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Hotel rooms considered for sheltering fire survivors, disaster responders. Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about wildfires that have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.Emergency managers in Maui were still assessing the scope of the damage Saturday in the center of Lahaina and searching for places to house people displaced from their homes.One possibility was to put some of the survivors and disaster responders at the Sheraton Hotel, with 200 rooms available there, FEMA said in a briefing Saturday morning. But the need for shelter was much higher, estimated at as many as 4,500 people, according to the assessment posted on Facebook early Saturday and based on figures from FEMA and the Pacific Disaster Center.Flyovers by the Civil Air Patrol found 1,692 struct...

Starting next year, child influencers can sue if earnings aren’t set aside, says new Illinois law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is the first state in the U.S. to ensure child social media influencers are compensated for their work, according to Sen. David Koehler, of Peoria, who sponsored a bill that was signed into law and will go into effect on July 1, 2024. “The rise of social media has given children new opportunities to earn a profit,” Koehler said in an emailed press release after the bill was signed Friday afternoon. “Many parents have taken this opportunity to pocket the money, while making their children continue to work in these digital environments.” The idea for the law, which covers children under the age of 16 featured in monetized online platforms, including video blogs (also known as vlogs), was brought to Koehler by a 15-year-old in his district, the Democratic senator said.Besides coordinated dances and funny toddler comments, family vlogs nowadays may share intimate details of their children’s lives — grades, potty training, illnesses, misbehaviors, first peri...

Third annual Venetian Night to feature entertainment, fireworks on Lake Michigan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. — An event featuring decorated boats, live music and fireworks is taking place on Lake Michigan on Saturday evening.The third annual Venetian Night will kick off on August 12 at 8:30 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. at Monroe Harbor.Visit the Venetian Night Chicago website for details on this year’s eventThis year’s event, presented by the Italian American Human Relations Foundation & The 31st Street Harbor Association of Black Boaters, will feature a performance by rapper Brendan Tripodi (also known as BIG TRIPP) and a fireworks display at Navy Pier.Venetian Night Coordinator Trevian Kutti and Rapper Brendan Tripodi had details on what attendees can expect.

Sona Smith discusses new Obama Foundation program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

Last week, the Obama Foundation announced the first cohort of 100 people selected to participate in its 'Leaders USA Program.'Sona Smith, the Birth Justice Program Officer for the Ms. Foundation For Women, was one of those chosen for the program.Visit the Ms. Foundation For Women website for details on the foundationSmith joined WGN Morning News on Saturday to discuss the foundation and the Leaders USA Program.

Recall alert: Nestlé chocolate chip cookie dough may contain wood pieces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

(WTAJ) — Nestlé USA is recalling a chocolate chip cookie dough product due to the potential presence of pieces of wood. The voluntary recall is for a limited quantity of Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough “break and bake” bars (16.5 ounces) that were produced on April 24 and April 25, 2023. The products contain best-by dates of August 22 or Oct. 23, 2023. Pressure cookers sold at JCPenney, Target recalled due to possible burn hazard The company said the recall does not affect any other products including other varieties of refrigerated cookie dough or "break and bake" bars. NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar (16.5 oz) Batch Numbers:311457531K and 311557534KBest By Dates:8/22/23 and 10/23/23A small number of consumers alerted the company to the wood pieces, though no illnesses or injuries have been reported, Nestlé USA said.If you have the affected products, you're advised to return them to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund. Why are mov...

Illinois COVID hospitalizations jump again: Maps show where it’s worst

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – For the second week in a row, the number of people in the U.S. being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 rose by a significant percentage.An additional 9,056 people were hospitalized with the virus last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, representing a 12.5% jump over the previous week.The current summer wave of COVID hospitalizations started a few weeks ago. Last week, the number of new hospitalizations was up 12.1% over the week before.But in about two dozen states, the surge in hospitalizations is far more than 12%. Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming all saw at least a 20% increase in new COVID hospitalizations.New Hampshire saw the biggest jump in a single week at 96% — nearby doubling the number of hospital admissions from the week before.The percentage increase in new COVI...

Do male actors' heads get bigger as they age?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Insert joke about an actor with a big ego here. But no, really, you read the headline right: Are male actors' heads actually getting bigger with time? If this sounds like gibberish to you, well, welcome to social media's latest fixation.The phenomenon has been noted across both TikTok and Reddit, with many pointing to the differing head sizes of actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, John Travolta and Bradley Cooper. And while it would be hard to get confirmation on whether these stars have bigger craniums than they used to, the possibility of growing a larger head with age has real science behind it.Yes, that's right. Many men experience head expansion as they age. Why are movie theater snacks so expensive? Research by Duke University Adjunct Assistant Professor/ Ophthalmologist Michael Richard, of Duke's Department of Ophthalmology, examined the CT scans of 100 people to determine whether human skulls continue growing. Richard's research found that certain parts of participa...

Wildfire in San Marcos under control, 80% contained, Hays Co. OEM says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials responded to a wildfire in Hays County that burned at least six acres on Saturday, the Hays County Office of Emergency Management said.According to county officials, the situation was under control shortly before 2 p.m. Furthermore, the forward progress of the fire was stopped. Units were conducting extensive overhauls and mop-up of the remaining burning area.The fire, which is known as the East Owl Hollow fire, was 80% contained shortly before 3 p.m., Hays County OEM said.Shortly after noon, an evacuation order was initiated by the San Marcos Fire Department and was lifted at 1:34 p.m., Hays County OEM said.

Abbott files response to federal preliminary injunction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott filed a 30-page response this week to the federal government seeking a preliminary injunction over the buoys meant to deter migrants from crossing illegally on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass.The Department of Justice sued Abbott last month, claiming the state's violating the Rivers and Harbors Act. RELATED: DOJ files lawsuit against Texas over buoy barrier in Rio Grande In response, the Texas Attorney General's office claimed the buoys were in a section of the Rio Grande not navigable anyway. Attorneys added that if it were, the buoys did not decrease the capacity of the river under the act.The International Water and Boundary Commission previously warned Texas against deploying the giant buoys before they ever went in the water, while Texas maintained the state has a right to protect its borders.

Minor-league HR leader Luken Baker earns another Cardinals callup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Luken Baker, a Cardinals prospect who leads minor league baseball with 33 home runs this season, has slugged his way back to the big leagues. The Cardinals have recalled Baker from Triple-A Memphis for the third time this season. The 26-year-old first baseman previously joined St. Louis for short stints in June and July. Baker earns another promotion as outfielder Dylan Carlson heads to the injured list with left oblique concerns. Baker is expected to join the team for Saturday's matchup against the Kansas City Royals. Five things to watch toward the end of an off-beat 2023 Cardinals season Baker was hitting .334 with 33 home runs and 98 RBI in just 84 games with Memphis this season. He's enjoyed a surge since the start of August, crushing eight home runs with 21 RBI in just 10 minor-league games this month. How Baker fits into the Cardinals lineup remains to be seen. He would likely slot into first base when reigning MVP Paul Goldschmidt gets a day off or slots into ...