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WATCH LIVE | Fed Chair Jerome Powell discusses Fed raising key rate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve reinforced its fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point to the highest level in 16 years. But the Fed also signaled that it may now pause the streak of 10 rate hikes that have made borrowing for consumers and businesses steadily more expensive.In a statement after its latest policy meeting, the Fed said that while the banking system is “sound and resilient," the upheaval in the financial system could slow borrowing, spending and growth. It reiterated that the impact of pullback in bank lending “remains uncertain.”The Fed's rate increases over the past 14 months have more than doubled mortgage rates, elevated the costs of auto loans, credit card borrowing and business loans and heightened the risk of a recession. Home sales have plunged as a result. The Fed’s latest move, which raised its benchmark rate to roughly 5.1%, could further increase borrowing costs.Yet the Fed’s efforts have only partly ...

Carlsbad-based Jenny Craig closing all locations: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – All Jenny Craig locations will imminently shutter, according to internal communications obtained by NBC News. Hourly employees at Jenny Craig weight loss centers were told by email that their last day was Tuesday, NBC reported. Corporate and salaried employees' last day is set for Friday.Nexstar reached out to Jenny Craig for comment on NBC's reporting, but didn't immediately hear back. Bed Bath & Beyond liquidation sale has started. Here’s what you need to know The company, based in Carlsbad, California, offers meal plans, food delivery and coaching for clients looking to lose weight. The first Jenny Craig weight loss center opened in 1983, the company says. Throughout the 2000s, Jenny Craig commercials were a familiar sight on television, featuring celebrity spokespeople like Valerie Bertinelli, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson and Jason Alexander. By 2019, Jenny Craig had grown to 500 locations and employed about 1,000 people, NBC reported. Reports of impending lay...

Iowa State football player from Chicago charged with domestic, sexual abuse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

AMES, Iowa – A Chicago native who is a member of the Iowa State Cyclone football team was booked Wednesday on sexual abuse and domestic assault charges.Aidan RalphThe charges against Aidan Ralph, 20, stem from a December 2022 incident involving his girlfriend. Criminal complaints filed in the case say Ralph’s girlfriend came to his apartment in the 600 block of S 17th Street in the early morning hours of December 3, 2022. Police say they had been dating for about three years at the time of the incident.They began arguing after Ralph accused the victim of cheating on him. The complaint says he shoved the victim multiple times and then shoved her into a set of stairs. The impact caused a stress fracture to her spine, causing “great pain and visible swelling.” Ralph admitted to police he shoved the victim and his actions caused her injuries. Teamsters oust suburban board after more than $1M in questionable expenses The victim allegedly asked Ralph to call for emergency medical servic...

Biden admin sending troops to southern border as Title 42 ends

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – As the end of Title 42 approaches, the Biden administration says an influx of migrants at the border is expected and plans to send troops to the border.The administration says it will deploy 1,500 troops, who are expected to arrive at the southern border in one week.“For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel, who will be sourced from the active-duty component, will fill critical capability gaps,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Gen. Patrick Ryder.The Pentagon says the active-duty troops heading to the border are only expected to be there to help deal with the end of Title 42.“These personnel will be performing administrative tasks, like data entry and warehouse support. They will not be performing law enforcement actions or interacting with immigrants,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.Those additional troops on administrative duty will free up U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for border enforcement purposes as an increase in migran...

Man steals items from Costco loading dock in Niles, leads police on pursuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

CHICAGO — A man stole items from a north suburban Costco's loading dock and then lead police on a pursuit early Wednesday morning.The incident began when a Costco employee at their Niles store, located in the 7300 block of North Melvina, reported to police that someone in a box trucks stole items from their loading dock.The truck went south into Chicago and Illinois State Police said they followed and observed the path of the truck as it exited the Dan Ryan. Man charged with murder of woman in Rogers Park After the box truck exited the interstate, ISP said the truck's cargo door opened and a person began throwing crates of the the back before coming to a stop near 71st and Carpenter.A short foot pursuit took place and one person was taken into custody, ISP said.A trooper sustained minor injuries.

