By Lindsay Smith – The Wichita Eagle (TNS) Dec. 26—Greg Kalkwarf was jogging on a rural Sedgwick County road in November 2023 when he came across a saw blade laying on the ground. Concerned that the blade could lead to someone getting a flat tire, he picked it up and tossed it in the grass.
Continue ReadingBy Denise Neil – The Wichita Eagle (TNS) Dec. 26—Wichita can now get nationally-televised Argentinian empanadas nearly anytime it wants to — without having to track down a food truck. Earlier this month, Carolina Brandan and Chad Freeman opened their first brick-and-mortar version of their Argentina’s Empanadas in the tiny building on the west edge
Continue ReadingBy AP VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (AP) — Teenage actor Hudson Meek has died after he fell out of a moving vehicle in Alabama, authorities said. Meek, 16, was hurt on Dec. 19 while on a street in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham. He died two days later, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
Continue Reading
By TRAVIS LOLLER – Associated Press ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) — Jerry and Sibrina Barrett never spent a day apart over 35 years. They worked long hours, never took vacations, and liked to relax with their son at home. They had no idea that a hurricane could reach them in the mountains of East Tennessee. Living
Continue ReadingBy Elijah Decious – The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (TNS) Dec. 26—The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. MARION — A brand-new bookmobile is opening a new chapter for the Marion Public Library as it hits the streets in December. The new vehicle, which can hold about 3,000
Continue ReadingBy JARED BARTON – Columbus Telegram, Neb. (TNS) Aromatherapy, snowmen, grinch juice and bowling might seem unrelated, but for the group of youngsters making their way downtown on Monday, it was all part of their Christmas plans. The Trax Creative District partnered with several area organizations and businesses for its first Holiday Crafting Tour. Community
Continue ReadingBy The Associated Press Nashville Predators (11-17-7, in the Central Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (16-16-4, in the Central Division) St. Louis; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Predators -130, Blues +109; over/under is 5.5 BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues host the Nashville Predators after Dylan Holloway’s hat trick against the Detroit Red
Continue ReadingBy Eduardo Castillo – The Wichita Eagle (TNS) Dec. 24—A Kansas teen was killed Monday when the SUV he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. The victim was identified as 17-year-old Nathan Brown of Pittsburg, a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log shows. The incident occurred at 5:45 p.m. near Rouse Street and
Continue ReadingBy AP PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu, Oregon authorities said, prompting a recall of raw frozen pet food that was sold nationwide. Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon, said Tuesday it had voluntarily recalled one batch of
Continue Reading
By HANNAH FINGERHUT – Associated Press Annabell Whelan woke up Tuesday and frantically checked on her holiday overnight guest — Nowl the snowy owl, who she rescued from the grille of a car the day before. Whelan was out with her boyfriend’s family Monday in Duluth, Minnesota, when she saw the owl “just hanging out
Continue ReadingBy Christopher Braunschweig – Newton Daily News, Iowa (TNS) Dec. 25—Bonnie Terpstra has seen what happens to old barns in Iowa. Any fortunate enough to withstand a blistering Midwestern tornado or the devastating straight-line winds of a derecho are too often forgotten about and allowed to deteriorate beyond their working use. There was no way
Continue Reading
By SILVIA STELLACCI and COLLEEN BARRY – Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to
Continue Reading
By AP NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Lively’s claims that “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni unleashed a smear campaign against her have gained support from a new lawsuit that Baldoni’s former publicist filed against him. The lawsuit was lodged Tuesday in New York state court in Manhattan by Stephanie Jones, who
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) Good morning, Lincoln. Here’s what you should know today. Pillen remains hospitalized Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen suffered fractures to a vertebrae and several ribs and sustained several other injuries deemed “serious but not life-threatening” after falling off a horse Sunday afternoon. Pillen remained hospitalized at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) House fire, 332 NW 16th St. Lincoln firefighters were called to a house fire at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day at 332 N.W. 16th St. Lincoln firefighters were called to a house fire at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day at 332 N.W. 16th St. Scanner traffic indicated everyone was safely out
