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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, including debt, putting it on track for a potential clash with a Biden administration that has shown wariness about higher fares in the industry. The combined company would keep both airlines’ brands, rooted in the nation’s 49th and 50th states. Alaska will pay $18 in cash for each share of Hawaiian, whose stock closed Friday at $4.86 after losing just over half its value in the year so far. The deal also includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt, which the airlines said brings the acquisition’s total value to $1.9 billion. The combined airline would be based in Seattle, with Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci at its head. The companies forecast the acquisition will add to profits within two years of the deal closing. The combined airline would participate in the oneworld Alliance, which includes American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Alaska and Hawaiia...

Fire rekindles at historic Swift Mansion in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Two fires have damaged the landmark Swift Mansion in Chicago.The first fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the 4500 block of South Michigan.According to the Chicago Fire Department, no injuries were reported. Around 2:30 p.m., the fire had rekindled and flames were seen coming from the roof. Lots of flames shooting out of the roof. So sad to see this beautiful building burning. #SwiftMansion @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/OY9SMAYXxg— Brónagh Tumulty (@BronaghTumulty) December 3, 2023This is a developing story.

'Supernatural' actor Mark Sheppard survives 'six massive heart attacks'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Mark Sheppard, well known for his roles in "Supernatural," "Battlestar Galactica," and more, says he is "humbled once more" after surviving a scary health scare. In a Saturday Instagram post, Sheppard, 59, wrote that collapsed in his kitchen Friday while on his way to an appointment. "Six massive heart attacks later, and being brought back from dead 4 times," Sheppard said in the post, which include a picture of him laying in a hospital bed. "I apparently had a 100% blockage in my LAD."LAD, or left anterior descending artery, is the largest coronary artery, according to Cleveland Clinic. The LAD is the biggest supplier of oxygenated blood to the heart's lower left ventricle and supplies blood to the septum. If the LAD is blocked, it can cause what is known as a widowmaker heart attack, which is often fatal, Cleveland Clinic explains.Men older than 45 and women older than 50 are at an increased risk of experiencing a widowmaker heart attack, according to Cleveland Clinic...

'Save our Musicians' to help young artists to open for top artists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

Save our Musicians founders and CEO Dennis Cunningham and singer Ava Camejo join WGN Weekend Morning News to share more about being able to open up for top artist at Jingle Ball.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

An anti-aging drug for dogs is in the works: Here's what we know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

(NewsNation) — In a significant step toward potentially extending the lifespan of large- and giant-breed dogs, a San Francisco-based company, Loyal, received conditional approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its drug called LOY-001. The drug, designed to address the shorter lifespans of larger breeds, is anticipated to hit the market as early as 2026, pending FDA approval of Loyal's manufacturing and safety data.  “Loyal was founded with the ambitious goal of developing the first drugs to extend healthy lifespan in dogs,” said Loyal CEO Celine Halioua. “This milestone is the result of years of careful work by the team. We’ll continue to work just as diligently to bring this and our other longevity programs through to FDA approval.”  Border and immigration: Where Republican candidates stand Large- and giant-breed dogs often face lifespans that are significantly shorter than their smaller counterparts, with breeds like Great Danes and Newf...

They're in: Texas makes College Football Playoff, will play No. 2 Washington in Sugar Bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns are in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.No. 3 Texas will play No. 2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl at 7:45 p.m. CT, Jan. 1, 2024. No. 1 Michigan will play No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl at 4 p.m. CT, Jan. 1, 2024. The CFP National Championship game will feature the winners of those games on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"I feel good," Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I've always said if we get in, we can play with anybody in the country. Our versatility stacks up against just about anybody."Florida State is the first undefeated champion from a Power 5 Conference that wasn't selected to the playoff. The committee ranked them No. 5 and the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 6. Alabama defeated Georgia 27-24 to win the SEC championship Saturday, and even though Florida S...

A bit colder Monday after an early morning cold front

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Warmer winds from the southwest helped push temperatures into the lower and middle 70s Sunday, even with plenty of high clouds around.Those clouds will continue to shift eastward as we head through this evening.Early Monday morning a dry cold front drops through Central Texas bringing a cooler wind shift and knocking temperatures down a little bit.Overnight lows drop into the mid 40s under a mostly clear sky.We'll have abundant sunshine on Monday with highs in the upper 60s making for a very pleasant afternoon.Expected highs on MondayTemperatures warm back closer to 70º beginning Tuesday and Austin may stay in the 70s the rest of the work week and into next weekend.Highs the next few daysRain chances aren't very high next weekend, but we'll have 20% chances for both days. A stronger cold front looks to drop in to knock temperatures down below average on Sunday. Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for rainfall and ice risk Austin Interactive...

Wild jump on Chicago early, remain unbeaten under new coach John Hynes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

The Wild remained perfect under new head coach John Hynes with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at Xcel Energy Center.Marco Rossi scored two goals, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 27 shots to earn his 548th NHL victory and move to three wins from tying Patrick Roy for third all time.Mats Zuccarello added a goal and two assists, and Matt Boldy scored one of two power-play goals for Minnesota, which is 3-0 since Hynes succeeded Dean Evason before a 3-1 victory over St. Louis last Tuesday at the X.Rossi scored twice in the first period, first when he deflected a wrist shot by Faber past Petr Mazrek 2 minutes, 11 seconds into the game. He gave the Wild a 2-0 lead with his power-play goal at 12:08, a one-timer from the slot on a pass from Freddy Gaudreau.Brock Faber had assists on both goals, including his first as part of the Wild’s second power-play unit.Mats Zuccarello put the Wild up 3-0 late in the first period, whacking in a one-timer from the right circle from a p...

Gophers will play Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

The Gophers football team will head to a familiar bowl game against a recognizable opponent that conjures a hurtful memory.Minnesota (5-7) will play Bowling Green (7-5) in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit at 1 p.m. on Dec. 26.The Gophers will be making their third overall appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl; they went to the Detroit Lions’ home stadium as a 5-7 team in 2015 and beat Central Michigan 21-14. Then as a 6-6 squad in 2018, they beat Georgia Tech 34-10.This matchup will harken to Minnesota’s most-surprising loss under head coach P.J. Fleck. The Gophers were 31-point favorites before losing at home to Bowling Green 14-10 in 2021. It was the second-largest Big Ten upset in at least the past 40 years, following Minnesota losing to Northwestern in 1982 despite being a 31.5-point favorite going into the game.The majority of national bowl projections earlier this week had the Gophers going to the Quick Lane Bowl, but that picture seemed to shift Saturday n...

Motorist killed in St. Paul crash, 2 injured following brief State Patrol pursuit on I-94

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:58 GMT

A female motorist was killed and two others in her vehicle were injured early Sunday following a brief chase on Interstate 94, the State Patrol said.A trooper saw the vehicle moving rapidly on eastbound I-94 near Hamline Avenue just before 2 a.m. An attempt to halt the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens near Dale Street failed, according to an incident report.The trooper aborted the pursuit as the driver attempted to exit at Marion Street. The vehicle careened through an intersection and slammed into a concrete wall, the report said.The driver was killed.Two passengers were taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. A 41-year-old man has life-threatening injuries, according to the report, and a female has non-life-threatening injuries.It was not clear whether any of the victims were wearing seatbelts. The accident triggered an airbag deployment, but it was unclear from the report where and how many of the bags in the vehicle activated.SAINT PAUL: A driver who was apparently fleein...