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USDA Secretary issues 4 national disaster designations across Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

FULTON COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack Issued four separate national disaster declarations for Illinois.According to an Illinois State news release, the declarations are due to the tornadoes and drought that occurred during the 2023 Illinois growing season.The designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters. Which Illinois counties are eligible for disaster assistance after spring storms? The following primary and contiguous counties are eligible for assistance for the disaster designations:Designation 1: The tornado that occurred on March 31, 2023: Primary Counties: Bureau, Clark & Crawford. Contiguous Counties: Coles, Henry, Lawrence, Putnam, Stark, Cumberland, Jasper, Lee, Richland, Whiteside, Edgar, LaSalle & Marshall.Designation Number 2: A tornado that occurred during April 4, 2023: Primary County: Fulton. Contiguous Counties: Knox, Mas...

Judge orders new trial for suspect in 1991 Grand Junction pipe bombings that killed 2 people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

A district court judge in Mesa County has ordered a new trial for the man convicted of killing two people in a series of pipe bombings in Grand Junction three decades ago, finding that the man was convicted based in part on faulty evidence.James Genrich, 60, was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of killing 12-year-old Maria Delores Gonzales and 43-year-old Henry Ruble in separate bombings in Grand Junction during the spring of 1991.Genrich, who was 28 at the time, was found guilty at trial after an expert for the prosecution told the jury that marks on the bombs must have been made by Genrich’s tools. The expert testified that his analysis ruled out the possibility that any other tools could have made the marks.But advances in science and forensics since then have shown that the expert’s testimony was flawed, District Court Judge Richard Gurley wrote in a 30-page order Friday granting post-conviction relief. The tool-mark expert could not accurately or r...

DIA on track to set new record for intercepted firearms in 2023 following record-breaking surge last year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

Saturday afternoon, Transportation Security Administration officers at Denver International Airport discovered a loaded Ruger handgun in the bag of a Florida-bound traveler during a routine X-ray screening.The weapon was the third firearm discovered by TSA at the Denver airport this month, and one of 93 intercepted by TSA officers so far in 2023, officials stated in a Monday news release. At this time last year, DIA officers had seized 77 firearms from travelers’ carry-on luggage.DIA is on track to set a new record for firearms intercepted by TSA officers in 2023 following a record-breaking surge in gun seizures last year, the news release stated.Nationally, TSA officers intercepted 3,251 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first six months of 2023, up from 3,053 at this time last year, the news release stated.Aside from COVID-disrupted 2020, the number of weapons intercepted at airport security has climbed every year since 2010. Nationally, from 2022 to 2023, ...

Good news for Colorado businesses: Job vacancies dropped during second quarter of 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

The latest workforce trends are looking bright for Colorado businesses as the number of job vacancies plunged 8% in the second quarter of 2023.Fort Collins saw the most drastic change this quarter, with a 14% drop in job vacancies, followed by Boulder at 12%, Pueblo at 11% and Greeley at 9%, according to a jobs report by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and Aspen Technology Labs publicized on Monday.Alternatively, job postings jumped 3% in Durango since April 1 – the most sizable boost in vacancies for a listed Colorado city this quarter.“These key workforce trends are a good indicator that more employment opportunities are available across the state and jobs are being fulfilled, which is critical for our job creators and the state’s economic health,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman.The good news for entrepreneurs comes as the economic forecast for the U.S. remains shaky for the rest of the year. Although inflation is finally easing up across the cou...

Rockies’ All-Star catcher Elias Diaz: “The Crazy Man” with a big smile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — When Rockies reliever Daniel Bard enters the clubhouse at Coors Field, he’s often accompanied by his two sons.Davis, 7, and Sykes, 5, usually wear miniature Rockies jerseys, complete with No. 52 and “Bard” emblazoned on the back. But they don’t hang around their dad for very long. They make a beeline for first-time All-Star catcher Elias Diaz, whose locker is a few doors down.“He messes with my kids every time I bring them into the clubhouse,” Bard said with a chuckle. “They call him ‘The Crazy Guy.’ They’ll ask me, ‘Is The Crazy Guy going to be there?’“They come in looking for him every day. They get into a wrestling match and Elias usually puts them in a laundry basket or something.”It’s not just the kids who gravitate toward Diaz. His locker is the hub of the Colorado clubhouse.“He’s a happy guy, always smiling,” said right-hander Antonio Senzatela. &#...

