Tag: Illinois News

3 people rescued by Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office after going missing in water near Lake Villa

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The Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office Marine Unit rescued three swimmers they said otherwise could have drowned in a lake near Lake Villa this weekend. Around 2:50 p.m. Saturday, sheriff’s deputies were on patrol in Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa with personal watercraft provided through the Sea-Doo public safety loan program. The operator of a rental boat with several people celebrating a bachelor party onboard flagged down the deputies, said he was inexperienced in operating boats, and was looking for three friends who had gone missing in the water, the sheriff’s office said. A search commenced, and the three were found about 100 yards from the rental boat, the sheriff’s office said.

They were showing signs of distress and trying to stay afloat. Deputies got to all the people in the water before any of them slipped beneath the surface, and got them all to grab onto a rescue bar on the Sea-Doo personal watercraft the deputies were using. All were rescued and got back on the rental boat, the sheriff’s office said. Lake County Sheriff’s Office The boat operator was not under the influence, but alcohol was a factor in why the three people ended up off the boat, the sheriff’s office said.   “We have worked hard over the years to build and strengthen our Marine Unit, and this is exactly why.  Three young adults who had been drinking and were not wearing life jackets could have lost their lives,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a news release. “Because our Marine Unit was on the water and ready to respond, and thanks to our valued partnership with Nielsen Enterprises, which provides the personal watercraft our deputies use, they were rescued before tragedy struck.”

Source: 3 people rescued by Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office after going missing in water near Lake Villa – CBS Chicago

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9

Embracing Grace: Overcoming Past Mistakes

You may feel like your past disqualifies you, but God specializes in rewriting broken stories. No failure is stronger than His mercy, and no sin is beyond His reach. “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor,…

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Loving Like Jesus: Truth, Grace, and Transformation

Jesus never separated love from truth. He protected the broken, confronted sin, and offered redemption. His love restored lives because it was rooted in obedience to the Father. Scripture: John 1:14 Currently when people talk about…

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas

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A parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 US states, prompting an ongoing investigation by federal and state health officials into the source of the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were reported between May and June 16 and involve patients ranging in age from 5 to 86 years old. So far, 20 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Breaking It Down What is Shigella and how does it spread? What are the symptoms of Shigella infection? How are health authorities responding to the outbreak in Wayanad? Created with AI. Health officials believe the illnesses are linked to contaminated food because none of the patients reported recent international travel.

However, investigators have not yet identified the exact source. The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that commonly leads to explosive, watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after infection and mainly affect the intestines, although some infected people may not develop symptoms. The CDC said local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases spanning multiple states. Officials also noted that the true number of infections may be higher because some cases may not have been diagnosed.

List of 20 States Affected By The Outbreak The CDC has reported cases in the following states and Washington, DC:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • Alaska
  • Washington DC

Among the affected areas, New York has reported the highest number of cases, with between 31 and 80 infections, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each recorded between 11 and 30 cases. While cyclosporiasis can resolve on its own, symptoms may last for a month or longer if left untreated, increasing the risk of dehydration. The CDC says the infection is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The agency also recommends following safe food handling and storage practices. Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil.

Source: Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas | Times Now

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital archaeological discoveries…

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Illinois leading U.S. in tornadoes with 140 so far in 2026

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Thursday night’s tornado outbreak in the Chicago area continues a concerning trend of increasing tornado frequency in the Upper Midwest. With 140 tornadoes so far this year, Illinois leads the nation in tornado count for the third of the last four years. In a distant second place is Mississippi with 82 tornadoes this year, and Missouri comes in third with 62.  It’s the fourth year in a row that Illinois has surpassed 100 tornadoes. Illinois averages only 54 tornadoes per year, according to the Illinois State Climatologist’s Office.

As CBS News Chicago reported in February, we may be witnessing what climate researchers have long expected in a warming climate. As human activities add greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, a warmer climate is making the traditional Tornado Alley in the Plains hotter and more arid. This change shifts the more favorable tornado ingredients eastward into the Midwest and Deep South, and leads to more tornadoes in Illinois. Thursday’s tornado outbreak comes during the typical peak of tornado activity in Illinois. Tornado frequency typically peaks between April and June in the Chicago area. It follows a very unusual early-season tornado outbreak on March 10 that brought a deadly EF-3 tornado to Kankakee and Newton counties.

Source: Illinois leading U.S. in tornadoes with 140 so far in 2026 – CBS Chicago

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around you tries…

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Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus

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The FBI is investigating a cybersecurity at Evanston Township High School that has closed down the whole campus Monday morning. A ransomware attack is hitting the district’s phone lines, internet services and computers, and impacting the school’s emergency notification and public address systems. “Because these systems are not fully operational, we made the determination to cancel summer school classes and other on-campus activities until we can restore access to a point where we can safely run school,” said district spokesperson Reine Hanna.

