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Senator Tuberville's hold leaves Marines leaderless for first time in 164 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

(The Hill) - The blockade from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on about 250 of the Pentagon's general and flag officers has left the Marine Corps without a confirmed leader for the first time in 164 years.Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger officially retired on Monday, leaving Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith as the acting commandant and leader of the military branch until he is confirmed in the Senate.The last time the Marine Corps was left with an acting commandant was in 1859, when Archibald Henderson, the fifth commandant of the Marines, died at 76 without a successor in place.It's unclear when Smith could be confirmed. Tuberville's hold on the Pentagon nominees, which he began in March to protest the Defense Department's new abortion policy, shows no signs of weakening, even as the block has sparked bipartisan frustration. Tuberville's hold is affecting leadership posts held by key military officers, prompting concern from the White House, Defense Department, former D...

You could get cash from an A&W Root Beer settlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

(WXIN) - Fans of A&W Root Beer and Cream Soda are eligible for some cash after a judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement over what plaintiffs called misleading claims regarding the drinks.The settlement involves the “Made with Aged Vanilla” claim printed on some of the company’s products, including 12 oz. cans, 20 oz. plastic bottles and two-liter bottles.Three plaintiffs argued the beverages didn’t contain aged vanilla and were instead flavored with ethyl vanillin, a “cheap and inferior substitute for real vanilla,” according to the lawsuit.The approval of the settlement comes years after plaintiffs initially filed the suit.The lawsuit noted that a survey of 411 consumers in March 2020 found 89% of them believed, based on the “Made with Aged Vanilla” labeling, that the A&W products were vanilla flavored. The survey showed that most respondents took the statement to mean that the vanilla flavoring came “from a vanilla plant, such as a vanilla extract, which is mad...

What's ahead in Chicago sports this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

CHICAGO — The baseball teams in town have a little break thanks to their midseason All-Star contest while another basketball team has the same. It's a busy week for one soccer team in town while another gets a little rest in the middle of July.WGN News Now has more on what's ahead for Chicago sports this week from July 10 through 16.(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)The Cubs and White Sox are both on the All-Star Break at the beginning of the week as one player for each team will take part in the game. Cubs pitcher Justin Steele will represent the Cubs after Marcus Storman decided not to pitch in order to rest and shortstop Dansby Swanson injured his heel.Outfielder Luis Robert represents the White Sox and will also compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday night. His team will open the second half of the season on Friday against the Braves in Atlanta as part of a three-game series. Meanwhile, the Cubs will open the second half with a three-game interleague series against the Red So...

MedWatch Daily Digest: FDA urged to look into PRIME energy drink — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

For Monday, July 10, WGN’s Shannon Halligan has the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Call to investigate PRIME energy drinksSome lawmakers in Washington want the US Food and Drug Administration to look closer at the health effects of an energy drink that some United Kingdom and Australian schools already ban. The drink is called PRIME Energy, backed by YouTube star Logan Paul. One 12-ounce can contain 200 milligrams of caffeine, equal to six cans of Coke or two Red Bulls. New York Senator Chuck Schumer says the drink's social media marketing targets kids. PRIME's website says its energy drinks are recommended for children under the age of 18, women who are pregnant or nursing, or people who are sensitive to caffeine. Smartwatches may detect Parkinson's Disease up to 7 years before symptoms beginUsing a smartwatch to track how fast people can move may help identify who's at risk for Parkinson's Disease up to seven years before symptom...

WATCH LIVE: Gun safety advocates hold press conference at Texas Capitol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gun safety advocates and families impacted by school shootings are holding a press conference at the state Capitol at 1:30 p.m. Monday, in conjunction with the Parkland High School Bus Tour in Austin today.Parents of a student killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting are driving a bus across the country, "to shed light on the dire effects of gun violence across the nation."The parents will be joined by Texas Rep. Vikki Goodwin, as well as families impacted by the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde and the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting near Houston.The Texas Coalition to End Gun Violence will also present a series of legislative recommendations that they say could prevent future mass shootings."Our elected officials have a duty to protect their constituents," said Manuel Oliver with nonprofit Change the Ref. "We urge the Texas legislature to take decisive action and prioritize life-saving legislation."

