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Nearly 1 in 5 couples include 'home fund' in wedding registry: study

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

(The Hill) -- Nearly 1 in 5 couples are turning to their wedding registries for help with funds to buy their first home, a new survey found. An analysis from Zillow Home Loans found nearly 20 percent of all couples using the registry website The Knot are including a "home fund" — or funds to be used toward a down payment on their first home. Zillow said that number is up 55 percent since 2018."Home funds were one of the most popular wedding registry cash funds on The Knot in 2022 — the second, in fact, right behind the honeymoon fund," Esther Lee, deputy editor of The Knot, wrote in a statement. Pointing to rising interest rates and historic highs for down payments, Lee said these sorts of funds are a significant trend among homeowners. Zillow's research also found that 43 percent of first-time buyers in 2023 reported gift funds from friends and family as a source of "at least part of their down payment funds." Rising costs continue to make it more challenging for first-time buyers,...

What can Tyson Bagent do for the Bears?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Unless there is a dramatic change in his prognosis, a rookie quarterback is going to be under center for the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field. Justin Fields remains doubtful after suffering a dislocated thumb in the 19-13 loss to the Vikings, so Tyson Bagent is in line to start against the Raiders.It continues one of the best stories on the team this season as the undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd University made the team and then beat out Nathan Peterman for the backup spot. Bagent had a so-so debut against the Vikings, leading a touchdown drive around two turnovers that would seal the Bears' loss to Minnesota. Could his upcoming start actually have fans - and maybe Jarrett Payton - a little excited to see what he can do against Las Vegas on Sunday?He discussed that with Josh Frydman on Wednesday's GN Sports as they talked about what Bagent could bring to the team should he start in place of Fields.You can watch their discussion in the video above. GN Sports ai...

How to watch Thursday's hearing in the Delphi murder case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. -- On Thursday afternoon, Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen will appear in court for a hearing.Special Judge Fran Gull ordered the hearing last week, saying it was to discuss another hearing on Oct. 31 along with "other matters which have recently arisen."Allen is charged with two counts of murder in the February 2017 deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. Multiple issues facing court ahead of October hearings in high-profile Delphi murder case For the first time in the case, cameras will be allowed in the courtroom. And while media outlets are not allowed to livestream the hearing, the proceedings can be shown on a 30-minute delay.The hearing is set to start at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. Coverage will start around 2:30 p.m. on FOX59. The proceedings will be streamed, on a 30-minute delay, on-air on FOX59 and online at fox59.com and cbs4indy.com.Coverage will continue until the hearing concludes. FOX59 and CBS4 will ha...

4 seniors at California college struck, killed by speeding driver on Pacific Coast Highway, officials say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

(KTLA) – Four women who attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, were killed after being struck by a driver while walking along the Pacific Coast Highway this week.The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night, east of the Malibu Pier near La Costa Beach, authorities said.Pepperdine is located roughly four miles north of where the crash occurred.“To the students who loved, lived with, and were in community with the departed members of our Pepperdine family, my heart is broken with yours,” University President Jim Gash said in a message to the Pepperdine community. “I join you in your grief as we process this profound loss.”  ‘Could have been a lot worse’: Police hail NJ school bus driver as ‘hero’ after brakes fail During a Wednesday press conference, officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the driver as 22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm. He is now facing manslaughter charges. Investigators said Bohm was speeding in his dark-c...

Sidney Powell pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Trump-aligned attorney Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts in the Georgia 2020 election interference case Thursday after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, the second defendant in the sweeping case to do so.Powell appeared before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to enter her plea, just days before her trial was scheduled to begin next week.“How do you plead to the six counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties?” asked Daysha Young, a Fulton County prosecutor. “Guilty,” Powell said. McAfee accepted Powell’s plea and said that she cannot withdraw it. She was sentenced to six years of probation, a $6,000 fine and $2,700 restitution. She will also be required to “testify truthfully” in future proceedings and must turn over any documents requested by the district attorney’s office.  Powell was also required to submit a “letter of apology” to Georgia residents, which her lawyer indic...

