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Field Museum scientists help identify mystery objects during annual 'ID Day'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

CHICAGO — Wondering if that rock you found recently is actually a fossil? Or maybe you have questions about the unique leaf you found outside? Let the experts at Chicago's Field Museum answer all of your questions during its annual ID Day. Fan favorite to be decided during ‘Chi Food Truck Fest Taco Throwdown’ During the annual event, guests have the chance to bring in items from the natural world and have a scientist at the museum answer questions about them and do their best to identify them.According to the museum, guests are allowed to bring in clean & dry bones, fossils, rocks, meteorites, seashells, artifacts, and photographs of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects for identification. The museum asks guests not to bring in live animals. See the Blackhawks’ 2023-2024 promotional schedule The event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, a day when admission to the museum is free for Illinois residents. The Field Museum is located at 14...

Over 50 officers promoted to detective as Mayor Johnson seeks to fulfill campaign promise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

On Monday morning, Mayor Johnson, and his choice to lead the Chicago police, Larry Snelling, attended a department graduation and promotion ceremony. At the ceremony, the department promoted more than 50 detectives, a step forward in Mayor Johnson’s goal to promote 200 more officers to the position.Department staffing has been under the microscope recently. During the last mayoral campaign, Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara predicted an exodus of officers if Brandon Johnson was elected, but it has not happened, in fact, CPD has seen an increase in officers year over year. Over 250 CPD officers sworn in graduation and promotion ceremony According to the Chicago Inspector General, CPD currently has 11,722 sworn officers. Last August, there were 111 fewer officers. But CPD still has 1,600 fewer officers than it did in January 2019. The department continues to face recruitment challenges and one city official wants police to change their strategy."We need more [police...

From NL Central to Wild Card standings, big week is ahead for the Cubs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

CHICAGO — It's a good question for Cubs fans to ask themselves as they get ready to end the month of August and start September.Is this the biggest week for the team in nearly four years? That may very well be the case for the Cubs over the next three days at Wrigley Field and then over the course of four games against another National League Central division rival.That's because David Ross' club is hosting the NL Central-leading Brewers at the Friendly Confines for three games, starting Monday at 7:05 p.m. The Cubs do so trailing Milwaukee by four games in the division, and then the next series could have a big impact on another playoff race they're in the thick of late this season.They'll head to Cincinnati to face the Reds for four games starting on Friday at Great American Ballpark, with a doubleheader scheduled for Friday. At the moment, the Cubs hold onto the second Wild Card spot in the National League, a half-game ahead of the Diamondbacks in third but just a 1 1/2 games ahe...

With same name but new chef, Momento to reopen downtown as a Mediterranean restaurant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

After a brief closure, downtown restaurant Momento is reopening Sept. 6 with a new chef and focus on Mediterranean flavors.Aaron Uban is taking over the kitchen and will be cooking dishes like fava bean dip, mixed seafood cioppino, strip steak with duck fat-poached carrots, and wood-fired porchetta.Chef Aaron Uban will lead the kitchen at the new iteration of Momento, the downtown St. Paul restaurant that’s reopening in September 2023 with a Mediterranean menu. Uban formerly cooked at Kincaid’s, Strip Club Meat & Fish and Kieran’s Kitchen. (Photo courtesy Morrissey Hospitality)Uban has cooked all around the Twin Cities, including leading the kitchen at the nearby Kincaid’s location and as culinary director at The Food Building in Northeast Minneapolis. At Momento, he’ll use ingredients from Food Building producers including Baker’s Field Flour & Bread, Lowry Hill Provisions and Alemar Cheese. Fish and vegetables will also come from Indigenous and fora...

Savage man charged in attack that killed uncle, injured aunt in Bloomington home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

A Savage man was charged Monday with killing his 74-year-old uncle and attempting to kill his 72-year-old aunt in an attack inside the couple’s Bloomington home last week.Adam Garrett Roring, 44, allegedly entered the home early Thursday morning and stabbed and beat Mark and Pamela Novak, who were married for 53 years.Pamela and Mark Novak. (Courtesy of GoFundMe)Mark Novak died later Thursday at the hospital. On Monday night, Pamela Novak was listed as being in satisfactory condition at Hennepin County Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.Before moving to Bloomington, the couple lived in Janesville, a small town in south-central Minnesota where they volunteered in the community. Mark Novak served as mayor from 2011 through 2012.A possible motive was not given in the criminal complaint, which gives the following account:Police were sent to the couple’s home in the 1000 block of 105th Street West about 4:40 a.m. after Pamela Novak called 911 and said someone was inside their ho...

