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Officials assessing storm damage in Calumet City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — Residents who suffered damage during last month's severe weather in Calumet City could get some help.President Joe Biden has already issued a disaster declaration for Cook County for the summer storms but Friday’s focus was on the storms that happened in September. Teams with FEMA, the state emergency management, county and local officials went door to door to talk to homeowners in Calumet City. They conducted preliminary damage assessments and gathered information for the governor. FEMA opens Chicago area recovery centers for those affected by summer storms If the governor declares a disaster for the September 16 and 17 storms, then that would get the ball rolling to FEMA and Biden to see if another federal disaster declaration would be issued. This the way for federal assistance for homeowners .From the summer storms, the deadline to apply for relief has been extended through the end of this month. Homeowners who were initially denied can also appeal.Fo...

Why do you need glasses to prevent permanent eye damage during eclipse?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — We're less than a day away from the first of two solar eclipses over the next few months.On Oct. 14, an annular eclipse will briefly dim the skies over sections of the western U.S. and Central and South America. Viewing the eclipse safely will require some prep on your part, however."(I see) a few patients a year that have either accidentally looked at the sun or were trying to view an eclipse," said Dr. Andrew Neighbors, a Seattle-based optometrist.According to Neighbors, damage caused by looking at the sun during an eclipse is called eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. This damage may heal over time but could be permanent. Neighbors said there is little that can be medically done to repair this damage.What happens during eclipse blindness?Eclipse blindness appears as a black dot in your vision, Neighbors said."If you've ever seen a car headlight or something like that, it's really bright, and then afterwards, you can kind of see the car headlight. It would be l...

A new Blackhawks era is underway - already with some Connor Bedard excitement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Dave Melton of Second City Hockey joins "9 Good Minutes" to talk about the start of the Blackhawks 2023-2024 season & the first games for No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard.CHICAGO — It's a very, very small sample size, but already there have been some rave reviews about the play of the Blackhawks' No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.After all, Connor Bedard got two major firsts out of the way in his first two games with the franchise, while also showing a few glimpses of what could be to come. But, again, it's just two games, and the hope is that the center will continue to grow his game to reach his full potential as the face of a new era of Blackhawks' hockey.Yet there are other things that fans should be looking at as the team takes another step towards building a winner. Bedard is one of the early pieces to a new core that can try to repeat the success that the 2010s team enjoyed thanks in big part to talent that came up from within the organization. Kevin Korchinski, th...

Texas Senate gives final approval to ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — At the end of a marathon 15-hour day Thursday, the Texas Senate voted along party lines to approve legislation that bans COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers, though the author carved out a slight caveat on how some of the rules will apply to hospitals and health care facilities in the state. Senate Bill 7, introduced by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston, passed on a vote of 19-12 Thursday evening, sending it to the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration. The legislation would bar employers from adopting or enforcing a mandate "requiring an employee, contractor, applicant for employment, or applicant for a contract position to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment or a contract position." Senate passes plan to let Texas parents use public funds to pay for private schools Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a statement applauding the Senate's decision. "The passage of SB 7 will return medical freedom to Texans ...

Israeli, Palestinian rallies at Texas Capitol this Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two groups have rallies planned at the Texas Capitol this Sunday surrounding the events of the Israel-Hamas war.The Austin branch of the Israeli-American Council will host a rally from 12 to 3 p.m. The Palestine Solidarity Committee, a student organization at UT Austin, will host its rally starting at 3 p.m., according to the group's social media accounts. As war continues to rage in Israel, the Texas Department of Public Safety said at this time it is not aware of any specific and credible threats to Texas but wants the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city is on "high alert."“We have not received any information to believe that a threat is imminent here in Austin. However, our Austin Police and Homeland Security & Emergency Management departments are on high alert to help prevent and respond to any act of violence that may be attempted,” the mayor said Thursday. City of Austin on high alert as...

