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Massachusetts gas prices keep dropping, national average rises for first time in months

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

Another week, another drop.Bay State gas prices continue to fall with the average gallon price down 3 cents from last week, as drivers pump their tanks for the busy holiday travel week. Meanwhile, the national average rose for the first time since September.The average gas price in Massachusetts is now $3.23 a gallon, a drop from the average of $3.26 last week, according to AAA Northeast.The $3.23 average is 17 cents lower than a month ago ($3.40), and 14 cents lower than last Dec. 26 ($3.37).“Last week, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline increased for the first time since September — an indication prices are starting to bump against seasonal lows,” said Mark Schieldrop, of AAA Northeast.“Daily gas prices — both locally and nationwide — could move back and forth for the next month or so,” he added. “Looking back at pre-pandemic 2019, the national average did not make a firm turn to moving higher daily until Valentine&#...

Wednesday’s $685 million Powerball jackpot up for grabs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

Looking to end the year with a bang by winning big?Wednesday’s $685 million Powerball drawing could be your way to paradise, but be cautious: no one has won a jackpot since mid October when a winner in California took in a much larger $1.765 billion prize.The chances of winning the full pot of money is a slim one in 292 million.Despite a smaller prize, someone had a merry Christmas in Revere on Monday. They won $50,000 on a ticket sold at Joe’s Market, matching four of the five numbers drawn and the Powerball number.To win the full estimated amount, all five white numbers must match plus the Powerball.Wednesday’s drawing will be the 33rd since the jackpot was last hit on Oct. 11. The $1.765 prize was the second highest ever, trailing the record $2.04B Powerball prize won in November 2022.The cash option on Wednesday’s prize is an estimated $344.7 million.Powerball tickets are $2 each and can be played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets ca...

San Diego second best place in US to celebrate NYE: study

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- San Diego is the second best place in the United States to celebrate New Year's Eve. At least, according to a recent study.In the study published by personal finance company WalletHub, the City by the Bay ranked just outside the top 10 at 11th out of the top 100 US cities for ringing in the new year. The study assessed cities across a number of categories including entertainment and food, costs, and safety and accessibility.San Francisco received high marks for food and entertainment, coming in at no. 9, but did less well when it came to affordability (98) and safety (56). Calm before the storm: Officials urge storm prep as wet, unsettled weather returns The top city to spend New Year's Eve, according to WalletHub, is Orlando, Florida, followed by San Diego in second. Despite its famous midnight ball drop, New York City came in third with Las Vegas and Atlanta coming in at fourth and fifth respectively.Source: WalletHubBest cities for New Year's Eve accordi...

Iconic Toronto restaurant The Rosedale Diner set to close its doors after 45 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

After 45 years of serving the community in midtown Toronto, the owners of The Rosedale Diner say it’s time to move on and they’ll be closing the doors for good.The Rosedale Diner, located on Yonge Street near Summerhill station, will be closed for service after Dec. 31.“It just happened. Somebody approached us. It was the right time and we are ready to go,” Esti Filar, the diner’s co-owner, told CityNews.Esti, along with her husband Dubi Filar, opened The Rosedale Diner in 1978 after meeting three years earlier.“It was in a party in Hamilton … a friend’s house,” Dubi said. Related: Toronto’s iconic Lakeview Diner reopens — with steak and seafood on the menu “We were both not invited,” Esti noted while laughing.“We were in the kitchen. I am cooking. Esti came in and the rest is history … [we’ve been] cooking together since.”The couple, who are now in their 70s, said they h...

Steady flow of migrant buses continues as city officials work to bring order to the chaos

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

CHICAGO — Hundreds of migrants are making Chicago their new home this holiday as Texas continues sending a steady flow of busses to the city. Chicago officials have tried to bring order to the chaos, but Texas won’t play ball. Through Hanukkah, Christmas and now Kwanzaa, there is no holiday break for city and state officials managing the migrant crisis as more and more buses from Texas arrive in the Chicago area suburbs. Elmhurst police said two busloads of migrants were dropped off last weekend and someone bought the passengers Metra tickets bound for Chicago. Planeload of migrants sent to O’Hare Airport by Texas emergency management officials While attending a Kwanzaa celebration on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lashed out at Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the architect of the busing program. "He sent a plane to the City of Chicago, which is some real grave concern and now he’s literally dropping off individuals alongside the road," Johnson said. "His irresponsib...

