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'Sibling Santas': South suburban teens spearhead annual toy drive for hospitalized children

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

MONEE, Ill. — It takes a lot of toys to fill a minivan. But for the seventh year in a row, two south suburban teens are filling several.Drawing on her own experience of receiving gifts during hospitalizations, Monee's Maddy Rodrigues, 16, and her older brother Zach, 17, are once again spearheading a toy drive for Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago.The inspiration for what the siblings call Zach and Maddy's Toy Drive comes from Maddy's own health challenges. She was born with brittle bone disease, requiring frequent hospitalizations."I've broken 80-something bones, and I'm only 16," Maddy said. More from Erin: A special ring, lost for decades, makes remarkable journey back to owner Donations from toy drives helped brighten some difficult days."I grew up going to hospitals and stuff, and I think about all the times I was given a toy and what helped me through difficult times," Maddy said.Maddy Rodrigues (Photo courtesy Rodrigues family)That left Maddy and her brother with a soft s...

Skilling: Cloudy weather continues, but break in sunshine Thursday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

Finally—some sun today for the first time in 6 days.  But it was COLD! Highs only made it to 37 today—making it the coldest of December's opening 6 days.MILD PACIFIC AIR IS ON THE MOVE!  Temps as close as Nebraska have reached the 60s and are even bumping up against 70-deg at some locations there. And that UNSEASONABLY MILD AIR is eastbound. Temps there have surged more than 20-deg higher than 24 hours agoTemps are cold as we move into Tuesday evening---but overnight temps won't drop much as this mild Pacific air begins to move in. Nighttime readings are likely to hold fairly steady out in low to mid 30s—then surge 15 to 20-deg higher, reaching the mid 50s Thursday afternoon and within striking distance of 60-deg Friday.Surges of mild Pacific air are part and parcel of the typical La Nina winter pattern.  The incoming mild air is to boost average temps Thursday and Friday to 12 and nearly 18-deg ABOVE NORMAL respectively—delivering by Friday what amounts to mid Octobe...

2 busloads of migrants arrive in Chicago, 5 more expected Wednesday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two busloads of migrants arrived in Chicago from Texas Wednesday afternoon and the city expects five more to arrive later in the day.Dozens of migrants, including adults and several children, were greeted by officials with the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) upon arrival in Chicago on Wednesday. A group of people with the New Life Centers also welcomed the migrants with coats and bags filled with basic necessities. 3 Chicago aldermen call for resignations over failed Brighton Park migrant site A migrant from Venezuela said she traveled with her husband, two children, and other relatives on an over 24 hour bus ride from Texas.But before arriving in Chicago, the Venezuelan family had a long and dangerous two month journey from their home country, including being robbed and kidnapped.She said her only worry will be the cold, but she's happy to be in a great city like Chicago and plans on staying with a relative who lives here. State will not pr...

Sean 'Diddy' Combs says 'enough is enough' after new sexual assault lawsuit

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

(The Hill) -- Hip-Hop legend and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs issued a defiant statement Wednesday, where he vehemently denied the slew of sexual assault allegations against him made in recent weeks. “Enough is enough,” Combs said in a statement posted on his various social media accounts Wednesday.“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” the music mogul added in his statement. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs steps down as Revolt chair amid sexual assault allegations “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.” Combs, 54, has been credited for his influence and pivotal role in shaping the hip-hop scene through his record label, Bad Boy Records — helping establish artists such as Mary J. Blige, the Notorious ...

Where GOP candidates stand on conflicts in Israel, Ukraine, China

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

NewsNation will host the fourth Republican primary debate on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. E.T. The debate will be aired and streamed live on all NewsNation platforms. Not sure how to find us on your TV? Use our ChannelFinder app. If you have a question for the candidates, submit it here. (NewsNation) — International relations and foreign policy have become hot-button issues during this campaign season, and the 2024 Republican presidential candidates have made their stances known on conflicts between Israel and Hamas, Ukraine and Russia, and Taiwan and China. How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate tonight The latest NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll released Monday found Americans across the political spectrum prefer U.S. foreign policies in these conflicts to not include sending troops to those regions, though respondents from both parties viewed the three conflicts differently. Inflation the top issue for more than half of Americans: Poll Ahead of the 2024 election,&n...

