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WATCH LIVE | Alderman to propose 'Chicago Plow the Sidewalks' pilot program to City Council

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago alderman is expected to propose an ordinance to City Council Wednesday for a pilot municipal sidewalk snow and ice removal program.Alderman Gilbert Villegas will hold a press conference at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday with details on the Chicago Plow The Sidewalks Pilot Program.The intent is to make sure seniors and those with physical disabilities can get out of their homes and to stores for food and other supplies.The alderman wants $750,000 to fund the pilot program.Villegas points to the city of Toronto, which already plows its sidewalks.

Blackhawks pull an 'upset' on Tuesday at the United Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

CHICAGO - The term is more often reserved for college sports than in the professional ranks, especially during the regular season.But it is proper to use the term "upset" when referring to what the Blackhawks were able to pull off Tuesday night.The NHL-leading Bruins, the only team in the league at the moment with over 100 points, couldn't get past a rebuilding squad that has been near the bottom of the standings the entire season. A strong finish led by one of the young prospects helped the Blackhawks to a 6-3 "upset" win over Boston in arguably one of the best triumphs of the season for the very young team. It's the 23rd win of the season for Luke Richardson's squad while the Bruins have lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season.So how did this happen? Well, Taylor Raddysh had a lot to do with it. The prospect, who was acquired in the Brandon Hagel trade at the 2022 NHL deadline, registered his first career hat trick, and did so all in the final 20 minut...

Honda recalling 500,000 vehicles to fix seat belts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling a half-million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly.The recall covers some of the the automaker's top-selling models including the 2017 through 2020 CR-V, the 2018 and 2019 Accord, the 2018 through 2020 Odyssey and the 2019 Insight. Also included is the Acura RDX from the 2019 and 2020 model years.Honda says in documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators that the surface coating on the channel for the buckle can deteriorate over time. The release button can shrink against the channel at lower temperatures, increasing friction and stopping the buckle from latching. Here are the most and least disaster-prone states If the buckle doesn't latch, a driver or passenger may not be restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.Honda says it has no reports of injuries caused by the problem.Dealers will replace the front seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies if needed. Owners...

'Tiger King' announces 2024 presidential bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) -- The "Tiger King"' is throwing his hat in the ring for president.Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as "Joe Exotic" or the "Tiger King," is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence after being convicted on multiple charges. He said he isn't going to let that stop him from running for the nation's top office.Maldonado-Passage launched a new campaign website, with a personal message: "Thank you for your interest in my Campaign. Yes, I know I am in Federal Prison and you might think this is a joke but it's not. It is my Constitutional right to do this even from here."FILE – In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, answers a question during an interview at the zoo he runs in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)"So put aside that I am gay, that I am in prison for now, that I used drugs in the past, that I had more then one boyfriend at once and that Carole hates my guts. This all has not a thing to do w...

1 killed in early morning apartment fire in Ottawa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

OTTAWA, Ill. — One person was killed in an apartment building fire in Ottawa early Wednesday morning.The fire department was called to a report of visible smoke and flames from a five-unit building located in the 100 block of West Campbell street around 2:15 a.m.Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing from a door and window of a downstairs unit. Crews entered the structure and found heavy fire in the kitchen extending in the bedroom and living room areas. A search was conducted and an unresponsive person was found in the living room. According to fire officials, the person was removed and transported to OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The person's identity has not yet been released. Officials said the fire appears to be accidental and is under investigation.

Here are the most and least disaster-prone states

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

(The Hill) – Wildfires and drought in California, hurricanes and flooding in Florida and power outages in Texas have rendered all three states distinctly less livable in recent years. People still flock to Florida and Texas, drawn by low taxes and warmth. (California, not so much.) But climate change is on everyone’s minds, and dire dispatches about fires and floods dominate the daily news cycle. “The data actually shows that some of the fastest-growing cities are some of those that are at the greatest risk of disasters,” said Diane Vuković, disaster-preparedness expert at Primal Survivor, a popular “prepper” website.  A recent Census Bureau list of the 15 fastest-growing cities includes three each in Texas and Florida. Yet, climate change has posited a new idea in American culture: Parts of the United States may not be habitable for much longer.  “I don’t know if I would say that there are places that are fundamentally unsafe, but I would say that ther...

New York doctor uses firefighter training to save family of 14

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

EAST MEADOW, Long Island (WPIX) – A New York pediatrician is being hailed a hero after he prevented 14 people from potentially being poisoned to death from a carbon monoxide gas leak.Dr. John Zaso, who doubles as a volunteer firefighter in the Long Island hamlet of East Meadow, used his skills from both jobs to diagnose that the family of one of his young patients was actively suffering carbon monoxide poisoning. He helped to dispatch his own fire department to the family's home.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced when a fossil fuel is burned. The CDC says CO "can cause sudden illness and death."Zaso said he got an urgent call from the mother of a 3-week-old infant patient of his late Monday night. The mother said her baby appeared sick and mentioned that a number of the family members in their house had started feeling sick within the past several hours. Fourteen people, all related, were living in...

The search for Chicago's next police superintendent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's top cop officially resigns Thursday and the search for his replacement will be nationwide.The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is charged with conducting the search and plan to discuss their plans at a Wednesday press conference. Skilling: ‘Pineapple Express’ storm to bring wind, rain to Chicago Thursday The CCPSA "will discuss the Commission's key powers, the Police Superintendent search process, and timeline," according to a press release.WGN plans to livestream this event in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 10 a.m.

1 dead, another seriously injured after head-on crash in Lockport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

LOCKPORT, Ill. — One person died and another was seriously injured in a head-on crash Wednesday morning in Lockport.The crash happened just before 6:40 a.m. near Route 171 and Riley Avenue. Police said two vehicles were involved and it was a head-on collision. 2 dead after head-on collision in Will County One driver was declared dead at the scene and the other driver was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.All lanes of Route 171 in the area are shut down.

Salt could be key ingredient for clean energy transition, UT Austin researchers say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:08:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Salt! Its one of the most common seasonings/condiments on the planet. Every kitchen has it. For thousands of years, it has been a key ingredient in our civilization and now, University of Texas in Austin researchers say, it could be important to our transition to a cleaner future."Historically, salt formations have been associated with oil and gas exploration and production," said Lorena Moscardelli, Director at the State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery Program at UT's Bureau of Economic Geology.In a new paper published last month in Tektonika, researchers with Moscardelli's team argued for the role salt could play. "I think in the next five years, we will we will start to see this implemented," Moscardelli said.Lead author and UT research scientist Oliver Duffy pointed to salt domes in the Gulf of Mexico as an example. "Salt dorms can be 10 or so kilometers tall," Duffy said. Some can be larger the Mount Everest.This diorama of a salt dome shows its size. Each o...