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DOT puts airline loyalty programs under the microscope after lawmakers raise concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

The Department of Transportation is investigating possible deceptive practices in airline loyalty programs after federal lawmakers raised concerns about how companies are calculating points and rewards. A DOT spokesperson said in a statement that the agency is planning “to carefully review complaints regarding loyalty programs and exercise our authority to investigate airlines for unfair and deceptive practices that hurt travelers as warranted.”The spokesperson said agency officials are actively meeting with U.S. airlines and gathering more information about the issue.Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. carriers, declined to comment. The department is stepping up its scrutiny after two U.S. senators asked the agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about the steps they’re taking to protect consumers from “deceitful marketing tactics” in frequent flyer programs. In a letter sent to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and CFPB Director Rohit Chop...

‘Disturbing trend’: Peel police launch dedicated task force to probe series of extortion attempts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

A number of extortion attempts under the threat of violence have prompted Peel Regional Police to launch a task force dedicated to investigating the incidents.Investigators say the attempted extortions are primarily targeting members of the South Asian business community, calling it a “disturbing trend.”“Victims are contacted through a variety of social media platforms and demands for money are made under threats of violence, which have occurred in some incidents,” a release Friday states.Nine incidents are currently being investigated.So far a 23-year-old man from British Columbia, Tanmanjot Gill, is facing charges after police allege he fired several gunshots at a business near Rutherford Road South and Clark Boulevard in Brampton on December 9.A second suspect in that incident remains at large. He’s described as a South Asian male with a medium build wearing a grey sweatshirt at the time of the incident. Police believe he later changed into a black s...

Chicago officer helps deliver baby girl in Albany Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer responding to a shooting ended out helping a family deliver their baby.It happened Thursday morning as officers responded to a person shot in the city's Albany Park neighborhood.While on scene investigating the incident, police said Field Training Officer Christopher was waved down by residents who led her to a woman in labor just a couple houses down.The officer sprang into action to help the woman deliver a healthy baby girl. Music as Medicine: Siblings strike the right chord for patients at Glenbrook Hospital According to police, the woman and her newborn were transported to Swedish Covenant Hospital where they are doing well.

Mayor Johnson announces appointments of 3 city department commissioners; now subject to City Council approval

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Friday the appointments of three city department commissioners.Tom Carney was appointed as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), Sandra Blakemore was appointed as commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Alfonzo “Randy” Conner Jr. was appointed as commissioner of the Department of Water Management, the Mayor's Office announced in a news release.The mayor’s selections are now subject to City Council approval.Here is more on the three appointments:Tom CarneyCarney has served as the acting commissioner of CDOT since August 2023, directing the department’s implementation of more than $2 billion in combined city, state and federally funded capital projects. Those include citywide traffic safety and infrastructure improvements.“Tom Carney has served admirably as the acting commissioner of CDOT, working to make the entire city accessible to all Chicagoans,” Mayor Johnson said in the release. “My administratio...

Friday Forecast: Temps in mid 40s with steady rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Cloudy conditions Friday with spotty showers possible in the morning. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Widespread rain is expected this afternoon as highs in the mid to upper 40s. Widespread rain this evening leads the tapering showers overnight as temperatures fall into the lower 40s. SATURDAY FORECAST: Cloudy with the potential for drizzle or isolated showers on Saturday with highs in the lower 50s.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Trail of Lights parking lot to remain closed Friday due to rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Trail of Lights organizers said the Zilker Tree (Polo Field) parking area would be closed and unavailable for parking Friday evening due to recent rain in the area.The parking area was previously closed Thursday as well due to the recent rains.As of Friday morning, organizers said the trail was still scheduled to open.The final day to attend the trail at Zilker Park is Saturday evening, according to organizers. KXAN First Warning Weather shows there is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday. KXAN First Warning Weather: Wet weekend weather ahead of breezy Christmas Day According to a statement, all Zilker Tree parking would automatically be refunded by Ticketbud within five to seven business days, and purchasers were asked to find an alternate form of arrival.Limited spots can be reserved online for the Austin High School Surface Lot Parking, or shuttle rides are available from Toney Burger Center or Republic Square.Organizers provided a list of alternate, unaffili...

Cities with the most expensive homes in the Austin metro area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

AUSTIN (Stacker) — Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.The typical home value in the United States was $347,415 in November, 2.2% higher than the year before. High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of Dec. 14, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.95%.Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value.Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in the Austin metro area using data from Zillow. Charts show the monthly typical home value since January 2018. Data was available for 53 cities and towns.Stacker#30. Paige, TX- Typical home value: $424,790- 1-year pri...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 16

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

Lions at Vikings (+3½)The Vikings have announced that they are replacing the artificial turf at U.S. Bank Stadium and their indoor practice facility with new turf deemed safer for players. The switch will cost $1.3 million and, in a thoughtful Christmas gesture, the Wilfs are going to wait until after the holidays to demand that taxpayers pay for it.Pick: Lions by 7Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf before the start of a NFL football game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)Browns at Texans (-2½)Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum will start again in place of C.J. Stroud as Houston tries to earn a playoff spot. This is reminding Minnesota fans that Keenum has gotten the Vikings closer to a Super Bowl than Kirk Cousins ever will.Pick: Browns by 3Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks off the field following the team’s win over New Orleans Saints in an NFL divisional football playoff...

Minnesota outpaces nation in job growth, adds 9,500 jobs in November

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

Minnesota gained 9,500 jobs last month, the fifth straight month of growth and the largest increase since January, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported ThursdayThe job growth data was well the national rate, according to DEED — up 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis compared with 0.1% for the nation as whole.Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.1% in November, compared with 3.7% nationally. Over the last three months, jobs in Minnesota grew by 17,300, or 0.6% — far higher the 0.2% national rate for that timeframe DEED reported.“Minnesota continues to see sustained and notable job growth and we’re consistently adding jobs at a faster rate than the national average, which is phenomenal news for workers,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek in a news release. “We are confident that current and soon-to-be-launched efforts by DEED and our workforce development partners to connect people with employm...

Washington County man sentenced for tax crimes, swindling short-term renters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:58 GMT

A Washington County man convicted of tax crimes and swindling customers of his short-term rental business was sentenced to serve an additional 52 days in jail and ordered to give back the money in question.Jurors last month convicted Karl Evald Auleciems, 57, on 2021 charges that stemmed from him renting out his West Lakeland Township home and other properties for weddings and other events.Karl Evald Auleciems (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Auleciems entered into short-term rental contracts with people, but never paid the sales tax to the Minnesota Department of Revenue and failed to return some renters’ security deposits. He also didn’t disclose income on his tax returns.Jurors deliberated for about four hours before convicting Auleciems of all 16 charges against him: eight counts of failing to pay or collect or remit sales tax between February 2018 and February 2020, six counts of filing a false or fraudulent return between October 2015 and Februar...