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The journey of Minnesota’s Rutt the moose is tracked by a herd of fans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

A herd of followers are tracking a moose on the loose in southern Minnesota, hoping the majestic animal’s journey ends safely after it was spotted Tuesday 140 miles (225 km) northwest of Minneapolis.Fans have been tracking the young male moose for weeks and posting updates on a Facebook page that as of Tuesday had more than 18,000 followers. Admirers call the animal “Bullwinkle” or “Rutt,” the latter in homage to a scatterbrained moose from the movie “Brother Bear.”A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources big game expert told the Minnesota Star Tribune that moose typically only roam in northern Minnesota, making the now-famous moose’s visit to south and central Minnesota a rare treat. Todd Froberg, the agency’s big game program coordinator, said the young moose is likely looking for home territory or other moose and is expected to continue moving north.“He’s lost, and he’s trying to get home to his family,” said Bernie Stang, a moose fan who spotted the animal i...

Influential Iowa evangelical leader endorses Bob Vander Plaats endorses Ron DeSantis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

Bob Vander Plaats, an influential Iowa evangelical leader, endorsed Ron DeSantis for president Tuesday, boosting the Florida governor as he goes all in on the leadoff caucus state in an effort to trip up Republican front-runner Donald Trump.Vander Plaats is the second major backer DeSantis has picked up in Iowa this month, joining popular Gov. Kim Reynolds. Evangelicals are a crucial voting bloc in Iowa’s Republican caucuses. Vander Plaats, president of the Family Leader, has endorsed the eventual winner in every GOP caucus since 2008 and is potentially jeopardizing his streak by picking DeSantis, who trails far behind Trump in polls. His decision will test his sway among Iowa evangelicals, many of whom continue to support Trump.If Trump wins Iowa, he’ll probably go on to be the nominee, “but I don’t think America is going to elect him president again,” Vander Plaats told Fox News host Bret Baier. “I think America would be well served to have a choice, and I ...

California can share gun owners’ personal information with researchers, appeals court rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A state appeals court ruled that California can continue providing personal information of gun owners to researchers to study gun violence, reversing last year’s decision by a lower court judge who said such data sharing violates privacy rights.In 2021, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing the state’s Department of Justice to share identifying information of more than 4 million gun owners in California with qualified research institutions to help them better study gun violence, accidents and suicides. The information — which the state collects with every firearm sale to perform background checks — include names, addresses, phone numbers, and any criminal records, among other things. Under the law, researchers can use the information and make their findings public, but can’t release any identifying information of gun owners.In response, gun owners and organizations sued the state, arguing that the disclosure of their informati...

How to break a lease early when escaping domestic violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

*Trigger/content warning: This article contains references to domestic violence and sexual abuse*If a tenant in Ontario or a child living with them is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse or fears that it is a possibility, there are ways to legally end the tenancy early and quickly so they can escape the situation without worrying about any penalties for breaking the lease.In such situations, the tenant does not have to be living with the person they are trying to flee. The provisions outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) apply even if the tenant no longer feels safe in the unit because the person they fear knows where they live or has access to the unit.The legislation covers situations involving the tenant’s current or former spouse, someone they currently or used to live with in a conjugal relationship, someone they are or were dating or someone who lives in the unit and is related to them or their child by marriage, blood or ado...

Iowa official’s wife convicted of 52 counts of voter fraud in ballot-stuffing scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The wife of a northwestern Iowa county supervisor was convicted Tuesday of a scheme to stuff the ballot box in her husband’s unsuccessful race for a Republican nomination to run for Congress in 2020.The Sioux City Journal reports that jurors deliberated six hours before finding Kim Taylor guilty of 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration and 23 counts of fraudulent voting.Prosecutors said Taylor, a Vietnam native, approached numerous voters of Vietnamese heritage with limited English comprehension and filled out and signed election forms and ballots on behalf of them and their English-speaking children.They said the scheme was designed to help her husband, Jeremy Taylor, a former Iowa House member, who finished a distant third in the race for the Republican nomination to run for Iowa’s 4th District congressional seat. Despite that loss, he ultimately won election to the Woodbury County Board ...

