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WGN at 75: Siskel and Ebert go commercial; WGN's hand in creating thumbs up/thumbs down review

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

In the final segment of our year-long series celebrating WGN-TV’s 75th anniversary, we’re looking back at the Chicago icons who taught millions how to watch the movies and the important role Channel 9 played in their history.The PBS yearsIn November of 1975, a new show called “Opening Soon at a Theatre Near You” debuted on Chicago’s PBS affiliate, WTTW. Gene Siskel sporting a mustache and Roger Ebert wearing plaid jacket was about as flashy as the show would get.Ebert was a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic at the Chicago Sun-Times. Siskel was his formidable and fierce competitor at the Chicago Tribune.The two newspaper critics were new to television – and it showed. They read from legal pads, displaying none of the energy or chemistry that would later define them. “If you're a fan of Siskel and Ebert, but you've never seen these, it might be a little bit of a shock to the system because they were a little stiff at first and they were sometimes reading from notes or very rehearsed,...

More than 200 fireworks complaints made to Austin 311 in December, before NYE holiday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin has already received 265 calls regarding fireworks complaints throughout December, ahead of what will likely be an even busier New Year's holiday weekend. Austin 311 reported receiving the most calls for service about fireworks on Christmas Day, with 142 calls. Christmas Eve raked in 85 calls of the same nature this month. South Austin had the most fireworks complaints over Fourth of July holiday According to the city, fireworks are illegal to possess or use in the city limits unless a permit has been issued for a professional display. Some devices, such as sparklers, glowworms, and trick noisemakers are permitted. Other fireworks are allowed on private property in the unincorporated areas of Travis County, but county officials still urge people to use caution. Fireworks are illegal in Austin, here’s who to call if you see them "Whether it's a bottle rocket or Roman Candle or even a sparkler, all of those fireworks can cause severe damage to ...

2023 in photos: The Pioneer Press captures life in and around St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

A lot of people in the Twin Cities will remember 2023 for its snowy start. I know I will, as I photographed people shoveling and playing in one of our snowiest winters on record.That snow — will it ever come again? — melted from our memories as spring and summer took hold. That’s when I photographed people enjoying water in a different form, including splash pads and lakes.Despite some atypical weather patterns, 2023 was in other ways like most other years — full of triumphs and tragedies, joy and pain.As a photojournalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, I was honored to witness and document some of those moments in our community.With that said, here are my favorite photos from 2023.Happy New Year! I hope there is much joy ahead to document in 2024.Related ArticlesLocal News | Local nonprofits report flat or falling donations as demand rises in the face of inflation Local News | Metro Transit routes free on New Year’s Eve R...

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, OLB Baron Browning won’t play vs. Chargers due to concussions; “flu bug” making its way through team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

The Broncos on Friday ruled out wide receiver Courtland Sutton and outside linebacker Baron Browning for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.Both are working their way through the league’s concussion protocol. Sutton was injured in the first quarter Christmas Eve against New England and Browning later in the game.Denver also ruled out tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski (knee) from returning from injured reserve this weekend.Denver has an illness going around the team, head coach Sean Payton said, that left receiver Jerry Jeudy and running back Dwyane Washington questionable. Safety Justin Simmons said illness hit him hard Thursday when he missed a day, but he was back to work Friday.“We’ve had a few guys dealing with the flu bug, more so this week than what I can recall,” Payton said. “Some of them will be listed as questionable because hopefully they will be able to go. A little more on the injury report this w...

Loved ones search for missing L.A. County teen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

Loved ones are searching for a missing girl who disappeared in Lawndale Wednesday.The at-risk juvenile was identified as Perla Mena, 16, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.She was last seen on the 14000 block of Osage Avenue at around 2 p.m.Mena is described as a Hispanic female standing 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 118 pounds. She has long brown hair and brown eyes.The teen told a family member that she was taking a trip with her school, possibly to the mountains.  Her family has not heard from her since and are concerned for her well-being, authorities said. They’re hoping the public may have spotted her somewhere.Perla Mena, 16, in a 2023 photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.Anyone who knows Mena’s whereabouts or has additional information is asked to call the LASD’s South L.A. Station at 310-820-6700. Anonymous tips can be submitted to "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Ohio Gov. blocks bill banning transition care for minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

