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Skilling: Cool, comfortable temps before possible thunderstorms Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

We mark a solemn anniversary Monday. It was 33 years ago, at 3:45pm August 28, 1990 that the catastrophic PLAINFIELD TORNADO—the only "F-5" intensity tornado to sweep the U.S. in August with its estimated 261 to 318 mph winds--- barreled along a 16.4 mile trek, running from the Fox River at Oswego through Crest Hill and into Joliet. It leveled Plainfield high school, 470 homes—damaging 1,000 others-- and destroyed a Crest Hill apartment complex.  School would have begun only a day later at Plainfield High, where the football team practiced as the storm moved in.When the storm had lifted back into the clouds over Joliet, it had killed 29 and left nearly 300 injured. It remains the most deadly tornado to strike Illinois in August.  Insidiously, the days tortuously high dew points (low 80s) and temps (in the low 90s) combined with a jet stream to produce the 64,000 ft. tall parent cumulonimbus cloud which could be see from Chicago proper, where an inland moving lake...

Faculty member shot, killed at UNC-Chapel Hill; suspect in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — For more than three hours, the UNC-Chapel Hill campus was placed on a lockdown due to an active shooter situation. A University of North Carolina official told the Associated Press that a faculty member was shot and killed in a campus building. A suspect was taken into custody at approximately 2:38 p.m.Police released a photo of a person of interest Monday afternoon, but police have not confirmed that the same man was arrested. According to the UNC website, the suspect image matches an ID photo for a student named Tailei Qi. Tailei Qi University police were notified of shots fired in Caudill Laboratories at 131 South Road around 1:02 p.m.The initial alert, which went out at about 1 p.m. urged everyone on the school's campus to stay inside and avoid windows. As of 4:16 p.m., the university issued an "all clear" alert to "resume normal activities."UNC officials added in the all-clear that everyone should "remain away from Caudill Labs while UNC Police contin...

Fan favorite to be decided during 'Chi Food Truck Fest Taco Throwdown'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

CHICAGO — A date has been set for a competition that will have one food truck driving away with the title of "fan favorite taco" during the Chi Food Truck Fest.Opinionated fans of the flavorful Mexican staple will now have the chance to champion their favorite food truck in the first "Chi Food Truck Fest Taco Throw down."The event, hosted by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), will take place during the Chi Food Truck Fest, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every week from May 19 to October 6. ‘Really incredible’: Inside a downtown Chicago pizza tour Participating food trucks will be serving tacos from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and eventgoers will have the chance to vote on their favorite taco before the People’s Choice winner is announced at 2:30 p.m.“When you vote for your favorite taco truck, you are actively contributing to the success of small businesses in Chicago,” Kenneth J. Meyer, BACP Commissioner said. “You can eat, vote, and suppor...

LIVE 5PM Idalia track: Tropical storm track shows shift to the west

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to much of Florida's northwest coast as it intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.According to a 5 p.m. update, T.S. Idalia was moving north at around 8 mph while 35 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts.The updated track showed a shift to the west.The NHC also issued the following watches and warning.A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including CozumelIsle of Youth CubaDry Tortugas FloridaChokoloskee northward to the Middle of Longboat KeyWest of Indian Pass to Mexico BeachA Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:Chokoloskee northward to Englewood, including Charlotte HarbourMouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River SouthCarolinaA Hurricane Watch is in effect for:Englewood to the Middle of Longboat KeyA Tropical...

U of I researchers' Speech Accessibility Project aims to make voice recognition tech more useful

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

Researchers at the University of Illinois are working on a critical project to help make voice recognition technology more useful for people with a wide range of speech patterns and disabilities.It's called the Speech Accessibility Project and researchers are specifically asking for more people with Parkinson’s disease to take part. Due to biometrics laws, residents from Illinois, Washington and Texas are not allowed to participate. But those from Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and others are allowed and received compensation. More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch One of those participants is Ethan Anderson. He's a Parkinson’s Disease Ambassador at the Michael J Fox Foundation and an Illinois alum. He joined the WGN Evening News to talk more about the project.More information about participating can be found here.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including latest updates from health org...

