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NASCAR to host series of fan events ahead of Chicago race

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

CHICAGO — Race day is fast approaching in Chicago, with NASCAR hosting a series of events across the city in the leadup.From fundraisers to fan fests, anticipation is growing among locals. Some were even afforded a closer look at the downtown track via Big Bus Tour. As several streets remain closed for the setup, some tourists feel that's not necessarily a bad thing. "I said to my wife earlier, 'I'd watch more NASCAR if they did stuff like this in the city streets,'" said Christopher O'Brocto, who was visiting Chicago from Los Angeles.  Taste of Chicago’s future uncertain as NASCAR takes over Grant Park O'Brocto, a Chicago native, said NASCAR will go a long way in fueling the economy."Racing is a big money event and you look at things like 'Why they're doing it?' They're doing it to expand the product. So why not Chicago?" O'Brocto added.The Navy Pier Fan Fest runs through 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Other events this week include:Bubba’s Block Party, a Nationwide Community Initiative Hos...

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett dies in Florida swimming accident: reports

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (KNWA) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has drowned Tuesday while vacationing in Florida with his girlfriend, according to reports. He was 35.White Hall Superintendent Gary Williams confirmed the news on Tuesday, according to a report from DeltaPlex News in Arkansas. Assistant Principal Skip Carr also confirmed Mallet's death."It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett," a notice on the school district's website reads. "We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers."According to sources, Mallett was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead there. Mallett was a five-star recruit out of Texarkana (Texas) Texas High School who first went to Michigan but later transferred to Arkansas for the 2009-10 seasons.Mallett currently was the head football coach at White Hall High School. He recently brought a group of campers to the University of Arkans...

Amid wildfire smoke in Illinois, don't overlook this button in your car

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

(KODE/NEXSTAR) - There are multiple buttons and dials and toggles in your vehicle. But there's one button that could be especially helpful amid sweltering heat and widespread wildfire smoke impacting many throughout the U.S. — and it may help you save on gas. On most cars, trucks, and SUVs, you can find an "air recirculation button" in the climate control dashboard. The button has an arrow in a half-circle within the outline of a vehicle on it. Never noticed it before?The air recirculation button has a relatively simple function, Tabitha Ruhl, manager of Joplin Transmission and Auto Center told Nexstar's KODE. It stops your vehicle from pulling in outside air to cool you off and instead recirculates the air-conditioned air already inside your car. Chicago has worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke This can also help boost your air conditioning, which can make the cabin of your car cooler, quicker. For those living within the heat dome — currently impacting Texas, Mi...

APD searching for suspect wanted in Royal Blue Grocery employee assault

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

Editor's Note: Above surveillance video from Royal Blue Grocery on Third Street in downtown Austin shows an alleged thief shoving a store employeeAUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help identifying a suspect wanted in a downtown Austin robbery assault, APD said in a news release Tuesday.Shortly after 8 p.m., June 17, officers responded to Royal Blue Grocery, 301 Brazos Street, in reference to the assault, the release said. Video: Downtown Austin grocery store employee assaulted An employee confronted the suspect and attempted to recover the merchandise, but the suspect hit and injured the store employee, police said. The suspect then left the store.“I was just really scared,” said Shyla Guthrie, the worker who was attacked.Images provided by the Austin Police DepartmentShe said the same man stole from the store earlier in the day, and she called police when he came back and loitered outside.When he came back into the store, she told him to leave ...

As unusual heat persists, relief is finally on the horizon

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin nearly bumped up against the record high temperature Jun. 27 as Tuesday's highs spiked to 105°. As a relentless early-summer heatwave peaks this week, some relief is finally on the horizon.A Heat Advisory continues for much of the area on Wednesday, but as the powerful heat dome overhead begins shifting eastward then weakens significantly this weekend through the 4th of July, high temperatures drop slightly each day. We are expecting high temperatures to finally fall below 100° in Austin early next week -- more typical for early-summer. Austin's forecast high temperatures over the next 7 daysAs the ridge of high pressure weakens, daily chances of rain also return beginning Sunday. A few isolated storms are possible on Jul. 4. Wetter weather is possible later next week.6-10 day precipitation outlookSummer Fan DriveOur Summer Fan Drive is underway! Please click here to find out how you can make an online donation and learn more about Family Eldercare's Summer F...