Continue ReadingBy ALYSSA JOHNSON – Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) Brian Travis wasn’t the type of dad you would often hear at his children’s events, but he was the guy you’d always see. Brian Travis Molly Travis (from left), Mindy Travis, Brianne Travis, Matthew Travis and Brian Travis. Whether he was tracking stats in the back
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) The University of Nebraska at Kearney is encouraging students to express their values through various art forms as part of its annual Nebraska Emerging Writers and Artists Contest. This year’s contest challenges high schoolers in grades 9-12 across the state to reflect on their values, how they shape who
Continue ReadingBy ALYSSA JOHNSON – Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) Hospital holidays, 12.20 Tasha Ellis talks during an interview next to Bryan Health registered nurses (from left), Mike Roberts, Crystal Stech, Maddie Vidlock and Janelle Bray on Friday at Bryan East Campus. An extended stay in the hospital can be a tough time for many, especially
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) A 78-year-old man died in a house fire in central Lincoln early Tuesday morning. Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded to the fire in the 500 block of South 39th Street at about 1:30 a.m. LFR spokesperson MJ Lierman said the house was engulfed in smoke when crews arrived. The
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) A Lincoln man has been jailed following a stabbing late Monday afternoon at the People’s City Mission west of downtown. Lincoln Police spokeswoman Erika Thomas said officers were called to 110 Q St. at about 5:40 p.m. where they found a 34-year-old man with a puncture wound to his
Continue ReadingBy Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS) Nebraska drivers will pay the state nearly a penny more per gallon to fill their tanks beginning Jan. 1. The Nebraska Department of Revenue announced Monday that the state motor fuels tax will rise to 30.4 cents per gallon on Jan. 1, up from 29.6 cents per gallon currently.
Continue ReadingBy JEFF REINITZ – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) OELWEIN — Firefighters rescued an Oelwein family from the roof of their burning house early Monday. Crews also saved two dogs, but the family’s cats perished in the blaze, according to the city’s police department. The fire apparently started in the kitchen of the Third Avenue
Continue ReadingBy HOLLY HUDSON HILL – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — There’s something brewing in Waterloo. In the last few months, a group of passionate people have come together to tend to some unfinished business – the African American Historical and Cultural Museum. Efforts to create a facility to house and share artifacts depicting
Continue ReadingBy Kellis Robinett – The Wichita Eagle (TNS) Dec. 25—The Kansas State football team had bigger goals than a postseason game against Rutgers at the Rate Bowl, but that doesn’t mean Chris Klieman and the Wildcats are bummed out about playing this game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at Chase Field in Phoenix. Quite the
Continue ReadingBy Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) Each December, Courier reporters look back at their favorite stories of the past year. We ask them to pick their favorites: not necessarily the biggest stories of the year, just the ones they found most interesting. Some are heart-warming. Some are amusing. Some are wistful. Here are some of
Continue ReadingBy CATHERINE CROW – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) PARKERSBURG — Community members in Aplington and Parkersburg have embraced this season of giving by donating Christmas gifts to 38 children with four of them being at the House of Hope Pillars program. The program helps those either leaving or aging out of foster care. With
Continue ReadingBy SARAH WATSON – Quad City Times, Davenport, Iowa (TNS) The Quad-Cities is unlikely to have a white Christmas in 2024 — at least by how the National Weather Service defines it. To be considered a “white Christmas,” there must be at least a half inch of snow on the ground at 6 a.m. Christmas
Continue ReadingBy JEFF REINITZ – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — A local Christmas tradition is returning to its roots this year. Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Dinner is scaling back on the pickup option to concentrate on its in-person meal for 2024. “We want to focus on people that need a meal or would otherwise
Continue ReadingBy JEFF REINITZ – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) 122424jr-fall-wellington-1 A woman was hospitalized after she suffered a two- to three-story fall at 609 Wellington St., Waterloo, on Tuesday. WATERLOO — A woman was taken to the hospital after she allegedly fell at an apartment building Tuesday. Details weren’t immediately available, but the woman apparently
Continue ReadingBy JEFF REINITZ – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been sentenced to a year and a half in jail in connection with a gun found during a 2023 traffic stop. Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Dominique Doyle Banks, 20, on a charge of drug user in possession of a firearm
Continue Reading