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Movie review: Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ won’t set the world on fire, but it holds water

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

Pixar’s “Elemental” conjures a diverse metropolis where the elements — fire, water, earth and air — live like ethnicities mostly ghettoized from one other. For fire and water, especially, mingling can be combustible. A bad splash could consume fire; a strong flame could evaporate water. This is the rare kids’ movie where subway rides are actually more fraught with danger than in the real world. “Elemental” is the 27th Pixar feature and the second from longtime studio veteran Peter Sohn (“The Good Dinosaur”). But in many ways, it feels like a spiritual sequel to the Disney Animation release “Zootopia,” a likewise gleaming urban tower of anthropomorphized racial metaphors with occasional interactions with municipal bureaucracy.In “Elemental,” Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis) is the daughter of immigrants from Fireland: Ernie (Ronnie Del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Omni), both of whom were handed English names while passing through an Ellis Island-like customs entry.Like countless real...

Poilievre calls for Mendicino to resign over handling of Paul Bernardo transfer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

OTTAWA — Marco Mendicino should resign or be fired over his office’s handling of knowledge that Paul Bernardo was being transferred to a medium-security prison, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday. Poilievre pointed out that when the Correctional Service of Canada’s decision to move the convicted killer and serial rapist from his maximum-security penitentiary became public, the minister of public safety said he was shocked. The Conservative leader now says Mendicino “lied,” given the correctional service informed the minister’s office at least three months before the transfer and again several days before Bernardo was moved. Spokesman Kevin Antonucci said the correctional service has a process to provide the minister’s office advance notice on matters pertaining to high-profile offenders.He said Mendicino’s office was first emailed about Bernardo’s transfer on March 2, but told the final date for the move had not yet been...

Urban Prep Academy loses appeal to stop CPS takeover

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Urban Prep Academy lost another appeal Wednesday as it tried to keep its charter status and stop a Chicago Public Schools takeover.While siding with the Chicago Board of Education, a judge said Urban Prep didn't meet the necessary threshold for a temporary restraining order but stressed this is not a judgement on the merits of the case overall. CPS moved to strip Urban Prep of its charter status last fall. It said it's planning to keep both campuses open and automatically enroll the students there. It also plans to keep qualified staff on board. Previous Coverage: CPS to take over 2 Urban Prep campuses after charter school’s appeal denied A judge plans to rule on the charter school network's temporary restraining order against CPS.   CPS moved last fall to take control of Urban Prep's schools in Bronzeville and Englewood amid allegations of financial misconduct against the charter's founder.The Illinois Board of Education denied Urban Prep's appeal to renew its char...

Person struck by freight train in Hinsdale; Metra BNSF line seeing extensive delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

HINSDALE, Ill. — A person was struck by a freight train on Wednesday in Hinsdale.According to the Hinsdale Police Department, the person was struck near the Lincoln Street crossing. 3 hospitalized, 1 critical after head-on collision in Naperville The condition of the person who was hit hasn't been released.Metra said inbound and outbound train movement has resumed with restricted speed in the area. Travelers should expect extensive delays.The police department said only the Oak Street Bridge and Stought crossings are open at this time.

Heinz releasing sauce packets unique to every state

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) – Condiments could be a collectors' item this summer as Heinz releases limited-edition condiment packets that are custom-designed for each state.The company is calling it Saucemerica, and the packets will be available at restaurants, theaters, stadiums, drive-thrus and other places that typically contribute to the sauce-packet collection you have amassing in your junk drawer. The top 100 best burger spots in the U.S., according to Yelp The limited-edition packets contain classic condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, ranch, BBQ sauce and tartar sauce. The designs, however, will be unique to each of the 50 states.The Colorado sauce packet, for example, is filled with tomato ketchup. The design features the Rocky Mountains, skiers and bison, plus an image of one of the state's signature dishes: the bison burger.The Florida version contains mustard, which pairs perfectly with the Cuban sandwich depicted on the state's sauce packet. The design also shows a Florida bea...

