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The grass is greener at Soldier Field — and that’s great for the Chicago Bears. Here’s how ultraviolet lights have helped.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

You know the old saying. The grass is always greener … at Soldier Field?That’s for real nowadays. When the Chicago Bears last played at home Dec. 10, quarterback Justin Fields detailed his 11-yard touchdown run against the Detroit Lions by describing the open field he saw in front of him before he took off.“When I stepped to the right a little bit, I just saw green grass,” Fields said.And for once, that wasn’t just an expression. The playing surface at Soldier Field — historically knocked for being chewed up and unreliable deep into the season — is different, much improved and, yes, greener.“It’s funny you say that,” Fields said after beating the Lions, “because when I stepped on the field, I noticed how green it was. Whoever is keeping up with the field is definitely doing a great job of handling the grass and making sure it’s good to go when we go out there.”After consultation with the Bears in 2022, the...

Iowa won’t participate in US food assistance program for kids this summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa will not participate this summer in a federal program that gives $40 per month to each child in a low-income family to help with food costs while school is out, state officials have announced.The state has notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it will not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children — or Summer EBT — program, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education said in a Friday news release. “Federal COVID-era cash benefit programs are not sustainable and don’t provide long-term solutions for the issues impacting children and families. An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic,” Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said in the news release. She added, “If the Biden Administration and Congress want to make a real commitment to family well-being, they should invest in already existing programs and infrastru...

45 brands of caffeinated energy drinks recalled due to caffeine content and labelling issues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

Health Canada has expanded a wide-ranging recall of 45 caffeinated energy drinks they say are unsafe due to caffeine content and labelling issues.The Dec. 22nd update includes products that do not have bilingual labelling and all flavours of ABE, Bleach T4-F, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders, Juvee, One Piece, Operation Phoenix, and Up Time.Popular brands such as 5 Hour, AriZona, Monster, Prime and Red Bull were previously recalled for similar issues dating as far back as July 12.The full list of recalled products can be found here. In Canada, energy drinks must not contain more than 180 mg of caffeine in a single serving. As well products require information on the safe number of servings per day and cautionary statements to protect children.“The majority of the recalled products were neither manufactured nor intended for sale in Canada, and have been imported by third parties and sold in stores across Canada,” Health Canada said in a statement. “...

Michigan State freshman point guard shot in leg while on holiday break in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan State point guard is recovering after he was shot while on holiday break near his hometown.Freshman Jeremy Fears was shot in the leg sometime late Friday or early Saturday morning in the Joilet, Illinois, area, according to a statement from the university. Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo said in the statement that Fears underwent surgery Saturday morning and was resting comfortably.“While there is much we still don’t know, my focus is supporting Jeremy on his road to recovery,” Izzo said.The Joliet Police Department did not immediately respond to voicemail and email messages from The Associated Press seeking details about the incident. The department had posted nothing about the shooting on its social media accounts as of early Saturday afternoon. Fears recorded a career-high 10 assists in the Spartans’ 99-55 victory over Stony Brook on Thursday. Players dispersed for the holiday break after that game. Fears, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound form...

Christians in Lebanon’s tense border area prepare to celebrate a subdued Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

AIN EBEL, Lebanon (AP) — Christians in the border villages of south Lebanon prepared for a subdued Christmas under the shadow of the ongoing war in Gaza and its spillover in Lebanon.While in Beirut restaurants were packed and hundreds flocked to Christmas markets in the days leading up to the holiday, in the border towns houses were empty and businesses shuttered. The residents have fled to stay with relatives or in rented apartments in Beirut or other areas farther from the conflict. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have engaged in near-daily clashes on the border that have killed around 150 people on the Lebanese side – most of them fighters with Hezbollah and allied groups, but also at least 17 civilians, according to a tally by The Associated Press.Some 72,437 people in Lebanon are displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.In the majority-Christian village of Ain Ebel, ...

Polish president says he’ll veto a spending bill, in a blow to the new government of Donald Tusk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s president said Saturday that he intends to veto a spending bill which includes money for public media and raises for teachers, dealing a blow to the new pro-European Union government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.President Andrzej Duda said he would veto the bill that includes 3 billion zlotys ($762 million) for public media and would propose a bill of his own instead.It comes after Tusk’s government this week week fired the directors of state television, radio and the government-run news agency, a step it said was necessary to reestablish independent media in Poland.Public media in Poland is funded by taxpayers and is legally required to be free of political bias. However, Law and Justice, the populist right-wing ruling party that held power for eight years until this month, used media as a propaganda mouthpiece that spread disinformation and xenophobic and homophobic content.Tusk won power on promises to restore democratic norms, includin...

Man in life-threatening condition after being shot in Vaughan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

A man is in life-threatening condition following a shooting in a plaza in Vaughan on Saturday morning.Police responded to reports of a shooting just before 9:30 a.m. at 4040 Highway 7 West.When they arrived they found a 34-year-old man with critical injuries. He was taken to a local trauma centre in life-threatening condition.Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or anyone who has dashcam or video surveillance is asked to contact police.

90-year-old pedestrian struck and killed by vehicle in Georgetown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

A 90-year-old pedestrian is dead after being struck by a vehicle in Georgetown on Saturday morning.Halton police responded to reports of a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle just before 7:30 a.m. at Mountainview Road South.The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.Police did not provide any further details as to what may have led up to the crash.Several witnesses remained at the scene, however any other witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is asked to contact police.

Which grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2023?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Need a last-minute ingredient or stocking stuffer for Christmas? If you’re looking for an open grocery store or pharmacy on Christmas Eve, you may have some luck. But your options will be much more limited on Christmas Day. Most national grocery chains will be open on Christmas Eve (and many with limited hours), but only a handful will be open the following day. Flying to these US cities will be a lot cheaper in 2024 Here’s a look at which grocery stores, convenience stories and pharmacies are staying open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.Stores open on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas DayALDI: Many ALDI stores will close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to the company’s website. You can find your local store’s hours online.Big Lots: Stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, a representative tells Nexstar.Costco: Most warehouses are set to close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but hours may vary. You can find your local Costco’s hours here.Dolla...

Trail of Lights parking lot to remain closed Saturday due to rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Trail of Lights organizers said the Zilker Tree (Polo Field) parking area would be closed and unavailable for parking Saturday evening due to accumulated rains over the week.The parking area was previously closed on Thursday and Friday as well due to the recent rains.As of Friday morning, organizers said the trail was still scheduled to open.The final day to attend the trail at Zilker Park is Saturday evening, according to organizers. KXAN First Warning Weather shows there is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday. KXAN First Warning Weather: Wet weekend weather ahead of breezy Christmas Day According to a statement, all Zilker Tree parking would automatically be refunded by Ticketbud within five to seven business days, and purchasers were asked to find an alternate form of arrival.Limited spots can be reserved online for the Austin High School Surface Lot Parking, or shuttle rides are available from Toney Burger Center or Republic Square.Organizers provided a lis...