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Chicago library awarded $2M grant to digitize Black History archives

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

The Chicago Public Library was awarded a new grant Monday that will go toward digitizing thousands of Black History archives and make them available at every branch throughout the city.The library  system will receive a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.The grant will allow the library to digitize documents related to Black History from the 1800s to the present. It is a four year grant that will expanded the access of the collection beyond the walls of libraries in the city and allow students and historians increased understanding of stories that may not be taught in regular curriculum.“In Chicago we celebrate that history and champion our residents’ fundamental right to read and learn about who we are, where we have been and where we are headed,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at an event announcing the grant.

Where Illinois ranks among states that increased taxes the most over the last 4 decades

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

(Stacker) - Depending on where you live in the U.S., your state and local taxes may have shifted over the last year.The feared decline in American spending at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic never fully materialized as stimulus and pandemic aid programs kept consumers buying and sending sales taxes into state and local government coffers.But while the stimulus-fueled spending spree alleviated concerns about bringing in tax revenue for critical functions in local government, it also helped spur record inflation. Some states are adjusting taxes in response: Utah, for example, moved to reduce individual and corporate income tax rates for 2022.Stacker examined data from the nonprofit Tax Foundation to see which states have recorded the biggest tax growth in the last four decades. States were ranked by the percentage-point change of each state's effective tax rate from 1980 to 2022. Ties were broken by the growth from 2021. The overall per capita bur...

iPhone survives 33 days underwater off Hawaii beach

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON) - One Hawaii visitor's iPhone lasted 33 days underwater off of Oahu before it was found.The phone still worked and played the video the owner was recording when he dropped it.Zach Siggelkow had kayaked before, but only on Minnesota's lakes. Hawaii's waves - even 200 yards off Waikiki - are something he is not used to."And so I was recording some of the planes coming over, you know, Air Force planes coming over the top, and it was pretty neat just to capture that," Siggelkow said. "You can see a bigger wave come and I'm like in my head like, 'Ohhh! Here we go!' And then you kind of tip over it. At that point, I was like trying to scramble to find my paddle, but I had my phone in my hand, too."That was Siggelkow's last day of vacation and he returned to Minnesota without his phone. Here’s what it takes to be middle class Dr. Karl Brookins, a retired fisheries scientist, found the phone over one month later. Dr. Brookins takes a dive off Waikiki every so often."The b...

A new era for the Bears begins on Monday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

LAKE FOREST — Monday is a rare day at Halas Hall as new leadership arrives at the Bears' headquarters. While he was officially hired for the position back on January 12, Kevin Warren's first day as the team's president and chief executive officer was Monday as the team begins their offseason workout program.Over the last few months, Warren has been finishing up his duties as the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. According to the Bears, he's been in discussions with general manager Ryan Poles along with outgoing team president and CEO Ted Phillips as he prepares to retire. Warren joins the organization as the team's fifth full time president since its founding in 1920. George Halas, George "Mugs" Halas Jr., Michael McCaskey, and Phillips were the four people to hold the position before 2023. Kevin Warren’s first NFL client, talks about the new Bears’ president, CEO Phillips is retiring after serving as the Bears' president since 1999 when he replaced McCaskey. During his time...

Georgetown man pleads guilty to wife's 2021 murder

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 17, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A jury trial began Monday in the murder case of Julie Hall. Travis Hall, her husband, was charged in 2021 in connection to her disappearance. Travis Hall, 50, faces murder and tampering with evidence charges in the disappearance of his wife, Julie Hall. He pleaded guilty in court Monday. PREVIOUS: Georgetown husband facing murder charge after investigation into wife’s disappearance In opening statements, prosecutors said Hall allegedly beat Julie to death with a pipe wrench in their Georgetown apartment and then wrapped her body in sheets and put her into a suitcase. Prosecutors said video evidence shows Hall putting a heavy suitcase in their apartment complex's trash compactor. Williamson County prosecutor Mike Waldman said the compacted trash was taken to a Creedmoor dump where police searched but Julie's body was never found. Hall's defense acknowledged that this i...

A bright start to the week but change is coming

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Monday dawned mostly sunny with only a few fair-weather cirrus clouds. Lows included 43° at Llano and Fredericksburg to 51° at Dripping Springs. Camp Mabry's low was 49°, ten degrees below normal. The low at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was 44°. This cool start was due to low humidity and no wind.Of interest late this morning was seeing a little rain move into the western Hill Country. A weather disturbance coming through west Texas was responsible for what little rain was noted. The air is so dry today that any of that rain likely was not reaching the ground. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that means We saw an increase in the clouds moving in from the west so the forecast has been revised to reflect the additional cloud cover this afternoon.Most afternoon highs will be in the upper half of the 70s. This will be a little below the normal of 81°. Highs tomorrow will range from the middle 70s to around 80° with the chance of showers and thunderstorms.Th...

Calling all Kyles: City of Kyle attempting Guinness record for largest same-name gathering

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Is your name Kyle? Do you know anyone named Kyle? If so, get ready to gather 'round in Kyle, Texas. The city is hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering. So, if your name is Kyle and you've wanted to break a world record, your time to shine is Sunday, May 21. There just needs to be more than 2,325 Kyles in Kyle at 4 p.m. that day. The same-name record has been held since 2017 by Kupreski Kosci in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a total of 2,325 participants named Ivan. Unique Guinness World Records done by Texans in Texas The gathering will be held at Lake Kyle Park the last day of the Kyle Fair, and it'll be the city's fourth attempt at the record. According to the city, in previous years, Kyles have come from as far as Massachusetts to participate. There is no cost to participate and entry to the Kyle Fair is free. The only rule is that participants' names must be spelled "Kyle."“In order to break this record, we’re c...

Schenectady Police locate male bleeding from the head

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- At around 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, Schenectady Police responded to a report of an assault. Police located a male bleeding from the head in the area of State and Jay Streets. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police claim the victim was uncooperative but admitted that he was involved in a physical altercation with another male. The victim was transported to Ellis Hospital for further treatment for his non-life-threatening injuries. Investigations are ongoing. Police say that no suspects have been arrested yet.

Glens Falls hydrant flushing to begin on May 1

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In May, the city of Glens Falls will be cracking open fire hydrants for flushing, to get sediment and other particles out of systems and make sure everything is working properly. Hydrant flushing starts on Monday, May 1, the city announced on Monday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The flushing process is expected to take between 10 and 15 days, and will take place Mondays-Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Flushing allows the city to dislodge mineral deposits, remove loose sediment, and confirm proper operation of hydrants and valves. It's all part of keeping things flowing in the city of Glens Falls.“We urge all residents to be aware of the work while traveling around the city,” says Bill Norton, Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department. “The water will be running at a high rate of speed out of the water mains and fire hydrants until all the sediment is carried out and the water is...

Man runs inside St. Louis gas station for help after shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:27:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A man was shot at a south St. Louis gas station parking lot Sunday evening. He ran inside the convenience store for help before collapsing. He was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition.Police were called to investigate the shooting in the 3200 block of South Jefferson at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. They found the 31-year-old victim inside the store, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was unable to describe what happened because of his injuries.Homicide detectives are now handling this case. The suspect was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and a facemask.