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Hamas releases US hostages with Denver ties

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Denver man's family members who were visiting Israel and taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7 have been released, according to the Office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Ben Raanan's 17-year-old sister, Natali Raanan, and her mother, Judith Tai Raanan, from Evanston, Illinois, were reportedly released on "humanitarian grounds" following a mediation effort from Qatar. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Natali's father, Uri Raanan, spoke with the media on Friday night. He said he spoke with her and Judith, his ex-wife, earlier in the day."She sounds very good, she looks very good, she was very happy, and she's waiting to come home," he said.He said Judith had a scratch but said she was OK.Uri Raanan said he learned about their release when their photo was released on television. He said he later got a phone call from the Israel Defense Forces and soon was able to speak with his daughter.He said he hopes to see both Natali ...

Referred Question 2P: Denver voters to decide on extension of preschool tax

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — As ballots hit mailboxes, FOX31 is breaking down what voters will be deciding on.For the third time this year, ballots are going out in Denver. This time around, Denver voters will weigh in on school board candidates and one ballot question: 2P. What is Prop II? Voters to decide on preschool and nicotine taxes Following voter approval in 2006, people in Denver have been paying a 0.15% sales tax for Denver's preschool program to lessen the costs for families."We have served 65,000 4-year-olds in Denver since our inception," said Elisa Holguín, Denver Preschool Program CEO. "We've provided them with tuition support at a very high level. Our average tuition support is $850 per month, because the cost of preschool is high. The average cost of preschool is $12,000 per year. Parents need help. They can't afford to pay for that."Voters approved an extension of the program in 2014, but that extension is set to run out in 2026 unless voters approve a permanent extension thi...

Instrumental rock band Violectric to bring blend of classical and contemporary styles to Pompano Beach Cultural Arts Center

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

There’s classical music, and then there’s pop music. Two different styles with two different fan bases … but don’t tell that to Violectric. The instrumental group is mixing the two genres and bringing their special sound to SoFlo.The hits of The Who, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen. Their music and hits from other legendary artists are coming together in a new light, thanks to Violectric.Michelle Jones: “Violectric is a string rock band, it’s all instrumental, and there are no vocals, no guitars. Everything is covered by one of the people you see in this picture.”Their repertoire is constantly expanding from suggestions by the players — and the fans who listen to them.Michelle Jones: “A lot of it comes from the band members — they say, ‘Ooh, I think we should play this song,’ ‘OK, let’s play that song’ — and then some of it comes from the audience. We love hearing from our fans.”...

‘Nip/Tuck’ star AnnaLynne McCord portrays mass shooting suspect in crime drama ‘Condition of Return’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

You know the old saying, be careful what you wish for? Do you ever wonder if we should be careful? Well, after getting a peek at “Condition of Return,” you may want to think long and hard about what you’re willing to give up in order to get what you want.Character in “Condition of Return”: “This is often the greeting we hear before Mass. It comes from – uh…”“Nip/Tuck’s” AnnaLynne McCord, goes from Christ-loving woman to committing a horrible crime in “Condition of Return.”Dean Cain (as Dr. Donald Thomas): “Mike Staffer called.”Farah White (as Faye Thomas): “Is it about that church shooting?”Larry S. White (as Agent Molcheck): “What makes a person do something like that?”Even though the case seems cut and dried, there are more layers to her character Eve’s story.AnnaLynne McCord: “The symbolism is rich, and I loved that. It was really, actually, one of t...

American mother and daughter taken hostage by Hamas released as humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

(CNN) — Hamas released two American hostages, Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie Raanan, on Friday nearly two weeks after launching a deadly attack in Israel and abducting around 200 people.The US citizens were handed over at the border with Gaza and are now in the care of the Israel Defense Forces, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday. They are currently on their way to an Israeli military base to be reunited with family, according to the office for Israel’s prime minister.The Raanans are from Chicago and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken hostage on October 7, according to their family.During the attack, Hamas militants killed more than 1,400 people, including civilians and soldiers, according to Israeli authorities. It was the most deadly attack by militants in Israel’s 75-year history and revealed a staggering intelligence failure by the country’s security forces.Israel has sinc...

