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New CDPH commissioner appointed by Mayor Johnson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Monday the appointment of Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige to serve as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.Dr. Ige is currently the Managing Director of Programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and has previously served as the Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene."Dr. Ige is a tremendous addition to not just our administration, but to the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Johnson. “Dr. Ige is someone who understands the balance between hard data and community interaction when assessing public health problems and solutions, and with decades of experience in public health, she brings a clear-eyed understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities that CDPH and our city face, and how we will collectively overcome them."She has been in public health for nearly two decades.As the Managing Director of Programs for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Ige oversaw partnerships w...

Jewish groups protest at Ogilvie near Israeli Consulate calling for ceasefire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Protestors gathered Monday inside Ogilvie train station near the Israeli Consulate to rally for a ceasefire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll surpasses 11,000.Jewish allies and supporters of the Palestinian cause gathered outside the Israeli Consulate, that sits in the same building as Ogilvie Transportation Center.Three Jewish organizations, Jewish Voice for Peace, If Not Now and Never Again, organized the demonstration, hoping to bring light to Jews standing in solidarity with Palestinians.The groups call for an end to the deadly attacks in Gaza that has claimed over 11,000 lives, mainly women and children. They also want water, food and electricity returned to Gaza to prevent further deaths. Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in Downtown Chicago while pro-Israel protestors rally in Northbrook "It's a fool's errand to think that defending oneself is going to come through bombing, mass killings and exile, displacement, ethnic cleansing genocide -- there's no military...

Missing 75-year-old Near West Side woman may need medical attention, CPD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

CHICAGO  — Chicago police are looking for a missing 75-year-old woman who may require medical attention. Curl Donaldson was last seen at her home in the 800 block of S. Campbell Ave. on the Near West Side around 9:10 on Sunday. Curl was last seen wearing a yellow top, green pants, and black shoes.Police said Donaldson stands 5 feet, weighs 129 pounds, and has grey hair and brown eyes. SEE ALSO: Search underway for man missing from assisted living facility in ChicagoAnyone who may know Donaldson's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Area Four Detectives at (312) 746-8251.

CPD officers helps migrant kids write new stories with donated books 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago officer is using his time-off to help migrants.The officer’s love of books led him to begin a literacy effort for the migrant children living at his police station.Officer Jesus Magallon began his mission to hand out books to the children, newly arrived in Chicago over the summer. He saw the children of those newly arrived migrants and noticed they didn’t have any books. He said out to change that.On the force since 2018, Magallon started his career as a public school teacher and is now a PhD candidate at DePaul.Education and reading are very important to him. “That’s the beauty and the power of books … having access to that, you can learn anything and that is a very powerful concept,” he said.He has given away hundreds so far. Many of them came from Bernie’s Book Bank on the North Shore. Magallon believes that one book can make a difference for young minds. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines “You can find something that interests you, that...

MedWatch: FDA approves first vaccine for mosquito-borne disease — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

For Monday, Nov. 13, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch FDA approves first Chikungunya virus vaccineEmerging as a global health threat, Chikungunya virus causes fever and joint pain.It can be debilitating, or even fatal, for newborns.  There have been more than 440,000 cases this year, including 350 deaths. Five million cases have been reported in the past 15 years.  Health experts say the threat is getting worse with climate change.  Chikungunya is most prevalent in africa, south america and southeast asia.  The FDA's approval is expected to speed up the vaccine's global rollout. The single dose shot is approved for those 18, and older who are at high risk of contracting the disease. Studies: Expermental cholestorl drugs show promiseTwo new experimental drugs to treat high cholesterol are showing promise. Instead of just helping people manage it, the drugs target those born with a genetic p...

Pink to give away banned books at Florida tour stops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

(The Hill) -- Pink wants to “Get the Party Started” against Florida book bans. The singer says that at her upcoming concerts, she will be giving away thousands of books that are prohibited in the Sunshine State’s public schools.The 44-year-old performer and the free expression organization PEN America, along with poet Amanda Gorman, announced the effort on social media on Sunday.Pink, who is poised to perform at stops in Miami and Orlando this week as part of her “Trustfall” tour, will give away 2,000 banned books at the concerts.“I’m a voracious reader and I’m a mom of two kids who are also voracious readers. I can’t imagine my own parents telling me what my kids can and cannot read — let alone someone else’s parents, let alone someone else that doesn’t even have children that are deciding what my children can read,” she said on Instagram. USA Today hires dedicated Beyoncé correspondent Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation requiring school ...

That's not a bird's nest in your tree, so what is it?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

*Related video above about acorns.CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -- As the leaves on the trees begin to fall, the branches and anything living on them become more visible. If you see a large, round collection of leaves in your tree, it may not be a bird's nest but, instead, a home for squirrels.These large clumps of leaves are called dreys, according to MassAudubon. All different types of squirrels create these nests, including the eastern gray squirrel, red squirrel, and northern and southern flying squirrel. Here’s why there are so many acorns this year in Massachusetts A drey can be up to 1 to 2 feet wide and is typically located more than 20 feet up in the tree. They are often found in oak trees as the acorns there provide an easy source of food.Squirrel drey (Credit: MassAudubon)The drey can start as a bird nest. Once the squirrel moves in, the animal adds more leaves and branches as well as layers of moss or pine needles. Dreys are fully surrounded by the material used to make them...

No one injured after train-vehicle crash in Buda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — No injuries were reported after a crash between a train and vehicle in Buda Saturday evening, according to the city. The crash happened near the South Main railroad crossing near West Goforth Road, Main Street and South Loop 4. Buda Police said there were no injuries. The city said the train did not detail due to the crash.

Hustle play to help erase INT an example of how Texas Longhorns have changed its culture

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Culture is supported by an unwavering effort by the team's best players and leaders, no matter the situation. When things started to go haywire on Saturday against TCU, two of Texas' leaders answered the bell in ways they typically aren't asked to do.When Millard Bradford intercepted Quinn Ewers in the first quarter, receivers Jordan Whittington and Xavier Worthy helped make one of the game's most important plays with hustle and determination — directly reflecting the team's current culture. Instant Analysis: A blowout would be nice, but Texas is finding ways to win As Bradford tried to find running room during his return, Whittington came flying in from well behind the play to not just bring him down, but punch the ball loose. Worthy, the intended receiver on the play, ended up on the ground after Bradford made the pick but hopped back up and went straight to the ball. He saw Whittington pop the ball out and alertly jumped on it, creating the second turnover on th...

Amtrak service suspension between NYC and Albany continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:42 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Amtrak has confirmed that service between New York City and Albany has been suspended for the second day in a row. The service disruption was first announced on November 12 and is currently set to continue until further notice. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The suspension stems from safety concerns caused by structure issues with a privately owned, non-Amtrak garage located above the Empire Line tracks in New York City. The following train schedule updates were released earlier today: Trains 233, 234, 235, 237, 240, 241, 244 and 280 have been cancelled. Trains 49 and 69 will now originate from Albany.Any trains from Albany to New York City that have not been cancelled outright will stop at the Croton-on-Hudson station. Albany Police identify Judson Street homicide victim Amtrak stated on Monday that they are working with the builder owner and the NYC Department of Buildings to restore service as s...