Red wine not associated with any health benefits — and more

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

For Tuesday, Dec. 26, WGN’s Ben Bradley and Jenna Barnes have new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Uptick in seasonal illnesses Health officials are reporting a significant increase in seasonal illnesses around the country this month. There's a 200% spike in flu cases spanning 44 states, a 60% rise in RSV cases, and a 50% jump in COVID-19 cases.   The number of hospital admissions for the flu is going up each week.  Experts say transmission increases as we spend more time indoors in close proximity to others, which leads to infection. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Red wine not associated with health benefitsThe health benefits of a glass of red wine have been talked about for years, but the World Health Organization is calling red wine — and all alcohol — a toxic substance that can cause at least seven types of cancer. It also says there are no studies that demonstrate benefits for cardiovas...

Armed suspect dies after officer opens fire in north Austin, APD says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man reportedly armed with a gun is dead after an Austin Police Department officer opened fire Tuesday afternoon in north Austin, according to APD Chief Robin Henderson. APD said the shooting took place in the 1500 block of East Howard Lane. That's near Dessau Road. Photos from the scene show police at an apartment complex in the area. APD investigating an officer-involved shooting off Howard Lane in north Austin. (KXAN Photo/Brianna Hollis)Henderson said at about 1:18 p.m., officers responded to a gun/hotshot call concerning a male in a parking lot firing a rifle. The first police unit then arrived at the scene at 1:25 p.m., and a second officer shortly after. As the two officers drove through the parking lot, Henderson said one officer communicated over the radio that a man had pointed a gun at them as they drove past. Numerous residents were walking in the parking lot at the same time. At about 1:27 p.m., both officers exited their marked police units and took c...

LIST: Who's running for Austin City Council, mayor in 2024?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's a question I ask in nearly every interview about local elections: Why should people care? Jack Craver, editor of the Austin Politics Newsletter, answered like this: "So much of the joys and frustrations that come throughout the day, whether they're sitting in traffic or, you know, playing at a park with their kids, so much of that is due to either the successes or failures of local government." You have a say in who shapes the city moving forward. Here are the candidates who have already begun the process of seeking your vote in the November 2024 election (see which Austin City Council district you're in using this map). Mayor Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has not officially announced whether he will run for re-election. A spokesperson said the mayor is still "focused on stabilizing government." FILE: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala) Watson served as mayor from 1997-2001 and took office again in early 2023. The mayor will serve two years, instead of fo...

Ukrainian refugees find hope in Texas over the holidays

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Pop family is fighting three wars.After Russia invaded their home country, the past two years have brought extraordinary challenges as they find safety in Austin. The father, Fedir, fled Ukraine in a wheelchair. He's fighting a deteriorating diagnosis of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, which has rendered him immobile and impaired his ability to talk. His wife, Natalia, is fighting cancer. And their 25-year-old son Serhii, the only English speaker in the family, is helping care for them in a new environment. He said they may not be alive if not for the support and health care they found in Texas."2022 was the most depressed year as I remember in my life," Serhii said. "A lot of things just changed...I was visiting emergency rooms, hospitals...I was not thinking that it was real."Days before Christmas, Fedir's hospice caretakers helped them celebrate Christmas far from home. Gifts in hand, they bridged the language barrier with the universal gestures of kindness....

Texans are feeling slightly better about their finances, poll finds

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A poll conducted this month by the Texas Politics Project found 40% of Texans feel worse about their personal economic conditions than a year ago, showing widespread economic pessimism but a slight improvement as the year comes to a close.In another Texas Politics Project poll in October, 47% of Texas voters reported feeling worse off than a year ago.In December, the poll found 23% of Texans feel better off about their finances. 35% said they feel about the same as last year."I think if you're looking for  good news going into the new year, we are beginning to see a little bit of easing up of people's negative attitudes towards the economy. Views of the economy have just been dismal," Executive Director of the Texas Politics Project Jim Henson said. "The lag that we see in improvements in the economy is beginning just a little bit to affect voters views."The improving outlook comes as some national and statewide indicators show positive economic signs. An an...