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What's Illinois' most popular cocktail?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

ILLINOIS (WMBD) – Cocktails, anyone?When you’re thirsty for something a little more fun than a beer, cocktails are the perfect substitute to bring flavor and presentation to life.But which cocktail is the most popular in Illinois? Upgraded Points, an online information website, aimed to find out. They started by compiling a list of the most popular cocktails around the country. Then, they looked at Google Trends data from the past 12 months to see which cocktail Americans searched for most.You may be surprised to learn Illinois’ most popular cocktail is a mimosa, according to Google Trends. It wasn't just Illinois either – it was the top-searched cocktail in six states and was searched for more than any other cocktail.For those who don’t know, a mimosa is typically made by combining orange juice and champagne, and the cocktail is usually served during brunch. The bubbly citrus is a wake-up call for anyone looking to turn their midday lunch into a boozy brunch.Not every website agree...

Austin comedy club helps bring the laughs to 6th Street

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has a reputation as the "live music capital of the world," but it's not the only kind of show you can catch around town. Just off Sixth Street, near the intersection of Lavaca and Seventh, sits the Fallout Theater. Lisa Friedrich, co-owner of the Fallout Theater, says that the Austin comedy scene is booming."There's a ton of stand-up clubs downtown you would not have seen three years ago," said Friedrich. While downtown has changed around the theater, Fallout Theater's Mason Pitluk said that the historic building the venue is in has helped them keep their spot right off of Austin's most famous drag. But that might not always be the case. "We don't have to worry too much about things being totally overhauled," said Pitluk, "but I'm sure it comes for us all at some point."The Fallout focuses on local acts, with events ranging from sketch shows to stand-up comedy performed on treadmills. The theater also offers comedy classes in stand-up, improv, and sketch cla...

MnDOT says it spent record $174 million to battle record snowfall during winter of 2022-23

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation spent a record $174 million to keep state highways clear of snow and ice for the brutal winter of 2022-23, the most severe winter in the past decade, according to a new report.And that total doesn’t include cities, counties or townships costs to clear their roads and streets.MnDOT officials said it was not only the most money ever spent to keep state roads clear of ice and snow, but was fully 25% above the most recent five-year average.Statewide, an average of 90.2 inches of snow fell last winter. The Twin Cities recorded 90.3 inches, making it the third snowiest winter on record. Duluth and St. Cloud broke all-time seasonal snowfall records.“This was an extremely challenging winter season, but our crews worked tirelessly to conquer each storm and keep travelers safe and moving in Minnesota,” Nancy Daubenberger, state transportation commissioner, said in a statement released with the report. “MnDOT has more than 1,600 snowplow operators tha...

Nicholas Kristof: The real college admissions scandal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

YAMHILL, Oregon — Before I make an argument about affirmative action, let me tell you how I was a beneficiary of it.I wasn’t a student of color, but I grew up on a farm and attended a small, rural high school where there wasn’t much math and nobody had ever applied to an Ivy League college. My grades and scores were strong but not extraordinary.But I did have one thing going for me. Elite colleges were looking for farm kids from low-income areas to provide diversity. So a school that I had never visited, Harvard, took an enormous risk and accepted me, and I became a token country bumpkin to round out a class of polished overachievers. In time, Harvard gave me a wonderful education, transformed my life and set me on a path to becoming a columnist — which is why you’re stuck reading this. Yes, indeed: Providing paths to a better education can be life-changing.So how do we do that for others? I wish the Supreme Court had ruled differently on affirmative action for race, but unfortunate...

Victory Church continues gun buyback program in Albany for safer streets

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - For over 10 years, Pastor Charles Muller of Victory Christian Church has advocated against gun violence, especially as the violence has only increased over the last few years.“I’m not against legal guns,” Pastor Muller said. “I am against illegal guns in the wrong hands.”Last year, the church received 17 guns, and now Pastor Muller says he wants those who are carrying a firearm illegally to see this as an opportunity to choose life over violence. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We’re just calling on young people,” he said. “Those involved in gang life that’s hanging with the wrong crew. Just cease-fire. Think about how precious life is.”He agrees with the District Attorney about the pending Raise the Age legislation introduced this week at the Capital, which will have offenders between the ages of 16 and 17 years old not to be charged as adults.“We got a 17-year-old who just murdered a young man,” he sa...

