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Drivers hope for easier commutes after lane closures end on Kennedy Expressway

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

CHICAGO — Thousands of vehicles drive on the Kennedy Expressway every day, and with construction gone for the next few months, drivers are hoping that less stressful and improved commutes are on the horizon.After nine months of construction work, all inbound lanes, reversible lanes, and ramps on the Kennedy Expressway have re-opened. Driver dies after being hit head-on by alleged intoxicated driver in Wheeling While the changes are still fresh, some drivers say they have already noticed a shorter commute time."I was at O'Hare by the outlet fashion mall and I had to get to downtown in less than 30 minutes. it was great," one driver said. This excitement comes after the first phase of a three-year, multi-million dollar project wraps up.Since March, crews have worked on lane improvements, repairing bridge decks, installing new signs and upgrading LED lighting. But during this time, construction caused increased traffic, congestion and delays due to mult...

Dowd scores two goals, Capitals tops Blackhawks 4-2

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Nic Dowd scored twice and the Washington Capitals beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Sunday night for their second straight win.Anthony Mantha, Dylan Strome and Dowd scored in a 7:12 span in the second period to put Washington ahead. Dowd then sealed it with his second of the night and fourth of the season with 4:02 remaining in the third.Dowd scored his first goal while he was down on the ice after battling in a scrum. He connected again, with his fourth goal in 16 games this season, from the slot on a nice feed from Beck Malenstyn, who had two assists.“It's hard to score from not in-tight like that,” said Dowd, who missed nine games earlier this season. "Teams play really good defense and it's tough to get a shot off in today's game.“I felt like I haven't been around the net very often the last week." Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Darcy Kuemper stopped 33 shots for the Capitals, rebounding from a start at Arizona last Monday when he allowed three goals ...

Freeze Warning in effect

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Freeze Warning is in effect nearly areawide for what could be Central Texas' first widespread freeze of the season.Freeze Warning for most of Central Texas Monday morning.Areas under the warning including Austin should protect pets, pipes, plants and people. Some of the coldest temperatures are expected east of I-35 closer to the center of the cold high pressure system. Light south winds may return overnight west of I-35, actually leading to warmer temperatures in the Hill Country.Monday morning lowsSoutherly wind will warm temperatures into the 60s on a sunny Monday.Late-week rainA slow-moving storm system will bring increasing clouds on Tuesday and slowly increasing rain chances starting Wednesday. The wettest weather appears to focus Friday, when the heaviest rain since October is possible.A wet end to the work weekMany areas can look to expect 2-3 inches of beneficial rain later this week -- welcome news for low lake levels and the ongoing drought. Check with ...

DA Garza 'stands by' dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — District Attorney Jose Garza told KXAN in a sit-down interview Tuesday that he believes the best way to get justice for protestors injured on May 31, 2020 is to prompt "systemic change" within the Austin Police Department. On Monday, his office announced the dismissal of 17 police officer indictments stemming from those protests. The DA's Office will still prosecute four officers related to the protests. In exchange, the City of Austin and DA's Office sent a request to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for a review of APD's actions during those protests. The DOJ has not yet said whether it will move forward with conducting that review."Four cases against four officers, those cases had aggravating factors from our perspective," Garza said. "The other set of cases, the 17 cases, it became clear to us that the conduct there was a byproduct of the systemic change that's really necessary."Several participants were injured by less-lethal shotgun ammunition, often refer...

Vikings rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. played the game of his life in win over Raiders: ‘I’ve got that dog in me’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

LAS VEGAS — Ivan Pace Jr. was the best defensive player on the field for the Vikings on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. So, it’s only right that the undrafted rookie linebacker made the biggest play of the game, intercepting a pass in the final minute to help the Vikings hold on for a 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.It was a perfect play from Pace as he read the eyes of Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, then jumped a hitch route intended for star receiver Davante Adams. Asked about the coverage, Pace remembered that Adams ran a hitch route on the first play of the game.“Just me in my mind getting the jitters out, I was scared to take it,” Pace said of not breaking up the pass on the first play of the game. “The last play they did the same thing, and I had to take it that time.”After making the interception in the critical moment, Pace did a backflip in the end zone while the rest of his teammates rushed to celebrate alongside him....