Andrea Evans of 'One Life to Live' and 'Young and the Restless' dies at 66

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

Andrea Evans, who rose to soap opera stardom as Tina Lord on "One Life to Live," has died. She was 66 years old.The two-time Daytime Emmy nominated actress passed away on Sunday from cancer, according to Deadline. The publication said that her death was announced by casting director Don Carroll. In the '70s and '80s, Evans starred as "One Life to Live's" bad girl. She left the soap in 1981 and played Patty Williams on "The Young and the Restless" from 1983 to 1984. In 1985, she returned to "One Life to Live" and ended up receiving a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1988. A few years after receiving the nomination she dropped out of the spotlight due to a stalker who once slit his wrists outside "One Life to Live's" studios in Manhattan. After the incident, he listed Evans as his next of kin. After this, she wasn't to be seen in a soap until 1999 on NBC's now-canceled "Passions."In 2008 and in 2011, she reprised her role in "One Life to Live."In 2014, she joined the web series "DeVanity." ...

Here's what to do if no one will insure your home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

Farmers Insurance has become the latest insurance company to back away from insuring homes in wildfire-prone California.It follows Allstate and State Farm in similarly limiting exposure to climate change in the Golden State.Farmers said in a statement that "with record-breaking inflation, severe weather events and reconstruction costs continuing to climb, we are focused on serving our customers while effectively managing our business." California insurance market rattled by withdrawal of major companies As of July 3, it said, "Farmers will limit new homeowners insurance policies in California to a level consistent with the volume we projected to write each month before recent market changes."Which is to say, if you're seeking new coverage for a property, you may be out of luck if you want to do business with one of the top insurers.So what can you do instead?California offers insurance of last resort under a program called the FAIR Plan, which covers up to $1.5 million for a resid...

McDonald's giving out free fries for National French Fry Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

Some could argue that there is nothing better than free food.McDonald’s is giving away free fries this week to celebrate “National French Fry Day” on July 13.On Thursday, customers can order free fries, in any size, through the McDonald’s app. McDonald’s fans can get this popular menu item at Wendy’s No purchase is necessary to redeem the deal, which is only available for one day and can only be used once per person.For those who can’t cash in on the free deal, the company also offers a free medium fry with any $1 minimum purchase every Friday. The offer is only available through the McDonald’s app.Other restaurants like Burger King, Jack in the Box and Wendy’s have previously participated in the national food holiday and are expected to do so this year.

Hand embroidery takes to the streets with Tints

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

“Change is inevitable in the fashion industry, but the speed at which streetwear has transformed from a niche to a mainstream staple is startling,” muses Simmi Sen, the visionary high school senior behind the eco-friendly fashion brand, Tints. Far from your average teenage business venture, Tints is making a bold statement in the $185 billion streetwear industry with a message: high-quality, sustainable fashion is not a passing trend but a lifestyle choice.An Unusual Path to EntrepreneurshipSimmi has been a maverick in the fashion industry from the start. Breaking away from the traditional path of fashion houses and design schools, Simmi carved out her unique journey. “I envisioned Tints as more than just a brand; it’s a beacon, demonstrating to the world that style and sustainability can work hand in hand while also changing lives,” she asserts.Sen’s vision is unlike anything the streetwear scene has witnessed before. The brand combines eco-frien...

Hemanth Kumar: Illuminating the Path to Frictionless Retail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:24 GMT

As our society continues to evolve and embrace digitization, the importance of frictionless retail cannot be overstated. Now more than ever, consumers are looking for speed, convenience, and seamless experiences in their shopping journeys. The rise of omnichannel commerce and changes in customer behavior are transforming traditional retail operations. At the forefront of this shift is Hemanth Kumar, Infovision’s Associate Vice President who is redefining the retail landscape with his three-fold strategy of modernization, mobilization, and revolution.Hemanth explains that many potential problems found in retail, such as managing store traffic during peak hours, improving the management of store inventory, and eliminating ques for checkout, can be solved by leveraging IoT, computer vision, and AI/ML. He has guided retailers to implement today’s technology, ultimately eliminating hassle at every stage – including onboarding, product identification, and checkout – and creati...