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Kia, Hyundai settle class-action lawsuit after a rash of thefts due to security flaw

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hyundai Motor America and Kia America will resolve class-action lawsuit prompted by a surge in vehicle thefts with a settlement agreement that could be valued at $200 million, the automakers announced Friday.The settlement covers about 9 million 2011-2022 model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. today, according to the companies. The cars are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices — which has allowed them to be stolen easily by using just a screwdriver and a USB cord, creating a recent auto-theft outbreak across the country.The settlement will provide cash compensation to customers who incurred theft-related losses or damage that was not covered by insurance — as well as reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums and other losses, Kia and Hyundai said.A software upgrade will also be provided to eligible owners as part of the settlement. For customers with vehicles that cannot accommodate the sof...

Obama, Colbert among 500 Americans banned from going to Russia

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — In response to a new round of U.S. sanctions, Russia announced Friday that it was banning 500 Americans from entering the country, including former President Barack Obama and comedian Stephen Colbert.The list released by the Foreign Ministry did not specify complaints against each individual. But the ministry said the offenses included spreading Russophobia, supplying Ukraine with arms, and officials “who are directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called ‘storm of the Capitol.’”The ban includes 45 members of the U.S. House, Sens. J.D. Vance, Katie Britt and Eric Schmitt, and former ambassadors to Russia John Tefft and Jon Huntsman.The ministry said it had also denied a U.S. request for consular access to Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in late March and charged with espionage. The ministry said that was in response to the United States denying visas to Russian journalists who wanted to cover Fo...

Judge shows willingness to release some records in Tyre Nichols beating death

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge on Friday continued to temporarily block the release of more video footage and records in the investigation into Tyre Nichols’ death, but said he does want to make public information that would not interfere with the rights to a fair trial for five Memphis police officers facing charges.Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. asked prosecutors to outline the information they think should and should not be be released to the public, and then give the list to defense attorneys. Jones set deadlines in June for prosecutors to provide defense lawyers the information from existing video footage and about 2,500 pages of documents that should be be released and for the defense to raise objections.Prosecutor Paul Hagerman and defense attorneys agreed that most police personnel records that pre-dated Nichols’ beating can be released. But they both also agreed that the media must not get so called Garrity statements, which stem from inve...

Video shows driver fleeing Iowa police with officer on hood, roof of car

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

CARROLL, Iowa (AP) — Harrowing video of a driver speeding from Iowa police with an officer clinging to his hood and roof emerged this month during the motorist’s sentencing.Dennis James Guider Jr., 29, of the Chicago area, was sentenced last week to up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of serious injury by vehicle. Another felony count related to fleeing police was dismissed as part of the plea deal reached in March.Carroll, Iowa, police Officer Patrick McCarty stopped the car Guider was riding in on March 5, 2021. With an outstanding warrant in an Illinois forgery case, he was facing arrest. Body camera video that was introduced as an exhibit during Guider’s sentencing hearing shows him ignoring orders to get out of the car, instead shoving the driver out of the vehicle and scooting into the driver’s seat. McCarty got in front of the car, pointing his pistol at Guider and repeatedly ordering him to stop. As Guider drove forward, McCarty stepped o...

Police investigating after fetus found in Oakville park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

Halton police have opened an investigation after a fetus was discovered in an Oakville park.Authorities were notified of the discovery around 8:45 a.m. on Friday when police officers were called to Oakdale Park.A pedestrian walking near Munn’s Creek in the park located the fetus, police said.Halton’s homicide unit is leading the investigation as local officers seek video taken after Thursday, May 18, at approximately 7 p.m. in the evening.A police spokesperson said the mandate of the HRPS Homicide Unit is to investigate all pediatric death occurrences.

