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Illinois launches 110 mph passenger rail from Chicago to St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Monday marked the start of a 110 mph passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis.Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other federal, state, and local officials celebrated the start of service for the $1.96 billion project.Major upgrades were performed at 212 grade crossings, and new safety and reliability safeguards were put in place along the route. New stations were built in Dwight, Pontiac, Carlinville, and Alton. The Lincoln station was renovated, the Normal station was improved, and the Springfield station upgraded.New customer amenities have been added, and new locomotives have been acquired. See where the Wienermobile is stopping in Chicago over the next few weeks “Illinois is the only state where all seven of the nation’s largest railroads operate. That’s a unique economic advantage recognized by employers across the globe, helping our state attract and maintain quality jobs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By upgrading to higher-speed service on Illi...

Seven states face extreme temperatures as Texas heat wave expands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

(The Hill) – Seven states in the southern U.S. are facing high temperatures as the heat wave sweeping Texas expands to surrounding areas. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings now affect parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, as well as parts of New Mexico and Arizona to the west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The heat wave, which has been raging in Texas for more than a week, is setting records in parts of the Lone Star State and is expected to strain its electric grid as temperatures climb into the 100s in some places.The NWS said Sunday afternoon that "oppressive heat" across the Southern U.S. is "not going anywhere soon."The temperature in Phoenix hit 111 degrees on Sunday, which the local NWS reports is 5 degrees above normal for that date. The NWS in Albuquerque, N.M., also reported near-record temps over the weekend. NWS branches in Texas have warned that the punishing temperatures can be dangerous, warning residents to ...

Death of Texas airport worker 'ingested' into plane engine ruled a suicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - Federal officials have confirmed they will not launch an investigation after a ground crew member was "ingested" into a plane's engine in San Antonio, Texas last week based on the medical examiner's determination that the worker's death was a suicide. The Bexar County Medical Examiner identified the worker as a 27-year-old man and ruled his cause of death as blunt and sharp force injuries, according to local reports. They also determined his manner of death as suicide.Following the determination, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said the agency would not be investigating the incident, noting "there were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport."The incident happened after a Delta flight from Los Angeles arrived at San Antonio International Airport late Friday night. The plane was taxiing to its gate with one engine on, the NTSB told Nexstar Sunday. As the plane was taxiing, “a worker was ingested into that engine,” NTSB expl...

Ascension Texas relocating central Austin women's health clinic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ascension Medical Group Seton Women's Health announced Monday it is relocating staff at its central Austin clinic to a new location just down the road.Ascension Texas officials said the clinic will relocate from its current location at 1305 W. 34th St. to 1111 W. 34th St., located in Bailey Square. Ascension Medical Group Seton Women's Health offers "routine and advanced care for women's health," with concentrations in both obstetric and gynecologic surgical care, per the release. The clinic previously operated under the name Women Partners in Health. Appointments can be made online or by calling (512) 324-8670.

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will compete for France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

For the second straight season, Rudy Gobert will enter Timberwolves’ training camp fresh off an international competition.After months of indecision, the center has committed to play for France at the FIBA World Cup, which takes place from late August to mid-September.Anthony Edwards is set to compete in the same tournament for the U.S. That will mark Edwards’ first major international appearance for the senior national team.Gobert, meanwhile, is a veteran of such competitions. The 7-foot-1 big man played for France in EuroBasket just last year, leading the Blues to a second-place finish.That tournament wrapped just prior to the start of Minnesota’s training camp. The Wolves managed Gobert’s workload to kick off team activities. Yet the center still didn’t look quite like himself physically until well into the season. Gobert also battled back spasms at the end of the campaign.Gobert was excited for this summer because he felt it’d be his “be...

