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Ed Burke trial focus shifts to Field Museum Monday

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

CHICAGO — The Ed Burke trial continues Monday with a focus on the Field Museum.The prosecution is expected to call witnesses to show that Burke allegedly attempted to "shake down" the museum for a personal favor surrounding his goddaughter.The former Chicago alderman is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion and one of the four alleged schemes involved the Field Museum.Burke allegedly wanted his goddaughter to be considered for an internship at the museum and she did not get the position.Afterward, prosecutors allege an irate Burke threatened to use his influence to block the museum's plan for a ticket fee increase. Even though the increase would have gone through the park district and not the city council, prosecutors said his clout essentially gave him the broad veto power over financial issues.Burke's attorneys argued that "it's not a crime to be angry" as jurors are expected to hear Burke on tape "read the riot act" to Field Museum employees.His attorneys ...

Arizona national park catches 'unicorn' on game camera

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – In a manner of speaking, a “unicorn” was caught wandering a national park in Arizona during last month’s full moon.Officials at the Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona shared a picture of the one-horned animal — which they identified as a young male elk — because its singular antler resembled a horn more than anything onlookers might usually associate with an elk.“The full moon brings out the park’s unicorns,” a representative for the Petrified Forest wrote on Facebook, along with two photos of the animal.A game camera at the Petrified Forest National Park captured an image of a uniquely-antlered elk during October's full moon. (Petrified Forest National Park)A game camera at the Petrified Forest National Park captured an image of a uniquely-antlered elk during October's full moon. (Petrified Forest National Park)The funny sight, they said, was likely due to the young elk losing one of its early antlers — the first sets of which usually emerge as “sing...

Man, woman found dead in apparent Homer Glen murder-suicide

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — A man and a woman were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide Sunday evening in Homer Glen.Officers responded to the 13600 block of Shannon Drive on the report of shots fired just after 5:45 p.m.A 911 caller stated she heard arguing which was followed by the sound of gunshots.At the scene, a man and a woman were found dead in the kitchen. Police believe the incident was a murder-suicide and was isolated.The Village of Homer Glen identified the woman, Jacquelyn Huff, as a village employee."With extreme sadness, the Village of Homer Glen shares the loss of employee and friend, Jacquelyn Huff, in an isolated incident on Sunday," the village said. "This is all the information available at this time. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Out of respect to Jacquelyn, Village Offices will be closed today, November 20th and will resume regular business hours on Tuesday."The identity of the man and further information regarding the shooting is ...

Leaving Illinois: The top destinations for people who left last year

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While more than 228,000 people moved into Illinois last year, more than 344,000 packed up their things and left the state, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Just four states lost more residents than Illinois: California (817,700), New York (545,600), Texas (494,000), and Florida (489,900).It was the latter, Florida, that received the largest amount of ex-Illinoisans. Census estimates show more than 35,200 left the Prairie State for the Sunshine State last year. Another 31,000 headed east to Indiana, and about 27,300 went north to Wisconsin. It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? Illinois' other neighbors also received quite a few new residents, according to the Census report:Iowa: 16,500Missouri: 20,600Kentucky: 6,800Others sought out warmer states. About 25,200 went to Texas while 24,500 went to California. The least popular destinations for those on the move, according to Census estimates, were primarily to t...

This Illinois city is growing, but these 7 are shrinking: analysis

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Does it feel like there are more people in your city than there were a few years ago? Depending on where you live, that might actually be the case — 228,000 people did move into Illinois last year.SmartAsset, a financial tech company, has released a list of the fastest-growing cities with populations over 100,000 in the United States. That growth was based on the population difference reported by the U.S. Census between 2017 and 2022 for the 344 largest cities.Southwestern cities, many of them desert suburbs, dominated the top of the list, SmartAsset found. The 50 ‘rattiest cities’ in the US, as ranked by Orkin While you may think a city like Los Angeles or New York City would be at the top, it was Buckeye, Arizona, that has seen the largest growth since 2017. Located roughly 35 miles west of the heart of Phoenix, Buckeye's population grew by roughly 48%, going from about 68,000 to 105,500 in 2022.Enterprise, Nevada, grew by 46% and Goodyear, Arizona surged by 27%, rou...