Lake Superior drowning victims were car enthusiasts, recent graduates from Inver Grove Heights school

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

Two recent graduates of Simley High School died on Sunday after jumping off of cliffs into Lake Superior.Austin Henning, of South St. Paul, and Maximillian Williams, of Inver Grove Heights, were on a couples day trip to Lake Superior on Sunday when the tragedy occurred, said Henning’s mother, Beth Ann Henning.Austin Henning and Maximillian Williams. (Courtesy of their families)Henning was dating Williams’ twin sister, Beth Ann Henning said, who had advised against the cliff jumping.“There’s nothing stopping my boy once he gets his head on it,” she said.At the time of the drownings, wind speeds were up to 23 mph and waves were three to four feet tall, the Duluth News Tribune reported.  A 911 caller reported the two were “struggling to swim” at Black Beach, in Silver Bay, about 1:25 p.m. Sunday.Henning and Williams, both 18, graduated from the Inver Grove Heights school this spring, Henning’s mother said. The two had become close friends while working at Discount Tire and bonded...

Over half a million invested in small businesses, nonprofits

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – More than $600,000 in grants will be awarded to over 30 small businesses and nonprofits throughout the city. The funding is coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).“When we support our businesses we support our communities as a whole. Many of these engines of our economy were pushed to the brink because of the COVID pandemic and continue to feel the financial impacts from that crisis,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The city’s economic development organization, Capitalize Albany Corporation, will be administering $635,000 to 34 businesses and three nonprofit organizations, located in 15 different neighborhoods, through its Building Improvement Grants (BIG) program.Organization President Sarah Reginelli says awardee selections were made strategically.“The investments made possible through the ARPA and the BIG program will significantly strengthen these awarded bus...

Robbers again luring victims through FB Marketplace

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (News10)-Robbers are once again luring victims through Facebook Marketplace. News10's Anya Tucker shares an area woman's story as well as advice from law enforcement on how to stay safe while making these kinds of transactions.“The whole incident from when he got out of the vehicle until the gun was maybe 10 seconds.” Her name is Shannon. She didn't want to show her face or share her last name, fearing retaliation after she says two men robbed her boyfriend of an Xbox during a meetup arranged on FB Marketplace. A meetup that was in reality, a setup. "They [robbers] wanted to see some things inside of the box that it was in. And they started kind of getting grabby. So, my boyfriend, he got a little suspicious. And he was just like, ‘You know what, we are done here.’ And they tried to rip the stuff out of his hands. They did scuffle for a few seconds, and that’s when they pulled a gun. And my boyfriend said, ‘You know what. It’s not worth it. Got my stepson and you kno...

Audio recording marks latest blow to Trump in documents case

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

An audio recording of former President Trump discussing a secret government document at his New Jersey club dealt the latest blow to his evolving and growing defenses against charges over his retention of classified information. The recording appeared to undercut a claim Trump made a week earlier, in which he suggested he may not have had a physical document he was showing to guests without security clearances. Legal experts were quick to cite the recording, which was first published by CNN, as proof of the strength of special counsel Jack Smith’s case.And while Trump has yet to face major political consequences since he was arraigned earlier this month, the recording is the latest sign that Smith’s investigation is one the former president will have difficulty simply waving away.“This tape is not new evidence, and there was no reason to doubt the evidence alleged in the indictment, but it is damning and visceral to hear it, and it does verify that the Donald Trump national sec...

RPI files $1M lawsuit after janitor turns off research freezer over 'annoying' alarm

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:36 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (The Hill) -- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute filed a $1 million suit this month against a cleaning firm after one of its janitor turned off a laboratory freezer, ruining years of research that “had the potential to be groundbreaking,” according to the suit.The janitor, the suit says, was annoyed by an alarm from the freezer and turned it off, causing the fragile cell structures inside to be damaged by temperature changes. Daigle Cleaning Systems, who employs the janitor, is being sued for damages and legal fees. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Troy, N.Y., university alleges that Daigle improperly trained and prepared the janitor to work around fragile lab materials.Lab materials in the freezer were kept at -80 degrees Celsius, or -112 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer alarm would sound if the internal temperature rose or fell by two degrees from that point. The alarm sounded on Sept. 14, 2020, but fre...