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Johnson, Vallas debate public safety, education and supporting small businesses in latest mayoral forum

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas squared off in the latest mayoral forum held ahead of Chicago's mayoral runoff election Saturday.The forum, hosted by One Chicago For All, an alliance made up of 28 community organizations around Chicago, asked each candidate questions based on seven topics, which included public safety's effect on the youth, education, affordable housing, and how each candidate would support small businesses, among others."We have to create opportunities for those economic drivers a lot earlier, before you even get to high school," Johnson said. "So, that’s about trades, that’s about manufacturing jobs."Both candidates verbally committed to working with the collective on various topics if elected into office."I already told all 24 unions that are endorsing me that they are going to have to create work study opportunities for both our high school, as well as college students," Vallas said.When asked about small business support — specifically for minority ow...

Non-profit director honored at celebration of life

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

CHICAGO — The director of a local non-profit was honored for her joy, tenacity and infectious energy at a celebration of life on Saturday.No matter what she was going through, Amanda Longe-Asque had a way with words. Ramadan 2023: Everything you need to know "One thing that has been constant. I keep a smile on my face," Longe-Asque said. "That smile. That light illuminates my path, so I don’t give up. I was seeing a cardiologist and urologist, I said I’m a joyologist and I want to bring joy to any person that comes in contact with me."On a Sunday afternoon in January, those who knew and loved her searched for the words to describe what she meant to them. "It was beautiful to work with her, just beautiful," Marge Nykaza said. "She taught me so many things about life, I just loved her, So, she really was the heart of Harmony Hope and Healing." Nonprofit works to improve maternal mortality rate nationwide Nykaza is the founder of Harmony Hope and Healing, which uses the power of mu...

Chicago Red Stars open their 2023 season on Saturday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

CHICAGO - It's been an offseason of change both on and off the pitch for the club, but the time to play has finally arrived for the Chicago Red Stars in 2023.The club will open its National Women's Soccer League regular season on Saturday night as they face San Diego Wave FC at 9 p.m. central time at Snapdragon Stadium. It's the first of 28 matches for manager Chris Petrucelli's team as they look to qualify for the playoffs for an eighth-straight year and make a run for their first NWSL championship. Most of the attention this offseason has been on the team's upcoming ownership change as Arnim Whisler prepares to sell the franchise. This comes after a few reports were critical of his handling of abuse claims made against former Red Stars manager Rory Dames. There are a few veterans who are returning to the club including forward Mallory Swanson, one of the best players in the league, along with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, one of the best in the world at her position. Defenders Arin Wr...

Trump speaks at his first major rally of the presidential election in Waco

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

WACO (Nexstar) — Months after announcing his third bid for the White House, former President Donald Trump spoke at his first major rally of the presidential cycle in Waco.Trump took center stage Saturday, hitting similar beats, such as decrying top Democratic leaders, bashing the "fake news media" and asserting his innocence in his ongoing criminal investigation."I say again to you tonight: I am your warrior, I am your justice," Trump said. "I am your retribution. We will take care of it."In Waco, Trump makes his first jab at possible 2024 opponent Florida Gov. @RonDeSantisFL, saying "DeSanctis..." (short for his new nickname, DeSanctimonious) "...he isn't doing well in the polls"— Monica Madden (@themonicamadden) March 25, 2023Trump also took jabs at top Republican politicians, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has hinted at a presidential campaign of his own, and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. Without naming him, Trump takes another jab at @RonD...

State of Texas: Bills to boost border control could lead to court challenge

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate Committee on Border Security on Thursday heard a bill that would create a state crime for illegally crossing the federal border. It's the latest legislative effort to consolidate border enforcement authority at a time when Texas officials accuse the Biden Administration of ignoring the strain on border communities.Senate Bill 2424 by State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would create a Class A misdemeanor for noncitizens who attempt to cross the Texas-Mexico border illegally. Additional offenses would be charged as felonies. The power to patrol and prosecute border crimes is reserved for the federal government. But that's not stopping top Texas Republicans from trying to push the limits of state power."As a result of the federal government's unwillingness to enforce federal immigration laws and secure our southern border, the State of Texas has stepped up and devoted time and resources to combat the unprecedented border crisis that the state is f...

