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What is Threads? All your questions about Meta’s new Twitter rival, answered.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Threads, a text-based app built by Meta to rival Twitter, is live.The app, billed as the text version of Meta’s photo-sharing platform Instagram, became available Wednesday night to users in more than 100 countries — including the U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan. Despite some early glitches, thirty million people had signed up before noon on Thursday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Threads. New arrivals to the platform include celebrities like Oprah, pop star Shakira and chef Gordon Ramsay — as well as corporate accounts from Taco Bell, Netflix, Spotify, the Washington Post and other media outlets.Threads, which Meta says provides “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations,” arrives at a time that many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musk’s raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion. But Meta’s new app has also raised data privacy concerns, an...

Attorney Ben Crump calls on CPS to review removal of Black principals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

CHICAGO -- Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined local community leaders to call on CPS to take another look at the removal of three African American principals from their schools.Crump is advocating for due process in three cases, saying CPS is corrupt and needs to be held accountable. "We have to look at our whole education system and see where else they are attacking our children because now more than ever, we have to speak up for our children's future," Crump said in a press conference held Thursday. All three principals were present at the conference and said the allegations that sparked the investigation are not credible and are based on their race. Abdule Muhammad was the principle at Lindblom Math and Science Academy on the south side and was removed in March for undisclosed reasons. Gerald Morrow was also removed as principal of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy late last year for another investigation CPS refrained to elaborate on. Fire hydrant painting and getting paid:...

Thief cuts hole in roof of Los Angeles wine shop, steals $700,000 worth of rare bottles

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Surveillance video captured thieves breaking into a Los Angeles wine shop and escaping with over $700,000 worth of rare wines over the weekend.Nazmul Haque Helal, the owner of Lincoln Fine Wines, said the heist took place around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. Security video captured the thieves arriving in a white pickup truck. The truck had driven around the back parking lot several times before a masked suspect was seen exiting and walking toward the shop.The hole cut by thieves breaking into a wine shop and escaping with over $700,000 worth of rare wines on July 1, 2023. (Lincoln Fine Wines)Surveillance video captures thieves breaking into a wine shop and escaping with over $700,000 worth of rare wines on July 1, 2023. (Lincoln Fine Wines)Surveillance video captures thieves breaking into a wine shop and escaping with over $700,000 worth of rare wines on July 1, 2023. (Lincoln Fine Wines)The suspect quickly climbed on top of a metal container while holding what a...

OceanGate suspends operations after deadly Titan submersible implosion

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

(AP) – The company that owned a submersible that fatally imploded on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic said Thursday it has suspended operations.OceanGate, a company based in Everett, Washington, owned the Titan submersible that is believed to have imploded as it made its descent on June 18 in the North Atlantic. The implosion killed all five people on board, including Stockton Rush, the submersible's pilot and the chief executive officer of the company. Subway sign in Georgia references Titan implosion, sparks controversy: ‘Messed up’ The company's website said Thursday that it “has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.”The Coast Guard is investigating the implosion.OceanGate is based in the U.S. and OceanGate Expeditions, a related company that led the Titan’s dives to the Titanic, is registered in the Bahamas. The Titan submersible itself “was not a U.S. flagged vessel and was never certified or certificated by the U.S. Coast Guard,” the Coast Guard has...

Missing Portage Park teen considered high-risk, police say

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police seek the public's help locating a missing teen considered high risk. According to police, 17-year-old Desiree Garcia was last seen Wednesday leaving her home in the 5200 block of W. Agatite Ave., in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesGarcia, whose nickname is 'Desi,' stands 5"5' and weighs 120 pounds. She also has hazel eyes and red hair with an olive skin complexion. She also has scarring on her arms.Anyone with information about Garcia's whereabouts is asked to call (312) 746-6554.

