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Save Street Ball: How an organization commits to restoring basketball courts in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

CHICAGO — An organization in Chicago is working to try to restore basketball courts in a number of neighborhoods throughout the city. It's a problem that Jahmal Cole saw first-hand. "I stopped at Columbus Park, Cole Park, Seward Park, you name it, every weekend I go to a different park," said the co-founder of "My Block, My Hood, My City," an organization that empowers youth in Chicago. "What I'm noticing is that I'm starting to see rims that are taken off of backboards and also anti-theft steering wheel locks that are being placed on hoops to prevent kids from shooting. "There's a widespread belief in Chicago that by taking basketball rims down, it makes your neighborhood safer. There's no evidence, there's no correlation between basketball and violence."Cole and "My Block, My Hood, My City" is trying to reverse that trend with their "Save Street Ball" initiative this summer. The organization is gathering donations on its website to raise $100,000 to help restore those courts that ...

Pfizer warns FDA of shrinking penicillin supply

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

(The Hill) - The ongoing drug shortages impacting the U.S. are now threatening to exhaust two commonly used forms of penicillin, Pfizer said in a warning to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday.Pfizer alerted the FDA that there is "a limited supply and impending stock out" of Bicillin L-A and Bicillin C-R, two of its injectable penicillin products.Bicillin L-A is used to treat strep infections in the throat, nose or skin; syphilis or syphilis-like infections; and also to prevent problems stemming from strep. Bicillin C-R is also used to treat strep infections in the throat, nose, skin or soft tissues as well as scarlet fever, pneumonia and ear infections. El Niño could mean the hottest year on record, meteorologists warn Bicillin injections are colloquially referred to as the "peanut butter shot" in the military due to the color of the drug. The injection is widely known as being particularly painful. Neither of these drugs are available in lower-cost generic forms.Pfi...

WATCH: Florida police officer drives off after he's stopped for speeding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An argumentative Orlando police officer was fired after authorities said he fled from a traffic stop in his police cruiser.Seminole County deputies say Officer Alexander Shaouni was on his way to work at the Orlando Police Department around 12:15 p.m. on June 6 when he was caught going 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. Deputies said they had to drive over 90 mph just to catch up with Shaouni as he blew past them.After several failed attempts to stop the officer, deputies pulled alongside Shaouni's cruiser and ordered him to pull over through the passenger-side window. Virginia 1st-grade teacher who was shot by student was fired, attorney says "What? I am going into work, my man," Shaouni can be heard shouting in a body camera video released by the sheriff's office. "Why are you trying to pull me over as I am going into work?""Because you are going 80 in a 45," one deputy responds. "Let me see your driver's license.""No," Shaouni fires back before climbing back into his...

A rescue group for pigeons — yes, pigeons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

If there's one bird with a bad rap, it just may be a city pigeon.Liz Challoner is one of the founding members of one of the more unusual groups in the country, a full-time pigeon rescue called Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue."A lot of people think they're rats with wings. I did and I had a 180 and I'm glad I did," she said. “Talk about the ultimate feel good — helping a human, a creature, whatever, there's no bigger high.”While there are plenty of feral pigeons, the majority were bred and lost their way back home, marked by a band on its leg.In this country and all over the world, people bet on birds with purse money, just like horse racing, only the finish line is being the first to return after being released hundreds of miles from home.More information: The Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue website "These racing pigeons, there's a lot of fatalities and that's where we come in and try to help the ones that are injured or lost,” Susan Jicha said. "It's a beautiful thing to alleviate suffering an...

Company behind Instant Pot, Pyrex seeks bankruptcy protection as sales go cold

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

(AP) - The maker of Pyrex glassware and Instant Pot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the company that was already struggling is stung by inflation, with Americans pulling back on spending.According to a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas this week, Instant Brands, based outside of Chicago, has more than $500 million in both assets and liabilities.Inflation has buffeted consumers after a pandemic-fueled binge on goods for the home, but spending has also moved elsewhere as people are again able to travel, or go to restaurants and shows. Hobby Lobby doesn’t use barcodes: Here’s their explanation And Instant Pots, which became a must-have gadget several years ago, have been disappearing from kitchens.Sales of “electronic multicooker devices,” most of which are Instant Pots, reached $758 million in 2020, the start of the pandemic. Sales had plunged 50% by last year, to $344 million.Dollar and unit sales have declined 20% from last ...

