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Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr sues over removal from House floor

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr asked a court Monday to allow for her return to the House floor after she was silenced and barred for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.Attorneys for the first-term lawmaker sued in state district court in Helena on behalf of Zephyr, a transgender Democrat who represents a liberal district in the college town of Missoula, and several constituents who the attorneys said were being denied their right to adequate representation.Zephyr, whose comments in the Montana Legislature have made her a prominent figure in transgender rights and in conversations about the muffling of dissent in statehouses, said in a statement Monday that she and her constituents were targeted “because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself.”The legal challenge against House Speaker Matt Regier and statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley...

I-55 closed for 28 miles due to multiple crashes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) - Illinois State Police have reported that all southbound and northbound lanes on Interstate 55 are closed due to multiple crashes with injuries south of Springfield.Police said that Troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to multiple crashes on I-55 near milepost 78 just after 11:00 a.m. ISP is reporting blackout conditions due to wind blowing dirt in the area. Officials said that I-55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 near Farmersville, to milepost 80 near Divernon. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. According to a Facebook post from Springfield Fire Fighters Local 37, hazmat workers have been dispatched to the scene. They say more than 20 cars are involved in the crash. One dead after US Rte. 150 crash near St. Joseph: Police, Champaign Co. Coroner Drivers are urged to take an alternative route.  To reunify family members involved in the crash, Divernon City Hall is being used as a reunification point. ISP s...

WXRT's Terri Hemmert shares harrowing story after friend shot, waiter killed in New Orleans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

NEW ORLEANS — Chicago radio legend Terri Hemmert described a harrowing story after her friend was shot and a waiter was killed while in New Orleans over the weekend.Hemmert, who is celebrating her 50th year with WXRT this year, was in town to attend the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with nearly 30 friends for her birthday.On Friday, while the group was dining at Mandina's Restaurant — they were interuppted by a "hail of bullets," Hemmert wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday morning."What I did on my spring vacation. I went to New Orleans. I did not go to the Jazz and Heritage Festival. I did not eat Crawfish Monica. I did start my big birthday party. It was interrupted by a hail of bullets. 28 of my precious friends were hitting the floor. I looked to my right. Two very special women were on the floor by my feet. There was blood. And a bullet hole on the wall. Two inches from me. And a bullet in my friend’s back. It was surreal," the start of Hemmert's post reads.A waiter at ...

Illinois lawmakers want to decriminalize rearview mirror air fresheners

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- Illinois drivers may soon be allowed to have items dangling from their rearview mirrors, thanks to a law legislators view as outdated. A bill under consideration in the Illinois capitol would no longer allow law enforcement to pull over someone for having an item like an air freshener, a disability placard or a rosary hanging from their rearview mirror or attached to the windshield. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias believes the current law is discriminatory. “Pulling someone over for merely having an air freshener attached to the rearview mirror is not only archaic, it’s ridiculous,” Giannoulias said. “Amending the law by prohibiting traffic stops that encourage discriminatory practices will ultimately make our streets safer for both motorists and police officers.”Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), who sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives, thinks changing the law will help keep communities safer as it would reduce the number of interactions ...

'May Day' march held downtown for immigrant rights

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Local activists are rallying and marching Monday for immigrant rights in Chicago.The "May Day" March is recognized nationally, it's also known as International Workers Day. May Day: World’s workers rally, France sees pension anger May Day protest participants gathered in Union Park Monday morning and made their way to the Federal Plaza.Organizers said they will be in recognition of immigrant workers and to deliver a letter to legislators demanding immigration reform and a path to citizenship.Since last August, Chicago has welcomed more than 8,000 asylum seekers via bus and plane after being vetted in Texas. ‘We simply have no more shelters:’ Lightfoot implores Abbott to stop sending migrants Mayor Lori Lightfoot sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott about the influx of arrivals, saying in part:“I know by your actions that you either do not see or do not care about the trauma these migrants have already faced and continue to suffer under the humanitarian crisis yo...

Monday Forecast: Temps in mid 40s with rain, possible mix of snow

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

Monday: Cloudy, 80% rain showers, windy, WNW 15-20 G35. High: 44Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Monday Night: Cloudy, chance for rain, windy, NW 15-20 G35. Low: 38Chicago Area Radar | WGN TVTuesday: Mainly cloudy, 20% rain, breezy, NW 15-20 G30. High: 48Weather Blog | Chicago | WGN TV7DAY wgntv.com/weather

Chicago Park District summer programs registration begins Monday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Registration for Chicago Park District summer programs opened Monday morning.Chicagoans can register for camps and classes at parks West of California Avenue, starting at 9 a.m. Monday. Those who are East of California Avenue can register starting Tuesday.View a list of registration dates by park here: Summer Registration Dates by ParkDay camps run for six weeks from June 26 to August 4. According to the park district's website, camps will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities.More information check out the Chicago Park District website.

Bed Bath & Beyond liquidation sale has started. Here's what you need to know

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) -- The store closing sales have started at 360 Bed Bath & Beyond locations and 120 Buy Buy Baby locations. After months of speculation, the retail chain announced in April it would be shuttering all stores. Discounts of 10% to 30% off the lowest ticketed prices are now available for shoppers."This is an opportunity to save on household items or stock up on baby essentials at discounted prices. New merchandise is arriving in stores. Top-selling items from the most sought-after brands will be discounted and will sell out very quickly," said a spokesperson for the liquidation event. Deadlines: When to use Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby coupons, gift cards and more You may want to prioritize using Bed Bath & Beyond or Buy Buy Baby gift cards or store credits soon. The deadline to use them is May 8.All sales are final during the store closing event. Returns and exchanges are only being accepted for merchandise purchased before April 26.Do you have a stack ...

Frank Erwin Center demolition expected by end of 2024

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 1, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center's final days are numbered. The Erwin Center last opened its doors to crowds in April 2022 for a Harlem Globetrotters event. The new $375 million Moody Center opened in April 2022 as the Erwin Center's replacement. Frank Erwin Center: Memories from a place ‘more than concrete and steel’ The UT System Board of Regents will meet this week and may approve an amendment for the demolition project. A $25 million demolition will make way for a Dell Medical School expansion, according to UT System documents. The events center was built in 1977 as a six-story multipurpose arena between Red River Street and Interstate 35. The neighboring Denton A. Cooley Pavilion, built in 2003 as a basketball training facility, will also be demolished. The Erwin Center replacement project was first announced in September 2014. At the time, it was estimated to take six to 10 yea...

Folk singer Ray LaMontagne coming to Schenectady

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Folk rock singer Ray LaMontagne is set to perform at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady on September 16 at 8 p.m. This stop is part of LaMontagne's "Just Passing Through" tour. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! LaMontagne will be performing a fan requested setlist across all of his shows. He is best known for the songs “You Are the Best Thing,” “Such A Simple Thing,” and “Jolene.”Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Proctors website.