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With ‘Kia Challenge’ driving thefts of Kias and Hyundais, both makers offering local clinics for software upgrades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

Nearly 60 percent of vehicles stolen in Minneapolis this year have been Hyundais or Kias, and St. Paul has seen the same pattern in one-third of auto thefts. Now, both car manufacturers are holding free mobile clinics in the coming days in the Twin Cities to upgrade software systems in their vehicles, which they say will make them harder to steal.David VandeLinde, Hyundai’s vice president of after sales, shows an anti-theft software sticker in Minneapolis on Nov. 9, 2023, that will be attached to vehicles during free anti-theft software installation clinics for Hyundai owners in Minneapolis on Nov. 10 and 11, and St. Paul on Nov. 12 and 13. (Mara H. Gottfried / Pioneer Press)Police started seeing the problem in recent years when videos spread on TikTok and other social media, “exploiting a flaw in vehicle manufacturers that allowed those vehicles to be easily stolen,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Thursday. Young people, sometimes calling themsel...

Here are some standouts among the submissions for MN’s new flag and seal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

Luis Fitch is currently mulling over loons, stars, lakes and other iconic symbols of Minnesota submitted in the search for our new state flag and seal.Soon, Fitch — the chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission — will need to discuss his top 25 picks (for each category) at a commission meeting. There will be more winnowing to come, from semifinalists to finalists, with one flag design and one seal design ultimately selected on Dec. 12.Fitch is still working his way through the 398 submissions for the seal and he has some cutting to do for his initial picks among the 2,123 flag entries.“I have 110 for the flag,” Fitch said with a laugh on Thursday. “And that’s just me. We have a lot to choose from.”The flag and seal redesign process was mandated by the DFL-controlled state Legislature earlier this year.Proponents of the change say the main image on the current flag, dating to 1957, and the seal, adopted in 1861, is offensive. It shows a ...

Regional Food Bank kicks off Holiday Hunger Appeal campaign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local food bank has launched its biggest fundraising event of the year. The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York kicked off its Holiday Hunger Appeal on Thursday.This year, they are partnering with the New York State Restaurant Association and the CDTA to raise awareness. Participating restaurants will put up posters and set up tables where customers can donate. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The campaign will be promoted on CDTA buses to get the word out to the community."Be educated, understand that there's a need, and two, if you can help, help," Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York CEO Tom Nardacci said. "Any little bit matters. Like you said, $1 provides four meals, $100 provides a lot more, so anything people can do is really appreciated."Food bank leaders said there's a huge need for food this year. Rates of food insecurity remain at the same level they were during the height of...

Homicide victim found at Fairview Heights hotel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Fairview Heights police are investigating a homicide after a woman was found dead at a local hotel.The woman was found dead at the Super 8 by Wyndham, located at Route 159 and Interstate 64.Police said a suspect is in custody.This is a developing news story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

67-year-old woman reported missing in Ellisville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

ELLISVILLE, Mo. – An endangered silver advisory has been issued for a woman who wandered away from a thrift store in Ellisville.Cherie Ellen Null was last seen around 12 p.m. Thursday in the area of the Savers thrift store in the 15800 block of Clayton Road.Null, who has dementia, does not have her much-needed medication. She also does not have a phone with her.She’s described as 5’8” tall, weighing 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red blouse, a black jacket, and black pants, and carrying a black purse.Anyone with information on Null’s whereabouts should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the Ballwin Police Department at 636-227-2941.

Kiszla: Broncos rediscovered their mojo by reducing quarterback Russell Wilson’s role

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

Mr. Let’s Ride has been reduced to being just another passenger on the Broncos bus.Is quarterback Russell Wilson cool with that? If a reduced role bugs the team’s most expensive player, DangeRuss isn’t saying it.“I love it when our guys are making plays. I don’t really care who’s getting in the end zone. All that matters to me is our guys are making plays,”  Wilson said Wednesday. “I love winning. I’m obsessed with it. I love seeing everybody get the shine.”A Broncos team that once let Russ cook has told Wilson to take a step back in the kitchen.Less Russ. More Us.Amid a two-game winning streak after a miserable 1-5 start to this NFL season, it appears Denver might have found a new recipe for winning. It makes Russ humbly stand down and look, as coach Sean Payton devises ways to work around this franchise’s looming $245 million liability at quarterback.During the past three games, Payton has used Wilson more like Tim Tebow than Drew Brees. Twice t...

