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Rising Mississippi River tests Iowa, Illinois flood barriers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The rising Mississippi River tested flood defenses in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois as it neared forecast crests in the area Monday, driven by a spring surge of water from melting snow.The peak water levels this spring will likely rank in the top 10 of all time in many places, but the National Weather Service said river levels will generally remain well below past records. That should help most towns along the river withstand the floodwaters, though officials will be checking their floodwalls and sandbag barriers closely in the next few days.Officials in towns along the river have said they are optimistic they will escape severe flooding this year, thanks to improved floodwalls and other prevention measures.“Everybody’s plan along the river has been put to the test and everybody is passing right now,” National Weather Service hydrologist Matt Wilson said from the Quad-Cities office.Two minor levee breaks were reported over the weekend near a wildlife r...

UN agency suspends food aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray amid theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The United Nations food relief agency has suspended aid deliveries to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region amid an internal investigation into the theft of food meant for hungry people, according to four humanitarian workers.The World Food Program is responsible for delivering food from the U.N. and other partners to Tigray, the center of a devastating two-year civil war that ended with a ceasefire in November. More than 5 million of the region’s 6 million people rely on aid.WFP informed its humanitarian partners on April 20 that it was temporarily suspending deliveries of food to Tigray amid reports of food misappropriation, one of the four humanitarian workers told AP. Three other aid workers confirmed this information. They all insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to a journalist on this matter. Last month, AP reported that the WFP was investigating cases of food misappropriation and diversion in Ethiopia, where a total of 20 mi...

Tom Skilling honored with Order of Lincoln

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Over the weekend, WGN's Tom Skilling was honored with the 2023 Order of Lincoln in Springfield. Since 1964, the Order of Lincoln honors Illinois residents who uplift communities in the state with their work.Skilling was among several receiving the awards announced by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker."What an honor," Skilling said in a Facebook post. "And how amazing to meet so many of our fellow Illinoisans including the Governor and First Lady and members of the Academy from across the state.Other laureates honored included His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Karen HasaraJohn W. Rogers Jr, Jayne Carr Thompson and Paula Wolff.You can watch the entire ceremony on Lincoln Academy of Illinois' YouTube page

Comedian Chris Franjola finds the funny on traveling, being a first time parent, and a bad corporate gig

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

Chris Franjola is a writer/comedian who can currently be heard hosting his highly successful podcast, Cover To Cover With Chris Franjola also he’s a frequent contributor on Heather McDonald’s wildly successful podcast, Juicy Scoop.  He has a SOLD OUT show at Zanies Chicago tomorrow night.

Most Americans say media increases political polarization: poll

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- Roughly three-quarters of Americans in a new poll say the news media is widening the political divide.Seventy-four percent of U.S. adults believe the media is increasing political divisions, while just 6 percent said it’s decreasing polarization and 18 percent said it doesn’t have an impact, according to a new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.Broken down by party, 72 percent of Democrats, 81 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of independents said they think the news media is stoking the divisions.Nearly all adults, or 93 percent, said they see the spread of misinformation to be a problem, with roughly three-quarters of both Democrats and Republicans flagging it as a “major” issue.Sixty-one percent of Republicans said the news media is “hurting democracy,” while just 23 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of independents feel the same.  Senate rankings: Here are the 5 seats most likely...

As Twins conclude first month on top of AL Central, here are five observations from April

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A new home run celebration ritual introduced on Sunday complete with a fishing vest and a Paw Patrol-themed fishing pole capped a first month of the season with plenty for the Twins to like.They sit atop the division as the only team above .500 in the American League Central and they are currently playing at a 95-win pace. Their pitching rotation has been one of the best in baseball, they’ve been relatively healthy — more on that in a minute — and the offense is starting to click. And yet, the Twins don’t feel they’ve reached their full potential — nobody expects star shortstop Carlos Correa to hit .202 all season, for example — and there’s plenty more to tap into.“I feel like some of us still haven’t hit our stride to get to where we want to get to, so to be in the position we’re in and to be able to grow and get better, that’s kind of the scary part about this team,” designated hitter Byron Buxton said.Here are five observations from the season’s first ...

'Speakeasy-style' restaurant to open in Saratoga Springs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Coat Room, a "speakeasy-style" restaurant and bar, is set to open in Saratoga Springs. Designed and constructed by Phinney Design Group, the restaurant will be located inside 385 Broadway. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to a Phinney Design Group Facebook post, The Coat Room will "focus on unique and delicious cocktails working with one of the most respected mixologists in upstate New York." The menu will include charcuterie, small plates, salads, flatbreads and signature entrees, as well as cocktails and other beverages."As you step into the Coat Room, you will get a peak of the walnut, brass, black steel, saddle leather and lush fabrics and wall coverings," said the design group. "But it’s not until you walk through the coats that you will experience the full grandeur of the space." Capital Region chain offering chance to win ‘free burritos for a year’ The Coat Room will ...

Celebrate Mother's Day with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Looking for Mother's Day ideas? On May 14, the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra is hosting a special Mother's Day concert on the MainStage at Proctors. The special performance features Florence Price's "Ethiopia's Shadow in America" and Mahler "Symphony No. 4" with guest soprano Brittany Palmer. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I’m very excited to collaborate with SSO on Mother’s Day this year!” said Palmer. “Working with an orchestra is thrilling for any singer. However, having the opportunity to perform a piece such as Mahler’s 4th Symphony with an incredibly gifted orchestra and conductor is a dream. Also, it just so happens that my mother will be in the audience, so it will be extra special!” The concert begins at 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. there is a pre-concert talk with Palmer and Glen Cortese, the Artistic Director/Conductor in the Fenimore Gallery. Ticket holders can also recei...

Two arrested in Plattekill for cocaine possession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

PLATTEKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Troopers arrested two men in Plattekill during a traffic stop on Interstate 87 after locating cocaine in a hidden compartment within the vehicle. The two men, Jonathan Persaud, 36, and Anthony Henry, 39, are both from Queens. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On April 26 at approximately 10:30 a.m., state troopers from the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) stopped a 2008 Mercedes Benz- ML55, driven by Persaud, traveling north in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. During the stop, troopers said Henry identified himself by a different name and date of birth, but troopers eventually learned his real identity.Troopers say they were granted permission to search the vehicle. During the search, troopers, with the assistance of K-9 Kell, located 32 grams of cocaine in a hidden trap in the vehicle. Deputies investigating church donation box burglary Henry a...

Trump rape accuser: ‘Not surprising’ I didn’t call police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:57 GMT

By LARRY NEUMEISTER and JENNIFER PELTZ (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — A magazine columnist who says Donald Trump raped her in a department store’s dressing room two decades before he became president acknowledged Monday that she never followed her own advice to readers that they report sexual attacks to police.E. Jean Carroll told a Manhattan federal court jury that she was born in 1943 and was a “member of the silent generation,” taught “to keep our chins up and to not complain.” She said she had only called police once in her life, when she feared the mailbox at a home where she was staying was going to be damaged on Halloween.Carroll described her attitude about going to the police as Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, confronted her during cross-examination with instances in which she advised those reading her Elle magazine column to contact police or call a sex crimes hotline if they were attacked.“The fact that I never went to the ...