Air in Times Square filled with colored paper as organizers test New Year’s Eve confetti

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Air in Times Square filled with colored paper as organizers test New Year’s Eve confetti NEW YORK (AP) — Visitors to Times Square got a small preview of New York City’s famed New Year’s Eve party on Friday, as the event’s organizers heaved handfuls of colored paper skyward in a promotional event to test their confetti.With crowds of celebrants expected to pack into Times Square for the festivities, even the smallest details can’t be overlooked, said Jeff Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment. That includes the 2-by-2 inch (5-by-5-centimeter) slips of paper that will flutter to the ground at the stroke of midnight Sunday.“This is a whole process,” Straus said. “We got to feel the confetti. We got to fluff it up. We got to make sure it’s going to float.”While the test may have been more promotional than practical, the actual New Year’s confetti release — which has been part of the event since 1992 — remains a labor-intensive operation. An estimated 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of confetti are trucked into midtown Manhattan each year, then carried to r...

Former WGN News reporter John Hogan dies

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Former WGN News reporter John Hogan dies Former WGN News reporter and Chicago native John Hogan has died.Hogan started at WGN Radio and Television as a college graduate in 1962.He reported on some of Chicago’s biggest stories including the 1968 Democratic Convention and the trial of mass murderer Richard Speck.After 16 years, he left journalism to work for a public utility company.He also published half a dozen books.He died earlier this month from complications following a heart surgery.He was 82.

Police seek information after 1 injured in Irving Park hit-and-run

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Police seek information after 1 injured in Irving Park hit-and-run CHICAGO — Police are looking for information as officers investigate a hit-and-run crash in Irving Park that left a person seriously injured last week. Chicago police say they are searching for the driver involved in the crash that unfolded on Wednesday, Dec. 20, along Irving Park Road beneath US Interstate 90/94.  FBI searching for man who robbed bank in Buffalo Grove Police say the victim exited the CTA Irving Park Blue Line train station just before 1:10 a.m. and attempted to cross Irving Park Road when they were hit by an unknown vehicle.According to police, the pedestrian was seriously injured in the crash and the driver involved fled the scene.Police say the driver was believed to be traveling eastbound on Irving Park Road toward Pulaski Road, from the underpass of the interstate.Police did not provide a description of the vehicle involved and authorities have not identified or provided updated details on the condition of the victim. Oswego man charged in connection with S...

String of burglaries in Hyde Park prompts warning from Chicago police

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

String of burglaries in Hyde Park prompts warning from Chicago police CHICAGO — A string of burglaries on the city's South Side has prompted a warning from Chicago police. According to officers, four burglaries unfolded in Hyde Park over the course of about two weeks between Dec. 11, and Dec. 23. FBI searching for man who robbed bank in Buffalo Grove Police say during each burglary, the thief entered the property through a door or window before stealing items from inside.Officers say the burglaries happened at several different times of the day and police did not provide details on what types of items were stolen. Chicago police offered the following timeline of the burglaries that took place in Hyde Park between Dec. 11, and Dec. 23: 5400 block of South Ellis Avenue on Dec. 11, between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.5400 block of South Greenwood Avenue on Dec. 16, at 9 p.m.1100 block of East 54th Place on Dec. 16, at 12 a.m.1100 block of East 54th Place on Dec. 23, at 8 a.m.5400 block of South Ellis Avenue on Dec. 23, between 12 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Chicag...

FBI searching for man who robbed bank in Buffalo Grove

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

FBI searching for man who robbed bank in Buffalo Grove BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — FBI agents say an investigation is underway after a bank robbery in Buffalo Grove on Thursday afternoon. According to the FBI, the robbery took place at a BMO Harris Banks in the 500 block of West Half Day Road just before 3:30 p.m.  Oswego man charged in connection with South Side shooting Agents say the man entered the bank and displayed a note demanding money and implying that he had a handgun. During the robbery, the man was spotted wearing a long-sleeved black jacket, a baseball cap, dark pants, and white sneakers. Photos provided by the FBI show the suspected Buffalo Grove bank robberAgents say they believe the man responsible is between 30 and 40 years of age, stands around 6 feet tall, and weighs around 180 pounds. He also has acne scars on his face and had facial hair at the time of the robbery.No injuries were reported from the incident and the suspect remains at large. Body found in suburbs concludes search for missing St. Louis mother;...