Nick Mullens replaces Josh Dobbs at quarterback, leads Vikings to 3-0 win over Raiders

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

LAS VEGAS — The stage was set for the Vikings to prove to everybody — including themselves — that the nasty loss heading into the bye week was a fluke. It came in the form of a brief residency in Las Vegas, which, fittingly, featured thousands upon thousands of Vikings fans making road trip to Minnesota.Instead, after a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears the last time out, the Vikings did very little to instill confidence in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.It’s hard to feel too good about the Vikings at this point as they prep to play the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Lions (twice), and the Green Bay Packers over the next month.The offense was once again nonexistent with journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs leading the charge. It got so bad that the Vikings turned to veteran quarterback Nick Mullens down the stretch.The defense was the only reason the Vikings were in position to win the game. It’s been a common theme as of late, and...

Vet getting back pay after You Paid For It report

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- New information about one of the most significant You Paid For It Reports of the year. It’s our report on the Veterans Administration not paying an army veteran his pension check for five months. His wife called the You Paid For It team when she couldn’t get through to VA for help. He will now get back pay in addition to monthly checks going forward.Veteran Michael Martin Kovac wasn’t able to talk to us because of his medical condition. His wife, Val, did talk to us in an emotional interview. But the day after the first story aired, we were still waiting for action from VA.Val was waiting too. Investigator Elliott Davis went back to interview Val Kovac on Tuesday. He asked her if she had heard from the VA. Court docs: Woman made $100K for unworked hours at Chesterfield nursing home ”No, not at all, I checked the voice messages. The ones that are saved and the ones that are new today. There’s nothing on there from them,” said KovacElliott Davis called US Senator Eric ...

Reflecting on the anniversary of the deadly 2021 tornado outbreak

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Today marks the second anniversary of the deadly 2021 tornado outbreak that took several lives in the St. Louis area, including six at the Amazon fulfillment center in Edwardsville, Illinois.Extreme Weather Specialist Chris Higgins takes a look back at a night few in this area will ever forget.

Russell Wilson on Broncos WR Courtland Sutton: “He can catch everything”

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is turning the improbable into the routine.In Denver’s 24-7 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, he added another crazy grab to his growing 2023 season highlight reel.With 6:05 left in the third quarter, Wilson launched a pass 46 yards toward the end zone, where Sutton made a one-handed touchdown catch that drew a loud roar from the thousands of orange-clad fans inside SoFi Stadium.“He can catch everything,” Wilson said.From toe-tap grabs to Moss-ing defenders, Sutton has done it all this season. Against the Chiefs in Week 6, he made a leaping one-handed touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. In Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills, he maintained his balance while using every last centimeter of the end zone to reel in an off-balance touchdown pass from Wilson.Catching Wilson’s 46-yarder on Sunday with defensive back Michael Davis hanging onto him was just the latest in a long list of jaw-dropping mome...

Former San Jose Sharks forward diagnosed with form of cancer

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:28:03 GMT

Former San Jose Sharks forward Tony Granato announced Sunday night that he has been diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and will begin treatment this week.Granato, 59, wrote on his account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would be taking a temporary leave of absence from being a part of Chicago Blackhawks broadcasts on NBC Sports Chicago, as well as the NHL Network, to begin his treatment.“I wish I could reach out to everyone individually, but felt like this was the best way to share the news,” Granato wrote. “My family, faith, and friends will be my strength to help me through my treatments. I appreciate all the love and support I have received already.“With the holiday season here, cherish the times with your loved ones, as I know I will.”Granato played 773 games over a 13-year NHL career that began in 1988 with the New York Rangers and ended in 2001 with the Sharks. Starting in 1996, Granato spent the final five years of his career in San Jose and had 99...