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30 South Side elementary students get new shoes thanks to reality TV personality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Students from Horace Mann Elementary School in Chicago walked home in a new pair of shoes on Monday thanks to reality TV personality Chris Williams II.Williams, a Chicago native, hosted a field trip to Foot Locker on State Street for low-income and immigrant students who attended the South Side elementary school.All 30 studetns in the group got their own pre-loaded gift card so they could pick out their shoes and experience their own transactions.Students who had the chance to attend the field trip had lunch, played games in the store gym, and picked out their new shoes for school before heading back to class.Williams appeared on the 12th season of the reality show "Married at First Sight," and is a Horace Mann alumnus.

Wild black bear captured at Walt Disney World in Florida after search

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — It wasn't an escapee from the Country Bear Jamboree attraction, but a wild black bear managed to be the star of its own show Monday at Walt Disney World.The presence of the black bear in a tree in the Magic Kingdom delayed the opening of three lands Monday morning — Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland.Staffers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were at the park, attempting to capture and relocate the bear, Disney World said in a statement. The bear was eventually captured Monday afternoon.The bear was likely in search of food as it looks to pack on fat reserves for the winter, the wildlife commission said in a statement.“In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff are working on capturing and relocating the bear,” the wildlife commission said.The wildlife commission estimates there are more than 4,000 black bears in Florida, with the most located in centr...

Musk: X, formerly Twitter, 'moving toward' monthly fee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — From Netflix to Disney, Amazon to Walmart, and countless other services, Americans are already juggling a multitude of subscription fees. They could soon be facing another. While speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk said his company X, formerly Twitter, is "moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the X system," CNBC reports. He added that the move is intended to combat "vast armies of bots."Musk didn't share any other details, like when this change could happen, what it entails, or what it would cost. Netanyahu urges Musk to curb antisemitism and ‘hatred’ on X He also didn't say how many bots may be present on X, either. He did, however, claim that X has garnered 550 million "monthly users."A paywall is something Musk has reportedly considered before. X does already have a subscription, X Premium (formerly known as Twitter Blue), that starts at $8 a month and gives members a blue checkmark previously reserved for those who met ...

Showers likely between 8 am and 2 pm, then mostly cloudy during the afternoon hours Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

Chance of showers and thunderstorms occur again after 8 pm Tuesday eveningTHE AUTUMN EQUINOX BEGINS ­SATURDAY— TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKSTHIS PAST WEEKEND'S RAINFALL THROUGHOUT THE CHICAGOLAND AREAFUTURE OUTLOOK FOR POSSIBLE CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATIONCLICK TO ENLARGE

Georgetown ISD board unanimously approves resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Independent School District unanimously approved a resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers, with six trustees voting in favor of the resolution on Monday during a board meeting. Trustee Cody Hirt was absent.In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 763 into law, which permits school districts to use school safety funding to hire chaplains or allow them to volunteer in public schools.After the vote, GISD board member Anthony Blankenship made a comment, saying when people from the community reach out, their voice and concerns are heard. Citing mental health concerns, Texas to allow chaplains as uncertified school counselors "I just want to reiterate that my vote for this in no way is voting to remove counselors, replace counselors, [or] play any sort of political or religious favoritism within our public schools," he said. "I understand the importance of keeping these things separate. We already have this system in place. I just wan...

Recommendation for new affordable housing in downtown Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People "overwhelmingly" want to see more affordable housing - with the priority given to people working in the healthcare, hospitality and service industries, according to a community impact survey referenced in a new City of Austin memo. In response, the City Manager's Office had made an official recommended to convert at least part of the former HealthSouth property into affordable housing. The land is on the corner of Red River and 12th Streets, walking distance from Dell Seton and the heart of downtown. This is rooted in the Austin City Council's priority for "mixed-income housing affordable to households at or below 60% Median Family Income," according to the memo. Below are the results from a survey of 396 people, where city staff asked "What three community uses would you be excited to see on this site?"Current market conditions present unique challenges to the immediate redevelopment of the site," the memo reads. "In addition to increasing development costs ...

Minnesota prep hockey legend Henry Boucha dies at 72

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

WARROAD, Minn. — When Warroad’s boys hockey team hosts arch-rival Roseau for the main event of Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 in January, the home team will wear special sweaters bearing the likeness of one of Minnesota hockey’s most legendary players. Henry Boucha almost singlehandedly willed the Warriors to the 1969 state title, then went on to play in the Olympics, in the NHL and in the WHA.Before the game, there will likely be a moment of silence in his memory, as well. Boucha, who was 72, died on Monday. Family members did not immediately release any details but confirmed his passing, and asked for privacy at this time.An Indigenous man and a lifelong advocate for Native American education programs in Minnesota, Boucha was the driving force behind a Warroad team that advanced to the ‘69 state tournament, then held at Met Center in Bloomington, where the Warriors dispatched South St. Paul and Roseau to reach the state title game.In the second period of a tightly played championship m...

FOX 2 tours new $164M Francis Howell North campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – It is the biggest project in a St. Charles school district that turned into a colossal meltdown, slamming taxpayers for tens of millions of dollars more than expected. On Monday, FOX 2 received a tour of the new Francis Howell North High School to give taxpayers a glimpse at their investment.Taxpayers were initially told the school would cost $86 million. The price tag was nearly double that amount—$164.7 million. Spending on the project drew so much criticism that the Missouri Auditor’s Office launched an investigation.Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Roumpos proudly showed off the school’s robotics center and culinary arts room, saying these special learning amenities help prepare students for future college and career opportunities.

Granite City steel plant affected by UAW strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Picket lines continued in Wentzville outside the General Motors plant on Monday, as the United Auto Workers strike entered its fifth day. The Wentzville plant employs around 4,100 people. Union workers walked off the job at midnight last Thursday.As those workers continue striking, a major plant from another big industry in our area said it may have to soon lay off workers temporarily. A statement from the U.S. Steel Corporation said, "Following the announcement of UAW strike actions, we are executing our risk mitigation plan to ensure our melt capacity is balanced with our order book. As a result, we have decided to temporarily idle blast furnace ‘B’ at Granite City Works and are reallocating volumes as needed to other domestic facilities to efficiently meet customer demand.“We thank our employees for working to ensure the temporary idling of the furnace will be conducted safely and efficiently. We do not take these decisions lightly and will continue to monito...

No cash bail era begins in Illinois amid worry from prosecutors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The first St. Louis area suspects are out of jail under a new law ending cash bail in Illinois.Four of the first accused felons to be freed were in Washington County, Illinois, about 50 miles east of St. Louis.The historic orders filed in Washington County Court read, in part, “pursuant to statute change, defendant’s monetary bond condition is stricken and (defendant) shall be released.”The four suspects face charges ranging from battery to meth possession.“This just opens the door to go back out and do the same thing. If you’re stealing to get money for drugs, you get to do it again the next day instead of going through a rehab,” said State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Highland.He represents parts of five St. Louis area counties in Illinois: Clinton, Washington, Bond, Madison, and St. Clair.“We have programs. We help them, give them a chance to get off the drugs and come back and be a productive citizen (through the former pre-trial bail system),” he said.In Belleville, St. Cl...