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US consumer confidence falls for 3rd time in 4 months

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

Consumer confidence dipped again in April as anxiety over a slowing economy and possible recession weighed on American households.The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to 101.3 in April from 104 in March. It’s the third time in four months that overall U.S. consumer confidence has declined.Optimism about current economic conditions ticked up again, although consumers are less positive about the short-term future. The index remains below 2022’s average level of 104.5.The business research group’s present situation index — which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions — inched up to 151.1 from 148.9 last month.The board’s expectations index — a measure of consumers’ six-month outlook for income, business and labor conditions — fell to 68.1 this month from 74 in March. A reading under 80 often signals a recession in the coming year. The Conference Board noted that reading has come in below 80 every mon...

Feds: Man tried to firebomb Ohio church to stop drag show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — An eastern Ohio man told investigators that he tried to burn down an Ohio church because he wanted to prevent a drag show that was scheduled to take place there, federal prosecutors allege in newly unsealed charges.Aimenn Penny, a 20-year-old from Alliance who is a member of a “white lives matter” group that espouses racist and neo-Nazi views, tried to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland early on March 25, authorities allege in court documents unsealed Monday. Chesterland is a small community east of Cleveland.According to the criminal complaint, Penny said he tried to burn down the church using Molotov cocktails because he wanted to “protect the children and stop the drag show event.” He also regretted that it didn’t work, authorities said.The FBI said the church, which was unoccupied at the time, sustained minimal damage and had scorch marks on the front door. According to court documents, investigators found broken glass from a vodka bottle and a beer b...

WATCH: Fire breaks out after explosion on tracks at Bloor-Yonge station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

Fire crews are on scene after an explosion and fire on the subway tracks at Bloor-Yonge station.A large fire ignited on the southbound tracks just north of the Line 1 platform around 10 a.m. Tuesday.Video from the scene shows a crowded station witnessing a bright explosion followed by a wall of flames on the tracks. Witnesses say the station was evacuated shortly after.Toronto Fire tells CityNews the blaze is under control and smoke has been clear from the tunnel. Crews remain on scene for the investigation and clean up.No injuries were reported.The TTC says there is no train service between St. Clair and College as cleanup continues. Shuttle buses have been ordered and are running between the two stations.Line 2 trains were initially not stopping at Bloor-Yonge but regular service has resumed.Line 1 Yonge-University: No service between St Clair and College while we respond to a report of a fire.Shuttle buses have been ordered and will operate between St Clair and Bloor stations.&md...

Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and activist, dies at 96

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world, has died. He was 96.Belafonte died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his New York home, his wife Pamela by his side, said Paula M. Witt, of public relations firm Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.With his glowing, handsome face and silky-husky voice, Belafonte was one of the first Black performers to gain a wide following on film and to sell a million records as a singer; many still know him for his signature hit “Banana Boat Song (Day-O),” and its call of “Day-O! Daaaaay-O.” But he forged a greater legacy once he scaled back his performing career in the 1960s and lived out his hero Paul Robeson’s decree that artists are “gatekeepers of truth.”He stands as the model and the epitome of the celebrity activist. Few kept up with Belafonte's time and commitment and none his stature as a me...

Melissa McCarthy fronts People magazine's 'Beautiful Issue'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Melissa McCarthy is out front on this year's People magazine “Beautiful Issue.”The “Bridesmaids” star says being on the cover "felt like it was saying something really lovely to my younger self, to my 20-year-old self. Maybe to other people, too.”People on Tuesday revealed McCarthy's selection and the cover for the issue that hits magazine racks on Friday.McCarthy, 52, recounted for the magazine her upbringing on a farm in rural Illinois and how she went through a punk phase, complete with a mohawk and blue hair, when she was in high school.“I was fascinated because when I walked down the street and I looked like that, it was the first time that I’d ever had people kind of make fun of me or say really mean things to me, even adults,” she told the magazine. “I just kept thinking, you don’t know me, I didn’t do anything to you. It was a real big eye-opener that people are just judging left and right." Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and activist, dies at 96 Mc...

