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The 'center' of Illinois is likely a spot you've never visited

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — When you think of the heart of Illinois, maybe you think of Chicago or its capital, Springfield. Geographically speaking, maybe you think of the area around Decatur.If it's the latter, you aren't far off. Since the first census in 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has been calculating the “center of population” in the country. This is a point where an imaginary, flat, weightless, and rigid map of the U.S. would balance perfectly if everyone were of identical weight. It is the average location of where people in the U.S. live, according to the Census Bureau. Data from the 2020 census found Hartville, Missouri, is the “heart” of America. Since 1980, Missouri towns have been the population centers, but the first-ever center in 1790 was in Maryland, just east of Baltimore. When will the sun start setting later in Chicago? In addition to calculating the center of population for the U.S., the Census Bureau is also able to calculate the “heart” of each sta...

New survey shows girls' self-confidence has plummeted

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

A recent survey of more than 12,000 girls in grades five through 12 showed a more than 10% decrease in girls who report feeling confident.But what's the reason behind the decline?Katie Gallagher, director of education at Candor Health Education, joined WGN Evening News at 4 p.m. to discuss. "Young kids, girls and boys, are getting social media at a younger age," Gallagher said. "Common Sense Media ... found that the average age for young people to start using social media is actually about 12 1/2 years old, meaning that there's a good number of young people, girls in this survey in particular, starting social media younger than 12."Watch the full interview in the video player above.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments as well as personal features related to peo...

Chicago woman accused of fraudulently obtaining $75,000 in SBA loans, unemployment benefits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a Chicago woman accused of fraudulently obtaining around $75,000 in federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and unemployment benefits, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday.25-year-old Briana Jackson has been charged with one count of theft (Class 1 felony), five counts of theft (Class 2 felonies), one count of loan fraud (Class 2 felony), three counts of wire fraud (Class 3 felonies), eight counts of forgery (Class 3 felonies), and one count of state benefits fraud (Class 3 felony). Johnson unveils plan to move migrants into churches as tent camp construction to begin According to Raoul, Jackson allegedly obtained around $40,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans after fraudulently filing applications for the program. Jackson is also accused of having collected around $35,000 in unemployment benefits from the state, money Raoulalleges she was not entitled to.“Millions of Americans across the country were forc...

Reliever Liam Hendriks and outfielder Cody Bellinger selected MLB's Comeback Players of the Year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Reliever Liam Hendriks and outfielder Cody Bellinger were selected Major League Baseball's Comeback Players of the Year on Tuesday.The pair, both free agents, were chosen in voting by MLB.com beat writers.Hendriks, a 34-year-old right-hander, made his season debut on May 29 following treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He went 2-0 with one save and a 5.40 ERA in five appearances for the Chicago White Sox, the last on June 9. He went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and on Aug. 2 had Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him until late in the 2024 season or 2025.A three-time All-Star, Hendriks is 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA and 116 saves in 140 appearances in 13 major league seasons for Minnesota (2011-13), Kansas City (2014), Toronto (2014-15), Oakland (2016-20) and the White Sox (2021-23).Hendriks went 8-3 with a 2.54 ERA and a career-high 38 saves in 2021, his first year after signing a $54 million, three-year deal with Chicago as a free agent, then 4-...

Woman dies after falling through kitchen floor into 48-foot well shaft below SC home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A South Carolina woman died Sunday after falling through the floor of a century-old Oconee County house into a well that had been hidden from sight beneath the home.The Oconee County Coroner's Office said 83-year-old Dorothy Louise Downey was helping her daughter move from a home on Park Avenue near Salem when she stepped onto a weakened section of floor in the kitchen of the home around 2 p.m.Downey fell through the floor and down a 48-foot well shaft the family didn't know existed, according to Karl Addis, the Oconee County coroner.(Oconee County Emergency Services)(Oconee County Emergency Services)(Oconee County Emergency Services)Downey was eventually pulled from the well nearly four hours later by the Salem Fire Department and Oconee Emergency Services personnel. Police warning parents about new iPhone feature "This home, according to property records, appears to have been constructed in 1920," Addis said.Both Addis and Emergency Services Director...

