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Kentucky commission approves licenses for September launch of sports wagering

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky awarded licenses Tuesday for horse tracks to operate sports betting facilities and for companies to accept online bets, paving the way for legal wagering on sporting events to start in September.The action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission means bettors now know where they can place in-person sports wagers starting Sept. 7 and which mobile applications can take wagers beginning Sept. 28.The Bluegrass State has been on an accelerated push to launch legal sports wagering since Kentucky lawmakers passed a sports betting measure at the end of their session in late March.Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear praised the horse racing commission on Tuesday for “getting this done right and getting it done in time for the opening of the NFL season.”The following Kentucky racetracks and their satellite facilities were approved to open a retail sportsbook: Churchill Downs, Louisville; Derby City Gaming, Louisville; Ellis Park, Henderson; the Mint Gaming Hall Cumberlan...

Federal judge orders utility to turn over customer information amid reports of improper water use

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered Mississippi’s largest electric utility to turn over information on customers in and around the capital city who might be using water without paying for it. In a Monday court filing, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate granted a motion by Ted Henifin — the federally appointed interim manager of Jackson’s water and sewer systems — that compels Entergy Mississippi to turn over names, addresses and contact information for customers in over 30 zip codes in the area. The order comes months after Henifin said Jackson is collecting only a little more than half of the money it bills for water use, far below the rate at which most American cities obtain such fees. JXN Water, the corporation Henifin formed to manage water infrastructure projects, will cross reference the Entergy customer records with city records to see what homes might be using water without a utility account. “This is essential to updating and correcting the informa...

Texas’ floating barrier to stop migrants draws recurring concerns from Mexico, US official says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Mexico’s government has repeatedly raised concerns with the U.S. about large buoys Texas put on the Rio Grande to deter migrants and agreements between the two countries could suffer if the floating barrier remains in place, a State Department official said in court Tuesday.The testimony sought to reinforce what the Biden administration argues are the diplomatic stakes over wrecking-ball-sized buoys that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott authorized this summer as part of the Republican’s increasingly hardline measures in the name of curbing the flow of migrants crossing the border.U.S. District Judge David Ezra did not immediately rule at the conclusion of the hearing Tuesday in Austin. At one point, Ezra said the issue centered on whether Abbott has the power to unilaterally try stopping what the governor has described as an “invasion” on America’s southern border. “Mexico has sensitivities about sovereignty and doesn’t want to be seen as a lesser ...

In session reacting to school shooting, Tennessee GOP lawmaker orders removal of public from hearing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Families close to a Nashville fatal school shooting broke down in tears Tuesday after a Tennessee Republican leader ordered state troopers to remove them and others from a legislative hearing room while they waited to testify in favor of gun control measures.The emotional scene was just one of several chaotic moments that erupted during the second day of Tennessee’s special legislative session. Republican Gov. Bill Lee initially called lawmakers back to the Capitol to consider his proposal to keep firearms away from dangerous people.“I was supposed to speak, I was supposed to testify,” said Sarah Shoop Neumann, sobbing and shaking in front of the silent GOP-controlled House subcommittee room, which was cleared out after some clapping from the public gallery, even though she sat quietly and wasn’t holding any signs.As a parent whose child attends The Covenant School, Neumann is among the family members desperately attempting to address the state’s ...

White Sox: Ken Williams, Rick Hahn relieved of duties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox announced that Ken Williams, executive vice president, and Rick Hahn, senior vice president/general manager, have been relieved of their responsibilities, effective immediately.“This is an incredibly difficult decision for me to make because they are both talented individuals with long-term relationships at the White Sox," said Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox chairman. "Ken is like a son to me, and I will always consider him a member of my family. I want to personally thank Ken and Rick for all they have done for the Chicago White Sox, winning the 2005 World Series and reaching the postseason multiple times during their tenures. I have nothing but the greatest respect for them as people and appreciate the commitment and passion for the White Sox they exhibited over the years.“Ultimately, the well-worn cliche that professional sports is results-oriented is correct,” Reinsdorf said. “While we have enjoyed successes as an organization and were optimistic head...

