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Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus. Valery Tsepkalo, 58, was also fined around $14,000 and barred from holding public office for five years following a closed-door trial that resulted in his conviction. Other charges included issuing calls to seize power, slander and insulting the country’s president. Tsepkalo fled to Russia in 2020 after the Central Election Commission barred him and eight other candidates from challenging Lukashenko in a presidential election that year. He later moved to Ukraine, Latvia and Greece.According to the Belarusian human rights center Viasna, Tsepkalo could not defend himself in court or get acquainted with the details of the case against him because he had no contact with the state lawyer. His wife went on to support the candidacy of Sviatlana Tsikha...

‘Yellowjackets’ goes deeper into the darkness in new season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Season one of “Yellowjackets” ended with the phrase “let the darkness set us free,” and season two dares to venture into the darkness with little to no remorse.The breakout Showtime series blends horror, adventure, comedy, drama and more in an eerily harmonious way as two primary timelines unfold: The first feature a girls’ soccer team stranded in the Canadian wilderness in the ’90s, while the second focuses on the surviving teens now navigating adulthood and dealing with the trauma of the wilderness.“The first season is really about them making peace with their new surroundings and season two is about the surroundings closing in on them. It’s about the isolation and all the terrible things that can come from that,” said co-showrunner and co-creator Ashley Lyle.As viewers venture back into the wilderness with the surviving teens, there seems to be a dark presence and looming energy over their time. This second season raises the question of how much the audie...

What’s next for Tennessee’s expelled lawmakers?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republicans have expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control. Here’s a look at what could happen next: WHAT HAPPENED?Republicans voted Thursday to expel two Black lawmakers who last week approached the front of the House chamber with a bullhorn and participated in a chant after joining protesters calling for passage of gun-control measures.The protests followed the March 27 shooting at the Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville. Six people were killed, including three 9-year-old children.GOP leaders argued that the move against Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson was necessary to draw a line against lawmakers using protest to disrupt House proceedings.Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, also participated in the House floor protest. She survived a move to expel her by one vote. WHAT’S NEXT?County commissions in each of the expelled lawmakers’...

Farmers in Romania, Bulgaria protest Ukrainian grain influx

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Farmers in Romania and Bulgaria staged protests Friday to express their anger over the European Union’s response to a glut of agricultural products from Ukraine that they say are flooding local markets and undercutting prices.About 100 farmers converged in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, while hundreds more protested across the country in long convoys of tractors. In neighboring Bulgaria, grain producers blocked some border crossings with farm vehicles.Some farmers outside the European Commission’s representative office in Bucharest brandished placards that read: “Do not punish our solidarity,” while others urged bloc officials to “take responsibility, take action, take care.”Last year, the EU waived customs duties and import quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products as a way of facilitating transport to third-country markets. Ukraine is one of the biggest producers in the world of grain and sunflower oil, but its exports were restricted by Russia...

5-year-old Calumet City boy dies after gun brought into home discharges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — A five-year-old boy died in Calumet City Thursday night after a gun was brought into the home by one of his siblings, police said.At around 9 p.m., authorities responded to the 200 block of Paxton on the report of a child shot.Officers at the scene located a 5-year-old boy, later identified as Kentrell Pouncey, suffering from a gunshot wound. Pouncey was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Following a preliminary investigation, police believe the gun was found somewhere outside of the home and brough in.At the time of the shooting, Pouncey was in the home with his three siblings, all under 15, and his mother.“This poor mother, she’s innocent in this but the message is still the same,” Calumet City spokesperson Sean Howard said.Authorities went on to describe how important gun safety is.“Tragic incident, a strong reminder of the importance of gun safety,” Howard said, “That parents need to have talks with their children.”Pouncey was foun...

At least 3 shot on Chicago's West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

CHICAGO — At least three people were shot on the city's West Side Friday morning.The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue.According to the Chicago Fire Department, two men and one woman were transported to Stroger Hospital; two in critical condition and one in serious condition.The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear at this time. No further information has been provided. 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at Park Forest home This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Houston mayor fires back after 'butt ugly' comment by Connecticut governor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner fired back at Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont after Lamont called Houston "butt ugly" on a talk show earlier this week. Connecticut's governor took a shot at the city following the NCAA Men's Final Four, which was held in Houston. Lamont, who had traveled to Houston and was on hand Monday night to watch the University of Connecticut men's basketball team win its fifth national championship, talked about his visit earlier this week on a Connecticut radio show.“After winning the semifinals, you walk around downtown Houston, which is butt ugly. Not much there," the Democratic governor told the hosts of WPLR-FM's "Chaz and AJ" show.Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, also a Democrat, said he did not appreciate the governor “throwing shade” at his city after Houston went to the trouble to “feed you, dine you, host you, house you." UConn fans tear down lampposts, set fires after championship win, videos show Lamont issued an apology of sorts on T...

Dean's Weekender: Ginuwine & Next, Aly & AJ, English Beat — and more!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

Check out Dean’s Weekender for the top events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Friend of the Morning News Joy Koy stops by

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

Jo Koy stops by WGN Morning News every time comes to Chicago and today was no different. The comedian and actor is in town for a SOLD OUT show at The United Center. He told us about the excitement of packing out a huge venue and what it's like working with his family.You can find information about the rest of his tour and shop for everything from Jo Koy socks to bags of Jo Koy rice at JoKoy.com.

Gov. Pritzker announces 2023 tourism grants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced a new round of grants designed to enhance tourism across the state.The state's Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DECO) has awarded tens-of-millions of dollars in tourism grants in recent years. ‘Stunning’: James Webb telescope provides new view of Uranus Pritzker revealed the list of recipients from the Chicago Cultural Center at a Friday event.This story will be updated, check back later for additional details.