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Senate marks May 3 as Illinois Bacon Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Illinois General Assembly has ba-con-sidered a measure that would honor Illinois's pig farmers. A resolution advocated by the Illinois Pork Producers Association has officially designated May 3 as Illinois Bacon Day. The pork industry supports more than 57,000 jobs across the state. Olive Garden owner buys Ruth’s Chris Steak House for about $715 million "The hardworking hog farmers who raise this high-quality product deserves our support," Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) said. "Whether it's plain or applewood-smoked, where the store-bought or artisan-made, bacon is a meat for any meal."Illinois is the fourth largest pork producing state in the U.S. and contributes an estimated $13.8 billion to the economy. Pig farmers in Illinois produce approximately 6 billion slices of bacon each year. These are the best restaurants for breakfast in Chicago, according to Tripadvisor "It is the best day in Illinois," Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said. "Republi...

When was the last time Central Illinois had a dust storm?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- Central Illinois experienced a weather phenomenon rare for the region: a dust storm. After a dust cloud caused dozens of cars on I-55 to crash Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued a blowing dust warning for Sangamon, Christian, and Shelby Counties. At least six people died in the crash, and more than 30 people were hospitalized. I-55 was closed until Tuesday morning, as crews were still clearing cars from the interstate. A dust storm warning was issued Tuesday afternoon. 72-car crash caused by dust cloud kills 7, closes I-55 for miles In order for the NWS to issue a dust storm warning, visibility must be lower than half a mile due to winds stronger than 30 mph picking up dirt or dust. They are most common in the southwestern United States. While this is the first time east of the Mississippi River the National Weather Service has issued a Dust Storm Warning, it isn't the first severe dust storm in the area. Three previous dust st...

WATCH: Photos, videos of dust cloud pile-up on Illinois interstate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- Illinois State Police, along with people who were in the massive pile-up, are sharing images and photos with WCIA of their experiences on-scene on Interstate 55. WCIA's Kevin Lighty was also on the scene and able to capture drone footage.Illinois State Police closed Interstate 55 Monday morning after responding to multiple crashes with injuries. Police said that Troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to multiple crashes on Interstate 55 between mileposts 76 and 78 just before 11:00 a.m. ISP is said there were blackout conditions due to wind blowing dirt in the area between Divernon and Farmersville. 7 dead, more than 30 hospitalized in I-55 crash ISP has shared photos from the crash, including aerial images that show the large scale of the event.Courtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceOther people shared ...

Republicans push back against new mortgage rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — If you're buying a home this year, you could see lower mortgage fees.That's because the federal government recently tweaked how it prices federally-backed mortgages. Republicans on Capitol Hill call the change unfair, because it raises prices for other borrowers.Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Miss., slammed the new federal rule. He said it will lower mortgage fees for Americans with bad credit scores at the expense of Americans with good credit."This new mortgage rule is straight-up socialism,” said Schmitt. "Now they're going to have to pay thousands of dollars more."In a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Schmitt and more than a dozen Senate Republicans called the pricing adjustment on new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed mortgages 'shortsighted' and 'counterproductive.'But the agency calls those attacks inaccurate.Michael Shemi, a principal advisor at FHFA, confirmed some lower-income borrowers will see cheaper mortgage fees, while those of other borrower...

Skilling: Sunny, breezy weekend ahead for Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Temps surged 11 degrees higher today, likely to reach 61-deg before daytime warming comes to an end. And the sun emerged Wednesday in what has been a very cloudy open to May—with just 31% of the month's possible sun in its opening 3 days. (Mays typically host 54% of their possible sun)The slow moving spring storm, which has dominated Chicago's weather with lots of clouds, sporadic showers, gusty winds and sub-part temps, has finally excited! The sun emerged Wednesday and the impact of strong May sunlight can't be overstated.The upper air pattern across North America is undergoing a sea change which will warm area temps and ultimately lead to wetter conditions late this weekend and at times next week. We're switching jet streams—moving from a northern jet to a southern jet stream. This will send warmer temps over he area. In fact, each of the coming 15 days is modeled to produce an above normal temp.Temps in Chicago, which came in 5-deg below normal last week are predicted to miss no...

