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12/31/23: At Las Vegas wedding chapels, this ‘specialty date’ creates a New Year’s Eve surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — For better or for worse, a wave of couples saying “I do” in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve could set a record for the city’s busiest wedding day ever.That’s because 12/31/23 is known in the massive Las Vegas wedding industry as a “specialty date,” thanks to the repeating 1-2-3 1-2-3 pattern, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.The icing on the cake? This specialty date falls on a holiday famous for blowout celebrations.“It’s a double whammy,” said Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings, which operates multiple venues. “Anytime you get these specialty dates, they’re always hugely popular. But tie that in with New Year’s Eve and it’s a showstopper.”The number to beat on New Year’s Eve is 4,492 — the single-day record for marriages in Las Vegas set on July 7, 2007. The second-most popular specialty wedding date on record with the county’s marriage bureau is Nov. 11, 2011, when 3,125 couples tied the knot.Typically, New Year’s Eve has drawn...

New Orleans Pelicans and Smoothie King renew their arena naming rights agreement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans and Smoothie King have agreed to renew their arena naming rights contract, the club announced Tuesday.The arena will “retain its distinctive identity as the Smoothie King Center for the foreseeable future,” the Pelicans said in a statement.Neither the club nor Smoothie King released details on the specific length or value of the agreement. The initial agreement, reached in 2014, ran for 10 years through the current NBA season and reportedly had an estimated value approaching $40 million.The Pelicans’ lease at the 24-year-old arena is due to expire next summer. But the club has said it intends to exercise an option to remain in the Smoothie King Center through at least the end of the current decade while exploring longer-term plans that could include proposals for a new arena or extensive renovations to the current building.“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Smoothie King and maintain the iconic Smoothie King Cente...

All lanes of I-94 near Portage closed after crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

PORTAGE, Ind. — A crash along I-94 in northwest Indiana brought the highway to a halt on Tuesday afternoon, officials say. According to the Indiana Department Of Transportation (INDOT), the crash happened in the westbound lanes between Jensen Drive and State Road 149 near Portage and crews have shut down all lanes between the two roads while they work the crash. Vehicle plunges from bridge over I-55, resulting in life-threatening injuries: State police Officials say the closure, which went into effect around 4 p.m., will likely last for about two hours.Official have not provided details on how many vehicles were involved or if anyone was injured. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates. 

CTA to offer free rides on buses, trains on New Year's Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The new year is quickly approaching and those looking to celebrate across the city can save a few bucks on the ride home thanks to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).The CTA is offering free rides on all buses and trains on New Year's Eve to help the public get home safely and reliably after ringing in the new year.SEE ALSO | New Year’s Eve in Chicago: Where to watch fireworks across the cityAccording to the CTA, free rides will be available from 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.Yellow line service remains suspended following a crash in mid-November, so riders will need to find an alternate route.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Visit the CTA website for details on schedules and routes or to plan your trip.

Police in Texas searching for pregnant 18-year-old who is past her due date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVEO) — Police on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas, are searching for a pregnant 18-year-old, Savannah Nicole Soto.Family say Soto is pregnant and is past her estimated delivery date. She was last seen at 2 p.m. on Friday in Leon Valley.A CLEAR alert, which stands for coordinated law enforcement adult rescue, was issued for Soto after her family reported that she was missing. Photo: Texas DPSAccording to police, Soto missed an essential medical appointment. CBS News reports she was scheduled to have labor induced on Saturday.Soto is described as being 5'1 and weighing 115 pounds. The Texas Department of Public Safety says she has brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities believe she could be traveling in a 2013 gray Kia Optima, license number 4289D57. Photo: Texas DPSThe Leon Valley Police Department has initiated an investigation into her disappearance and detectives are actively seeking additional witnesses for information. They ask anyone with information...

