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Thomas Lennon is back in town with The State this weekend (and he still has beef with Dean Richards)

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

The StateSaturday and SundayRiviera Theatre4746 N. Racine Ave.www.jamusa.com/riviera-theatre/Before his role in “Reno 911!”, Thomas Lennon, was known for the short-lived improv show “The State” on MTV.  Now he's bringing the hilarious stage show to Chicago with his former castmates this weekend at the Rivieria Theatre.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.

Austin City Council to vote on additional funding for two hotels meant to house the homeless

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two hotels purchased by the City of Austin several years ago have not yet opened for their intended purpose of housing people who have experienced chronic homelessness. During next week's city council meeting, additional funding and time could be committed to those projects. KXAN has previously reported that Pecan Gardens, the former Candlewood Suites hotel in northwest Austin, will serve as permanent supportive housing for more than 70 homeless, elderly and disabled people under the eye of Family Eldercare.That property has been empty since city council approved its purchase — using 2018 affordable housing bond dollars — in 2021. In June 2022, Austin City Council approved a contract with Family Eldercare to operate the property. Homeless beds: Marshalling Yard opens ahead of schedule, Pecan Gardens sees delays Documents say the delay comes after Family Eldercare "discovered significant issues with the structure of the building, including mold, drainage,...

Diane’s Place, a Hmong-French restaurant from a top pastry chef, set to open next year in Minneapolis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

When Diane Moua left her her position as the executive pastry chef at Bellecour Bakery last year, she was at the top of the pastry world in the Twin Cities. She’s earned five James Beard nominations, had worked previously at restaurants like Spoon and Stable and La Belle Vie — and was ready to go solo.Now, she’s ready to share details about her next project: a bistro, named Diane’s Place, that’s set to open early next year at the Food Building in Northeast Minneapolis.The menu will include sweet and savory dishes that blend Moua’s Hmong upbringing with her classical French culinary training and ingredients from her parents’ farm in Wisconsin. She plans to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner service.Robb Jones and Tyler Kleinow of Meteor Bar in Minneapolis are designing a cocktail menu.“I’m not inventing anything,” Moua told us last year. “I’m just putting things that I grew up eating on a plate.”Pastry chef Diane Moua to open cafe blending Hmong and classical F...

Turkey Trots around the Capital Region for 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Many people associate Thanksgiving with good food, but some associate the holiday with exercising. There are many Turkey Trots that take place in the Capital Region around or on Thanksgiving Day. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This year, Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 23. Here's where you can find and register for a Turkey Trot race in the Albany area.AlbanyThe 8th annual Thanksgiving Day Dog Trot is set for Thanksgiving at 9 a.m. at Capitol Hills Gold Course in Albany. Dogs and their humans can travel the course and bring animal donations for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.TroyThe 76th Troy Turkey Trot, the 12th oldest in the nation, is set for Thanksgiving Day. There are several options including the 10K at 8 a.m., the 5K at 10 a.m., the Grade School Mile at 9:30 a.m., the Walk at 9:35 a.m. and the virtual races. You can register on the Troy Turkey Trot website. Register for the annual Troy...

Local McDonald's launch annual holiday toy drive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Various Capital Region McDonald's restaurants are participating in an annual toy drive to provide gifts to children this holiday season. The toy drive, organized by local McDonald's owner-operator Julio Morgan-Gillis, donated 100 toys last year. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! From now through December 11, customers who donate a brand new, unwrapped toy at participating McDonald's will receive a free small McCafe beverage. The toys will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, Columbia Memorial Pediatrics, and the Boys & Girls Club of Rotterdam.The Gillis Organization will also do a toy giveaway at one of the Schenectady locations. Participating McDonald's are:McDonald's of Albany, 161 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NYMcDonald's of Glenville, 241-243 Saratoga Road, Glenville, NYMcDonald's of Hudson, 149-57 Fairview Ave Ext, Hudson, NYMcDonald's of Schenectady, 1637 Altam...

