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Why 'swatting' calls to US schools are becoming a big concern

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

(NewsNation) — Swatting incidents targeting U.S. schools and colleges have been making headlines for months, with dozens being reported in the days after a deadly shooting at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee.These hoax calls, according to experts, pose real risks for the community by pulling police from actual emergencies, or wasting resources or time. They also disrupt communities, and can be psychologically draining. It doesn't help that hoax school shooting calls, or swatting calls, are seemingly happening at an alarming rate."From my perspective, this is a form of terrorism," former FBI intelligence analyst Jennifer Doebler said. How 'swatting' can — and has — led to accidental death On Tuesday, more than two dozen Massachusetts schools were the targets of swatting calls. On Wednesday, first responders responded to calls regarding schools in Utah, Pittsburg, Southern California and Kansas, the list growing throughout the day.When the calls come in, schools and law ...

Taco Bell to bring back one of 2 discontinued items based on fans’ votes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Taco Bell certainly knows a good promotion when it sees one.After finding success with a similar promotion last year, Taco Bell has announced plans to bring back a discontinued item — and fans will get to decide which one makes it on the menu.This time around, fans can vote on resurrecting one of two items from the not-too-distant menu: the Beefy Crunch Burrito, made with seasoned beef, sour cream, rice and Fritos Flamin’ Hot corn chips; or the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco, which comes in a taco shell seasoned with Doritos Cool Ranch flavoring.The Beefy Crunch Burrito was a fixture of the Taco Bell menu from 2010 to 2018. The Doritos Locos Taco had a slightly shorter run, from 2013 to 2019. Chick-fil-A discontinuing longtime side dish to ‘help simplify’ menu Voting is currently open for Taco Bell Rewards members, who can submit votes for their favorite item daily in the Taco Bell app through April 12.The winning item will be reintroduced to the Taco Bell menu for a li...

'Swatting' call temporarily locks down Austin elementary school — what is 'swatting'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Midday Thursday, an east Austin elementary school was placed on a temporary lockdown after a "swatting" call came in at the school's address. The Austin Independent School District tweeted at 12:51 p.m. that Austin ISD Police placed Norman-Sims Elementary school on a brief lockdown while investigating a possible "swatting" situation. How ‘swatting’ calls spread as schools face real threats Police found no danger to the campus, and the lockdown was lifted after about ten minutes. What is "swatting"?So what is a "swatting" call? The Associated Press reported that the goal of these types of false threats is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to respond to a certain address. AP said also that some of the cases use caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. They've been happening all over the country, and an FBI official believes they may be coming from outside of the ...

City audit finds lag in efforts to measure affordability, economic opportunity in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — In March 2018, the City of Austin adopted its Strategic Direction 2023 (SD23) plan, a five-year initiative to find and determine "advance equitable outcomes across Austin."Economic Opportunity and Affordability (EOA) is one of six areas incorporated into the SD23 plan. The premise for the EOA component focused on "having economic opportunities and resources that enable us to thrive in our community."Performances were measured and lumped into six categories:EmploymentIncome equalityCost of living compared to incomeHousingSkills and capability of our community workforceEconomic mobilityHere are the areas where the audit found the city lagged in its efforts to measure and document progress in economic opportunities and affordability:Finding 1: COA didn't "effectively create and use performance measures as tools" to ensure Economic Opportunity and Affordability outcome progressThe fir...

CMT behind the scenes with Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and the Texas longhorns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The festivities for the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin are happening now.The music artists are in the live music capital of the world and giving fans a taste of what they can expect to see on the Country Music Television network. Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown will be at the helm of the award show airing live Sunday, April 2 from the Moody Center. LIST: Artists set to attend 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas "To be in the building in a new city and have life feel like it's back all at the same time, it's just more cause for celebration, more cause for a party," Ballerini told CMT. She also hosted the show in 2022 but after a COVID-19 diagnosis, she ended up doing the show from her home. Your chance to be a seat filler at the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin CMT’s Cody Alan, Carissa Culiner and Marley Sherwood recorded a special tapingof “CMT Hot 20 Countdown: Live in Austin” at Stubb's BBQ on Wednesday. Ballerini and Brown made an appearance along with the ...

