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DeSantis' new Disney World board hints at future controversy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The first meeting of the new board of Walt Disney World’s government dealt with the rote affairs any other municipal government would handle: calls for better firefighter equipment, lessons on public records requests, and bond ratings. The board was overhauled by sweeping legislation signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as punishment for Disney publicly challenging Florida's so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! But the five board members appointed by DeSantis hinted Wednesday at future controversial actions they may take, including prohibiting COVID restrictions at Disney World and recommending the elimination of two cities that were created after the Florida Legislature in 1967 approved the theme park resort's self-governance. The board also approved hiring the same law firm that advised the governor's office in making changes to the governing district to help ...

How passengers teamed up to restrain man on chaotic flight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — A passenger who helped restrain a threatening man on a weekend flight from Los Angeles to Boston said Tuesday that the entire chaotic episode was over within seconds thanks to teamwork. Simik Ghookasian said in a telephone interview that he was seated several rows behind the man, who had quietly tried to open an airliner’s emergency door before trying to stab a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon, according to prosecutors. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I heard the guy getting louder and louder and I thought it was just an argument, but he started yelling and screaming and threatening people, threatening to kill them,” said Ghookasian, a Los Angeles government contractor flying to Boston on United Flight 2609 on Sunday for work.Until the yelling, he hadn't noticed anything unusual about the man, who federal authorities have identified as Francisco Severo Torres33, of Leominster, Massachusetts. Gho...

The Rock anticipates 30,000 fans at Battlehawks home opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Rock definitely smells what Battlehawks fans are cookin'.XFL owner Dwayne Johnson tweeted overnight that the league is expecting 30,000 screaming and ka-kawing fans inside The Dome at America's Center to watch the Battlehawks' home opener against the Arlington Renegades.St. Louis led the XFL in attendance during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Get to know these St. Louis Battlehawks Johnson quote tweeted a response to Sports Biz Network, which commented on viewership for the Battlehawks-Defenders game. "Week over week our @XFL2023 is showing some nice growth. Little wins and step by step," Johnson said. "We’re building for the long haul, for player opportunities. Attendance growing nicely too!" The Battlehawks play the Renegades Sunday at 3 p.m.

Illinois Secretary of State files legislation to prevent book banning in libraries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) - More libraries in Illinois are being pressured to ban books off their shelves, according to the American Library Association. In 2022, the ALA registered 67 book banning attempts in the state, up from 41 in 2021. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who serves as the State Librarian, said far-right groups are behind the push of book banning. He says they want books written by or featuring LGBTQ people and people of color off the shelves. "These efforts have nothing to do with books," Giannoulias said. "Instead, they are about ideas that certain individuals disagree with and believe no one should think or be allowed to think." Hundreds of books banned in 2022 Giannoulias is proposing legislation alongside Rep. Anne Stava Murray (D-Downers Grove), Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) and Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to prevent more book bans from happening in the state. “This radical movement to ban books cannot be allowed in the state of Illino...

Kansas City contestant shares the scoop on 'Farmer Wants a Wife' premiere

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City contestant will make her debut tonight on the premiere of FOX's "Farmer Wants a Wife" (Wednesdays at 8 p.m.) and Great Day KC brought her in to get all the scoop. FOX brings us "Farmer Wants a Wife," a reality dating show unlike any other, where city meets the farm. Can a farmer find love with a city woman? Already an international hit in 32 countries, it's the most successful dating show on air with 180 marriages and 410 kids so far.For this version, FOX chose contestants from cities across the U.S. to make the trek out to rural America. Will these ladies find love amidst the cows and corn fields? Each of the women will get a chance to get to know one of the four farmers looking for love: Hunter, Ryan, Landon and Allen. The farmers of "Farmer Wants a Wife." From left: Hunter, Ryan, Landon, AllenTonight, we'll meet the women chucking their dating apps for classic American courtship, and among them is Sarah Ruhlman, a content creator from Kansas City...

