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Israel prepares for Euro 2024 qualifying game at Kosovo amid tight security measures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Israel coach Alon Hazan wants his team to beat Kosovo in their delayed European Championship qualifying game on Sunday to bring “some happiness to our people.”It is the first soccer match for Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and the ongoing war in Gaza. It had originally been scheduled for Oct. 15 but was postponed.The Group I match in Pristina is being held under tight security measures surrounding the Israeli team. Hazan and captain Eli Dasa said the team felt safe.“We will do anything we can in order to win this match … bring some happiness to our people,” Hazan said Saturday.Israel is third in its group with 11 points after six games. Romania leads with 16 points (eight games) and second-place Switzerland has 15 points (seven games).Israel has never qualified for a European Championship since fully joining UEFA in 1994, and will now have to play four matches in 10 days.Hazan expects a tough game with Kosovo, saying that “We have to work...

'The mission continues:' Air Force veteran volunteering in Ukraine sings national anthem at Bears game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CHICAGO — At Soldier Field Thursday before the Chicago Bears game against the Carolina Panthers, the national anthem was performed by a veteran who continues to serve, only this time as a volunteer in Ukraine."Veterans' Day at Soldier Field with the Bears," said Mark J. Lindquist, a United States Air Force veteran. "There’s almost nothing that can beat it."Lindquist said he served in the Air Force for years and returned home to Minnesota after active duty, eyeing a career in politics, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago shifted his focus.He decided to start a non-profit, "The A-Team," one of only a few U.S. organizations completely run by veterans who are also on the ground in Ukraine trying to help."We call Ukraine the front lines of freedom," Lindquist said. "[And] the mission continues in Ukraine. My buddy Harrison Josefowitz, from the 82nd airborne, and I have been working over there for the past 20 months … doing everything we can do to help." More from S...

'Wreaths of LUV' offers volunteer outlet for young people during the holidays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Fresh off the farm from Michigan Avenue to 29th and Wabash, 700 wreaths were ready for transformation into 'Wreaths of LUV' Saturday.The LUV (Love, Unity and Values) Institute becomes a wreath-making shop around the holidays, and under the guidance of the staff at the non-profit, middle and high schoolers who volunteer through the organization are spending the next six weeks decorating, marketing and selling wreaths online. Last week from Judy: SkyRise Chicago returns with thousands climbing steps of Willis Tower Join WGN's Judy Wang as she delivers the story behind The LUV Institute's "Wreaths of LUV," and how the initiative has a positive impact on the Chicago community.

Weekend Break: Navi Arts Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Navi Arts Festival is being held today and tomorrow at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC).Found at 3015 West Division Street, admission into the event is free (museum entry is also always free). There will also be a chance to take photos for several hours each day (12-2 p.m.) with Santa, for those coming with children.Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.DetailsThe two-day holiday festival is a holiday artisan pop-up shop featuring dozens of vendors sharing the arts and culture of Puerto Rico through hand-crafted pieces of artwork, photography, food and drinks, music, and more.“It’s a way for us to showcase and highlight the work we have here in Chicago,” said the museum’s director, Billy Ocasio. “You’re going to see handmade jewelry, you’re going to see artwork, you’re going to see photography, you’re going to see a lot of different artisan items.”The museum is also launching on Saturday its newest gallery activation, Resi...

Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony held at Soldier Field

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A ceremony was held at Chicago's Soldier Field on Saturday to pay tribute to veterans and their families.Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at the Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony.“Don’t let it be lost on you that today is a gift. It’s a gift made possible by god and the sacrifices of our service men and women. Those who are willing to put their lives on the line with deep commitment to the notion that home is worth fighting for,' Governor Pritzker said. Veteran honored for his heroics during Colorado night club shooting Those who spoke at the Veteran's Day event said Chicago is home to one of the largest veteran communities in the country."Chicago is the honorable home, a diverse group of more than 65,000 local military service members," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "Throughout our history, Chicago residents have answered the call to serve.”Senator Duckworth, who is a veteran herself, spoke on the stru...

