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Dean's Weekender: Merry Merry Chicago, Margaret Cho and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

WGN’s Dean Richards previews events happening in and around Chicago this weekend.The weekend is packed with holiday-themed activities, including Manheim Steamroller at the Rosemont Theatre, Chicago Symphony Orchestra's annual "Merry, Merry Chicago" performance at Symphony Center, "Hip Hop Nutcracker" at Cadillac Palace Theatre and the Music Box Theatre's annual Christmas doubleheader feature/sing-along of "It's A Wonderful Like" and "White Christmas."Comedy offerings, meanwhile, include Margaret Cho at The Vic and Steve Byrne at Improv. Related: Dean’s Reviews: ‘Boop:’ The Betty Boop Musical Related: Dean Cooks: Dean makes chocolate bark 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!

Biden touts lower prescription drug costs starting in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Biden spoke at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland Thursday to highlight the cost-saving measures from the Inflation Reduction Act that will start in the new year.“This isn’t just about healthcare,” Biden said. “It’s about your dignity.”Among many changes, one major shift is that ten medicines will now be subject to price negotiations with Medicare plans.“They are ripping off Medicare,” Biden accused the pharmaceutical industry. “They are ripping off the American people.” He went on to declare, “With this law, we finally beat big pharma.”The president also referenced total out-of-pocket caps of $3,500 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. According to the Medicare website, those with Medicare Plan D will be eligible for such caps.President Biden proclaimed, “In all, this law is going to save the federal government $160 billion over the next ten years.”

What causes morning sickness? Scientists blame this hormone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

(NewsNation) — Scientists have identified the cause of severe morning sickness. According to a University of Cambridge-led study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are connected to a single hormone.GDF15 is a hormone acting on the brainstem. The production of GDF15 in the fetal part of the placenta and a mother’s sensitivity to it can result in severe morning sickness, researchers wrote."The baby growing in the womb is producing a hormone at levels the mother is not used to. The more sensitive she is to this hormone, the sicker she will become,” Cambridge Professor Stephen O’Rahilly explained. Daughter learns dad’s secret: He was a fugitive bank robber The amount of the GDF15 hormone in a woman’s blood during pregnancy and her exposure to it before becoming pregnant sometimes determines the severity of morning sickness as well.“The researchers showed that the degree of nausea and vomiting that a woman experiences in pregnancy is directl...

Gophers football recruit issues forceful statement amid changes at U

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

One high school football player committed to the Gophers had a strong message as the program has undergone changes in the past week.Mason Carrier, a linebacker from Detroit Lakes, Minn., said Friday he is going nowhere after his position coach and coordinator Joe Rossi left for Michigan State and his once-future teammate, Brady Pretzlaff of Gaylord, Mich., de-committed from the U’s recruiting class this week.“I want to announce that I am 100%, totally and completely honoring my commitment to the U of MN,” Carrier wrote on X. “I am a Gopher football player. My brother Ethan is a Gopher football player. We would rather MAKE a better team than FIND a better team. Thanks coaches and those loving and loyal to MN. I am Mason Carrier. Get used to the name.”Carrier, a three-star prospect considered one of the best prep players in Minnesota, committed to the Gophers in June 2022. Ethan Carrier is a freshman walk-on defensive back.Carrier sounded off earlier this week, once the Rossi ne...

Roundabout proposed at Route 29, Rowland Street in Milton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has proposed a new roundabout in Milton. The rotary would be at the intersection of Route 29, Rowland Street, and Petrified Sea Gardens Road. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Currently, the intersection features a four-way traffic light. NYSDOT said the roundabout would enhance safety and reduce congestion at the intersection."Crashes at roundabouts tend to be less severe because they typically occur at slower speeds," said NYSDOT. "Roundabouts eliminate the need for electric-powered traffic signals. They also contribute to aesthetically pleasing landscapes." Celebrate the New Year with a Capital Region hike According to the project files, the project stemmed from a Highway Safety Investigation of the intersection. An analysis showed a crash rate higher than the statewide average for similar intersections. During a three-year crash study between July 1, 2...

Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

ULSTER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed on December 10, 1948, The Ulster County Human Rights Department Department is rounding out their week-long schedule of community engagement events in Kingston on Friday. Ulster County Human Rights Director Joe McDonald and members of the Human Rights Commission will meet with residents from noon to 2 p.m. in the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster lobby, located at 94 Mary's Avenue. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "Ask anyone, ‘what is a ‘human right?’ You may find that you get many different answers frommany different people," said Joe McDonald. "In a nutshell, human rights are the rights we all have just because we are human. Human rights are the way we all wish to be treated.”

RTD rail line service restored to three lines after power outage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

Rail service for three RTD rail lines has been restored after a power outage.The E Line that runs from Union Station to RidgeGate Parkway Station in Lone Tree, the H Line that runs from the 18th and California Station to Florida Station in Aurora, and the R Line from Lincoln Station in Lone Tree to Peoria Station in Aurora were replaced by shuttle buses for about 45 minutes before service was restored, according to RTD’s service alerts.Related ArticlesTransportation | South Broadway to close at I-25 Friday evening through midday Saturday for Denver bridge project Transportation | Broomfield takes first steps toward demolition of $135 million 1stBANK Center Transportation | Pedestrian hit by RTD train in Thornton, temporarily halting N Line service Transportation | Free RTD rides reduced Front Range air pollution in July and August. But is that enough? Transportation | Xcel Energy to move headquarters fr...

At $2.2 million, the 2023 Denver school board election is second-most expensive in recent history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

Candidates and outside groups spent $2.2 million in November’s Denver school board election, according to final campaign finance reports.Related ArticlesEducation | Opinion: Six steps to avoid squandering public optimism for the new Denver school board Education | Carrie Olson elected to second stint as president of Denver school board Education | DPS parent lawsuit demands right to ask teachers to display “straight pride” flags in Denver schools Education | Denver schools swell with more than 2,000 new migrant students as district scrambles to meet kids’ needs Education | Denver school board votes to raise incoming members’ pay to as much as $33,000 a year That total surpasses spending in the last board election in 2021 and nearly ties the all-time record of $2.3 million spent in 2019.The cost of Denver school board races has increased over the years as outside groups have poured...

Comedian Kenny DeForest dies in e-bike accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

Comedian Kenny DeForest, who appeared on the KTLA's Summer of Funny comedy competition, has died at 37 years old. "Kenny DeForest is and was a truly positive influence on all the lives he touched," wrote friend Ryan Beck on a GoFundMe page set up for the comedian. DeForest was involved in an e-bike accident on Dec. 8. He then had to undergo "neurological surgery to remove a piece of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed" while staying at the hospital. He passed away on Dec. 13 surrounded by his parents, family and friends. "Kenny's final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories of his childhood, and memories of his extensive positivity and joy for life," Beck said.Family and friends of DeForest told Deadline they believe he crashed his e-bike at the RogersAvenue and Sterling Place intersection near Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.They initially believed the accident involved a vehicle before obtaining the EMS report and speaking to a nearby crossing guard to determi...

Pair of storms headed to SoCal; how much rain will they bring?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:49 GMT

A pair of storms are headed to Southern California next week and are expected to bring some rain with them.How much is still in question but one thing is clear, the second storm will be stronger than the first. A low-pressure system currently off the San Francisco coast will move toward the Southland over the weekend, eventually bringing rain to the region early next week.There is still uncertainty regarding timing but this first storm is expected to drop most of its rain in the northern part of the region beginning Monday afternoon. Free parking erased from downtown L.A.’s Arts District “It’s not blanket rain … but we get these little bits and pieces,” KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said. The National Weather Service tweeted a forecast showing less than a tenth of an inch for most Southern California locations with this first storm. Oxnard and Ojai could see about a quarter of an inch.Forecast models suggest the second storm, which arrives Tuesday night and continues through T...