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A duo once more, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon come up for ‘Air’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — While Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were writing “The Last Duel,” their first screenplay together since their 1997 breakthrough, “Good Will Hunting,” they noticed that something in their winding and usually separate careers had been missing. “I remember my wife said to me one day: ‘I haven’t heard you laugh like that in 15 years,’” says Damon. “We came out of that experience going: Why aren’t we doing this more often? And getting into your 50s you just go: If we don’t make it a priority, it’s just not going to happen.” Now, more than 25 years after they set out to make it in Hollywood — so entwined that they once shared a bank account — Affleck and Damon are once again a team. Affleck directs and Damon stars in “Air,” the new film about Nike’s courting of Michael Jordan that opens in theaters Wednesday. That film, an Apple TV+ original being released theatrically by MGM, is only part of their new collaboration. It’s the first release from their new production company, A...

Stocks end mixed as jump in oil prices fans inflation fears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock markets around the world were mixed Monday, as a jump in oil prices threatens to add upward pressure on inflation. The S&P 500 gained 15.20 points, or 0.4%, to 4,124.51, though more stocks in the index fell than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 327.00, or 1%, to 33,601.15, while the Nasdaq composite fell 32.45, or 0.3%, to 12,189.45. Oil jumped 6.3% after Saudi Arabia and other crude-producing countries said over the weekend they would cut production. That lifted stocks of energy companies, including a 5.9% rise for Exxon Mobil, 9.9% leap for Marathon Oil and 4.3% gain for BP. While oil’s jump helps energy producers, it also weighs on much of the rest of the market. Beyond raising gasoline prices and other costs for everyone, it also dents one of the main themes that helped stocks rise in this year’s just completed first quarter: that turmoil in the banking system and a continued slowdown in inflation could push the Federal Reserve...

Disney developing live-action ‘Moana’ with Dwayne Johnson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana” will be the latest Walt Disney Co. animation to get the live-action treatment, and at least one star is coming back. Disney chief executive Bob Iger announced a live-action “Moana” remake is in development Monday in a call with investors. The production is in the early stages — no director has been announced — but Dwayne Johnson is set to return as the demigod Maui. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”Drawn from Polynesian myths and buoyed by songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Moana” was a massive hit for Disney in 2016, grossing $643.3 million worldwide. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, is to be an executive producer on the live-action ...

Millionaire minted through Illinois Lotto win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

ILLINOIS — It's no April Fool's, someone in Illinois won $1 million through the April 1 Lotto drawing.The winning ticket was purchased online and matched all six numbers, 10 - 19 - 25 - 30 - 33 - 37, of the Lotto Million 2 draw. Another round of severe weather possible Tuesday for Chicago area Illinois' "Lotto" game was revamped in 2021 with the addition of two drawings, providing three total chances to become a millionaire with every $2 ticket purchased. The actual jackpot can only be won in the first draw, however the two subsequent draws come with a $1 million payout for matching all six numbers.Lotto is only played in Illinois with drawings three times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Liam Hendriks gives White Sox fans great news at home opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

CHICAGO — There is one player on the White Sox who is noticeably absent from the team's home opener, but he was there in spirit and video on Monday.When Liam Hendriks had the chance to address the crowd briefly at Guaranteed Rate Field, he had good news.Thunderstruck is blasting and a welcome message from Liam Hendriks. We’re ready for baseball here at Guaranteed Rate. @whitesox pic.twitter.com/56lARyZXvm— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) April 3, 2023The closer, who is battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, announced that he underwent his last treatment for the disease on a video that was aired on the scoreboard at the ballpark ahead of the team's first game at home in 2023 against the Giants. ‘Incredibly genuine’: How Liam Hendriks & family have helped the Lymphoma Research Foundation "Happy Opening Day, White Sox fans. Just want to let you know I'm starting my last round of chemo today, so I'll see you guys on the south side soon. Play ball!," said Hendriks in the recorded ...

'General Hospital' turns 60: A behind-the-scenes look

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

ABC’s “General Hospital” marks its 60th anniversary this week, making it the longest-running scripted show currently in production on American television.The soap is marking the milestone with a fan favorite storyline, the Nurses Ball, a gala that raises money for charity. This week the residents of the fictional city of Port Charles dress to the nines and walk a red carpet. In a guest appearance, Chandra Wilson of “Grey’s Anatomy” plays fashion editor Sydney Val Jean.“She’s a big fan of the show,” said executive producer Frank Valentini of Wilson. “She taped all the scenes on the red carpet and was working at ‘Grey’s’ the same day. I’m just so crazy about her.”Valentini is pumped about this year's musical performances too, as a number of the cast can sing and dance. Which names are most commonly used in song titles? “Some of the numbers are some of the best things we’ve ever done, and we’ve done some really good stuff.”While viewers enjoy the ball as it plays out this week, ...

St. Paul gymnast Suni Lee says kidney issue prematurely ended collegiate career

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

St. Paul native Suni Lee revealed on Monday via social media that a kidney issue is the cause for her missing multiple gymnastics meets over the past month. She posted a personal statement on Twitter in which she explained the situation.pic.twitter.com/N3itqSKu6A— Sunisa lee (@sunisalee_) April 3, 2023“For my safety, my medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks,” Lee wrote. “I am blessed and thankful to be working with the best specialized medical team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus this time is my health and recovery.”Many have wondered why exactly Lee has not been competing for the Auburn women’s gymnastic team as of late. She notably missed the NCAA Regional in Los Angeles over the weekend, meaning she cannot qualify for the NCAA Championships.After becoming a household name by winning the gold medal in the all-around competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Lee took her talents to Auburn to...

Lakeland couple hospitalized after carbon-monoxide poisoning during power outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

A Lakeland couple trying to power their home with a portable generator after an electric outage caused by the weekend snowstorm was found unresponsive Monday morning and hospitalized for carbon-monoxide poisoning.The 71-year-old man and 69-year-old woman were taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis to be treated in the hospital’s hyperbaric chamber, a pressurized compartment that exposes them to high levels of oxygen and seeks to eject carbon dioxide from their bloodstreams.A Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to the house just before 10:30 a.m. for a welfare check after the couple failed to answer the door for a care provider who was there for a regularly scheduled appointment, said Laura Perkins, a spokeswoman for the department.The couple had reportedly been without power since Saturday and had not been heard from since Sunday night, Perkins said.When the deputy went around the back of the house to check on the couple, he detected a strong sme...

Hochul proposes extender amid late state budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- State government is still operating even without a final budget, which was due April 1. On Monday, Governor Hochul submitted a bill to the legislature proposing extending the budget deadline to April 10. Issuing an extender will allow state operations to continue to run and get state employees paid on time. New York State budget due on Saturday "Well the extenders only for a week, so as people know this week is Passover, Good Friday, Easter, there’s a lot of holidays that are coming up this week and next week, so depending how much negotiations happen we may need another extender after this one week," explained Assembly member Harvey Epstein. In a statement, Governor Kathy Hochul pointed to public safety, housing and education as being concerns for all New Yorkers and issues taken up in this year's budget. She said“…Any budget deal must make progress on these core issues. I have been negotiating in good faith with the legislature, but it’s clear there is mor...

Albany man pleads not guilty to attempted murder charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Monday, Sean Hardy, 21, pleaded Not Guilty to a 4-count indictment, which included Attempted Murder. Other charges include one count of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, Hardy was involved in an incident on or around December 5 in the area of Benjamin Street and First Avenue. Hardy had displayed a firearm and attempted to shoot another person during an attempted robbery. Hardy is also accused of causing physical injury to the victim.