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Stock market today: Stocks edge higher on Wall Street in muted trading

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

Stocks edged higher on Wall Street in what’s expected to be another quiet day between the Christmas and New Year holidays. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in early trading Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 63 points, or 0.2% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Markets have held on to slight gains for the week so far, and the S&P 500 is hovering just below its all-time high set in January of 2022. The benchmark index is coming off its eighth straight winning week and is is up more than 24% for the year.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Futures for the S&P 500 were virtually unchanged before the bell Thursday, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq rose nearly 0.3%.Trading has been subdued in the last trading week of the year. The S&P 500 is coming off its eighth straight winning week and is hovering just below its all-time high set in January of 2022.The final week of 2023 lacks any...

Community bonds: strengthening the ties of community while earning a financial return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

Setting aside money for worthy causes can be a challenge, but one option that’s gaining momentum both gives back and a offers a good return on investment.Community bonds pay out interest, and eventually return the initial capital, in the same way as more conventional bonds, but the money is directed to social projects, and the not-for-profit entity that initiates one is responsible for the guarantee.Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington in southwestern Ontario used the model to raise money for two affordable housing projects it’s developing. It broke ground on the first, a 32-unit townhouse project, in November. The group was able to use the money raised through the bond as an anchor to raise further construction financing, said Ryan Deska, director of engagement and development.“So the community bond is a way for us to leverage the collective wealth of the community,” he said. “It’s one of the puzzle pieces that help us to move a project forward.”The group ...

1 seriously injured after fiery rollover crash in Porter County: Sheriff's office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. -- A driver is seriously injured after a truck crashed into a train Thursday morning in Porter County, the sheriff's office said.The Porter County Sherriff's office said the incident occurred near the 800 block of North State near Road 49 around 5:50 a.m. A Dodge Dakota truck was travelling south bound on State Road 49 and crashed into a CSX train. Two injured, car hits church in hit-and-run incident late Wednesday night on city’s West Side The truck reportedly rolled over and caught fire. First responders were able to remove the occupant form the vehicle and transport them to an area hospital with serious injuries. The crash is being investigated and the roadway will be shutdown until further notice.

Father of Highland Park shooter files for bankruptcy, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The father of the man accused in the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting has filed for bankruptcy, the Sun-Times reports.Robert Crimo Jr., who himself was released from jail in Lake County earlier this month, has filed for bankruptcy because he's over $1.5 million in debt to more than 50 creditors.Crimo Jr.'s son, Robert Crimo III, is facing more than 100 charges, including dozens of first-degree murder and attempted murder charges, for the shooting. Seven people were killed, dozens were hurt and countless others were traumatized in the incident.Earlier this month, Crimo III requested his right to a speedy trial and said he will represent himself. Proceedings are set to begin in February 2024.Crimo Jr., meanwhile, recently finished his own 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to reckless conduct for sponsoring his son's gun application.Crimo Jr. still faces a dozen outstanding civil lawsuits filed by shooting survivors.

Law firm offering $20 Uber voucher for NYE rides in Chicago area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

CHICAGO — A law firm in Chicago is offering a $20 free voucher for Uber rides on New Year's Eve.The Disparti Law Group is offering 1,000 vouchers and they will be available to use starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 through 9 a.m. on New Year's Day.“A DUI can cost someone their license, their car, their job, and as much as $75,000 not including any injuries or even deaths that could occur from an accident,” said Attorney Larry Disparti. New Year’s Eve in Chicago: Where to watch fireworks across the city To receive a free voucher, visit RideFreeNYE.com and the voucher will automatically be applied to their existing Uber account.

