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What to know about renters insurance and what it does and doesn’t cover

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — When the unexpected happens — whether fire, hail, or human error — renters insurance can provide much-needed stability. But many choose not to purchase coverage, including in places most frequently and hardest hit by natural disasters, new research shows.Linda Klamm, who works as an attorney for insurance policyholders after catastrophes, lost her home to a firestorm in Oakland, California, in 1991, and has firsthand experience with the challenges of collecting on a policy.“The sky went from being a reddish color to the sun looking bloodied. Then it quickly became black,” she said, of that year. “I loaded my 3-year-old and not-quite-6-year-old into the back of the car. We got a few things — our dog, one of our three cats, the kids. There were two ways out. By the time I was leaving, one was engulfed in flames.”In the wake of subsequent fires, including wildfires in California and other states, Klamm offers assistance to policyholders on recovering funds. While homeow...

Suburban school worker facing more child porn charges

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — A suburban school worker is facing more charges related to child pornography and child luring.Donald Peters, 34, of Cary, was arrested this summer after authorities conducted a search warrant at his residence. He is facing 10 charges following that arrest, including three counts of child pornography.On Friday, he was additionally charged with possession of child pornography with a child younger than 13, grooming and two counts of child luring.Peters was taken into custody on Monday and has bonded out of jail.He is a longtime employee of the Community Unit School District 300 and may have solicited students for their social media accounts, police allege.Peters' employment history with Community School District 300 dates back to 2007 when he was hired as a night custodian at Wright Elementary. Peters then moved to a head custodian position at Jacobs High School, before becoming an attendance secretary at Westfield Community School in 2018.Peters was been placed ...

Pete Crow-Armstrong has a memorable first MLB start

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

DENVER — While there was ultimately disappointment in the end result, the Cubs and their fans left Tuesday's game at Coors Field feeling good about the team's top prospect.That's because Pete Crow-Armstrong had a few memorable moments in his first Major League Baseball start against the Rockies, even if a former prospect for the team would send them to defeat. In his second game with the Cubs, the center fielder made a pair of memorable outfield catches that excited the fans in attendance in Denver. In the end, it was former MVP Kris Bryant who would spark Colorado with three RBI, including the eventual game-winning homer, in a 6-4 Rockies victory. It puts the Cubs four games back of the Brewers for first in the National League Central while maintaining a two-game lead for the second Wild Card.Yet Armstrong's performance had fans talking after the game despite the defeat.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)In the first inning, the outfielder showed his prowess on a long hit ball ...

A look back at a memorable segment on 'The Bozo Show'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

CHICAGO — While we like to focus on current trends on the segment, who doesn't love a look back at one of Channel 9's most beloved shows? On Wednesday, we decided to go into the archives to find a most unusual episode of "The Bozo Show" on WGN. It features one animal riding another while chasing two others in the famed Studio 1 at the station. We showed that clip during the "9@9" on Wednesday's show as the hosts gave their thoughts on this very interesting clip from "The Bozo Show."During the segment, we also talked about soup vs. stew, Ben Franklin drunk synonyms, "Balletcore," a "Wizard of Oz" influencer, and more on the WGN Morning News on September 13.You can watch the entire "9@9" from September 13's show in the video above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola's husband dies in plane crash 

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

(The Hill) – Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-Alaska) husband has died in a plane accident in Alaska, her chief of staff announced Wednesday. “We are devastated to share that Mary’s husband, Eugene Peltola Jr. — 'Buzzy' to all of us who knew and loved him — passed away earlier this morning following a plane accident in Alaska,” Peltola's chief of staff Anton McParland said in a statement shared to the congresswoman’s account on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.  Peltola is returning home to be with family, McParland said, and her team will meet with constituents and “carry on the work of the office while Mary and her family grieve.”   Seattle cop recorded laughing, joking after pedestrian is fatally struck Eugene Peltola was the former regional director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Alaska.Several of Peltola’s fellow lawmakers had already shared their condolences minutes after the statement was posted.  “I am so terribly sorry, @Rep_Peltola. O...