State boys basketball: Albany edges Minnehaha Academy for Class 2A crown

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

Minnehaha Academy played the game of its season Friday in the Class 2A state semifinals, knocking off top-seeded Holy Family in an overtime thriller. Topping Albany in Saturday’s state final roughly 17 hours later would require an equally excellent performance — and the Redhawks couldn’t quite muster it.Minnehaha Academy wasn’t as sharp from the field nor on the glass as second-seeded Albany came away with a 72-65 victory for its first state title at Target Center.“Our game was pretty emotional yesterday,” Redhawks coach Lance Johnson said. “I think those were the biggest things for me, the rebounding side of it and the fact we didn’t shoot like we normally do. … We had a little bit more fight in us (Friday) night, on the boards especially.”Jerome Williams played all 40 minutes Friday. Rolyns Aligbe and Lorenzo Levy both played 37-plus minutes in the semifinals. Williams admitted his legs weren’t fully there Saturday as the Redhawks shot 37 percent from the floor and were outrebound...

Ryan Hartman scores late goal to lift Wild to 3-1 win over Blackhawks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

Wild coach Dean Evason was none too pleased with the sloppiness from his players earlier this week. He felt some bad habits had crept back into their game on Thursday night as the Wild looked disjointed in a shootout loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia.Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Reaves (75) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 25, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)Not ideal with 10 games left in the regular season. In that sense, the way the Wild bounced back on Saturday afternoon was a good sign.Ryan Hartman scored the game-winner with 1 minute, 11 seconds left, and the Wild looked more like themselves in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center.The game-winner was a tremendous play by Hartman as the winger worked to spring himself loose on a breakaway, then waited out Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock before depositing the puck into the back o...

The Cure’s Robert Smith took on Ticketmaster … and won

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

The decades-long case of The American People vs. Ticketmaster has gained an unlikely ally in Robert Smith.Earlier this month, the goth rock icon announced his band the Cure was hitting the road for a summer tour. And bucking the current pricing trends that have resulted in $5,000 seats for Bruce Springsteen, the 63-year-old Smith vowed there would be no dynamically priced or platinum tickets for the shows, which are priced “to benefit fans.” Would-be ticket buyers were told to sign up for Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program, which supposedly adds a layer of protection to ward off bots and scalpers.Ross Raihala(Dynamically priced tickets are akin to airline seats and hotel rooms in that the higher the demand, the higher the ticket price. Ticketmaster calls them platinum tickets, although they don’t come with any extra perks and they’re not necessarily great seats in the first place.)Some folks were delighted when they were actually able to snag seats for the Cure at...

Family of recovering Hermann officer thankful for 'continued love and support'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

HERMANN, Mo. - Nearly two weeks removed from tragedy, the family of a Hermann police officer shot in the line of duty is thanking the public for "continued love and support" in his road to recovery. Investigators say Mason Griffith and Adam Sullentrup were at Casey’s gas station in Hermann on March 12 when they tried to take Kenneth Simpson into custody on outstanding warrants. Both officers were shot. Griffith died in the shooting, and Sullentrup is recovering from critical injuries. Top Stories: Missouri House approves new round of income tax cuts On Saturday, the Hermann Police Department released this statement on behalf of Sulentrup's family: "The Sullentrup Family would like to thank everyone far and wide for their continued love and support as Adam recovers.We would especially like to thank the Casey’s employees, other bystanders, Hermann Fire & EMS, Hermann Hospital and Air Evac Helicopter crew for the quick and initial actions that saved Adam’s life. We are also than...

Saint Louis Zoo named 8th best US zoo in national poll

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis Zoo has been recognized as one of the top zoos in the country, according to a new readers’ choice poll.USA Today announced that the zoo placed eighth out of 10 in their latest “10 Best Readers’ Choice 2023” poll. Trending: When is it legal to drive in the left lane in Missouri & Illinois? Nominees for the “Best Zoo” category were chosen by a panel of travel experts and industry professionals. Once nominees were selected, the public was then asked to go online and vote for their favorite zoo.The Top 10 rankings consisted of the following.Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumCincinnati Zoo & Botanical GardenBrevard ZooCheyenne Mountain ZooBrookfield ZooZooTampa at Lowry ParkAudubon ZooSaint Louis ZooColumbus Zoo and AquariumIndianapolis Zoo