McDonald's may bring back Snack Wraps — sort of

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

(KTLA) — A new iteration of McDonald’s snack wraps could be coming to restaurants by the end of 2025, the company announced Wednesday.McDonald's said it will expand its chicken meals to meet consumers’ demands. This plan includes offering the McCrispy “to nearly all markets across the world by the end of 2025 and expand McCrispy into wraps and tenders,” a news release said. McDonald’s to phase out self-serve soft drink fountains The McCrispy sandwich is a “southern-style fried chicken sandwich,” according to the product’s description.While McDonald’s hasn’t announced plans to return the original snack wrap, this new iteration of the popular menu item could appease fans who have petitioned for its return for years.The Snack Wrap consisted of chicken, shredded lettuce and cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla. There was also a spicy option.The portable menu item debuted in 2006 and was discontinued in 2016 after many complained that the food item was too complicated to make and didn’t p...

Weight loss drugs may have more than just cosmetic benefits — and more

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

For Wednesday, Dec. 6, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Weight loss medications and longevityThey've been growing in popularity: drugs to help people shed pounds. Now, as new research emerges, doctors are seeing multiple benefits. For people who are overweight or obese and may also be experiencing knee and hip osteoarthritis, a slow-to-moderate rate of weight loss triggered by anti-obesity medications lowers the risk of premature death. Patients experience less joint pain, engage in more activity and enhance overall health by shedding pounds.  The study was published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology. Study finds link between early menstruation and diabetes riskA warning for women who had their first menstrual cycle at a young age: they may be at risk for disease younger. Starting menstrual cycles before the age of 13 is linked to a heightened threat of diabetes and stroke, according to a study in the British Medica...

How Republican candidates are talking about mental health

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

NewsNation will host the fourth Republican primary debate on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. E.T. The debate will be aired and streamed live on all NewsNation platforms. Not sure how to find us on your TV? Use our ChannelFinder app. If you have a question for the candidates, submit it here. (NewsNation) — Republicans vying for the presidency have cited concerns about a national mental health crisis, calling for measures including involuntary hospitalizations, faith-based treatment and a shift away from pharmaceuticals.Mental health often gets brought up in political rhetoric following multi-fatality shootings and high-profile criminal trials. It took center stage during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained a key issue for presidential candidates on the 2024 campaign trail. The Supreme Court wrestles with OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy deal, with billions of dollars at stake Former President Donald Trump is leading the polls in the Republican presidential primary, voter sentiment that was echoed ...

Decision-making process behind issuing emergency alerts for shootings in Austin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --Several people - including neighbors and a state representative - expressed concerns about law enforcement not issuing some kind of active shooter alert as a suspect allegedly shot and killed four people in Austin Tuesday and injured two officers. Authorities in Bexar County said the suspect also killed his parents before coming to Austin. Below is the timeline of the shooting spree, as explained by Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson early Wednesday morning. 10:40 a.m. – Austin ISD officer shot near Northeast Early College High School11:59 a.m. – Double homicide on Shadywood Drive4:57 p.m. – Cyclist shot on W. Slaughter Lane, non-life-threatening injuries6:54 p.m. – APD officer responds to active burglary on Austral Loop, finds suspect in backyard. Suspect fires at officer. Officer has non-life-threatening injuries. Suspect drives away. Two people found dead inside home.7:14 p.m. – Police chase ends with suspect crashing car TIMELINE: How Tuesday’s shootin...

Biden, Abbott release statements on fatal shooting spree in Austin, Bexar County

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:04:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested on capital murder charges following a fatal shooting spree Tuesday in Austin and Bexar County.Austin Police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Shane James. Travis County jail records showed James booked into the jail early Wednesday and charged with capital murder of multiple people.Mugshot of Shane James (APD photo) Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the man was accused in the deaths of two people on Shadywood Drive in south Austin, as well as the shooting of an Austin ISD officer at Northeast Early College High School Tuesday morning.The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office also said the man was a suspect in a double homicide near San Antonio. The two people killed were identified as James' parents. RELATED: Six people dead after shooting spree in Austin, double homicide in Bexar Co. Officials and agencies responded following the incident. Here’s what they had to say:President Joe BidenYesterday, in Austin and San Anto...