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Candy prices called 'outrageous' as Halloween looms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

Spooked by the high price of Halloween candy? There’s not much relief in sight.For the second year in a row, U.S. shoppers are seeing double-digit inflation in the candy aisle. Candy and gum prices are up an average of 13% this month compared to last October, more than double the 6% increase in all grocery prices, according to Datasembly, a retail price tracker. That’s on top of a 14% increase in candy and gum prices in October 2022.“The price of candy has gotten to be outrageous,” said Jessica Weathers, a small business owner in Shiloh, Illinois. “It doesn’t make sense to me to spend $100 on candy.”Weathers said she usually buys plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters and events at school and church. But this year, she only bought two bags and plans to turn off her porch light on Halloween when she runs out.Other consumers are changing what they buy. Numerator, a market research firm, said its surveys show about one-third of U.S. consumers plan to trade down to value or store brands ...

City announces plan to keep asylum seekers warm as temps drop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

CHICAGO -- As cold weather approaches, the city has announced a plan to keep asylum seekers warm. Over the weekend Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the plan which includes the deployment of warming buses at designated locations -- on top of providing essential items like coats and blankets. The city will also partner with faith-based leaders to establish emergency staging areas and shelters. Since August 2022, more than 19,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city. With shelters at capacity, the overflow of new arrivals can be seen at area police stations where many are currently located and relying on tents for shelter. Herbert throws for 3 touchdowns, Chargers get back on track with 30-13 victory over Bears The city will collaborate with external partners, volunteers and mutual aid grounds to provide blankets, coats and other neccesities. Warming buses will be provided by the CTA at the landing location and 16 police district locations.In the announcement, the mayor said they a...

Local organization aims to decrease opioid overdoses in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin entered into an agreement with Communities for Recovery, a local recovery community organization, to provide some funding to increase outreach and lower the amount of opioid overdoses in the city. On Oct. 19, the council voted to provide $250,000 to Communities for Recovery for a one-year contract, with an option to extend the contract by one year for another $250,000. That money will be used to hire more peer coaches at the center, according to Darrin Acker, the executive director of Communities for Recovery. "It's very important," district 6 council member Mackenzie Kelly said after the vote. "It's going to be providing much needed peer recovery counseling services for community intervention."Communities for Recovery Communities for Recovery started in 2004 and was strictly volunteer-based. In 2012, the organization switched to peer recovery coaching and now has 36 people working at the center.It uses what is called "assertive outreach" to meet ...

Sahan Journal founder Mukhtar Ibrahim to step down

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

Mukhtar Ibrahim, a Somali immigrant who moved to Minnesota at age 17 and later reported for Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune, will step down from his leadership roles at the Sahan Journal, the online news journal he launched to widespread acclaim less than five years ago.Ibrahim, in a written announcement from Sahan, attributed the decision to exit the nonprofit news organization in part to the recent birth of his fourth child. He said that Sahan, which operates without a paywall or subscription requirement, had achieved strong financial stability and a healthy organizational culture.Mukhtar Ibrahim (Courtesy photo)“My family situation has changed since founding Sahan in 2019,” wrote Ibrahim, 35, a former Bush Foundation fellow who has served as the digital news journal’s founder, publisher, chief executive officer and chief fundraiser.“I have four young kids, and I’ve been presenting on nonprofit journalism in other places across the country,” sai...

Bryce Borca’s parents says son’s disappearance in Eagan has been ‘hardest year of our lives’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

One year since Bryce Borca went missing in Eagan, his parents are opening up about their pain in a letter that includes a message to their son.“Bryce, we love you more than life itself. We miss you in every way. We miss that smile. We miss your sweetness, your kindness and your ability to make everyone around you feel better,” they wrote.Bryce Borca (Courtesy of the family)Borca, who was 23 at the time, was last seen on Oct. 30, 2022. His last known location was Fort Snelling State Park at the end of Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan. He was trying to walk home after a night out with friends and hasn’t been found.“It’s been one year since we lost our sweet Bryce,” parents Troy and Carina Borca wrote in a letter posted late Sunday. “One year. Some days it feels like 10 years and other days it feels like 10 weeks.”They thanked Eagan police, county and state authorities and search groups “that continue to help us find answers. … We pray a...

St. Louis City rocked by weekend violence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Another violent weekend that saw several people killed and others assaulted shook St. Louis City.Police responded to the call at Leahy Avenue and North Kingshighway Boulevard around 2:40 a.m. Upon arrival, they found an adult male shot outside in the middle of the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. So far, no name or age of the victim has been released just yet. The investigation is still in its early stages. The homicide there is just the latest of multiple murders over the weekend in the area.Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, St. Louis Police rushed to the 4300 block of Beck on a shooting call. When they arrived, they found 32-year-old Stephen Robinson shot inside a kitchen in a home. Investigators told FOX 2 that Robinson was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. St. Louis County woman receives unpaid unemployment benefits after FOX 2 highlights case Police revealed that the suspect in the case, a 48-year-old man, remai...

Driver crashes into parked cars in south St. Louis City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A dramatic crash shakes up and wakes up a quiet neighborhood in south St. Louis.The car that hit two parked cars is no longer there, but there is damage left behind. We're told the noise from the crash was so loud that it woke up the owner of a red Subaru nearby. A grey Nissan Altima was badly damaged as well. There's also glass and debris all over the street.The crash happened shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Arkansas Avenue, just off Magnolia Avenue. It appears a Chrysler 300 with Illinois plates lost control, crashing into the two parked cars. Leaving the Chrysler 300 flipped on its top. St. Louis County woman receives unpaid unemployment benefits after FOX 2 highlights case Dispatchers were called Monday morning, but no one was able to provide further information. It's unclear what led to the driver of the Chrysler losing control and crashing into the parked cars. So far, no injuries have been revealed. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes ava...

Sub-freezing morning temps over next two days, warmer later in week  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - The rain has moved out, but the cold is sticking around. Clouds will clear out Monday morning. As the sun comes up, temperatures will be near freezing. The coldest temps will be northwest of St. Louis. A freeze warning is in effect until 10:00 a.m. The morning cold early this week will end the growing season. Even with the afternoon sun, Monday’s top temps will only be in the low to mid 40s. Another cold front will bring even colder air to the region on Tuesday. We could wake up to near-record low temperatures on Halloween morning (26 in 1878). It'll be sunny and breezy on Halloween, with highs only around 40. Temperatures for trick-or-treating will be in the mid- to upper-30s. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Another near-record low is possible Wednesday morning (26 in 1954). It's going to be sunny to start November, with highs in the mid 40s. Thursday morning won’t be as cold out the door, and we’ll...

Informational meeting about candidates for Missouri attorney general today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Two democratic candidates for Missouri attorney general will have an informational meeting with everyone Monday.State Representative Sarah Unsicker and attorney Elad Gross are both in the running. They'll talk about the responsibilities of the attorney general, their background, and their qualifications for the job, as well as answer questions from the public. George Harrison’s long-lasting impact on southern Illinois The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at the Webster Groves Public Library.

Truck crashes into Dutchtown restaurant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A car crash in Dutchtown leaves one person in the hospital and a business heavily damaged.A pickup truck crashed into the back of 'H&M Best Fried Fish & Chicken.' The truck didn't go all the way through the building, but there is a hole in the wall. George Harrison’s long-lasting impact on southern Illinois The building was reportedly unstable and inspector's condemned the building.