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Flood problems grow as new storm heads toward California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A levee break on a storm-swollen river in California’s central coast doubled in size Monday, complicating repair efforts and spilling floodwaters into farmland and agricultural communities — even as yet another atmospheric river took aim at the swamped state. The Pajaro River’s levee rupture has grown to 300 feet (90 meters) since it failed late Friday, officials said. More than 8,500 people were evacuated.Built in the late 1940s to provide flood protection, the levee has been a known risk for decades with several breaches in the 1990s. Emergency repairs to a section of the berm were undertaken in January. A $400 million rebuild is set to begin in 2025.The river separates Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco.Monterey County officials also warned that the Salinas River could cause significant flooding of roadways and agricultural land, cutting off the Monterey Peninsula from the rest of the cou...

Taste of Chicago to be held in September in Grant Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

CHICAGO — The Taste of Chicago will take place in September, the City announced Monday.The food festival will remain in Grant Park, but will take place the weekend of September 8 – 10.Concerns were raised last week as the traditional time period for the Taste of Chicago is early July. This year, Grant Park is set to be the site of NASCAR’s Street Race weekend. The race will take up a portion of Grant Park for nearly six weeks due to set up, the event itself and tear down.  Previous Coverage: Taste of Chicago’s future uncertain as NASCAR takes over Grant Park Grant Park is also booked from May 18 through August 13 with other events, including Suenos Music Festival and Lollapalooza. To accommodate, officials have reschedule the Taste for September and have also added “Taste of Chicago pop-ups” in three neighborhoods this summer; Humboldt Park (June 24), Pullman Park (July 15), and Marquette Park (August 5).

WATCH LIVE | Gov. Pritzker signs bill mandating paid leave for Illinois workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to sign a bill Monday which will mandate paid leave for nearly all Illinois workers.It's called the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. It's a bill that was passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year and is now making its way to the governor's desk.It will require employers in the state to give their employees time off based on the hours they've worked, and unlike before, they can be used for any reason. Most employees will get a minimum of 40 hours, or what's equivalent to five days, of paid leave per year and employers will have the option to offer more if they'd like.The time will be available for use on the worker's 90th day of employment. While the time can be used for any reason, an employer can still require prior notice before taking the time off.Up to 40 hours of unused paid leave can be carried over annually, but employers are not required to pay out the balance if a person leaves th...

Illinois law would ban vaping in public places

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Il. (WTVO) — Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices indoors.The measure would also ban vaping within 15 feet of entrances.Sen. Julie Morrison (D) proposed adding e-cigarettes to the list of tobacco products already banned under the Smoke Free Illinois law. Can I buy weed off the street in Illinois? Dr. Tabitha Wells, the Board Chair of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, warned lawmakers that vaping fumes contain formaldehyde and other toxins that can be harmful to users and those around them, the County Herald reported.New York, California, and New Jersey already ban vaping devices from indoor use.Supporters of the bill say that vaping should be treated just like smoking. Opponents argue that vaping is a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking.

Can I buy weed off the street in Illinois?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Recreational marijuana has been legal in Illinois for three years, and it has been an economical boon, soaring past $1.5 billion in 2022.There were 113 licensed cannabis dispensaries in Illinois in January, with an additional 189 in the process of being approved.However, many residents might be wondering if dispensaries are the only places where they can legally buy weed. Can I bring weed purchased in Illinois to other states? The short answer is yes, according to Illinois Cannabis Information. People 21 and older in the state can legally purchase the drug, but only from state-approved marijuana dispensaries.The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is in charge of licensing dispensaries in the state, but county and municipal governments have final say on whether the sale of marijuana is permitted in their jurisdiction.While people 21 and older can legally purchase marijuana in the state, there are certain instances where it is not re...

