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Kansas is poised to boost legislators’ pay by $28,000 in 2025, nearly doubling it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is poised to nearly double its lawmakers’ pay in 2025 in hopes of attracting more diverse members, only months after the Legislature boosted the salaries of other state officials.A commission created by the Republican-controlled Legislature to study lawmakers’ pay on Thursday approved a proposal to increase the compensation for rank-and-file members by nearly $28,000 a year, a 93% increase to nearly $58,000. Legislative leaders, who receive extra pay, would see proportionally larger dollar increases, so that the Senate president and House speaker would be paid more than $85,000 a year, up from the current $44,000.The commission’s plan will take effect unless both legislative chambers vote to reject it by Feb. 7, a month after lawmakers convene their 2024 session.Under the plan, Kansas lawmakers would be paid better than their counterparts in a majority of states — not only neighbors like Iowa and Missouri, but also more populous ones like...

Illinois' No.1 'hidden gem' for fall foliage not far from Chicago, according to survey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Where is the best place to see fall foliage in Illinois that you might not know about?According to one survey, it's less than two hours from Chicago.Per a survey by Mixbook, a photo book brand, Starved Rock State Park is the No. 1 "hidden gem" to see leaves change in the state and 24th overall in the United States. They surveyed 3,000 people asking what "under-the-radar" destinations they'd visit around the country for fall foliage. 36 October festivals and events happening across Chicagoland Located in LaSalle County near Oglesby and Utica, about 90 miles west of Chicago, Starved Rock was designated a state park in 1911 and features 18 canyons and 13 miles of trails along the Illinois River. Open the entire year with a lodge located on-site, it offers opportunities for hiking, camping boating, fishing, and hunting on the grounds. Other places in Illinois featured in Mixbook's survey of "hidden gems" for fall foliage include No. 66 - Castle Rock State Park - Ogle CountyN...

'Unexpected turn of events': Attorneys for Delphi murder suspect withdraw from case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. — The attorneys representing Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen have withdrawn from the case, a judge announced Thursday afternoon.Allen, who is charged with two counts of murder in the February 2017 deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, was scheduled to make an appearance in Allen County court at 2 p.m. Thursday.However, Allen was not present around 2:30 p.m. when Special Judge Fran Gull began the court proceedings after a half-hour delay in what the judge called an "unexpected turn of events." After apologizing for the delay, Judge Gull said that the reason for Allen's absence was that his attorneys, Andrew Baldwin and Bradley Rozzi, had withdrawn from the case. Thus, Allen was already being transported back to Westville Correctional Facility due to a lack of counsel. He remains in the custody of the Indiana Department of Correction.During Thursday's court proceedings, which lasted les...

Bad Bunny bringing his 'Most Wanted' tour to Chicago's United Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Global music sensation Bad Bunny is coming to Chicago's United Center next spring. As part of his 'Most Wanted Tour,' the 29-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer will take the stage over three nights on March 28-30. While tickets have yet to go on sale, registration is now open through Sunday. Registration does not guarantee tickets, however. According to Ticketmaster, the move aims to: Help block bots and scalpersGet more tickets for real people who want to attend the showReduce resale (only 5-10% of tickets using registration are resold vs 20-30% of others)SEE ALSO: October concert calendar: 10 of the best Chicago showsAnnounced stops for Bad Bunny's North American tour include New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Houston, Atlanta, Miami and more. The "Chambea" artist last performed in the Chicago area in 2022, headlining three sold-out shows in March 2022 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Chicago man accused of carjacking 49-year-old at gunpoint: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A 27-year-old man is suspected of carjacking a 49-year-old man at gunpoint, according to Chicago police. Oscar Jurado was identified as one of the offenders who took a vehicle by force in the 1200 block of N. Pulaski Rd. the night of Oct. 10, police said. Jurado was arrested eight days later and charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Jurado was due in court on Thursday.

