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Massachusetts has 3rd-worst highway traffic in US, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

Massachusetts has the third-worst highway traffic in the country, a new report found.The average Bay State driver spends 40.4 peak hours in urban-area traffic congestion per year, far exceeding the national average of roughly 27 hours.Only drivers in New York and New Jersey fared worse, with 43.2 and 48 hours spent in peak city traffic per year, respectively, according to LA-based think tank Reason Foundation, which released its annual highway report this week.Notably, this report uses 2020 congestion data, from a 2021 study conducted by Texas A&M Transportation Institute. It considers urban traffic congestion throughout each state, but noted that “the congestion problem is primarily concentrated in the major cities of just a few states.”INRIX, a global transportation data and analytics company, released its own report in January, which ranked Boston gridlock as second-worst in the country and fourth-worst in the world — behind London, Chicago and Paris, but ahead of New York Ci...

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo again ruled out vs. Heat due to back injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out for a second consecutive game against the Miami Heat on Saturday due to a lower-back bruise.“He’s just not ready to go,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’re going to continue to monitor him.”Antetokounmpo initially suffered the injury in the first half of the Heat’s Game 1 victory in the best-of-seven opening-round Eastern Conference playoff series last Sunday at Fiserv Forum, missing the balance of that game.He then sat out Wednesday night’s Game 2 home victory over the Heat that tied the series at 1-1.“He’s not in a place where he can go,” Budenholzer said. “We’ll continue to monitor him and hope for the best.”Antetokounmpo had been listed as questionable for Saturday night’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center on the Bucks’ initial injury report on Friday, listed with that designation for most of Saturday, as well.Game 4 is...

Conservative Robinson joins race for N. Carolina governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

ALTAMAHAW, N.C. (AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson formally entered next year’s gubernatorial race at a rally Saturday, with the sharp-spoken social conservative saying North Carolina neads a leader like him who can relate to the challlenges and desires of working people. Elected the state’s first Black lieutenant governor in 2020 in his frst run for political office, Robinson would make similar history if he wins the governorship. “I’m running for governor because we the people of North Carolina need someone who understands us,” Robinson told roughly 1,000 supporters at the event at a speedway in Alamance County, about a half-hour from where he grew up. “We don’t need another politician who’s spent their life climbing the political ladder.”Robinson’s entry was anticipated for well over a year, with the Greensboro native heavily hinting at a run in speeches and fundraising appeals. The 54-year-old also released an autobiography that talked a...

3-year-old boy shot while inside home in Chicago, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A 3-year-old boy is in serious condition after he was shot in the face while inside a home Saturday afternoon in Calumet Heights, Chicago police said.The boy was injured around 3:40 p.m. when he was shot in the face while he was inside a home in the 8800 block of South Euclid Avenue. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe boy was taken to Jackson Park Hospital and eventually was transferred to Comer Children's Hospital, police said.No one is in custody and the incident is still under investigation, police said.

Berwyn, Chicago police beef up security, patrols ahead of possible large teen gatherings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

BERWYN, Ill. — "I'm glad they're preparing, that's a good thing," said Kali Wilcher, a shopper. "If you're proactive, at least you will be ready."Shoppers flowed in and out of the North Riverside Mall Saturday, with the overall sentiment from those who talked to WGN being they felt safe. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Large gathering anticipated at North Riverside Park Mall, police say On Wednesday last week, the Berwyn Police Department put out a statement saying they had received tips about a large gathering planned to take place at the mall that could mirror the large public disturbance the City of Chicago saw last weekend in the Loop."Preventative measures are currently being implemented, as well as preparations for a unified response on Saturday," a community alert from Berwyn PD police chief Michael Cimaglia read in part.North Riverside mayor Joseph Mengoni also released a statement relaying how the village would handle the information acquired by Berwyn PD."We have been in contact with...