Missouri governor extends drought alert through next May

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

OSAGE BEACH, MO. -- With more than 80% of Missouri in a drought, the governor is extending the executive order declaring a drought alert for portions of the state. Gov. Mike Parson said he's hoping for large snowfalls in the northern states to help with navigation on the rivers. With no end in sight, farmers said they are prepared for it to take them at least two to three years to bounce back from this drought. "Planting the crop was great," central Missouri farmer Brian Lehman said. "Conditions were good, and we had a great stand. Then June came and it went down from there."The dry conditions continue to take a toll on one of Missouri's largest industries. During the annual Governor's Conference on Agriculture at the Lake of the Ozarks on Thursday, Parson told a packed room he plans to renew his executive order. "It ain't been so bright this year when you're out there in the hay field in June and July," Parson said. "I would say that unfortunately, it is going to be signe...

Missouri to be one of the first state to implement new bar exam

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Changes are coming to the bar exam to keep up with the ever-changing lawyer profession. It's one of the largest changes in the history of the bar exam. Judge Cindy Martin with the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals chaired the task force of the three-year research project. She said this NextGen Bar Exam puts a greater emphasis on skills for lawyers. "It's really exciting to think of a licensure exam that adds the component of integration that feels like the real-world practice of law; that piece will be new," Martin said in an exclusive interview with Missouri Chief Capitol Bureau Reporter Emily Manley.At the end of law school, the bar exam is the final hurdle towards becoming a licensed attorney. "You have to be able to apply your lawyering skills to the facts in front of you to effectively give your client an answer," Martin said. "The legal business needs to keep up with the changing profession and that's what this NextGen Bar Exam will ...

St. Louis County man cites 'an act of God' in child sex crimes case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A St. Louis County man faces criminal charges in a child sex crimes case, citing "an act of God" amid the alleged misconduct.Prosecutors have charged Donyae Andrews, 27, with child molestation and sexual misconduct in the investigation. Assessments rise for 97% of St. Louis County homeowners, but not county executive Authorities say Andrews was arrested after a situation on Nov. 18 in Maryland Heights and had been living at the home with the victim and her mother for an undisclosed amount of time. According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, the victim went to use the restroom at home when she reportedly caught Andrews in the middle of a lewd act. Andrews allegedly left the bathroom naked and attempted several sex acts. The victim was able to push away and inform her mother, who quickly responded and swung a baton in Andrews' direction, per court documents. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. ...

How soon might St. Louisans get reimbursed for Kia and Hyundai thefts?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Hyundai and Kia thefts spiked to alarming rates last year nationwide, especially in the St. Louis area. Starting next year, those who had their Hyundai and Kia vehicles stolen might be able to claim a reimbursement through the courts. At the end of October, a federal judge approved a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit around an unprecedented surge in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts. Kia and Hyundai's settlement will cost the companies more than $200 million. According to HBSS Law in Seattle, vehicle owners who purchased certain 2011 through 2022 models could qualify for reimbursement if their cars were either damaged in an attempted theft or stolen. Assessments rise for 97% of St. Louis County homeowners, but not county executive The law firm adds, "Hyundai and Kia owners can expect to receive notice within the next four months," or by early March 2024. Eligible Hyundai and Kia owners will then be instructed on how to submit settlement claims and take other ...

State health director: It will take 20 years to recover from health care worker shortage

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:41 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- In the past decade, nearly 20 Missouri hospitals have closed, leaving 50 rural counties without a hospital. All but one of the state's counties are in a health professional shortage. In a new report released by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), rural communities have an increasing aging population and a greater need for health care workers. The head of DHSS said it's going to take years to resolve the workforce crisis in health care.""It shouldn't be dependent on your place and your location—where you were born or where you chose to live, about whether or not you get health care," DHSS Director Paula Nickelson said. "It really should be equitable for everybody."In a state that has a shortage of primary care doctors, it's even harder for rural Missourians to access health care services. "I always tell people we're about two decades before we resolve the workforce crisis within health care and public health," Nickelson said. "Everybody wa...