Triple digits for days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The sky at sunrise was partly cloudy for the eastern portion of Central Texas. A mostly clear sky greeted early risers in much of the Hill Country. Most lows were in the mid to upper 70s.Camp Mabry had a low of 79°. It tied a record first set in 2011 and tied in 2020. There may be a few record warm lows tied or set during the next seven mornings.Austin is up to three days this month of a triple-digit high. Add seven more to reach ten by the time this current 7-Day Forecast ends. This new heatwave means seven more days of 100sThe 1 p.m. heat index reached 108° at Flatonia and La Grange and 105° at both Camp Mabry and Lockhart. These numbers will increase some so that our higher indices will peak within the 106° to 112°. Many heat index readings today will be greater than 105°This is Heat Advisory criteria. The current one runs through 9 p.m. An update from the National Weather Service due later this afternoon will let us know if the Advisory will be continued past th...

Who's responsible if an autonomous vehicle causes a crash?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin grows in population, so, too has its appeal to driverless vehicle technology. General Motors' Cruise, Volkswagen and Waymo are just some of the companies that have set up shop testing autonomous vehicles in the Texas capital, with its transportation network and high pedestrian traffic noted as some of the reasons behind the appeal.But with more vehicles sans drivers on Austin roadways, it begs the question: What happens if an autonomous vehicle causes a crash?Austin-based law firm Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP said the evolution of driver-free technology means litigation surrounding crash claims has evolved as well. Traditionally, a car crash caused by human error allows the victim to pursue a claim based on the driver's negligence, per the law firm's analysis. Most auto accident claims filed in Texas are done so under this stipulation, the firm added.In the case of self-driving cars, that fault could fall into the hands of the vehicle's manufactu...

Madonna confirms her entire North American tour is postponed, including July 30 stop at Xcel Energy Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

In her first social media post in weeks, Madonna confirmed all North American dates on her upcoming greatest hits tour have been postponed, including a planned July 30 stop at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.“Thank you for your positive energy, prayers and words of healing and encouragement,” the 64-year-old wrote in a post that went live Monday morning. “My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I assure you, I’ll be back with you as soon as I can! The current plan is to reschedule the North American leg of the tour and to begin in October in Europe.”Here’s that post: View this post on InstagramA post shared by Madonna (@madonna)Xcel Energy Center’s event page for the concert now includes a note from Live Nation that says the “rescheduled dates will be announced as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets as they will be valid for the new dates once announced. Once a new date is announced, or if new dates aren’t announced with...

James Lewis, the sole suspect in the 1982 Tylenol murders, has died

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

Christy Gutowski, Stacy St. Clair | Chicago Tribune (TNS)James Lewis, the lone suspect in the 1982 Tylenol murders, was found dead Sunday at his home in suburban Boston, multiple law-enforcement sources confirmed to the Tribune.His death comes after 40 years of intense scrutiny from law enforcement, in which Lewis played a cat-and-mouse game with investigators. Local authorities questioned him as recently as September as part of a renewed effort to bring charges in the case.With the investigation’s only suspect dead, it now seems unlikely that charges will ever be brought in poisonings that killed seven people and caused a worldwide panic.“I was always hoping justice would be served, and this short-circuits it,” said former FBI special agent Roy Lane, who worked the case for decades.Former assistant U.S. attorney Jeremy Margolis, who successfully prosecuted Lewis for an attempted extortion related to the case, also expressed regret that Lewis was never held accountable for the murde...

Buddha Bowl opens in Saugerties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:57 GMT

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new eatery named Buddha Bowl had its grand opening in Saugerties on Monday, July 10. The restaurant is located at 135 Partition Street. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce, Buddha Bowl has the same owners as Bluestone Roasting Company. The coffee company is located across the street at 138 Partition Street.The Buddha Bowl menu includes create-your-own bowls with greens, protein, grains, and other toppings. The eatery also has signature bowls which include the Sweetie Potato, Southwest Chicken, and Greek Salad Bowl. Fidens Brewing soft launching Albany taproom You can view the full menu on the Buddha Bowl Facebook page. The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.