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Wagner leader calls for rebellion against Russian defense chief, Kremlin orders his arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The owner of the Wagner private military contractor escalated his direct challenge to the Kremlin on Friday, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by opening a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin.Prigozhin posted a series of angry video and audio recordings in which he accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike Friday on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine, where his troops are fighting on behalf of Russia. Prigozhin said his troops would now punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance. “This is not a military coup, but a march of justice,” Prigozhin declared.The Defense Ministry denied carrying out the rocket attack. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is part of the Federal Security Services, or FSB, said he would be investigated on charges of calling for an armed rebellion. The state news agency Tass sa...

Body of 3rd climber killed in Washington state avalanche has been recovered

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — The body of the third and final climber killed last winter in an avalanche on Washington’s Colchuck Peak has been recovered, officials said.A hiker on Thursday found the body of Yun Park, a 66-year-old man from Palisades Park, New Jersey, and reported it to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. A helicopter rescue team recovered the body Friday.Park and two other climbers were killed Feb. 19 as they ascended a steep, snow-packed gulley on the 8,705-foot (2,653-meter) Colchuck Peak, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Seattle, amid risky avalanche conditions. A fourth member of the party suffered only minor injuries when caught up in the avalanche and was able to hike down.One of the victims, Seong Cho, 54, a Korean citizen residing in West Hartford, Connecticut, was located days later. The body of of 60-year-old Jeannie Lee, of Bayside, New York, was recovered in late May.The three were part of a New York-based climbing club, officials said at the time of...

What you need to know about the 2023 Chicago Pride Parade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Nearly a million people are expected in Lakeview on Sunday for the 52nd annual Chicago Pride Parade.If you're planning to attend the parade, here's what you should know. WGN-TV to air ‘Pride: Stories of Chicago’s Very Own’ Where and when is the 2023 Chicago Pride Parade?The pride parade starts at noon on Sunday, June 25.The parade will start near Montrose and Broadway in the city's Uptown neighborhood and finish on near Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.What other pride events are happening this weekend in Chicago?Starting Friday night, Pride in the Park will be held on Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park.The event will feature LGBTQ+ performers, artists, vendors and more.Tickets for the event are on sale now.What is the Chicago Police Department doing to keep people safe?On Friday, the Chicago Police Department held a press conference to discuss some of the preparations underway.CPD Interim Superintendent Fred Waller stopped at several businesses in North...

Skilling: Showers possible this weekend, but high temps ahead for Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

The Chicago area has its best shot at some rain Saturday night and a portion of Sunday and Monday in 3 weeks. T-storms are to erupt as moisture sweeps into the area.The storms are to occur in clusters with rain-free periods between them. Downpours and gusty winds are possible with the heaviest storms—but the breaks in precipitation means Sunday isn't to be a total washout.  Though model forecasts of rainfall are always dicey in the warm season given the varied rainfalls which occur with precipitation this time of year, particularly when it involves t-storms---the machine rain projections offer guidance on the precipitation trend which may occur. And our in-house examination of TOTAL MODEL RAIN ESTIMATES between Saturday night and Monday evening suggests amounts could range from as little at 0.25" to as much as 1.40".  Approach those numbers with care because t-storms are capable of intense local downpours which can exceed model guidance. But we're in drought. Rai...

Most pools now open across Chicago after surge of lifeguard applicants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

CHICAGO — City pools are now open for the season and are fully staffed with lifeguards, thanks to a significant hiring effort. And some people couldn’t wait to jump in. Swimming was back at the Armour Square Pool on Friday, to the delight of locals like Mary Mitchell. "There’s nothing like being outdoors in the summer and just being able to swim your laps," Mitchell said. Need a summer job? Chicago Park District is hiring City pools opened on Friday, June 23, for the season fully staffed with lifeguards, thanks to a significant hiring effort. (Photo/WGN)The Chicago Park District manages more than 70 pools, most of which are outdoors. But staffing issues over the past couple of years have drained some of the summer fun. "Our kids learned how to swim in this pool," said Debbie Kodzoman, who lives nearby. "These things are very important to communities."Community members came together to raise their concerns with city officials, saying that Armour Square’s pool hasn’t been open for ...