South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights teens die after jumping off cliffs into Lake Superior

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

SILVER BAY, Minn. — Two 18-year-olds died Sunday after jumping off cliffs into Lake Superior.Austin Henning, of South St. Paul, and Maximillion Williams, of Inver Grove Heights, drowned after jumping into the lake, according to Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler. A 911 caller reported the two were “struggling to swim” at Black Beach at 1:25 p.m. Sunday.“It was wavy and windy, and the water is cold. I don’t know what the temperature was, but it had to be fairly cold,” Stadler told the Duluth News Tribune. “So I know that played into the fact that once they got into the water, they struggled and were actually being pulled out away from the shore.”At the time of the drownings, wind speeds were up to 23 mph and waves 3-4 feet, said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jamie Rodriguez Ayala of the U.S. Coast Guard, who responded to the scene via boat from Bayfield, Wisconsin. The Coast Guard also sent a helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan.“...

Plan to address cancer drug shortage unveiled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- NEWS10 ABC has been following the cancer drug shortage affecting many in the Capital Region. With growing concern for other medications in short supply, NEWS10 has an update to the situation and what New Yorkers can expect going forward.In previous coverage, NEWS10 reported on a major cancer drug shortage and how cancer patients in our region were being affected by the short supply. Some were told their drug will change, and some were told to look elsewhere. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I just kept asking how this could be possible, that this could happen, you know. I just couldn't believe it,” Susan Dyson said. Back in May, Dyson alerted NEWS10 to the effects of the shortage. She was one of the first patients to be told she needed to look elsewhere for her medication.Since then, NEWS10 reported on action from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that would reverse their decision on the...

Jefferson Park restaurant duped feds out of $243K, landlord says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

A former restaurant owner in Jefferson Park has been accused by his one-time landlord of defrauding the federal government out of $243,000 in pandemic aid.Sarto’s was a highly regarded Italian restaurant at 2900 W. 25th Ave. from 2014 until its closure in October 2020. It was founded by Taylor Swallow, who had been a real estate consultant and lender before leaving the corporate world and opening the restaurant.Federal records show that in March 2021, five months after it closed, Sarto’s received a $243,297 loan through the Paycheck Protection Program — money that was supposed to be used to keep workers employed. The loan has not been repaid. The address that Sarto’s listed on its PPP loan application, 1766 W. 46th Ave., is a post office in Sunnyside.Jefferson Park LLC, which owns 2900 W. 25th Ave. and whose operating manager is businessman Ken Wolf, is still owed $98,000 in back rent from Sarto’s. The landlord says the PPP loan is just one example of Swallow’s schemes to enri...

Despite soaring mortgage rates, California home prices keep rising

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

Even with mortgage rates hovering around their 15-year highs, home prices in California edged higher for the fourth consecutive month in May, according to the latest data from the California Association of Realtors.The median single-family home price in the Golden State last month was $836,110, roughly $25,000 higher than in April and $100,000 over February, data shows.The San Francisco Bay Area ($1,300,000), Central Coast ($1,000,000) and Southern California ($800,000) continue to be the priciest, while the Far North region ($380,000) is the most affordable, CAR said.Home prices are still well below the all-time high recorded in May 2022 when the average California single-family home cost $893,200.Average Single-Family Home Prices in California RegionMay 2023April 2023May 2022Statewide$836,110$811,950$893,200Condo/Townhomes$635,000$634,000$675,000Los Angeles Metro$765,000$740,000$805,000Central Coast$1,000,000$1,020,000$995,000Central Valley$485,000$463,000$510,000Far North$380,000...

Newsom expected to give Hollywood studios major tax break

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

Hollywood productions have filmed behind the confides of Southern California, and other states have long offered studios major incentives to shoot away from the Golden State.As unions are striking or are preparing to strike, Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to give studios a major tax break to keep productions in the state, while also boosting set safety.Newsom is expected to sign legislation that will give major Hollywood studios a tax break they’ve been asking for. The legislation extends a tax credit for productions in California to the tune of $330 million, made available every years through 2030.Last summer, Newsom’s office released a statement in support of the tax extension, saying it will “help ensure California’s world-renowned entertainment industry continues to drive economic growth with good jobs and a diverse, inclusive workforce.”It’s something that the studios and striking writers agree on, said John August, a screenwriter and Writers Guild of America negotiating committ...