What you need to know about Missouri's new laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Dozens of new laws take effect Monday in Missouri, including banning transgender minors from gender-affirming health care.Another big change involves your cell phone. Drivers of all ages are now prohibited from holding their phone to text, call or scroll on social media while behind the wheel. Missouri is one of the last states in the country to put a law like this into place and even the governor said Monday, this is a big step that needed to be taken."It is an issue, it is a problem when we are driving," Governor Mike Parson said. "It does distract us and all of us have done it, including myself, have been guilty of texting and driving."Drivers will now be required to use hands-free options like Bluetooth or voice to text when driving. The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law is one of many provisions that took effect Monday. It's named after 34-year-old Randall Siddens who was hit by a distracted driver while he was picking up cones after a triathlon race in Columb...

Fountain police searching for missing 16-year-old girl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has issued a Missing Indigenous Persons Alert for a 16-year-old girl last seen on Sunday in Fountain.Related ArticlesColorado News | Authorities searching for missing Larimer County 14-year-old girl Colorado News | Indigenous teen missing from Thornton; authorities ask for public’s help locating her Colorado News | At-risk teen missing from Colorado Springs, police ask for public’s help in locating her Colorado News | Arvada family fears missing teen may be endangered Colorado News | FBI recovers 27 sex trafficking victims in Colorado, including 8 juveniles Please share this missing indigenous person alert for Tatiana Aguilar-Gonzales and if you see her please call the Fountain Police or 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/zCHFTM3mQN— CBI (@CBI_Colorado) August 28, 2023Tatiana Aguilar-Gonzales, who is affiliated with the Nambe tribe, was last seen at 10 a.m. Sund...

Street racing crackdown in L.A. County yields 27 arrests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

A total of 91 citations were issued and 27 people were arrested during a street racing and sideshow crackdown in Los Angeles County over the weekend, according to the California Highway Patrol.The operation took place in several locations in the region Friday and Saturday.The Southern Division Street Racing Enforcement Unit prevented groups of people from taking over intersections and conducting other street racing activities.Aside from the citations and arrests, the following results came of the operation:31 Impounds/stored vehicles2 Felony pursuits1 Recovered stolen vehicleIn 2021, CHP officers responded to more than 7,300 street racing and sideshow incidents involving around 123,000 people, according to the agency.Over the past five years, they say there have been more than 260 crashes associated with street racing sideshows in the state; around 30 of those resulted in a death, while more than 124 resulted in injuries, according to the CHP.Late last year, a 24-year-old woman died...

This is the 'best beach town' in Southern California, according to travel site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

Coastal California has no shortage of breathtaking beaches that are perfect for a sunny getaway, but a handful of cities stand above them all, according to a new ranking from a national travel publication.Just in time to get one last summer beach trip in before the leaves changes colors and temperatures begin to drop, Trips To Discover as published its ranking of the 20 Best Beach Towns in America. This is the best California town to visit for Christmas The online travel website named four California cities among the best beach towns for 2023, including a lesser-known gem located just up the 101.Santa Cruz, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pescadero were all among the towns to receive the honor, but Southern California's very own Carpinteria was the only SoCal destination to crack the list.Carpinteria is located in southern Santa Barbara County, about 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. It's known for its pristine beaches, picturesque mountain views and charming small town vibe. A view of ...

Farmers Insurance says it is cutting 2,400 jobs in bid to ensure long-term profitability

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:13 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Farmers Insurance said Monday it will lay off 11% of its workforce — about 2,400 employees — as part of a corporate restructuring aimed at increasing its efficiency and long-term profitability.The California-based insurer said the job cuts will impact all lines of its business. Monday was the last working day at the company for most employees impacted by the layoffs, Farmers confirmed to The Associated Press.In a statement announcing the job cuts, Raul Vargas, president and CEO of Farmers Group Inc., a subsidiary of Swiss giant Zurich Insurance Group, alluded to “existing conditions” in the insurance industry.“As our industry continues to face macroeconomic challenges, we must carefully manage risk and prudently align our costs with our strategic plans for sustainable profitability," Vargas said. “Our leaner structure will make us more nimble and better able to pursue opportunities for growth and ultimately make Farmers more responsive to the needs of our insured cus...