First-ever vaccine to prevent RSV in older adults wins FDA approval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

(The Hill) - Federal regulators gave the green light to the first-ever vaccine to prevent the respiratory disease RSV on Wednesday, a major breakthrough that's been decades in the making.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy, a shot developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older.The development marks a significant turning point in the fight to protect vulnerable individuals against RSV, and other shots are close behind.A vaccine that was developed by Pfizer and aimed at the same demographic is expected to be approved by the end of the month. FDA is also considering Pfizer's maternal RSV vaccine, intended to be given to pregnant individuals to help protect against RSV in infants. RSV circulation is seasonal, typically starting during the fall and peaking in the winter. The vaccine is expected to be available before the start of next RSV season.In healthy adults and older chi...

Fish with fangs are washing up on Oregon's beaches, and biologists aren't sure why

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Serpent-like deep-sea fish with protruding fangs, bulging eyes and scaleless, slithery bodies are washing up along Oregon beaches — and biologists aren’t sure why.The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday that numerous lancetfish have washed ashore in Oregon in recent weeks. Beachgoers from both the northern and southern coasts of the state have reported spotting the dead or dying fish in their local surf, too. Holy Carp! 67-pound invasive fish caught in Oklahoma “These deep-sea fish live in tropical and subtropical waters and can migrate as far north as the Bering Sea to feed,” the agency stated on social media. “No one is sure why they are washing ashore.”A lancetfish (NOAA Fisheries).One lancetfish was found alive and helped back into the ocean, where it swam away, officials said. Beachgoers who locate a lancetfish along the beach are encouraged to take a photo and post the sighting to the Oregon State Parks and NOAA Fisheries West Coas...

Advocacy groups decry DPS actions after protesters removed from capitol

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Freedom Network, a progressive advocacy group that organized a protest against a bill that would ban minors from accessing puberty blockers and gender-transition surgery, said Wednesday the "aggression" they witnessed from Department of Public Safety troopers was "deeply disturbing."At least one of their members was arrested after DPS attempted to remove protesters from the area surrounding the Texas House chambers.In a statement provided to KXAN, DPS said Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan requested the Texas House Gallery to be cleared. The Sergeant at Arms then notified DPS, which provides law enforcement and security at the Capitol, of the disruption and asked for help clearing everyone from the gallery. DPS said people were "escorted out of the Capitol building due to ongoing protests.""No tasers or pepper spray were deployed by DPS personnel at any time. Once the Gallery was cleared, proceedings in the House continued," the statement reads.Adr...

Uncertainty remains, but severe risk rising Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Plan on mostly sunny skies along with scattered cumulus clouds this afternoon. It's our last day for a while without any rain chances here in Central Texas.Temperatures will return to the mid-80s as humidity continues to build over the area.Beginning Thursday, our first in a series of disturbances will roll into the region. A broken line of storms will fire up along the dry line out west and attempt to push west to east across our area. There is uncertainty as to how well these storms will hold together. As more of our weather computer models come in line toward a stormier outcome, the Storm Prediction Center have increased the risk of severe weather in the Austin Metro to a 2 out of 5 threat. The previous 2 out of 5 risk in the Hill Country continues. A lower 1 out of 5 threat continues for parts of our eastern counties.Severe weather threat Thursday (SPC)Damaging winds and large hail are the primary weather concerns for Thursday.A lower risk of severe storms, 1 ou...

National coalition aims to increase nonstop flights between Austin and Washington, D.C.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New momentum from Capital Access Alliance, a national coalition, is advocating for expanded nonstop flights between Washington, D.C., and major metro hubs across the country -- including here in Austin.At issue: In 1966, the Perimeter Rule was implemented at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, initially limiting nonstop service to and from the airport to 650 miles away. In the mid-1980s, Congress expanded the regulation to limit nonstop service to and from Washington, D.C. if the airport was located more than 1,250 miles away.Due to the regulation, Austin only has one nonstop flight each day that heads directly to Reagan National. As a result, many travelers have had to turn to Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport for nonstop flights, with both airports located further away from the nation's capital.But that could change this year. The Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of its five-year reauthorization bil...