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Pritzker celebrates Illinois-Missouri collaboration on new Chain of Rocks Bridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker visited the Metro East to attend ribbon cutting ceremonies for some big transportation-related projects in the Bi-State region.“We’ve got 51,000 vehicles everyday going across the bridge. If we expand the bridge, we’re going to have more. And more is better, on both sides of the river,” Pritzker said. “So, we’ve shared the cost of this. $300 million on the Illinois side, and $200 (million) plus on the Missouri side. When you put that together, you’re replacing one bridge with two.”The governor began his day celebrating construction of the new Chain of Rocks Bridge; a collaboration between the Land of Lincoln and the Show Me State.Over the lunch hour, Pritzker went to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, where he was overjoyed with the completion of the new terminal. Police tie 12-year-old girl to overnight crime spree “Allegiant has served this airport proudly since 2012,” Thayne Klinger, Allegiant Airlines’ director airport affair...

Ozark man sentenced to prison after mushrooms found in slot machine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

OZARK, Mo. - An Ozark man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after he was found with psilocybin mushrooms in a casino-style slot machine at his home. 42-year-old Scott Cannon was charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute after law enforcement found the drugs in his bedroom after executing a search warrant on his house on June 28, 2021, according to a press release from the Western District of Missouri. Another inmate dies at Licking prison Police also found three plastic bags containing 59.43 grams of pure methamphetamine hidden in a wooden speaker box, two digital scales, two small plastic bags that contained methamphetamine residue, and a broken glass pipe in his home.Cannon pleaded guilty to the charges on July 19, 2022, and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison without parole.

Broncos WR Tim Patrick invited KJ Hamler, facing critical season, to live with him: “I just know how talented he is and how good he is”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

Being a good teammate is one thing. Being a good roommate is another entirely.Tim Patrick is trying to do both.The Broncos wide receiver invited position-mate KJ Hamler to live with him and his family in Denver during the offseason in pursuit of a simple goal.“We’ve got a routine right now and that’s one of the things I’ve been preaching to him,” Patrick said Tuesday. “Do the same thing every day and don’t get bored with it, because that’s what’s going to get you far.“That’s what we’re working on right now is holding each other accountable and doing the stuff that’s going to make us healthy and better versions of ourselves this year.”It’s one thing to give a teammate advice and hold him accountable in the locker room. It’s quite another to tell him he should come live with you so that you can both live by the same standards. Especially when Patrick has a partner and young child at home.Clearly, though, Patrick and Hamler have a tight bond. When Patrick went down Aug. 2 with a torn A...

Police release video of hit-and-run that critically injured pedestrian

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

Los Angeles police have released surveillance video with the aim of catching a hit-and-run driver who plowed into a pedestrian last weekend.The crash happened at the intersection of Central Avenue and Vernon Avenue at 6 a.m. on Saturday, according to LAPD.Video from two different angles shows the male victim jogging through the intersection in a marked crosswalk when the driver of a dark-colored sedan runs through the red light and hits him, sending him tumbling into the air and onto the asphalt. Police say the victim had a "Walk" signal.Surveillance video shows the male victim jogging through the intersection in a marked crosswalk when a driver in a dark-colored sedan runs through the red light and hits him. June 10, 2023. (LAPD)The driver didn’t stop.“The pedestrian had emergency surgery for his severe injuries, was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit, and is in critical condition,” LAPD said in a statement.Police say the vehicle will likely have front-end, hood, and possibly wi...

Los Angeles parks begin offering free lunches for children, teens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

The City of Los Angeles has begun providing free lunches to children and teens now that school is out for summer break, officials announced Tuesday.Anyone under the age of 18 will be able to pick up a free lunch at any of the 100 city parks participating in the program. The menu includes fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, salads and occasionally deli sandwiches.The program will run from Tuesday, June 13, until Aug. 4.“Through this program, we are not only providing nutritious meals but also fostering a supportive environment where children and teenagers can thrive”, said Jimmy Kim, General Manager of L.A.'s Department of Recreation and Parks.  “We invite all children and teens to have lunch with us this summer in a fun, safe and welcoming environment. “Parents can find a list of the participating park locations and lunch pick-up times on the L.A. Parks website, by calling 818-346-2700 or by texting “Summer Meals” to 97779.The summer lunch program will be funded by the U.S. Department o...

