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Illinois's No.1 'hidden gem' for fall foliage not far from Chicago, according to survey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Where is the best place to see fall foliage in Illinois that you might not know about According to one survey, it's less than two hours from Chicago.Per a survey by Mixbook, a photo book brand, Starved Rock State Park is the No. 1 "hidden gem" to see leaves change in the state and 24th overall in the United States. They surveyed 3,000 people asking what "under-the-radar" destinations they'd visit around the country for fall foliage. 36 October festivals and events happening across Chicagoland Located in LaSalle County near Oglesby and Utica, about 90 miles west of Chicago, Starved Rock was designated a state park in 1911 and features 18 canyons and 13 miles of trails along the Illinois River. Open the entire year with a lodge located on-site, it offers opportunities for hiking, camping boating, fishing, and hunting on the grounds. Other places in Illinois featured in Mixbook's survey of "hidden gems" for fall foliage include No. 66 - Castle Rock State Park - Ogle CountyN...

State Department issues 'Worldwide Caution' and warns of potential for violent protests and terror attacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

WASHINGTON-- The State Department is warning U.S. citizens of potential for terrorist attacks and violent demonstrations around the world as the Israel-Hamas war intensifies and threats against American interests become more acute.In a “Worldwide Caution” issued on Thursday, the department advised Americans to “exercise increased caution due to the potential for violence and increased tensions” in all countries.“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” it said. Biden to deliver primetime address Thursday on Israel, Ukraine wars The brief notice said Americans should be particularly alert in areas frequented by foreign tourists.

Push to empower McHenry runs into Republican wall: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

A push to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) hit a Republican wall on Thursday.Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) Thursday morning told his colleagues he would back such a resolution as he continues to work to shore up support for his Speaker bid — but GOP opposition quickly emerged. The Ohio Republican failed to win the gavel on the second ballot Wednesday, losing even more Republicans than on the first ballot Tuesday. That — combined with the war in Israel and looming shutdown deadline — had prompted increased chatter about granting McHenry temporary power to move legislation.Jordan will meet with holdouts and it's unclear when another vote on his Speakership will take place.Follow along with live updates below.

Is Scholastic letting schools exclude books on race and LGBTQ issues at its fairs?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Book fair season is here, and controversy is swirling around a new diversity collection that Scholastic is allowing schools to opt into or out of at its pop-up sale events. The collection -- called "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" -- was created in response to dozens of states restricting or attempting to ban certain books dealing with LGBTQ issues and racism from schools, the company said in a statement on Oct. 13. "Because Scholastic Book Fairs are invited into schools, where books can be purchased by kids on their own, these laws create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted," the statement reads.  Hundreds of books have been banned this year: Which titles and states are most impacted The New York Times reported the collection has about 64 titles, ranging from "The ABCs of Black History" to biographies about Suprem...

Cubs expect right-hander Michael Fulmer to miss 2024 season following elbow surgery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs expect right-hander Michael Fulmer to miss the 2024 season after the reliever had surgery on his pitching elbow.The Cubs said Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery, a procedure that has a recovery projection similar to that of Tommy John surgery, on Wednesday. He missed the 2019 season with Detroit because of Tommy John surgery.The 30-year-old Fulmer was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA in 58 games last season after signing a $4 million, one-year contract. He was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA.The Cubs also said reliever Codi Heuer has completed the initial healing and range of motion phase and plans to start throwing in mid-November. Heuer had surgery in June to repair a fractured elbow. The injury occurred as he was nearing a return from Tommy John surgery.Reliever Brad Boxberger (strained right forearm) is set to begin a strength program in the next few weeks and start throwing in mid-November. Read more: Latest Chicag...

Man, 63, accused of shooting 69-year-old in Irving Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

CHICAGO — An Irving Park man is accused of shooting a 69-year-old man, causing severe injury, Chicago police said Thursday. The shooting incident occurred Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the 3900 block of N. Tripp Ave.The suspected shooter, 63-year-old John Kastanes, was taken into custody on Oct. 18. He is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines He was due to appear in court on Thursday.

14 cows die after tractor-trailer rolls over on I-84 in Connecticut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) - Fourteen cows died after a tractor-trailer rolled over Thursday morning on Interstate 84 in Connecticut, the state Department of Agriculture said. The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue said the tractor-trailer rolled over around 3:30 a.m. on an I-84 off-ramp in Newtown. Officials said the truck was carrying 44 cows when it rolled over.State officials said eight cows died in the crash, and six were euthanized at the scene. Crews used the jaws of life on the two-story cattle pod to free the other 30 cows, which were evaluated by the state veterinarian and are doing well, according to state officials. Map: Which internet provider is the fastest in Connecticut Officials say the truck was transporting the cows from Maine to Ohio.The driver was not seriously injured, firefighters said. The off-ramp was shut down for hours but has since reopened. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Israel-Hamas war raises fears about rising US hostility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

A fatal stabbing in Illinois, a gun pointed at protesters in Pennsylvania, vandalism at synagogues and harassment of staff at a Palestinian restaurant all are raising fears that the war between Israel and Hamas is sparking violence in the United States.The tensions follow a familiar pattern of crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities rising when conflict erupts in the Middle East and Americans have been killed or taken hostage.“We have a two pronged threat to American faith communities,” said Brian Levin, founding director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.While it's too soon to say with certainty whether anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish crimes have increased during the war, hate crimes overall increased in the U.S. last year. In its annual report released Monday, the FBI estimated that hate crimes increased by 7% to 11,634 cases in 2022 compared to the previous year. With 1,124 incidents, anti-Jewish attacks we...

Woman charged with stabbing 13-year-old, assaulting 2 other people in North Lawndale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A 33-year-old Chicago woman is accused of stabbing a teen in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood this past summer. Kiara Roberts is accused of felony aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon and two counts of misdemeanor battery following an alleged attack on Aug. 31 in the 3200 block of W. Douglas Blvd.Police responding to the 3100 block of W. 21st St. identified Roberts as the woman suspected of stabbing a 13-year-old girl. Police also allege that Roberts pushed a 15-year-old girl and attacked a 37-year-old female victim.As a result, Roberts was taken into custody and booked on multiple counts of battery Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Roberts was due to appear in court on Thursday.

61,000 gun safes recalled after shooting death of 12-year-old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:59 GMT

(The Hill) -- Fortress Safe recalled about 61,000 biometric gun safes following the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced Thursday. "The biometric lock on gun safes can be opened by unauthorized users, posting a serious injury hazard and risk of death," CPSC wrote in a statement. CPSC said consumers can falsely believe they properly set the biometric lock function, but instead it is in the default to open mode. This allows users, including children, to easily access the safe. The regulatory agency pointed to a recent lawsuit that claims a 12-year-old boy died from a firearm obtained from one of these safes while noting 39 incidents of users' reporting that their safes were accessed by unpaired fingerprints. The recalled safes were sold from January 2019 through October 2023 at a variety of stores including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Scheel’s, Sportsman’s Guide, Optics Planet, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gander, Rural King, Lowe’s...