APD says scene 'still active' after juvenile shot in northeast Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in northeast Austin that left one juvenile injured. The scene is still active at this time, according to police.Shortly after 1 p.m., officers responded to an urgent call in the 1100 block of Fairfield Drive, APD said. That location is near Navarro High School. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a juvenile with gunshot wounds.The juvenile was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.Anyone with any information can submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling (512) 472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.This developing story will be updated as more details are available from APD.

Heidi Firkus family, others speak out in new ‘Dateline’ program about her murder in St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

“Dateline NBC” is airing a two-hour program Friday about the 2010 killing of Heidi Firkus in St. Paul.Jurors earlier this year found Firkus’ husband, Nicholas, guilty of premeditated murder. Nicholas Firkus, then 27, told police an intruder broke into their home in the Hamline-Midway area. He said he armed himself with a shotgun and, during a struggle with the unknown man, the gun went off and Heidi was shot in the back. The 25-year-old died in her home.Heidi Firkus (Courtesy of Erickson family)The Dateline program is called “65 Seconds,” a reference to the time between Heidi’s call to 911, which ended with the sound of a gunshot, and Nicholas’ call reporting the shooting.After several St. Paul police investigators worked on the case, Sgt. Niki Sipes took over in 2019. She and prosecutors built a case, presenting evidence at trial that Heidi Firkus was unaware their home had been foreclosed on and they were due to be evicted the next day. Bu...

Twins pitcher Sonny Gray named Most Valuable Player as team announces award winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

For a season in which he is sure to be listed on Cy Young Award ballots, starting pitcher Sonny Gray was named both the Most Valuable Twin and the Twins’ Pitcher of the Year.The Twins released the winners of their annual Diamond Awards on Thursday with Gray receiving two of the highest honors as voted on by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.Gray finished his season with a 2.79 earned-run average and a 5.3 bWAR (Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference), which was two wins higher than any of his teammates.Shortstop Carlos Correa, who won five different Diamond Awards a season ago, was honored again as the Twins’ Defensive Player of the Year and with the Bob Allison Award for his leadership.Starting pitcher Pablo López was honored as the Media Good Guy for his friendly, insightful nature with the team’s reporters. He was also bestowed the Outstanding Community Service Award, for his efforts in the community both during spring training i...

Adults on autism spectrum invited to St. Paul job fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

To celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, a St. Paul business advocate is hosting a job fair for adults with autism next week.Sheletta Brundidge, founder and CEO of the podcasting platform and production company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh, is inviting adults on the spectrum to attend a job fair Oct. 26 where they can get resume assistance, interview preparation and help finding a new job.Companies and organizations that sponsor Brundidge’s podcast network such as Bremer Bank, the Minneapolis Police Department and local schools will have booths set up, Brundidge said in an email.A business owner and a mother, Brundidge’s three children are on the spectrum. Brundidge has written children’s books and produces podcasts on the topic as well.In addition to being an autism advocate, Brundidge is also a small business advocate and works to uplift Black business owners. Last month, she spearheaded a letter-writing campaign for Black business owners to have their concerns heard in Washing...

Twins position breakdown: bullpen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

While the Twins’ bullpen wasn’t quite the strength the starting rotation was in 2023, there was plenty for the Twins to like from the group, particularly late in the season. The bullpen finished the season with a 3.95 earned-run average, 15th in the majors.And many of the main contributors are expected to be back next season, giving the Twins a solid bullpen core to build around as they enter the offseason.2023 RECAPJhoan Duran’s sophomore season in the big leagues further cemented the flame-throwing closer as one of the best relievers in baseball.Griffin Jax went through some bumps in his second season as a reliever — some of it fluky with the underlying metrics showing he pitched better than the results he got — but recovered well and was nearly unhittable in the postseason.Caleb Thielbar, the high-leverage lefty out of the ‘pen, missed much of the summer months with oblique strains that required two separate stints on the injured list. But when healthy, he pitched to a 3.23 earne...