Willie Hernández, former Cub and World Series champion with Tigers, dies at 69

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

Three-time All-Star relief pitcher Willie Hernández, who played for the Chicago Cubs for parts of seven seasons in the 1970's and 80's, has died at the age of 69, according to a spokesman with the Detroit Tigers.Tigers spokesman Chad Crunk said Tuesday that Hernández died in Florida and the team confirmed Hernández's death with his family. No cause was announced.Best known for his time with Detroit, where he won the 1984 AL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards — on top of helping capture the World Series that year — Hernandez played for the Cubs from 1977-83, making 323 career appearances to the tune of a 3.81 ERA while on the North Side.A Rule 5 draft selection for Chicago in Dec. 1976, Hernandez's best year for the Cubs came during his rookie season in 1977, where he went 8-7 across 67 games in 110 innings on the mound, posting a 3.03 ERA with 78 strikeouts to just 28 walks.Chicago went on to trade Hernandez to the Philadelphia Phillies in May 1983, where he pitched four score...

Restaurant group behind food service at Chicago venues prepping largest Thanksgiving meal yet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

CHICAGO  — A restaurant group known for serving thousands of Chicago sports fans is now lending a helping hand to feed thousands of people in need this Thanksgiving holiday. For the last 30 years, Levy Restaurants, whose food is featured at the United Center, Wrigley Field and other city venues, has prepared a big Thanksgiving meal. It’s a production so big that preppers are using the stadium-size kitchen at Guaranteed Rate Field. SEE ALSO: Migrant camp construction begins at former Jewel-Osco lot“This is our 27th year of doing this for Thanksgiving,” said Robin Rosenberg, the vice president of Chef De Cuisine Levy Restaurants. “What we are doing today are the components of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner."On Tuesday, 800 pounds of sweet potatoes were on the 'To Do List.' Then comes the turkey on Thursday morning, all in the name of giving to others. Rosenberg said those involved are grateful to do so."We'll roast it today, we'll slice it tomorrow and then we'll fire it ...

Bears release quarterback, sign two DB's from practice squad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have released a quarterback and signed two defensive players from the practice squad, according to a press release from the team Tuesday.Team officials said they have released quarterback Trace McSorley from the practice squad, while also signing free safety Adrian Colbert and defensive end Michael Dwumfour to the active roster. Bears, DJ Moore team up with Salvation Army to feed migrants Thanksgiving dinner McSorley threw for 9,899 yards and 77 touchdowns compared to just 25 interceptions as a three-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions in college, where he was a two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection, 2016 Big Ten Conference Champion, and 2017 Fiesta Bowl MVP.The Ashburn, Virginia-native was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In nine career games with the Ravens from 2019-22, McSorley threw for 504 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. McSorley's one career touchdown pass came on the ...

Teens accused in deadly beating of Las Vegas classmate identified as possible gang members by police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) —  Some of the teens accused in the deadly beating of a 17-year-old high school student could be gang members associated with the gangs known as Young Rich Team, Murder Block, and 2100 Block, according to police documents.Rancho High School student Jonathan Lewis was declared brain-dead on Nov. 7 nearly one week after the Nov. 1 beating that left him unconscious in a back alley near the school. 8 News Now obtained arrest reports for the four teens: Dontral Beaver, 16; Gianni Robinson, 17; Damien Hernandez, 17; and Treavion Randolph, 16, who are currently charged as adults in the court system. Each was formally charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit battery with substantial bodily injury Tuesday morning.Damien Hernandez, 17; Gianni Robinson, 17; Dontral Beaver, 16; and Treavion Randolph, 16, all face murder charges in the death of Jonathan Lewis. (LVMPD)Although police initially said Lewis was defending a friend who had something stolen,...

Chicago warming centers to be activated as city preps for freezing temps

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

CHICAGO — As Chicago prepares for extreme temperatures this Thanksgiving weekend, the city announced Tuesday that its six community warming centers will be activated.Beginning Black Friday, the forecast calls for 30-degree temperatures with lows in the mid-20s early next week. As such, those seeking shelter can access the warming centers at the following locations:Englewood Community Service Center 1140 West 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620 312-747-0200 Garfield Community Service Center 10 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612 312-746-5400 Open on a 24-hour basis to connect families and residents to emergency shelters.    Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center 4314 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653 312-747-2300 North Area Community Service Center 845 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640 312-744-2580 South Chicago Community Service Center 8650 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617 312-747-0500 Trina Davila...