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Fire rages near Halifax: ‘Their house was already burning’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

In today’s Big Story podcast, a wildfire 20 kilometers northwest of Halifax has burned out of control causing chaos. More than 14,000 people have evacuated from their homes, while crews race to close roads behind the evacuees. The fire was noted to be one of the fastest-moving fires to occur in the province, reaching just outside the city in a short time.Dan Ahlstrand, news director at CityNews 95.7 in Halifax, says firefighters are surprised by how fast the fire moved and the amount of destruction, giving residents limited time to evacuate. “Lots of people don’t know what’s in front of them. They left with the shirts on their backs. This fire took less than an hour to go from a fire call to the first set of evacuations of a large subdivision in Tantallon,” says Ahlstrand.A state of emergency has been declared in Halifax, and resources have been deployed from other provinces. Currently, more than 200 firefighters are digging in to halt the fire where it stands, but...

UK government fights demand to hand over Boris Johnson’s messages to COVID-19 inquiry

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — As Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson established an independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.Now the inquiry wants to see, in full, what Johnson wrote to other U.K. officials as the outbreak raged — but the government is fighting a demand to hand over the material.Inquiry chairwoman Heather Hallett, a retired judge, has asked the government to produce full copies of Johnson’s WhatsApp messages and notebooks, after initially being given redacted versions.Government officials said they only cut out material that was “unambiguously irrelevant” to the investigation, but Hallett wants to be the judge of that. She said “the entire contents of the specified documents are of potential relevance to the lines of investigation being pursued by the inquiry.”Hallett — who has the power to summon evidence and question witnesses under oath — set a deadline of 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) Tuesday for the government to hand over the documents, covering a t...

Joliet residents asked to shelter as police search for 4 burglary suspects

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A shelter in place order has been issued as police in Joliet search for four burglary suspects.At around 5 a.m., Joliet police received a request for assistance from other area departments regarding a police pursuit.Police were in pursuit of a vehicle that was believed to be stolen with five male burglary suspects inside.Officers learned that the five fled from the vehicle in the area of Black Road and Junie Court.Police said the five may be armed and a perimeter was established. One of the suspects was placed into custody in the 1200 block of Taylor Street.Residents in the area were notified of a shelter in place order via a reserve 911 call. As of Tuesday morning, it remains in place.Due to Joliet Catholic Academy being in the area, the school is closed Tuesday.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Over 50 shot, 11 killed over holiday weekend in Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 50 people were shot over the Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago. Eleven of those have died from their injuries.Two 2-year-olds were among those who were wounded. Police said both of the toddlers shot themselves. One shot herself on the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace Sunday around 6 p.m. Two hours later, officers responded to a call of a 2-year-old boy who shot himself in the forearm in the 7900 block of South Hermitage. Chicago Ridge festival canceled over safety concerns The weekend violence began Friday evening with shots fired at North Avenue Beach. Chicago police released their official numbers Tuesday morning. CPD reports 53 people were injuring in 42 shooting incidents. They report there were 12 murders, 11 fatal shootings and one fatal stabbing.

Noah's Ark opens new color-changing 'Chameleon' waterslide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

America's largest water park has opened for the season with a splash of color. Noah's Ark in the Wisconsin Dells has dozens of waterslides and other water-themed attractions. One of those slides has gotten an upgrade. It was first called Dark Voyage, with riders in a large raft traveling through a pitch black tunnel. Then they changed the name to Flying Gecko and gave it a paint job. This year, it has yet another name - and a new experience. It's now called Chameleon. Noah's Ark added 74 color-changing lights to the tunnel along with eight speakers. The park has selected a handful of songs that will play as riders race through the water, the lights programmed to change with each song. That means each ride experience will be a little bit different. I was out at the park prior to their opening day to give the ride a spin. You can see my TV segment of that ride in the player above. My full experience can be seen here. Noah's Ark opens for daily operations on Thursday, June 1st. You can...