More than 228,000 moved to Illinois last year: Where did they come from?

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While more than 344,000 people packed up their things and left Illinois last year, another 228,300 decided to move to the Land of Lincoln last year, according to recently released Census data. The biggest group of new residents — more than 73,600 — came from another country. The data set did not specify which countries people immigrated from. Another roughly 20,500 came from California, possibly seeking more affordable living conditions. Nearly 20,000 former Texans are now Illinoisans, Census data shows. As for Florida, the state that received the largest group of ex-Illinoisans, only about 14,000 residents relocated to the Prairie State. It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? Some new Illinois residents didn't travel nearly as far. Of our neighbors, it was Missouri that sent the most people to Illinois at almost 16,000. Here's how many people moved from other neighboring states to ours, according to Census estimates: Indiana: 13,800Wisconsin...

Goodbye, snowy Illinois winters? New climate report offers dry projections

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While a strong El Niño will likely bring more snow and precipitation to part of the U.S. this winter, a new federal climate report suggests dependably snowy winters may be in jeopardy. The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released earlier this month, shows the planet will likely heat up by an average of between 4.5 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial times — outpacing goals of both the U.S. and international community, The Hill reports. The average U.S. temperature is likely to rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees by 2050, with northern and western parts of the country likely to experience the warming at disproportionate levels, according to the report. It isn’t just the temperature that has a dire outlook. Projections show precipitation is on track to take a hit, too.  It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? We’ve already seen some of climate change’s impacts on it. The report points to Hurricane Harvey, a Categ...

Victims' family members beg for no plea deal in Raul Meza murder investigation

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In court Monday, Raul Meza faced a judge - as well as family members of an 8-year-old girl he killed in 1982 and loved ones of two other people he's accused of killing.The judge reset the status hearing for his case, but Meza still appeared before her with his attorneys and an attorney for the State. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history "He couldn't even look up at us or anyone in the room," said Christina Fultz, the daughter of Gloria Lofton, who police believe Meza killed at her east Austin home in 2019. She was accompanied by family members of Jesse Fraga, the Pflugerville man Meza is accused of killing earlier this year, and family members of Kendra Page, the 8-year-old girl Meza was convicted of killing in 1982."We've talked a lot," said Fultz. "So it's really nice to have that support."Meza was released from prison 11 years into his murder sentence for Page's death. More lenient state laws at the time allowed for him to get out on good beh...

Austin pharmacy seeing more sinus infections, RSV before Thanksgiving holiday

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thanksgiving week is here, which means many people are traveling and gathering with family and friends. The height of flu season is also near, with peak activity typically between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rannon Ching, the president and chief pharmacy officer for Tarrytown Pharmacy, said the Austin pharmacy typically sees big increases in flu cases after Thanksgiving. Recently, the pharmacy has seen mostly sinus illnesses, some ear infections in kids and an earlier-than-usual increase in RSV in children, Ching said."Usually RSV will peak around January or February, but now we're starting to see it peak in November and December," Ching said. "So I'm not quite sure why that's happening, but that's something to just be aware of."Ching added that temperatures have not dropped yet, which often leads to more sickness in colder temperatures.Medication availability Ching said his pharmacy is well-prepared for flu sea...

Survey reveals changes passengers want to see at Austin airport

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — New findings from an Austin-Bergstrom International Airport customer survey conducted this summer give insight into what passengers hope to see from the airport's revamp.Survey findings come as AUS continues its efforts to expand and revitalize airport facilities. Journey With AUS is a decade-long expansion plan that includes a new outbound baggage handling system, security checkpoint expansion efforts, a West Gate Terminal Expansion, the creation of a new 20-gate concourse as well as revitalized international arrivals areas and restrooms.Nearly 2,000 surveys were conducted and analyzed to "build out passenger profiles" and categorize them as business travelers, leisure passengers or a blend of the two. AUS officials completed the survey via in-person respondents in the AUS terminal, as well as those who took the survey online.Here's a breakdown of some of those key survey findings:Business travelers' suggestions:Airport conditions updates/database for passengers to ...