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Richest billionaires in Illinois

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

The first billionaire ever is thought to be Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller back in 1916, or perhaps Henry Ford in 1925.Fast forward some 100 years to 2021: As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rage, a record-breaking 660 people became billionaires globally, growing the previous year's number by 30%.While the U.S. is home to the most billionaires out of any other country, Americans are somewhat split in their feelings on the billionaire class. According to Pew Research Center data, people in the U.S. became somewhat more critical of billionaires between 2020 and 2021.Although support for individual billionaires like Bill Gates is relatively strong, many Americans view the ultra-rich—as a group rather than as individuals—negatively. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026.The U.S.'s wealthiest billionaires are mostly concentrated within just a couple of industries: finance an...

Controversy surrounds Peeps candies ahead of Easter: Here's what to know

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI/NEXSTAR) — It's peak Peep season, but the company that produces the candies is coming under fire from Consumer Reports for its use of a particular dye.In a press release issued earlier this week, the consumer advocacy organization said a number of Peeps candies, including the iconic pink marshmallow chicks and bunnies, are made with Red Dye No. 3. This dye is typically used as a color additive in food, despite being banned from use in cosmetics by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Consumer Reports is currently pushing the FDA to ban the use of the dye, which has been linked to cancer in animals, as a food additive. The organization had also sent a letter to Just Born Quality Confections, the maker of Peeps, to urge them to discontinue the use of the dye in March, but said they had yet to get a response from the company. California lawmaker wants Peeps to change its ingredients In Monday's press release, the organization urged consumers to peti...

What does 'Oreo' mean? The mysterious (and maybe controversial) story behind the cookie

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – It’s probably fair to say that the average American has eaten an Oreo cookie or two in their lifetime.It’s also probably fair to say that the average American has no idea where the name “Oreo” actually came from. Why is Ruth’s Chris Steak House called ‘Ruth’s Chris Steak House’? The company that owns the Oreo brand — Mondelez International — does not appear keen on confirming the origins of the “Oreo” name, despite numerous opportunities for its media team and public relations department to do so. Fans, therefore, have only been able to speculate on the etymology.The most popular theories, as reported by such outlets as Tasting Table and Thought Co., include the idea that Oreo takes its name from the French word for gold (“or”), and was chosen because Oreo Biscuits originally came in a gold-colored tin. Others hypothesize that the word “Oreo” is somewhat of a visual representation of the sandwich cookie itself, with both O letters representing the top and bottom biscui...

Pennsylvania murder suspect found hiding in washing machine

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (WHTM) – A Pennsylvania murder suspect was arrested by police in New Jersey after he was found hiding in a washing machine.According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office, Cody Reed and Marquise Johnson had been wanted in connection with last month's murder of Daquan Tucker, after Tucker's body was found with multiple gunshot wounds near the Schuylkill River Trail in Montgomery County.On April 6, U.S. Marshals, with assistance from Atlantic City Police and the Atlantic City Police SWAT, located Reed and Johnson at an Airbnb in Atlantic City. Reed was found in the apartment and arrested without incident.The district attorney's office says Johnson arrived at the apartment and barricaded himself inside. After a nearly four-hour standoff, Atlantic City SWAT entered the apartment and found Johnson hiding inside a washing machine, according to the district attorney's office. VIDEO: Murder suspect escapes Oregon courthouse during jury selection Reed and ...

Innies, outies and omphalophobia: 7 navel-gazing questions about belly buttons answered

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

(The Conversation) - Everyone has one, but you might not know much about it. Here biologist Sarah Leupen, who teaches human and comparative animal physiology, explains the ins and outs of belly buttons.1. Why do I even have a belly button?Your belly button, or navel – clinically, your umbilicus – is the permanent scar left from where your umbilical cord connected your circulatory system, when you were a fetus, to the placenta. Fetuses don’t breathe, eat or eliminate waste, so the placenta provides an exchange site for the mother to deliver oxygen and nutrients from her bloodstream to the fetus, as well as collecting its wastes to eliminate from her body.After the baby is born, the physician or other attendant cuts the cord and clamps off the stub, which then dries and falls off after about a week, leaving the point of connection – your belly button – remaining.If the cord is not cut, as has been the practice in some times and places and as is becoming trendy again in other...

