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Ticker: Credit Suisse takeover hits heart of Swiss banking, identity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

Analysts say the UBS takeover of embattled rival Credit Suisse has shaken Switzerland’s self-image and dented its reputation as a global financial center.The uncertain future of a union of Switzerland’s two global banks comes at a thorny time for Swiss identity, built nearly as much on a self-image of finesse in finance as with chocolate, watchmaking and cheese. Incoming UBS chief Sergio Ermotti says Switzerland needs a strong globally significant bank if it wants to be a financial hub.Key inflation gauge slowed in FebruaryThe Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge slowed sharply last month, an encouraging sign in the Fed’s yearlong effort to cool price pressures through steadily higher interest rates.Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose 0.3% from January to February, down from a 0.6% increase from December to January. Measured year-over-year, prices rose 5%, slower than the 5.3% annual increase in January.Italy temporarily blocks ChatGPTI...

Famous surfing & therapy dog makes 'journey to the Rainbow Bridge'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A therapy dog known for catching waves on the Pacific waters of the San Diego coast has "made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge."Known as Surf Dog Ricochet, this local Golden Retriever spent her life supporting those with disabilities and even has a non-profit organization named on her behalf.It all started in 2009, when Ricochet jumped on a surfboard with a 14-year-old quadriplegic boy, instinctively counter-balancing the board as the pair grazed the waters, the non-profit explained. Dog matching description of canine abandoned at shelter found, dies Prior to this moment, Ricochet had participated in several surf dog competitions where she took home many prizes before switching her focus to canine-assisted surfing for those in need. (Photo released by Judy Fridono)According to the non-profit, Ricochet offered more than just surfing. She was a registered and certified therapy dog who serviced those with disabilities, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD.Ricochet ...

2 Tornadoes touchdown in Northern Illinois, NWS confirms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

CHICAGO — NWS Chicago has confirmed two tornadoes in Northern Illinois -- neither is one in Belvidere where the theatre roof and marquee collapsed.According to the NWS, one was reported west/southwest of Baileyville and one was reported near Caledonia.57 tornadoes and even more funnel clouds reported across 7 states in the Midwest and South. National Weather Service investigators will be looking into each one of these twisters in the next few days to track the speed and strength. Almost 300 reports of wind damage and wind gusts in the Chicago area reached more than 70 mph. 164 reports of large hail, 26 reports of hail 2" or greater in size which is the size of a chicken egg. 

Weekend Break: 900 North Michigan Shops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

Check out this morning's Weekend Break where Marcella checks out the latest fashion in time for easter.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Chick-fil-A changes mind, won't discontinue longtime menu item

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Last week, Chick-fil-A announced a change to its menus nationwide — the Side Salad, which has existed on the Chick-fil-A menu in some form or another since 1989 — would be retired. The company previously said the move aimed to "simplify" its offerings.But Friday, the restaurant walked back its decision, confirming the Side Salad isn't going anywhere."At Chick-fil-A, our guests come first. Based on feedback, we have decided not to proceed with removing our Side Salad from the menu," reads a statement from Chick-fil-A shared with Nexstar on Friday. "We will continue serving the item at participating restaurant locations and hope customers continue to enjoy this menu offering." ‘Wheel of Fortune’: What’s the most (and least) a contestant can win? The salad was originally slated to leave menus on April 3. Chick-fil-A said in its previous announcement that the decision to axe the item was part of an effort "to help simplify our menu.”Many customers learned of the then-impen...

South Side Muslim non-profit to give back during Ramadan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

Sadia Nawab, the director of Arts & Culture at IMAN: Inner-City Muslim Action Network, joined us to talk about the South Side-based non-profit's goals and planned events amid the holy month of Ramadan.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Cost Plus Drugs might save Medicare members money — with a catch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Bill Hearn’s medication to treat his mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, would cost him $275 per month from CVS Pharmacy through his Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. But the 69-year-old retiree living in Knoxville, Tennessee, gets a generic version delivered from a new online pharmacy, instead. It costs hundreds of dollars less.“I’d read some about Costplusdrugs.com on Twitter, so I decided to check it out,” Hearn said in an email. “Their website is very easy to use to check availability and prices, and I was surprised to find a $75 per month price for the same medication (as a generic). The price was lowered to $60.50 last year.”Cost Plus Drugs can offer significant savings on certain prescription drugs, but there are some downsides, too — particularly for people with Medicare. Here’s what Medicare beneficiaries should know about this online pharmacy.What is Cost Plus Drugs?The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co., or Cost Plus Drugs, is an online ph...

APD releases video of shooting, robbery at south Austin gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Austin Police Department released a video related to a Wednesday shooting and robbery at a gas station in south Austin.According to detectives, the armed robbery occurred at 4:30 a.m. in the 100 block of East Stassney Lane.The surveillance video showed three armed juveniles entering the gas station store and rushing toward the clerk as they ransacked the store.APD issued a viewer discretion warning for the video, saying it contained foul language and disturbing images. The video can be found here.“One of the suspects towered over the clerk, holding the clerk at gunpoint as he tried to open the safe. The suspect fired at the safe several times close to the clerk. Luckily, no direct fire or ricochets hit the clerk,” APD said.According to police, the suspects continued stealing items before leaving the store toward their vehicle. While leaving, police said one of the juveniles shot at the building toward the clerk inside.APD said Robbery Unit investigator...

Records: Facebook Marketplace seller attacked with knife while trying to sell PlayStation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have charged a 19-year-old woman with a felony for allegedly pulling a knife on a man Tuesday after she agreed to buy his PlayStation 4 on Facebook Marketplace, according to police documents. The victim posted his PlayStation 4 on Facebook Marketplace for $200 and received a message from an interested buyer Tuesday afternoon. They agreed to meet at a north Austin location later that evening, according to APD. The victim arrived at the agreed-upon location with a friend, where he found the interested buyer. The victim put the product on the ground, and moments later, the buyer pulled a knife to his neck. A struggle to get control of the weapon ensued, and the victim’s friend exited the vehicle and attempted to help. The three were entangled in a struggle when the friend saw something that looked like a gun. Fortunately, the friend realized the “gun” was a drill. It was at that point that both the victim and his friend fled with his PlayStation,...

Battlehawks tease relocation to LA in viral April Fools' Day joke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Many surprises have come with the second iteration of the St. Louis Battlehawks. The team has rallied for some impressive comebacks and drawn record-breaking crowds to the Dome at America's Center. But their latest surprise, maybe a tad too extreme for the average St. Louis football fan. Top Stories: Courts connect four St. Louis infant exposure deaths to one woman To start the month of April, the Battlehawks social media team shared an "official statement" via Twitter. That statement reads: "Following a vote from XFL owners, the Battlehawks have been officially approved to relocate to the greater Los Angeles area and will do so for the 2024 season.St. Louis is a city known for its incredibly hard-working, passionate, and proud people. Bringing the XFL back to St. Louis in 2023 will go down as one of the proudest moments in our league's history. This move isn't about whether we love St. Louis or its fans,but rather about what is in the best interest of the Battlehaw...