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'Not going to cut it': Suburban boy thriving in national mullet contest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

GRANT PARK, Ill. — A south suburban boy is in the running for a national mullet championship.Cole McMartin, of Grant Park, who turns three next week, has been living the "business in the front, party in the back" lifestyle for his entire life.McMartin's father got the idea from someone winning the USA Mullet Championship from his hometown in Wisconsin. This year the organization has partnered with former NFL star Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation.Despite the great hairdo, the cause is personal for the McMartins.Cole McMartin, courtesy family"Will, a friend of my husband, was in the Marines," mother Sheri McMartin said. "He has PTSD really hard sometimes and we love him. This is going to a great cause."As of publication, McMartin over 640 votes and counting. Each voter has the option to leave a donation for the charity.While there's not an official ranking before the next round of voting, which begins July 20, family has been keeping an eye on totals and believes he...

WATCH LIVE | Durbin meets with Chicago's Ukrainian community following NATO Summit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

CHICAGO — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) plans to meet with Chicago's Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Polish communities following NATO Summit.While President Biden's presence dominated the headlines, Durbin also made the trip to Vilnius, Lithuania to be present for the summit. Chicago area at risk for severe weather Friday He plans to "discuss his observations from his trip... and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine," according to a release from his office.WGN plans to livestream the meeting within this story beginning at approximately 11:15 a.m.

A look at the FDA's decision to approve over the counter birth control

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the nod for an over-the-counter birth control pill.The approved O-Pill is a norgestrel tablet for birth control.This particular pill formulation has been around since 1973, so doctors know how it works, how well and the risks.Now they are celebrating the accessibility of this contraception and the step forward for reproductive rights.But they are raising the red flag when it comes to access without expert advice. Related: FDA approves 1st over-the-counter birth control pill in US Dr. Julie Levitt is an ob/gyn with the Women's Group of Northwestern.“I think it's very important that patients have options and access,” she said. “So this has been a long time coming. … It's the same as our mini pill by prescription so progesterone only. You take it every day. It's important it's taken at the same time every day.” Compliance is the key to efficacy. The pill, taken properly is 93-percent effective at preventing pregnancy.“There is a small c...

Ken adds to 'I love you so much' mural ahead of 'Barbie' movie release

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The iconic "I love you so much" mural on South Congress is becoming an even bigger draw for selfies after an update professes the love of one legendary toy to another. The mural, which is located on the north-facing wall of Jo's Coffee at the corner of South Congress and West James Street, now reads, "Barbie, I love you so much. -Ken." This sweetly destructive defacement is only temporary because it's part of a push to promote the hotly-anticipated release of the "Barbie" movie on July 21. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken respectively. In the movie, the two dolls leave the imaginary Barbie Land to experience what the real world is like. The studio behind it, Warner Bros. Pictures, is on a marketing blitz that now includes a few stunts in the Texas capital. On Friday morning, people gathered to watch an unveiling and see the changes Ken made to the "I love you so much" mural. Dancers from Melody DanceFit, a loc...

ERCOT issues Weather Watch as forecast anticipates extreme, high temperatures

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Weather Watch beginning Sunday until Tuesday due to forecasted higher temperatures, higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves.ERCOT said grid conditions were expected to be normal during the Weather Watch, but also said it would continue to monitor conditions closely and deploy all available tools to manage the grid. KXAN FORECAST: Extreme heat, ongoing dry conditions through the weekend On Thursday, ERCOT said it set a new unofficial July and all-time peak demand record of 81,406 MW; however, its 6-day Supply and Demand dashboard has shown the possibility of a new all-time peak demand record next week.“There is currently enough capacity to meet forecasted demand. Last year, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records, surpassing 80 GWs for the first time ever,” ERCOT said.

LIVE BLOG: 481 fans donated, $74K raised so far for Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For more than 30 years, Family Eldercare has been running a Summer Fan Drive to keep people cool amid Texas' summer heat.This year's drive comes on a week with multiple days in a row topping out over 100°. KXAN meteorologists forecast the excessive heat will continue for the next one to two weeks. On Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., people can drop off their fans at KXAN, Roger Beasley Mazda locations and Whittlesey Landscape Supplies. They can also donate online. KXAN will be tracking the number of fans collected and money raised and will share updates in this story. How to donate to the 33rd Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive Fan donations trackerMonetary donations trackerLive blog11:30 a.m.As of 11 a.m., there were 481 fans donated and $74,794 raised. Whittlesey Landscape Supplies drop-off location for the 2023 Summer Fan Drive (KXAN Photo)Former Traffic Anchor Amanda Dugan at Whittlesey Landscape Supplies for the 2023 Summer Fan Drive (KXAN Photo)Donation made towa...