St. Louis police seek person of interest in Mt. Pleasant homicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are looking for a person of interest in connection with a January homicide.According to Evita Caldwell, a police spokeswoman, the incident took place around 8:35 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the 4300 block of California Avenue, located in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood.Officers responded to a call for a shooting and found the victim, identified as Mahogany Jones, suffering from a gunshot wound in a nearby gas station parking lot. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 26. Trending: Ladue estate with luxury auto house sold in record-setting 8-figure deal Over the next several weeks, investigators keyed in on an individual they'd like to speak with regarding the shooting. On Wednesday, police released surveillance images of the individual in the hope that someone recognizes him.Anyone with information on this person's identity or whereabouts is asked to contact the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or, i...

Primary for St. Louis Aldermen ends with several surprises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- There were some surprises during Tuesday night's St. Louis primary election. Voters decided which two candidates for the smaller Board of Aldermen would be on the April ballot. One race is too close to call, and several incumbents lost to political newcomers. Brandon Bosley's loss comes a shock to many. He is the Ward 3 Alderman and was running for the new 14th Ward. His family has a long history in St. Louis politics. His uncle was the mayor of St. Louis, his father was the city's longest serving alderman, his mother is a committeewoman, and his sister is a state representative. Top story: St. Peters police identify alleged Schnucks parking lot shooter The 9th Ward race ended with a tie, with Tina "Sweet-T" Pihl and Michael Gras each getting 868 votes. One of them will face Michael Browning after military and provisional ballots are counted.Joe Vaccaro has been Ward 23 Alderman since 2009. He will face Ward 24 incumbent Bret Narayan in the race for t...

New tax credits for heat pumps, electric vehicles part of Colorado’s latest push toward clean energy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado lawmakers are pushing a baker’s-dozen of bills they say will help move the state toward a clean energy economy.The package of bills highlighted Wednesday, some of which have been introduced, includes tax incentives to promote decarbonization and electrification, geothermal energy, electric vehicle charging station requirements and streamlining permitting approval for solar energy projects.“There’s a lot of cost-saving measures, as well as improvements in life quality for everyday Coloradans that are really built into the fabric of these bills,” Polis said. They also include industrial policy updates, he added.Polis described the package as both setting the vision for Colorado’s energy future and giving the state tools to reach it. A proposal sponsored by state Sen. Chris Hansen, SB23-016, would set the state’s emission standards to net-zero by 2050. The state has additional goals of 100% renewable energy by 2040. Hans...

Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: “I’m here to win a championship for Joker.”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

Within its special season, veering hard toward a No. 1 seed in the West and, potentially, the top overall seed in NBA, there’s an element of sacrifice that’s permeated Denver’s roster.Speaking at shootaround on Wednesday morning ahead of their matchup against Chicago, veteran Aaron Gordon described the selflessness that’s become a defining trait of the Nuggets.“I’m not here to win a championship for myself,” Gordon said. “I’m here to win a championship for Joker (Nikola Jokic). Joker’s here to win a championship for Jamal (Murray) and Michael Malone and Michael Porter. KCP, we’re looking to get him another one. I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing it for the guys around me.”Though Gordon was the only player who spoke to the media Wednesday morning, that ethos has been apparent around the team for weeks. Beginning with Jokic, the two-time reigning MVP, no one seems to care who gets the credit, least of all the face of the franchise.It’s why Gordon’s been such a seamless fit with ...

This famous Disneyland snack is coming to grocery stores nationwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:13 GMT

Disneyland fans no longer have to travel to the park to enjoy one of the resort’s famous treats.Dole, the company behind the beloved park's pineapple soft-serve Dole Whip, announced that the famed treat would be available in grocery stores nationwide. The frozen snack item will be available in three flavors: pineapple, mango, and strawberry.The company didn’t specify when the product would be available in stores.The rollout of Dole Whip nationwide comes as the company aims to introduce healthier snacking options for adults and children. Along with the Dole Whip, the company plans to roll out low-calorie beverages, probiotic sodas, juices that support gut health and smoothie bowls.The company is also planning to relaunch its acai bowls.The public will be able to try the new snack options at the Expo West event, which will be at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 7 – 11. The new Dole product line will be available at booth 359.For those still wanting to enjoy a Dole Whip at the ...