Category: National

(BOULDER, Colo.) — Progress is being made in the investigation into the unsolved murder of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey, those briefed on the investigation told ABC News.

JonBenét was killed in her home in Boulder, Colorado, in December 1996.

In the last years, a multi-disciplinary team of experts has been assembled to go through the remaining evidence and apply the most modern scientific and cold-case techniques to try to solve the crime, the sources said. The team has consulted with top experts in their fields, the sources said.

It remains to be seen whether there will ever be enough provable information and evidence to support charges.

On the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, John and Patsy Ramsey woke up to find their daughter missing and a handwritten ransom note left on the stairs. Hours later, John Ramsey discovered his daughter dead in their basement.

JonBenet’s autopsy determined she was sexually assaulted and strangled, and her skull was fractured. Unknown DNA was found under her fingernails and in her underwear.

John Ramsey believes new DNA technology could aid police in re-investigating JonBenét’s murder.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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(NEW YORK) — Lake effect snow is slamming the Great Lakes, with seven states from Wisconsin to New York under snow alerts on Monday.

So far, snow totals have reached 58 inches in Copenhagen, New York; 30 inches in Erie, Pennsylvania; 27 inches in Ashtabula, Ohio; and 42 inches in Gaylord, Michigan.

In Orchard Park, New York — home to the Buffalo Bills — the lake effect snow total has reached 26 inches so far.

The Bills played through the snow on their home turf on Sunday, beating the San Francisco 49ers 35-10.

A lake effect snow warning is in effect from Jamestown, New York, to Erie to Cleveland, where some areas could see additional 6 to 20 inches of snow.

In Syracuse, New York, 4 to 7 inches of snow is forecast over the next 24 hours.

In Michigan, a winter storm warning is in effect as intense lake effect snow bands continue to pound the western part of the state.

Up to 1 foot of snow is forecast for northern Indiana and five inches of snow is expected for northern Wisconsin.

The heaviest lake effect snow should be done by Tuesday morning for most of the Great Lakes.

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(ST. CHARLES, IL) — A man wielding a chainsaw inside a senior-living facility in St. Charles, Illinois, was shot and killed by police early Sunday, state and local law enforcement said.

The man, whom police have not publicly identified, was allegedly attempting to cut down a tree on the facility’s property at about 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. He was “shirtless” when police arrived at the facility, on the 900 block of North 5th Avenue, the St. Charles Police Department said in a press statement.

“Just before police arrival, witnesses advised the subject had now gained entry to the lobby of the building and began confronting residents with the chainsaw,” the department said.

Officers sought to deescalate the situation, but “the suspect continued his attempts to use the chainsaw against residents of the building,” as well as against responding officers, the department said.

Officers used a taser on the man, “but his attack continued,” the press statement said. An officer then fired his gun, striking the alleged attacker, police said.

“The male suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” the Illinois State Police said in a press release.

Officers and residents of the assisted-living facility were treated at the scene for minor injuries, police said.

“We are deeply grateful for the swift action of our team and law enforcement,” a spokesperson for the facility, the River Glen of St. Charles, said in a statement. “We want to emphasize that our community is secure, and all residents and staff members are safe.”

The Illinois State Police said it would investigate the shooting.

ABC News’ Maci Smith contributed to this report.

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(WASHINGTON) — After prevailing in a state that went for Republican Donald Trump, Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein said that his service as attorney general gave North Carolina voters confidence and called the Tar Heel state a “bright spot” for Democrats on election night.

Stein told ABC “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl that Kamala Harris ran a “strong campaign,” but was hindered by a condensed timeline and “tough national mood.”

“It was a unfortunate night for Democrats across this country, but North Carolina was a bright spot,” Stein said. “ And we’re proud of what we accomplished here.”

This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) — A massive home explosion in Missouri over Thanksgiving weekend left the residence in rubble and six people inside injured, according to fire officials.

The explosion occurred on St. Louis Road in Jefferson City early Saturday morning at 2:44 a.m., according to a press release from Jefferson City Fire.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, officials said.

Emergency responders said of the six individuals injured in the blast, two were transported to Jefferson City Airport and flown to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

The remaining four people were transported by ground to University Hospital.

Three of the victims are listed in critical condition and received critical life support, Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy told ABC News’ Missouri affiliate KMIZ.

The other three have moderate injuries and are stable, the outlet reported.

Photos released by officials show the explosion left the home almost completely leveled, with responders saying they discovered the six individuals among the debris upon arrival.

“Rescue operations were particularly challenging due to the extensive structural collapse and significant debris,” Jefferson City Fire said in the release.