Athletes defined by determination – not disabilities – compete in Chicago Triathlon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

WGN’s Mike Lowe is participating in the Life Time Chicago Triathlon to raise money for the non-profit “It Takes a Village Chicago,” a non-profit that builds weight rooms for youth in underserved communities and underfunded schools. You can donate here. Each Tuesday in August, we’re bringing you stories about the Triathlon.Here’s Triathlon Tuesday Part 1: https://wgntv.com/news/mike-lowe-triathlon/lessons-of-strength-hard-work-inspiring-youth-beyond-club-weight-rooms/Here’s Triathlon Tuesday Part 2: https://wgntv.com/news/mike-lowe-triathlon/father-daughter-train-together-to-compete-against-each-other/Here’s Triathlon Tuesday Part 3: https://wgntv.com/video/top-40-bolingbrook-man-prepares-for-40th-consecutive-chicago-triathlon/8909463/CHICAGO — This week, we’re meeting a man who knows a thing or two about big challenges.Angelo Perez has been preparing for the Chicago Triathlon for about 12 weeks on what you might call his ‘training wheels.’“I am a 55-year-old disabled male that is go...

Tuesday Forecast: Excessive heat around Chicagoland area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

Excessive Heat Warning: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. WednesdayExcessive Heat Watch: In place for ThursdayTonight: Partly cloudy, hazy, warm and more humid. Low 76—closer to 70 inland.Wednesday: Sun mixed with summertime cumulus clouds, turning windy, intensely hot and humid. A near record or record high approaching 99-deg.  Peak afternoon heat indices: 108 to 113-deg.  Gusts to 30 mph by afternoon.,Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, breezy, hazy, very warm and and humid. Low 81 in the city—mid 70s inland.Thursday: A good deal of sunshine, intensely hot and humid with haze.  Sharp cooling later in the day begins on the North Shore and reaches across the city by and during the evening—but not before a potential record high of 101 and a peak heat index around 112.  Reading falling back to the 70s lakeside areas late in the day.Friday: Partly cloudy, not quite as warm—but still humid. Chance of a few t-storms in the afternoon or at night. High 89—but low 80s lakeshore.Saturday and ...

Skilling: Intense heat heading to the Chicago area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

Intense heat combined with very humid air is headed for the Chicago area producing a dangerous breed of heat by Wednesday afternoon into Thursday for anyone exerting themselves outdoors.Lake breezes, like those which have come ashore in Chicago Sunday, Monday and now today as well, have shielded the area from the most intense heat.  Afternoon temps Tuesday have ranged from a hot as 92 at Joliet, Elburn and Warrenville—well away from the lake—to 74 at Lake Forest and East Chicago, IN, 73 at the Wilmette Harbor buoy and 75 at Calumet Harbor.  The lake breezes GO AWAY as well developed---even GUSTY "WSW" winds overpower any lake cooling and allow temps to "TAKE OFF' Wednesday. A 99-deg high would establish a new record for the date—eclipsing the current Aug 23rd record of 97 set 76 years ago in 1947.  Another record could occur Thursday if a southbound "back-door" type cold front holds off as now see s likely until late in the day. That may well permit a triple...

Chicago Bears Fantasy Outlook: Who to draft and who to avoid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

CHICAGO — It's that time of year again Bears fans. Football is back, and so are drafts for your upcoming fantasy leagues.The NFL preseason is in full swing — Justin Fields is slinging balls, new acquisition DJ Moore is catching them, and a revamped defense is humming around the practice fields at Halas Hall looking to make a complete 180 turnaround from a season ago. But, what should you make of this roster when it comes to your fantasy football draft?Here's what outlets covering the NFL have to say when it comes to the 2023 Chicago Bears, and how they rank at their respective positions in fantasy:Justin FieldsChicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields puts on his helmet during NFL football practice in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)ESPN: 6th CBS Sports: 5thNBC Sports: 7thFantasypros: 6thAfter a historic season running the ball from the quarterback position, fantasy gurus across the country are expecting Justin Fields to be a borderline top-5 QB in fan...

Defense rests in federal trial to decide whether Tim Mapes lied to protect Mike Madigan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:10:36 GMT

CHICAGO — The federal perjury trial of a former chief of staff to longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continued Tuesday, as lawyers for Tim Mapes presented their case.Mapes, former chief of staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, is accused of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice. Prosecutors allege Mapes tried to block a criminal investigation of Madigan and Springfield insider Michael McClain.Using a series of secret recordings, the government told jurors Mapes lied about his knowledge of Madigan and McClain's political activities. In one 2018 call, when 'MeToo' had swept through the legislature, McClain told Mapes he disagreed with Madigan's appointment of Maggie Hickey to investigate the mistreatment of women at the Capitol. Federal trial to decide whether ex-chief of staff lied to protect his boss, Illinois House speaker Before prosecutors rested their case on Monday, they played a wiretap of McClain saying he worked to block t...