Do you know what 1980s Christmas movie was actually filmed in Indiana?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

If most Hoosiers were asked, "What 1980s Christmas movie was filmed in Indiana?," one answer would likely leap to mind:A Christmas Story.But despite being set in Indiana (in a fictional version of Hammond), A Christmas Story didn't film a single reel of film in the Hoosier state. In fact, most of the beloved classic was filmed one state over in Ohio, including the Parker family home which stands to this day in Cleveland and currently operates as a museum. Dean’s A-List Interviews: Bradley Cooper on new movie ‘Maestro’ While it isn't uncommon for movies to be set in one place and filmed in another, there is a lesser-known 1980s Christmas film that actually was filmed in Indiana.Prancer.Released in 1989 by director John D. Hancock and starring Sam Elliot, Prancer is a charming Christmas film about a young girl who finds a wounded reindeer while walking home from school. Convinced the reindeer is Prancer (of Santa's sleigh fame), the young girl tries to secretly nurse the reindeer b...

Isolated severe thunderstorms possible on Thursday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds increase Wednesday ahead of a western storm that will bring rain, isolated thunderstorms, and a low-end tornado risk to parts of Central Texas on Thursday.On Wednesday, gray skies lock temperatures in the 50s. As clouds lower and thicken late in the day and the atmosphere moistens, drizzle, mist and light fog develop Wednesday evening.On Thursday, we are expecting a low risk of severe thunderstorms in our eastern communities, including the possibility of a brief, weak tornado.Low severe weather threat east of Austin on ThursdayScattered showers and thunderstorms mainly early Thursday may begin to rotate in our eastern communities, potentially leading to an isolated, weak tornado similar to what Caldwell County saw in late October. We are not currently expecting a tornado threat in Austin nor the Hill Country.Any potential tornadoes that are able to develop are not expected to be strong nor widespread, but residents east of Austin should stay tuned to KXAN and...

Boil water notice issued for 400 customers in Austins Colony

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A boil water notice was issued for the Austins Colony water system on Tuesday, according to a notice from Texas Water Utilities.The boil water notice is currently affecting 400 customers in the Forest Bluff Subdivision of Austins Colony water system, the utility company said.Customers affected should boil and cool water "prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes." Water has to be brought to a "vigorous rolling boil" and boiled for an additional two minutes, the utility company said.The public water system will then rescind the notice once it is no longer in effect.Customers who may have questions about the notice can call the company at 1-866-654-7992 or check the Boil Water Notice section of swwc.com.

Hunters killed nearly 18% fewer deer this year in Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

Hunters killed significantly fewer deer during Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season this year than they did last year, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the state Department of Natural Resources.After kicking off with a slow opening weekend, hunters reported a total of 173,942 deer harvested from Nov. 18-26, a 17.6% decrease from the 2022 season and roughly 11% below the state’s five-year average. Hunters in northern Wisconsin saw the steepest declines.A white-tailed deer forages for food, April 14, 2014, at the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha, Wis. According to preliminary data released Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, by Wisconsin’s state Department of Natural Resources, hunters killed significantly fewer deer during Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season this year than they did last year. (Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via AP)“There were probably fewer deer on the landscape than there were last year at this time,” Jeff Pritzl, the DNR’s deer specialist...

Pedestrian, cyclist safety on Central Avenue in question 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:05 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Pedestrian and cyclist safety on Central Avenue is in question, again, after a man was killed by a motorist on Monday. Local advocates have renewed calls for more safety measures along the route. Pedestrians and cyclists are supposed to use crosswalks and bike lanes but even when they do there are still fatalities. That's why advocates say they want to see cities and towns lower speed limits. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “Certainly with the three fatalities of pedestrians we’ve had in the last couple of weeks, two on Central Avenue and one on Troy-Schenectady Road, that brings it back to the forefront,” said Lieutenant Robert Donnelly.He is with the Colonie Police Department’s Traffic Safety Division and said 62 year old bicyclist Joseph Crandall is the latest victim. Crandall was wearing a reflective jacket at the time of the accident and was in the proper lane but he did not have a helmet on and wa...