Biden slams Texas abortion pill ruling as 'political, ideological' attack

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

(The Hill) – President Biden slammed the ruling by a federal judge in Texas rejecting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of an abortion pill as a “political, ideological” attack. Biden said in a statement on Friday that the court has substituted its judgment for that of the FDA, which he called the “expert agency” on approving drugs. He said mifepristone, the pill, has been available for more than 22 years and safely and effectively used by millions of women in the United States and throughout the world. “If this ruling were to stand, then there will be virtually no prescription, approved by the FDA, that would be safe from these kinds of political, ideological attacks,” he said. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ruled that the FDA improperly rushed the approval process for the pill, violating federal standards and allowing an unsafe drug regimen to be on the market.  Federal judge blocks abortion pill approval The pill was app...

6 injured in South Carolina beach shooting; video captures moment shots ring out

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Frightened beachgoers fled the scene of a shooting in South Carolina after gunshots rang out on a crowded Isle of Palms beach, video obtained by Nexstar's WCBD shows.Six people were injured in Friday evening's shooting following a series of altercations during local senior skip-day festivities, Isle of Palms officials confirmed during a news conference."We know there was a fight that broke out, then a second fight that broke out. While officers were dealing with those two incidents, that's when the shooting started," Isle of Palms Police Chief Kevin Cornett said.The Isle of Palms Police Department (IOPPD) said that most of the victims were teens, and at least one victim appeared to be in her thirties to mid-forties. Several people were detained on weapons charges as of Friday evening, though IOPPD had not yet confirmed if any of those individuals were responsible for the shooting.Chief Cornett said the department was still...

What grocery stores are open for Easter this year?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - With Easter now upon us, many families will be getting together for egg hunts, basket swaps, and likely, a large meal. Forgot a basket-stuffer, a side dish, or, even worse, the holiday ham? Before you run to the store, be aware – some have closed their doors for Easter Sunday. Here's a look at which grocery stores are – and aren't – open for Easter:Albertsons: Albertsons locations will be open for Easter, according to their weekly ad.ALDI: Easter Sunday is one of the four holidays ALDI closes its stores for, according to the company's website.BJ's Wholesale: Hours may vary by location but most BJ's clubs will be open. You can check your store hours here.Costco: No last-minute purchases here - Costco locations are closed on Easter. CVS: Many locations will remain open for Easter, a spokesperson tells Nexstar, but some pharmacies may be closed or working with reduced hours. You can call ahead to check your store's hours or check online here.Kroger: According to the chain, ...

Gophers add transfer kicker David Kemp from Memphis

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

The Gophers football program added a commitment from Memphis transfer kicker David Kemp on Saturday.The redshirt sophomore has three years of eligibility remaining. The Wichita, Kansas native made five of seven field goals and was 7 of 9 on extra points during the 2021 season. He redshirted in 2022.“I’m extremely excited to announce my commitment to the University of Minnesota!!” Kemp tweeted. “The culture and atmosphere @GopherFootball is special! I’m excited for this opportunity and ready to get to workKemp’s long in college was 40 yards, but showed range of 54 yards in high schools in Kansas and Florida.Matthew Trickett, the Gophers top kicker for the last two seasons, had graduated. Dragan Kesich has been the No. 1 kicker in spring practices, with Jacob Lewis the backup.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Gophers football: How will the U’s remade offense look in 2023? College Sports | Top in-state prep prospect Daniel Freitag headed to California fo...

Walz touts proposed $12B for child care in Moorhead visit

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

Touting what is considered the largest investment in public education in Minnesota’s history, Gov. Tim Walz arranged a roundtable discussion at the Moorhead Public Library on Friday to hear about needs surrounding child care.With Walz’s goal of making Minnesota the best state in the country for kids, he has put forward in his 2023 budget a $12 billion package that would lower the cost of child care for middle-class families, expand tax cuts, reduce child poverty and create a new state agency to focus on families and children.Walz, Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson and Sen. Rob Kupec, DFL-Moorhead, were joined by organizations involved in child care and concerned parents, who said the workforce shortage and affordability were two of the main obstacles.The investment would come as a series of four packages within the One Minnesota Budget and also would provide universal school meals and better access to mental health resources, W...