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Lawmakers examine healthcare monopolies amid patient outcome concerns

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

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – It’s no secret the cost of healthcare is much higher in the United States compared to other high-income countries. Now, lawmakers are examining the cause and the role of corporate consolidation.Lawmakers want to know how consolidation in the healthcare industry is impacting quality and prices and want “to examine whether these practices are hot wiring our healthcare system to favor mega-corporations at the expense of patients,” Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said.Doctors and other experts from around the country told senators that mergers and consolidation of hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities is a problem.“I'm concerned. Over the last two decades, insurance premiums in the U.S. have gone up over 215%,” Dr. Zack Cooper of Yale University said during a Congressional hearing. “About 20% of hospital mergers have lessened competition and led to price increases.”Experts also say that profit-driven private investors are driving prices up while decreasin...

Illinois residents get free admission to the Shedd certain nights in June

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

CHICAGO — The Shedd Aquarium is one of the gems in the city and now they are offering something new at night for Illinois residents at no cost.It's called "Night Dives."Visitors can experience the aquatic animal world from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a valid ID or proof of Illinois residency.Dates include:Tuesday, June 13Thursday, June 15Tuesday, June 20Thursday, June 22Tuesday, June 27Advanced reservations are required and can be made online at www.sheddaquarium.org.LaToyia Ledbetter is the senior director of marketing at the Shedd joined the WGN Evening News to talk more about the nights.

Las Vegas family makes out-of-this-world claim after witnesses, police see flash in the sky

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

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Las Vegas police body cam footage of a green flash across the sky is adding intrigue to a 911 call from a family claiming to see "non-human" beings after something crashed in their backyard.On April 30 around 11:50 p.m., a Las Vegas Metro police officer’s body camera video recorded as something streaked low across the sky. Several people across eastern California, Nevada and Utah reported seeing the flash, according to the American Meteor Society. UFO over the Las Vegas Strip? More likely a rare weather phenomenon Sources tell Nexstar's KLAS that it is likely something crashed into the yard, but exactly what remains unclear more than a month later. Drone video showed a circular imprint in the dirt.On April 30 around 11:50 p.m., a Las Vegas Metro police officer’s body camera video recorded as something streaked low across the sky. Several people across eastern California, Nevada and Utah reported seeing the flash, according to the American Meteor Society. (KLAS)A...

Red Lobster Crabfest back after 4 years — with $5 martinis

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

(NEXSTAR) — If you've been craving some Cheddar Bay Biscuits, it's the perfect time for a trip to your local Red Lobster, where the company has begun its fan-favorite Crabfest seasonal celebration. It's been four years since the event, which highlights crab dishes over lobster-based ones, was last held. Red Lobster says this year's Crabfest features some new menu items — including one alcohol-based offering that'll be available for $5. These Americans are tipping the least in 2023, study finds New this year is the Crabfest Creations entree, which features a pound of steamed crab legs in a choice of three different flavors (or plain) and served over potatoes. Meanwhile, Red Lobster's new Crab and Oscar-Topped Sirloin offers a half-pound of garlic cream-covered snow crab atop a 7-ounce steak.Additionally, Red Lobster says two new non-entree items have been added to the menu: Crabby Cheese Fries (seasoned fries in cheese sauce and lump crab) and a strawberry cheesecake. The restauran...

Illinois man fatally shot by officer after fleeing traffic stop identified as 18-year-old

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

RANTOUL, Ill. (AP) — An armed man who was fatally shot by a central Illinois police officer after fleeing a traffic stop has been identified as an 18-year-old local man, authorities said Thursday.Champaign County's coroner said Jordan A. Richardson of Rantoul died at a hospital from a gunshot wound to the chest after being shot Wednesday by a Rantoul police officer. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday. Docs: Logan Square woman found nearly decapitated in duffle bag; boyfriend had cleaning supplies Richardson was the passenger in a car that was stopped Wednesday by Rantoul police, who found cannabis in the vehicle. Police said Richardson ran from the car, dropped a gun, then picked it up and continued running.Police said Richardson then fell to the ground and turned toward an officer with the gun still in his hand, prompting that officer to fire a single shot, striking Richardson, The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported.The officer who shot Richardson has been placed on paid administ...

