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Vallas receives endorsements, Johnson speaks with Chicago nurses ahead of Election Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago mayoral candidates were out on the town Thursday gathering as much support as they can before the April 4 election. WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election Paul Vallas stopped by the Chicago Cub's opening day festivities, posing for pictures with voters outside the historic Cubby Bear, alongside Aldermen Tom Tunney.Vallas' meet-and-greets began in Belmont Cragin, where some Latino faith leaders gave him their endorsement at the New Life Family center. He said churches and other faith-based organizations are an important part of the public safety fabric of Chicago.  "The faith based organizations can play a critical role in the mentoring and tutoring and character development," Vallas remarked. "For many families, the churches are places where families can go for help." Rewatch the entire WGN Chicago Mayoral Debate here Vallas' opponent, Brandon Johnson, met with nurses from the Illinois Nurses Association and Nurses Union ...

2023 Remarkable Women of Chicago winner announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

CHICAGO -- March is Women’s History Month and Nexstar and WGN have recognized the great contributions women have made in our community.Throughout March, four finalists for the 2023 Woman of the Year award have been highlighted, and now, we have a winner. ‘Let’s show them’: Elmhurst mother starts sports program for special needs children Congratulations to Dena Seidenfuss, of Access Sports in Elmhurst, for being WGN's Remarkable Woman of the Year.From starting with six kids and one sport 17 years ago, to now hosting 80 participants playing four sports, Seidenfuss has expanded Access Sports to ensure all kids have a chance to play sports.“I really wanted my son to be able to play, wear the uniforms, hoist the trophies play on the same fields and have the same connection just the same way other kids have with their peers,” Seidenfuss said.“And then someone said to me ‘why don’t you start your own?’ and I’m like oh, maybe I could do that!” See the other Remarkable Women finalists he...

Report: Austin listed among cities with highest property taxes in US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin metro ranked in the top 15 American cities with the highest property taxes, according to a report by Construction Coverage. The report ranked Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown at No. 13.According to the report’s findings, Austin metro’s effective property tax rate for owner-occupied homes was 1.4%.The report said the median property taxes paid for owner-occupied homes in Austin metro was $6,397, the median owner-occupied home value was $397,100 and the median household income was $86,530.Other large Texas metros ranked in the top 15 were:Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington at No. 6 with a 1.6% property tax rateHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land at No. 7 with a 1.6% property tax rateSan Antonio-New Braunfels at No. 10 with a 1.5% property tax rateRochester, New York, was ranked at No. 1 with an effective property tax rate for owner-occupied homes at 2.4%.According to the report, property taxes are usually calculated as a percentage of the assesse...

Austin Police corporal runs nearly 200 miles for charity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department Corporal Ben Mewis ran from the San Jacinto monument in Harris County to the Texas State Capitol to raise money and awareness for a cause close to his heart: CASA of Travis County. The run was just under 200 miles. Austin corporal runs from Alamo to Texas Capitol, uses passion to connect with community CASA of Travis County helps children who have experienced abuse or neglect. “For me, specifically, the hardest calls that I take have to do with children involved as victims," Mewis said. "So this means a lot to me for Austin and for Travis County to be able to run for this group.” While this is the first time he's running for a charity - this isn't his first time taking on a large-scale running endeavor to connect with the community. In 2021, he ran every street of his patrol sector - the Baker Sector.Around Thanksgiving, he ran from the Alamo in San Antonio to the Capitol. During that run, he said people asked him if he was running for a c...

Rain showers, then sunshine and record heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Welcome light to moderate rain showers continue across much of the area this evening with some rain totals adding up to 0.10"-0.25". Light rain showers taper off a bit after sunset tonight with cloudy, mainly dry weather overnight.A strong Pacific storm passing to our north will drag a cold front through our area late in the day tomorrow. This front has the potential to trigger isolated storms and showers along, but mainly east of I-35 late in the day.Cold front slides in late Friday bringing a low chance for storms & showers along and east of I-35Isolated severe storms have become a little more likely northeast of Austin with Milam, Lee and part of Williamson County included in a Marginal (1 out of 5) severe weather risk on Friday. Wind damage is our primary concern.Severe weather risk FridayBefore the cool front arrives, hot southwesterly winds may boost temperatures to record highs. We are forecasting a high Friday in Austin of 92 degrees -- topping the day'...

Crisp & Green and Mill City Tavern (plus bagels and burgers) have arrived at MSP Airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

Several new restaurants have recently opened in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.The new spots, which opened in February, are all located in the Terminal 1 G Concourse.Here’s what’s new:Poppy’s Bagels and Custom Burger are sharing a space — New York-style bagels before 10:30 a.m., and afterward, the menu and staff change out to a fast-casual burgers-and-fries joint.Mill City Tavern, which used to be located near gate G18 before closing in early 2020, is back in a much larger space in the central concourse. The restaurant serves locally inspired food and drinks like wild rice-crusted walleye, fried cheese curds, and craft beers and spirits.Crisp & Green, the locally based salad and grain bowl chain that’s in the midst of a nationwide expansion, is opening an airport location, too. This is the company’s 14th Minnesota location.These restaurants are run by OTG, a national airport hospitality group that aims to “employ a forward-thinking approach to optimiz...

REPORT: The healthiest counties in the Capital Region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute recently released its 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps for the United States. This includes ranking each country in New York based on several health factors. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Institute looked at factors such as length and quality of life, health behaviors, clinical care, physical environments and social and economics factors. This data comes from a variety of sources including the American Medical Association, America's Health Rankings, and Health Impact Project. You can view the full list on the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website.In New York State, when basing the map on health factors, Nassau County ranks number 1. Bronx County ranks last at number 62. Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: March 31-April 2 Here's where the counties rank based on health factors in the Capital Region:Albany C...

NCAA Tourney Revenue Revealed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With the NCAA wrapping up in New York, businesses in the Capital Region are looking back on their earnings. Albany County Executive, Daniel P. McCoy, announced that the expected revenue from the event was projected to be $3.5 million, and ended up reaching $6.7 million. "The NCAA host 8 first and second round locations. Albany was the smallest of those eight locations. We were a sold out show for all three sessions of the tournament," shared Discover Albany Sports commissioner Jay Cloutier. NCAA brings positive impact to Downtown Albany The economic impact from the event was originally estimated for a shorter time frame. Unforeseen circumstances led to Albany reaping further benefits. "The late start on Sunday night for our two games forced teams and fans to spend an additional night in Albany county," explained Cloutier. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! McGeary's Pub was one business that benefitt...

Albany man convicted in fatal stabbing case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Jimmie Lee Allen, 60, of Albany, was convicted of murder. According to the indictment, Allen intentionally caused the death of Rodney McLean on August 12. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In September, Allen had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Allen will be sentenced on June 6 at 2 p.m. and faces 25 years to life in State Prison.

New York State budget due on Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)----The clock is ticking when it comes to an on time state budget."We are in what I would like to call this, “the middle of the middle," explained Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.Exactly when it will be passed is still up in the air.Stewart-Cousins said at this point, nothing is off the table and that it’s big policy issues that require discussions, including changes to Bail Reform. The governor wants to provide more clarity to judges and to remove the least restrictive means standard— something the Senate and Assembly didn’t include in their own budget proposals."We are working as the governor is putting this forward. She wants to make sure there is clarification of the jurisdiction and the discretion that the judiciary has. We want to help to clarify the judicial discretion, as well as keep the integrity of our bail laws. So, we again— it’s a productive conversation and I have every feeling we can get to a good end."Speaker Carl Heastie said, "I...