Freezing cold mornings possible this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dry, cool weather continues this week following beneficial rainfall Christmas weekend.Northerly flow behind a large storm system in the Plains is leading to sunny, brisk weather across Texas. Morning low temperatures drop into the 30s each day this week, with some rural areas seeing a freeze every morning.As a dry cold front blows in later this week, even downtown Austin could record a freeze Friday morning. Low temperatures Friday in colder suburbs and rural areas will dip into the 20s.Forecast temperatures Friday morning, dipping to freezing in most areasNew Year's Eve plans look clear, brisk and breezy with midnight temperatures in the mid-40s. A wetter weather pattern is expected to return in week two of our forecast, with a chance of rain beginning Jan. 2. Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for rainfall and ice risk Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up...

Darius Taylor’s 208 yards rushing help lift Gophers to Quick Lane Bowl victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

DETROIT — The “tush push” offensive play has taken football by storm this season, but the Gophers put a hipster variation on that trend during the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday.Instead of teammates pushing quarterback Cole Kramer on a short-yardage plunge, Minnesota ran a play-action pass with tight end Jameson Geers faking the push and being left wide open for Kramer to find for a 7-yard touchdown completion.Minnesota had fed Bowling Green a steady diet of 19 runs in the opening 21 plays to start the third quarter, which perfectly set up the crafty wrinkle from offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh.The Gophers continue to pound the ball on ground, with 255 total rushing yards, in a 30-24 victory over Bowling Green at Ford Field.Running back Darius Taylor, a Detroit native, rushed 35 times for 208 yards and one touchdown and was named bowl MVP. The true freshman came back from injury to put up the third highest rushing yardage and carries totals in Gophers bowl history.The Gophers (6-7) ...

St. Paul Christmas Eve crash: Police ID 65-year-old pedestrian and his dog, who were both killed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

A man who died, along with his dog, after they were struck by a driver on Christmas Eve was identified Tuesday as a 64-year-old from St. Paul.Steven Wirtz was crossing West Maryland Avenue at Park Street in the North End when a 45-year-old man driving a Ford sedan east on Maryland Avenue hit them about 8:15 p.m. Sunday.Paramedics pronounced Wirtz dead at the scene. His dog, a 2-year-old German Shepherd named Gunther, also died.The driver stopped after the crash, was not arrested and is cooperating with the investigation, police said. They’re investigating the circumstances of the crash. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Pornhub owner agrees to pay $1.8M and independent monitor to resolve sex trafficking-related charge Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul approves $380K settlement to fiancée of man fatally shot by police Crime & Public Safety | Pedestrian killed on Coon Rapids Boulevard identified Crime & Public ...

Powerball produces big wins for two people in Missouri over holiday weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It was quite the Christmas weekend for two Powerball players in Missouri. According to the Missouri Lottery, a winning $1 million Powerball ticket was purchased in O'Fallon, Missouri and matched all five white-ball numbers in Saturday night's drawing. The winning numbers that night were 9, 14, 17, 18, and 53, with a Powerball of 6.A winning $50,000 Powerball ticket was purchased at a QuikTrip in Pleasant Valley for the Christmas night drawing, according to the Missouri Lottery. The winning numbers were 5, 12, 20, 24 and 29, and the Powerball number was 4. Since there was no Powerball jackpot winners Christmas night, the Powerball jackpot is now an estimated $685 million for Wednesday night's drawing with an estimated cash value of $34.7 million. This is the fourth Powerball jackpot to exceed half a billion dollars this year. The Powerball jackpot was previously won on Oct. 11 in California won a $1.765 billion grand prize. The last time the Powerball jackpot was w...

Le Petit Chef blends technology, cooking at downtown KC's Hotel Phillips

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The world's smallest chef is cooking up a storm in one Kansas City kitchen.He's called Le Petit Chef, and he started his career in Germany nine years ago. Now, the cartoon chef is cooking meals at the Hotel Phillips in downtown Kansas City along with 60 other locations worldwide. How cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger became the scents of winter holidays It's a blend of technology and food that creates a unique dinner and movie experience.As the small, clumsy chef makes a virtual meal on the table, the real chefs are making that same meal in the kitchen.Then when the video ends, everyone is served at the same time. The reaction so far has been all positive."They have just been tapping into their inner child," said Hotel Phillips Executive Chef Dominique Allen. "They bring the kids with them, and they all have fun.""Kids are trying to touch the table, trying to touch the cartoon, and all the adults are out with their phones just enjoying the experience. It’s a wonderful...