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Most pools now open across Chicago after surge of lifeguard applicants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

CHICAGO — City pools are now open for the season and are fully staffed with lifeguards, thanks to a significant hiring effort. And some people couldn’t wait to jump in. Swimming was back at the Armour Square Pool on Friday, to the delight of locals like Mary Mitchell. "There’s nothing like being outdoors in the summer and just being able to swim your laps," Mitchell said. Need a summer job? Chicago Park District is hiring City pools opened on Friday, June 23, for the season fully staffed with lifeguards, thanks to a significant hiring effort. (Photo/WGN)The Chicago Park District manages more than 70 pools, most of which are outdoors. But staffing issues over the past couple of years have drained some of the summer fun. "Our kids learned how to swim in this pool," said Debbie Kodzoman, who lives nearby. "These things are very important to communities."Community members came together to raise their concerns with city officials, saying that Armour Square’s pool hasn’t been open for ...

Nicki Minaj Hidden Hills petition appears to be a hoax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect new information about the source of the online petition.An online petition calling for Nicki Minaj to leave her home in L.A.'s affluent Hidden Hills community appears to be a hoax, TMZ reports. The entertainment news and gossip site found that the Twitter account, CleverlyCardi2, mentioned starting the petition in a tweet dated December 2022, the same month Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty purchased a $19.5 million home in Hidden Hills.The change.org petition was started in December by a "Beverly Bardan," which TMZ reports to be an alias referencing the "Bardi Gang" - a name used by fans of Cardi B.In a 2022 tweet, that user admits to starting the petition. Here’s a list of celebrities who live in Calabasas "We, as Nicki antis, can turn the residents of Hidden Hills AGAINST Nicki and her ... husband moving in, hurting her assets in the process! Make sure to share and sign the petition," the tweet read.The petition is titled ...

Cubs, Cardinals balance fun and business ahead of weekend London series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

LONDON (AP/WGN) — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said players do better “when they’re having fun.”There was plenty of that to go around Friday when the Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals held workouts at London Stadium ahead of a two-game weekend series.Shaking off jet lag, players in batting practice took aim for the outfield seats that spell out “West Ham” in the home of the Premier League club as MLB returns to the British capital in a renewed bid to grow internationally.The 16-foot centerfield wall — with Union Jack and American flags hanging high above — has been pushed back a bit after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox cranked 10 homers in the first London series four years ago. Nearly 70% of MLB players polled choose same city for possible expansion team The laid-back vibe — Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of the McLaren team took BP — will be replaced with a more serious tone Saturday as both the Cardinals and Cubs resume their pursuit of the red-hot Ci...

Special counsel Jack Smith offers fake electors immunity in Jan. 6 probe: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

(The Hill) – Special counsel Jack Smith has reached agreements with at least two fake GOP electors to provide them limited immunity in exchange for testifying before a grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, CNN reported Friday. People familiar with the situation told the outlet that federal prosecutors have been trying to quickly confirm evidence on the record recently and have refused to grant extensions to subpoenas for testimony for some witnesses. They also said Smith’s office was prepared to compel testimony from witnesses who were given immunity but indicated they would refuse to answer questions under their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. CNN reported that the testimony has allowed the office to gain information that other investigations looking into the aftermath of the 2020 race could not get.One source told the outlet that at least one other witness has also spoken to investigators in the past two weeks in e...

Heatwave intensifies this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following some brief relief with temperatures under 100°, temperatures rise again this weekend with the worst of the recent heatwave still to come.A Heat Advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday for dangerous heat index values, and this will no doubt be extended through the day Sunday.Heat Advisory in effect until 9 p.m. SaturdayThe ridge of high pressure that has brought abnormally hot temperatures to Texas and northern Mexico will begin to drift north this weekend. As it does, even hotter temperatures will follow. This slight nudge in pattern will send temperatures to near-records, both in the afternoon and overnight, for most of next week.Ridge of high pressure settles in over the area, hotter temperatures next weekWe are seeing some hints of relief in the 8-14 day outlook, as the ridge of high pressure may move away and open the door to slightly cooler temperatures and daily rain chances around the 4th of July holiday. Stay tuned for updates. Expert: Texas ...

