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Democratic lawmakers want President Biden to protect Palestinians in US from being forced home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to take steps to protect Palestinians in the United States as Israeli forces continue to fight Hamas militants inside Gaza City and thousands flee the area amid increasingly dire humanitarian circumstances.In a letter Wednesday to Biden, the Democrats call for enacting temporary protections for Palestinians through government programs that shield immigrants from returning to countries that are ravaged by natural disasters or war. The lawmakers cite the rising death toll in Gaza, especially among children, from the month-long Israel-Hamas war and the lack of food and water. “In light of ongoing armed conflict, Palestinians already in the United States should not be forced to return to the Palestinian territories, consistent with President Biden’s stated commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter, provided to The Associated Press in advance of its release. The ...

$600K winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket sold at Jewel-Osco in Woodlawn

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

CHICAGO -- While shopping for groceries, an Illinois Lottery player won a $600,000 jackpot and has 364 days to claim their prize.According to the Illinois Lottery, the winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket at the Jewel-Osco located on the 6000 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood on Tuesday. Illinois Lottery player wins $1 million on scratch-off The winning Lucky Day Lotto numbers were: 6-24-28-34-37. The winner will have one year from Tuesday to claim their prize of $600,000.The Jewel-Osco in Woodlawn will receive a selling bonus of $6,000.In 2023, over 10.4 million winning Lucky Day Lotto tickets have been sold, with total prizes amounting to nearly $60.5 million for Illinois Lottery players.Lucky Day Lotto draws twice daily, at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m.

Coroner: Inmate died from blunt force trauma at Indiana prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

WESTVILLE, Ind. -- An investigation is underway into the death of a 35-year-old inmate at a Northwestern Indiana prison on Tuesday.Indiana State Police investigators were contacted by the Westville Correctional Facility to investigate an inmate death that was discovered around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Former Elgin day care center teacher pleads guilty to sexually abusing kids in classroom John Taylor, 35, of Greene County, Indiana, died from blunt force trauma, according to the LaPorte County Coroner's report.Taylor was serving a sentence for felony convictions out of Greene County, Indiana. He was projected to be released in February of 2030.The investigation is ongoing. Once completed and if necessary, the LaPorte County Prosecutor will consider charges.

City of Evanston offers free parking promotion during holiday season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — The City of Evanston is offering a promotion this holiday season where community members and visitors can enjoy free parking while holiday shopping in the city's business district.According to city officials, Park Evanston app users can enjoy up to two hours of free parking once daily per account/license plate from Nov. 22, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024. To take part in the promotion, all users have to do is enter the code "Holiday2023" to access two free hours of street parking on the app.More in-depth directions on how to apply the promotion can be found at the bottom of this article.“We’ve improved upon our annual free holiday parking campaign, ensuring wide accessibility for community members and visitors, encouraging them to experience the holiday charm of Evanston while contributing to our local economy," said City Manager Luke Stowe. Smyth joins Alinea in rare Michelin star honor Steps to access free parking promotionStep 1: Download the Park Evanston app, ava...

Man arrested for alleged armed robbery of Illinois casino

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. (WMBD)-- The Illinois Gaming Board announced the arrest of a man on Wednesday for an alleged armed robbery of more than $14,000 in casino chips from Rivers Casino in Des Plaines.An Illinois Gaming Board news release states that 23-year-old Ismail Ateyat is suspected of donning a face mask, pointing a gun at casino employees, and stealing the chips before fleeing.Gaming Board Agents tracked Ateyat to his home in Chicago Ridge where they allegedly found the gun, the mask, and the stolen chips. Illinois bill could give temporary Bally’s Casino more time at Medinah Temple location Ateyat has been charged with three counts of alleged armed robbery by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and is being held without bond.“Because of the swift and diligent work by our Gaming Agents and our local law enforcement partners, we were able to arrest this individual and recover the stolen casino chips,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter.He continued, “I am grateful t...

FDA approves blockbuster drug for weight loss

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

(The Hill) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly’s blockbuster diabetes drug for weight loss management on Wednesday, giving patients another tool and opening the door to potentially much wider use. Formal FDA approval means tirzepatide could be covered by most insurance plans, making it more affordable for millions of patients and likely adding to the massive demand for weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.  The agency approved Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Both drugs use the active ingredient semaglutide, but Wegovy to date had been the only approved drug on the market for obesity alone.  Tirzepatide was previously approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the name Mounjaro. The drug will be marketed as Zepbound for chronic weight management in adults who have obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.  Dieters shed 60 pounds on average with diabetes treatme...

Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It might be time to check those $2 bills you have lying around the house because some of them could be worth thousands.First printed in 1862, the $2 bill is difficult to find, mostly because they're hardly used. There have been several editions of the $2 bill, with the most recent version designed in 1963, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.Some versions of the $2 bill have a portrait of America’s first secretary of the treasury while others feature one of the Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. An 1869 redesign put Thomas Jefferson on the bill, according to the U.S. Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing.Depending on which version of the bill you’ve got, it could be worth far more than just the $2 printed on the front and back. Wheat pennies could bring you a pretty penny According to online auction service U.S. Currency Auctions, if the bill was minted and printed before 1976, the bill could actually be worth as much as $4,500. However, ev...

One injured after plant explosion in Texas, shelter-in-place order issued

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

SHEPHERD, Texas (KIAH) — A massive fire at a chemical plant in rural Texas on Wednesday sent a plume of black smoke into the sky as officials closed down a local highway and ordered residents to take shelter.Multiple explosions were reported in Shepherd, Texas, starting with one at a chemical plant on FM 1127 Wednesday morning, according to the Montgomery County Police Reporter.Nineteen employees were at the plant, identified as Sound Resource Solutions, at the time of the explosion. Reports initially said several were injured, but authorities have clarified that just one employee experienced minor burns and was taken to a local hospital. Sound Resource Solutions recycles and repackages various chemicals. The owner of the plant said the explosion was caused by an accident involving a forklift, and was under investigation. ‘It was hell’: Marine says Hertz falsely accused him of stealing rental car, leading to arrest, jail San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said initial reports...

City of Taylor experiencing low to no water pressure following construction incident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the City of Taylor said it was experiencing "low to no water pressure across the city," according to a social media post.Taylor residents were asked to conserve water and limit usage. The city said the drop in pressure was due to a construction incident in the area.The impact on the water pressure is expected to last Wednesday afternoon and leading into the evening, according to the city."Repairs are estimated to take up to 12 hours," the city said at 10:12 a.m.

Cold front brings colder, wetter weather starting Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We hope you enjoyed the sunshine while we had it, because a period of gray, cooler and occasionally wet weather begins Thursday and lasts through Veterans' Day weekend.Thursday's cold frontA storm passing to our north will send a potent cold front our way tomorrow. Timing of arrival: early morning for those in the Hill Country, mid- to late morning in the Austin-metro and early to mid-afternoon in our eastern counties.ImpactsBecause the front is likely to blow through early, daily highs are likely to be recorded early, with falling temperatures expected through the day. Expect a raw afternoon in the 50s/60s across Central Texas on Thursday. Gusty winds out of the north will make it feel even cooler.Significant drop in temperatures behind Thursday's cold frontRain is most likely late Thursday through early Friday, though cloudy skies and a few showers will persist at times through Veterans' Day weekend.Rain totals are expected to reach 0.5"-1.5" in most areas over th...