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Storms packing high winds buffet Indiana, Illinois, cutting power to more than 400,000 customers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Strong storms packing winds gusting as high as 70 mph (112.65 kilometers per hour) buffeted Indiana and Illinois on Thursday, cutting power to more than 400,000 customers at times.The storms toppled semitrailers on highways and blew tree limbs into power lines and onto houses and cars, causing sporadic damage, news outlets reported. When will air quality improve? Tom Skilling explains The National Weather Service said it measured a 70 mph wind gust near Indianapolis International Airport at 3:47 p.m. EDT.Shortly before 6 pm EDT, Ameren Illinois reported more than 175,000 customers without service, Duke Energy tallied more than 147,000 customers in central and southern Indiana in the dark, AES Indiana said more than 49,000 customers in the Indianapolis area had no power, and City Water, Light and Power in Springfield, Illinois, tallied more than 34,000 customers without service.

Nearly 190 flights canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport ahead of busy holiday weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

CHICAGO — Thursday was a busy day at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for many travelers, many of whom were dealing with delays and cancelations.As of Thursday evening, nearly 190 flights had been canceled at O'Hare. At Chicago's Midway International Airport, only two fights have been canceled.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe delays and cancelations also come among the record-breaking holiday travel expected to start today. AAA predicts 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their home over the weekend."What's happening is it's not just weather," Peter Greenberg, a flight expert, said. "It's a number of factors that got together to produce this perfect storm."Greenberg points to issues with airline staff scheduling, layovers with less than one-hour connecting time."Majority of the people flying to Chicago aren't coming to Chicago," Greenberg said. "They're changing planes."In Illinois, 2.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday we...

Federal appeals court hears arguments on Illinois assault weapon ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

CHICAGO — A federal appeals court is considering Illinois' assault weapon ban after arguments took place days before the one-year mark since the mass shooting at Highland Park's Fourth of July parade.The law banning the sale of assault weapons and capping the purchase of magazines was enacted in January. Highland Park mayor calls for assault weapons ban Thursday's hearing was the first challenge of that ban to make it to a federal appellate court.Dozens of people came together to show their support outside the courthouse for the ban they worked hard to pass.They said they are sick and tired of living in fear."We've grown up in a society where gun violence is a daily occurrence and haunts us everywhere we go," Rachel Jacobi, a Highland Park resident, said.They're calling on the court to stick with them and protect their right to live in a society free of gun violence."Our progress is under attack because the gun lobby values their agenda over people's lives in our state," Jacobi sa...

K-9 locates home invasion suspect after fleeing police in McHenry County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. -- A Sheriff's K-9 helped deputies locate a suspect just 25 minutes after they fled police last week.According to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to I-90 near mile marker 43.5 to assist Illinois State Police by locating a suspect who fled on foot just before 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 19. Traveler hits $1.3M jackpot at Las Vegas airport slot machine: ‘That’s one way to end a vacation’ A Sheriff’s deputy and K-9 Kylo arrived on scene where they were informed the suspect, identified as Tryan D. Campbell, was last seen heading southbound and had an active felony warrant for home invasion.K-9 Kylo was immediately deployed once arrived on scene and just 25 minutes later, the team approached a tree in the fence line where the Campbell was located on the other side of the fence.Campbell gave up and was taken into custody.No further information has been made available at this time.

World's largest cruise ship almost ready to start sailing from Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, successfully completed its initial round of sea trials and sailed the open ocean for the first time.The massive 1,198-foot ship is almost ready to start sailing from Florida early next year. DuPage County shelter waiving adoption fees for large dogs due to overcrowding crisis The ship returned to the Meyer Turku, Finland shipyard, where it's under construction.Later this year, the ship will be pushed to its limits in a second round of sea trials, Royal Caribbean said.(Royal Caribbean)(Royal Caribbean)(Royal Caribbean)In addition to 18 guest decks and 2,805 staterooms, the ship features the largest water park at sea — with six record-breaking waterslides and seven pools. The ship's Frightening Bolt will be the tallest waterslide to sail and Pressure Drop will be the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise.The ship is equipped to hold a maximum of 7,600 guests, according ...

