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New Illinois law allows hotels to throw out unruly guests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a new law that allows hotels in Illinois to remove unruly guests.The new law lets hotel managers remove customers over troubling behavior or to maintain a safe working environment, according to The Center Square. Prior law in Illinois allowed hotel operators to remove customers who were verbally abusive to staff. Life in Illinois gets more expensive on July 1 with multiple tax increases, new laws Chip Rodgers, the president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, said the organization has been pushing for nationwide legislation, known as the "Be Nice Bill." “Hotel employees should not have to put up with that, so we do put the health and safety and well-being of the hotel employee first,” Rogers said. The law, signed on Friday, does not apply to people who live in hotels, and hotels cannot remove guests during severe weather warnings.

Victory lap for Chicago agencies despite heavy downpours, high crime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Rarely are Chicago police and fire so eager to talk to reporters after a big summer holiday. On Wednesday, however, thinking they had a great weekend after an extraordinarily busy stretch, the local agencies took a victory lap. The Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety held a joint news conference Wednesday to “highlight the citywide partnership.""There were many challenges that came our way," said Jose Torado, the interim executive director of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications. 1 dead, others injured as gunfire erupts at Fourth of July gathering in Englewood Interim CPD Supt. Fred Waller added that he could "not be more proud of the men and women of the Chicago Police Department."Last Wednesday, amid a presidential visit, the Chicago Police Department aided the U.S. Secret Service. President Joe Biden’s visit came as CPD worked to secure downtown for the NASCA...

How much does a DUI cost in Illinois?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Independence Day is often celebrated with hot dogs, burgers, and beer. Yes, lot's of beer.And that makes for a dangerous day on the roads. According to MoneyGeek, the Fourth of July is the second deadliest day of the year for drunk driving, behind only New Year's Day. Hurting yourself or someone else is reason enough to not drink and drive, but what about the hurt on your wallet? How much will a DUI cost you? Is it illegal to get my dog high in Illinois? The cost of a DUI extends beyond fines and lawyer fees, according to FightDUICharges.com. A DUI conviction could result in a required DUI education class, an ignition interlock device, an impounded car, a suspended license, and an increased insurance rate.All of which add up to a pretty hefty sum. Along with the aforementioned fines and lawyer fees, a DUI could cost you between $10,000-$15,000. However, that cost is merely an average estimation. Attorney fees could cost upwards $25,000, for example, if you...

Arrest made after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Several agencies plan to announce the arrest of a suspect almost five years after a deadly fire at a San Marcos apartment complex. According to a news release from the City of San Marcos, someone is now in custody after the fire that killed five people at the Iconic Village apartments on July 20, 2018. City leaders are not yet sharing the suspect's name or what led authorities to this person. However, they plan to put out more details at a news conference Thursday at 10 a.m. KXAN will provide a live stream at that time in this story and on the station's Facebook page. The agencies that will take part in Thursday's news conference include the San Marcos Fire Department, the San Marcos Police Department, the Hays County District Attorney's Office, the Hays County Justice of the Peace, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In Nov. 2018, San Marcos firefighters and the ATF announced they would ...

University of Texas Police Department welcomes first female, Asian-American chief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)—New leadership is joining the University of Texas at Austin Police Department Wednesday with the swearing in of new police chief Eve Stephens.According to the University, she's the first female chief and is also the first Asian-American to serve in the role.Eve Stephens, first female and Asian-American sworn in as UT Police Chief. (KXAN photos/Lauren Ryan).Eve Stephens, first female and Asian-American sworn in as UT Police Chief. (KXAN photos/Lauren Ryan).Eve Stephens, first female and Asian-American sworn in as UT Police Chief. (KXAN photos/Lauren Ryan).UTPD hosted the swearing-in ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Stephens joins UTPD after retiring from the Austin Police Department in March, following almost 24 years of service there.After an extensive national search, The University of Texas at Austin today administered the oath of office to Eve Stephens, the new chief of police and assistant vice president of campus security. Stephens is a transformational law enforceme...

Northern Minnesota lawmaker pleads guilty to DWI in his latest brush with the law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

Northwestern Minnesota state Rep. Matt Grossell has pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree DWI charge for an incident that took place in February in Clearwater County.Grossell, a retired Clearwater County sheriff’s deputy and former Blackduck police chief, entered a guilty plea on June 29 to one count of fourth-degree DWI after being cited on Feb. 11 for driving while intoxicated.According to an incident report, the Clearwater Republican was stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol for speeding in the early morning hours of Feb. 11 in Gonvick. He submitted to a blood-alcohol test that showed he was at 0.15%, which is nearly twice the legal driving limit of 0.08%.Minnesota Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook (Courtesy of Minnesota House of Representatives)Grossell is now facing a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.Minnesota Public Radio News says Grossell hopes to be sentenced to probation rather than jail and to pay a fine of $400. Grossell has also said he has unde...

Tuesday set unofficial record for Earth’s hottest day. Wednesday may break it.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

The planet’s temperature spiked on Tuesday to its hottest day in decades and likely centuries, and Wednesday could become the third straight day Earth unofficially marks a record-breaking high. It’s the latest in a series of climate-change extremes that alarm but don’t surprise scientists.The globe’s average temperature reached 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (17.18 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a common tool based on satellite data, observations, and computer simulations and used by climate scientists for a glimpse of the world’s condition. On Monday, the average temperature was 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit (17.01 degrees Celsius), setting a record that lasted only 24 hours.For scientists, it’s a sweaty case of I-told-you-so.“A record like this is another piece of evidence for the now massively supported proposition that global warming is pushing us into a hotter future,” said Stanford University climate scientist Chris Field, who was no...

Brooklyn man sentenced for using fake cash at Walmart

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Brooklyn man who admitted to using fake money at the Queensbury Walmart was sentenced to two to four years of incarceration. Nicholas C. Hendricks, 29, was one of three suspects that police apprehended. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hendricks was charged with one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. Terry S. Walley of Troy was charged with one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree. Kayla Vargas of New York City was charged with two counts. Sentencing for Walley and Vargas has not yet been announced.

Ten fast-food restaurants you can't find in St. Louis. How far are they?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS - You're never too far from a McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell restaurant around the St. Louis area, but what about those fast-food chains you don't see on a daily basis? Unfortunately, not every popular fast-food chain has a home in St. Louis. In 2019, QSR Magazine released a list of the "The Top 50 Fast-Food Chains in America." The rankings were largely based on sales, though companies closer to the top tended to have a large outreach in the United States. For the most part, many these chains have some footprint in St. Louis. In fact, you have to go all the way down to 22 on QSR Magazine's list before you find a fast-food restaurant outside the St. Louis region. Meet ‘Teacherman,’ the St. Peters coach who helped Aaron Judge find his MVP form On the list, only seven of the most popular 50 chains currently don't have at least one restaurant in St. Louis or within 50 miles. If you're a fan of those, you're going to need to travel. FOX 2 compiled a list of those seven...

Subscribe to FOX 2's improved headlines podcast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A podcast can be a great way to stay up-to-date with local news, entertainment, and more. FOX 2 has recently changed the way we produce our popular headlines podcast. Now, you will get more local news, weather, and sports delivered to your favorite podcast player daily.Listen during your commute, while exercising, or anywhere else. The episodes are delivered at 6 a.m. to help you get started with your day.SUBSCRIBE HEREWe're also planning on offering some additional episodes. Look for longer listens on weekends going into some of our investigative reports.Sign up by searching for FOX 2 Headlines in your favorite podcast player. You can also see all our episodes and subscribe here.