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AP PHOTOS: Indelible images of 2023, coming at us with the dizzying speed of a world in convulsion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

Two moments, at opposite ends of the human experience.In the first, on July 20, a woman squats in the thick mud in Raigad, India, as she peers out from a plastic tarp that covers her body. Her face is frozen in anguish and uncertainty as she faces the most dire of circumstances — the realization that her family is trapped under rubble after a landslide. The second scene could not be more different. It is from March 2, on the beach in Gaza City — a starkly different Gaza City than the one its residents are experiencing today. In this image, a group of Palestinians sit in chairs under an umbrella enjoying a day at the beach. In the background, a man rides by on a horse; both are airborne, their image reflected in water on the sand. Unthinkable anguish. Casual joy. And everything in between, too — in a world where, it is proven over and over, anything can happen and often does.The mission of photojournalism is to capture moments that represent — and, at their best, truly reveal — the e...

Suburban woman charged in hit-and-run crash that killed bicyclist in Highland Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — An arrest has been made in a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a female bicyclist last June in Highland Park, a spokesperson for the city said Friday. Melanie A. Hass, 41, of Mundelein is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident following the events of Friday, June 2. According to police, around 12:40 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Deerfield and Piccadilly roads on a report that a bicyclist had been struck by a vehicle.The bicyclist suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Woman, 2 kids injured in hit-and-run crash on South Side The city said an "extensive investigation" helped police identify Hass as the suspected driver of a 2020 Jeep Wrangler involved in the crash. Since her arrest, Hass has been transported to Waukegan for a scheduled hearing, police added. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines No further information was made available by officials.

$1M scratch-off bought at BP in Oswego; 2nd winning ticket sold at gas station in over month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

OSWEGO, Ill. — A $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket was purchased at a BP in Oswago, making it the second time in less than two months the gas station has sold a winning ticket.The BP station, located at 2791 US 34, sold a $1 million winning Diamond Crossword 10X scratch-off. According to Illinois Lottery, winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. In October, the gas station sold a $300,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket.The BP will receive a selling bonus of one percent of the prize amount, equivalent to $10,000.Winners should visit IllinoisLottery.com/winning for more information on how to claim their prize.

Investigation underway after body recovered from Chicago River: CPD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

CHICAGO -- An investigation is underway after a body was recovered from the Chicago River near the Loop Friday morning, CFD said. According to police, the body was found in the 100 block of E. Wacker Drive around 9:37 a.m. The body was identified as an adult male and was pronounced dead on the scene. Charges pending in shooting of 9-month-old girl in Washington Park: police An autopsy is pending, and police are investigating the incident.WGN is following the incident and will update as more information is recovered.

Countess Luann on tour with Countess Cabaret and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

Countess CabaretDecember 1 and 2Park WestandThe Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY LegacyPremieres on Peacock December 14thwww.countessluann.comCountess Luann de Lesseps is an original cast member of one of the most successful franchises in television history, The Real Housewives of New York City and she stars in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and she's at The Park West tonight and tomorrow with her new show, Countess Cabaret. 

CPD: 18-year-old shot multiple times, critical after shooting in Albany Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old male is clinging to life after Chicago police say he was shot multiple times in the city's Albany Park neighborhood.According to police, just before 8 p.m., the victim was walking on the sidewalk in the 4500 block of N. Monticello when an unknown male offender opened fire. The victim suffered gunshot wounds to the head and body, police added. Charges pending in shooting of 9-month-old girl in Washington Park: police City paramedics rushed the male to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition. As of Friday, there is no update on the victim's condition. No one is in custody at this time. Suspect charged in Loop attack from 2022 Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.Area Five detectives are investigating.

How Texas representatives voted in George Santos' House expulsion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — George Santos, R-New York, was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, making him the sixth lawmaker ever ousted from the lower chamber.According to The Hill, the move took three attempts over six months. RELATED: House expels George Santos in historic vote Santos faces 23 criminal counts, which stem from allegations he misled donors, fraudulently received unemployment benefits and charged donor credit cards without authorization.Following the 311-114-2 expulsion, here’s how Texas’ representatives voted:YEA - 19Colin Allred (D)Michael Burgess (R)Greg Casar (D)Joaquin Castro (D)Dan Crenshaw (R)Jasmine Crockett (D)Henry Cuellar (D)Monica De La Cruz (R)Lloyd Doggett (D)Jake Ellzey (R)Veronica Escobar (D)Lizzie Fletcher (D)Sylvia Garcia (D)Tony Gonzales (R)Vicente Gonzalez (D)Kay Granger (R)Nathaniel Moran (R)August Pfluger (R)Marc Veasey (D...

Executive Director of Texas sheriff's association accused of misappropriation of funds, AG's office investigating

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – The executive director of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas has resigned in lieu of termination after being accused of misappropriation of funds.Smith County Sheriff and President of SAT Larry Smith announced on Thursday that Executive Director Steve Westbrook is accused of misappropriating the association’s funds after receiving two tips from employees on Nov. 16. On Nov. 17, Smith received confirmation that the Texas Attorney General’s Office was investigating the case and secured documents. Smith said the association is fully cooperating. Once it was determined that the Attorney General’s Office had been in contact with Westbrook, the Board of Directors of the association unanimously decided to put Westbook on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Based on additional information that the association received in the past several days, the association’s board of directors met in the Austin office and accepted Westbrook’s resignation...

After winning a pair of awards in Italy, these Marine on St. Croix chocolates are among the best in the world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

St. Croix Chocolate Company’s macadamia bon bons sit in a tray on May 11, 2023. The chocolates earned the highest score in the “fillings” category and a gold award in the Americas division of the 2023 International Chocolate Awards and won bronze in the global finals. (Photo courtesy St. Croix Chocolate Company)St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix took home high honors at the recent International Chocolate Awards world finals.The company, run by Robyn Dochterman, won a silver award for its burnt cinnamon and bourbon bar, which consists of — get this! — layers of real bourbon caramel and a ganache filling made by infusing flame-charred cinnamon sticks into cream, all inside brown butter milk chocolate.They also won bronze for macadamia bon bons, which include macadamia blossom honey and brown butter macadamia shortbread cookies along with Venezuelan chocolate.In the Americas division of the chocolate awards, announced in September, the bon bons earned the highest ...

St. Paul firefighter raises coming after arbitrator called in to settle contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

A long-simmering dispute over the St. Paul firefighters’ contract has been resolved by an arbitrator, who recently decided they should receive 11 percent raises during a three-year contract.The city proposed wage increases of 9.5 percent during the term of the contract, while the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 21 sought pay raises of 15 percent.The firefighters’ contract expired Dec. 31 and they’ve continued working under its terms. The City Council is scheduled to take up the new contract Wednesday and vote on it Dec. 13, which are routine steps.Local 21 made its frustrations public in August, when they held an informational picket to bring attention to their labor contract being unsettled for more than 200 days at that point. Off-duty firefighters marched on Snelling Avenue with signs saying “Firefighters, paramedics need your help,” along with signs reading “Understaffed. Overworked,” and “Without contract. Still responding.”The St. Paul fire d...