Police searching for Colorado mom suspected of killing her 2 children, wounding third

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Police searching for Colorado mom suspected of killing her 2 children, wounding third COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KXRM) — A woman suspected of murdering her two children in Colorado Springs is believed to have left the area Friday, the Colorado Springs Police Department said. Officers are searching for 35-year-old Kimberlee Singler in connection with the killing of her two children, and the wounding of a third. Police said the 11-year-old girl who was injured is safe and being cared for in Colorado Springs. On Tuesday, Dec. 19 around 12:30 a.m., police received a call about a burglary at a condominium. Officers said when they arrived, they found a woman and the 11-year-old girl suffering from injuries. A 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy were also found dead inside the home. Police said the woman has been identified as Singler, the mother of all three children. Police said Singler and the 11-year-old were treated for their injuries on scene before being taken to the hospital. After investigating, officers concluded the initial report of a burglary was unfounded. Cour...

Man killed in officer-involved shooting in northeast Austin identified

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Man killed in officer-involved shooting in northeast Austin identified Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department identified the man who died after an officer shot him in northeast Austin on Dec. 26. APD said in a news release Friday his name was Konrad Farad Khorshahian, 63. The officer-involved shooting happened Tuesday afternoon in the 1500 block of East Howard Lane. APD said officers responded to a parking lot after a call about "a man with a rifle" who was reportedly shooting. It was later determined Khorshahian was the one who called 911. PAST STORY: APD says suspect was holding BB gun before northeast Austin officer-involved shooting Two officers arrived at the scene, APD said, and as they drove through the parking lot, one of the officers stated a man was pointing a rifle at them as they drove past. Residents were also walking around the lot at the time. According to police, the officers came out of their vehicles and took cover behind other parked cars...

Cade Klubnik, former Westlake QB, leads Clemson to 38-35 win over Kentucky in Gator Bowl

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Cade Klubnik, former Westlake QB, leads Clemson to 38-35 win over Kentucky in Gator Bowl AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Westlake quarterback Cade Klubnik helped the Clemson Tigers end a disappointing season by their standards on a high note, orchestrating a game-winning drive against Kentucky on Friday in the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl.Clemson scored a touchdown with 0:17 left to win the game 38-35, and Klubnik went 8-for-8 for 71 yards on the final drive before handing it to Phil Mafah for a 3-yard touchdown run. Klubnik finished the game 30 of 41 passing for 264 yards with an interception. Ewers says he hasn’t decided on staying, going; focused on ‘trying to win a national championship’ Klubnik bounced back after a mistake to help keep the final drive alive. Klubnik was flagged for intentional grounding, turning a second-and-3 into third-and-18. On the next play, however, Klubnik fired a pass to Troy Stellato for 16 yards to bring up a fourth-and-2 play that Mafah converted with a 5-yard run. That helped set up Klubnik's final two completions of the game, an 11-yard pass to Ant...

Tracking a stormier weather pattern next week

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

Tracking a stormier weather pattern next week AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures warm nicely for the final weekend of 2023. A cold front blows in New Year's Eve and a stormier weather pattern will follow next week.Temperatures Saturday morning freeze again in many areas outside of downtown Austin with low temperatures in the upper 20s to middle 30s under clear skies.A southwesterly wind resumes Saturday, warming afternoon temperatures beautifully for weekend plans. Enjoy some time outside!A New Year's Eve cold front is expected to blow through Sunday around midnight, not bringing any rain, but bringing cooler winds from the northwest. Midnight temperatures look to be in the lower 50s for outdoor plans.A stormier weather pattern takes shape next week with a southern storm track bringing two rain-making systems into Texas, the first arriving Tuesday.Chilly, light rain is likely at times Tuesday into Tuesday night. Most rain totals will be light from this first storm, at 0.10" to 0.50".We'll see a break between storms Wednesday and Thu...

KXAN looks back on some of 2023's biggest stories

Published Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:28:50 GMT

KXAN looks back on some of 2023's biggest stories AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's been a busy year with a lot going on in Central Texas, so we took a look back at some of the biggest stories.From extreme drought and 100-plus-degree weather to extremely cold temperatures and a freeze that caused widespread damage and power outages, Central Texas saw it all this year. KXAN’s top 10 Instagram posts of 2023 KXAN covered stories about education, politics and crime, and we did it with your help. Many of the stories we covered were sent in using our ReportIt! feature.KXAN was in the courtroom to keep you up to speed on high-profile murder trials, was live at crime scenes, and we dug into crime statistics to give you depth in our coverage.When parents wanted answers about issues in the schools we sat down with administrators and lawmakers to get answers and make changes.With 2023 coming to an end, we look forward to continuing to tell your stories. Happy New Year from all of us at KXAN News!