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Michael Lerner, ‘Barton Fink’ Oscar nominee, dies at 81

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

Michael Lerner, the Brooklyn-born character actor who played a myriad of imposing figures in his 60 years in the business, including monologuing movie mogul Jack Lipnick in “Barton Fink,” the crooked club owner Bugsy Calhoun in “Harlem Nights” and an angry publishing executive in “Elf” has died. He was 81. His nephew, actor Sam Lerner, announced his death in an Instagram post Sunday. Sam Lerner wrote that his uncle died Saturday but did not provide further details. Neither his nor Michael Lerner’s representatives immediately responded to requests for further comment. “He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy,” Sam Lerner wrote. “Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was — in the best way…we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”Born in 1941 to Romanian-Jewish parents and raised in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood, Michael Lerner began act...

Liberals expand loans and grants in budget, but students hoping for more next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

OTTAWA — This year’s federal budget sets aside more than $800 million to expand loans and grants for the upcoming school year, but students are looking forward to permanent changes to financial assistance.For the 2023-24 school year, the Liberals are planning to increase the maximum grants available to $4,200, up from $3,000. The loan limit is also increasing $300 per week of study from $210.Those changes are part of a set of affordability measures in the budget.The government also promised to “work with students in the year ahead to develop a long-term approach to student financial assistance.”Mackenzy Metcalfe, executive director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, says students need more support to keep up with the rising cost of living.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2023.The Canadian Press

Alberta premier says she’s under ethics investigation related to COVID-19 prosecution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s under investigation by the provincial ethics commissioner into whether she interfered in the administration of justice in relation to a COVID-19 prosecution.The premier’s office says in a statement that Smith welcomes the investigation, will co-operate and is confident the probe will determine she has done nothing wrong.Smith has faced renewed accusations of interference in the justice system after a leaked phone call was released almost two weeks ago in which she is heard discussing an active criminal case with the accused.On the call, Smith is heard sharing details of an internal disagreement over Crown case strategy with Calgary street pastor Artur Pawlowski as they discuss his case.Smith is heard promising to make inquiries on Pawlowski’s behalf and report back to him while also telling him the charges against him are politically motivated.Smith has defended the call, saying while politicians are not free to contac...

Blumenthal to leave hospital after surgery for parade injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal was expected to be discharged from a hospital Monday following what he called successful surgery on a minor leg fracture he suffered during a victory parade for the national champion University of Connecticut men’s basketball team over the weekend.The 77-year-old Connecticut Democrat said on Twitter that he had surgery on his upper femur Sunday at Stamford Hospital and began physical therapy later the same day. The operation included installing some pins to make sure it heals properly, a spokesperson said.Video of the mishap shows the senator walking in the parade in downtown Hartford on Saturday when he was bumped from behind by a man walking backward with a camera. Their legs appeared to get tangled briefly and both men fell into the street, with Blumenthal landing on his back after bracing his fall with both arms a short distance from the parade’s end.People tended to Blumenthal, who got back up and finished the rout...

4 killed in shooting at downtown Louisville bank building; suspected shooter also dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the ...

Woman found guilty after pregnant nurse kicked in stomach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — A suburban woman has been found guilty after a pregnant nurse was kicked in the stomach over two years ago.Briana Veurink, 31, of Algonquin, was found guilty of aggravated battery to a nurse and aggravated battery to a pregnant woman.The decision comes after a bench trial on March 27.Witnesses testified that on Feb. 17, 2021, Veurink was at Northwestern Hospital in McHenry receiving treatment. At some point, she intentionally kicked one of the nurses in the stomach. Suburban man charged following break-in at Michael Jordan’s mansion At the time, the nurse was six months pregnant. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15.

2 found dead near O'Hare Airport, hours apart

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

CHICAGO — Two individuals were found dead near O'Hare International Airport Saturday, hours apart. According to police, a 36-year-old man was discovered unresponsive near the 0-100 block of West O'Hare Avenue Saturday afternoon around 12:20 p.m. He was transported to Resurrection Hospital where he was pronounced dead. the incident is being assessed as a death investigation. Man killed after being hit by CTA train in Near West Side Another incident showed that an unidentified woman was discovered on a CTA railcar unresponsive near the 1000 block of West O'Hare Avenue around 3:12 a.m. The woman was transported to the same hospital where she was also pronounced dead. According to preliminary investigation, police allege the woman may have overdosed. Police are investigating the incident.

Student honored for helping thwart alleged school shooting plot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) – An Ohio high schooler is being given an award for helping thwart a possible school shooting at West Geauga High School last week. According to investigators, a 17-year-old senior Casey Orloski found a bullet in the bathroom on the morning of April 3. Orloski told the school’s resource officer, which led to the arrest 18-year-old Brandon Morrissette. Investigators say Morrissette was found with an unloaded 9-millimeter handgun and three loaded magazines in his backpack, as well as a knife attached to his pants.Nexstar's WJW learned the suspect had allegedly developed a plan to shoot multiple students at the high school.The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a nonprofit aiming to end school violence after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas last year, announced it is presenting Orloski with its National Student Hero Award. Suitcase study: What happens to unclaimed luggage? He will be recognized alongside others, including Nashville police off...

Driver dead after rollover crash in unincorporated Plato Township

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

UNINCORPORATED PLATO TOWNSHIP, Ill. — A driver is dead after a rollover crash in unincorporated Plato Township Sunday night. The victim was identified as 56-year-old Kimberly Roddan.According to police, the driver of the Buick was traveling eastbound on Plank Road near the 40W200 block when it left the roadway towards the shoulder. The vehicle crossed into westbound traffic, leaving the roadway again onto the North side of Plank Road. 18-year-old man shot while attempting to break into business on North Side The Buick rolled over several times before coming to a stop. Kane County Sherrif's office are still investigating the incident. It is still unknown by police if drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash.Editor's Note: Kane County police told WGN three people were deceased. At 10:30 a.m. they sent a correction that only one person died.

RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer photo of March 2023, as voted by you

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month. March's picks inevitably featured lots of bluebonnets, as well as photos of the incredible lightning Austin saw in the middle of the month.The winning photo will move on to represent March in the best viewer photos of the year competition once 2023 is said and done. Here are the results:#10. Brewing Storm (3.3% of votes)Horseshoe Bay, March 16.Storm clouds as seen from a field of bluebonnets in Horseshoe Bay on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)#9. Texas Thistle (3.7% of votes)Sun City, March 5. Courtesy R.A.F.Closeup of a Texas thistle in Sun City on March 5, 2023. (Courtesy R.A.F.)#8. Field of Blue (3.9% of votes)Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, Spicewood, March 25. Courtesy Darlene.Field of bluebonnets at the Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area in Spicewood on March 25,...