Abbott urges school choice supporters to 'not be like UT Football' in final push

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Austin (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott said supporters of school choice are close to their goal at the Capitol. But Thursday night, he urged backers to avoid mimicking the Texas Longhorns in the final push for the legislation. Abbott spoke at Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) 2023 Parent Empowerment Leadership Summit dinner, about an hour after the Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill to allow parents to use public funds to pay for private education. Senate passes plan to let Texas parents use public funds to pay for private schools "We are on the one-yard line, a good place to be," Abbott said.Abbott referenced Texas Football's play calling in Texas's 30-34 loss to Oklahoma in 2023's edition of the Red River Rivalry. He referenced UT's lack of success at the one-yard line as a metaphor to illustrate the current risk, even with success seeming close."UT took four downs from the one-yard line, and — because of strategies, decision making, and maybe execution — they...

Where and when to see peak fall colors in Texas in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows when you can see fall colors across the U.S.TEXAS (KAMR/KCIT) — As communities around Texas welcome the autumn season with an array of festivals and excitement for the upcoming holidays, they're also looking forward to cooler weather and scouting out the best view of vibrant fall foliage. However, as noted by the 2023 fall foliage forecast by Smoky Mountains National Park, autumn colors will touch Texas treetops over the course of multiple months and won't start to peak until November. Much like seasonal allergies, the timing for when Texans will be able to fully appreciate the leaves changing will depend on where exactly they are in the vast regions of the Lone Star State.Here's a look at where Texans and travelers alike can get some of the best views of fall foliage in 2023, and when to time their trip to do so. Big Bend Country and Panhandle-Plains | Nov. 6 - Nov.18While the westernmost and northernmost tips of Texas are expected to see the le...

Vikings at Bears picks: Vikings vulnerable without Justin Jefferson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Members of the Pioneer Press sports staff who cover the Vikings forecast Sunday’s game against the Bears in Chicago:DANE MIZUTANIBears 27, Vikings 24The loss of Justin Jefferson is going to be too much for the Vikings to overcome against the Bears. The biggest question is whether the result will force the Vikings to at least consider tanking. It would be in their best interest at this point.JOHN SHIPLEYVikings 27, Bears 24The Bears are hot off a convincing victory over Washington but this is a pride game for Minnesota, which believes it is better than its record. Even without Justin Jefferson, they should have enough in Chicago. Right?CHARLEY WALTERSVikings 21, Bears 20Vikings are the better team, even without Justin Jefferson, but only one point better. Lose this one and the season is lost for both teams.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings at Bears: What to know ahead of Week 6 matchup Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 6 Minn...

Vikings at Bears: What to know ahead of Week 6 matchup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Here are some things to know before the Vikings travel to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday:Vikings at BearsWhen: 12 p.m. SundayWhere: Solider FieldTV: FOXRadio: KFANLine: Vikings – 3.0Over/Under: 44Keys for the Vikings— Will the Vikings be able to move the ball without injured star receiver Justin Jefferson? That should be pretty clear based on how the Vikings play early in the game. It will be the first time Jefferson has missed a game in his young career. Thus, the Vikings have never been forced to function without him until now.— The renaissance of quarterback Justin Fields has helped the Bears be competitive over the past couple of weeks. If the Vikings can find a way to fluster Fields early in the game, they could find some success. If they allow him to get rolling, it could make things pretty difficult on defense.Keys for the Bears— There’s going to be chances for Bears receiver D.J. Moore to make some plays against an inexperienced group of Vikings cornerbacks. He is fr...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 6

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:30 GMT

Vikings at Bears (+2½)Star wideout Justin Jefferson will be sidelined at least a month, the latest blow to the postseason hopes for the 1-4 Vikings. The big question is whether the official campaign of tanking the season begins immediately, or whether they’ll wait until Sunday’s next debacle.Pick: Bears by 3MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 08: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings attempts to catch a pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)Panthers at Dolphins (-13½)Three Dolphins (Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert) have posted the top speeds in NFL action this season, all in excess of 21.5 mph. The only pass catcher to move faster this year has been the Vikings’ Jordan Addison in his Lamborghini.Pick: Dolphins by 21MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball to score a touchdown ...