A popup on the Evanston Township High School website announced that summer school, sports camps, and on-campus activities are canceled due to the ransomware attack that happened on Sunday. Hanna told CBS News Chicago that they have not yet received a money demand for the attack, but it’s “part of the investigation and response process.” “Because this happened in the summer months, the impact is substantially less than it would’ve been during the regular school year,” she said. She said the disruption means staff may have limited access to their email and student accounts may not work.

Phone systems are also unavailable. She said the breach is causing a major disruption for students and teachers that do need to access the school building, who will not be able to for at least two days. Staff members that were scheduled to come in to work Monday have been told to stay home and work remotely. A school spokesperson said their IT team discovered the breach. An email sent to parents, students and staff Sunday night assured the community that the hack is being handled. Cybersecurity attorneys and forensic experts are on the case, and the FBI is investigating. The district’s superintendent said the school is still working to figure out what information the hackers may have accessed, and said, “recovery efforts are under way.”

Source: Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus – CBS Chicago

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
Luke 9:16-17

Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands…

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Bright meteor gets attention Monday night across Great Lakes region

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stars in the sky

If you missed the meteor sighting over Southeast Michigan early on May 27, perhaps you saw the latest one on Monday night.  A fireball, which is a bright meteor, was seen about 10:42 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday in a wider geographic area around Lake Erie than the one that was seen last week. The American Meteor Society said it received 197 reports from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario of Monday’s meteor.  The Southeast Michigan reports came from places such as Brighton, Dexter, Detroit, Garden City, Ida, Madison Hights, Marysville, Milan, Smiths Creek and Tucker. 

The meteor view was described as bright blue/green; and the fragments broke up and burned up in the atmosphere.   “That was super cool. I’ve never seen anything like that,” one of the Michigan reports read.  “Several thousand meteors of fireball magnitude occur in the Earth’s atmosphere each day. The vast majority of these, however, occur over the oceans and uninhabited regions, and a good many are masked by daylight,” the American Meteor Society said.  

Source: Bright meteor gets attention Monday night across Great Lakes region – CBS Detroit

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

The Distraction of Fear

Fear has a way of making tomorrow feel more real than today. But you were never meant to live inside a future that hasn’t happened yet, you were called to…

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Fireball sightings reported in at least 8 states including Illinois

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a night sky with a shooting star and clouds

Sightings of a fireball were reported across Illinois and at least eight other states on Monday night.  The American Meteor Society received nearly 200 reports of a fireball seen over Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin around 10 p.m. Some of the reports out of Illinois came from Chicago, Aurora, Carpentersville, Warrenville, Addison, Waukegan, Oak Lawn, Shorewood Westchester, and Glen Ellyn. There were also reports from Indiana, including Valparaiso and Fort Wayne.  Matt Snyder There was also a report out of Ontario, Canada.  Home camera footage, posted by the American Meteor Society, shows a flash across the sky in Michigan about an hour Northwest of Detroit. 

Source: Fireball sightings reported in at least 8 states including Illinois – CBS Chicago

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14

Too Busy to Hear God

You can be so busy doing things for God that you never stop long enough to hear from God. Sometimes the biggest distraction in your life isn’t rebellion, it’s simply being…

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Who Has Your Attention?

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you own, and everyone wants a piece of it. The question isn’t whether something is getting your attention—the question is whether Jesus…

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Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to…

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Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S.

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a person holding a tablet device with skull image near blackboard

A system that thousands of schools and universities use was offline Thursday due to a cyberattack, creating chaos as students tried to study for finals and underscoring education’s dependence on technology. The hacking group named ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach at Instructure, the company behind the learning management system Canvas, said Luke Connolly, a threat analyst at the cybersecurity firm Emisoft. CBS News has reached out to Instructure for comment. Late Thursday night, Instructure posted to a status log that Canvas was “now available for most users.”

Some of the universities that have reported being targeted include Penn State, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University and Union College New Jersey. UCLA was among several California schools that reported being crippled by the outage. Also impacted in the Chicago area were Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Illinois. In a message to students, Penn State said that “no one has access” to Canvas, and a “resolution” was not expected “within the next 24 hours.” The school said all tests scheduled for Thursday and Friday in its Pollock Testing Center were canceled. The student newspaper at Harvard reported that the system was down there, too. And public school districts also sought to reassure parents, with officials in Spokane, Washington, writing that they aren’t “aware of any sensitive data contained in this breach.” Canvas is used to manage grades, course notes, assignments, lecture videos and more. The hacking group posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed, Connolly said.

