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Legendary cinematographer and WGN-TV pioneer Bill Butler dies at 101

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Legendary cinematographer Bill Butler, who was once part of WGN-TV’s first two decades, has died.  Butler began his career helping to literally build WBKB-TV and then WGN-TV from scratch over 75 years ago and getting them on the air. The television pioneer remained with WGN primarily as a cameraman through the 1960s before transitioning to filmmaking, shooting iconic movies such as “Jaws,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Grease,” three of Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” movies, and many others.  WGN celebrates 75 years with special report Butler worked on numerous television projects, scoring two Emmy Awards and also a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers. He died on Wednesday, which was WGN-TV’s 75th anniversary, and two days shy of his 102nd birthday.

WATCH LIVE | Gov. Pritzker announces 2023 tourism grants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is set to announce a new round of grants designed to enhance tourism across the state.While details will be released alongside the Friday announcement, historically the state's Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DECO) has awarded tens-of-millions of dollars in tourism grants in recent years. ‘Stunning’: James Webb telescope provides new view of Uranus Pritzker plans to reveal this newest round of recipients from the Chicago Cultural Center at 10 a.m.WGN plans to livestream the event in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 10 a.m.

New study says climate change is juicing homers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

Climate change is making major league sluggers into even hotter hitters, sending an extra 50 or so home runs a year over the fences, a new study found.Hotter, thinner air that allows balls to fly farther contributed a tiny bit to a surge in home runs since 2010, according to a statistical analysis by Dartmouth College scientists published in Friday’s Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. They analyzed 100,000 major league games and more than 200,000 balls put into play in the last few years along with weather conditions, stadiums and other factors.“Global warming is juicing home runs in Major League Baseball,” said study co-author Justin Mankin, a Dartmouth climate scientist.It’s basic physics.When air heats up, molecules move faster and away from each other, making the air less dense. Baseballs launched off a bat go farther through thinner air because there’s less resistance to slow the ball. Just a little bit farther can mean the difference between a homer and a flyout,...

Albany man sentenced to 25 years in sword attack case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The man who allegedly attacked Jon Romano at the Capital Connections Drop-In Center in Albany has been sentenced. According to the Albany County District Attorney's Office, Randell Mason, 42, of Albany, was sentenced to 25 years in prison with five years probation after he is released. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On August 29, 2022, police responded to the 300 block of Sheridan Avenue for a sword attack. When officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Romano with severe wounds to his limbs. Mason was arrested shortly after.Romano was the gunman in the 2004 Columbia High School shooting and served 15 years in prison for it. Due to the sword attack, he said all four of his extremities had to be partially amputated. Local sword attack survivor on recovery and redemption In February, Mason pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder in connection with the attack. He was also issued a no-contact...

How and why to get bearproofed this spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Bears are in business around parts of New York, with black bears native to parts of the Adirondack Park and Catskill mountains. On Friday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) put out new guidance for anyone living or staying in a bear-adjacent region - making bears easier to bear. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! New York residents and visitors in areas with bear populations are asked to pay attention to their bird feeders this spring, as bears emerge from hibernation. When they resume activity, their fat reserves depleted, they'll be hungry. The DEC says bear populations should be expected to get any manmade food resources they can get their paws on.Split seeds should be cleaned up from around feeders, and bird populations should be allowed to forage for themselves, through the warmer months and into the fall, to avoid attracting unwanted bears. The DEC also advises care...

Car hits MoDOT work truck along highway in Wentzville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - An investigation is underway after a car hit a MoDOT work truck Friday morning along a highway in Wentzville. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says no one was hurt in this collision. The driver of the car was sent to a hospital as a precaution. Trending: Cardinals selling $9 tickets in one-day flash sale Friday The crash happened on U.S. Route 61 near the Pitman Avenue exit. Traffic is backed up in both directions as crews work to clear the scene of the crash. MoDOT confirms that the work truck was in the area working on some bridge deck repairs before it was struck. Additional details are limited at this time. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

St. Louis Family Dollar window smashed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Police are on the scene of a possible smash-and-grab burglary in south St. Louis. Officers arrived to the Family Dollar in the 5000 block of Virginia Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Friday. Police responded to a report of a "window smashing" at the location. Top Story: Fenton clerk recounts terrifying gunpoint robbery and assault It is not clear if there was anything taken after the window was smashed. Police say this incident is still under investigation.

2 teens shot, 1 killed in shooting near Montclair convenience store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

Two teenagers were shot, one of them fatally, in Montclair Thursday night.The men, ages 18 and 19, were shot near Kingsley Street and North Mills Avenue at about 8:50 p.m., said Sgt. Andrew Graziano with the Montclair Police Department.The attack involved two unknown assailants shooting in the street, police said in a news release. The victims ran into a nearby convenience store, Mills Market, to hide. The men suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital, where the 18-year-old was pronounced dead from at least one round to the upper chest. The 19-year-old is in stable condition after being struck in the left wrist and both thighs, police said in a news release. Investigators do not yet know the motive behind the shooting, including if it is gang-related."We still have outstanding suspects," Graziano added.Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call police at 909-621-4771. Witnesses wishing to remain anonymous may also contact WeTip a...

Transgender student bill sparks outcry on both sides at Chino Valley school board meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

The Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education on Thursday heard from both sides of a contentious issue that has sparked debate across the country.The board voted 4-1 to approve a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 1314, which would require school officials to tell parents within three days of learning that a child is identifying as a gender that doesn't align with their birth certificate. The bill has yet to pass a committee and still needs approval from the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature to become law, but that didn't stop parents from criticizing the school board for even broaching the topic."The school system is broken," said parent Alexis Charles. "There are so many areas you need to address, yet this is where you chose to put your focus?"Opponents of the bill say that schools can be a safe space for transgender and non-binary children who may not feel comfortable discussing the issue with their parents."You, the school board, will never understand ...

U.S. panel approves salmon fishing ban for much of West Coast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:07 GMT

A federal regulatory group voted Thursday to officially close king salmon fishing season along much of the West Coast after near-record low numbers of the fish, also known as chinook, returned to California's rivers last year.The Pacific Fishery Management Council approved the closure of the 2023 season for all commercial and most recreational chinook fishing along the coast from Cape Falcon in northern Oregon to the California-Mexico border. Limited recreational salmon fishing will be allowed off southern Oregon in the fall.“The forecasts for Chinook returning to California rivers this year are near record lows,” Council Chair Marc Gorelnik said after the vote in a news release. “The poor conditions in the freshwater environment that contributed to these low forecasted returns are unfortunately not something that the Council can, or has authority to, control."Biologists say the chinook salmon population has declined dramatically after years of drought. Many in the fishing industry ...