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Former President Obama talks strengthening democracy at forum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were back in Chicago on Friday to head up this year's Democracy Forum at McCormack Place.The discussion takes place on the 15th anniversary of Obama’s first presidential election.No longer in the White House, the 44th President of the United States continues to look for other ways to make an impact. The forum is an effort, in part, to foster new leadership, especially among young people — and strengthen democracy.  President Biden to visit Illinois next week Friday's event comes at a precarious moment in history as authoritarian leaders around the world seek to destroy democracy. In the US, polarized political parties refuse to compromise, most would agree, paralyzed by dysfunction and negativity.   Reflecting on the current landscape, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke of the former President's path endured and the roads ahead. Former President Obama launches new foundation initiativ...

Burbank woman's father kidnapped, tortured while family escapes bombings in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A Burbank woman spoke out on concerns for her family in Gaza amid constant bombardment. Her father who was also taken hostage by Israeli soldiers on Oct. 7, was released from captivity just Friday morning.Ghada Shuraab, born and raised in Southern Gaza, came to Chicago to pursue her education in 2008, but has lived her days in worry for her loved ones in Khan Younis, Gaza — especially after the initial attacks early October."My mom had asked my sister to take a different route to the store because the main street had been bombed. Right after she left, that street had been bombed. Luckily, she took a different route," Shuraab said. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed, 32,000 wounded, and 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes from Israeli bombings since Oct.7. Trapped in hell: Palestinian civilians try to survive in northern Gaza, focus of Israel’s offensive More than 3,7000 Palestinian children have also been killed in 25 days of bombardment. Thou...

Lunchbreak: Chicken Pot Pie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

Mimi Tolkin, co-owner of Righteous KitchenRighteous Kitchen390 E. St. Charles Rd., Lombard, IL 60148http://www.righteouskitch.comRecipe:Righteous Kitchen’s Chicken Pot PieServings: 1 pie Prep time: about 35 minCook time: 15 minutesIngredients:1 c. diced carrots1 c. diced celery1 c. thinly sliced leeks5 Tblsp unsalted butter1 Tblsp dried tarragon4 Tblsp flour2 ½ c. chicken broth1 c. heavy whipping cream¼ tsp. salt¼ tsp. pepper3 c. chicken thighs (leftover roast chicken is great):- Coated in oil-Seasoned with salt, pepper, sage, thyme-Cooked to 165 and diced.Egg mixture for crust (1 egg whisked with 1 tsp cold water)Directions:1. Sautee first 4 ingredients (carrots, celery, leeks, tarragon) in 2 Tblsp butter until bright and hot but still firm. Set aside in bowl.2. Using the same pot heat remaining butter with flour – until bubbling. Do not let it brown.3. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Mixture will start to thicken.4. Add heavy cream and return to a boil. Cook until mixt...

Connecticut man accused of running $8.5M mushroom factory in home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

BURLINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Connecticut man accused of running an illegal psilocybin mushroom growing operation worth about $8.5 million was arrested Thursday, according to police. Connecticut State Police arrested 21-year-old Weston Soule after finding a clandestine mushroom-growing factory in his Burlington home. The Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force and detectives said they went to the home at 9 a.m. Thursday after a tip from a caller. Mug shot of Weston Soule. (SOURCE: Connecticut State Police) When police arrived, officers saw ventilation equipment throughout the home that matched those used in clandestine laboratories, according to state police.Detectives acquired a search warrant to enter the home after Soule did not consent to a search Thursday morning. They went with Soule to a detached garage on the property, where detectives said they found a large mushroom-growing operation. Soule claimed that the type of mushrooms he was growing were not illegal, pol...

'Booty Patrol' driver caught by Florida deputies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A "Booty Patrol" driver has been caught by Florida deputies.Earlier this week, the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office warned the public about a driver allegedly impersonating law enforcement officers in a Chevy Silverado equipped with red and blue lights.Photo courtesy of the DeSoto County Sheriff's OfficePhoto courtesy of the DeSoto Sheriff's Office Photo courtesy of the DeSoto Sheriff's Office Photo courtesy of the DeSoto Sheriff's Office Deputies said the Silverado had green decals, including multiple that said “Booty Patrol” around the truck. ‘Booty Patrol’: Deputies warn drivers of vehicle impersonating law enforcement DeSoto deputies announced Wednesday that they found the truck and the driver on Sunday, a day before the sheriff's office made the Facebook post. They said they issued the driver a citation for violating Florida State Statute 316.2397, which pertains to certain lights being prohibited."We want to emphasize that DCSO located the vehicle ...