2024's Social Security COLA increase may be larger than previously estimated: How much can beneficiaries expect?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The next cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients is projected to be slightly higher than estimated in previous months, though still dramatically less than the 8.7% beneficiaries received in 2023, the Senior Citizen’s League predicts.The Senior Citizen’s League (TSCL), a nonpartisan senior advocacy group, had previously estimated in mid-August that 2024’s COLA increase would be 3%, based on July data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But as of Wednesday, that increase is estimated to be somewhere around 3.2%, thanks to “a jump in consumer price data through August,” TSCL wrote in a press release.In terms of benefits, that means the average monthly Social Security check, at $1,790, would increase to around $1,847.30. Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as pandemic benefits ended TSCL’s estimate comes after the most recent publication of the Labor Bureau’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) — the same i...

Olivia Rodrigo's new tour includes Chicago stop

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Singer Olivia Rodrigo is headed out on tour next year and she will be stopping in Chicago as part of it.Her Guts World Tour was announced this week and she will be at the United Center on March 19.Like other tours, fans are being asked to register with Ticketmaster ahead of the on-sale date. Fans have until Sunday, Sept. 17 to sign up. Taylor Swift and her ‘Anti-Hero’ top MTV VMAs in a show dominated by hip-hop, K-pop and Latin jams Rodrigo’s tour kicks off in Palm Springs on February 23. She will also play Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum on March 16 and Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena on March 23. She will head to Europe before coming back for more US shows next summer.Full tour dates on her website.

WATCH: Drake surprises UT women's basketball team

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Longhorns women's basketball locker room went from 0 to 100 real quick Tuesday.Drake stopped in to surprise the team with a visit while he was in town for his ‘It’s All a Blur’ tour, playing two shows at the Moody Center with 21 Savage this week. Austin was a late addition to the tour, as the Capital City wasn't originally on the list of stops. Drake, 21 Savage to stop in Austin on ‘It’s All a Blur’ tour A video posted to the team's social media shows the rapper stopping in to meet the team, while sporting a Longhorns jersey. One of the team members excitedly pointed out the number on the jersey, 23, is her number. Drake shook hands with all the players present and took photos with the team. Drake surprise-visits UT women's basketball team (Photo courtesy: UT)The Longhorns women's team is gearing up for its upcoming season, with its first game a little less than two months out. The team finished the 2022-23 season ranked No. 19 in the top 25 women's col...

Moreau man pleads guilty in fatal hit-and-run case

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

MOREAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Moreau man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a hit-and-run case dating back to February of 2022 in South Glens Falls. The Saratoga County District Attorney's Office says John Lincoln-Lynch will be sentenced on October 31. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! Around 7:40 p.m. on February 26, 2022, police said Paul Trombley, 67, of South Glens Falls, was fatally struck by a vehicle in the area of Main and 5th Streets. The driver fled the scene northbound on Route 9 into Glens Falls.The Saratoga County District Attorney's Office says an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office led to a significant breakthrough, naming Lincoln-Lynch as the suspect. Lincoln-Lynch is expected to receive an indeterminate prison sentence of up to three years. Amsterdam man accused of concession stand burglary “This case underscores the importance of thorough investigative work and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement agen...

Sushi and seafood buffet opening in Colonie

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:12:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- UMI Sushi & Seafood Buffet is opening up a new restaurant in Colonie. The franchise location will be at 1614 Central Avenue in the former 9 Spices Indian Cuisine & Bar space. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! This location will be run by Larry Weng, who recently opened a franchise location of Ji Bei Chuan Rice Noodles & Ramen on Western Avenue in Guilderland. Weng also owns Union Seafood, which has locations in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy.The UMI menu includes seafood, sushi, ramen, hibachi, streak, ribs, desserts, and more. Specific seafood options include grilled lobster, snow crab, oysters, clams, jumbo shrimp, prawns, mussels, cod, flounder, and salmon. Troy coffee shop opens second location in Albany "UMI Premium Sushi & Seafood Buffet is set to open its doors soon, and as the countdown begins, the team extends heartfelt gratitude for the community's unwavering support," said a spokesperson fo...