Riders forced to walk on tracks, take shuttles after electrical problems shut down service on part of Green Line

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

Dozens of riders needed to walk along the tracks of the brand new Green Line Extension Friday after electrical problems shut down service along both the Union Station and Medford/Tufts branches of the Green Line. Regular service had resumed with some residual delays as of around 7:30 p.m. Still, the issue came as another blow to the MBTA which just this week announced the same branches are in need of major repairs. “It’s frustrating,” said T rider Rick Jones. The MBTA first announced delays on the Green Line in a post on X around 3:45 p.m.The T did not say what exactly went wrong with the overhead electrical system, only saying the delays were the result of a train with a pantograph problem near Lechmere station.In an update shortly after 4 p.m., the T said shuttle buses were replacing service between North Station and Union Square station as well as between North Station and the Medford/Tufts station. During the disruption, some riders waited for more than an ho...

Spotted lanternfly infestation confirmed in Wellesley 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

Officials have asked residents to be on the lookout after an infestation of the invasive spotted lanternfly was confirmed in Wellesley. The town of Wellesley in a statement Wednesday said the infestation was documented near Carisbrooke Reservation in town. In Wellesley and beyond, both state and local officials are now asking individuals to report any additional infestations.“Snap a picture of it, send it our way, we’re always happy to look at things and help people identify them,” said Dr. Elizabeth Barnes of the state Department of Agricultural Resources.“I usually say, as soon as you see it, get a picture,” Barnes said. “Don’t try and get closer because you might startle it. Just get that picture immediately.”The spotted lanternfly is identifiable by spots on its upper wings and red markings on its underside. The insect was first introduced to the US in 2014 and can seriously damage local agriculture as it feeds on more than 100 species of plants. While falling tem...

Domestic violence suspect arrested after police chase

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A woman suspected of violating her restraining order was arrested Friday after a police chase that went through several San Diego neighborhoods, authorities said.Police say the woman was not allowed to be at 6600 Vista Del Mar in La Jolla due to her domestic violence restraining order violation, the San Diego Police Department confirmed with FOX 5. Around 4:05 p.m., the cops arrived at the home, prompting the woman to get into a Jeep and drive away, police said. SkyFOX was over the scene, where the suspect led police on a chase on the Interstate 5 freeway, through downtown San Diego and along state Route 94. City of San Diego increases distance parked cars must move every three days While on SR-94 eastbound in Lemon Grove, the suspect was seen getting out of her vehicle and crossing the westbound lanes of the highway before police took her down. She is in police custody at this time.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Ed Sheeran to perform at Rady Shell for benefit event

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Ed Sheeran is performing at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Friday night at a private ticketed event. Officials are closing off the public promenade, where people have set up to watch events in the past. The San Diego Symphony which operates at the Shell said each event they have to weigh the ability of access versus prioritizing safety, and said closing is the best option for public safety inside and outside the venue.  There will be no catching a free Ed Sheeran show from the immediate right and left along the Rady Shell on Friday night. Sheeran is performing at the San Diego-based nonprofit Curebond for their concert for cures. The private event raises money for cancer research. The Port of San Diego gave permission to close the public promenade around the Shell, after receiving a recommendation from the harbor police chief.  Craig Hall, the vice president of marketing and communications for the San Diego Symphony, said Sheeran’s high profile is one of the driving f...

Fantasy Fest kicks off in Key West with 10 days of masquerades, parties and costume competitions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:53 GMT

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Key West’s Fantasy Fest began Friday, launching a 10-day schedule of masquerades, elaborate parties and costume competitions.The masking and costuming festival is themed “Uniforms & Unicorns: 200 Years Of Sailing Into Fantasy” to salute the Florida Keys’ 2023 bicentennial and that of the U.S. Navy’s presence in Key West.The Fantasy Fest schedule features nearly 100 events including Sunday’s Zombie Bike Ride, the Pet Masquerade for costumed pets and their people, the flamboyant Headdress Ball and the Masquerade March that draws several thousand costumed participants in historic Old Town.Events are to culminate next Saturday night, when some 60,000 spectators are expected to line Key West’s downtown streets for the Fantasy Fest Parade, a procession of large-scale motorized floats, costumed marching groups and island-style dancers in colorful feathered attire.The festival has been notoriously famous for its decadent motif, but during the past few years, festiv...