News - KWKT.com

Mexico’s Slim tops the list of world’s richest

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:21:08 -0600

Carlos Slim Helu takes No. 1 spot on Forbes World's Billionaires list as a record 164 10-figure titans return to the ranking amid the global economic recovery.

For the third time in three years, the world has a new richest man.

Riding surging prices of his various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu has beaten out Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires.

Jamie Jungers wins Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:57:03 -0600

Jamie Jungers won the Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant on the "Howard Stern Show" this morning. The winning alleged mistress earned $75,000 for her championship performance, and listeners were treated to juicy tidbits from Jungers, Jaimee Grubbs and Loredana Jolie.

According to tweets from listeners and attendees, Jungers claimed that Woods was well endowed. "Tiger's wood was nine inches," she evidently said. Former Playboy model Loredana Jolie, meanwhile, claimed Woods was "bigger and better" than Michael Jordan.

Unemployment rises in 30 states in January

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:24:16 -0600

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
The data is somewhat better than December, when 43 states reported higher unemployment rates, but worse than November, when rates fell in most states.

Still, five states reported record-high joblessness in January: California, at 12.5 percent; South Carolina, 12.6 percent; Florida, 11.9 percent; North Carolina, 11.1 percent; and Georgia, 10.4 percent.

House to vote on pullout from Afghanistan

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:08:58 -0600

WASHINGTON – In a test of congressional support for President Barack Obama's new Afghanistan strategy, lawmakers are set to vote on Wednesday on a resolution that would direct him to pull U.S. forces out of the war.

The resolution by liberal Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich is not expected to pass. But it could be an important indicator of how Obama's Democrats feel about the war, particularly ahead of November congressional elections in which Republicans are expected to make gains.

Defeated candidate Wilson supporting opponent, candidate Flores

mwesp — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:02:02 -0600

WACO - Defeated U.S. House hopeful Chuck Wilson says he will support his former opponent Bill Flores in a run off.

Flores is facing Republican Rob Curnock for the seat.

Wilson says Flores shares a common rural experience with local residents.

80's icon Corey Haim dies at 38

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:29 -0600

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Corey Haim has died, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed the actor died at 2:15 AM on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif.

The Los Angeles Police Department said they received a call from the hospital before 4 AM confirming the actor's death.

He was transported from the home he shared with his mother, Judy, in Toluca Hills, Calif. to the hospital.

Social Security checks may get smaller

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:27:14 -0600

A little–noticed law could soon result in smaller Social Security checks for hundreds of thousands of the elderly and disabled who owe the U.S. money from defaulted loans and other debts more than a decade old.

Social Security benefits are off–limits to creditors, such as credit–card companies and banks. But the U.S. can collect debts to federal agencies by "offsetting," or withholding Social Security and disability payments.

'Jihad Jane' indictment shows terror's evolution

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:54:06 -0600

PHILADELPHIA – The self-described "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond hair and blue eyes would let her blend in as she sought to kill an artist in Sweden is a rare case of an American woman aiding in foreign terrorism and shows the evolution of the global threat, authorities say.

The suburban Philadelphia woman, Colleen R. LaRose, is accused in the indictment filed Tuesday of trying to recruit fighters, as well as agreeing to murder the artist, marry a terrorism suspect so he could move to Europe and martyr herself if necessary.

Candidates vie to replace Hutchison

mwesp — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:47:53 -0600

It is not exactly clear if or when Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her senate seat as she promised.

However, it isn't stopping those who have their eyes set on her chair.

Former Secretary of State Roger Williams is among those getting ready for the possible opening.

Others who have expressed interest include fellow Republicans Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, both railroad commissioners.

So far one Democrat, former State Comptroller John Sharp has said he too will run.

3D TV pricing revealed — with a catch

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:43:53 -0600

The biggest TV manufacturers are finally starting to reveal prices for their new 3D TV sets, and believe it or not, several of the new sets will actually cost about the same or even a bit less than last year's equivalent 2D models. That said, there's a catch: The active-shutter LCD glasses that you'll need to watch 3D video cost a pretty penny.

Samsung was the first of the big four TV makers to flip its 3D pricing cards over this week; Panasonic is up tomorrow, while Sony and LG will follow in the coming weeks and months.

Christians flee after Nigeria's massacre

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:17:06 -0600

JOS, Nigeria – Christian villagers in Nigeria fled their homes following threats of new attacks in the aftermath of a massacre, despite the presence Tuesday of troops designed to restore calm to the region.

As mass burials for some of the hundreds of victims of a three-hour orgy of violence took place near the city of Jos, survivors nursed wounds in hospitals.

China says committed to U.S. debt, wary on gold

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:44:10 -0600

China, the world's biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, renewed its commitment to the U.S. Treasury market on Tuesday but said it would be wary of substantially boosting its gold holdings.

China

The country's chief currency regulator said China would attract more capital inflows this year, partly reflecting expectations of a stronger yuan, but he left the market none the wiser as to when Beijing might let the currency resume its rise.

Obama to push climate change in White House meeting

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:26:20 -0600

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will corral on Tuesday key Republican and Democratic senators whose support is critical for passing a climate change law, seeking to jump-start stalled efforts to overhaul energy policy.

Obama called the White House meeting with top lawmakers and members of his cabinet to reinvigorate one of his policy priorities, which even his advisers admit has suffered from the president's intense focus on healthcare reform.

Policy could prohibit citizens from fishing many bodies of water

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:08:10 -0600

The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters.

This announcement comes at the time when the situation supposedly still is "fluid" and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force still hasn't issued its final report on zoning uses of these waters.

State senator stepping down after a week

mwesp — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:43:31 -0600

UNDATED - State Senator Kip Averitt will be stepping down later this month.

