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Kevin Hart will receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Comedian Kevin Hart has been chosen to receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in American humor, capping a three-decade career that has seen him rise from the open mics of Philadelphia to become one of his generation’s most successful performers.Hart, 44, launched his career as a teenager performing at venues such as The Laff House in his native Philadelphia under the name of Lil Kev. He recalled his early stand-up performances as a string of brutal failures that included being booed off the stage multiple times and at one point, he claimed, having a piece of chicken thrown at him on stage. Gradually, Hart honed a signature style that combined his diminutive stature, expressive face and motormouth delivery and made him a wildly successful touring act. He made his movie debut in the 2002 film “Paper Soldiers” and came to mainstream fame through a string of scene-stealing cameos in mega-hits such as 2005’s “The 40-Yea...

Father of accused Highland Park parade shooter turns himself in to begin jail sentence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The father of the suspect in a deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park turned himself in Wednesday to begin a 60-day jail sentence, after pleading guilty to charges arising from his sponsorship of his son's application for a gun license.Robert Crimo Jr. entered a guilty plea to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct last week in Lake County court, in Waukegan, Illinois. Crimo sponsored his underage son's firearm application three years before the July 2022 attack in Highland Park, even though the teenager had recently threatened violence.Judge George Strickland sentenced Crimo Jr. to 60 days in jail, two years of probation and 100 hours of community service on Nov. 6, but agreed to wait until Wednesday to take him into custody.Illinois offers most misdemeanor offenders the opportunity to reduce their sentence by half for good behavior, meaning Crimo Jr. may only serve 30 days. Although jail time will be brief, ...

3.6 magnitude earthquake reported in northern Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

STANDARD, Illinois —  An earthquake struck northern Illinois early Wednesday morning, awakening some residents and spurring reports to 911 about homes shaking. The 3.6 magnitude quake was centered about a mile southeast of Standard, Illinois — which is southwest of La Salle, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The small earthquake was detected about 4:41 a.m. (CST), the federal agency said.USGS research geologist Jessica Jobe said people living as far away as southern Wisconsin, southeastern Iowa and northwest Indiana reported feeling the quake.So far, there are no reports of any damage.

What prices are actually deflating?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Price increases are slowing down since inflation peaked in June 2022, at 9.1%. In fact, data released from the Department of Labor shows its consumer price index — a proxy for inflation — remained flat from September to October, at 3.2%.And while it may not feel like costs are coming down when you check out at the grocery store, for some goods and services, prices are actually decreasing.Key ContextWhile inflation measures the rate of price increases, deflation is the opposite — it measures the rate of price decreases. Deflation is definitely not the norm among the goods and services assessed in the CPI.There are outliers, though. Most of the price categories that have seen deflation relative to a year ago are in goods, not services.But some services, like health insurance, have seen a dramatic price drop. What prices have deflated since last year?The most recent CPI report shows year-over-year price index drops in 92 goods and services categories (among 338...

Hershey unveils new chocolate frosted donut Kit Kat bar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

HERSHEY, Pa. (WHTM) - Hershey has unveiled a new treat straight from the bakery: a Chocolate Frosted Donut flavored Kit Kat.The new flavor, which Hershey says is like "biting into a fresh donut, with milk chocolate layered delicately on top of donut flavored creme," will be available starting on Nov. 17."We know fans love our bakery inspired flavors like Kit Kat Birthday Cake – and we thought, 'who doesn't love a classic chocolate frosted donut?!'" said Alex Kuzior, associate Kit Kat brand manager. "The Kit Kat Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar is a sweet addition to our permanent flavor portfolio and every bite delivers upon a delightful experience, reminiscent of a freshly baked donut from your favorite hometown bakery." Hershey unveils Reese’s peanut butter cup with caramel The bars will be available in standard and king sizes.Hershey also stated, "donut worry, the Kit Kat Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar is here to stay all year round."

WATCH: Rope-climbing burglar steals lotto scratchers, cigarettes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) - Surveillance footage captured a burglar rappelling into a California business after cutting a hole in the roof and breaking through the ceiling earlier this week.  The unusual robbery occurred just before 7 a.m. Monday at M&M Smoke and Gift Shop in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles.  Video shows the suspect, dressed in dark clothing, slowly came down a rope and jump to the ground where they retrieved a bag they had already dropped from the ceiling. Once down, the person started rifling through the shelves behind the store’s counter.  Surveillance footage captured a burglar rappelling into an Eagle Rock store on Nov. 13, 2023. Surveillance footage captured a burglar rappelling into an Eagle Rock store on Nov. 13, 2023. Surveillance footage captured a burglar rappelling into an Eagle Rock store on Nov. 13, 2023. Store employee, Roy Hanna, surveys damage done to the smoke and gift shop after the burglary on Nov. 13, 2023. Store employee,...

When will Social Security cost-of-living increases take effect?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NewsNation) – The Social Security Administration announced 2024's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) just over a month ago, confirming a 3.2% bump in benefits for retirees. Here's what you need to know.How does the 2024 increase compare to 2023's?While still one of the largest increases in decades, 2024's COLA increase of 3.2% is far below the 8.7% bump that recipients were granted in 2023.When will the COLA increase take effect?Checks sent in January will reflect the updated allowance. AARP responds to 2024's COLA increase announcement What is the purpose of COLA increases?The Social Security Administration’s annual cost-of-living adjustments are designed to help Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients retain their buying power amid rising inflation. These increases, which are issued annually, are determined using the Bureau of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which itself is a measure of the change in pric...

Highway 71 reopens after deadly crash near Austin airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

The above video is from traffic coverage just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A deadly crash shut down eastbound Highway 71 near the Austin airport for several hours Wednesday morning. The crash happened around 6 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 71 near its intersection with Highway 183. The highway reopened fully around 11 a.m., according to a social media post from the airport. There was still heavy congestion in the area at the time, the post said. The above video is from traffic coverage just after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. According to the Austin Fire Department, one person died after a motorcycle crashed.

Austin 100-degree days may triple if global emissions go unchecked

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Fifth National Climate Assessment was released this week and found that Austin can expect 100-degree days to double by 2050, and perhaps even triple by the end of the century if global greenhouse gas emissions go unchecked.The report is a broad scientific analysis of climate change-related impacts we are already experiencing, what we can expect in the future in our warming world as well as climate mitigation and emissions reductions strategies. The authors — a collaboration between government scientists — found that climate change-related impacts to the U.S. will continue increasing in the future. However, the report also illustrates that the amount of future warming we experience is in our hands.Summer heat intensifiesAustin marked its second-hottest summer on record in 2023, and the hottest-ever at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Camp Mabry tallied 80 days of 100°+ temperatures, and an all-time record of 42 days with temperatures 105° or hotter.Austin'...

Police: Motorist robbed while trying to help 'disabled' car

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Washington Police Department is warning residents of a robbery that occurred on Tuesday morning on Washington Mountain Road. Police say a gentleman had his wallet stolen when he stopped to help two young men. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The two men had what appeared to be a disabled silver Nissan Sentra. Once they stole the man's wallet with several hundred dollars in cash, they got in their vehicle and fled southbound. Police are searching for the Nissan Sentra, which reportedly has a license plate in the back window. Residents who encounter a stranded vehicle are encouraged to contact the police to assist instead of stopping themselves.