Source: Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S. – CBS News

Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:6-8

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5 injured in apartment building fire, reported explosion in Des Plaines

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burning flame of a building on fire

Five people were injured in an apartment fire and reported explosion in Des Plaines, Illinois, overnight.   Firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story building at 1279 Harding Ave just before 1 a.m. and found heavy flames and smoke.  Video from the scene shows firefighters on ladders working to control the flames as emergency responders on the ground treated residents. Fire officials confirmed that multiple people were rescued from balconies.  Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries of varying severity, the Des Plaines Fire Department said.  One neighbor told CBS News Chicago she heard a “very big explosion” followed by people yelling, “Help me.”  The cause of the fire and the reported explosion are under investigation.

Source: 5 injured in apartment building fire, reported explosion in Des Plaines – CBS Chicago

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:18

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Illinois surpasses 100 tornadoes for fourth year in a row

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dramatic lightning over palmas brazil

Severe weather season has been off to a very active start in Illinois, with everything from flooding, hail, and damaging winds – and more than 100 tornadoes statewide. As of April 22, the preliminary count for tornadoes across the state of Illinois stands at 101 and counting, easily leading the entire country by far. That’s nearly double the annual average of 54 tornadoes in Illinois. With our severe weather season just getting started and lasting through September, that number has the chance to go up.

The typical count for tornadoes per year across Illinois is 54, so we already nearly doubled that. As of April 19, there have been at least 20 tornadoes in the National Weather Service Chicago forecast area, which includes parts of northwest Indiana. The typical number for that forecast area is between 10 to 20 tornadoes per year.

  • March 10th An EF-0 tornado north of Pontiac, IL.
  • An EF-U tornado near Cayuga, IL (midway between Pontiac and Odell).
  • An EF-U tornado in Kankakee Township. This brief tornado occurred prior to the start of the Kankakee-Roselawn
  • EF-3 tornado. An EF-U tornado in Otto Township. This brief tornado lifted just before the start of the Kankakee-Roselawn EF-3 tornado. 
  • An EF-3 tornado that tracked through southern Kankakee and Aroma Park in Illinois and Lake Village and Roselawn in Indiana before ending west of DeMotte, IN.
  • An EF-1 satellite tornado just southwest of Sun River Terrace. This was a southward-moving satellite tornado associated with the Kankakee-Roselawn EF-3 tornado. 
  • An EF-U tornado immediately south of Sun River Terrace. This was a brief satellite tornado associated with the Kankakee-Roselawn EF-3 tornado.
  • An EF-U tornado in southeastern Ganeer Township, southeast of Sun River Terrace. This was another brief satellite tornado associated with the Kankakee-Roselawn EF-3 tornado.
  • An EF-U tornado in Momence Township, north of Hopkins Park. This was an anticyclonic satellite tornado that initially moved north, stopped, then tracked south before ending very near its starting location.
  • An EF-1 tornado that tracked from southwest of Wheatfield to near Dunns Bridge, IN.
  • April 2nd EF-1 near Palmyra and Woosung in northwest Lee County. 
  • EF-1 in Pine Creek Township in southern Ogle County. 
  • EF-0 in Holcomb in northeast Ogle County. 
  • April 17th EF-U in Pecatonica
  • EF-1 in Harrison EF-1 in Roscoe
  • EF-1 in Gibson City
  • EF-1 near Loda and Buckley
  • EF-2 in Darrow
  • EF-1 in Kentland, Indiana

Source: Illinois surpasses 100 tornadoes for fourth year in a row – CBS Chicago

No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.
Luke 8:16

Recovery efforts underway after reported tornado in Lena, Illinois causes extensive damage

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destroyed cottages in countryside after massive storm

Recovery efforts are underway on Saturday after a tornado touchdown has been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 48 miles west of Rockford. The tornado was part of a massive storm system that is barreling toward Chicago Friday afternoon. A tornado warning was issued for Lena at 4:45 p.m. CT, the National Weather Service said. Video from a livestream in Lena shows the massive, rotating storm descending on the town. There is extensive damage in the storm’s wake, according to public officials. The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, asking people to avoid going to Lena at all. 

“There is no way to get into town due to trees and wires down,” the post said. “Emergency Services are assisting people per Sheriff Stovall.” The sheriff’s office said no deaths or serious injuries have been reported from the tornado. “We are extremely fortunate that this storm did not result in loss of life or serious injury,” Sheriff Steve Stovall said in a statement. “Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of our residents, securing the affected areas, and supporting the Village of Lena as recovery efforts move forward.”  

Source: Recovery efforts underway after reported tornado in Lena, Illinois causes extensive damage – CBS Chicago

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
1 Peter 5:6

First responders rescue horse from flooded creek near Marengo, Illinois

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a horse covered in snow

First responders rescued a horse from an overflowing creek near Marengo, Illinois, northwest of Chicago this weekend.