The Republican's announcement on Monday, comes just a week after he won his primary race.

Averitt cited health concerns.

A special election will be held in may to fill his vacancy.

U.S. sitting on rare tech-crucial minerals

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:07 -0600

China supplies most of the rare earth minerals found in technologies such as hybrid cars, wind turbines, computer hard drives and cell phones, but the U.S. has its own largely untapped reserves that could safeguard future tech innovation.

Prius with stuck accelerator glides to safe stop

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:13:57 -0600

EL CAJON, Calif. – A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car's accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freeway, the CHP said.

Prius driver James Sikes called 911 about 1:30 p.m. after accelerating to pass another vehicle on Interstate 8 near La Posta and finding that he could not control his car, the CHP said.

Japan confirms Cold War-era 'secret' pacts with US

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:56:09 -0600

TOKYO – Japan confirmed for the first time Tuesday the existence of once-secret Cold War-era pacts with the U.S. that tacitly allowed nuclear-armed warships to enter Japanese ports in violation of Tokyo's postwar principles.

While declassified U.S. documents have already confirmed such 1960s agreements, Tuesday's revelation broke with decades of official denials.

Shooting at Dallas bank

mwesp — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:03:47 -0600

DALLAS - Shots were reported around 11 a.m. at the United Texas Bank.

The bank is located on the first floor of a multi-story building off Merit Drive.

Reports indicate three people suffered injuries including the gunman.

According to police the two victims were a father and son.

The investigation is ongoing.

Controversy swirls around White House Chief of Staff Emanuel

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:25:46 -0600

Will the real Rahm Emanuel please stand up? The hard-charging chief of staff for the Obama administration has lately been stirring up new speculation in Washington as the White House enters a critical push to finalize tortuous congressional negotiations on health care legislation.

Why 'Avatar' lost big at the Oscars

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:52:59 -0600

Really, looking back, did "Avatar" even stand a chance?

"Avatar" is still raking in the profits, but failed to produce the critical success that Cameron's previous film, "Titanic," generated 12 years ago. In fact, "Avatar" — the most financially successful film of all time — was easily the most mocked film of the evening.

Shooting at north Dallas office tower

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:14:00 -0600

DALLAS - There has been a shooting at an 18-story office tower in North Dallas housing the United Texas Bank, among other businesses.

The incident happened at about 11 a.m. at the Four Forest building at 12222 Merit Dr., off Interstate 635.

According to police, an armed man shot a 63-year-old father and his 39-year-old son at a financial services business they own on the third floor. He also pointed his gun at arriving police, who fired at him and missed.

Waco ISD teacher allegedly slaps student

mwesp — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:23:06 -0600

WACO - A Waco ISD teacher is suspended for allegedly slapping a student on Tuesday.

It happened at Meadowbrook Elementary School.

Officials say the child became unruly and spit on the teacher, after which she hit him several times in the face.

Tom Delay: People are unemployed because they want to be

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:47:19 -0600

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay called Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) "brave" on Sunday for launching a one-man filibuster of unemployment benefits, arguing that they dissuaded people from going out and finding work.

Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," the Texas Republican said that Bunning's fiscal responsibility was commendable, even if his shenanigans (refusing to allow unemployment benefits to be considered by unanimous consent) nearly brought the Senate to a halt.

2010 Oscar winners

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:17:17 -0600

LOS ANGELES, CA - The 82nd Annual Academy Awards took place Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Celebrities were decked out in their Sunday best, but best dressed is only a consolation prize.

Nominees had their eyes set on winning an Oscar.

Here is a list of the big winners.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Best Director -Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Best Actor - Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Best Actress - Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Supporting Actor -Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Pakistan: American al-Qaida suspect nabbed

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:41:04 -0600

ISLAMABAD – An American member of al-Qaida was picked up in a raid in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, Pakistani officials said Monday, but reversed earlier assertions that the detained man was the terror network's U.S.-born spokesman.

They identified the suspect as Abu Yahya Majadin Adam, but gave no details on his background or role within al-Qaida.

Details of “Einstein” cyber shield disclosed by White House

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:37:10 -0600

The Obama administration lifted the veil Tuesday on a highly-secretive set of policies to defend the U.S. from cyber attacks.

It was an open secret that the National Security Agency was bolstering a Homeland Security program to detect and respond to cyber attacks on government systems, but a summary of that program declassified Tuesday provides more details of NSA’s role in a Homeland program known as Einstein.

Unemployment rises in McLennan County

mwesp — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:23:44 -0600

WACO - Unemployment increased in McLennan County between December and January.

The McLennan County rate went to 7.4 percent in January from last December's 6.8 percent, according to numbers released Thursday.

The number of unemployed rose from 7,900 to 8,600.

The Texas Workforce Commission says the increase is a result of more people looking to work rather than job loss.

Rep. Eric Massa to resign

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:19:06 -0600

Democratic Rep. Eric Massa will resign from Congress on Monday, only days after reports first surfaced that the freshman New York lawmaker was under investigation by the House ethics committee for allegedly sexually harassing a male staffer.

Massa was preparing the news in the Corning Leader, his local newspaper, but several media outlets were already reporting the news Friday afternoon.

Security teams engage in shootouts as pirate attacks intensify

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:49:00 -0600

NAIROBI, Kenya – Signaling a new offensive mindset, international military officials vowed Friday to fight the pirates as swarms of Somalis moved into the waters off East Africa. Four shootouts with pirates showed that high-seas attacks are intensifying with the end of the monsoon season.

Nearly half the 47 ships hijacked off Somalia last year were taken in March and April — the most dangerous months of the year for ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.