Record-setting June heatwave builds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We are forecasting Austin's hottest June 14-20 period on record with daytime highs reaching or exceeding 100° and little chance of rain.A ridge of high pressure dominates our weather pattern for the next week or more, leading to unseasonable and at times record heat, from day to night.High temperature forecast in AustinA Heat Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. this evening and again from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday for a dangerous combination of heat and humidity leading to heat indices as hot as 113°. We expect these advisories to be issued daily through Father's Day weekend -- and may even be upgraded at times to more rare Excessive Heat Warnings.Feels like temperatures Thursday afternoon, as hot as 115 degreesHazy skies are being brought by a combination of high humidity and agricultural burning in Mexico, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Air quality has dipped into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.A stationary front parked to our n...

What you need for a Texas summer emergency kit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023TEXAS (KXAN) -- While it's technically not summer yet, the raw and "feels like" temperatures are near boiling outside.But while Austinites relish air conditioning, cold drinks and access to local pools and waterways, it's critical to be prepared in case of a power outage or a broken air system. Here's what you should keep on hand to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a summer emergency.First aid kitAs is the case in any other emergency, you never know when you might need medical attention. You want to cover all the DIY, at-home bases and have your kit include:Compress dressingsAdhesive bandagesAdhesive cloth tapeOintment packetsAntiseptic wipesAspirinOne emergency blanketNon-latex glovesHydrocortisone ointmentSterile gauze padsOral thermometerTweezersWaterIt's no surprise: The higher the temperatures, the greater the risk for dehydration during the summertime. Pellman's Automotive...

ERCOT issues weather watch, potential for peak demand

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch from June 15-June 21 due to forecasted higher temperatures and higher electrical demand, according to a news release from ERCOT on Tuesday. Is ERCOT ready for the coming summer? “ERCOT has issued its first Weather Watch to let Texans know that we are forecasting increased demand due to the higher temperatures expected this week and into next week,” said Pablo Vegas, ERCOT President and CEO. “Grid conditions are normal when we issue a Weather Watch. ERCOT continues to monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid and will continue our reliability-first approach to operations, always prioritizing grid reliability.”A weather watch notification is distributed three to five days out of forecasted weather that could impact the grid and create high demand. People are urged to kee...

Houston George Bush airport A/C outage continues during heatwave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Since Sunday, the air conditioning system at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston has experienced unexpected issues, causing uncomfortable situations for travelers moving through the airport.Bush Intercontinental Airport A/C systems. Courtesy of Houston Airports​Bush airport said it's "beyond our control," and that the demand has reduced the capacity of the air conditioning system. As a result, the temperature inside the airport is impacted.Folks in charge at the big airport said they have installed temporary chillers that supplement the air conditioning system to effort some relief while airport crews figure out what's wrong and make the necessary repairs.Houston airport officials said they are making progress in getting the A/C system fully restored as they continue to add capacity to the air conditioning system to cool all five terminals of the airport.We are sorry for what has happened. While the cause of the issue was beyond our control, please know,...

Afton: Belwin’s new nature trails open Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

Belwin Conservancy’s newest trail system, Oxbow Trails, opens on Thursday for public hiking, from dawn to dusk seven days a week.Located just north of Afton’s Old Village at 2398 St. Croix Trail S., Oxbow Trails features 1.25 miles of chipped hiking trails along wooded ridges, shaded areas and the Valley Creek trout stream.Belwin staff will be on site from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to answer questions about the site and its restoration.Belwin officials created Oxbow Trails in partnership with the city of Afton, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Washington County and others. The project is centered on a 30-acre parcel Belwin purchased from a willing seller using funding from Washington County’s Land and Water Legacy Program; the nature preserve also includes 10 acres of land owned by Afton.“It’s probably the most wooded area in Belwin,” said David Freeman, Belwin’s communications specialist. “There is a beautiful shaded ridge which in the springtime is filled with frogs ...