Jane Lynch shares her WGN memories on Dean's 'A-List Interview"

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

CHICAGO — One of "Chicago's Very Own" was on "Chicago's Very Own" on Tuesday to talk about her memories of Channel 9!Actress and Dolton native Jane Lynch joined Dean Richards to discuss her memories of WGN-TV during her youth on the "A-List Interview" on the WGN Morning News.She talked with him about some of the shows that she loved to watch on the station growing up while also promoting her newest project - a commercial on Apple's health app.You can watch Jane's conversation with Dean on both topics in this edition of the "A-List Interview" from the May 30 show in the video above or below.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Goats grazing to prevent wildfires could lose their jobs due to California labor law

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of goats munch on long blades of yellow grass on a hillside next to a sprawling townhouse complex. They were hired to clear vegetation that could fuel wildfires as temperatures rise this summer.These voracious herbivores are in high demand to devour weeds and shrubs that have proliferated across California after a drought-busting winter of heavy rain and snow.“It’s a huge fuel source. If it was left untamed, it can grow very high. And then when the summer dries everything out, it’s perfect fuel for a fire,” said Jason Poupolo, parks superintendent for the city of West Sacramento, where goats grazed on a recent afternoon.Targeted grazing is part of California’s strategy to reduce wildfire risk because goats can eat a wide variety of vegetation and graze in steep, rocky terrain that’s hard to access. Backers say they’re an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides or weed-whacking machines that make noise and pollution.But new state labor ...

6@6: Talking pool etiquette as summer approaches

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

CHICAGO — This is the first week in 2023 that is going to feel like summer, even if the season doesn't officially begin for a few weeks.That means that the activity in pools in the Chicagoland area is about to ramp up as people look to cool off as the temperatures go up. But when it comes to taking a dip, there is some etiquette when it comes to using the facility of someone else. We covered one of those situations in the "6@6" on Tuesday morning's WGN Morning News as the hosts weighed in on what they would do.They also discussed rainbow sea slug, tulip vodka, balcony bars, and more during the segment.You can watch the entire "6@6" from the May 30 show in the video above.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.

'When you lose a child, that love has to go somewhere', says family of 4-year-old run over in Beloit parking lot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) — The parents of Jack Baumann are trying to move forward after the 4-year-old was run over by a car in the parking lot of his first soccer game last year."It was his first game, and he was super excited to play," said his mother, Valerie.Jack was known as the happiest goalie in his Pre-K soccer league, she said. "He jumped at being a goalie. People called him 'Smiling Jack.'"Jack Baumann. Photo: Valerie BaumannOne of the last photos of Jack was taken only minutes before he was accidentally run over in the parking lot of the Beloit Sports Center, on October 1st, 2022."It plays hundreds of times a day. It's an image that you'll never forget," Valerie said.The Beloit Police Department said Jack was wearing cleats and walking in the parking lot when he slipped and fell, out of the line of sight of the driver.Police said the driver was not speeding or distracted.Jack was taken to a nearby hospital but died. He was only days away from his fifth birthday."The anger com...

Now open in Eagan: Southern Social, with smoked meats, BBQ chicken and cocktails

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:20 GMT

Southern Social, a “modern Southern” inspired restaurant and cocktail bar, is now open in Eagan.Its menu includes classic appetizers like fried green tomatoes and crawfish hushpuppies ($10–$16); a selection of flatbreads, burgers and fried chicken sandwiches ($14–$17); and entrees like jambalaya and fried catfish ($15–$37). Brunch is also available Sundays.The restaurant also has an extensive cocktail list, including “social drinks” that can be ordered for up to eight people at a time.The restaurant — just off I-35E and Cliff Rd., in a building formerly home to Green Mill — is run by the same group that owns other suburban spots like Barley & Vine in Lakeville and Tamarack Tap Room in Woodbury.The restaurant is actually an outgrowth of Tamarack’s barbecue menu, said Ben Berry, the operations and business development director for Trellis Hospitality. After a research-slash-eating trip to the South, the team decided they wanted to dedicate a full menu to not just smoked meats but ...