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What to know about NASCAR's Chicago Street Race Week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

CHICAGO — The event has been discussed and debated for nearly a year, earning supporters along with detractors along the way.After nearly a year of preparation, the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race Week has finally arrived. With the construction continuing downtown and with teams beginning to arrive along with curious fans from around the country, the city is preparing for a downtown event like no other in its history.WGN News Now takes a look at what to look for this week as the drivers take to the streets of Chicago for two days of competition.NASCAR Chicago Street Race signs hang downtown on June 12, 2023. The BasicsNASCAR is making its first appearance in the Chicagoland area since 2019 when they raced at the 1.5-mile tri-oval at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. This marks the first time that a major motorsports race is being staged in downtown Chicago. The Xfinity Series will be the first to race on Saturday, July 1, with their race, The Loop 121, beginning at 4 p.m. central...

Idaho prosecutors to seek death penalty for Bryan Kohberger

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

(NewsNation) — Prosecutors in Moscow, Idaho, intend to seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students last November.The state, in the court notice filed Monday, said it found several aggravating factors in the stabbing deaths, which Idaho law requires exist to pursue the death penalty. Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four students were found stabbed to death Nov. 13 inside their off-campus rental home. Colorado Springs shooter pleads guilty; victims call him a ‘monster’ who hunted LGBTQ+ patrons Police allege cellphone tower data shows Kohberger was in the vicinity of the home multiple times in the days and weeks leading up to the stabbings.Prosecutors have also said in court filings DNA on a knife sheath left at the scene matches Kohberger's. His defense attorneys are seeking all DNA profiles that were collected during ...

New sighting of 'Frankenfish' that can slither, breathe on land prompts reminder from officials

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

MISSOURI (WJW) — It's nicknamed the Frankenfish for its ability to continue living even on land. Its real name is the northern snakehead fish (Channa argus) and after being spotted at the Duck Creek Conservation Area in the southeastern part of Missouri last month, wildlife officials are warning people to be on the lookout for this harmful and invasive species.The air-breathing, freshwater fish, which is federally regulated, is originally from East Asia and can grow up to three feet, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Invasive Species Information Center. The fish has gotten much attention in the media for its ability to slither on land to find a more preferable body of water. Man who gave up seats on Titan submersible says OceanGate CEO was ‘dismissive’ of concerns The "Frankenfish" was first discovered in California in 1997, according to the U.S. Geological Society. Since then, the species has been observed in 15 other states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaw...

'The Dirdie Birdie' seeing increase in business as temps rise

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The heat can have an impact on what activities people choose to do.While outdoor activities can be fun, if you are looking to stay cool, an indoor activity might be the move."It feels like I am in an infrared sauna," said Andrew Warren, who was out with friends. "It is unbelievably hot."Warren and his friends decided that a day of indoor activities, like putt-putt golf, was the right move. So they stopped by "The Dirdie Birdie" in the Domain."So we were looking for opportunities to hang out with our friends that had air conditioning," said Warren.Vik Khasat, owner of the miniature golf course and bar, said the hot weather has brought in more business as people look to escape the heat. The current heat wave peaks in the next two days "Since opening, we have been pretty busy, but the last couple of weeks, especially with the heat, we have seen a lot more traffic coming in looking for a cool place to hang out," said Khasat.While some are looking for a little competiti...

APD: 18 year old, 3 juveniles arrested in connection with southeast Austin shooting death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Ervin Coronado-Palacio, 18, faces a capital murder charge in the death of Brian Serrano, 19, according to an affidavit for the suspect. The Austin Police Department said three juveniles have also been arrested in relation to the case. PREVIOUS: APD searching for suspects in deadly southeast Austin robbery On May 15, APD received a 911 call about the shooting and found Serrano dead inside his car on Springfield Drive in southeast Austin. APD said a group of people - whom Serrano did not know - attempted to rob him and another woman. According to the affidavit, Coronado-Palacio's prints were found in a stolen vehicle left on the scene. The affidavit also revealed a witness called police two days after the shooting to tell investigators they knew a juvenile who was also involved.The witness told police that the juvenile's family implicated Coronado-Palacio in a conversation they had with the witness. Coronado-Palacio's attorney Jeff Peek told KXAN it's still early i...

