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Kentucky Supreme Court reviews state’s Republican-drawn legislative, congressional maps

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Democrats took their legal fight to the state’s highest court on Tuesday in challenging Republican-drawn boundaries for state House and congressional districts.The hearing before Kentucky’s Supreme Court at times revolved around a lower court ruling that the new maps did not violate the state constitution. Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate concluded that the new boundaries amounted to “partisan gerrymanders,” but said the constitution “does not explicitly forbid the consideration of partisan interests in apportioning representation.”Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson said that issue looms as “the crux of this matter” as the high court reviews the redistricting case. Thompson pointedly asked an attorney for the Democrats whether the court had ever invalidated newly drawn districts based solely on the grounds of gerrymandering.“Not yet,” replied the attorney, Michael Abate. “This court has not done so.”Abate sai...

Hurricane Nigel strengthens, gaining Category 2 status far from land out in the Atlantic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Nigel powered up to Category 2 storm status on Tuesday afternoon and could intensify further before it starts weakening in coming days far out over the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.Nigel’s top sustained winds rose to 100 mph (160 kph) by late Tuesday, up from 90 mph (145 kph) earlier in the day when it was a strong Category 1 hurricane. The system was centered about 590 miles (955 kilometers) east of Bermuda and moving to the north-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph). The island territory might see swells from Nigel that could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters said. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as the storm remained far from land.The Miami-based hurricane center said Nigel could strengthen some more early Wednesday but is expected to begin weakening on Thursday and Friday and become a still strong post-tropical cyclone sometime Friday. The Associated Press

Groups say philanthropists trying to boost local news shouldn’t leave minorities behind

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Some organizations representing minority journalists say they’re worried that outlets reporting on their communities will be left behind in a recently-announced $500 million initiative aimed at boosting the struggling local news industry.They urged that Press Forward Initiative, a group of 20 funders led by the Knight and MacArthur Foundations, to more explicitly commit to funding these outlets, particularly those run by minorities.“They’re sort of skirting around it,” said Martin Reynolds, co-executive director of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, on Tuesday.There was no immediate comment from the funders. In announcing the $500 million pledge two weeks ago, the funders said they wanted to “move resources to newsrooms and organizations that are improving diversity of experience and thought,” as well as into underserved communities.Reynolds pointed to research showing that philanthropists tended to favor organizations run by whites...

'I was laughing and crying': Illinois man retires after winning $2M on scratch-off ticket

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

ILLINOIS — An Illinois man who spent $20 on a scratch-off lottery ticket saw a massive return on investment after winning a $2 million top prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.The 66-year-old man, who has asked to remain anonymous, picked up the life-changing ticket at a Pilot Travel Center along Illinois Route 47 in Morris.“My wife and I stopped for gas and I picked up a scratch-off ticket. She said, ‘Don’t scratch it in front of me, I’m bad luck.’ So once we got back home, I scratched the ticket alone, and I couldn’t believe it, the ticket was a $2 million winner! I was laughing and crying at the same time. We are just ecstatic,” the lotto player said.  No winner for Powerball; jackpot climbs to $672 million Over 50 different Instant Ticket games are offered by The Illinois Lottery across the state, but the player's lucky twist of fate was due in part to his granddaughter.“I picked the pink ticket because it’s my granddaughter’s favorite color,” the big winner said. Aft...

Preparing for flu season: CDC urges everyone to get flu shot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

With the start of fall comes the start of flu season.The Centers for Disease Control is urging everyone to get a flu shot to avoid serious illness.Dr. Christopher Parker with the CDC joined the WGN Evening News to talk more about it.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here.

One of Disneyland's most popular rides closes for refurbishing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

(KTLA) – Disneyland has closed Space Mountain just as the Halloween season kicks off at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”The popular Tomorrowland indoor roller coaster will be closed until Oct. 25 for refurbishment, according to the Disneyland calendar.The closure of Space Mountain comes as guests pour in to visit the resort for Halloween. Disneyland brings back fire effects for some nighttime shows In the past, Disneyland would temporarily close Space Mountain to install the Ghost Galaxy overlap, which would add “video projections of spinning nebulas and a fiery space demon to the pitch-black indoor coaster,” the Orange County Register reported.  The last time Disneyland officials installed the overlay for the Halloween season was in 2018, according to theme park blogs. The abandoned plans to bring another Disney theme park to California Though the Halloween overlay isn’t seen as frequently, the park has added the Hyperspace Mountain overlay during the annual Star Wars c...

Cause of death revealed for Ron Sexton, longtime member of ‘The Bob & Tom Show’ comedic radio program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

HARRISON, Ohio (WXIN) — An Ohio coroner has released the cause of death for 52-year-old Ron Sexton.According to a statement from the Hamilton County Coroner's Office, Sexton, known as Donnie Baker on "The Bob & Tom Show," died at a hotel in Harrison on July 21 from "combined toxic effects from fentanyl and ethanol (alcohol)." Attempted murder charge related to late radio host Ronald Sexton dismissed Sexton's manner of death was reported as accidental after an investigation by Hamilton police and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office, according to the statement. Sexton was known by millions of listeners for the comedic characters he played on air, including Donnie Baker, Kenny Tarmac, Floyd the Trucker and his spot-on celebrity impersonations. The Indianapolis native and resident of Tampa, Florida, had been on tour with his stand-up comedy show in Ohio at the time of his death, the show said.His family released a statement after his passing, saying, “He was Donnie Baker&nb...

YouTube suspends Russell Brand amid sexual assault allegations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

(The Hill) – YouTube announced it has suspended actor and comedian Russell Brand from its platform after several women made allegations of sexual assaults against the creator.The suspension means that Brand cannot earn any revenue from ads that run within and alongside his YouTube videos. Brand, whose main YouTube channel has 6.6 million subscribers, has other side channels on the social media platform, including "Awakening With Russell" — which has 426,000 subscribers — and "Stay Free With Russell Brand," with 22,200 subscribers.“This decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by Russell Brand,” YouTube said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. Musk: X, formerly Twitter, ‘moving toward’ monthly fee “We have suspended [monetization] on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy,” YouTube said in a statement to The Hill. “If a creator’s off-platform behavior harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action t...

National Blue Ribbon Schools of 2023 named: Did yours make the list?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

ROELAND PARK, Kan. (WDAF/NEXSTAR) — More than 350 schools in the U.S. have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education. The annual recognition is given to schools based on academic performance, or progress toward closing achievement gaps among student groups on tests, the Education Department explains. Created in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon School Program recognizes public, parochial and private learning facilities from across the country.Schools can be recognized for a Blue Ribbon School Award in one of two performance categories: high achievement as measured “by state assessments or nationally normed tests,” and greatest advancements in closing achievement gaps. US News releases latest college rankings after formula change "The leaders, educators and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to ...

Celebrating Polish American Businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:07 GMT

The Polish Community here in Chicago is robust, partly thanks to the Polish Chamber of Commerce - one of the oldest existing Polish organizations- and it's celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! Its relationship with local businesses is what helps some of your favorite Polish restaurants and businesses thrive. Joining Spotlight Chicago today is Agnieszka Bastrzyk, Polish American Chamber of Commerce Treasurer and Phillipe Sobon, co-owner of Polombia. polishamericanchamber.orgInstagram & Facebook: @PACC_ChicagoPolumbiachi.comInstagram: @PolumbiachiPauloGelateria.comInstagram: @PauloGelatoChocolateSpotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.