NicAnne Lamoureux: A Mother’s Journey Advocating for Transgender Children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

As we celebrate Pride Month, we spotlight a story of love, acceptance, and advocacy. NicAnne Lamoureux, a mother of two transgender children and a beacon of support for parents navigating similar journeys, shares her experiences and insights. Her story is one of transformation – from confusion and struggle to understanding and advocacy – and it offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of raising transgender children.Lamoureux’s journey began in a strict, conservative, Christian home. Despite her upbringing, she knew from a young age that she was part of the LGBTQIA+ community. However, it wasn’t until her oldest child came out as gender fluid 11 years ago that she was thrust into a world she admits she knew little about. “I had the best of intentions and unquestionably loved and accepted my child, but I didn’t have the education or knowledge needed to know how to support my child as they transitioned,” she says.She recalls the ea...

Top 10 Innovative Minds Disrupting The Entertainment Space

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

1 – Damien BiancoDamien Bianco, an influential figure in the film industry, has left an indelible mark on movie enthusiasts worldwide. Born in France and with an insatiable passion for storytelling, Damien embarked on a journey to Los Angeles, where he strived to redefine filmmaking’s boundaries. In collaboration with Samy Ferrenbach, who serves as co-producer and lead actor, he established Acknowledge Pictures, a production company that acted as a driving force for his groundbreaking ventures as filmmaker. As the director of the film ‘Whatever It Takes,’ he capitalized on his creative vision to bring the project to life.Throughout Damien’s career, numerous highlights have illuminated his path to cinematic greatness, such as studying at prestigious drama schools during 4 years in Paris, where he was able to further master his skills. During his initial years as a production assistant in Los Angeles with Emmy Award-winning producer and director Greg Yait...

Let That Imagination Run Wild: Encouraging Children to Be Creative with All I Need is My Ball

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

The mind of a child is fascinating, to say the least. It constantly pushes them to question even the simplest things around them, sometimes even leaving their parents wondering. A child’s urge to explore the unexplored, tap the untapped, and find what’s concealed plays a key role in their cognitive development. Responses to a child’s ‘whys,’ ‘whats,’ and ‘hows’ need to be very consciously curated as it will impact their understanding of the things surrounding them. With this in mind, parents, siblings, and even teachers need to let a child’s imagination run wild.Introducing these young minds to the right tools that may allow them to get creative and step into their imaginary worlds is one to go about it. The creative potential of children becomes quite visible during playtime as they find unique ways to play with their toys, as simple as a ball. Parents need to realize how vital this creative play time is for their little o...

Lanez sentencing for shooting Megan Thee Stallion delayed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Tory Lanez’s sentencing for shooting and wounding hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion was delayed on Tuesday.Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford accepted the defense’s request to delay Lanez’s sentencing, which is now scheduled for Aug. 7. Prosecutors are seeking a 13 year prison sentence and Lanez faces deportation to his native Canada.Herriford decided to give Lanez’s lawyers more time to prepare their sentencing recommendation, which is due Aug. 1. The judge, who will sentence Lanez, denied a motion from Lanez’ defense attorneys for a new trial on May 9.During the brief court hearing, Lanez mostly kept his head down and barely made eye contact with anyone. He wore an orange jail outfit and black cap.Lanez was convicted in December of three felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm; having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.Attorneys for Lanez, whose ...

Founder of San Francisco ‘sexual wellness’ retreat surrenders to feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

When Nicole Daedone founded her San Francisco-based “sexual wellness” commune in 2004, its focus on “orgasmic meditation” and the intricacies of female pleasure promised to revolutionize ideas about intimacy and personal freedom for both women and men.Instead, it became a cult-like organization with branches in cities across the country, where members lived in warehouse-like accommodations, gave up their independence and were coerced into engaging in sex acts with current and prospective clients, investors and employees, according to federal prosecutors.On Tuesday, Daedone surrendered in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, where she was arraigned on charges of forced labor conspiracy.The San Diego resident was released on a $1 million bond, court records show.Daedone and her OneTaste lieutenant, former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz, are both accused of subjecting members to “economic, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, surveillance, indoctrination, and intimidation,” acco...