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How Disney turned Halloween into a money-making machine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

For devoted Disney fans, there’s often no better treat than spending Halloween at its theme parks — and more specifically, at its after-hours parties, where visitors can trick-or-treat through Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and watch a Halloween-exclusive parade, among other experiences.But tickets are neither cheap nor easy to acquire. The parties are held on multiple nights throughout the season, and the version at Disney’s California resort, the “Oogie Boogie Bash,” is so popular that the 2023 event sold out the first day tickets went on sale. Fans reported trouble with virtual queues and website crashes.Florida’s version is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and it’s so in demand that the first night of the 38-night 2023 party was held on Aug. 11. That date is closer to July Fourth than to Halloween.Tickets to Disneyland’s California party went for as much as $189, while tickets to the Florida version at Walt Disney World can cost about $210 on some nights.Holding a party...

16-year-old girl stabbed to death following altercation in Loop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after a 16-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in the Loop.The stabbing happened around 11:28 p.m. Tuesday in the 0-100 block of West Van Buren. Police said the teen was in a physical altercation with another female, who then took out a knife and stabbed the victim twice in the chest. The female offender fled the scene.The 16-year-old was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where she was pronounced dead a short time later. The medical examiner has identified the teen as Heaven Taylor.No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating.

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in low 80s with isolated showers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

CHICAGO — It will be mostly cloudy Wednesday with a slight chance for some isolated showers. Breezy south, southwest winds help push highs into the lower 80s this afternoon.  Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Showers become likely overnight, and some thunderstorms are possible as temperatures fall into the lower 60s.  Thursday Forecast: Showers are likely Thursday, especially in the morning hours. Highs in the lower 70s are expected, under mostly cloudy skies tomorrow afternoon.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Need to return a package? Uber drivers will now mail it for you

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

Uber is adding a new task to its list of services: mailing consumers' return packages.The ride-hailing and delivery company said Wednesday that its drivers will collect up to five prepaid and sealed packages and drop them off at a local post office or at UPS or FedEx stores. Uber will charge a flat fee of $5 for the service or $3 for its Uber One members.The San Francisco-based company said the service will be available in nearly 5,000 U.S. cities to start. Uber Eats to accept SNAP benefits for grocery deliveries in 2024 Uber said customers will be able to choose package drop-off locations within its app. Only locations open for at least the next hour will be listed. Drivers will provide visual confirmation once a package has been dropped off.While the service is expected to be used primarily to return packages, Uber drivers will also mail new packages that are sealed and have prepaid labels.The new service opens up a potentially vast market for Uber. According to Pitney Bowes, a ...

LIVE: Police investigating homicide in south Austin; City's 50th of the year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 50th homicide of the year after a body was found in south Austin late Tuesday night. APD officers began investigating the scene, which was in the 1100 block of Cumberland Road, around midnight after a person flagged officers down in a park saying they found a man's body in a car. EMS declared the man dead, and according to police, there was trauma to his body. It's unclear how the trauma was caused. Police investigating homicide in 1100 block of Cumberland Road, Oct. 4, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Police investigating homicide in 1100 block of Cumberland Road, Oct. 4, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? APD said someone was detained, and police don't believe there is a threat to the public. Police were interviewing people in the area overnight and into the early morning. This is a developing story.

'Get Hired!' job fair being held at Crossgates Mall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The "Get Hired!" job fair will take place at Crossgates Mall, on the lower level near Burlington and Apple, on Wednesday, October 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. Over 15 businesses will be in attendance looking to hire. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Retailers not only within Crossgates but beyond will look to add help for the upcoming holiday season. A list of companies on hand include, but are not limited to - Albany International AirportAlbany BroadcastingWell Now Urgent CareNew York State Department of LaborUS ArmyTSA - Albany AirportPrice Chopper / Market 32New York State Police TroopersKIPP Capital Region Public Schools Missing 40-year-old found in Hoosick after search United States Postal ServiceThe Lexington ArcShaker Place Rehabilitation & Nursing CenterNew York State Insurance FundAlbany Police DepartmentLia CarsNY Department of Taxation and FinanceNYS Office of Children and Family ServicesN...

City Hall fenced off, homeless advocate set to speak later today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The homeless encampment on the St. Louis City Hall lawn that was growing is now gone Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, a major homeless advocate is set to speak out later.Fencing is now up around the area where the homeless camp used to be. Officials with Mayor Tishaura Jones' office told Fox 2 that the last people who were staying in tents were moved to transitional housing around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.Authorities also shared that they are enforcing the overnight park curfew here since City Hall sits on park ground. The mayor's office says that the American Rescue Plan Act or 'ARPA' funds are being used to make sure enough shelter was available for the people who had been living in tents for some time. House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker The city shut down the homeless encampment and put up fencing after the mayor's administration cited fights, reports of city hall workers being accosted, and repeated police calls and medical emergencies as reasons for putting an...

Fire destroys home in Washington Park, Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. - An early morning fire destroys a home in Washington Park, Illinois.The fire broke out arounf 5:30 a.m. on the 5200 block of North Park Drive, where crews can still be seen responding. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter, Nic Lopez, was at the scene, as there are no signs of occupants in the home. House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker The building is right across the street from James Avant Elementary School. Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie Harris shared that no injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire has not yet been discovered.FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

17 dogs arriving at Animal Protective Association of Missouri in Brentwood today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - More than 130 dogs are on the road to recovery after they were rescued from puppy mills across the Midwest.They're being sent to animal shelters across the country Wednesday. The Animal Protective Association of Missouri is taking in 17 of those animals. Frost possible near St. Louis this weekend The 'Bissell Pet Foundation' is paying for the travel costs. All the dogs will get medical check-ups and be spayed, neutered, and microchipped.Once they're cleared, most of the dogs will be ready for adoption at the APA in Brentwood on Friday.

North county officer's detention hearing taking place today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A former north county cooperative police officer is in court Wednesday for a detention hearing.Marcellis Blackwell was arrested in June for allegedly sexually assaulting men he detained or arrested. He was indicted on 21 felony counts last week. House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker The indictment reports sexual assaults of eight men between November 2022 and June 2023. It also accuses Blackwell of kidnapping the victims and turning off his body camera.