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Groups say philanthropists trying to boost local news shouldn’t leave minorities behind

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Some organizations representing minority journalists say they’re worried that outlets reporting on their communities will be left behind in a recently-announced $500 million initiative aimed at boosting the struggling local news industry.They urged that Press Forward Initiative, a group of 20 funders led by the Knight and MacArthur Foundations, to more explicitly commit to funding these outlets, particularly those run by minorities.“They’re sort of skirting around it,” said Martin Reynolds, co-executive director of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, on Tuesday.There was no immediate comment from the funders. In announcing the $500 million pledge two weeks ago, the funders said they wanted to “move resources to newsrooms and organizations that are improving diversity of experience and thought,” as well as into underserved communities.Reynolds pointed to research showing that philanthropists tended to favor organizations run by whites...

'I was laughing and crying': Illinois man retires after winning $2M on scratch-off ticket

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ILLINOIS — An Illinois man who spent $20 on a scratch-off lottery ticket saw a massive return on investment after winning a $2 million top prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.The 66-year-old man, who has asked to remain anonymous, picked up the life-changing ticket at a Pilot Travel Center along Illinois Route 47 in Morris.“My wife and I stopped for gas and I picked up a scratch-off ticket. She said, ‘Don’t scratch it in front of me, I’m bad luck.’ So once we got back home, I scratched the ticket alone, and I couldn’t believe it, the ticket was a $2 million winner! I was laughing and crying at the same time. We are just ecstatic,” the lotto player said.  No winner for Powerball; jackpot climbs to $672 million Over 50 different Instant Ticket games are offered by The Illinois Lottery across the state, but the player's lucky twist of fate was due in part to his granddaughter.“I picked the pink ticket because it’s my granddaughter’s favorite color,” the big winner said. Aft...

Preparing for flu season: CDC urges everyone to get flu shot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

With the start of fall comes the start of flu season.The Centers for Disease Control is urging everyone to get a flu shot to avoid serious illness.Dr. Christopher Parker with the CDC joined the WGN Evening News to talk more about it.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here.

One of Disneyland's most popular rides closes for refurbishing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

(KTLA) – Disneyland has closed Space Mountain just as the Halloween season kicks off at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”The popular Tomorrowland indoor roller coaster will be closed until Oct. 25 for refurbishment, according to the Disneyland calendar.The closure of Space Mountain comes as guests pour in to visit the resort for Halloween. Disneyland brings back fire effects for some nighttime shows In the past, Disneyland would temporarily close Space Mountain to install the Ghost Galaxy overlap, which would add “video projections of spinning nebulas and a fiery space demon to the pitch-black indoor coaster,” the Orange County Register reported.  The last time Disneyland officials installed the overlay for the Halloween season was in 2018, according to theme park blogs. The abandoned plans to bring another Disney theme park to California Though the Halloween overlay isn’t seen as frequently, the park has added the Hyperspace Mountain overlay during the annual Star Wars c...

Cause of death revealed for Ron Sexton, longtime member of ‘The Bob & Tom Show’ comedic radio program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

HARRISON, Ohio (WXIN) — An Ohio coroner has released the cause of death for 52-year-old Ron Sexton.According to a statement from the Hamilton County Coroner's Office, Sexton, known as Donnie Baker on "The Bob & Tom Show," died at a hotel in Harrison on July 21 from "combined toxic effects from fentanyl and ethanol (alcohol)." Attempted murder charge related to late radio host Ronald Sexton dismissed Sexton's manner of death was reported as accidental after an investigation by Hamilton police and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office, according to the statement. Sexton was known by millions of listeners for the comedic characters he played on air, including Donnie Baker, Kenny Tarmac, Floyd the Trucker and his spot-on celebrity impersonations. The Indianapolis native and resident of Tampa, Florida, had been on tour with his stand-up comedy show in Ohio at the time of his death, the show said.His family released a statement after his passing, saying, “He was Donnie Baker&nb...

YouTube suspends Russell Brand amid sexual assault allegations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

(The Hill) – YouTube announced it has suspended actor and comedian Russell Brand from its platform after several women made allegations of sexual assaults against the creator.The suspension means that Brand cannot earn any revenue from ads that run within and alongside his YouTube videos. Brand, whose main YouTube channel has 6.6 million subscribers, has other side channels on the social media platform, including "Awakening With Russell" — which has 426,000 subscribers — and "Stay Free With Russell Brand," with 22,200 subscribers.“This decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by Russell Brand,” YouTube said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. Musk: X, formerly Twitter, ‘moving toward’ monthly fee “We have suspended [monetization] on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy,” YouTube said in a statement to The Hill. “If a creator’s off-platform behavior harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action t...

National Blue Ribbon Schools of 2023 named: Did yours make the list?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ROELAND PARK, Kan. (WDAF/NEXSTAR) — More than 350 schools in the U.S. have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education. The annual recognition is given to schools based on academic performance, or progress toward closing achievement gaps among student groups on tests, the Education Department explains. Created in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon School Program recognizes public, parochial and private learning facilities from across the country.Schools can be recognized for a Blue Ribbon School Award in one of two performance categories: high achievement as measured “by state assessments or nationally normed tests,” and greatest advancements in closing achievement gaps. US News releases latest college rankings after formula change "The leaders, educators and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to ...

Celebrating Polish American Businesses

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

The Polish Community here in Chicago is robust, partly thanks to the Polish Chamber of Commerce - one of the oldest existing Polish organizations- and it's celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! Its relationship with local businesses is what helps some of your favorite Polish restaurants and businesses thrive. Joining Spotlight Chicago today is Agnieszka Bastrzyk, Polish American Chamber of Commerce Treasurer and Phillipe Sobon, co-owner of Polombia. polishamericanchamber.orgInstagram & Facebook: @PACC_ChicagoPolumbiachi.comInstagram: @PolumbiachiPauloGelateria.comInstagram: @PauloGelatoChocolateSpotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Discover Stillwater announces annual photo contest

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In Stillwater, a photo could be worth $300 – or a prize package worth more than $1,300.Discover Stillwater is holding its annual photo contest in which the grand prize is a getaway package that includes an overnight stay at a hotel and gift certificates to Just for Me Spa, The Lumberjack, Lift Bridge Brewing and other Stillwater businesses.Carol Seefeldt, a professional photographer who lives in Scandia, won the 2015 annual Discover Stillwater Photography contest with her shot of a paddleboat on the St. Croix River at sunset. (Courtesy of Carol Seefeldt)The contest runs through Oct. 20.Photos must have been taken in Stillwater, and contest organizers said they hope to receive entries from all four seasons. Photographers are encouraged to “show off the beauty and fun they discovered on their trip to one of the most picturesque towns in America,” organizers say. Each photographer may enter up to five images.First- through third-place winne...

Washington County Historical Society to host rural-school reunion

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Anyone who attended or taught at a rural school in Washington County is invited to attend the second-annual Washington County Rural School Reunion on Saturday at the Hay Lake School Museum in Scandia.The reunion, which will be from noon to 4 p.m., “is for anyone who attended a one-room/two-room school anywhere in the county,” said Brent Peterson, executive director of the Washington County Historical Society, which is hosting the reunion. More than 60 people, including two former students who were 96, attended last year’s reunion, he said.John Johnson, 77, of Milaca, Minn., and Roger Lindell, 77, of Scandia, visit outside the Hay Lake School Museum in Scandia on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, during the Rural School Reunion sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society. The two men attended the school in the 1950s. (Mary Divine / Pioneer Press)Washington County had 79 rural school districts and one joint district with Chisago County that were slowly consolidated during the ...