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Lucky Heartland: Missouri and Illinois shine as lottery jackpot havens

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - If you hope to strike it rich through Powerball or Mega Millions, your odds aren't great, but they might be better in Missouri and Illinois compared to other states. New data from two gambling-based websites - Bet MGM and Jackpocket - shows that Missouri is one of the best states to win a Powerball jackpot and Illinois is one of the best to win a Mega Millions jackpot. Anheuser-Busch selling 8 beer, beverage brands to cannabis company According to Bet MGM, 31 lottery players in Missouri have taken home the Powerball's largest prize, second-most of any U.S. state and only trailing Indiana. Bet MGM adds that five players in Missouri have won a top prize of at least $200 million and the largest winner in the state won nearly $600 million. According to Jackpocket, 14 lottery players in Illinois have taken home the Mega Millions' largest prize, seventh-most of any U.S. state. New York has the most jackpots won with 43, but Illinois is one of at least nine states with doubl...

St. Louis County Councilman opposes push for gun violence legislation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Nearly one week after a St. Louis County Councilwoman announced her intent to file legislation to address gun violence, it's been met with stark opposition from a fellow councilman. Mark Harder, a St. Louis County Council Vice Chair who represents the county's seventh district, announced Tuesday he opposes the push for legislation. He claims it would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of St. Louis County residents. 5-year-old girl shot and killed in Belleville, Illinois County chairwoman Shalonda Webb wants legislation to address gun violence, though has not yet announced whether any bills have been filed. She says change is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents in St. Louis County.Meanwhile, Harder offered this statement to FOX 2 on Tuesday in objection to such legislation: “Any attempt to curtail the gun rights of law-abiding citizens in Missouri is a direct assault on ourSecond Amendment. As a steadfast defender of our cons...

America’s highest railway announces two more sunrise voyages

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

As the sun rises and sets, so does the train on America’s highest railroad – and now, more visitors will get to experience a sunrise journey up Pikes Peak’s 14,115-foot summit.Related ArticlesThings To Do | Discover the wonder of this lesser-known Colorado region with camping, hiking and scenic views Things To Do | Rare tornado struck Colorado’s Pikes Peak just above 9,000 feet After two successful trips earlier this summer, with a portion of ticket sales benefiting local causes, the Broadway Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway has announced that it will summit the famed peak two more times this year. The first trip, on Sept. 11, will honor first responders, with a portion of proceeds going to the Manitou Springs fire and police departments. The second trip takes place Oct. 8, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Manitou School District.The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway. (Provided by the Broadmoor ...

Colorado voters are being misled about the impact of tax cut proposal, conservative group alleges

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

A Colorado conservative group filed a federal lawsuit against the Secretary of State and Gov. Jared Polis on Monday, challenging a law passed by the legislature two years ago that requires tax-cutting ballot measures warn voters about the potential impact of lost revenue.Advance Colorado, together with several individual residents, argue that the law violates the First Amendment and forces groups promoting certain ballot measures to accept language that the groups may disagree with. Advance Colorado has been approved to gather signatures for two tax-cutting ballot measures this year, and it argued that the warning label it must present to voters doesn’t accurately reflect the impact those tax cuts would have on state funding.The law passed in 2021, and it requires that any ballot measure that proposes to cut taxes also include language noting that the proposal would reduce state funding for specific programs like education or health care. One of Advance Colorado’s initia...

California sends 400-pound fugitive Bear 64F, aka “Hank the Tank,” to Colorado refuge

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

A fugitive 400-pound female bear identified by California wildlife officials as 64F and known to the public as “Hank the Tank,” linked to 21 home break-ins and property damage south of Lake Tahoe, has been cleared for relocation across state lines to a refuge in eastern Colorado.Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have approved this transfer in response to a request from the private, non-profit Wild Animal Sanctuary.The bear’s three young cubs, who accompanied 64F on recent break-ins, may be sent to a rescue facility in Petaluma, California “in hopes they can discontinue the negative behaviors they learned from the sow,” according to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife announcement.Bears that bother humans in California typically aren’t relocated, officials said. But “given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident” state officials embarked on this solution “to safeguard the b...