Chuck E. Cheese getting rid of animatronic characters, except in 1 location

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

(KTLA) — Chuck E. Cheese has announced it will be removing its iconic animatronic bands from all locations, except for one.That one restaurant — located in Los Angeles' Northridge neighborhood — is where Munch's Make Believe Band will be taking up a "permanent residency," according to an official Chuck E. Cheese release.  Did you know bread bag tag colors mean something? A re-opening party was held at the Northridge Chuck E. Cheese on Friday evening, where participants were able to win exclusive prizes and enjoy a special appearance by Atari, Inc. and Chuck E Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell. While they charmed and entertained kids for decades, the animatronics have apparently run their course as the “Pizza Time Theatre” will give way to new, high-tech features at restaurants across the nation.“New enhancements include a new state-of-the-art dance floor, a giant video wall and screens, the most popular kid-focused arcade games and new trampoline zones in select fun centers around the...

No. 7 Texas Longhorns getting healthier as they face off with TCU Horned Frogs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 7 Texas is on the road Saturday to take on a TCU team with a dynamic offense and some tough-luck losses.The Horned Frogs, at least statistically, have a more productive offense than the Longhorns. TCU is ranked No. 16 in FBS with an average of 462.1 total yards per game. Texas sits at No. 18, averaging 456.8 yards per game. 0-3 in 1-score games this year, TCU’s losing record is not indicative of their talent level Defensively, it's a different story. The Texas defense has been tremendous at keeping teams out of the end zone with the No. 2 red zone defense in the country. They allow teams to score in their red zone 65.4% of the time and the only team better than them is No. 3 Michigan. TCU. meanwhile, is tied for No. 68 in the country with an 83.3% rate of allowing red zone scores. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said offensive linemen Kelvin Banks and Christian Jones are good to go after getting banged up against Kansas State last week, and of course, quarterb...

State of Texas: Special Session 4 brings progress, division on Abbott's priorities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas lawmakers started their fourth special session Tuesday and made quick progress on some of Governor Greg Abbott's top priorities.House lawmakers held a marathon hearing Thursday on a bill to put billions into public schools, while also establishing Abbott's priority of education savings accounts. The proposal calls for education savings accounts (ESA) of $10,500 to go toward private school for some families.The House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment invited six separate panels to testify, each representing various experts and advocates from public schools, charter schools and ESA advocates. Supporters of the legislation made the case that the ESA plan will help more Texas students succeed."They deserve more opportunities to have a high quality education," Denisha Allen said outside the hearing room. She founded Black Minds Matter, a group that works toward developing school options for Black students."That's not to say that public sc...

Conley’s Corner: Timberwolves’ Mike Conley is the one of the last of a dying breed — the true floor general

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

Rudy Gobert grabbed a rebound off a Kristaps Porzingis miss early in the third quarter Monday against Boston, and immediately gave the ball to Mike Conley.Wise choice.Porzingis went to the floor on his shot attempt, meaning Minnesota had a 5 on 4 going the other way. Rather than rush the play, Conley essentially skipped his way down the floor, giving Boston’s transition alignment a chance to take shape so he could read what was in front of him.Jrue Holiday stepped up to stop Conley just past mid-court. Al Horford sat in between Gobert, who was diving to the rim, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who slowed up near the 3-point line.Conley had an option to try to thread a lob over Horford to Gobert for a likely assist. But he opted instead to swing it to Towns, which forced Horford to come out to guard the 3-point shooting big man. That left Gobert all alone on his rim run. Towns then tossed it up to Gobert for the flush.Two points for Gobert, assist to Towns, and no box-score credit to Conley....

State volleyball roundup: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton wins first state title

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CLASS AThis week marked Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s first trip to the state volleyball tournament. Its souvenir will be a state championship trophy.The top-seeded Knights downed Mayer Lutheran in four sets, 25-13, 32-30, 17-25, 25-22 in the Class A final Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.Abigail Carr led the way with 21 kills.The title was largely won in the second set, which the Knights trailed 23-18, but rallied to win seven of the next 9 points to knot the set at 25-25. Things went back and forth from there, until Dylan Werkman delivered the winning kill to put the Knights (30-6) up two sets to zero.Mayer Lutheran finished the year 28-7.New Life Academy beat Mabel-Canton in five sets to claim third place. Makenna Lilly paced the Eagles with 22 kills in that match.CLASS 2APequot Lakes swept Rush City in convincing fashion, winning its first state title via a 25-18, 25-22, 25-22 final. The Patriots state title comes one year after it dropped the state final to Cannon Falls last fall...