Liam Hendriks discusses his battle with cancer for the first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Over the last few months, fans have only been able to hear from the closer through his social media as he fought cancer for the first part of 2023.On Wednesday, Liam Hendriks is speaking publically for the first time about his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The White Sox closer is holding a news conference at 4:30 p.m at Guaranteed Rate Field to talk about his battle with the disease as he continues to work to return to the club. Hendriks revealed his diagnosis on Instagram on January 8 and began treatments the next day. On April 5, he announced that he'd completed those chemotherapy sessions, and on April 20th announced that he was cancer-free. Hendriks has already begun throwing again as he's taken part in some extended spring training games in Arizona as he looks to return to the White Sox bullpen sooner than later. Hendriks was officially placed on the White Sox 15-day IL on Opening Day. Whenever he makes his return, he'll be starting his third season with the Whi...

Michigan school district bans backpacks over safety concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

FLINT, Mich. (NewsNation) — Public schools in Flint are enforcing a policy banning backpacks, including those made of clear plastic material, amid concerns over firearms, weapons and threats.The Flint Board of Education voted 7-0 to ban backpacks for the remainder of the school year. The new policy allows small purses for personal items, clear plastic bags for gym clothes and lunchboxes "within reason." They'll also be subject to searches. Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones said, "Things have changed," and it's the only way to move forward. “For the most part, the majority of our families are putting in measures before something happens," he said. Student misbehavior spikes since return of in-person classes Jones said backpacks make it easier for students to hide weapons.This new policy comes amid the ongoing debate and discussions of how to keep kids safe while in school was reignited after a gunman shot and killed six people, including three 9-year-olds, at a p...

Texas Medicaid ads accidentally printed on Philadelphia buses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Advertisements for Texas Medicaid have been spotted on the backs of public buses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and images of the ads have shown up on Twitter. The ads are real, but they got there by mistake, said a spokesperson for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, which operates the buses.“We think it was a mistake with the printer where the creative content for Pennsylvania and Texas got mixed up,” said Andrew Busch, director of media relations for SEPTA. “Texas HHSC did not pay for advertising on SEPTA.”The incorrect ad – which says "Stay covered with Texas Medicaid" and provides a Texas Health and Human Services Commission phone number – looks nearly identical in format to a Philadelphia medical assistance ad. A Texas HHSC spokesperson also confirmed to KXAN the Texas agency did not create or pay for the advertisements.Busch provided the correct ...

Round Rock, Dripping Springs highlight Central Texas teams in area HS softball playoffs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas high school softball playoffs are in the area round beginning Thursday, and there are a handful of Central Texas teams still left playing.In Class 6A Region IV, District 25 champs Round Rock and District 26 winner Dripping Springs moved on after bi-district victories. The Dragons topped Del Valle, the fourth-place team from District 25, in a one-game playoff 3-1 and the Tigers swept two games against Stony Point to advance. Round Rock faces Schertz Clemens for a best-of-three series in Wimberley starting at 6 p.m. Friday with the second game at 10 a.m. Saturday. They'll play a third game if they have to shortly after that.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe Tigers are also playing a game in Wimberley, but they'll take on San Antonio East Central at 5 p.m. Thursday to open their series. Friday's game is set for 4 p.m. in Marion with the if necessar...

Is ERCOT ready for the coming summer?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As temperatures continue to warm during this spring season it won't be too much longer before Central Texas begins its annual string of 90°+ days that eventually become days when the afternoon highs reach 100° and higher.It's during this time when concerns begin to surface by many regarding "the grid". On Wednesday, May 3, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas held a press conference updating Texans on the status of the grid ahead of the approaching summer. Their reports were based on information from ERCOT's Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) and the Capacity, Demand, and Reserves (CDR) reports. They offer a broader insight into how prepared the grid is.Part of the Texas grid Courtesy: Getty ImagesPUC Chairman Peter Lake says a number of scenario analysis was done that included both best-case and worst-case scenarios. The SARA finding indicated the ERCOT grid is ready for this summer, tha...