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More US ships head toward Israel and 2,000 troops are on heightened alert. A look at US assistance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Within hours of the horrific Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needed to respond. On Tuesday, more ships and forces were heading toward Israel, and other troops in the U.S. were preparing to deploy if called on.One U.S. aircraft carrier and its strike group is already in the eastern Mediterranean and a second one has left the U.S. and is heading that way. In addition, three Marine warships with are moving into the region. Scores of aircraft were dispatched to U.S. military bases around the Middle East, and American special operations forces are working with Israel’s military in planning and intelligence. And, as of Tuesday, five shipments of U.S. weapons and equipment had arrived in Israel. The buildup reflects growing U.S. concern that the deadly fighting between Hamas and Israel will escalate into wider regional conflict. So the key mission for American ships and ...

As Chicago migrant crisis strains resources, Johnson seeks additional support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

CHICAGO — City Council budget hearings are underway and alders say Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan for migrants doesn’t add up. The mayor has allocated $150 million for new arrivals, half this year’s projected costs.On Tuesday, Johnson attended a Personal PAC abortion rights group’s luncheon.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to allocate $150 million next year to care for migrants. (Photo/WGN) Arguments delayed in Amundsen Park migrant shelter legal battle "I want you to know as Mayor of Chicago, I, too, will continue to fight to make sure that this city is a national model for gender equity and championing reproductive rights," Johnson said. Despite promises of plans, Chicago migrant crisis gets worse As much as the mayor wants to hone in on progressive causes, the migrant crisis overshadows everything. WGN News spoke to Johnson about the existing issue."Look, over 300 buses have arrived since I took office," Johnson said. "We’ve stood up a shelter every single wee...

Crews evaluate potential site for camp to house migrants in Brighton Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

CHICAGO — On Tuesday, city and private construction crews were busy going in and out of a plot of land in Brighton Park as a spot for a camp to house migrants.The site near 38th Street and California Avenue would be used as a winterized camp. Emergency crews respond to home explosion in DeKalb County "We were never notified about something like this and they never asked for our opinion," a neighbor who asked to remain anonymous said. "This just happened."Residents said over the years, the neighborhood has been improving and thriving with new developments. Now they're worried it'll go in the opposite direction."My initial thoughts that crime would increase, that loitering would increase," a neighbor said.The vacant lot is privately owned and managed by the Sanchez Group.It was previously used as a trailer truck parking lot.The 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez is aware city departments have been working on the site to determine the feasibility of the location. She said if the water depa...

Paul Lisnek discusses latest on the vote for a Speaker of the House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

CHICAGO — WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss the latest on the vote for a Speaker of the House. Jordan fails to win Speakership on first ballot Watch the video in the player above for this story.

United Airlines is about to completely change the way you board a plane

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

(WFLA) — United Airlines will be completely changing the way passengers board a plane later this month. First-class and business-class passengers will still board the plane first as they do now, but then the changes start, according to an internal memo obtained Tuesday by WFLA. Zillow reveals the weird 2024 trends that will increase home value After certain groups (seen below), United passengers flying economy and assigned window seats will board first. This will cut down on the amount of times people already seated have to stand in the aisle to let another person sit down, according to the memo. The new boarding process, known as "WILMA," will begin for flights on Oct. 26, the airline said. WILMA stands for window-middle-aisle. All window seat passengers will board the plane first, followed by passengers with middle seats, and then passengers with aisle seats.The boarding groups will be as follows:Boarding GroupPre-boarding- Customers with disabilities and unaccompanied minors- ...

$22M in public financing aims to turn shuttered Iron Range wood plant into cannabis factory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A former wood plant in northern Minnesota may turn into a $67 million indoor cannabis grow and manufacturing facility after landing more than $20 million in public financing.The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board on Tuesday voted to award a $10 million loan to HWY35 LLC, which plans to employ 400 people and equip the former Ainsworth Lumber Co. oriented-strand-board manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids, closed since 2008, with “LED grow lights, HVAC systems and automated nutrient delivery systems.”The project has also received a $10 million loan from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and $2 million in tax-increment financing from the city of Grand Rapids, according to the IRRRB’s Tuesday meeting agenda.HWY35, led by Jack Mitchell, a Missouri-based cannabis entrepreneur, and John Hyduke, the lead Minnesota investment partner, is among the first businesses trying to capitalize on the state’s burgeoning recreational marij...

Sun Country adds nonstop service to Toronto and Montreal, 8 other seasonal destinations in U.S.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

Sun Country Airlines on Tuesday announced new nonstop service to Toronto and Montreal, in addition to eight other seasonal destinations in the United States.The Minnesota-based low-cost carrier said the Toronto and Montreal service from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will begin in June. The airline said it has also extended its schedule for customers to book travel through Sept. 10, 2024.The expanded seasonal schedule also includes Albuquerque, N.M.; Billings, Mont.; Boise, Idaho; Dulles International Airport in Virginia/Washington, D.C.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Missoula, Mont.; Oakland, Calif.; and Syracuse, N.Y.Service to the new destinations will generally be twice weekly, with service to Dulles four times a week.“Sun Country prides itself on being the leisure airline of choice for MSP customers,” Grant Whitney, senior vice president and chief revenue officer, said in a Sun Country statement. “We have more than doubled our nonstop destinations for customers flying out of...

Anheuser-Busch holds job fair for positions at Brewery Lights event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS – With the holidays just around the corner, many companies are adding seasonal positions. And those looking for part-time work are in luck.Sure, it might have been a 70° day Tuesday afternoon, but a job fair at Anheuser-Busch was all about the holidays.Anheuser-Busch hosted a hiring event for its Brewery Lights celebration at the St. Louis Tour Center and Biergarten from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pickleball noise level exceeds ordinance; country club remains unable to play The seasonal jobs range from a bartender which pays $9 an hour plus tips, to a Clydesdale tour guide, which pays $14 an hour.You can find more info on the positions available at BudweiserTours.com.Brewery Lights begins Saturday, Nov. 18, with enhanced nightly parades that will include floats, trolley, street performers, and the world-famous Clydesdales.

Suspect arrested for multiple felonies after blowing up teddy bear in parking lot 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

An explosive device that detonated inside of a large teddy bear led to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of drugs, weapons and ammunition.According to an Instagram post by the San Bernardino Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call from a local business owner who said he was told by witnesses that an explosive device had gone off in the parking lot in front of their business. The exact date or location of the incident was not released. Surveillance footage from the scene captures the suspect exiting their vehicle and placing the explosive device, identified by police as a giant teddy bear, several parking spots away from their car. Security footage captures a man detonating an explosive device inside a teddy bear in San Bernardino, CA. (San Bernardino Police Department)Security footage captures a man detonating an explosive device inside a teddy bear in San Bernardino, CA. (San Bernardino Police Department)Security footage captures a man detonating an exp...

Crews battle wildfire in Riverside County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

A wildfire that erupted in rural Riverside County and scorched several acres east of Temecula appeared to be slowing down Tuesday afternoon.According to Cal Fire, the Stanley Fire started shortly before 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon in the 46000 block of Stanley Road north of Aguanga. “[The fire] is burning in medium fuels with a moderate rate of spread,” Cal Fire said on social media at the time the blaze began. Approximate location of the Stanley Fire in Riverside County. Oct. 17, 2023. An update from fire officials at 2:10 p.m. Monday said that the fire had spread to 12 acres and that a closure had been put in place for Stanley Road at Sage Road.Officials confirmed that the blaze's spread was stopped shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, and flames seemed to be dying down by 4:15 p.m.