Astrovirus apparently sickens kids in Iowa: What it is and how it spreads

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

JOHNSTON, Iowa (WHO) – An Iowa family says their child is recovering from an astrovirus infection that began days after visiting a public play area. "We went to the splash pad on the 2nd of June and he started to develop symptoms that Monday and started to get a high fever and vomiting, then we noticed he was getting worse," said Des Moines resident Megan Reynolds, whose son Fletcher was taken to the emergency room over the weekend and diagnosed with the astrovirus. Reynolds said the nurses at the hospital said other children had come in with symptoms that indicated the illness.Astrovirus, like norovirus, is a fecal virus. This type of virus, which was discovered by electron microscopes in the 1970s, is spread from person to person and by contact with stool. It can be spread on surfaces and through food or water. It can be killed with chlorine if detected and properly treated. Public splash pads can be particularly susceptible to the spread of the virus due to children's habits of ...

Olympic ski jumper killed in motorcycle crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

BULL VALLEY, Ill. (WGN-TV) — An Olympic ski jumper from Illinois was killed Monday in a motorcycle crash.Patrick Gasienica, 24, was involved in a crash while riding a motorcycle in Bull Valley, Illinois, according to the McHenry County Coroner's Office.Gasiencia, who was a member of the Norge Ski Club, competed in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Patrick Gasienica, of the United States, soars through the air during the men's normal hill individual ski jumping trial round at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)"Patrick was a dedicated athlete and beloved member of not only the Norge community, but the ski jumping community at large, and his life and legacy will forever be remembered," a Facebook post from the Norge Ski Club read. "Patrick was a fierce competitor, role model, and friend to all who knew him. While this loss is devastating to our community, we will always remember Patrick and hold him close in our ...

LIVE: Abbott to sign Texas bill allowing fentanyl deaths to be prosecuted as murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new Texas law will up the criminal penalties for fentanyl distribution, including allowing prosecutors to seek a murder charge in connection with fentanyl-related deaths. The bill, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature, would increase criminal penalties for selling and distributing fentanyl. House Bill 6 also allows prosecutors seek a murder charge for a person who manufactures or delivers fentanyl when someone dies as a result of the controlled substance. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Harm reduction group clashes with Texas lawmakers over fentanyl legislation Abbott said Tuesday on Twitter that he will "soon" sign the legislation. When signed, it would go into effect Sept. 1."Fentanyl poisoning robs families of their loved ones," he wrote on Twitter. "I made fighting the fentanyl crisis an emergency item for the regular legislative session."A case of a fentanyl-related murder charge has already happened in Central Texas. In May, an 18-year-old was charged with murder...

Tips: Keeping your pets cool during hot Texas summers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The intense summer heat doesn't just affect you — your pets are at risk as well. Just like humans, pets can succumb to heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips to keep these members of your family safe and cool. Before the heatThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends taking your pet for a vet checkup in spring or early summer and getting tested for heartworm. Power out? No A/C? Here’s how to survive in the Texas heat Being or exercising outsideThe Humane Society said pets are affected by humidity. If the humidity is too high, they won't be able to cool themselves properly. For dogs, their temperature shouldn't surpass 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Humane Society also recommends limiting pet exercise on hot days, whether it's lowering the time spent exercising or the intensity of the exercise. You can also keep exercising in the early morning or evening hours. Yikes! It is hot outside – Here’s how to keep your A/C working all season H...

Texas removed mandatory vehicle safety inspections. Do I still need an emissions test?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Tuesday that would eliminate mandatory vehicle inspections in Texas once it takes effect in 2025. ICYMI: Gov. Abbott signs bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections in Texas Under current state law, most vehicles statewide are required to undergo annual vehicle safety inspections. Come 2025, that yearly inspection would be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee -- the same as the current inspection fee, but without the added need of taking your vehicle to the shop.While this legislation will remove the necessity for an annual safety inspection, there are still several counties statewide that mandate yearly emissions testing. Currently, 17 counties -- regions primarily surrounding metro areas or with highly concentrated populations -- require those emissions inspections:BrazoriaCollinDallasDentonEl PasoEllisFort BendGalvestonHarrisJohnsonKaufmanMontgomeryParkerRockwallTarrantTravis WilliamsonHowever, some vehicles are exempt fr...