Blue Cross Blue Shield downsizing Eagan real estate footprint

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced that it will leave its 442,000-square-foot headquarters building in Eagan, attributing the change to the hybrid work model.The insurance company will still be headquartered in Eagan, said Jim McManus, director of public relations, in an email. It will operate out of its two River Park properties instead, which are located along Yankee Drive and Yankee Doodle Road.The company, which has around 3,000 employees, adopted the hybrid work model in November 2021, said McManus.“We have experienced low utilization and occupation of our current office space,” McManus wrote. “The vast majority of our employees are either in telecommuting roles or hybrid roles that combine remote and in-office work.”Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is not the first heavyweight company to attribute a move to the hybrid work model.Thomson Reuters, a global legal publishing firm, announced earlier this year that it would be selling its 1.1 million-square-foo...

Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg stepping into leadership role

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

Leading up to the Pinstripe Bowl last December, Gophers senior linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin handed the leadership reigns to Cody Lindenberg.“I’m done talking to the group; this is your practice during bowl prep.”That’s how Gophers defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi recalled Sori-Martin’s words to Lindenberg on Tuesday.Lindenberg, a third-year player from Anoka, took that dry run and has built on it in spring practices, now that Sori-Marin has exhausted his collegiate eligibility and is preparing for the NFL draft.“Cody got a little practice with his big brother looking over his shoulder and he has picked up and done a really good job,” Rossi said. “By nature, he wants to lead. He wants to set the example. He’s a guy who does things the right way. He’s doing a really nice job with it. He’s really found his voice.”Lindenberg’s 71 total tackles were second to Sori-Marin’s team-leading 88 last season.“(Sori-Marin) pretty much told me — his job wasn’t done we still ...

AG, DEC sue 29 companies for illegal dumping in Ulster County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

ULSTER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced a lawsuit against 29 companies for illegal dumping in Ulster County. AG James seeks companies to give up all revenues and profits gained from this illegal activity, and potentially millions of dollars in penalties. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! AG James reports the companies repeatedly violated state law by transporting more than 3,000 truckloads of construction and demolition (C&D) waste originating from the New York City metropolitan area to the site in Saugerties, which was only authorized to accept waste from Ulster and Dutchess counties. James comments, “By ignoring these laws and repeatedly dumping construction waste where they were not permitted, these 29 companies threatened our natural resources and risked health and safety of New Yorkers in Ulster...

Annual Bowl-a-Thon to benefit Montgomery County SPCA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On April 1, the Montgomery County SPCA is holding an annual Bowl-a-Thon at Kelly's Imperial Lanes. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., and the event will run from 12 to 2 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Fees are $20 per bowler or $60 per team of four. The price covers two games and shoes. Prizes will be awarded for the highest score, the most money raised by a team/individual, and the most creative team outfit.All proceeds will benefit the homeless animals at the Montgomery County SPCA.

Severe strong storms expected near St. Louis Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis area may see some showers tonight, and severe weather is expected Friday. The storms may be some damaging winds and tornadoes.Severe weather forecast for the St. Louis areaThursday is a beautiful day with sunshine, increasing breezes and temperatures warming well into the 60s. There may be scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder tonight. Other than lightning and possibly small hail, no severe weather is expected. This round of weather is expected to leave the area Friday morning. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Scattered strong to severe storms will impact the region Friday afternoon and evening. The storms may blow through the region from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Damaging winds of 70+ mph and a few fast-moving tornadoes are possible. Individual storms will be hauling at 60+ mph. The St. Louis area is at a Level 3 (out of 5) risk for severe weather on Friday.Non-thunderstorm wind gusts of 50 mph are possible at times Friday night into...