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New Illinois proposal aims to put the brakes on video conference calls while driving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois drivers may have to steer clear of Zoom calls while behind the wheel if a new state proposal becomes law. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannulias says House Bill 2431, sponsored by Illinois Rep. Marcus Evans (D-33) and Illinois Sen. Javier Cervantes (D-1) would make the roads safer as the popularity of video conference calls while driving rises. SEE ALSO | Illinois law would ban vaping in public places"We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving, which will lead to more responsible drivers and ultimately save lives," Giannulias stated in a release announcing the proposal. "Zooming takes hands, eyes and minds off the focus of driving. Our goal is that a combination of increased education, stronger laws and tougher enforcement will encourage drivers to change bad behaviors for the better."Under the proposal, motorists would still be allowed to participate in video conference calls via a hands-free device or if the v...

Program helps Illinois teen moms earn high school degree

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

HARVEY, Ill. -- Only two percent of teenage moms go on to earn college degrees and one local program is working overtime to change that.The drop out rate for teen moms is staggering, as they are thrust into a full time parenting role, often times without the support needed to finish high school.In Harvey, there is a small tucked away building doing big things for young moms and their babies. Taste of Chicago to be held in September in Grant Park The Blanche Foxworthy Infant Care Center and Teen Parent Program provides toddlers and their young mothers with the support needed.A young mother planned on dropping out of high school initially after having her baby because she didn't know how she would juggle being a student and being a mom."I had my daughter at 15-years-old which was sophomore year," Makiyah Hampton with the Thorton Township Teen Parent Program said."It was hard. It was a struggle, especially having a daughter at that young of an age."Infant Care Center Director, Candic...

Florida woman charged after boyfriend dies in suitcase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

Warning: Some viewers may find the video in this case disturbing, discretion is advised.(NewsNation) — The pre-trial conference for a Florida woman accused of zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase, recording his repeated cries for help and leaving him locked inside until he died, is set to begin this month.Sarah Boone, 42, faces second-degree murder charges in the death of 42-year-old Jorge Torres Jr, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.Boone's defense attorney said she plans to use a battered spouse defense when she goes to trial, WOFL-TV reported. Could SVB collapse have a ripple effect through the economy? Mark Nejame, a criminal defense attorney, told NewsNation Boone's lawyers would have a "tough road for them to go through," if they use that as their defense."Florida does recognize battered women syndrome or battered spouse syndrome, I should say. It's typically the woman who's the victim in these matters but you have to really show that [the abuse] is perpetual,...

How did a Maryland man hit the lottery twice? It's all in the hair, he says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - We all have our lucky charms. Maybe it's an old-fashioned rabbit foot or a pair of socks. For one Maryland man, it appears a certain hairstyle may bring him some extra luck. Willaim Daniels Jr. of Baltimore County will occasionally buy a scratch-off ticket, he told the Maryland Lottery last week. It has paid off before for the aircraft assembly employee. In 2015, Daniels won $100,000 on a scratch-off ticket he purchased with his $50 winnings from another ticket. Can you increase your odds of winning the lottery? Fast forward eight years and Daniels has again won off a scratch-off ticket, landing a $50,000 payout. The probability of Daniels winning any prize on the game, Gold X50, was 1 in 3.29, according to Maryland Lottery. When it came to the $100K top prize, however, there were only 10 possible winning tickets. How did he win again? Daniels credited his hair. As he explained to the Maryland Lottery, Daniels had long hair in 2015 when he first won off a scratcher. U...

