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Price of a US stamp rises to 66 cents, the second hike this year and the 5th increase since 2019

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stamps prices are on the rise, again — one of several changes the U.S. Postal Service is rolling out this month.Starting Sunday, the cost of the first-class “forever” stamps will jump from 63 to 66 cents. The latest price comes just months after forever stamps climbed from 60 to 63 cents in January, following a series of similar increases in recent years.When announcing its intention to raise forever stamp prices to 66 cents earlier this year, the USPS cited rising “operating expenses fueled by inflation” and the impacts of “a previously defective pricing model” — noting that changes to mail service costs “are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue.”Beyond forever stamps, a handful of other mail services will also see price increases starting Sunday. The cost of sending a first-class one-ounce metered letter, for example, will rise to 63 cents and domestic postcards will jump to 51 cents. International postcards and one-ounce letters are both s...

US ambassador visits Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia on charges of espionage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — US Ambassador Lynne Tracy on Monday was allowed to visit Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerhkovich, who has been behind bars in Russia since March on charges of espionage.Tracy last visited Gerhkovich in April. The US Embassy confirmed Monday’s visit but did not immediately provide more information. The 31-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip to Russia. A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.Gershkovich and his employer denied the allegations, and the U.S. government declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia where authorities have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.Gershkovich is being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.He is the first American reporter to face espionage charges in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and...

Quebec forest fire situation continues to improve with rain but risks remain: SOPFEU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec’s wildfire prevention agency says the forest fire situation in the province is improving after recent rain, though risks remain, particularly in the region bordering James Bay.Stéphane Caron, a spokesman for the agency SOPFEU, says rain that fell over southern and eastern Quebec has reduced the risk from fires. But he says those still burning are immense, including one burning near the city of Lebel-sur-Quévillon — which was evacuated twice in June — that covers more than 4,000 square kilometres.He says that fire has been contained, but is still not under control and could regain strength if the area experiences another dry spell. Dry conditions also remain in the northwestern Jamésie region, where several large fires are burning.Quebec’s Natural Resources and Forests Department said Sunday evening that it is reducing the area covered by an outdoor fire ban. The ban primarily applies in the province’s northwest, as well as in two small...

Streets closed for NASCAR begin to reopen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

CHICAGO — It took a couple of weeks to set up and it will be a couple of weeks until it’s all down, but the process of dismantling the NASCAR in Chicago setup has begun.The good news is that several of the roads including southbound Michigan Avenue  and parts of Lakeshore Drive have reopened.Heavy rains forced race officials to cancel the last half of an Xfinity Series race Sunday. Full Coverage: NASCAR in Chicago All demobilization activity is expected to conclude by Saturday, July 15. 

Cubs' 2023 roller coaster continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

CHICAGO — It's a case where the only thing about the Cubs in 2023 is inconsistency, and that's been the case over the past two weeks.Just eight days ago, the Cubs were looking to get back over .500 after winning 11 of 13 games, but a bad finale in London and then a sluggish week after have them back to where they started. An 8-6 loss to the Guardians on Sunday at Wrigley Field now has the club six games under .500 at 38-44, as they fall six games behind the Brewers and Reds for first in the National League Central division.Since a win over the Cardinals in London on June 24 to get within a game of .500, the Cubs have dropped six of their last seven games. Most frustrating is the team had all but one of those games in that stretch at Wrigley Field, but couldn't use the home field to their advantage. They were swept by the Phillies, who won every game by at least two runs, then watched Cleveland win the last two of a three-game series this past weekend. Only a 10-1 romp on Friday keep...

19-year-old man shot, killed in Wadsworth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

WADSWORTH, Ill. — A 19-year-old man was shot and killed early Saturday in Wadsworth.At around 1:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 40600 block of North Kilbourne Road on the report of shots fired.Authorities at the scene located Sotero Sanchez Jr., 19, of Waukegan, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Firework explodes on suburban man’s face; critical condition Sanchez Jr. was pronounced dead at the hospital.

List: What stores, restaurants will be open for July 4, 2023?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – With Independence Day upon us, you’re likely attending parades, celebrations, camping trips, firework shows, or countless other July 4-related gatherings. If you’re looking for a quick snack, extra sunscreen, or that one item that’s essential for your cookout, here’s a look at how many national stores and restaurants will be operating for the holiday.It’s important to note that some locations may have different hours. Before traveling to any store or restaurant on the list, it may be best to call ahead. StoresAldi: The grocery chain will close early on July 4, with stores closing their doors at 4 p.m. You can check your store’s hours here.Big Lots: Stores will be open, but hours may vary. You can find yours here.Costco: The wholesale club will be closed on July 4. CVS: Stores will be open, but pharmacies may be operating under limited hours. You can check your location’s hours here.Dollar General: The dollar store chain will be open for regular hours on July 4,...

Water boil advisory issued for Hawthorn Woods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. — The Village of Hawthorn Woods is currently under a water boil advisory.According to the alert issued Monday, the advisory only affects Aqua Illinois water customers."Due to the severe drought facing our region, Aqua Illinois is addressing low pressure and water outages in the Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer and the Lake County Public Works systems. As a result we have issued a precautionary boil water advisory, asking all customers to use bottled water or to boil all water for consumption."The village said the operations team is working to increase water pressure to fully restore service as quickly as possible. According to the village, "it is essential that customers conserve as much water as possible" until further notice. Swimming at Evanston beaches closed due to elevated E. coli levels The advisory also asks customers to discontinue all non-essential water use, which includes eliminating all outdoor water usage, taking shorter showers, minimizing the use of was...

Retirees are underestimating how long they will live

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

(The Hill) - A significant share of older Americans underestimate how long their retirement is going to last: i.e., how long they are going to live. Most people know that the average American lives to an age between 75 and 80. Less well-known, apparently, is that life expectancy rises with age. At age 60, an American man can expect to reach 82; a woman, 85. That knowledge is called longevity literacy, and many of us don’t have it. In a 2022 survey by the insurer TIAA, one-quarter of Americans underestimated the life expectancy of a 60-year-old. Another 28 percent said they didn’t know it. Even among baby boomers, the youngest of whom are nearing 60, more than two-fifths of survey respondents either guessed low on longevity or punted on the question.  Gen Zers make ‘difficult’ employees, managers say “We were kind of shocked to get the data,” said Surya Kolluri, the head of TIAA Institute, which produced the report. Kolluri said he was particularly dismayed over the large...

Gophers football program receives commitment from Kansas offensive lineman for 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

The Gophers football program picked up a commitment Sunday from Kansas prep offensive lineman Brett Carroll.Listed at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Carroll received 10 scholarship offers. He made official visits to Illinois, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.Carroll, of Olathe East High School, is the third offensive lineman and 24th overall commitment in the U’s 2024 class.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Gophers football target Wyatt Gilmore commits to Oklahoma College Sports | Addition of two top linemen lifts Gophers’ 2024 recruiting class into top 10 College Sports | Gophers football program has a top-15 class, but will it last? College Sports | Gophers football: Chanhassen defensive end Sam Macy is latest in-state player to commit College Sports | Gophers football: Greg Eslinger on College Football Hall of Fame ballot