By Samantha Hendrickson and Julie Carr | Associated PressCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a measure Friday that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors, casting the action out of step with many in his own party as thoughtful, limited and “pro-life.”He simultaneously announced plans to move to administratively ban transgender surgeries until a person is 18, and to position the state to better regulate and track gender-affirming treatments in both children and adults.At a news conference, DeWine said he hoped the hybrid approach could win the support of legislative Republicans — who immediately signaled they’re considering a veto override — as well as serve as a national model to states, as gender-affirming care restrictions enacted across the country in recent years face lawsuits.The vetoed bill also would have banned transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports.DeWine said he listened to peopl...

Single family residence sells in Fremont for $2 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

458 Maar Avenue – Google Street ViewA 2,208-square-foot house built in 1976 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 400 block of Maar Avenue in Fremont was sold on Oct. 23, 2023. The $2,030,000 purchase price works out to $919 per square foot. Outside, the home presents roofing composed of wood shake roofing / shingles materials. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. Additionally, the house comes with a garage.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:In May 2023, a 2,260-square-foot home on Yerba Buena Place in Fremont sold for $2,070,000, a price per square foot of $916. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Flora Place, Fremont, in August 2022, a 2,628-square-foot home was sold for $1,837,500, a price per square foot of $699. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 2,166-square-foot home on the 100 block of Espada Place in Fremont sold in October 2023, for $1,920,000, a price per square foot of $886. The home has 4 bedrooms a...

Women’s basketball: No. 9 Stanford Cardinal punish rival Cal Bears 78-51 in Pac-12 opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Talana Lepolo scored a career-high 20 points with six 3-pointers, Kiki Iriafen had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and the No. 9 Stanford women won their third straight game by beating California 78-51 on Friday.Lepolo, whose previous high in scoring was 17 nearly a year ago, was 7 of 11 for the game, connecting on six of her 10 attempts beyond the arc. That provided a big boost for the Cardinal (11-1, 1-0 Pac-12) while leading scorer Cameron Brink was mired in foul trouble much of the game.Brink had 13 points and seven rebounds.Ioanna Krimili was the only Cal player in double figures. She scored 12 points. The Bears (10-3, 0-1) shot 26.5% from the floor (18 of 68) and finished 4 of 31 on 3-point attempts.Stanford led the entire game and was ahead 63-37 following back-to-back three-point plays from Iriafen early in the fourth quarter. Lepolo’s sixth 3-pointer extended Stanford’s lead to 70-41.Stanford has won 10 straight against its Northern Ca...

What does the future hold for Burning Man?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

By Scott Sonner | Associated PressRENO, Nev. — The blank canvas of desert wilderness in northern Nevada seemed the perfect place in 1992 for artistic anarchists to relocate their annual burning of a towering, anonymous effigy. It was goodbye to San Francisco’s Baker Beach, hello to the Nevada playa, the long-ago floor of an inland sea.The tiny gathering became Burning Man’s surrealistic circus, fueled by acts of kindness and avant-garde theatrics, sometimes with a dose of hallucinogens or nudity. The spectacle flourished as the festival ballooned over the next three decades.Some say it grew too much, too fast.Things came to a head in 2011 when tickets sold out for the first time. Organizers responded with a short-lived lottery system that left people out of what was supposed to be a radically inclusive event. As Burning Man matured, luxurious accommodations proliferated, as did the population of billionaires and celebrities.Katherine Chen, a sociology professor in New Yo...

Oakland PD officer killed in line of duty identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:16 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – An Oakland police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday morning near Jack London Square. The suspects responsible for the officer's death remain at-large, investigators said. "As we mourn, rest assured that we are also determined to bring this cop killer to justice," Oakland Police Officers’ Association President Barry Donelan said. The slain undercover officer was identified as Officer Tuan Le. "Officer Le was surrounded by his wife, mother, and members of his OPD family when he died. He is a true hero who dedicated his life to making our community safer," the Oakland Police Department wrote.Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le (Image courtesy Oakland Police Department) Mayor Sheng Thao said, "This senseless act of violence against a member of our police force, the guardians of our City, will not go unanswered. Oakland will collaboratively and tirelessly work with our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal levels to identify a...