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Tom Skilling 'switches on summer' and the Buckingham Fountain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

CHICAGO — It may not feel like summer just yet, but don't let that fool you.The party was switched on today with the help of WGN's very own Tom Skilling, as he helped signal the start of summer by turning on the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park Saturday.ComEd and the Chicago Park District joined Skilling in celebrating the start of summer with a free event Saturday afternoon."Every year when we turn on this fountain," said Rosa Escareno, general superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. "It means a celebration of families and kids and individuals enjoying summer all year."While today's celebration lasted until 3 p.m., the Buckingham Fountain will remain running from now until mid-October, weather permitting.More information at Switch on Summer's official site.

Why the GOP is going to war over military drag queens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

(The Hill) — The GOP backlash to a former Navy digital ambassador who performs as a drag queen highlights a growing focus for Republican lawmakers overseeing the military.Even before Joshua Kelley was hammered for making Instagram videos under the drag queen name Harpy Daniels, Republicans held hearings on diversity programs at the Pentagon and blasted drag shows and LGBTQ events on military bases and naval ships.The attacks on the Pentagon have alarmed LGBTQ and transgender rights groups, who are locked in similar culture wars across the country. North Carolina governor vetoes 12-week abortion ban Barbara Simon, the head of news and campaigns at GLAAD, said the criticism of LGBTQ representation in the military was “part of a pattern of attacking trans people as an opportunity to engage the base” and to “confuse people with this information about who trans people are.”“This is not about anything other than targeting trans people,” Simon said. “And because it's something that a lot...

PHOTOS: San Antonio Zoo welcomes several baby endangered animals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The San Antonio Zoo welcomed nearly a dozen endangered baby animals just in time for Mother’s Day. A Zoo representative said that while they celebrate all new births in the wildlife park, these ones were all the more meaningful given their conservation status in the wild. In recent months the wildlife park welcomed the following species, some critically endangered:Dama gazelleArmstrong's Dusky Rattlesnake Fairy Bluebird Francois' leaf monkey Great Blue Turaco Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove Northern White-Cheeked GibbonPalm CockatoosPsychedelic Rock Geckos Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise Red Bird-of-ParadisePhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth and San Antonio ZooPhoto courtesy: Hope Roth...

After two separate police chases this week, what is APD's police chase policy?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After two separate police chases occurred this week, KXAN looked into the Austin Police Department policy on chases and what all factors into an officer deciding to pursue it.According to APD rules, officers can initiate a pursuit if they believe a subject is attempting to evade arrest by fleeing in a vehicle, which also is determined if it is a danger to the public.Police can also decide to stop the chase if driving or weather conditions are unsafe or if it causes a threat to bystanders, according to APD rules.The latest incident involving a police chase turned fatal Friday, according to APD.The driver of a car that hit a train Friday morning following a police chase in east Austin died, police said. PREVIOUS: Car hits train in Austin after police chase, driver dies According to police, officers attempted to stop the driver at East Seventh and Neches Streets at 2:36 a.m. but the driver took off.The driver then hit the train at the crossing of Seventh Street and ...

What makes thunder sound different?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Many Central Texans were likely awakened by the loud thunder from storms rolling through overnight. But have you ever wondered why thunder can sound different? A clap versus a rumble? Startlingly loud versus calmingly low? Let's dive in...The basics: what is thunder?Electrical charges that build up in a storm release in the form of lightning. Extreme heat is generated by this electrical discharge with air surrounding the lightning channel superheating to ~54,000 degrees Fahrenheit (that's about five times the surface temperature of the sun!) All gases expand when the temperature increases, so when lightning superheats the air at just a fraction of a second, the air expands so rapidly that it compresses the air in front of it. Thunder is the acoustic soundwave generated by this quick expansion and contraction of air.IN-DEPTH: a lightning bolt's flash will always be seen before its thunder is heard because light travels faster than sound.Lightning is an electrical dis...

Gophers men’s basketball adds Alexandria forward Grayson Grove

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

The Gophers men’s basketball program added a commitment from Alexandria, Minn., forward Grayson Grove on Saturday.“Staying Home!!!” Grove tweeted.Listed 6-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Grove helped lead Alexandria High School to the state tournament this spring. Grove was offered a scholarship by the U in early April and committed to head coach Ben Johnson during a visit this week.Grove is the second pledge in Minnesota’s class for 2024, following Iron, Minn., guard Isaac Asuma. Grove and Asuma both play on the AAU team, D1 Minnesota.Grove had scholarship offers from Colorado State, St. Thomas, North Dakota State and others.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Gophers men’s basketball adds Howard transfer guard Elijah Hawkins College Sports | Gophers men’s basketball picks up commitment from unique and huge center

Twins bash five home runs in win over Cubs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

As anglers across Minnesota got out on the water to kick off the start of fishing season, the Twins found their own way to celebrate the state’s big day. The fishing vest that they don to mark home run celebrations got a makeover this weekend, dozens of fish decals affixed to both the front and back of the fabric.And a group of four Twins did their part to show off the updated vest, hitting five home runs between them. Three of them hadn’t yet had a chance to slip on the jacket, but did for the first time on Saturday, their reward for helping power the Twins to an 11-1 victory over the Cubs on Saturday at Target Field.It started with Alex Kirilloff, who took Cubs starter Hayden Wesneski out to opposite field in the first inning. It was his first home run of the season in the major leagues, but he’d soon get a chance to put on the vest again. Kirilloff’s second home run came innings later in the third, a shot that he took out to center field. That was the second of three hits on the ...

Peace Officer Memorial Day to honor those who died in the line of duty in Minnesota

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

The annual Minnesota peace officer memorial service will be held Monday to honor the more than 270 peace officers who have died in the line of duty in Minnesota.The public is invited to attend the service, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the recently renovated Minnesota Peace Officer’s Memorial on the south grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol.The service will include full law enforcement ceremonial honors, remarks by Governor Tim Walz and Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, a special tribute by the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) Founder Jim Crawford, and music by country artist Neil Dover.A 24-hour vigil will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 14. Peace officers from across Minnesota will hold the silent vigil in 20-minute shifts, and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard will be walking the Thin Blue Line until the service on Monday.For more information or a list of Minnesota fallen officers, visit the LEMA website, www.mnlema.org.Re...

Photos: New graduates from the University of Minnesota brave the rain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

An estimated 4,600 students attended the University of Minnesota’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13. The new graduates were clad in caps, gowns and ponchos.Around 20,000 attendees watched the ceremony take place at the university’s Huntington Bank Stadium.Related ArticlesEducation | UMN researchers are tracking coyotes in the metro. Here’s where they are most active in St. Paul, Minneapolis. Education | Judge finds ‘troubled track record’ on gender but no discrimination in UMN music prof Karen Painter’s lawsuit Education | A popular Minnesota baitfish is in short supply. UMN’s golden shiner project hopes to help. Education | UMN outstate campuses aim to halt enrollment losses via tuition, financial aid Education | MN state tuition freeze and free college included in higher ed funding bill

Missouri child dead after being hit by train

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

HARDIN, Mo. -- Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a train incident that hit and killed a one-year-old child Saturday morning in Hardin, Missouri. Investigators said the child was stationary on the railroad tracks near MO-K and Elm Street and was struck by a BNSF 2009 GE Train. The investigation is still ongoing and FOX4 will keep you updated when more information becomes available.