Payback at hand as CU Buffs men’s basketball hosts rematch with Grambling State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

It was a scattershot opening to the season that was the biggest culprit in relegating the Colorado men’s basketball team to the NIT last year.The entire uneven run through the first few weeks of the season was encapsulated in the Buffaloes’ first trip to Grambling State.In a sparsely attended contest in Louisiana, a mistake-prone Buffs squad ran into a fired-up Grambling State team, and the combination proved frustrating to CU in an 83-74 defeat.Payback has never been a big motivating point for CU head coach Tad Boyle as he gets rolling on his 14th season with the Buffs. But for the players on the floor last year during an ugly outing that featured 19 turnovers and a 5-for-21 mark on 3-pointers, the tone is a little different as Grambling State visits the Events Center on Friday night.“We’re all pretty amped up for this game just because of what happened last year,” CU forward J’Vonne Hadley said. “We know that we need this game. We know that we need to win the games we’re supposed ...

Suspected DUI driver charged in Northridge crash that killed LAPD officer and injured SBSD deputy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

A suspected DUI driver in a Northridge crash that killed two people, including an off-duty officer, and injured a deputy was charged with murder on Thursday.The suspect, Brian Olivarez, 20, was charged with the murders of Los Angeles Police Officer Darrell Cunningham and his passenger, Jorge Soriano, while seriously injuring two others, according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.The crash happened on Nov. 4 near the intersection of Roscoe Boulevard and Lindley Avenue around 1:15 a.m.Cunningham was driving with an off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputy and another passenger in a white Infiniti on Lindley Avenue when he was hit by a speeding car.The suspect, Olivarez, had failed to stop at a red light as he was going over 100 miles per hour, police said.Olivarez was also suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time, said LAPD.A deadly two-car collision in Northridge claimed the lives of two people and sent three more to the hospital. (...

Serial prowler, sex offender arrested while trying to break into Santa Monica home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

An out-of-compliance sex offender and parolee at large was captured and arrested after he was spotted trying to get inside a home in Santa Monica, authorities announced Thursday.  Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department responded to calls of a “prowler now” in the 200 block of 24th Street at around 3:27 a.m. Wednesday. One of two off-duty law enforcement officers providing private security for the homeowner spotted the man and called police.  When police arrived, the suspect, now identified as Charles Marcell Newman, was being detained by security in the driveway of the residence.   Public transit bus slams into restaurant in Long Beach; at least 14 hurt The 46-year-old, who is currently homeless, is the subject of a burglary and trespassing investigation in Los Angeles and has previously been captured on surveillance cameras at the same Santa Monica residence, trying doors, windows and car-door handles in September and October, according to an SMPD news release.  Ch...

Suspect sketch, additional details released in Stanford hate crime investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:54 GMT

(KRON) -- The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who allegedly tried to hit a Muslim Stanford student with his car. The sheriff's office released a sketch of the suspect and an image of a car resembling the suspect vehicle. Photo Credit: Santa Clara County Sheriff's OfficePhoto Credit: Santa Clara County Sheriff's OfficePhoto Credit: Santa Clara County Sheriff's OfficeThe hit-and-run crash is being investigated as a hate crime. It happened on Stanford's campus at the intersection of Campus Drive and Ayrshire Farm Lane on Nov. 3. The victim is of Syrian descent, and he was wearing a shirt with Arabic lettering, per the sheriff's office. As he crossed the intersection, the suspect allegedly struck him with his vehicle and yelled "F*** you and your people" as he drove off. Sonoma Valley High lockdown lifted, threat deemed unfounded "The victim believed he was targeted by the suspect because of the shirt that he wore," SCCSO wrote in a press release.The victim wa...