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Mars Williams, free-jazz musician and saxophonist for the Psychedelic Furs, dies at 68

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

When the Chicago Reader declared in 1997 that audiences “won’t find a busier saxophonist in Chicago than Mars Williams,” more evergreen words were scarcely written.Even in his 60s, Williams remained an omnipresent, indefatigable musical presence in this city and beyond. His live-wire sax sound expanded to fill the space it was in, whether a DIY hole-in-the-wall or a teeming arena concert with the Psychedelic Furs, with whom he toured as recently as last month.“I don’t know anyone else who’s able to go one night from playing a rock concert in front of 5,000 people to playing at the Beat Kitchen in front of 10, and taking both contexts absolutely seriously,” saxophonist Dave Rempis told the Tribune recently. “It’s not even rare; it’s unheard of to move back and forth between all the worlds that he does.”Williams died Nov. 20 from ampullary cancer, a rare cancer affecting the area around the small intestine, after being ...

What to stream this week: ‘Oppenheimer,’ Adam Sandler as a lizard and celebs dancing to Taylor Swift

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham’s Christmas special and Tuesday’s edition of “Dancing With the Stars” promising celebrities swaying to the music of Taylor Swift are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.Also among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists is a collection of 55 Tina Turner singles from 1975-2023, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” will finally be available to watch in your living room and Adam Sandler voices a 74-year-old lizard in Netflix’s animated “Leo.”NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— Are you and your home entertainment system prepared? After making nearly $950 million at the box office, Christopher Nolan’s three-hour “Oppenheimer” will finally be available to watch in your living room starting on Tuesday. There’s a UHD streaming version available to purchase for $19.99, as well as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray options with over 3 hours of extras, with everything overseen by...

Climate change hits women’s health harder. Activists want leaders to address it at COP28

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Manju Devi suffered in pain for two months last year as she worked on a farm near Delhi, unable to break away from duties that sometimes had her standing for hours in the waist-deep water of a rice paddy, lifting heavy loads in intense heat and spraying pesticides and insecticides. When that pain finally became too much to bear, she was rushed to a hospital.The doctors’ verdict: Devi had suffered a prolapsed uterus and would need a hysterectomy. She hadn’t said a word to her family about her discomfort because of societal taboo over discussing a “women’s illness,” and with two grown children and three grandchildren looking to the 56-year-old widow to help put food on the table, Devi had relied on painkillers to stay in the fields.“I endured excruciating pain for months, scared to speak about it publicly. It shouldn’t take a surgical procedure to make us realize the cost of increasing heat,” she said, surrounded by women who told of undergoing a similar ordeal....

North Korea will try again to launch a military spy satellite in the coming days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — North Korea told neighboring Japan that it will make a third attempt to launch a military spy satellite in the coming days, Japanese officials said Tuesday, after the two previous launches failed.Japan’s coast guard said North Korea notified Tokyo of its plan to launch the satellite sometime between Wednesday and Nov. 30. The notice identified three maritime zones where debris from the rocket carrying the satellite may fall. Two are in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and the third in the Philippine Sea, Japanese coastguard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said.Ogawa said the areas are the same as North Korea identified for its earlier satellite launches in May and August, implying the third attempt would have a similar flight path. North Korea gives Japan the launch information because Japan’s coast guard coordinates and distributes maritime safety information in East Asia. The North’s notification came a day after rival South Korea warned it to ca...

Sony to bring immersive indoor theme park to Oakbrook Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

OAK BROOK, Ill. — An immersive indoor theme park featuring attractions and themed dining experiences from some of Sony's most iconic films is coming to Oakbrook Center.The new theme park coming to Oak Brook will occupy a portion of the space that formerly housed Sears.The immersive experience, called "Wonderverse," will feature escape rooms, interactive exhibits, VR experiences, bumper cars and racing simulators based on films like "Ghostbusters," "Zombieland," "Jumanji" and more.  2 Illinois Lottery players split $325k prize after hitting jackpot over the weekend According to the Wonderverse website, among the interactive exhibits and attractions, guests will have the chance to enjoy food and refreshments from the themed dining spaces and hidden bars.The Chicago Tribune says the new theme park will also offer guests the chance to purchase themed merchandise from shops that will be housed in the 45,000-square-foot space.  Evanston city council to vote on Ryan Field rebuild The&n...

