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3 takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, including Christopher Morel’s energy infusion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t providing the slump-busting opportunity the Chicago Cubs offense was looking for coming into the three-game series.The Cardinals brought the National League’s worst record to Wrigley Field and secured a series victory with Tuesday’s 6-4 win over the Cubs (17-19), who have lost nine of 12.Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game.1. Nico Hoerner and the Cubs are hopeful he can avoid the injured list.Hoerner watched the ball rocket down the third-base line, ricochet off the wall and carom into left field with one thought on his mind.Score.As Hoerner went from first to third on Dansby Swanson’s double in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 3-1 loss Monday to the Cardinals, he felt a grabbing sensation in his left hamstring midway around second, forcing him to pull up into third. He immediately exited the game but received encouraging news Tuesday.An MRI on Tuesday morning showed a mild strain. He remains day ...

India’s ruling Hindu nationalists challenged in state vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — People in the southern Indian state of Karnataka were voting Wednesday in an election where pre-poll surveys showed the opposition Congress party favored over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Hindu nationalist party.The votes for 224 state legislature seats will be counted May 13 and the outcome is likely to be an indicator of voter sentiment ahead of national elections expected by May next year.Bengaluru, the state capital, is India’s information technology hub and the area is a sought-after workplace for young professionals. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is battling to retain the only southern state where it has ever won power. BJP strongholds are in northern, central and western India, while opposition parties rule the other southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The BJP is battling to limit its losses due to anti-incumbency, inflation, allegations of corruption and poor infrastructure development in the state.A. Narayana, a ...

Days after Texas bus stop crash, little info on the victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Two days after eight people were killed when an SUV slammed into a crowd waiting at a Brownsville bus stop, information on the victims remains scarce, leaving relatives of missing people scrambling to locate loved ones and pleading for information.Authorities say the driver, 34-year-old George Alvarez of Brownsville, lost control after running a red light Sunday morning but have not ruled out that he may have intentionally plowed into the stop outside the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a shelter and hub for migrants who cross into the country from nearby Mexico. Eighteen people were hit, and 10 critically injured.Fingerprints were collected from the victims. All were male and several were from Venezuela, according to Brownsville police, but so far none of their identities have been released. Police said Tuesday that the department has a list of over 120 names of people who want to know if their relatives are among the victims. They include dozens o...

Kennedy Expressway construction: What you should know about adjusting to the delays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

CHICAGO — While some people have started to adjust to the longer commutes and delays on the Kennedy Expressway due to the construction, some people have found different ways to commute as the years-long project gets started.Greg Maruquz said his old 45-minute commute from Elgin to Bucktown has skyrocketed since the Kennedy Expressway construction started in March."We're looking at a good hour and 20, hour and 10... an hour and 30 on a bad day, like if it rains," Marquez said. Looking to avoid the Kennedy Expressway construction? Here’s what you should know He leaves home a half hour earlier and is even trying side streets to beat the traffic."In the last six weeks or so, I've taken any number of strange routes that I didn't even know existed to my office," he said. "At the end of the day has it made any difference? Maybe a little because everyone's doing the same thing."Unfortunately for him and other drivers, it's not a short-term inconvenience. Ahead lies three years of lane cl...

Warmer, increasingly more humid atmosphere to bring renewed chances for scattered showers/thunderstorms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

TUESDAY’S 70° HIGH TEMPERATUREMarks the 14th time in 2023 the mercury has reached 70° or warmer!Greatest number of 70s to date: 23 in 1955Average number of 70s through May 9: nine2022 through May 9: sevenMeteorological Spring updateMarch 1 through May 9: 46.7°24th warmest of past 152 yearsAmong mildest: 16% since 1872SUMMER-LIKE WARMTH RETURNS FOR INLAND LOCATIONS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAYLake Breezes keep lakeshore communities noticeably coolerTEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKSACTIVE THUNDERSTORM CLUSTERS ARE LIKELY TO ERUPT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ACROSS SECTIONS OF THE PLAINS STATESA development which could shift east into the Chicago area on FridayFORECAST RAINFALLThrough 7 PM SundayUnsettled weather brings multiple chances for showers and thunderstormsFORECAST CHICAGO AREA DEW POINTSAtmospheric moistureHumid air returns late week increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms—when the dew point reaches 60 degrees or higher, it lends a more humid feel to the air and also l...

