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Illinois Secretary of State files legislation to prevent book banning in libraries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) - More libraries in Illinois are being pressured to ban books off their shelves, according to the American Library Association. In 2022, the ALA registered 67 book banning attempts in the state, up from 41 in 2021. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who serves as the State Librarian, said far-right groups are behind the push of book banning. He says they want books written by or featuring LGBTQ people and people of color off the shelves. "These efforts have nothing to do with books," Giannoulias said. "Instead, they are about ideas that certain individuals disagree with and believe no one should think or be allowed to think." Hundreds of books banned in 2022 Giannoulias is proposing legislation alongside Rep. Anne Stava Murray (D-Downers Grove), Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) and Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to prevent more book bans from happening in the state. “This radical movement to ban books cannot be allowed in the state of Illino...

Kansas City contestant shares the scoop on 'Farmer Wants a Wife' premiere

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City contestant will make her debut tonight on the premiere of FOX's "Farmer Wants a Wife" (Wednesdays at 8 p.m.) and Great Day KC brought her in to get all the scoop. FOX brings us "Farmer Wants a Wife," a reality dating show unlike any other, where city meets the farm. Can a farmer find love with a city woman? Already an international hit in 32 countries, it's the most successful dating show on air with 180 marriages and 410 kids so far.For this version, FOX chose contestants from cities across the U.S. to make the trek out to rural America. Will these ladies find love amidst the cows and corn fields? Each of the women will get a chance to get to know one of the four farmers looking for love: Hunter, Ryan, Landon and Allen. The farmers of "Farmer Wants a Wife." From left: Hunter, Ryan, Landon, AllenTonight, we'll meet the women chucking their dating apps for classic American courtship, and among them is Sarah Ruhlman, a content creator from Kansas City...

St. Louis police seek person of interest in Mt. Pleasant homicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are looking for a person of interest in connection with a January homicide.According to Evita Caldwell, a police spokeswoman, the incident took place around 8:35 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the 4300 block of California Avenue, located in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood.Officers responded to a call for a shooting and found the victim, identified as Mahogany Jones, suffering from a gunshot wound in a nearby gas station parking lot. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 26. Trending: Ladue estate with luxury auto house sold in record-setting 8-figure deal Over the next several weeks, investigators keyed in on an individual they'd like to speak with regarding the shooting. On Wednesday, police released surveillance images of the individual in the hope that someone recognizes him.Anyone with information on this person's identity or whereabouts is asked to contact the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or, i...

Primary for St. Louis Aldermen ends with several surprises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- There were some surprises during Tuesday night's St. Louis primary election. Voters decided which two candidates for the smaller Board of Aldermen would be on the April ballot. One race is too close to call, and several incumbents lost to political newcomers. Brandon Bosley's loss comes a shock to many. He is the Ward 3 Alderman and was running for the new 14th Ward. His family has a long history in St. Louis politics. His uncle was the mayor of St. Louis, his father was the city's longest serving alderman, his mother is a committeewoman, and his sister is a state representative. Top story: St. Peters police identify alleged Schnucks parking lot shooter The 9th Ward race ended with a tie, with Tina "Sweet-T" Pihl and Michael Gras each getting 868 votes. One of them will face Michael Browning after military and provisional ballots are counted.Joe Vaccaro has been Ward 23 Alderman since 2009. He will face Ward 24 incumbent Bret Narayan in the race for t...

New tax credits for heat pumps, electric vehicles part of Colorado’s latest push toward clean energy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado lawmakers are pushing a baker’s-dozen of bills they say will help move the state toward a clean energy economy.The package of bills highlighted Wednesday, some of which have been introduced, includes tax incentives to promote decarbonization and electrification, geothermal energy, electric vehicle charging station requirements and streamlining permitting approval for solar energy projects.“There’s a lot of cost-saving measures, as well as improvements in life quality for everyday Coloradans that are really built into the fabric of these bills,” Polis said. They also include industrial policy updates, he added.Polis described the package as both setting the vision for Colorado’s energy future and giving the state tools to reach it. A proposal sponsored by state Sen. Chris Hansen, SB23-016, would set the state’s emission standards to net-zero by 2050. The state has additional goals of 100% renewable energy by 2040. Hans...

Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: “I’m here to win a championship for Joker.”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

Within its special season, veering hard toward a No. 1 seed in the West and, potentially, the top overall seed in NBA, there’s an element of sacrifice that’s permeated Denver’s roster.Speaking at shootaround on Wednesday morning ahead of their matchup against Chicago, veteran Aaron Gordon described the selflessness that’s become a defining trait of the Nuggets.“I’m not here to win a championship for myself,” Gordon said. “I’m here to win a championship for Joker (Nikola Jokic). Joker’s here to win a championship for Jamal (Murray) and Michael Malone and Michael Porter. KCP, we’re looking to get him another one. I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing it for the guys around me.”Though Gordon was the only player who spoke to the media Wednesday morning, that ethos has been apparent around the team for weeks. Beginning with Jokic, the two-time reigning MVP, no one seems to care who gets the credit, least of all the face of the franchise.It’s why Gordon’s been such a seamless fit with ...

This famous Disneyland snack is coming to grocery stores nationwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

Disneyland fans no longer have to travel to the park to enjoy one of the resort’s famous treats.Dole, the company behind the beloved park's pineapple soft-serve Dole Whip, announced that the famed treat would be available in grocery stores nationwide. The frozen snack item will be available in three flavors: pineapple, mango, and strawberry.The company didn’t specify when the product would be available in stores.The rollout of Dole Whip nationwide comes as the company aims to introduce healthier snacking options for adults and children. Along with the Dole Whip, the company plans to roll out low-calorie beverages, probiotic sodas, juices that support gut health and smoothie bowls.The company is also planning to relaunch its acai bowls.The public will be able to try the new snack options at the Expo West event, which will be at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 7 – 11. The new Dole product line will be available at booth 359.For those still wanting to enjoy a Dole Whip at the ...

1 Killed in Head-On Collision on Vasco Road [Contra Costa County, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

Driver Dies after Head-On Collision on Vasco Road near Camino DiabloCONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (March 7, 2023) – Early Monday morning, one person died following a head-on collision on Vasco Road.The fatal accident happened on February 27th, at around 4:19 a.m., involving a Ford Fusion and a tractor-trailer.Investigation showed that the Ford heading southbound on Vasco Road crossed over a center line and crashed head-on into the tractor. As a result, the driver of the Ford suffered serious injuries in the impact, which later led to his death.Furthermore, one person was trapped in the wreck and was extricated by the officers. The person was transported to the hospital in an unknown condition.Consequently, the police blocked both lanes in the area but it has reopened since.The crash is still under investigation and anyone with information is urged to call the CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.The Sweet James team sends their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the deceas...

Man Dies in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision on Brent Thurman Way [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

77-Year-Old Male Victim Killed in Pedestrian Crash near West Hacienda AvenueLAS VEGAS, NV (March 8, 2023) – Friday morning, one man was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian collision on Brent Thurman Way.Police responded to the scene around 6:50 a.m., near West Hacienda Avenue on January 27th after receiving multiple dispatch calls.At this time, the events leading up to the fatal collision remain unclear. However, reports indicate the driver of a vehicle struck a man and immediately fled the scene.Responding paramedics pronounced the 77-year-old male pedestrian dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released his identity. Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties before it was later reopened.Las Vegas authorities ask anyone who witnessed the fatal pedestrian collision on Brent Thurman Way to call LVMPD at 702-828-3060 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-555. An active investigation to determine more information...

What Nico Sturm said the Sharks can learn from the Colorado Avalanche

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:43 GMT

Nico Sturm opened the small wooden box that held the Stanley Cup ring that he earned last season as a member of the Colorado Avalanche. Inside was not only the 14-karat white gold ring, set with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, but a short video that showed the team’s on-ice celebration right after their Game 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.Sturm received the ring Tuesday night after the Sharks were walloped 6-0 by the Avalanche, a completely one-sided affair that showed the obvious disparity between the two franchises. One appears ready to chase another Cup, the other has one of the worst records in the NHL as it tries to lay a foundation for its own success years down the line.“Obviously, it takes a while to build an organization and a roster to where everybody, every piece fits exactly where it needs to be,” Sturm said. “I think that’s what we’re trying to do, is trying to get guys and players that play a certain part, and that doesn’t happen from today u...