“The team had to carefully tunnel through layers of debris to reach the final occupant, who required intensive extrication,” officials added.

All six of the individuals were safely removed from the residence by 5:52 a.m.

Additionally, fire officials said in the release that two pets were rescued from the collapsed home and are now in the care of animal control.

ABC News’ Maci Smith contributed to this report.

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(NEW YORK) — Officials in upstate New York counties have declared a state of emergency as they prepare for a major snowstorm that has already dumped over two feet of snow in the Midwest and is forecast to accumulate more this weekend.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday morning that 11 counties, including Erie County which includes Buffalo, are in a state of emergency and many neighborhoods have already seen a large amount of snowfall.

Lake effect snow will continue through Monday with the heaviest snowfall occurring through early Sunday morning, and an additional period of heavy snow late Sunday night into Monday morning, according to the governor’s office. The highest snow totals this weekend are expected around Watertown, New York, where 3 to 5 feet of snow is in the forecast.

“My administration is working around the clock with our state agencies and over 100 National Guard members on the ground to support local communities,” Hochul said.

Travel advisories were issued for Jefferson and Lewis counties, and portions of Erie County.

The state’s Department of Transportation banned empty and tandem commercial vehicles on I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390 and on State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90.

In addition to the National Guard members, Hochul said extra personnel has been deployed to help with possible power and road emergencies.

Lake effect snow is common this time of year as colder air moves over the relatively warm water of the lakes, leading to extremely localized bands of heavy snowfall for an extended period of time.

Counties in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania have recorded huge snowfall totals since Friday.

Gaylord, Michigan, picked up 24.8 inches of snow Friday marking their single snowiest calendar day on record and shattering their previous record of 17 inches on March 9, 1942.

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(HOUSTON) — Teams of firefighters sprang into action in Texas on Friday when staff at the Houston Botanic Garden noticed a tiny Chihuahua was stuck underneath a pedestrian bridge.

Photos posted to Facebook show the small dog sitting on one of the footings of the bridge, which spans the Sims Bayou channel.

It took two Houston fire stations to help bring the Chihuahua safely back on land, with one crew member jumping in the water to bring the pup ashore.

“This Black Friday was one Chihuahua’s lucky day, thanks to our heroes at Houston Fire Department stations 29 and 42,” the Houston Botanic Garden wrote alongside several photos of the puppy rescue.

“We love knowing that everyone and everything in and around the Garden is in good hands with these trained community helpers on the job,” the institution added.

It’s unclear who the dog’s owner is and how it ended up below the bridge.

ABC News has reached out to the Houston Fire Department for a comment.

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(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Shots rang out at the Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Black Friday, leaving two people injured, police said in an update Friday evening.

The Little Rock Police Department had initially reported three injuries.

The shooting occurred at 1:44 p.m., according to police.

Two people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including one with gunshot wounds, police said.

“Initially reported as a potential active aggressor situation, officers quickly determined it was an isolated incident upon arrival,” the Little Rock Police Department said in an update Friday evening.

Police said the incident appears to have stemmed from a “disturbance” between two individuals, which escalated into gunfire.

Shots rang out at the Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Black Friday, leaving two people injured, police said in an update Friday evening.

The Little Rock Police Department had initially reported three injuries.

The shooting occurred at 1:44 p.m., according to police.

Two people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including one with gunshot wounds, police said.

“Initially reported as a potential active aggressor situation, officers quickly determined it was an isolated incident upon arrival,” the Little Rock Police Department said in an update Friday evening.

Police said the incident appears to have stemmed from a “disturbance” between two individuals, which escalated into gunfire.

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(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Shots rang out at the Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Black Friday, leaving three people injured, police said.

The shooting occurred at 1:44 p.m., according to the Little Rock Police Department. The three people who were hurt have injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to police.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. released a statement after the shooting, saying there are two suspects.

“Two individuals today jeopardized the lives and safety of residents and visitors,” Scott Jr. said Friday.

“We are praying for the victims of this incident, and are hopeful they make a full recovery,” he added.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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(NEW YORK) — Airlines are seeing record travel numbers for Thanksgiving this year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

There were over 232,000 flights across the U.S. between Nov. 24 and 28, the FAA said, setting a Thanksgiving travel record.

On Tuesday, more than 52,000 flights carried passengers across the U.S, the agency said.

Despite the high volume, cancellations were limited to just 0.3%, and delays affected only 1.2% of flights — both record lows.

The FAA said they expect record-breaking flight volumes to continue through Monday.

ABC News’ Ayesha Ali contributed to this report.

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