Man in suit duped employees into opening door before Pacific Mall jewelry heist

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

A sharp-dressed man who may have appeared to be a potential customer turned out to be part of a team of robbers that targeted a jewelry store at Pacific Mall in Markham on Thursday, York Regional Police revealed in an update Friday.Officers attended the mall in the Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road area at around 3:10 p.m. on Thursday after receiving numerous calls about an armed heist.In an update Friday, police said a suspect dressed in a suit was the first to gain access to the store, before his accomplices stormed in.“Attending officers learned that a male suspect in a suit rang the store’s doorbell and waited for an employee to unlock the door, then assaulted the employee and entered with three other suspects,” police said.Once inside, the suspects smashed display cases and snagged high-end watches.At one point a gun was fired, but luckily no one was hit.After pilfering a quantity of valuables, the crooks fled the store into a waiting vehicle.Police say the first susp...

MedWatch Daily Digest: Sobering new statistics on deaths from drug overdoses — and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

For Friday, May 19, WGN’s Medical Reporter Dina Bair has the latest on new information, including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Drug overdose deaths surge in the USNearly 110,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2022. According to early estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that's the highest number of deaths recorded in a calendar year.The pandemic and proliferation of synthetic opioids helped to fuel the rise in deadly overdoses. Final data on drug overdose deaths won't be available for months.Mpox cases rising in Chicago ahead of summerHealth officials say cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, are on the rise again in Chicago.The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday confirmed at least 24 monkeypox cases, with two additional cases probable, since March 24. According to health officials, all cases were among symptomatic men, a majority of whom had received two doses of the monkeypox vaccine.IDPH...

NASCAR Chicago Street Race names food & beverage partner

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

CHICAGO — With race weekend just six weeks, another major detail about NASCAR's first-ever race in downtown Chicago was taken care of on Friday.This one has to do with what some fans will consume over the course of the two-day event. Today @NASCARChicago named @LettuceEats as their official food and beverage partner for the event in July..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/nqvduF1FZd— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) May 19, 2023NASCAR Chicago named Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants as the official food and beverage partners of the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 1 and 2 downtown. A Guide to NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Per a news release on Friday, food from establishments in the company will be featured throughout the course including RPM Restaurants, Bub City, Sushi-san, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, Summer House, Hub 51, The Oakville Grill & Cellar, and Tallboy Taco.Bub City/Jeff MariniRPM Italian/Lindsay EberlyRPM ItalianRPM ItalianSummer House CookiesJeff MariniLindsay EberlyThose h...

Buffalo Grove High School students return to class after 4 classmates killed in crash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — Students at Buffalo Grove High School are back in the classroom Friday, just two days after a crash killed four of their fellow classmates.The school had been closed due to a small fire that occurred the same night as the accident.The district had therapy dogs and counselors on hand to help students and staff who are grieving the loss of teens.The fatal crash happened around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Dundee and Schoenbeck roads. Police said the teens were traveling at a high-rate of speed and missed a red light before crashing into two other vehicles and a utility pole.The victims have been identified as: 16-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, 17-year-old Kevin R. Hernandez-Teran and 18-year-old Richard De-lta of Wheeling, and 17-year-old Ricky Barcenas of Arlington Heights.One student remains hospitalized, according to School District 214. Buffalo Grove High School mourning loss of 4 students killed in Wheeling crash A memorial for the four teens conti...

Round Rock ISD school board green lights salary increase for all staff

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees on Thursday approved salary increases for all staff during its approval of the 2023-24 school year compensation plan.Trustees gave the green light on Thursday during their regular meeting Thursday night. The currently approved compensation plan for the upcoming year includes a 3% general pay increase for teachers and librarians. The increase was based on the median teacher salary of $58,467, which equates to a $1,750 annual raise for all teachers and librarians, according to RRISD.The district said all other staff members would receive a 2% general pay increase based on the midpoint rate of the pay grade in which their position is grouped, which will ensure that all employees within a particular pay grade receive an equal pay increase.Trustees also explored potentially calling for a voter-approved tax rate election, or VATRE, to be put on the Nov. 7 ballot. The VATRE, if appro...