Timberwolves draft pick Jaylen Clark knew years ago that his calling would be on the defensive end

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

Jaylen Clark’s Compton Magic AAU basketball team was stacked. The roster was packed to the brim with firepower.Evan Mobley, Onyeka Okongwu, Johnny Juzang, Isaiah Mobley — future Pac-12 stars and NBA players making up one force of a summer squad.Shots clearly weren’t going to be plentiful for Clark. So his father, Cornelius Clark, told Jaylen to play 94 feet of defense on every possession.“‘Nobody in AAU plays defense 94 feet, Jaylen,’” Cornelius recalled to the Los Angeles Times. “‘On that team, you’re never going to see the floor. You’re on the team, but you’re not going to play because they don’t need you, you’re the youngest kid and they’ve got all kinds of firepower.’”So Clark put all his energy into the defensive end, a philosophy that he has maintained for the past five years. And that decision has served Clark well, earning the wing player National Defensive Player of the Year honors this past season at UCLA. It’s also what got Clark drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 5...

UMN regents approve 3.5 percent tuition hike for Twin Cities, Rochester students

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

Students at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities and Rochester campuses will see in-state tuition rise 3.5% this fall as part of the system’s $4.4 billion annual budget approved Monday.The U’s Board of Regents voted 11-0 with one member absent to approve the budget for the coming school year. Minnesota residents attending Duluth, Morris or Crookston will see a 1% tuition hike.Regents had considered increasing in-state attendance costs as much as 7% on the main campus and 3.5% on other campuses before state lawmakers agreed to provide about $55.5 million annually in new operations funding. State support makes up about 17% of the U’s annual budget.The Legislature last month agreed to boost total state spending on higher education programs by about $650 million over the next two years, 17.5% above current levels. Minnesota will spend about $4.2 billion over the next two years to support the U, Minnesota State and other higher education programs like student...

Efforts to stop violence in Albany following recent murders

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The recent murder that occurred on the corner of Myrtle & Phillip is just one of many that has Albany community leaders asking what can be done to stop the violence.   MORE NEWS from NEWS10“Maybe more police presence out here. I see patrol cops but not necessarily on foot as much” a local worker named Elijah told us. “Maybe more patrol. Not necessarily physically done but more patrol around…” said Mackenzie Woods who also works in the area. Albany police chief Eric Hawkins however said that isn’t a long term solution."More police presence is definitely a part of our strategy but in the short term" Hawkins said. He wants to address factors in youths' lives like domestic violence to prevent them from committing future crimes. Albany police investigating two homicides“At some point in their lives, they're experiencing some form of trauma, and once they reach a certain age they act out on that trauma, that trauma is manifesting themselves into them getti...

Burnt Hills man charged with grand larceny

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

GANSEVOORT, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office arrested a Burnt Hills man on June 21. The Criminal Investigations Unit charged Benjamin Sloan, 44, with two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Sheriff's Office responded to a larceny complaint from a Gansevoort business in September 2022. It was alleged Sloan, an employee of the business, used his assigned company credit card to make unauthorized purchases.According to police, the investigation found that Sloan had purchased gift cards for personal use. He was arrested and released on appearance tickets and is due in court in the Towns of Wilton and Halfmoon at a later date.

'Jewel of St. Charles' left in pieces after water main break

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:40:32 GMT

ST CHARLES, Mo. – As of late Monday afternoon, a 25-foot stretch of North Main Street in St. Charles remains closed due to a water main break that happened Sunday evening. Crews are working around-the-clock to repair the break and fill the hole before Fourth of July weekend. Until then, businesses will still operate.“I didn't know when I got the phone call this morning how catastrophic it would be,” said Joe Ancmon, the owner of Novellus and Burger Underground, two restaurants that sit on Main between Jefferson and Monroe streets, where the break happened.For hours, water rushed through the streets of the city. By early evening on Monday, little water remained. Nick Galla, the director of Public Works for St. Charles, explained that the 100-year-old cast-iron pipeline was part of the reason the break happened.“The age of the infrastructure, plus the excessive heat we have going on,” he said. Crews investigating home explosion in Granite City, Illinois What makes the situation more...