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Why are fireworks illegal in Illinois?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Though Illinois bans the use of commercial-grade fireworks, chances are you know somebody who plans to drive to Wisconsin or Indiana to prepare a grand Fourth of July fireworks show.Illinois is one of only three states that do not allow some or all types of consumer fireworks, but that doesn't stop thousands from driving across state lines to bring them back.So, why are fireworks illegal in Illinois?According to the Illinois Policy Institute, most fireworks were outlawed in Illinois in 1942, when state Rep. William G. Thon, [R-Chicago], drafted the Pyrotechnic Use Act.Since then, there have been numerous failed attempts to legalize the use of commercial fireworks.The latest attempt to loosen fireworks restrictions, proposed this year, faced numerous critics.Phil Zaleski, executive director of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, said the state of New York voted to loosen restrictions, but regretted the decision and sent a letter to the Illinois General Ass...

$10M bond for suburban man accused of shooting at ATF agents

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — Bond is set at $10 million for a Waukegan man accused of shooting at ATF agents as they served a search warrant. Alvaro Grijalva, 29, is charged with five counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. 13 facing federal charges after fentanyl investigation on West Side According to authorities, Grijalva was the subject of a long-term investigation conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit (SIG) in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division.  When the authorities arrived at Grijalva’s residence to execute a search warrant, Grijalva allegedly shot at law enforcement officials twice, nearly striking them. No law enforcement officer was struck or injured, however. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesGrijalva was eventually taken into custody and booked at Lake County Jail. His next sche...

Man found dead in Lady Bird Lake identified by police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of when the body was found in Lady Bird Lake Tuesday.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The man found dead at Lady Bird Lake Tuesday has been identified as Mogga Dogale, the Austin Police Department said.APD said the death is not being investigated as a homicide. The medical examiner's office will determine the cause of death. MAP: Tracking deaths near Lady Bird Lake in Austin Dogale was not listed as a missing person by APD, police told KXAN.APD and the Austin Fire Department said they were called to 1000 W. Cesar Chavez St., which is near where Barton Creek comes into the lake, around 10:30 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday.Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake on June 27, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Jala Washington)Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake on June 27, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Jala Washington)Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake on June 27, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Jala Washington)After Tuesday's incident, there have been at least five ...

Texas students continue to improve on STAAR test since post-pandemic lows

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Education Agency released the results for the 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness examination, showing further academic recovery since the pandemic. These are the first set of results since the test was redesigned earlier this year to better reflect what students are learning in the classroom. The Texas Legislature passed a bill in 2019 prompting the redesign. MORE: Texas STAAR Test is being redesigned — what you need to know “This year’s [end-of-course] results show progress and continued academic recovery among Texas public school students who endured multiple years of pandemic-induced disruptions to learning. The number of students that achieved 'Approaches grade level' or above increased in all five tested subjects,” TEA wrote in a statement. STAAR scores for grades three through eight surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Biology, English I, English II and U.S. History, per TEA data. 89% of students met the “Approaches grade le...

Timberwolves add former NBA journeyman Corliss Williamson to coaching staff

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

It wasn’t exactly the splash Timberwolves fans were looking for in the hours leading up to NBA free agency. Think of it more as a pebble sending a ripple through the pond.Nonetheless, the Timberwolves were happy to add former NBA big man Corliss Williamson to their coaching staff on Friday. His climb up the coaching ladder has also featured stops with the Sacramento Kings (2013-16), Orlando Magic (2016-18) and Phoenix Suns (2018-19).“I can’t wait to join the Minnesota Timberwolves staff and be a part of what Tim (Connelly) and Chris (Finch) are building here in Minnesota,” Williamson said in a release. “We have a lot of talent on this roster and I’m excited to get to work with our guys to help them be the best players on and off the court.”Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch called Williamson a “fantastic addition” to the organization.“He brings a wealth of experience, both in the NBA and on the collegiate level,” Finch said in a release. “He will...