How Mike Tauchman helped the Cubs to a rare win Wednesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

CHICAGO — A native of Palatine has arguably the highlight of his still-young Cubs' tenure while also helping the team snap a long streak on Wednesday evening. Mike Tauchman did so with his bat and with his baserunning at American Family Field against the Brewers.With the Cubs down 3-1 with two outs in the ninth against All-Star closer Devin Williams, the designated hitter doubled down the left field line to bring home the tying runs. Then came his exploits on the basepaths, as he took off for third when Nico Hoerner grounded to Brian Anderson for what looked like the third out. But the throw was a bit wide, and Owen Miller couldn't pick it up as Hoerner was safe. As the ball got away from the first baseman, Tauchman kept running and would beat the throw home to put the Cubs up 4-3. It was one of two runs that he scored on the night with his two-run double bringing him up to 19 RBI on the season. Adbert Alzolay finished off the win with a perfect ninth for his fifth save of the seaso...

Drake has a shout-out to the newest member of the Blackhawks before Chicago concert

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Before the first of two concerts in Chicago, Drake has the newest member of the Blackhawks on his mind. He showed that through his social media just a few hours before the show. The rapper, singer, and songwriter put a picture of Connor Bedard up on his Instagram story with the phrase "Dialed In" written at the bottom of it late Wednesday afternoon. Drake then went and performed the first concert of his "It's All a Blur" tour at the United Center which will have 56 dates in its first leg in the United States and Canada. Connor Bedard talks about being drafted by the Blackhawks Thursday features the second and final show of the tour in Chicago as Drake travels around North America for shows until early October. The next stop on the tour is in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena on Friday and Saturday.This salute is part of what has been a whirlwind week for Bedard, who was selected by the Blackhawks with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville on June 28. S...

Federal judge grants changes to Nate Paul's bond conditions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – A federal judge overseeing the criminal case of real estate investor Nate Paul – who faces eight felony counts related to multi-million-dollar loans he sought for his companies – has modified Paul’s bond conditions to allow him to continue litigating civil cases that predate his June arrest, according to an order signed Thursday. EXPLORE: Who is Nate Paul — the Austin real estate investor charged with 8 federal counts One of Paul’s original bond conditions barred him from asserting or threatening legal claims against any person who could be a witness or victim in the criminal case if the claim were related to the “person’s action or inaction in connection with the investigation or prosecution.” That bond condition had unintended consequences, according to a motion filed by Paul’s attorneys.In one pending civil case, a party that previously sued Paul over a loan guarantee sent a “th...

On the hunt for a job? House of Torment hiring 50 positions for 2023 season

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Horror enthusiasts job hunting, look no further: House of Torment Haunted House Austin announced Thursday it is hiring for 50 open positions ahead of the 2023 season.Those ages 16 and older can apply to the jobs, which include cashier, event staff, scare actor, photographer, customer experience specialist and makeup artist positions. No prior acting or haunted house experience is required, company staff said in a release. ICYMI: 5 Central Texas barbecue joints named to New York Times' ‘best in Texas’ list "All that is required is a genuine enthusiasm for all things Halloween and a readiness to learn from the seasoned haunted house experts," the release read in part.Those interested can apply online, based on position type. From there, applicants can schedule an in-person audition as part of consideration. House of Torment will be hiring for the open roles through Oct. 1....

3M Open golf: ‘It’s crunch time.’ Could struggling stars join field in hopes of securing spot in playoffs?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:57:27 GMT

J.T. Poston did not originally plan on playing in the 3M Open this year. It was understandable. Minnesota’s PGA Tour stop is not located on a favorable spot on the schedule — one week after The Open Championship across the pond.Even with a tournament-provided charter to the Twin Cities from Royal Liverpool in England, it’s a tough ask for many of the game’s top players to ignore the jet lag and fatigue and tee it up in Blaine the very next week after a major championship.But Poston’s plans have changed in recent weeks. The 30-year-old announced ahead of this week’s John Deere Classic, where he’s the defending champion, that he’ll indeed play in Minnesota again this summer.“Love the golf course,” Poston said of TPC Twin Cities at a news conference Wednesday. “I was planning on having a week off before (the Wyndham Championship) and playoffs, but right now I have to make sure I’m in the playoffs.”That’s the ...