Midday Fix - Details on Golden-Con: Thank You For Being A Fan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

Cindy Fee, singer-songwriterZack Hudson, co-founder of Golden-ConEvent:Golden-Con: Thank You For Being A FanFriday, March 31-Sunday, April 2Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E. North Water St.Tickets and details available at https://thankyouforbeingafan.com/

More clouds and a few sprinkles expected Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cooler, less humid weather than we have seen recently remains in place overnight and Tuesday as a weak storm system clips the state. NEW BLOG: How a switch to El Niño could affect hurricane season Clouds increase Tuesday with just a 10-percent chance of a few light sprinkles at times. Limited sunshine and a continued northeasterly breeze will keep temperatures cooler than normal.First Warning: Severe weather threat, colder weatherOnce that storm passes, our attention turns toward a more significant storm system late this week that will bring a threat of severe thunderstorms and a stretch of much colder than normal weather.The main risk of severe thunderstorms appears to come late Thursday night through Friday morning, with hail and wind damage possible in the strongest storms. Severe thunderstorm risk late Thursday, early FridayDramatically colder weather will bring low temperatures in some areas in the 30s through the weekend into early next week with a chance of...

Banned Book Library highlights challenged, revoked titles in public libraries, schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Conversations surrounding banned and challenged books hosted in public and school libraries have amplified in recent years, with Texas leading the way nationally with the highest number of banned titles. Now, a display at South by Southwest Conference & Festivals is highlighting the historical context of book banning nationwide, as well as states seeing the largest volume of books pulled from shelves. The Banned Book Library is an interactive exhibit created by the Zinn Education Project, the African American Policy Forum and Lush Cosmetics. It included a historic timeline of segregation, denied literacy rights for non-white people as well as some specific titles that have faced a heightened level of pushback.A display at South by Southwest Conference & Festivals is highlighting the historical context of book banning nationwide, as well as states seeing the largest volume of books pulled from shelves. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson...

Austin FC opponent signs 4 players for 2nd leg of CONCACF Champions League 1st round after visa denials: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Haitian side Violette AC is scheduled to play its second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League in Austin on Tuesday against Austin FC, and they signed several new players to field a full team because some regular players can't get into the U.S.Two players from FC Motown, a National Premier Soccer League side in Morristown, New Jersey, with ties to the Haitian club will help fill in as several of Violette's regular players had entry visas denied and won't be allowed in the U.S. Two other players who already live in the U.S. have also been tapped to help fill out the squad, according to a report by Haitian soccer journalist Caleb Jephte Pierre.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/newslettersFC Motown confirmed on its Twitter account that defender Samuel Pompee will play for Violette, as well as midfielder Maudwindo Germain. Dumy Fede and Jude St. Louis are also joining th...

Orioles observations on Hudson Haskins’ home run, Kyle Gibson’s strong start and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

One swing in a Grapefruit League game between two split-squad teams won’t change the organizational perception of a player, but Hudson Haskin took advantage of the opportunity presented to him Monday.Baltimore’s second-round pick in 2020, Haskin was perhaps the most notable exclusion when it came to prospects the Orioles brought to major league spring training as nonroster invitees. An outfielder Baseball America ranks as the organization’s No. 26 prospect, Haskin got his first opportunity to play in a big league exhibition on the home side of Monday’s split-squad contest, homering as a pinch-hitter in his first at-bat.“Anytime you can get out here, big league atmosphere, is something to try not to take for granted,” Haskin said. “I was glad I was able to go out there and do something positive, help the team.”Haskin, 24, had an .821 OPS with 15 home runs last year with Double-A Bowie. The Orioles’ nonroster invitees included an o...

Man killed in St. Paul stabbing ID’d as 55-year-old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

Police identified a man who died in a weekend stabbing in St. Paul as a 55-year-old.Pierre Scott Glass, of St. Paul, was found Saturday about 7:15 p.m. when officers responded to a report of an assault at the intersection of Marshall Avenue and Arundel Street. They found Glass sitting next to his vehicle.Investigators located the crime scene at a residence in the 700 block of Dayton Avenue on Saturday and arrested a 51-year-old woman who lived there. She remained in the Ramsey County jail Monday, being held on suspicion of murder.Police said preliminary information indicated Glass and and the woman were in a relationship and had a fight earlier in the evening at her residence, which ended in the stabbing.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | 10 more charged in Feeding Our Future scandal, bringing total to 60 Crime & Public Safety | 1 dead, 1 in custody after Saturday night stabbing in St. Paul, police say Crime & Public Safety | ...