Ciara and Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson expecting another baby

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

Ciara and Russell Wilson’s team of little Denver Broncos fans is growing.Related ArticlesEntertainment | Ciara and Russell Wilson’s clothing store will close in Lone Tree, move to new location Entertainment | Ciara on adjusting to Denver’s altitude: “Going up stairs it’s like I literally worked out” The celebrity couple, who moved to the Mile High City in 2022, announced they are having a child, the family’s fourth. According to Entertainment Tonight, the Wilsons share a daughter Sienna, 6, and a son Win, 3. Ciara’s first child, 9-year-old Future Zhair, is with her ex, Future.R&B singer Ciara announced the news on social media Tuesday with a video set to her new song “How We Roll,” featuring Chris Brown. The video shows the singer dancing backlit in front of a pool, her profile silhouette marked by a baby bump. Her vocals over the video cooly croon, “You look at me like that again, we make another kid… You...

Opinion: In Aurora, a worthy proposal gets a sordid launch that should give everyone pause

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

It’s now been a year since I moved back to Aurora after 24 years in Denver’s south suburbs, and my wife and I have been enjoying all that this vibrant city has to offer, as well as gaining an appreciation of the challenges Aurora faces. Moving here has also given me a front-row seat for the three-ring circus that is Aurora city politics, with a municipal election approaching that could change how Aurora is governed and which party governs it.Earlier in these pages, I wrote about races taking shape for Aurora mayor and five of 10 city council seats in the Nov. 7 city election. And I noted the head-scratching fact that in a city where voters lean Democratic, the sitting mayor and a majority on the council are Republican-aligned (although the positions officially are non-partisan), most of them elected with just a fraction of the vote.Now there’s another act at the circus: The question of whether Aurora’s next mayor should have more power in running the city. Fo...

Four Hospitalized after Traffic Crash on Niles Street [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

Driver in Custody after Pursuit Ends in Crash Near Fairfax RoadBAKERSFIELD, CA (August 8, 2023) – Friday night, four people suffered injuries following a police chase that ended in a traffic crash on Niles Street.Initially, deputies were attempting to pull over a felony suspect just before 9:30 p.m. at Niles Street and Fairfax Road intersection.After a short while, the vehicle was reported to have collided with another vehicle. However, the total number of vehicles involved remains unclear.According to the witnesses’ account, the hood of the two vehicles received significant damages.Furthermore, one of the witnesses reported that the suspect collided head-on with a vehicle turning east on Niles Street, causing the suspect’s vehicle to catch on fire.In the end, medical responders transported four patients to a hospital with unspecified injuries. Police also managed to put the suspect in custody.The identities of those involved in the crash remain undisclosed to the public...

Maria Aguerralde Killed, Julia Mendoza Injured in DUI Collision on Highway 198 [Kings County, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

DUI Driver Arrested Following Two-Vehicle Collision Near 27th AvenueKINGS COUNTY, CA (August 8, 2023) – Sunday morning, Maria Aguerralde died, and Julia Mendoza was hospitalized after a DUI crash on Highway 198.CHP officers responded to the incident around 11:30 a.m. along Highway 198, west of 27th Avenue.Based on the initial investigation, a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west on Highway 198 at around 70 to 80 mph. The intoxicated driver, 65-year-old Mariano Najar Martinez of Huron, then veered his Silverado to the opposing lanes of the Highway.As a result, the Silverado collided head-on with a Chevrolet S-10 traveling eastbound at about 55 miles per hour.First responders arrived at the site of the collision shortly after. There, officials declared the S-10 driver dead at the scene. She was later identified as  82-year-old Maria Aguerralde, of Huron. Aguerralde’s passenger, 53-year-old Julia Mendoza of Huron, was hospitalized for minor injuriesAuthorities placed Marti...

Three Injured in Rollover Crash on Interstate 5 [Sacramento, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:53 GMT

Injuries Reported Following Fiery Collision near Sutterville RoadSACRAMENTO, CA (August 8, 2023) – Saturday evening, a rollover crash on Interstate 5 in Sacramento left at least three people hurt.The Sacramento Fire Department responded to the incident around 7:30 p.m. along I-5, north of Sutterville Road.As of now, the exact reason that led up to the crash remains unclear. However, responding units learned that three people were ejected from the vehicle.The vehicle then rolled over and started to catch on fire. Eventually, paramedics transported the three patients to a hospital with unspecified injuries.In the end, The California Highway Patrol temporarily closed down lanes 3, 4, and 5 as crews cleared the scene.No further details regarding the Interstate 5 rollover crash have been released to the public. Sacramento Officials will disclose additional information once available.One small driving mistake can lead to a car accident. This is why it is important to drive defensive...