Police investigating shots fired in Troy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Troy Police Department announced they are investigating a shots fired incident that occurred on the morning of July 29. Police say that no injuries have been reported. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police responded to the area of North 1st Street following a report of the incident. No details about the suspect are available at this time.The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Troy police at (518)270-4421.

Two St. Louis spots named among Missouri's best summer 'weekend getaways'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS - As July nears a close, you might be hoping to plan a few more weekend trips this summer. Travel enthusiasts say you're never too from a nice weekend getaway in Missouri, especially if you live near St. Louis. Traveling Lifestyle recently published a list of "9 Great Weekend Getaways" to enjoy in the Show Me State this summer. These destinations are scattered all around Missouri and include options with lakeside retreats, fancy lodging and historical value. Staffing ‘crisis’ creating new risks for St. Louis police officers The two best summer weekend getaways in St. Louis, according to Traveling Lifestyle, include...The Fleur-de-Lys MansionThe Missouri Botanical GardenThe Fleur-de-Lys Mansion is a bed-and-breakfast concept in the Compton Heights neighborhood. The mansion is a luxurious lodging point, consisting of four guest rooms, hand-painted murals, in-room whirlpools and impressive horticulture. It's within walking distance to Reservoir Park and perhaps even Tower ...

Reporter Kalista Mitrisin's recipe for adventure

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Kalista Mitrisin is a journalist with a knack for the unexpected. When she's not reporting from the scene of breaking news or finding interesting stories, Mitrisin can be found walking with her trusty friend, a Great Dane lab mix named Clark, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.  Mitrisin has been a reporter for Fox 2 and KPLR 11 for several months and finds joy in covering a wide range of topics.  “I think just being out in the field and seeing something, so real happening makes me feel good that I can get the information out there, be on scene, show people what's going on,” said Mitrisin.  Why did you want to become a journalist? Terron Armstead, NFL player, with Mitrisin.“I think I knew that from a pretty young age,” said Mitrisin. “I'd say high school was when I realized it was the one outlet where I could combine all my passions, getting to meet new people and learn new things every day.” Mitrisin grew up in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, a...

Denver weather: Mostly sunny early, with chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

Weather on Saturday will be partly cloudy in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms early in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms early.Highs in the mid 90s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.Neat satellite view this AM showing varying cloud motions (low clouds E –> W, high clouds W –> E)!This is an example of "wind shear", a change in either wind direction or speed with height. Wind shear characteristics are critical in evaluating severe weather threats. #COwx pic.twitter.com/Q5wzgQmlVC— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 29, 2023Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening, becoming light. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.Sunday: Mostly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance...

Evacuations ordered as wildfire near Temecula grows to over 2,000 acres

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

A brush fire burning near Temecula has charred more than 2,000 acres with very little containment as of Saturday morning, authorities said.The Bonny Fire was first reported around 2:45 p.m. Thursday near the 44000 block of Bonny Lane in Aguanga, a city about 20 miles east of Temecula. The blaze initially burned about five acres of dry brush on a hillside but grew rapidly amid the dry weather and triple-digit heat.The Bonny Fire burns near Temecula, California on July 28, 2023. (OnScene.tv)"We anticipate the number of acres is going to increase dramatically due to the way the fire is moving," CalFire spokesman Richard Cordova said Friday afternoon. "There's lots of open land for this fire to consume."An evacuation order was issued for all residents of the Terwilliger Valley Community.The evacuation area includes north of the San Diego County border, West of Anza Borrego State Park, south of Bowers, Bailey and Ramsey, and east of Bonny.Old Mitchell Camp Road between Chihuahua Valley R...