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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 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 ...

Three arrested after warrant investigation in Queensbury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people were arrested on Thursday following a warrant investigation in Queensbury. James Barber Jr. (50, Queensbury), Cassandra Bentley (36, Queensbury), and Marquese Hill (40, Troy) each face multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday, around 10 p.m., police say they executed an active warrant for Barber Jr.'s arrest at his residence. Troopers say they found multiple controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in plain view. Barber Jr. Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSeventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree criminally using drug paraphernaliaBentley Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Second-degree criminally using drug...

Sam Page expected to veto pedestrian road ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - FOX 2 learned St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will announce Tuesday morning he is vetoing a controversial the St. Louis County Council just passed.Page's Chief Spokesperson Doug Moore confirmed to FOX 2 that Page will announce at a news conference later Tuesday morning at the main county building that he is vetoing Bill 86. the bill has been generating a lot of debate since it passed the council earlier this month.The legislation, which was sponsored by council member Ernie Trakas, prohibits pedestrians from walking, running, sitting, or simply standing in a roadway when a sidewalk is provided.If a sidewalk isn't nearby, then people would be allowed to move on the left side of a roadway or on a shoulder facing traffic coming in the opposite direction.The bill passed the council by a narrow four to three vote back on May 16. Council member Trakas said the bill is all about improving public safety. However, others have raised concerns that the bill targets ...

3-vehicle crash causes lane closures on I-270 WB

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Crews were at the scene of a three-vehicle crash that is still causing traffic Tuesday morning. Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter is flying over the area located on New Florissant and I-270 westbound, where a box truck and two sedans can be seen heavily damaged. St. Charles County mayors seek funding for regional homeless shelter One lane in the area is still seeing 3 to 4 miles of backup. Drivers are being urged to take an alternate route. The cause of the crashes are still unknown, and no injuries have been reported. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Editorial: This river could be Colorado’s next national monument

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:00 GMT

Running along Colorado’s western border with Utah is a secret ecosystem on the edge of a vast desert landscape. Red sandstone rocks give way to lush cottonwood valleys, endless plateaus are covered with ancient piñon pines and aspen groves that shelter elk and deer from bears and lions, and sagebrush flats provide the ecosystems for turkey, grouse and coyote.The time has come to protect the Dolores River and the incredible lands that surround it.For decades these lands have been the backyards of Western Coloradans — many of who let their cattle roam on grazing permits handed down from generation to generation. Families have secret campsites tucked into the public lands where unmaintained roads take them away from civilization.From time to time, an outsider has discovered the beauty of this landscape. Billionaire John Hendricks single-handedly built a resort in Gateway, Colorado, where Unaweep Canyon meets the Dolores Canyon at a confluence unlike any other in this state.It’s o...