WATCH LIVE: Texas Rangers celebrate World Series win with parade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

ARLINGTON (KFDX/KJTL) — For the first time in franchise history, the Texas Rangers are bringing a championship trophy back home to North Texas. On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks by a final score of 5-0 in Game 5 of the 2023 MLB World Series, clinching the team's first World Series title since relocating to Texas in 1972. After securing the first World Series Championship in Texas Rangers' history, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex joined Los Angeles and Boston as the only metropolitan areas to win a championship in each of the four major American sports (NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA) since 1995. Texas Rangers Parade Route (Image courtesy MLB.com)To celebrate the historic World Series title, the City of Arlington will honor the Texas Rangers with a parade and ceremony on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the Arlington Entertainment District, where Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium are located. According to a press release from the Texas Ranger...

City of Austin celebrates completed renovation of 5 EMS/fire stations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin celebrated the completion of renovations at five EMS and fire stations Friday morning. The Capital Delivery Services Department, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, and Austin Fire Department hosted a station unveiling to celebrate the renovations. It marked the end of a multi-year effort, as the renovations have been in the works since May 2018, when the city council passed a recommendation identifying the stations slated for renovations: EMS 1, EMS 5, EMS 7/AFD 8, EMS 10/AFD 25, and EMS 13/AFD 23. New fire, EMS station opens in west Austin, Travis County The enhancements included upgrading existing building systems, expanding structures, ensuring ADA compliance, and enhancing crew quarters for ergonomic efficiency. The city said the completed renovations will help address the growing needs of the community, including increased area growth, public safety, and regulatory compliance. Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker and EMS Ch...

Stillwater School District: Voters will elect board member and decide on $175M bond referendum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

It’s been 8 ½ years since Stillwater-area voters approved a $97.5 million bond referendum that funded a renovation of school facilities and the construction of Brookview Elementary School in Woodbury.The following year, school board members voted 5-2 to close three other elementary schools — Withrow and Marine in the northern, more rural part of the district, along with Oak Park Elementary in Stillwater.Now, Stillwater Area School District officials are back with a bigger ask: approval of a $175 million bond referendum to fund construction projects to address growth in the southern and central parts of the district and improve safety at schools throughout the district.It’s the first bond referendum on the ballot since Superintendent Mike Funk joined the district in July 2022.About 1,000 new students are projected to join the district over the next 10 years, according to district officials, and the bond referendum would help the district add capacity in the communities served by Ande...

Longtime Selby Ave. cafe Golden Thyme reopens as pop-up space for two Black-owned restaurants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

Golden Thyme Presents, the successor to the longtime Selby Avenue coffee shop now owned by a Rondo nonprofit, opened Tuesday as an incubator for Black-owned food businesses.Two restaurants are now up and running in the space: On weekdays, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery will serve sandwiches, salads and coffee. This is its second location; owner Sammy McDowell has run the restaurant in North Minneapolis for about a decade.On weekends, Gravy Babies will serve soul food. Currently a catering company, the business is owned by Jocie Thomas, who grew up in the Rondo neighborhood.The front door of Golden Thyme Presents, a new incubator space on Selby Avenue for Black-owned food businesses, is shown on Oct. 31, 2023. It’s owned by the Rondo Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that seeks to building community wealth and affordable developments. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)The original Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe was founded in 2000 by Stephanie and Mychael Wright, who also starte...

11 candidates, 2 bond referendums and 1 tech levy: Voters in South Washington County have a lot to decide on Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:51 GMT

There’s a lot at stake in the South Washington County School District in Tuesday’s election.Voters will be electing three candidates to the school board and deciding whether to approve a $200 million, two-question bond referendum to fund improvements at the schools. Also on the ballot: a question asking voters to increase the district’s current $2.8 million technology levy to $5 million.The district, which has 18,790 students, includes all or parts of Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Afton and Denmark and Grey Cloud Island Townships.School board candidatesEleven candidates are running for three seats on the school board, including incumbents Melinda Dols and Simi Patnaik. School board member Louise Hinz decided not to run for re-election.Also running: Fekadu Kassa Ayichew, Chad Borseth, Ryan Clarke, Priscilla Kathryn Dimbo, Randall Johnson, Jaime Kokaisel, Anthony Mahmood, Satonia Moore and Molly Schaefer.Although Ayichew’s name is on the ballot, he said Thursday he ...