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For turning ‘mines to vines,’ founder of Roots of Peace wins World Food Prize

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A California peace activist who has worked to remove land mines from war-torn regions and replace them with grape vines, fruit trees and vegetables was named the 2023 World Food Prize laureate Thursday at a ceremony in Washington.The Des Moines, Iowa-based foundation awarded its annual prize to Heidi Kühn, founder of Roots of Peace. Since founding her nonprofit in the basement of her San Rafael, California, home in 1997, Kühn’s organization has helped remove thousands of mines and assist farmers in more than a half-dozen countries. The group recently signed an initial agreement to begin work in Ukraine.Kühn, 65, said she formed the idea of starting her group after hosting an event at her home for dignitaries advocating for the eradication of land mines.“Looking back on it, perhaps it was a vision of turning blood into wine, killing fields into vineyards and hatred into love,” Kühn said in an interview last week.Kühn was named the winner of the prize, which ca...

Supreme Court rejects challenge to California pork law mandating more space for pigs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge to a California animal cruelty law that affects the pork industry, ruling that the case was properly dismissed by lower courts. Pork producers had said that the law could force industry-wide changes and raise the cost of bacon and other pork products nationwide.California’s law requires more space for breeding pigs, and producers say it would force the $26 billion-a-year industry to change its practices even though pork is produced almost entirely outside California.The justices upheld lower court rulings dismissing the pork producers’ case.During arguments in the case in October, liberal and conservative justices underscored the potential reach of the case. Some worried whether greenlighting the animal cruelty law would give state legislators a license to pass laws targeting practices they disapprove of, such as a law that says a product cannot be sold in the state if workers who made it are not vaccinated o...

20-year-old Gary woman killed in Dan Ryan crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

CHICAGO — A 20-year-old Gary woman died early Wednesday morning following a three-vehicle crash on the Dan Ryan.Just before 12:30 a.m., three vehicles were traveling southbound on the Dan Ryan near 95th Street in the left lane.Two of the vehicles, including a 2010 beige Nissan Altima driven by Lataya Lyons, 20, of Gary, slowed down for a crash in front of them.A 2018 Ford Escape, driven by Jennifer Fortson, 49, of Homewood, failed to slow down in time and rear-ended the Altima, police allege. 36-year-old man shot, killed in Aurora Lyons was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Escape suffered minor injuries.Fortson was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

Efforts underway to help migrants arriving in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

CHICAGO — Community groups are joining forces to help migrants arriving in the Chicago area.Thursday marks the end of coronavirus restrictions on asylum that have allowed the U.S. to quickly expel migrants at the southern border for the last three years.The end of Title 42's use has raised questions about what will happen with migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden administration is preparing for an increase in migrants.There are currently 3,200 migrants in shelters and respite sites across the city. For weeks, migrants have been sleeping on Chicago police station floors.According to Block Club Chicago, Ald. Raymond Lopez is looking to take an empty building in the Pilsen neighborhood and create a place of shelter for the migrants, while trying to clear some of the police stations. See where you can help migrants arriving in Chicago A move that could relieve some of the stress volunteers are facing."One of the hotdog stands, Joey’s Hot Dogs, stepped up with a number of san...

Charges filed after more than 600 catalytic converters recovered

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — An investigation by the Cook County Sheriff's Office has led to the recovery of more than 600 catalytic converters and criminal charges.Sheriff Tom Dart is set to announce the details of the charges and the investigation at a Thursday event. ‘It was my work’: Teen bragged to friend after officer Aréanah Preston’s slaying, prosecutors allege WGN plans to livestream the announcement within this story beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Man, 40, shot dead in residence in Woodlawn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is dead after he was shot in the neck inside a residence in Woodlawn Thursday morning.According to police, the 40-year-old man was inside a home near the 6100 block of West Champlain Avenue around 9:14 a.m. when he was shot in the neck. Woman charged in series of baseball bat attacks on Northwest Side The man was transported to University of Chicago Meical Center where he was pronounced dead. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Peloton recalls over 2 million exercise bikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Peloton Interactive is recalling about 2.2 million of its exercise bikes because users can fall and get injured, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Thursday.The bikes, which are 4 feet long by 2 feet wide and have model number PL01, are being recalled by the exercise equipment maker because the assembled seat can break while in use. There have been 35 reports of the bike's seat post breaking and detaching, including 13 injury reports, with one involving a fractured wrist.The recalled bikes, which have an adjustable seat, handlebar, and tilting screen, were sold from January 2018 through May 2023 at Peloton and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores nationwide. They were also sold online at Onepeloton.com, Amazon.com and Dicksportinggoods.com. US prices stay high, showing inflation pressures persist The bikes, whose brand name and model number are displayed near the flywheel, retailed for about $1,400.Anyone who has one of the recalled bikes should stop using it...

College graduate, 22, crushed by car only hours after ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A 22-year-old graduate of Ohio's University of Dayton died Sunday — just hours after he graduated — when a car fell on top of him.Passersby reported finding the man, later identified as Ian Brunner, underneath the car just after 7 p.m., outside of a campus apartment building, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch. Dispatch reported that the car had fallen off a jack, crushing Brunner. POLL: Nearly half of college dropouts would likely reenroll if given debt relief The callers initially tried helping the victim before the arrival of emergency personnel. The Montgomery County Coroner was ultimately called to the scene.University officials said Brunner, originally from Pittsburgh, had graduated from the University of Dayton earlier that day.Brunner, who graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering, had been active in a number of engineering programs and pursuits in recent years, including a motor sports club at the University of Dayton and a YouTube...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

Check out Dean's A-List Interviews with Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen on their new comedy film "Book Club: The Next Chapter," about four best friends who finally go on their girls trip. 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!

Museum of Broadcast Communications fundraiser includes tickets to shows, tour of WGN

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:47 GMT

The Museum of Broadcast Communications was founded in Chicago back in 1982 and features lots of impressive exhibits, including a lot of WGN history. Now, the museum has launched a new way for you to connect you with some of broadcastings legendary shows and personalities. with an fundraising auction.The museum's 40 for 40 auction runs through May 16.More information on the museum's website.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!