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WATCH: Powell addresses latest Federal Reserve interest rate decision

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to address the media on today's interest rate decision at 2:30 p.m. ET. Those remarks will be livestreamed within this story.WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in nearly two years, the Federal Reserve is set Wednesday to keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged for a second straight policy meeting — the clearest sign to date that the Fed is edging closer to the end of its rate-hiking campaign.The Fed is standing pat, for now, in part because the economy has been moving mostly in the direction that Chair Jerome Powell has hoped for: Inflation has tumbled, even though hiring, consumer spending and economic growth have remained robust. A widely predicted recession hasn't materialized.But the deceleration of inflation has slowed, and solid economic growth could keep inflation elevated or even send it higher. As a result, Powell and other Fed officials aren't yet willing to take a final rate hike off the table. At a new confere...

Evanston man charged in deadly attack on Magnificent Mile

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago man faces a murder charge after allegedly beating a 53-year-old man this past summer on the Magnificent Mile.According to police, 49-year-old Henry Graham, of Evanston is linked to the June 29 in the 600 block of N. Michigan Ave.The male victim later died from his injuries, police added. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Graham was due in court on Wednesday.No booking photo was made available by police.

Starbucks holiday drinks (and holiday cups!) hit stores tomorrow

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Starbucks holiday cups are back — and so are the drinksIt’s the most wonderful time of the year! Starbucks rolls out its annual holiday menu tomorrow, Nov. 2. That means holiday cups are back, too, and you can fill them with the delicious flavored drinks, including Peppermint Mocha, Chestnut Praline Latte, this year’s newcomer, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai and other holiday favorites.Holiday snacks and treats are also back, so if you need to feel a little festive, now’s the time to head to Starbucks and treat yourself to a seasonal beverage or bite.Shop this article: Holiday Lights Starbucks Stocking Reusable Cold Cup, Candy Cane Starbucks Stocking Reusable Cold Cup, Snow Flake Winter Wonderland TumblerThe Starbucks holiday menu features old favorites and new classicsThis year’s holiday menu has some staples returning — plus some treats ...

Des Plaines man charged with attempted kidnapping in Bridgeport

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

CHICAGO — A Des Plaines man has been charged with an attempted kidnapping of another man in the Bridgeport neighborhood.Police said Raymond Marshall, 34 ,faces one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of attempted kidnapping.The incident happened Monday afternoon in the 3600 block of South Morgan Street.Marshall was arrested after being identified as one of the offenders who, minutes earlier, battered and placed restraints on a 35-year-old man — then took his property while armed with a dangerous weapon. Man, woman shot and killed while sitting inside vehicle on South Side Marshall is scheduled to attend a detention hearing Wednesday.

Dozens of bird names to change in purge of former enslavers, racists

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

(The Hill) — The American Ornithological Society (AOS) plans to change the names of all the bird species named after people, prioritizing those named after enslavers and prominent racists.In a news release on Wednesday, the organization said it will remove the names given to North American birds such as Lewis's Woodpecker, Townsend's Warbler and Anna's Hummingbird, adding the monikers will be replaced with ones that honor the species' geographic jurisdiction. “There is power in a name, and some English bird names have associations with the past that continue to be exclusionary and harmful today. We need a much more inclusive and engaging scientific process that focuses attention on the unique features and beauty of the birds themselves,” AOS President Handel said in a statement.  “Everyone who loves and cares about birds should be able to enjoy and study them freely — and birds need our help now more than ever.” 21 species across Alabama, 15 other states now considered extinct: US...

Jason Aldean says he would only change one thing about controversial 'Try That in a Small Town' music video

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Jason Aldean has nearly no regrets about his music video "Try That in a Small Town," which spurred backlash with its release earlier this year. If granted an opportunity to do it over again, he would change almost nothing, the country singer told CBS News in an interview.The music video shows protesters clashing with police, an American flag burning on the ground, and surveillance footage of robberies, before Aldean sings, "Try that in a small town, see how far you make it down the road." Critics said the video included racist depictions and the song promotes vigilante violence. Country Music Television (CMT) ended up pulling the music video following the backlash. ‘This is not American’: Sheryl Crow responds to Jason Aldean’s controversial song Aldean continued to defend the song's lyrics and the video's contents in his interview with CBS. "There was people of all color doing stuff in the video," he said. "There was white people in there. There was Black people....

Chicago council expected to discuss migrant shelter plans Wednesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

CHICAGO —    Chicago City Council is expected to discuss shelter for migrants and the homeless at Wednesday’s meeting.There is a plan for a migrant tent camp at 115th and Halstead in the West Pullman neighborhood.  The location is currently a vacant Jewel store and parking lot.The housing committee agreed Monday to accept the property and the full city council is expected to vote on it Wednesday.Council also expected to vote on the Bring Chicago Home resolution which was moved forward Tuesday by the rules committee with a vote of 32-to-16. The issue now slated to be up for public referendum in March. It aims to quadruple the real estate transfer tax on properties over $1.5 million and double it on the sale of properties over a million dollars. It would also lower it from the current flat rate of point 75 percent to .6 percent for properties under a million.Those hikes though are expected to generate $100 million in annual revenue which would then be used to tackle the...

Southwest Airlines to fly nonstop from Austin to Boston beginning in June

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fliers between Austin and Boston will soon have more options to choose from as Southwest Airlines will resume seasonal service in June 2024.The airline will begin weekend service on June 8, according to a spokesperson. Customers can currently book tickets through Aug. 4. Austin airport passenger totals still on track for record-breaking year… again Saturday flights will depart Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 5:40 p.m. and arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at 10:35 p.m. local time. Sunday flights depart AUS at 4:05 p.m. and arrive at 7:25 p.m.Returning flights leave BOS at 2:15 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 7:15 p.m. on Saturdays, and leave at 2:50 p.m. and arrive at 6:05 p.m. on Sundays.Southwest previously flew on the AUS-BOS route but last operated flights in December 2022. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways all currently fly nonstop between the two cities. FULL LIST: Here are all the new nonstop flights from AUS in 2023 ...

Lineup for Two Step Inn 2024 announced: Cody Johnson, Hank Williams Jr. on the roster

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- After a successful inaugural Two Step Inn in Central Texas last spring, the festival is preparing for its second round in Georgetown next year. Two Step Inn announced its 2024 lineup Wednesday morning. Performers include Cody Johnson, Turnpike Troubadours, Hank Williams, Jr., Ludacris, Martina McBride, Megan Moroney and more. Two Step Inn to return to Georgetown in April 2024 Presale for tickets begins on Friday, Nov. 3 at noon Central Time. Those interested can sign up for presale access online or via email. Public onsale will follow presale if tickets remain. The festival will be held at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown April 20-21.

Women's Health Wednesday: Sleep Changes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:24:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) - Daylight saving time will end Sunday and the clocks will fall back an hour, which means disruptions in the sleep patterns of over 300 million people.Doctor Alan Schaffer, a sleep medicine and critical care specialist with Saint Peter's Sleep Center says sleep is a foundational pillar for our overall health. An hour change can wreak havoc on a person's mental and physical health. Dr. Schaffer says the change can cause stress on our system and cause inflammation that can hurt other aspects of our bodies.As women age they are more likely to develop sleeping disorders, specifically post-menopausal women. Dr. Schaffer says studies show there is an increased risk during the time change for heart attacks, hospitalizations, and E.R. visits however, there is more in the Spring.To get ahead of the sleep disruption experts suggest you plan ahead by gradually adjusting your bed time before the clocks change, try to get more than 7 hours of sleep, and limit your light expos...