2002 to 2021, there were 45 natural disasters in the state, up from 12 recorded between 1982 and 2001.Becky Bolinger, an assistant state climatologist with the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University, highlights two main reasons: an increase in population and changes in climate."Part of the reason is the exposure. You have a lot of people living in the areas where (wildfires) are most destructive, but also we have seen an increase in the number of wildfires and the total area burned from fires in our state,” Bolinger said.This aerial photo shows flood damage in Greeley Colo. during...