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@kwellscomm TLCNaptown.com News & Sports —
Tough times for one family considered to be Hollywood royalty as death has come knocking on their door two days in a row.
Good day to you.
The brother of the late “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher is now mourning his mother as well. Todd Fisher says his mom, Oscar-nominated legendary actress Debbie Reynolds, died Wednesday in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 84. Her death comes one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who passed away several days after suffering a massive heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Mother and son were said to be discussing his sister’s funeral arrangements when the “Singin’ In The Rain” actress became ill.
Back here in Indy…
City planners say Congress’ failure to act may push back Indy’s rapid Red Line bus service. Indy leaders said yesterday that Congress’ failure to approve a new transportation budget leaves a $75-million grant that was supposed to pay for the Red Line expansion in jeopardy. The “continuing resolution” Congress approves doesn’t authorize the money. The new Congress has until April to act and save the grant for the city.
An “unprecedented” number of fires this month is prompting the Indianapolis Fire Department to stress fire safety. They say if using a space heater, it should have a three-foot perimeter on all sides and all nearby combustibles should be removed. Also, you should never use a stove, oven or candle to heat a room.
Four-years after the deadly Richmond Hill explosion, the fates of all five defendants are sealed. Glenn Hults, the final suspect, was sentenced yesterday to three-years, including 18-months in either prison or jail and six-months in a work release program. A judge suspended one-year of the sentence and ordered probation. Prosecutors say Hults participated in planning of the blast and assisted in attempts to cover it up. The couple next door were killed.
More jobs are leaving Indy.
A company that supplies pallets to other businesses is making cuts to its workforce. Chep Recycled Pallet Solutions says it’ll lay off 165 employees early next year. A reason wasn’t given, but a spokesman says Medrano USA will begin staffing the facility on February 25th, the same date the layoffs will take effect. Those affected by the layoffs are eligible to apply for those positions.
From the White House…
The White House is planning to announce sanctions on Russia today for meddling in the U.S. presidential election. The punishment is likely to include both economic sanctions and diplomatic measures. Part of the response may also involve cyberattacks against Moscow. The U.S. intelligence community blames Russia for supporting a campaign using hacked emails to attack Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and influence the election in Donald Trump’s favor.
Israel and the U.S. are divided on who was behind the recent UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity. Responding to a speech by Secretary of State John Kerry, the Israeli prime minister said he had “absolutely incontestable evidence” that the U.S. was the driving force. Benjamin Netanyahu promised to show that evidence to Donald Trump’s incoming administration in hopes of getting the resolution reversed.
South Carolina church shooter Dylann Roof isn’t planning to present evidence or call witnesses in an effort to spare his life. Roof against told a judge he wants to represent himself during the penalty phase of his trial. On Wednesday in court, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel asked Roof to at least talk with his grandfather and former attorneys before reaching a final decision. Roof smiled and agreed. Roof killed nine people in cold blood during their bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church.
Two soldiers are dead after an Apache helicopter crashed off the coast of Texas. An Army spokesperson says the two men were on a routine training flight when their helicopter went down in Galveston Bay Wednesday afternoon.
Tiger Woods is worth $740-million and Michael Jordan is a billionaire. The two sports legends are among Forbes 20 wealthiest American celebrities. Woods is the youngest person on the top-20 list. Jordan is joined in the billionaire club on the list by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. Topping the list of wealthy celebrities is George Lucas. The “Star Wars” creator (and husband of Tom Joyner Morning Show finance contributor Melody Hobson) is worth about $4.6-billion.
In Sports…
IU Football in a hunt for its first bowl win since the 1991 Copper Bowl came up short as number-19 Utah clipped them 26-24 at Wednesday’s Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara.
The Indiana Pacers dropped their fourth game in a row Wednesday night to the Wizards on the road. Final Score…111-105. They host the Bulls tomorrow at 4 p.m. Eastern at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Indianapolis Weather…
Clouds and sun Thursday morning, windy with snow showers this afternoon coming around the evening drivetime rush. Today’s High 38 degrees.
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