Supreme Court sides with Jack Daniels in trademark fight against poop-themed dog toy

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

The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with Jack Daniel’s in its trademark fight against a poop-themed dog toy that parodies the company’s whiskey bottles.In a unanimous decision authored by Justice Elena Kagan, the high court ruled for the whiskey maker but left unaddressed whether the First Amendment provides parodies with heightened protections from trademark-infringement claims.The Supreme Court has never endorsed the premise, known as the Rogers test, and the justices ruled it wouldn’t apply to the dog toy, so they didn’t have to weigh in on its validity.VIP Products LLC’s toy replaced the famed “Jack Daniel’s” typography with “Bad Spaniels.” It further swapped “Old No. 7 brand” and “Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey” with “The Old No. 2 on Your Tennessee Carpet.”“This case is about dog toys and whiskey, two items seldom appearing in the same sentence,” Kagan wrote for the court.Kagan showed amusement at the court while reading the opinion on Thursday, at one point singing “Barbie ...

El Niño officially arrives early: What it means for Chicago in 2023

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

(NEXSTAR) – El Niño has arrived. The Climate Prediction Center announced Thursday that El Niño conditions were present and expected to grow stronger in the coming months. Forecasters give it a 56% chance of developing into a strong El Niño, and an 84% chance of topping "moderate" strength. This year's El Niño has shown up ahead of the typical schedule. In the past decade, El Niños have started in late summer or early fall. Its early appearance "gives it room to grow," Climate Prediction Center meteorologist Michelle L’Heureux, told the Associated Press. This year's El Niño is expected to keep building and remain strong through the 2023-2024 winter. Where do El Niño and La Niña get their names? This year is predicted to be the inverse of what we’ve seen the last three years, in which we have had back-to-back La Niña seasons.El Niño typically brings cold, wet winters to the Southern U.S. A strong El Niño, in particular, is associated with lots of rain for the Southwest and Cal...

APD holds press conference on sex assault investigation

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

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide details on a sexual assault investigation.Police said they're now asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect. However, they offered no other information at this time. Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it? This developing story will be updated with more information.

Buoys to be deployed as new barrier at Texas border, Abbott says

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

AUSTIN (Nexstar) —Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday afternoon a "new, water-based barrier of buoys" will be installed at the Texas border soon. Abbott made the announcement after signing several border security-related bills that were passed during the 88th Legislative Session. Abbott said the installation of the buoys will start "immediately.""These buoys will allow us to prevent people from even getting to the border," Abbott said.Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col. Steven McCraw said the deployment of the first 1,000 feet of buoys will start in Maverick County's Eagle Pass. McCraw added the buoys can be deployed quickly and are movable.Images of the concept were displayed on each side of the table where Abbott, McCraw and Major General Thomas Suelzer, the Adjutant General of Texas, were sitting for the press conference. One image showed someone attempting to get over the barriers.Concept image of adding buoy barriers to the Rio Grande (Nexstar Photo)Image of s...

Hotter weather coming, but scattered thunderstorms continue

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

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered thunderstorms moved through parts of the area today bringing lightning and brief heavy rain, but no reports of damaging hail nor wind.Some areas recorded 1-2 inches of rain, including 1.75" of rain near Pedernales Falls State Park. Updated rainfall totals A ridge of high pressure builds overhead the next several days, raising afternoon temperatures to the warmest of the year thus far in the middle and upper 90s.Forecast high temperatures Friday -- the hottest of the yearThe ridge will not entirely eliminate rain chances, however, with a 20% chance of late-day storms Friday and a higher 30% chance of late-day thunderstorms on Saturday. "The future is smoky": Northeast U.S. air quality problems linked to climate change The ridge builds further next week, likely leading to a string of 100-degree days -- our first of the year, arriving about 3 weeks ahead of when they typically begin. Humidity also increases, producing "feels like" temperatures of 103°-107...