Biden: Expanding Supreme Court would 'politicize it maybe forever'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

President Biden expressed his opposition Thursday to expanding the Supreme Court in the wake of its latest controversial decision, warning that it would risk further politicizing the institution.Biden, in an interview with MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace, was asked if the 6-3 conservative majority on the high court is “too young and too conservative” and could do too much harm to the country with its rulings.“I think they may do too much harm,” Biden said. “But I think if we start the process of trying to expand the court, we’re going to politicize it maybe forever in a way that’s not healthy.”“Maybe it’s just the optimist in me — I think that some of the court are beginning to realize their legitimacy is being questioned in ways that it hadn’t been questioned in the past,” Biden added, suggesting Chief Justice John Roberts is among those weighing that.The White House previously indicated that Biden was opposed to expanding the Supreme Court in the wake of its ruling in June 2022 that overt...

Expect more crowds on Lake Austin, LBJ after Lake Travis ramp closes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — Summer is here and people are hitting the lakes and rivers across Central Texas, but on holiday weekends these popular spots can get even more crowded.Law enforcement agencies who patrol the Highland Lakes are gearing up for the 4th of July weekend, but they are also expecting even more crowds with the Mansfield Dam boat ramp closing.”When the levels in other lakes drop we do see somewhat of an increase from people going from the lakes that don’t have that much water to the ones that do,” said Cody Hatfield chief game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife.Hatfield said they will have three to six boats patrolling Lake LBJ for 4th of July weekend. Texas Parks and Wildlife officers will be partnering with local agencies as well. Lake Travis boat ramp to close due to low water levels; only one to remain open for now ”I’ve got every single game warden in my district and they will be patrolling the Highland Lakes,” Hatfield said.On  Lake Austin officers...

Noah Feldman: The Supreme Court just stood up for electoral democracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court firmly rejected the so-called independent state legislature theory. This bizarre theory would have allowed renegade legislators to violate their state constitutions in setting rules for federal elections — allowing them to hijack elections for U.S. Congress and even the presidency.The ruling was therefore a vote to protect the democratic process. That’s one of the Supreme Court’s most important jobs. It’s hard to overstate how important it is that this court is prepared to fulfill that duty.The decision in the case, Moore v. Harper, was written by Chief Justice John Roberts. It was joined not only by the court’s three liberals but also by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. That too is significant. By joining the opinion, Kavanaugh and Barrett showed that, notwithstanding their undoubted conservatism, they are not going to be radical revolutionaries when it comes to the basic structure of democratic ...

Son of Wild coach Darby Hendrickson selected by Bruins in 2023 NHL Draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Beckett Hendrickson was getting antsy at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. He had already watched a number of his teammates from the United States National Team Development Program get selected in the 2023 NHL Draft and he was ready for his named to be called.As time progressed, Wild assistant coach Darby Hendrickson sat alongside his son in the stands and tried to provide some words of wisdom.Finally, late in the fourth round, with the Boston Bruins on the clock, Becket heard his name. The family rose to their feet to celebrate and Darby rushed over to his son.“You just want to give him a hug,” Darby said. “You’re just happy for him.”This moment has been a long time coming for Beckett. He grew up around the Wild because of his dad, interacting with the likes of longtime captain Mikko Koivu as a kid and then trying to model his game after skilled winger Matt Boldy as he got older.“He’s always loved the Wild,” Darby said. R...

Southern California heat wave arrives for July 4 weekend, could bring triple digit temps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:03 GMT

After months of overcast and unseasonable weather across Southern California, a massive heat wave is arriving this weekend just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.Much of the greater Los Angeles area will begin heating up Friday, with the interior valleys and desert communities feeling the strongest levels of heat. Click here for the latest local weather alerts Excessive heat warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles for the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita Valley this weekend. A heat advisory will go into effect in the Los Angeles area mountains. KTLA meteorologist Vera Jimenez said Thursday was a day of transition from low pressure to high pressure, and typically high temperatures don't really "kick in" until a day after that transition."But today, even our interior sections, our temperatures rise well above average," Jimenez said.The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a heat advisory for the whole of the Inland Empire, in addition ...