Illinois mother files wrongful death lawsuit against Lyft, others

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – The mother of a Lyft driver who was shot and killed in Urbana has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.Marla Rice’s son, 29-year-old Kristian Philpotts, was working as a Lyft driver to save money for veterinary school. On Jan. 12, 2022, Philpotts was shot and killed during a robbery while he was driving three teenagers in Urbana, Ill.Rice has now filed suit against Lyft, the accused shooter and the suspect's mother. The suit claims all three negligently and/or intentionally caused her son's death. Chicago man files class action suit against Buffalo Wild Wings, says boneless wings are just nuggets An attorney for Rice says the suspect requested a ride using his mother's account. Police said the suspect and two other teenagers planned to rob Philpotts and a gun was fired during their attempt, hitting Philpotts.The car crashed and Philpotts later died.Tyjohn Williams was charged with first-degree murder on Jan. 14, 2022.The investigation is still ongoing.

Chicago Fire FC signs lease for West Side practice facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

CHICAGO - A major project for Chicago's Major League Soccer team took a big step toward reality on Monday.Chicago Fire FC along with the Chicago Housing Authority announced the signing of a ground lease for a new training facility in the Roosevelt Square neighborhood. Formerly the ABLA homes for CHA, the 23.3-acre site borders Roosevelt Road, Ashland Avenue, 14th Street and Loomis Street. Previous Coverage: Chicago Fire FC training facility continues to draw concerns from community This comes after the Chicago City Council approved the proposal for the property back in September, reversing a previous decision. Per the Fire, construction is expected to begin later this spring.Today, @ChicagoFire FC and the Chicago Housing Authority announced the signing of a ground lease for a new training facility in the Roosevelt Square neighborhood. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/PRIJgEvJZ9— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 13, 2023The club plans to use the land to build a 53,000 square-foot, ...

Texas state park to reopen temporarily ahead of impending sale, permanent closure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A popular Texas state park will temporarily reopen to visitors this week ahead of its impending sale and permanent closure later this summer.Fairfield Lake State Park, about 70 miles east of Waco, was closed to the public at the end of February, after almost 50 years in operation.The land is not owned by the state. The current property owner, Vistra Energy, is in contract to sell the land to a Dallas-based developer, Todd Interests. That developer plans to turn the site into an exclusive gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a private golf course, according to the Dallas Morning News.The Parks and Wildlife Department was given a 120-day termination of lease notice on Feb. 13, meaning the state would have to vacate the property by June 13. Lawmakers last week urged the TPWD to consider reopening the park in the meantime. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lawmakers ask for state park to temporarily reopen "I trust you guys know how much time you actually need to put t...

Keeping winter alive for one more week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spring break weather is supposed to have that feel of spring. However, there will be times this week when we are reminded that it's still winter. That winter feel will really be noticeable this weekend. NEW BLOG: How a switch to El Niño could affect hurricane season Sunday morning's cold front left its mark as lows today fell to the middle 40s to low 50s. Even with a bright sky this afternoon our highs will peak in the middle to upper 60s. This will be below the normal high of 72°. It will mark the first time since March started where the high temperatures for the day will be below normal.Jackets and coats will be needed tomorrow morning as most lows will be in the 40s.A disturbance will move across Texas tomorrow bringing an increase in clouds along with a very low chance of rain. It will also be a few degrees cooler Tuesday with many highs in the low to mid 60s. Afternoon temperatures will warm to the 70s Wednesday and Thursday. In fact, some highs Thursday will...

City of Austin finds potentially harmful blue-green algae at Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 13, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department said its scientists saw blue-green algae, which might be toxic, Friday at Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake and Jessica Hollis Park on Lake Austin. The algae, however, has yet to be tested, according to the city. Toxic blue-green algae: Is this the new normal for Austin dog owners? The department said its routine monitoring begins in June and lasts through the fall.“Stay safe outdoors + avoid algae. We have seen blue-green algae, which may be toxic, at Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake and Jessica Hollis Park on Lake Austin. It may be mixed in with green algae in other places as well,” the department said in a tweet.Toxic algae can be lethal for dogs. Symptoms include stumbling and unsteady walking, foaming at the mouth, excessive drooling and muscle twitches.The Watershed Protection Department has a page for updates and information...