Suspect arrested in kidnapping, sexual battery of DoorDash driver, Tampa police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

Note: The video in this story is from an earlier report.TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa police have arrested a man in their investigation into the kidnapping and sexual battery of a DoorDash driver late Tuesday night. Florida couple delivering Instacart groceries shot at after driving to wrong address On Saturday, police announced that Joseph Killins was arrested in connection to the attack.Officers said the "heinous" crime happened just after 11 p.m. Tuesday night when a DoorDash driver arrived at the Residence Inn on West Boy Scout Boulevard to make a delivery.Joseph Killins (Credit: Tampa Police Department)According to investigators, Killins approached the victim demanding cash at gunpoint, and when she did not have it, he forced her into her car.The Tampa Police Department said he then made her drive to the Belara Lakes Apartments where he sexually battered the woman. However, the victim was able to escape thanks to her family, who had been tracking her home and rescued her fr...

Hundreds clean up Humboldt Park on Earth Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A little cold and rain didn't stop people from celebrating Earth Day and help clean up Humboldt Park.About 600 people alone in Humboldt Park and about 2,000 volunteers bundled up to help clean up the city's parks.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe organization Friends of the Parks and Chicago's Park District started hosting the event clean up events 34 years ago. Watch the full story in the player above.

Weekend Break: The Laughing Academy in Glenview

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

GLENVIEW, Ill. — A business in Glenview is teaching people of all ages improv. It's a funny thing, but improv is more than just an entertaining art form. Weekend Break: Tron Exhibit at Chicago Gamespace "Just some examples of creativity, communication, confidence, cooperation, all of those skills are going to serve my students in whatever they do," Kim Greene Hiller, the owner and founder of The Laughing Academy said.Greene Hiller offers improv training at The Laughing Academy. It combines her two passions: Acting and teaching."I have a masters in education," she said. "I used to be an actress at the Second City. As I often joke, I was hired at the same time as Tina Fey and Amy Poller and I'll host you on a stage my husband built." Weekend Break: Expo Chicago The academy isn't just for kids. Adults and retirees can come in for classes too."I had done improv in college and then dropped out of it and Miles and done improv since like second grade," Jonathan Chernaik said. "Maybe ev...

Atwood's clutch 3-run homer lifts No. 7 Longhorns over No. 3 Cowgirls; Texas sweeps series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Take a bow, Reese Atwood.The Texas catcher blasted a 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to power the Longhorns past Oklahoma State 3-2 in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at McCombs Field.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersUntil the seventh, Oklahoma State left-handed pitcher Kelly Maxwell was mowing through the Texas lineup. Maxwell carried a no-hitter into the final inning with nine strikeouts, but on the second pitch of the frame, Mia Scott dumped a single into right-center to start the rally and break up Maxwell's no-hit bid. Leighann Goode hit a Maxwell pitch off the end of her bat that had some spin on it, narrowly avoiding the glove of Maxwell and Cowgirls second baseman Rachel Becker to put two runners on, setting the stage for Atwood's game-ending swing."I was looking for a pitch she was throwing over that I missed a coupl...

Dane Mizutani: Wild GM Bill Guerin built a Stanley Cup contender at trade deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:58 GMT

Here’s a word to the wise for NHL front offices.If ever Wild general manager Bill Guerin calls, it might be best to send him straight to voicemail.After all, he’s made a habit of winning trades ever since he took over in Minnesota, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soonThis past trade deadline was a perfect example of that. Not only did Guerin decide to be a buyer when some thought he should be a seller, he managed to build a Stanley Cup contender in the process.Never mind that the Wild weren’t in on the Ryan O’Reilly sweepstakes, the Patrick Kane sweepstakes or the Timo Meier sweepstakes, among others. Instead, they made a number of shrewd moves that supplied them with the depth needed to win it all.Just look at the list of players Guerin acquired last month.Marcus Johansson has been arguably the most productive player in the NHL who was moved at the trade deadline. Gus Nyquist recently returned from a shoulder injury and has scored a point...