Nicki Minaj Hidden Hills petition appears to be a hoax

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect new information about the source of the online petition.An online petition calling for Nicki Minaj to leave her home in L.A.'s affluent Hidden Hills community appears to be a hoax, TMZ reports. The entertainment news and gossip site found that the Twitter account, CleverlyCardi2, mentioned starting the petition in a tweet dated December 2022, the same month Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty purchased a $19.5 million home in Hidden Hills.The change.org petition was started in December by a "Beverly Bardan," which TMZ reports to be an alias referencing the "Bardi Gang" - a name used by fans of Cardi B.In a 2022 tweet, that user admits to starting the petition. Here’s a list of celebrities who live in Calabasas "We, as Nicki antis, can turn the residents of Hidden Hills AGAINST Nicki and her ... husband moving in, hurting her assets in the process! Make sure to share and sign the petition," the tweet read.The petition is titled ...

Cubs, Cardinals balance fun and business ahead of weekend London series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

LONDON (AP/WGN) — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said players do better “when they’re having fun.”There was plenty of that to go around Friday when the Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals held workouts at London Stadium ahead of a two-game weekend series.Shaking off jet lag, players in batting practice took aim for the outfield seats that spell out “West Ham” in the home of the Premier League club as MLB returns to the British capital in a renewed bid to grow internationally.The 16-foot centerfield wall — with Union Jack and American flags hanging high above — has been pushed back a bit after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox cranked 10 homers in the first London series four years ago. Nearly 70% of MLB players polled choose same city for possible expansion team The laid-back vibe — Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of the McLaren team took BP — will be replaced with a more serious tone Saturday as both the Cardinals and Cubs resume their pursuit of the red-hot Ci...

Special counsel Jack Smith offers fake electors immunity in Jan. 6 probe: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

(The Hill) – Special counsel Jack Smith has reached agreements with at least two fake GOP electors to provide them limited immunity in exchange for testifying before a grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, CNN reported Friday. People familiar with the situation told the outlet that federal prosecutors have been trying to quickly confirm evidence on the record recently and have refused to grant extensions to subpoenas for testimony for some witnesses. They also said Smith’s office was prepared to compel testimony from witnesses who were given immunity but indicated they would refuse to answer questions under their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. CNN reported that the testimony has allowed the office to gain information that other investigations looking into the aftermath of the 2020 race could not get.One source told the outlet that at least one other witness has also spoken to investigators in the past two weeks in e...

Heatwave intensifies this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following some brief relief with temperatures under 100°, temperatures rise again this weekend with the worst of the recent heatwave still to come.A Heat Advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday for dangerous heat index values, and this will no doubt be extended through the day Sunday.Heat Advisory in effect until 9 p.m. SaturdayThe ridge of high pressure that has brought abnormally hot temperatures to Texas and northern Mexico will begin to drift north this weekend. As it does, even hotter temperatures will follow. This slight nudge in pattern will send temperatures to near-records, both in the afternoon and overnight, for most of next week.Ridge of high pressure settles in over the area, hotter temperatures next weekWe are seeing some hints of relief in the 8-14 day outlook, as the ridge of high pressure may move away and open the door to slightly cooler temperatures and daily rain chances around the 4th of July holiday. Stay tuned for updates. Expert: Texas ...

Why not to worry about this plant growing in Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:32 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is a 2022 KXAN story on cabomba caroliniana growing in Lady Bird Lake.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Watershed Protection said people should not worry about the pervasive plant seen growing up toward the water’s surface in Lady Bird Lake and lower Barton Creek.According to the department, cabomba caroliniana or fanwort, might be a paddling hindrance, but it provides valuable water quality benefits. The plant has made its return to some local waterways this summer. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: What is growing in Lady Bird Lake? “It removes excess nutrients from the water & supports a robust food web of bugs, small fish, big bass, & turtles,” Watershed Protection said.Fanwort can grow up to 15 feet tall, according to the department, and it is easily identifiable by its tiny white flowers, which bloom both on top of and under the water.Swimming in Lady Bird LakeThe lake has been off-limits to swimmers since 1964.Why did they ban swimming? Liz Johnston, the city’s...