NOAA's winter forecast released: What to expect

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Meteorological winter begins Dec. 1 and continues through the end of February, but we’re already looking at what type of weather we can expect for our coldest season.We already told you that an El Niño weather pattern has developed and the impacts that usually have for us in Central Texas. But not every El Niño is the same; therefore, we rely on these outlooks and longer-range computer models to give us the specifics unique to each winter. El Niño and Texas: What history tells us Thursday morning, NOAA released its first winter forecast, and the expectations are in line with a typical El Niño winter:Winter precipitation forecast: Bring on the rainFor Central Texas, we should expect a wetter-than-normal winter with odds favoring more rain than average. Winter precipitation forecast (CPC)Winter temperature forecast: Equal chances or Near NormalWinter temperature forecast (CPC)The Climate Prediction Center breaks down its temperature outlooks based on the odds of warm...

WATCH: Red Bull flies F1 car with new Texas-inspired design above Austin

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you spotted an F1 car flying high above Austin's skyline and Lady Bird Lake Wednesday afternoon — your eyes were not deceiving you. Oracle's Red Bull Racing team unveiled its new Texas-inspired car design ahead of this weekend's Austin F1 Grand Prix by helicoptering it above the capital city. According to Red Bull Racing, Franco Cavallone's winning design based on the Lone Star Flag of Texas beat out 2,000 other fan submissions. Top designs were also put to a vote among 25,000 fans. "I thought about Austin and the Circuit of the Americas and took inspiration from the stripes and stars, and sweeping red, white, and blue lines around the corners of the track," Cavallone said, in part, in a press release. Oracle's Red Bull Racing team unveiled its new Texas-inspired car design for the Austin F1 Grand Prix via helicoptering. (Courtesy: Chad Wadsworth / Red Bull Content Pool)Oracle's Red Bull Racing team unveiled its new Texas-inspired car design for the Austin F1 Gran...

Austin City Council votes to increase funding for cemetery operations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council voted Thursday to amend a contract to increase funding for city cemetery operations at the five city-owed cemeteries in Austin. The amended contract will give up to $11 million to the Parks Department and a burial services contractor to provide cemetery services for the next decade. The additional money will help the department overcome lingering economic issues from the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of folks have been facing [similar challenges] over these last few years,” said Jason Walker, interim division manager for cemetery operations with the department. “They include staffing issues, there was a hiring freeze, which prevented us from hiring staff and then also training that staff,” he continued. Additionally, like in many other industries, Austin Cemetary Operations dealt with supply chain issues, making it difficult for the department to get all the necessary equipment. Walker said these pandemic-related economic diffi...

High school football: Wisconsin first-round playoff predictions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Here are some of the top high school football first-round playoff games involving teams from western Wisconsin, (* Teams listed by playoff seeds.)No. 6 River Falls vs. No. 3 Menomonie, at University of Wisconsin-Stout, 7 p.m.Menomonie beat River Falls 39-15 in the regular season just two weeks ago. That victory is the reason the Mustangs are hosting Friday’s game. River Falls enters the game knowing it moved the ball on the ground in the last meeting. But the Wildcats must convert drives into touchdowns, and hope they can slow the game down enough to keep the ball away from Menomonie’s suddenly potent offense. OUR PICK: Menomonie 28, River Falls 24No. 8 Chippewa Falls (4-5) at No, 1 Hudson (8-1), 7 p.m.Hudson had to work to edge Chippewa Falls 13-8 on Sept. 1. But Hudson’s offense clicked shortly after that game, and hasn’t slowed dow since. The Raiders are a lock to score 30-plus points on a nightly basis. Still, you cannot underestimate Chippewa Falls, whic...

State of Gophers linebackers shows what can happen in current college football landscape

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

The roster of Gopher linebackers in 2023 compared to 2022 reveal the realities and ravages of the current state of college football.Inexperienced players Devon Williams and Maverick Baranowski have been thrust into starting roles in all six games this season. A year ago, they were the No. 8 and 9 linebackers on Minnesota’s total tackle list. Williams had two tackles and Baranowski one.How Minnesota was forced to start a redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore this season has been the byproduct of three primary factors:1. Inevitable graduations. Last year spelled the end of college football for top tackler and leader Mariano Sori-Marin as well as backup Josh Aune of St. Paul.2. Injuries. Top returner Cody Lindeberg was expected to be an all-Big Ten-caliber player, but the Anoka native’s leg injury has forced him to miss all six games so far this season. Also, Derik LeCaptain is out for the year with an arm injury.3. Transfer portal. Backups Braelen Oliver and Donald Willis exited th...