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Farmers in Romania, Bulgaria protest Ukrainian grain influx

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Farmers in Romania and Bulgaria staged protests Friday to express their anger over the European Union’s response to a glut of agricultural products from Ukraine that they say are flooding local markets and undercutting prices.About 100 farmers converged in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, while hundreds more protested across the country in long convoys of tractors. In neighboring Bulgaria, grain producers blocked some border crossings with farm vehicles.Some farmers outside the European Commission’s representative office in Bucharest brandished placards that read: “Do not punish our solidarity,” while others urged bloc officials to “take responsibility, take action, take care.”Last year, the EU waived customs duties and import quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products as a way of facilitating transport to third-country markets. Ukraine is one of the biggest producers in the world of grain and sunflower oil, but its exports were restricted by Russia...

5-year-old Calumet City boy dies after gun brought into home discharges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — A five-year-old boy died in Calumet City Thursday night after a gun was brought into the home by one of his siblings, police said.At around 9 p.m., authorities responded to the 200 block of Paxton on the report of a child shot.Officers at the scene located a 5-year-old boy, later identified as Kentrell Pouncey, suffering from a gunshot wound. Pouncey was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Following a preliminary investigation, police believe the gun was found somewhere outside of the home and brough in.At the time of the shooting, Pouncey was in the home with his three siblings, all under 15, and his mother.“This poor mother, she’s innocent in this but the message is still the same,” Calumet City spokesperson Sean Howard said.Authorities went on to describe how important gun safety is.“Tragic incident, a strong reminder of the importance of gun safety,” Howard said, “That parents need to have talks with their children.”Pouncey was foun...

At least 3 shot on Chicago's West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

CHICAGO — At least three people were shot on the city's West Side Friday morning.The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue.According to the Chicago Fire Department, two men and one woman were transported to Stroger Hospital; two in critical condition and one in serious condition.The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear at this time. No further information has been provided. 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at Park Forest home This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Houston mayor fires back after 'butt ugly' comment by Connecticut governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner fired back at Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont after Lamont called Houston "butt ugly" on a talk show earlier this week. Connecticut's governor took a shot at the city following the NCAA Men's Final Four, which was held in Houston. Lamont, who had traveled to Houston and was on hand Monday night to watch the University of Connecticut men's basketball team win its fifth national championship, talked about his visit earlier this week on a Connecticut radio show.“After winning the semifinals, you walk around downtown Houston, which is butt ugly. Not much there," the Democratic governor told the hosts of WPLR-FM's "Chaz and AJ" show.Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, also a Democrat, said he did not appreciate the governor “throwing shade” at his city after Houston went to the trouble to “feed you, dine you, host you, house you." UConn fans tear down lampposts, set fires after championship win, videos show Lamont issued an apology of sorts on T...

Dean's Weekender: Ginuwine & Next, Aly & AJ, English Beat — and more!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

Check out Dean’s Weekender for the top events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.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!

Friend of the Morning News Joy Koy stops by

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

Jo Koy stops by WGN Morning News every time comes to Chicago and today was no different. The comedian and actor is in town for a SOLD OUT show at The United Center. He told us about the excitement of packing out a huge venue and what it's like working with his family.You can find information about the rest of his tour and shop for everything from Jo Koy socks to bags of Jo Koy rice at JoKoy.com.

Gov. Pritzker announces 2023 tourism grants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced a new round of grants designed to enhance tourism across the state.The state's Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DECO) has awarded tens-of-millions of dollars in tourism grants in recent years. ‘Stunning’: James Webb telescope provides new view of Uranus Pritzker revealed the list of recipients from the Chicago Cultural Center at a Friday event.This story will be updated, check back later for additional details.

SWAT called to scene in southeast Austin; Part of Nuckols Crossing closed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department's SWAT team was called to a scene in southeast Austin Friday morning. APD tweeted at 10:05 a.m. that officers are on the scene of the call in the 4600 block of Nuckols Crossing Road. Nuckols Crossing is shut down in both directions between Maufrais Lane and Viewpoint Drive. Avoid the area. Police said a media briefing is planned for 11 a.m. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

'Puppies in Bloom': Free dog adoptions during Easter weekend at Williamson County shelter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 7, 2023.WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Need a puppy? The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has you covered. The shelter is offering free dog adoptions April 7 and 8 because it has had a "more than normal amount" of puppies brought into the shelter in the last few days, WCRAS said in a release. Interested adopters can preview all adoptable dogs online before heading to the shelter. The shelter has a program called the Best Match System that can help pair dogs to the best home and lifestyle for them. Adoptions are free and include spay/neuter surgery, all age-appropriate vaccinations, a microchip the shelter registers with owners' contact information and a voucher for a free wellness exam at a participating veterinary clinic. Front Porch, Tumbleweed, Knock Knock: How Austin Pets Alive! names its pups The free adoption special is happening Friday and Saturday April 7 and 8 only. Those not read...

Report: Tesla's Giga Texas factory has swollen to more than 12K employees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:25 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- Tesla Inc. said its Giga Texas factory had grown to 12,277 employees by the end of 2022, according to an annual report shared with Travis County’s Economic Development Program as a part of its 2020 incentives package. That's up from a bit more than 10,000 employees reported to the ABJ last fall by sources familiar with the matter.About a month ago, Dell Technologies Inc. — which has handily held the title as largest local tech employer for decades — reported it had 13,000 employees in the Austin area. Elon Musk's crew took about one year to reach the size of Michael Dell's team, which was founded in 1984.Tesla's report notes that 55% of its Austin area employees are Travis County residents and that the average wage was at $39.72 per hour. It's average annual compensation is at least $47,147 for all full-time employees, the report said.Read more from Austin Business Journal online.