Early Saturday morning, the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were called for an animal water rescue in the 22900 block of Anthony Road in unincorporated McHenry County near Marengo.

Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies found a horse in Coon Creek, standing in floodwaters about 600 feet from the nearest shore, the fire and rescue district said. Coon Creek overflowed its banks during recent storms, and the horse was believed to have been swept away overnight Friday into Saturday, the district said.

Source: First responders rescue horse from flooded creek near Marengo, Illinois – CBS Chicago

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
1 Peter 3:15

Illinois man charged with sending threats to federal judges in Texas and Florida

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police officer putting handcuffs on another, person arrest

A man from Chicago’s north suburbs has been charged with threatening federal judges in Texas and Florida.

Source: Illinois man charged with sending threats to federal judges in Texas and Florida – CBS Texas

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
Proverbs 19:8

RFK Jr. launches voluntary pledge for hospitals to serve healthier food

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday launched the “Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge.”  The voluntary pledge asks hospitals to serve healthier meals that reduce “highly processed foods and prioritize nutrient-dense options” that align with federal dietary guidelines.  “Patients recovering from serious medical conditions…

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Associated Press Dislikes Trump Remarks on Communism at Mount Rushmore

Communism is an evil philosophy. Communist regimes have killed hundreds of millions of people, and made millions more live in a police state. But somehow, speaking ill of communism alarms the same journalists that constantly suggest democracy is in peril under Donald Trump. Authoritarianism is bad – unless it’s communist. Trump denounced communism in a…

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Lightning strike ignites vehicle over gas leak in Miramar neighborhood, alarming residents: “I could feel the heat at my house”

A lightning strike set a vehicle on fire in a Miramar neighborhood Monday afternoon, creating a dangerous situation after firefighters discovered the car was parked above a natural gas leak. The fire happened around 1 p.m. in the 6600 block of Dahlia Drive. Multiple agencies, including Miramar Fire Rescue, Hollywood Fire Rescue and the Broward…

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Severe flooding damages New Jersey communities after strong storms

Homeowners in New Jersey couldn’t catch a break after severe storms inundated their neighborhoods with rain.  Some were still waiting for power to be restored from Saturday night’s storm, when they were hit by flash flooding. Many families were pumping water out of their backyards and basements Monday night. They said floodwaters reached several feet deep…

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Cuba hit with nationwide blackout as US pressure continues

Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout on Monday as it faces an ongoing energy crisis, worsened by an effective US blockade on fuel shipments. Cuba’s energy ministry said the national electrical grid had suffered a total collapse. The country’s grid operator said it is investigating the cause. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said officials…

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2 killed as at least 4 suspected tornadoes leave trail of damage in Kankakee Illinois, Lake Village Indiana

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purple thunder storm during nighttime

Suspected tornadoes have left extensive damage in Kankakee County in Illinois and into neighboring Indiana Tuesday, where two people were killed. The storms also produced hail ranging in size from two to four inches, the National Weather Service said. The NWS said the largest hailstone produced was six inches in diameter, which fell in Kankakee. The NWS said the hailstone may be a state record for Illinois.

Source: 2 killed as at least 4 suspected tornadoes leave trail of damage in Kankakee Illinois, Lake Village Indiana, NWS says – ABC7 Chicago

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 6:1-2

Strong to severe storms possible as North Texas stays hot, humid

It’s warm and muggy Tuesday morning, with most waking up to dry conditions. A few areas in Northeast Texas near Paris and Sulphur Springs have seen storms, with very isolated showers across other areas. A First Alert Weather Day has been issued for Tuesday afternoon due to the threat of strong-to-severe storms. There is a…

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China test-launches ballistic missile from sub in South Pacific, drawing protests

China’s military test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, drawing protest and concern from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.  China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific…

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McKean Fire southwest of San Jose burns just over 10 acres

Fire crews have stopped the forward progression of the McKean Fire in Santa Clara County Sunday afternoon.  Cal Fire said aviation and ground resources were at the scene of the fire off Alamden Road and Mountain Drive, trying to establish containment lines.   Crews said the fire was burning at a moderate rate, but said…

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Maryland’s weekend storms knock down trees, leave residents in the dark

Maryland residents are feeling the impacts of severe storms that rumbled through the state this weekend, and more storms are possible on Monday. Heavy rain and strong wind gusts knocked down trees and power lines, leaving thousands without power on Saturday and Sunday. Storms could cause more issues, including potential flooding, on Monday. Power outages…

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Robin Williams as the American Flag

Robin Williams portrays the American flag in “I Love Liberty,” a two-hour television special created by Norman Lear and presented by People For the American Way. Source: (630) Robin Williams as the American Flag – YouTube

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