Capital Region Restaurant Rundown: June 26-30

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The restaurant industry is ever-changing with restaurants opening, closing, relocating, or just doing their thing. Here’s a recap of the latest Capital Region restaurant news, June 26 through 30. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Farming Man Fest returning to Indian Ladder FarmsFarming Man Fest is returning to Indian Ladder Farms for its ninth year on Saturday, July 15 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. The festival celebrates New York’s breweries and the brewing industry.Best vegetarian-friendly restaurants around Albany, according to YelpIf you’re looking for some great vegetarian options in the Capital Region, you have quite a few options. These are the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the Albany area, according to Yelp.Food Truck Fridays returning to Brant LakeFood by the water and live music are in store by Mill Pond in the hamlet of Brant Lake. Food Truck Fridays are back starting Friday, June 30.Old...

Comedian Hannibal Burress performing at Albany Funny Bone

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Funny Bone announced they will be hosting comedian and actor Hannibal Buress. The first performance is scheduled for July 7. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Buress is best known for his standup comedy and for being the co-host of "The Eric Andre Show" from 2012 to 2020. He portrayed Lincoln Rice on Comedy Central's "Broad City", as well as being featured in several comedic cameos, including Marvel's 2021 film "Spiderman: No Way Home". There will be a total of four shows, with two performances at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively on July 7, and then two performances at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on July 8. The Funny Bone is located within Crossgates Mall in Albany. Who’s on when at GEMFest in Glens Falls You can purchase Hannibal Buress tickets by visiting the Funny Bone's website.

Denver airport set to open more PreCheck security lanes during busy Fourth of July weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

Denver International Airport planned to open four new PreCheck security-screening lanes Friday afternoon to expand capacity at its busiest checkpoint during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.The new lanes are at the terminal’s south main checkpoint, which is on Level 5 nearest to the Westin DIA Hotel and transit center, and they’re actually set off in a new auxiliary screening area. It’s just north of that checkpoint, near the central atrium and roughly aligned with Baggage Claim 7 to the east.The new space was roped off Friday morning, but DIA spokesman Jose Salas said the tentative plan was to open at some point Friday afternoon.While the south checkpoint primarily is for standard screening, the offset lanes will add more capacity for TSA PreCheck screening. They’ll typically be open during the day, though it’s possible the Transportation Security Administration won’t open them when crowds are low.The north main checkpoint on Level 5 is still p...

'Most nerve-racking moment ever': California filmmaker makes proposal a big screen event

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

The saying goes, "When you know, you know" and co-founder of Fresno-based Tremendum Pictures Chris Lofing knew he had found "the one" and had to make his proposal Blockbuster worthy - enlisting help from some Hollywood superheroes, KTLA sister station KSEE/KGPE reports.Friday, June 23 would become a day that Chris, co-founder, writer, director, and producer at Tremendum Pictures, and his now fiancée, Andrea Barrón, would never forget.Inside Maya Cinemas at Fresno's Campus Pointe, Chris packed the room with 100 of his closest friends and family, sneaking in Andrea (or Andy for short) as the lights dimmed for what everyone thought was going to be a screening of "The Flash" - but there was something even bigger coming first. One of the previews ahead of the movie was custom-made for the big question."We had shot this video in early June and it was a really tight window to complete this because we are filmmakers and we are juggling some other movies right now. We shot it in like three h...

Lantz Fire grows to 15 acres in Moreno Valley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

A brush fire has grown to 15 acres and is continuing to spread in Moreno Valley late Friday morning.The Lantz Fire broke out at Lantz Lane and Ironwood Avenue at about 10 a.m., and it was burning "light flashy fuels," the Riverside County Fire Department said on Twitter.By 11:20 a.m., it had grown to 15 acres and was continuing to spread at a moderate pace."Evacuation Warning has been issued for the the area North of Ironwood and East of Moreno Beach," fire officials said. For an evacuation map, click here.