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4th person found dead in chocolate factory blast; 3 missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — A fourth person was confirmed dead and three people remained unaccounted for Sunday, two days after a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory shook a small town in Pennsylvania.West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben confirmed the body of a fourth victim was found under debris early Sunday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in the borough of West Reading, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. Holben asked for continued prayers from the community and vowed that rescuers and officials “will not rest until every single person affected by this tragedy has been accounted for” from the blast that occurred just before 5 p.m. Friday.Rescue crews have been using heat imaging equipment and dogs to search for possible survivors after the blast destroyed one building and damaged a neighboring building. Crews were now using heavy equipment to methodically and carefully pull debris from the site, Holben said.Borough Fire Chief Chad Moyer said Sat...

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ comes out blazing with $73.5M

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “John Wick: Chapter 4,” the fourth installment in the Keanu Reeves assassin series, debuted with a franchise-best $73.5 million at the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Lionsgate film, starring Reeves as the reluctant-but-not-that-reluctant killer John Wick, exceeded both expectations and previous opening weekends in the R-rated franchise. Since first launching in 2014 with “John Wick” ($14 million on its opening weekend), the Chad Stahelski-directed series has steadily grown as a ticket-seller with each sequel. The 2017 follow-up opened with $30.4 million, and the 2019 third chapter, “Parabellum,” debuted with $56.8 million. But “Chapter 4,” running two hours and 49 minutes and costing at least $100 million to produce, is the biggest film yet in the once-lean action series. Critics also said it was a franchise high point, scoring 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.Though “John Wick” has been bigger at the box office with each new release — an enviable ...

Chicago org. to combat violence against Black girls and women

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago-based organization is celebrating 20 years of empowering Black girls and women and fighting against their issues.'A Long Walk Home' is an arts organization empowering and working to help end the violence against young Black girls and women. Co-founder Scheherazade Tillet shares her inspiration in starting the organization alongside her sister 20 years ago.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.

Can you 'work your way' through college?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

(NerdWallet) - For the past few years, the out-of-pocket costs for attending a public four-year college have decreased and minimum wages have risen in many states. While you might think these shifts should make it easier for students to work their way through college, it would still take a herculean effort — adding a full-time job (or more) — to a full-time courseload.Assuming a student earns the average of state minimum wages ($10.40 per hour), they’d need to work 35 hours per week to cover the average costs at a public four-year school in their state. And that wouldn’t account for additional expenses, such as gas and car insurance, recreational activities or any unexpected costs. It also wouldn’t leave much room for the estimated 30-45 hours per week they’d need to dedicate to their full-time courseload.Wages and inflation affect working student outcomes The net cost of attendance — which includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and an allowance for personal expenses,...

Public opinion sought on bike, pedestrian improvements to John Ireland Boulevard bridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is asking the public to weigh in on bicycle and pedestrian lanes slated for St. Paul’s John Ireland Boulevard bridge, which is set to be taken down and rebuilt to improve its structural integrity.The bridge, built in 1967, spans Interstate 94 between Kellogg Boulevard and Rice Street. MnDOT said that while the bridge is safe, the overhaul will help future-proof it based on modern weight limits for vehicles.The new version of the bridge is to be built with the same footprint as the existing bridge, which carries four lanes of traffic, but it will include sidewalk repairs, accessibly updates and railing replacements along with the bike and pedestrian lanes.MnDOT said the project should kick off in 2025 with some painting, restriping and construction slated for 2026.The department is asking for public feedback on three options for the bridge layout that envision different versions of the bicycle and pedestrian lanes.Input is welcome at a...

Two accused of burglary, grand larceny in Hoosick Falls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two people were arrested and are accused of grand larceny, burglary, and criminal mischief. Richard Simmons (31, Hoosick Falls), and Harold Lashway III (42, Eagle Bridge) were arrested on Friday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Friday, Hoosick Falls Police say Simmons and Lashway illegally entered the old WCW Building on Mechanic Street in Hoosick, caused damage to the building, and allegedly stole copper wiring and copper piping. Police say they then sold the copper to a recycling facility. Police also say Simmons had an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear for an unrelated incident.Arrest warrants were issued for both, and they turned themselves into the police the same day. They were arraigned in the Village of Hoosick Falls Court and released. They are set to reappear on April 20.

Review: Depeche Mode as powerful as ever during epic Bay Area show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

It had been more than five years since Depeche Mode last performed in the Bay Area.And judging by the sizable pre-show buzz going on inside the SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday (March 25), fans may just have been counting down the days since the English electronic act had rolled through the same venue — as well as Oakland Arena — with its blockbuster Global Spirit Tour in October 2017.Fans were absolutely buzzing with excitement — like they weren’t just about to see a regular ol’ concert, but rather a “true event” — as they stood in long lines for band merchandise and joyfully greeted old high school and college friends in the concourse while they waited, for just a few moments more, to see Depeche Mode finally take the stage on its epic Memento Mori Tour.The sold-out San Jose date was just the second date of the band’s 19th concert tour, which had opened two days earlier at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, and the group used the...

Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna opts against Senate run; endorses East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna removed himself from consideration in the race to succeed longtime California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Sunday morning, opting instead to side with another Bay Area representative in one of the most closely-watched Senate battles in years.Khanna told CNN’s Jake Tapper on the “State of the Union” show that he planned to endorse East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee and work as her campaign co-chair in the 2024 race for Feinstein’s seat.“I have concluded that despite a lot of enthusiasm from Bernie (Sanders) folks, the best place, the most exciting place, the action place, for me to serve as a progressive is in the House of Representatives,” Khanna said on the program, adding that “we need a strong anti-war senator, and she will play that role.”The move begins to crystalize a once-in-a-generation political battle to succeed Feinstein, who has announced her retirement after having served more than 30 years in the Senate. While Lee ranks as...

Deputies respond to barricaded suspect involving weapon in Gilroy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

GILROY, Calif. (KRON) -- Deputies are on the scene of a barricaded suspect involving a weapon in Gilroy Sunday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. US-101 southbound closed from Petaluma to Novato until Sunday afternoon The suspect is in the 3000 block of Dryden Avenue, according to the sheriff's office. Community members are asked to avoid the area if possible. This is a developing story. Please stick with KRON for updates.

Roglic wins Catalonia Volta ahead of Evenepoel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:58 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Primoz Roglic held off a challenge from Remco Evenepoel to win the Catalonia Volta in the Slovenian’s second victory since returning from surgery on his left shoulder.Roglic finished the week-long race six seconds ahead of Evenepoel, who narrowly won Sunday’s seventh stage. The Jumbo-Visma leader defended several attacks from Evenepoel through the hilly finish of the 135.8-kilometer (84-mile) stage, which started and finished in Barcelona. Evenepoel went ahead at the end with Roglic crossing the finish line right behind the Belgian. Marc Soler was third, nearly a minute back.Roglic’s victory in northeast Spain came two weeks after he won the week-long Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy, making a triumphant return after withdrawing from both the Spanish Vuelta and Tour de France last year.Roglic will likely face Evenepoel again at the three-week Giro d’Italia starting on May 6.Evenepoel won the Spanish Vuelta and the world championship last year...