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Bally's temporary Chicago casino could open this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The Bally's temporary casino in River North begins an important stretch of tests as it prepares to possibly open to the public this weekend.The media got a first-look inside the reimagined Medina Temple on Tuesday, but cameras were not allowed in.The first-floor has a large bar and about 420 gaming and slot machines. The second and third floors have a mix of table games and machines, as well as two restaurants.In all, there are more than 750 machines and 28 table games. The true capacity inside is about 3,500 people at any given time.According to Bally's, the temporary casino has received 16,000 job applications. From that, they hired 700 people for the Wabash and Ontario location — from security to maintenance staff, food service, and dealers.The tour day is happening before a big test, which happens Wednesday and Thursday, when they will invite friends and family to the casino to do a dry run.If the state signs off during this dry run, the casino could open its doors to ...

MedWatch: Tempers flare due to heat, dangers of 'compassion fatigue' — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

For Tuesday, Sept. 5, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Marijuana linked to mental health issues Marijuana may pose serious risks to mental health. According to researchers in Denmark, chronic use of cannabis raised the risk of major depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis by four times. Those with depression who self-medicate with marijuana may be causing the opposite effect. Researchers also found cannabis was linked to 30% of schizophrenia diagnoses in Danish men in 2021. Stroke risk linked to infertility treatments Women who become pregnant after infertility treatment are at greater risk of having a stroke within a year of giving birth than women who conceive naturally. A new study published in JAMA Network found stroke risk was elevated in the first days after delivery, and the odds continued to rise through the first year. Researchers emphasize that there's no need for alarm. The numbers remain low, with ...

United reports systemwide outage, holding all planes on the ground

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – United Airlines flights are stuck on the tarmac Tuesday due to a "systemwide technology issue," the company confirmed. All flights scheduled to take off were being held at their departure airports, the airline said at 12:38 p.m. Central Time. Flights that were already airborne were allowed to remain in the air and continue toward their planned desitnations.No estimated time for resolving the issue was given. "We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we work on a resolution to get you on your way as soon as possible," United said on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Best and worst states for securing concert tickets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

(The Hill) -- Hoping for a coveted concert ticket in Rhode Island? Good luck!A new ranking has revealed where people will certainly struggle most to get tickets to popular concerts, and Rhode Island is the worst of the worst.The ranking, created by JustGamblers, judged each state on the number of venues across 20 of this year’s biggest tours, venue capacity, how often a performer stops in each state and local ticket demand."Each venue’s capacity was then scaled against the state’s population to establish where fans are most likely to get access, while ticket demand is based on the volume of Google searches made for the most in-demand tours in each state," the company said in its analysis of the results. Here are the best and worst places to retire: survey California residents and visitors are most in luck, with the Golden State boasting the best likelihood of securing tickets.This year has featured a number of high-profile acts touring the country, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift ...

Whoopi Goldberg misses 'View' season premiere after testing positive for COVID again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

(The Hill) -- Whoopi Goldberg is missing the 27th season premiere of “The View” after testing positive once again for COVID-19.“As you can see, Whoopi is not here,” Joy Behar, one of the daytime talk show’s co-hosts, told the audience on Tuesday.“She has COVID,” Behar said of Goldberg. “It’s back!” she added.“But she’s on the mend,” Behar said of the Academy Award winner. “She’s on the tail-end, and she’ll probably be back this week, but sorry she’s not here for those of you who were looking forward to seeing her.”It’s not the first time that Goldberg has missed the return of “The View” after a hiatus due to the coronavirus. First lady tests positive for COVID Last year, the 67-year-old comedian tested positive for COVID-19 just ahead of the show’s return in January after a holiday break.“Since [Goldberg’s] vaxxed and boosted, her symptoms are fortunately very, very mild,” Behar said at the time.Goldberg reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus a second time in late 2...

Texas AG Ken Paxton can't be compelled to testify in impeachment trial, rules Lt. Gov. Patrick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) will not be compelled to testify in his impeachment trial, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) ruled Tuesday.Patrick slapped down the case by Paxton opponents who argued that the attorney general could be forced to testify because his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination didn’t apply in this particular trial, which cannot levy criminal penalties.But the fact that Paxton will have to plead “guilty” or “not guilty” effectively makes it a criminal case, Patrick argued.Those terms are “the pleas exclusively used in criminal cases,” Patrick said.And the state House impeachment managers “have repeatedly compared the actions of the House of Representatives to a grand jury, as they prefer the Articles of Impeachment and grand juries are utilized only in criminal cases,” Patrick said.“Therefore, the motion is granted.”It was a small win for the attorney general, who had decisively failed to win Senate support for any of the motions his l...

A computer issue is holding up United flights. The airline and FAA don’t know how long it will last.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

United Airlines flights were halted nationwide on Tuesday because of an “equipment outage,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.One of several FAA bulletins said that United crews were unable to contact airline dispatchers through normal means. The FAA said the issue was limited to United and its subsidiaries.United did not immediately respond to a request for more information.Shares of Chicago-based United Airlines Holdings Inc. fell on news of the ground stop and were down more than 3% in afternoon trading.Related ArticlesNational News | Burning Man revelers begin exodus after flooding left tens of thousands stranded in Nevada desert National News | Endangered red wolves need space to stay wild. But there’s another predator in the way — humans National News | Maui fire missing list falls slightly to 385. Governor had indicated it would be below 100 National News | Proud Boy convicted of helping spearhead Capit...

U.S. cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

Amanda Hernandez | (TNS) Stateline.orgIn response to growing public concern over crime, cities and counties throughout the United States are returning to a familiar tool: curfews for young people.Proponents argue curfews curb crime and protect youth by keeping them off the streets. But research suggests curfews are ineffective, and some juvenile justice advocates and experts warn of unintended consequences such as increased racial profiling, and strained relationships between police and teens.More than a dozen cities and counties have reinstated or enforced juvenile curfews this year, including Washington, D.C.; Memphis, Tennessee; New Smyrna Beach, Florida; Sea Isle City, New Jersey; and Fulton County, Georgia. Philadelphia and Chicago made their curfews permanent last year.Vicksburg, Mississippi, recently reinstated its curfew following a shooting in January that killed a 13-year-old and left two others injured. The city also has implemented a community policing program and alloca...

The blueprint for the Vikings repeating as NFC North champions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

Talking to reporters before training camp a month ago, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah perfectly encapsulated how the Vikings should be approaching things moving forward.“You’re always trying to be a playoff team,” he said. “Just get in the dance and see what happens.”Exactly. Who cares that the Vikings aren’t Super Bowl favorites? Never mind that the oddsmakers in Las Vegas have reserved that for the Kansas City Chiefs (6 to 1), Philadelphia Eagles (9 to 1) and Buffalo Bills (9 to 1), among others, with the Vikings (40 to 1) slotting in way down the list.If the Vikings can take care of business in the NFC North, first and foremost, their ultimate goal will slowly start to come into focus.Now, the Vikings could very well take a step back this season as far as their record is concerned. They finished 13-4 last season thanks in part to some good fortune. They did not lose a game decided by a single possession, for example, with Murphy’s Law takin...

26-year-old pleads not guilty in gun, drug case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Marquis Dixon, 26, of Albany, pleaded not guilty to drug and gun charges in Albany County Supreme Court. Dixon has been remanded and will reappear in court on September 29. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Dixon faces the following charges:One count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degreeOne count of promoting prison contraband One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degreeAccording to the indictment, Dixon possessed a loaded firearm on June 20 in the area of 278 Orange Street in Albany. Dixon is also accused of possessing illicit drugs while housed at the Albany County Correctional Facility on or around June 21.