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Chicago's temporary casino could open after Labor Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicagoans may be able to place a bet at its first casino just after Labor Day.Before any money is laid on the table or fed into slot machines, Bally's must pass a practice gaming session. With a sign now up, gaming regulators will inspect the casino and its operations on Sept. 5 with the practice gaming sessions happening over the next two days.Beth Kaufman, with the Illinois Gaming Board, is hoping to have the casino at Medinah Temple ready this month. They are hoping to have about 750 slot machines and 50 table games. But Ald. Brian Hopkins told WGN News that he remains skeptical it will all go according to plan."We don’t know how long temporary is going to last," he said. "This is a concern. These kinds of things have a way of becoming permanent."Hopkins was among a handful of Chicago aldermen who voted against Bally’s proposal, championed by then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, with projected tax revenues earmarked to help fund the city's police and fire department pensions."T...

Man sentenced for 2021 murder in northeast Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced in July for murder in connection with a 2021 offense, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 33-year-old Ronald Glen Falkquay pleaded guilty July 28 and negotiated the terms of his sentence.Falkquay was sentenced to serve 17 years in state prison for the July 17, 2021, murder of Gerson Garcia-Mejia. He received a jail credit of 732, according to documents.As a part of the plea, two other counts were dismissed, according to records.

North St. Paul graduate Gus Varland earns first big league win as Dodgers beat Guardians, 6-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

CLEVELAND — North St. Paul graduate Gus Varland earned his first major league victory as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-1 on Thursday in the completion of a suspended game. In the scheduled game, Simley graduate Michael Busch hit his first major league home run in the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory.Varland, the older brother of Twins prospect Louie Varland, worked 1⅓ innings, striking out three, for his first big league win as seven pitchers combined for a four-hitter. In three appearances since joining the Dodgers this month, Varland has allowed one earned run in five innings pitched.Los Angeles Dodgers’ Michael Busch gestures as he runs to home plate with a home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Mookie Betts matched a career-high with five hits for the National League West-leading Dodgers, who are 18-3 in August. The seven-time All-Star, who also had fi...

What's in the poop: NYSDOH, Wadsworth Center monitor wastewater for traces of COVID-19

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- What most people don't want to go anywhere near, the New York State Department of Health is finding use of in monitoring traces of COVID-19 in wastewater samples.NYSDOH and the Wadsworth Center laboratory in Albany are monitoring for and analyzing samples of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as reports emerge of new strains. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Conducted with partners at Syracuse University and across the state, the ongoing surveillance of wastewater and its laboratory study have proven to be vital in the State's ability to understand the spread of COVID-19 variant's and the potential impact on the public's health.“While the public has returned to normal activities, the Department of Health remains vigilant for changes to the virus that could further threaten our public health,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “We continue to diligently work as ne...

Deputy shot during standoff in Lincoln County; suspect at large

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities are scouring Lincoln County for a man who initiated a standoff and shot one sheriff's deputy before fleeing.The incident happened in the 1600 block of Creech School Road, between Moscow Mills and Old Monroe.Police, fire, and EMS units were dispatched to a home for a reported house and vehicle fire.A deputy was shot in the arm and the suspect fled into a nearby wooded area.The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert for 54-year-old Thomas Varvera Jr., the suspect in the incident. Vargera, a white male, is 5’8” and weighs 210 pounds.Meanwhile, the deputy's injury is not life-threatening.

Trump mugshot makes history after surrender at Fulton County jail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

Former President Trump became the first U.S. president in history, past or present, known to have his mugshot taken – a stipulation of his surrender at the Fulton County, Ga., jail Thursday evening following a fourth criminal indictment this year.The indictments were also a first as Trump became the only American president to face criminal charges, which now number in the dozens.Fulton County officials released Trump’s mugshot after he surrendered to the local jail, joining a handful of other defendants also named in the case. Despite it being his fourth indictment, it was the first time Trump had his mugshot taken, which was released publicly. He was not required to take mugshots the three other times he surrendered to authorities in other cases he faces, two of which are federal.The state case in Georgia involves 19 defendants total, who have been charged with a criminal conspiracy to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss to then-candidate Joe Biden.The mugshot of Trump adds to...

Schools dismissing early because of sweltering heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Some local school districts in the bi-state area are dismissing students early this week in an attempt to avoid the heat. One Metro East school district says it's prepared for the scorching start to the school year.With this being the first week back to school for many districts in our area, they were greeted with an unwelcome visitor: the heat.The Belleville School Township High School District 201 notified parents and students that they would implement an early release heat-related schedule on campuses for Thursday and Friday this week and dismiss early on both days.“Over the course of the last two days, we had some mechanical issues and difficulties brought on by the strain on the equipment due to the high temperature and humidity, to get that system to rebound,” said Dr. Brian Mentzer, district superintendent.The district is also following state guidelines on extracurricular activities and sports and holding indoor practices.

Gunman in Orange County mass shooting traveled from Ohio to kill his wife, sheriff says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

A retired police sergeant traveled from Ohio to target his estranged wife in a shooting that ultimately left four people dead, including the gunman, at a popular Orange County bar Wednesday night, authorities said.John Snowling walked directly up to his wife inside Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, and, without saying a word, shot her and a friend, according to witnesses.He continued "randomly" shooting people both inside and outside the bar before being fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with deputies, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said at a Thursday news conference. Two men and a woman, the wife's friend, died at the scene. Five others were injured. Former Ventura police Sgt. John Snowling is seen at the Pacific View Mall. (Getty Images)Only one of the victims, John Lahey, 67, of Irvine, has been identified. Snowling, who had worked with the Ventura Police Department for 28 years before retiring in 2014, was armed with three handguns and a shotgun, Barnes said. Authorities b...

Heat wave set to scorch Southern California this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

Nearly a week after some parts of Southern California received nearly a foot of rain due to Tropical Storm Hilary, significant heat is expected to arrive this weekend. According to the National Weather Service, inland areas – including most valley, interior mountain and desert communities – will experience the hottest temperatures, with highs forecast to reach up to 109 degrees. Low temperatures will hover in the 70s, NWS said, with foothill communities expected to be slightly warmer at night with lows in the mid-80s. Coastal areas will see highs near 100 and lows in the mid-60s to lower 70s. The brunt of the heatwave will settle in on Sunday and begin to scorch the area on Monday, according to KTLA 5 meteorologist Kaj Goldberg. “We are going to see a significant change in the weather pattern as we head from Sunday into Monday,” Goldberg said. “A huge area of high pressure is making its way through the center of the country right now, but it’s going to travel in ...

Healthcare workers union holding strike authorization vote amid ‘growing patient care crisis’ 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:37 GMT

A potential strike by healthcare workers nationwide could soon be affecting a medical center near you. Kaiser Permanente workers across America are gearing up for a strike authorization vote, which is set to take place on Saturday. The labor negotiations affect 85,000 Kaiser healthcare workers represented by the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. The major concerns employees are voicing include what they claim are a series of unfair practices related to securing a new contract and lack of action on what they call “unsafe” staffing levels lingering since the COVID-19 pandemic.  How California firefighters are using AI to help spot wildfires “This is a crisis that demands our attention and our action,” said respiratory therapist Liz Grigsby at a press conference on Thursday. “We must hold Kaiser accountable until they make a change and provide us with the staffing we need and deserve so we can provide the best care and support for our patients’ needs.” The looming strike ma...