Christmas Tree Shops closing 10 stores across multiple states after bankruptcy filing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Christmas Tree Shops, best known for selling a variety of seasonal items and home décor, is preparing to close 10 of its stores after filing for bankruptcy protection last week.“This is strictly a financial restructuring,” Christmas Tree Shops chairman Marc Salkovitz said in a statement Friday. “Our operations are sound. By increasing our financial flexibility, we will be able to focus on continuing to delight our loyal customers with a wide selection of unique goods at affordable prices.” RELATED: Christmas Tree Shops files for bankruptcy "We continue to believe that given its storied history and strong customer loyalty, Christmas Tree Shops has tremendous potential, and we remain committed to the long-term success of the business," he added.Christmas Tree Shops has over 80 stores across 20 states but is planning to shutter 10 of those stores in seven states. Per bankruptcy filings, stores set to close are:11470 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, Florida845 Ern...

Man rammed police vehicle during law enforcement chase in south Austin, APD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

The video above is from the 9 p.m. newscast before KXAN learned additional detailsAUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase in south Austin Tuesday, according to the Austin Police Department.At approximately 7:22 p.m., 911 dispatch received a report of a drunk driver, according to police. Officers attempted to stop the the driver shortly before 7:40 p.m., but the driver drove off, police said.The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted APD in the chase. Police said a pit maneuver was attempted during the chase, and multiple spike strips were also deployed.Then, at approximately 8:08 p.m., law enforcement was able to box in the vehicle, according to police.However, the driver, who was not identified Tuesday, would not comply with law enforcement, was tased and later taken to the hospital. Police said the chase came to an end in the 4700 block of Milburn Lane. In addition to other charges, the driver was charged with aggravated assault on a p...

Longhorns smash 3 HRs in 10-5 win over UT Arlington

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas smacked six extra-base hits including three home runs to top UT Arlington 10-5 in nonconference baseball action Wednesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.Peyton Powell, Jared Thomas and Porter Brown all hit homers for the Longhorns and Dylan Campbell extended his school-record hitting streak to 27 games. Projections: Texas baseball could be on the road to start NCAA tournament Powell put the Longhorns on the board in the first inning with a solo blast on a full count over the right-field wall to give Texas n early 1-0 lead. By the time Thomas launched a 2-run homer in the fifth, Texas pulled in front 8-2 after a 4-run inning. Brown provided another 2-run round-tripper with an opposite-field shot over the left-field wall in the eighth inning. Brown finished the game 3-for-4 with a double in addition to the home run.Campbell added to his hitting streak with a 2-run single in the second inning. Garret Guillemette went 2-for-4 with two doubles, Eric Kennedy finished 2-f...

Larnach helps Saints to 11-3 victory over Indianapolis after surprise demotion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

There has been widespread speculation swirling around the Minnesota Twins since they sent Trevor Larnach to the St. Paul Saints over the weekend that the 26-year-old outfielder was not happy with the demotion.Larnach confirmed that speculation on Tuesday night after making his season debut with the Saints at CHS Field, expressing disappointment while also acknowledging that he was surprised by the move.“Absolutely, I was surprised,” he said. “I had my struggles there towards the end, but that’s the game. Especially the first month of the season. It’s cold, the ball doesn’t go out, some results aren’t what they should be. There’s not much I can do about it.“A lot of my family was pretty upset. I got a lot of support from teammates and staff members. At the end of the day, I can’t control what happened; that’s the route they wanted to take.”Larnach was hitting .221 with three home runs and a team-leading 19 RBIs when he was sent down. His place on the roster was taken by Alex Kirillof...

Loons win penalty-kick thriller over Philadelphia in U.S. Open Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:11:34 GMT

Bongi Hlongwane had a massive influence on the U.S. Open Cup round of 32 match at Allianz Field on Tuesday.Minnesota United’s South African attacker produced three goal contributions — two scored and one assisted.Kai Wagner had a huge impact of his own. The Philadelphia Union fullback scored equalizers in the 94th minute to force added extra time and in the 120th to force penalty kicks.After a 3-3 draw, United edged Union 7-6 in penalty kicks. Irwin made two saves, including the clincher against Wagner in the final round.The Loons needed everything from Hlongwane because yet again they gave away leads in St. Paul this season. In four previous home MLS games, Minnesota gave up leads and was winless in all of them.But MNUFC gave their fans a home victory, they were able to sing “Wonderwall” and the Loons advance to the Open Cup round of 16 on May 23 or 24. The draw for opponent and location will be Thursday.After subbing on in the 63rd minute, Hlongwane scored on a DJ Taylor cross in ...