Traffic Alert: I-35 closures to set beams on the Williams Drive bridge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Beginning Friday night, southbound Interstate 35 mainlanes near Georgetown will be closed, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The closure is to help set beams on the Williams Drive bridge.The closure Friday will be from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. Saturday. The northbound I-35 mainlanes will be reduced to one lane between State Highway 29 and Lakeway Drive. TxDOT said drivers should expect delays.On Saturday, the closure will last from 9 p.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday, according to TxDOT. The southbound I-35 mainlanes will close between Lakeway Drive and SH 29. “Drivers will use the Williams Drive exit (262) and re-enter the mainlanes at the SH 29 entrance ramp,” TxDOT said.Officials said the Williams Drive bridge would also be closed during the beam set.“Eastbound traffic will detour to the southbound I-35 frontage road and use the U-turn at SH 29 to access Williams Drive. Westbound traffic will detour to the northbound I-35 fro...

MoPac Service Road reopens after car hits power pole, fix puctures gas line

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A portion of the northbound MoPac Service Road in southwest Austin has reopened after lanes were closed for several hours while crews repaired a gas line. Austin Energy said a car crashed into a power pole and crews were on site to replace it once it was removed. The crew pierced the gas line. According to APD, the construction crew hit the gas line off the Service Road between Ben Garza Road and U.S. Highway 290. The call was reported as a hazmat call to Austin Fire just after 2 a.m. APD said crews were focused on the northbound Service Road in front of the Marquis at Barton Trails. Police closed the service road of Northbound MoPac from Ben Garza Road almost to U.S. 290. Texas Gas Service said natural gas was interrupted for a "small non-residential portion of a nearby apartment complex" and it expects it to be fixed once repairs are done Friday afternoon.Earlier, police told KXAN that people had reported the smell of gas in the area. KXAN has reached out to Austin...

Now open in the former Dari-Ette Drive-In: Boga Ice Cream and Burger

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

A new burger joint is now open on the East Side, in the former Dari-Ette Drive-In.Boga Ice Cream & Burger serves classic diner fare like burgers, fries, onion rings and cheese curds, plus gelato and milkshakes. Some of their menu items, like the signature gyro burger, have a Mediterranean flair. They also offer coffee, with a menu of hot and iced espresso drinks.The restaurant is run by Loay Abukhdair and his son Layth Abukhdair; the family also owns Afandina Cafe in Columbia Heights.The Dari-Ette Drive-In, which opened in the early 1950s and served diner sandwiches and Italian fare seasonally during summers and early fall, closed permanently in 2021. The third-generation owner had put the property up for sale during the 2019–20 offseason.Once Dari-Ette closed, Layth said, the Abukhdair family noticed that particular section of the neighborhood no longer had a walkable option for quick, simple food.“We just looked around the area and were like, damn, there’s not a decent burger ...

Robin Lod was ‘the guy in the middle’ of Teemu Pukki’s move to Minnesota United

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

After his first training session with Minnesota United last Friday, Teemu Pukki strolled off the field and gravitated toward Robin Lod.It was a casual movement, yet seemed intentional. And it was completely fitting.Pukki is in Minnesota because of Lod, his compatriot on the Finland national team since 2015. Lod joined MNUFC in 2019 and told the Pioneer Press this week he started to lobby for Pukki to join the Loons in 2021.“I spoke with the gaffer (Adrian Heath), asking if we’re going to be interested in him coming to the MLS and everything,” Lod said. “And I think just now it was the right time.”But it’s not perfect.While Pukki scored his first MLS goal in his second appearance in the Loons’ 3-0 victory at Houston on Wednesday, he had to do it without Lod, who is out for the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee.At Pukki’s introductory news conference, he said Lod played a “huge” role in him moving from Norwich City in England to MNUFC on a high-priced Designated Play...