Surviving Idaho roommate fights Kohberger hearing subpoena

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

(NewsNation) — One of the survivors of the Idaho college killings is fighting against a subpoena requiring her presence and potential testimony at the preliminary hearing of accused murderer Bryan Kohberger, NewsNation national correspondent Brian Entin has learned.Bethany Funke is arguing that she should not have to testify at the preliminary hearing nor for the duration of the trial. The subpoena for Funke, who is now believed to be living in Nevada, was issued April 11. An attorney for Funke moved to quash the subpoena 10 days later, claiming it was “improperly issued” and that a hearing must be held before Funke can be required to testify.“There is no authority for an Idaho criminal defendant to summon a Nevada witness to Idaho for preliminary hearing,” the motion by Funke’s attorney says, in part. “There is also no authority for an Idaho criminal defendant to summon a Nevada witness to an Idaho matter without a hearing.” Inmate allegedly found covered in bedbugs; Family seeks...

9@9: A bakery for your dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

CHICAGO — There are many places for a human to get a tasty treat, but now you're canine has a place as well. A new restaurant in San Francisco is creating fancy desserts that are only meant for dogs. This new business was featured on Tuesday's "9@9" on the WGN Morning News as the hosts discussed the bakery and how they've pooled plenty of resources to make this a true gourmet experience for the pets. Along with that, the hosts also discussed turtle nesting season, old-time radio sound effects, oversized blazers, how doing the bare minimum actually helps, and more.You can watch the full "9@9" segment on the WGN Morning News from April 25 in the video above.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.

Dean's A-list Interview: Rachel McAdams on 'Are you there God? It's me, Margaret'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

CHICAGO — The latest project for an Academy Award-nominated actress is taking on a role in a film based on a famous book from the early 1970s. Rachel McAdams portrays Barabara Simon in "Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret," a film adaptation of the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. It's set to be released in theatres across the country on Friday.She joined Dean Richards to talk about the film "Dean's A-List Interview" this week to discuss the film and which audiences it targets. You can watch Rachel's discussion with Dean on the April 25 WGN Morning News in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

WATCH LIVE | Tokyo company aims to be 1st business to put lander on moon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

A Japanese company is about to attempt what no other private business has done: land on the moon.Tokyo's ispace company put its own spacecraft into orbit around the moon a month ago. On Tuesday, flight controllers will direct the craft, named Hakuto, Japanese for white rabbit, to descend from 60 miles (100 kilometers) high and land. UAE spacecraft takes close-up photos of Mars’ little moon The 7-foot lander is carrying a mini lunar rover for the United Arab Emirates and a toylike robot from Japan designed to roll around in the moon dust.Hakuto took a long, roundabout route to the moon following its December liftoff, beaming back photos of Earth along the way.Only three governments have successfully landed on the moon: Russia, the United States and China. An Israeli nonprofit tried to land on the moon in 2019, but its spacecraft was destroyed on impact.ispace is scheduled to provide a livestream of the moon landing via the Associated Press. WGN plans to share the livestream in this...

Risk of large hail, damaging wind later today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two severe weather threats is expected later today, with the second risk not too far behind.Today's severe storm threatA tricky forecast will unfold this afternoon as a "capped" atmosphere may hold to save some of us, but break to leave others susceptible to strong storms.At this point in time, strong to severe storms are still possible for much of our area this afternoon and evening as a disturbance passing overhead, in combination with plenty of moisture and a dry line out west, will help trigger storm development.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for strong to severe storms Tuesday afternoon & eveningIf storms develop, large hail, isolated tornadoes and damaging winds will all be possible late afternoon through late evening. ll modes of severe weather possible Tuesday, but primary risk continues to be large hailForecast uncertaintyA cap in the atmosphere, acting as a lid on growing storms, could suppress storm development in some areas. As of this morning...