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Jason Mraz is feeling free and curious – in music and in love

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Mraz is freer than ever, and that liberation has allowed his curiosity to get the best of him — in the most optimistic ways.Musically, the two-time Grammy winner released his latest album, “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride,” in June, a pop record that’s a turn from his balladeering, acoustic persona. Like many other current dance projects, it was conceived during the pandemic, and the 46-year-old says his fans helped shape its direction.“I’d been noticing this for years — on the setlist (when performing), we were missing the songs that kept the audience on their feet,” explained the “I’m Yours” artist. “Something I long for is more experiences of that, where I could keep an audience elevated … it was a little bit (of) the audience asking for it, more than anything.”Led by up-tempo tracks like “Feel Good Too” and “I Feel Like Dancing,” the guitarist wrote his 10-track, eighth studio album with close collaborators Raining Jane, whom he worked with for 201...

More than 66,000 Illinoisans can expect a check from the state's Unclaimed Property program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- Thousands of Illinois residents can expect some cash back from Illinois' Unclaimed Property program.According to Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, about 66,700 Illinoisans can expect a letter to receive up to $5,000. The money is part of the Money Match program, which is part of the Unclaimed Property program.The estimated $47 million being sent out is from the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards.The State Treasurer legally must return the unclaimed property to its owners or heirs. Frerichs worked with the General Assembly to enhance the Money Match program to make it easier to return money to individuals, and to raise the cap on automatic payments to $5,000 from $2,000.“How can we make life a little bit better and a little bit easier for our residents is the driving force behind all of our programs,” Frerichs said. “Putting money in people’s pockets, so they c...

Powell at Jackson Hole: Economy's solid growth could require additional Fed hikes to fight inflation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — The continued strength of the U.S. economy could require further interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a closely watched speech that also highlighted the uncertain nature of the economic outlook. Powell noted that the economy has been growing faster than expected and that consumers have kept spending briskly — trends that could keep inflation pressures high. He also reiterated the Fed's determination to keep its key rate elevated until price increases are reduced to the central bank's 2% target. “We are attentive to signs that the economy may not be cooling as expected," the Fed chair said. “We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.” His speech — at an annual conference of central bankers — highlighted the uncertainties surrounding the economy and the complexity of the Fe...

Man, 65, critical after accidental fall into water

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 65-year-old man is in critical condition after an accidental fall in Lake Michigan Thursday night.According to police, the man was walking on the pier near 31st Street beach around 10:07 p.m. when he accidentally fell into the water. Chicago files lawsuit against Kia, Hyundai over rise in car thefts The man was recovered from the water and transported to the hospital in critical condition for trauma to the body.

Austin apartment fire leaves dozens without a home. How you can help

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the second time this month, the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is working to help people rebuild their lives after two separate, devastating apartment fires.The latest fire left 60 people, including children without a home after an overnight fire ripped through the Sonora Apartments on Sam Rayburn Drive.“These are our neighbors right here in our own community,” said Dwight Bailey Jr., the executive director of the ADRN. “And when you hear folks just like us who one day, things are fine, and literally, overnight, they're devastated.”Resources have been stretched thin this month for the nonprofit, which is also helping others recover from a separate wildfire at the Bexley at Silverado Apartment Complex in Cedar Park.“We are completely reliant upon generous donors to help us to do what we do and that's an area of need and opportunity.”The ADRN is asking for donations of emergency supplies — hygiene items, clothing and funding.“We'll have an intake center at ...

High school football: Why did Dan O’Brien jump from juggernaut St. Thomas Academy to winless Holy Family? Let him explain

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

Holy Family Catholic’s football facilities resemble the current state of the program — flush with potential with imminent plans for improvement, but currently under construction.The field is brand new. The press box is, too. Collegiate-level track and field amenities are located immediately outside of the field, also adjacent to the school building.Separating the jumping pits and the football field are mounds of dirt being shifted around daily by heavy machinery. Some projects will get done sooner than others.For instance, the planned stadium bleachers capable of housing more than 1,000 spectators are not expected to be completed by season’s end. Currently, benches for maybe 150 people are in place to overlook the luxurious turf.Bigger and better things are coming to the Victoria school’s football program — around the field and, ideally, on it, as well.That was the vision when Dan O’Brien was hired as Holy Family’s new football coach in January.O’Brien has multiple stops of college ...

Lights, camera, Athan: The time is now for Gophers starting quarterback

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

“Torched.”“Shredded.”In 2021, the Gophers defense was on its way to top 10 national rankings in scoring and passing yards allowed per game, but 18-year-old freshman quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis’ arm strength and accuracy were giving them fits during scout-team and seven-on-seven passing periods in practices.Those one-word quotes from all-Big Ten defensive backs Coney Durr and Tyler Nubin are only a recent example of the precociousness Kaliakmanis has displayed throughout his playing days.While Kaliakmanis didn’t light up the conference in his first few Big Ten games, stepping in for injured starter Tanner Morgan last year, he clearly improved as the season progressed, with a 300-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win at Wisconsin serving as his capstone.After turning 20 last weekend, Kaliakmanis enters his first full season as the Gophers’ starting quarterback. The offense has been built around his skill set going into Thursday’s opener against Nebraska at Huntington ...

RCSO: Man on parole arrested on drug and gun charges

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office arrested a man following an investigation, in partnership with the Troy Police Department and New York State Parole while on GIVE (Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative) Detail. According to the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office, Jayvon Daniels was on parole at the time of his release. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Deputies say Daniels was found to possess a high-capacity 9mm drum magazine with narcotics and a scale while on parole. Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a weaponThird-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceDaniels was arraigned at Schaghticoke Town Court and is held with no bail. According to deputies, also had an open felony case out of Troy City Court for the same charge.

Memorial ride for fallen Rutland police officer

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

RUTLAND, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A memorial benefit ride will be held in honor of Jessica Ebbighausen, a 19-year-old Rutland Police officer who died in an on-duty car crash in July. The ride, with Halfway to Heaven RC and the Rutland City Police Department, will be held at noon on Saturday, beginning and ending at the Vermont State Fair at the Route 7 entrance. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The ride will be $20 per car, with all proceeds being donated to a charity chosen by Ebbighausen's family. All are encouraged to attend. Ebbighausen joined the Rutland Police Department on May 23 and was working part-time. At only 19, she is the youngest law enforcement officer in Vermont’s history to die in the line of duty.

Cook's Corner shooting suspect's former home raided as new details are revealed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:46 GMT

A home was raided Thursday in connection with mass shooting suspect John Snowling, who allegedly killed three people and injured six others during a rampage at Cook's Corner in Orange County.A search warrant was served at a home in the 4500 block of El Capitan Place that the 59-year-old suspect once shared with his estranged wife. Investigators served a search warrant on Aug. 24, 2023, at a home John Snowling used to share with his estranged wife. (RMG News)Images showed several SWAT officers near a van parked outside the former Ventura Police Department sergeant's home. The street was closed to the public during the operation.It was unclear what investigators were searching for or if anything was recovered from the home. Snowling, armed with three handguns and a shotgun, apparently drove from where he was currently living in Ohio to the Cook's Corner biker bar in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County. Investigators said Snowling walked up to his estranged wife around 7 p.m. and ...