Farmers Insurance says it is cutting over 2,000 jobs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Farmers Insurance said Monday it will lay off 11% of its workforce — about 2,400 employees — as part of a corporate restructuring aimed at increasing its efficiency and long-term profitability.The California-based insurer owned by Swiss giant Zurich Insurance Group said the job cuts will impact all lines of its business. Monday was the last working day at the company for most employees impacted by the layoffs, Farmers confirmed to The Associated Press.In a statement announcing the job cuts, Raul Vargas, Farmers Group Inc. president and CEO, alluded to “existing conditions” in the insurance industry.“As our industry continues to face macroeconomic challenges, we must carefully manage risk and prudently align our costs with our strategic plans for sustainable profitability," Vargas said. “Our leaner structure will make us more nimble and better able to pursue opportunities for growth and ultimately make Farmers more responsive to the needs of our insured customers and ...

'Will more students come because of this?' Future of DEI on public vs. private campuses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new Texas law has prompted systems like the University of Texas System to make the call to pause diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. But what about private campuses? Senate Bill 17 bans DEI offices, staff and initiatives at public universities and colleges throughout Texas. That law is set to go into effect in January 2024. Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities Private campuses can still choose to maintain DEI. Concordia University in north Austin said it will. Monday marked the first day of classes of the spring semester for Concordia. Alexis Solis, a sophomore, said she's looking forward to a fresh start, not impacted directly by SB 17. "I feel like I'm just where I need to be," Solis said. "All my friends go to public universities, and I'm the only one that attends private."DEI efforts on public campuses are soon to be shut down.The UT System Board of Regents agreed last week on ...

'Which lane do I use?'; Lamar, W. 6th draw concerns over confusing traffic lanes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Confusing traffic lines are causing concerns on one of Austin's busiest roads.Drivers tell us they don't know which lanes to use on a stretch of Lamar Boulevard which is just south of Barton Springs Road."Cars stopping, not knowing where to go, honking at each other, not knowing where to go," said Isaac Rodriguez who lives on Lamar. "A lot of mass confusion there."Confusion over lanes that can be hard to recognize."Do you follow the white lines or the black lines," said Rodriguez."There are a lot of lines along the road that can cause a lot of confusion, especially for people who are not the best of drivers," said Cydney Tutchton, who lives near Lamar.Hunter Leipham, who uses the road, said the lines can be confusing."I drive on it a decent amount and even I don't know which lane you are supposed to be in," said Leipham. $350K in safety upgrades coming to North Lamar, West Koenig intersection Construction on a new building has shifted the lanes in this stretch of ...

CapMetro to install pedestrian crossing at I-35, 4th St. intersection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 28, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's board of directors approved Monday a nearly $430,000 allocation toward the construction of a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Interstate 35 and 4th Street.The CapMetro board approved a contract with Rio Grande Pacific Technology, Inc. for the intersection construction work. The project will add a traffic signal and protected crosswalk for people walking and riding bikes both northbound and southbound along the intersection, per CapMetro backup documents.Officials with CapMetro, the City of Austin and the Texas Department of Transportation all cosigned on the need for improved pedestrian and bike trail crossings at the intersection. "Currently, people riding bikes or walking must cross the frontage roads unprotected; this includes rail passengers who may be accessing the Downtown Station from the Plaza Saltillo area," backup documents read in part. "Therefore, CapMet...

Woodbury: Boy hospitalized after being pulled from pond

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:53 GMT

Woodbury police say a boy was taken to St. Paul Children’s Hospital after he was pulled out of a pond near a new apartment complex Monday afternoon.A 911 caller who was hiking on a trail near Corn Silk Lane reported seeing what appeared to be a body floating facedown in a pond near the Orville Commons apartment complex, located at 4290 Radio Drive, just after 12:40 p.m., said Cmdr. John Altman of the Woodbury Public Safety Department.The boy’s age was not immediately available, but Altman said he appears to be younger than 10 years old. The boy was taken to Children’s St. Paul, and his status is unknown at this time, he said.The boy’s family was located inside the apartment complex, and Altman said police do not suspect any foul play.The pond is located south of Jerry’s Foods on Hargis Parkway between Benjamin Drive and Radio Drive.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Oak Park Heights city administrator retiring after 20 years: ‘He has the answers...