Evanston City Council to vote on Ryan Field rebuild

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Evanston may finally decide on the future of Northwestern's Ryan Field Monday night.A special meeting of the Evanston City Council set to convene at 6 p.m. on Monday for an all important vote of the redesign of Ryan Field.Northwestern University wants to rebuild their almost century old football stadium, Ryan Field, which would cost an estimated $800 million.The university also want to host six concerts a year and other events at the new venue, which would require to be rezoned. But, a lot of people in the area are not on board the plan after citing problems such as noise and traffic congestion. Stadium Showdown: Will Evanston City Council block Northwestern’s plan for Ryan Field concerts? To get the greenlight, Northwestern has put forth a package of concessions originally valued at around $100 million over 10 years. But, the university dug a little deeper and made a new offer last week now worth about $175 million to the city over 15 years.Some of those concess...

US Navy plane overshoots runway, ends up in Hawaii bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON) -- A U.S. Navy plane ended up in a bay after overshooting a runway in Hawaii on Monday, officials said. All nine people on board the P-8A aircraft made it safely to shore after landing in Kaneohe Bay just after 2 p.m., and there were no injuries, according to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Department. Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer Ryan Fisher said the Coast Guard responded to the scene but that rescue operations were quickly called off. American Airlines flight attendants ask for permission to strike “It sounds like all parties involved were rescued,” he said.The P-8A aircraft overshot the runway at a Marine base on Kaneohe Bay, said U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson Gunnery Sgt. Orlando Perez. He did not have further information.The P-8A is often used to hunt for submarines and used in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. It is manufactured by Boeing and shares many parts with the 737 commercial jet.The base is about 10 miles (16 kilomete...

25 years: Local non-profit is national model for tackling homelessness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - On any given night, more than 1,000 people are sleeping on Austin streets.  Those numbers are coming from the latest point in time count from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO). For decades, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a non-profit based in Austin has grown into a national model for tackling homelessness and creating a new life for people who lived on the streets. This year, Mobile Loaves & Fishes is celebrating 25 years of service. During its existence, the non-profit has created a new pathway for homeless neighbors with affordable, permanent housing through Community First! Village, a 51-acre master planned development that offers a supportive community for women and men exiting chronic homelessness. Sitting on the front porch at a tiny home in Community First! Village, we found J.R. and Blair enjoying their Friday afternoon with sounds of the harmonica filling the air. Blair Racine is known as the Mayor of Community First! Village.&nb...

Shorthanded Texas falls in Empire Classic title game to No. 5 UConn 81-71

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Karaban scored 20 points, including three clutch jumpers down the stretch, and No. 5 UConn turned back 15th-ranked Texas 81-71 on Monday night to win the Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden.Cam Spencer had 16 points and Samson Johnson set career highs with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the defending national champion Huskies (5-0), who have won 22 consecutive nonconference games — all by double digits. A win and the Longhorns are in the Big 12 title game, but what happens if they lose? Dillon Mitchell scored a career-best 21 on 9-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds for the undermanned Longhorns (4-1), who played without starting forward Kadin Shedrick. Tyrese Hunter had 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds.Huskies point guard Tristen Newton, who had eight points and eight assists, was selected tournament MVP. Newton had 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Sunday's 77-57 semifinal win over Indiana.It was UCo...

Jaden McDaniels leaves Monday’s game with ankle injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

Jaden McDaniels left Monday’s game with a right ankle injury and was confirmed out quickly by the team.McDaniels missed a couple games to open the season with a calf injury. In the past, McDaniels’ absence has led to a deterioration of Minnesota’s defense.But the Timberwolves have better wing depth to absorb such losses this season, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker also serving as an excellent perimeter defender and Anthony Edwards capable of guarding high-volume wings on the ball.McDaniels’ absence led to Troy Brown Jr. — who’s received spotty minutes thus far this season — seeing action in the second quarter Monday against New York.National respectThe Timberwolves entered Monday’s contest against the Knicks in the top spot in the Western Conference standings. And with winning comes respect and the type of national recognition of which there’s been little for the Timberwolves throughout the franchise’s existence.Pundits on a ...