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American economist turns down top EU job as Macron’s criticism reverberates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — One day after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized her appointment because of her nationality, the American candidate to become one of the European Union’s chief economists will now not take up the position because of the political controversy it stirred, the bloc announced Wednesday. In a letter to the EU’s executive Commission released early Wednesday, Yale economics professor Fiona Scott Morton wrote that she had “determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position” in the department that oversees competition and anti-trust policy. She insisted the department must have the full backing of the 27-nation EU, which the bloc would not be able to provide, “given the political controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European.” France insisted Wednesday that the position of Morton as an American at the heart of EU economic policy was incompatible with its view of a stronger ...

Stock market today: Wall Street’s rally keeps running after stronger profit reports than expected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are ticking higher Wednesday, adding to the strong run that has pulled Wall Street to its highest levels in more than 15 months.The S&P 500 was 0.4% higher in early trading, coming off its highest closing level since early April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 187 points, or 0.5%, at 33,139, as of 9:55 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.2% higher.Elevance Health was helping to lead the market after it jumped 7.5% The insurance provider reported stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected, while raising its forecast for earnings over the full year. Stocks also broadly got a boost from easing pressure from the bond market, where yields fell after a report showed U.K. inflation cooled by more than expected. It eased to 7.9% in June, a 15-month low. The U.K. data follows encouraging U.S. reports that have raised hope inflation is moderating enough to convince the Federal Reserve to soon halt its hikes to inter...

Ben Crump, former Northwestern players discuss hazing allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A prominent civil rights attorney along with a few former Northwestern athletes will be talking about the hazing scandal that's erupted in recent weeks at the school on Wednesday.Ben Crump along with Chicago-based attorney Steven Levin of Levin and Perconti will be joined by these former Wildcats' players at a news conference at 10 a.m. central time in downtown Chicago. Northwestern University president announces new measures amidst hazing scandal This comes just two days after Crump and Levin announced that a group of former players in the football program had been retained by the attorneys for possible litigation. They allege that a number of incidents took place including "forced participation in humiliating acts and racial bias to punishments that inflicted severe physical discomfort and psychological trauma."WGN News Now will provide live coverage of the news conference in the video above.

Judge denies Trump's request for new trial in E. Jean Carroll case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

(The Hill) – A federal judge on Wednesday rejected former President Trump’s request for a new trial after a jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, an appointee of former President Clinton, said the jury’s verdict was not seriously erroneous or a serious miscarriage of justice, rejecting Trump’s claim that the $5 million in damages he was ordered to pay was excessive and other arguments.“There is no basis for disturbing the jury’s sexual assault damages," Kaplan wrote in the 59-page ruling. "And Mr. Trump’s arguments with respect to the defamation damages are no stronger." Trump notified he is target in DOJ’s Jan. 6 investigation The nine-member jury found Trump liable in May for sexually abusing Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, in the mid-1990s at a New York City department store. The jury also found him liable for later defaming Carroll in an October 2022 statement denying her story.E. Jean Carroll lea...

Non-profit giving away nearly 1,800 Chicago dogs Wednesday at Clark Street Dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A non-profit is giving away nearly 1,800 Chicago style hot dogs Wednesday to celebrate the First Amendment.In addition to it being National Hot Dog Day, The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is kicking off a new advertisement campaign in Chicago by giving away 1,791 Chicago-style hot dogs at Clark Street Dog, located at 3040 N. Clark St.The number marks the year the First Amendment was ratified in 1791. Celebrate summer with city’s top 5 hot dogs — according to Chicagoans The giveaway begins at 11 a.m. and is expected to last for a few hours.

Dean cooks hot dogs 3 ways

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards is cooking hot dogs, three different ways, in honor of National Hot Dog Day!Chicago-style Hot Dogs — on tortillasIngredients:6 hot dogs  (I like Vienna Beef Hot Dogs)6 tortillas (8 inch)…flour, corn or wheat…warmed(if you want it traditional,  use steamed poppy seed buns)6 dill pickle slices3 plum tomatoes, cut into thin wedges1/2 cup chopped sweet onionSport peppersGreen relishYellow mustardCelery SaltKetchup (extremely optional)Directions:Grill or steam hot dogs.  Serve on warm tortillas with toppings.  Caution:  Using ketchup cause verbal and bodily harm.     Dean shares recipe for 3 different summer salads Hot Dogs in Puffed PastryIngredients:Frozen puffed pastry,  defrosted and refrigerated6 hot dogs  (I like Vienna Beef Hot Dogs)1 egg beaten with TBSP of water (for egg wash)Honey Dijon MustardFlaked Sea SaltBlack pepper“Everything” seasoning  Directions:Preheat the oven ...

Upcoming weekend events at Grafton Lakes State Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Are you looking for outdoor educational programs about wildlife? Head to Grafton Lakes State Park this weekend for an amphibian adventure and a free program about animal skulls and pelts. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Amphibian Adventure will run from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Participants will search the shorelines and learn to identify different species of amphibians. Registration is required. The program costs $2 per person and is open to kids ages 6 and older. On Sunday, join park staff at the Conklin Program Tent on Long Pond Beach for the Summer Beach Program about skulls and skins. The program is open to all ages, and registration is not required. Guests will learn about local wildlife and be able to handle and observe skulls and pelts.

Second Northwoods officer charged in police beating investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A second Northwoods officer faces criminal charges in alleged police beating earlier this month in north St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged Michael Hill, 51, with second-degree kidnapping. Prosecutors previously charged another city of Northwoods officer, Samuel Davis, 26, in the case. Investigators say Hill was Davis' supervising officer at the time of the alleged beating. Car goes airborne, crashing into Lemay home, killing driver According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, the incident occurred on July 4. The victim reported Officer Samuel Davis took him into custody at a Walgreens store in Northwoods.But rather than bring the victim to the police station, Davis allegedly drove to a remote area in Kinloch, near the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Hugo Avenue. Police claim Officer Davis pepper sprayed the victim, struck him with his baton, and told him not to return to Northwoo...

Arena Football League preps for 2024 return with St. Louis squad

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After the rebirth of the XFL and the St. Louis Battlehawks, it seems another professional football team is coming to town. According to several reports and a Twitter announcement, the Arena Football League will return in 2024 with 16 teams. St. Louis is expected to serve as one of 16 host sites when the league officially relaunches. Car goes airborne, crashing into Lemay home, killing driver The Arena Football League was first founded in 1987 as an indoor-only alternative to the NFL. The league went bankrupt, then stopped in 2008. It picked up again in 2010, before going bankrupt again in 2019. The league has been on a hiatus for the last four years. The third rendition of the AFL could begin as soon as 2024 after a new ownership group acquired rights to the league in February. The St. Louis Stampede had a brief run in the Arena Football League in the 1990s before the NFL Rams arrived to St. Louis and took over the Dome At America's Center. A few years later, while in...

LAPD pursues allegedly stolen vehicle in San Fernando Valley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:57 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department pursued a vehicle in the San Fernando Valley Wednesday morning.The vehicle, which appears to be a white work truck with cables in the back, was also towing a small trailer.At one point, the truck appeared to crash into at least one other vehicle, which then hit a third vehicle. The truck then fled the scene.Traveling on surface streets, the truck traveled at speeds of about 30 mph for much of the pursuit.Check back for updates to this developing story.