Shakira honored with 21-foot statue in Colombian hometown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (WJW) – A larger-than-life bronze statue of Shakira is now swaying its hips on the riverfront of the singer's Colombian hometown.The six-ton statue, which stands 21 feet tall, was unveiled on Tuesday on the promenade in Barranquilla, in a ceremony attended by her parents and the town's mayor.A plaque under the statue says that on Feb. 2, 1977, the town of "Barranquilla and the world witnessed the birth of a heart that composes, hips that don’t lie, a voice that moves masses and a pair of bare feet that walk for the good of children and humanity.”A larger-than-life bronze statue of Shakira, by artist Yino Márques, is now swaying its hips on the riverfront in Barranquilla. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer reacted to the statue's unveiling on Instagram.“It makes me happy to share this with my parents and especially my mother on her birthday,” the singer wrote, in part, in a post with a picture of her parents in front of the statue.“T...

TownLake YMCA, local nonprofit to host international bazaar Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The TownLake YMCA and a local nonprofit will team up to give refugees a chance to show off their crafts on Saturday. The Global Impact Initiative will host a Refugee Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Y on 1100 W. Cesar Chavez. The free event will showcase the work of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan who recently settled in Austin, the Y said.Hand-made goods including jewelry, handbags, dresses, leather goods, candles, decorative cushions, paintings and fresh-baked pastries and treats will be available. The Y said the vendors will get 100% of the proceeds. Where refugees in Texas are arriving from Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine as well as the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, more than 3000 refugees have settled in Central Texas, according to the Y. “These incredibly talented men and women are trying to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship, drawing from their unique cultural heritage,” said Anjum Malik, C...

Traffic stop leads to ghost gun arrest for Pittstown man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Pittstown man was arrested on Saturday and is accused of possessing a ghost gun. Shawn Koenig, 20, faces several charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On December 23, around 1:24 a.m., troopers pulled over a car on Tower Way in Halfmoon for a car and traffic law violation. Police identified the driver as Koenig. State Police say Koenig refused to cooperate with the investigation when he was asked to step out of his car for standardized field sobriety testing. He was removed from the car and according to police, actively resisted. He was taken into custody. Police say upon further investigation they found an illegally possessed, loaded, unregulated, not serialized, and untraceable gun on the floor behind the driver's seat. State Police investigate death of hiker who fell 70 feet Charges:Second-degree criminal possession of a weaponFourth-degree criminal possession of a weaponSecond-degree obstructing gover...

An orangutan baby is born at the Saint Louis Zoo for the first time in nine years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The Saint Louis Zoo welcomed the arrival of a baby orangutan on December 22, marking the first orangutan birth at the Zoo in nine years. This birth is important because these are critically endangered Sumatran orangutans.Rubih, the 19-year-old Sumatran orangutan mother, gave birth at the Jungle of Apes at the Zoo. Both the mother and the newborn are currently in good health, bonding in the private maternity area of the Jungle of the Apes.Rubih, the 19-year-old Sumatran orangutan mother, gave birth at the Jungle of Apes at the Zoo.At times, Rubih may choose to spend part of her day in the orangutan dayroom at the Jungle of the Apes, offering guests a potential glimpse of the pair; however, there is no set schedule for these appearances. As Rubih keeps the baby close for the time being, the Animal Care team has been unable to determine the baby's sex. Once determined, the care team will select a name for the newborn.The baby’s father is Cinta (pronounced Chin-tuh), 19, wh...

Cheap and cozy one-pot soups because the holidays wore us out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:29 GMT

By Margaux Laskey, The New York TimesIf you’re the holiday cruise director in your life (i.e., the one who does the bulk of the planning, shopping and cooking), I hope you’re still in your pajamas as you read this, sipping something warm and delightful IN A QUIET HOUSE (emphasis my own, and very much intended). It’s a beautiful thing you did, making magic, and I hope you got more than a robe.Anyway, I’m tired. So I present to you five cheap, one-pot soups and stews because, at this point in December, 1. We’re broke, 2. We’re exhausted, and 3. We’re cold. Most of these double and triple like a dream, so you can make a double batch and freeze one as an investment in your future happiness come February when the weather’s dreary, you (or the kids) are down with the flu, and you haven’t had time to make it to the store.1. Ham and Bean SoupHam and Bean Soup. This creamy, belly-filling soup from Naz Deravian demands that you wear a wool cable knit sweater while eating it. Food styled by Cy...