Why not to worry about this plant growing in Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is a 2022 KXAN story on cabomba caroliniana growing in Lady Bird Lake.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Watershed Protection said people should not worry about the pervasive plant seen growing up toward the water’s surface in Lady Bird Lake and lower Barton Creek.According to the department, cabomba caroliniana or fanwort, might be a paddling hindrance, but it provides valuable water quality benefits. The plant has made its return to some local waterways this summer. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: What is growing in Lady Bird Lake? “It removes excess nutrients from the water & supports a robust food web of bugs, small fish, big bass, & turtles,” Watershed Protection said.Fanwort can grow up to 15 feet tall, according to the department, and it is easily identifiable by its tiny white flowers, which bloom both on top of and under the water.Swimming in Lady Bird LakeThe lake has been off-limits to swimmers since 1964.Why did they ban swimming? Liz Johnston, the city’s...

Stable on surgically repaired knee, Twins’ Royce Lewis marks baserunning milestone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

DETROIT — Royce Lewis doesn’t know if his first-to-home sprint in Wednesday’s extra-inning victory over Boston was the fastest or hardest he has run since returning from surgery last June to repair his right knee.But the first overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft is sure of one thing.“I haven’t scored first-to-home ever,” he said.Well, hadn’t.In the Twins’ 5-4, 10-inning victory, which ended the Red Sox’s six-game winning streak, Lewis gave the Twins a 2-1 lead on the Red Sox when he hustled a grounder into a fielder’s choice, then scored all the way from first on Christian Vazquez’s single to center field.“It was fast,” he said. How fast? He doesn’t care. Lewis, ranked among the 83rd percentile in sprint speed by baseballsavant.com, is feeling great after a second surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The infielder says he felt like his old self when he began a rehab stint at Class AA Wichita in mid-May.“But it does feel nice to be able to run and sh...

518 Black Restaurant Week Wrap Up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

This weekend marks the end of 518 Black Restaurant Week, which began on Juneteenth. The celebration is intended to raise awareness for local black eateries. Jamila Adams successfully lobbied to bring the event to our area. "It's been an amazing response. We've been overwhelmed by the community. We are all blessed!" Adams told us. There will be a grand finale for the event on Saturday at Albany's Tri-Centenial Park from 10am to 2pm. 

Local musician defended and praised online by Metallica

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)- Ally Crowley-Duncan is a professional touring musician and recording artist. Best known for her work on the Great Highland Bagpipe, the piper’s interest in the arts started at a young age.“In school I started picking up a bunch of woodwinds. I kind of just fell in love with different genres of music and interjecting different instruments in where they didn’t quite belong," described Crowley-Duncan. ‘Piper Ally’: Local bagpipe musician puts twist on the traditional In the comment section of her TikTok video, someone certainly didn’t think bagpipes belonged in a Metallica song, and that Co-founder, James Hetfield, wouldn’t approve of the medley. The band themselves responded to the comment in a way not expected by the troll, telling the piper her work is awesome. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “Being just a human being and a person thinking that Metallica saw something that I did and liked it an...

St. Louis Board of Aldermen approves historic water rate increase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis City Board of Aldermen has approved one of the largest city water rate increases in more than a decade. On Friday, the board gave final approval for the bill by a 12-1 vote. One alderperson voted present. City leaders said the roughly 44 percent rate hike is necessary to replace aging infrastructure. It was a heated debate by the board about the historic water rate hike. The increase comes after numerous recent water main breaks throughout the city, including a massive break that flooded Interstate 64.City water bills would go up $30 a quarter early next year. The first increase of $15 would come next month. Then another $15 increase in January 2024. Woman charged with ramming, shooting thieves who stole sister’s car The city's public utilities officials said the department has been using its reserves to help keep things operating. Authorities said the reserves have decreased from 33 million to just two million.Some aldermen wondered why a more gradual in...