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72 vehicles crash, 6 killed in dust cloud pile-up on I-55 in Illinois

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

DIVERNON, Ill. (AP) — A windstorm in central Illinois kicked up dangerous clouds of blinding dust off farm fields Monday, causing numerous crashes that killed at least six people on Interstate 55, police said.The late morning crashes involved 40 to 60 cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said.He said at least six people died, all in the northbound lanes, and more than 30 people on both sides of I-55 were transported to hospitals with injuries.88-year-old Shirley Harper, of Franklin, Wisconsin, was identified as one of the victims in Monday's crash, according to Illinois State Police. 7 bodies found in search for two missing Oklahoma teens: authorities “The only thing you could hear after we got hit was crash after crash after crash behind us,” said Tom Thomas, 43, who was traveling south to St. Louis.I-55 was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of St. Louis, and likely ...

Second City’s first all-Asian cast brings progress – and punchlines – to the stage

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

CHICAGO — The long march of progress often happens in stages, but sometimes it happens on stages.In the ongoing quest for representation, an all- Asian cast and crew is producing an original show at the most well-known comedy theater in America: The Second City. It’s part of a first-of-its kind program: The Victor Wong Fellowship, designed to promote Asian American artists.Luke Moghimi Connell is a 22-year-old comedian who is part of the cast.“All the writers, performers, they’re all Asian," he said. "Asian musical director. The director, the producer. So, it’s literally everyone involved in the project is Asian American and that’s just mind-blowing to me."It’s a step forward for performers of Asian descent, a group so often overlooked and underrepresented in the nation’s comedy scene.Huy Nguyen is one of 16 Victor Wong Fellows.“Honestly, sometimes it’s been disheartening when you go to callbacks of auditions and you don’t see another Asian person there with you, or any Asian Americ...

High winds, low humidity, sub-par rainfall and pre-season lack of vegetation contributes to deadly I-55 dust storm Monday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

Major pattern change promises an end to the chilly, showery weather of recent days with significant warming in sight late this week— most pronounced next weekI was in Springfield this past weekend for this year’s Lincoln Academy 59th convocation ceremony. It was held in the Illinois House of Representatives chamber in the State Capitol. What an honor—and how amazing to meet so many of our fellow Illinoisans including the Governor and First Lady and members of the Academy from across the state. There is so much to say about all of this—but I just wanted to share some photos with you.The entire proceeding was streamed and recorded by the Lincoln Academy, including our acceptance comments: https://thelincolnacademyofillinois.org/DEADLY DOWNSTATE DUST STORM ON I-55Precipitation shortfall plus 50 MPH wind gusts and pre-growing season lack of vegetation contributed to deadly downstate dust storm on I-55MONDAY’S 50-DEGREE MAX TEMP WAS THE COLDEST DAYTIME MAY 1st IN THE PAST 7 YEARS SINCE 2...

Multiple dead after Illinois dust storm causes multi-vehicle pileup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) - At least six people are dead and dozens have been hospitalized after a multi-vehicle pileup south of Springfield, Illinois. According to Illinois State Police, shortly before 11 a.m. CT Monday, officers were called to multiple crashes on both the northbound and southbound sides of Interstate 55. Around the same time, authorities whiteout conditions due to the wind blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway. Monday night, officials said 72 vehicles were involved in the crash. A total of 37 people - the youngest, 2 years old, and the oldest, 80 - were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.Six people were killed, all in crashes in the northbound lanes, Illinois State Police said.Officials said that one of the people who died has been identified as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the other five individuals and notify their ...

Reckless driving caught on camera, raising residents' concern

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS - FOX 2 has obtained an alarming new video of reckless driving in St. Louis neighborhoods. Residents said the drivers seem to have no fear of police enforcement, traffic tickets, or prosecution.The video showed a black sedan with dark windows doing “spinouts” at the intersection of Minnesota and Magnolia avenues after 8:00 p.m. Saturday. The incident continued for about 20 seconds before the driver sped off, leaving behind smoke so thick that oncoming drivers can’t see through the intersection.“Watching that video, all I could see was kids getting hurt and also destruction of our property,” said Alex Martin, who lives near the intersection with her two daughters. Top Story: 2 more prosecutors resign from Kim Gardner’s office Another resident said there have been multiple similar incidents every few weeks. Evidence is burned into the pavement in the form of large circular tire tracks.Residents said it’s also common at Spring Avenue and Utah Street, about a mile away. Ther...

Bonne Terre residents concerned over discolored water  

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

BONNE TERRE, Mo. - Some Bonne Terre residents are expressing concerns over discolored water flowing through the water pipes inside their homes.“After we had coffee, we looked at the water again, and it was almost like we ran coffee through the tap,” said Scott Kube, a Bonne Terre resident.Bonne Terre city officials said the discoloration is the result of sediment buildup that worked its way through the system following a water flow test on certain fire hydrants. The city is flushing the water system to address the issue.“I can’t give my son a bath,” said Makayla McEntire, a Bonne Terre resident. Top Story: 2 more prosecutors resign from Kim Gardner’s office She said washing dishes, cooking with water, and doing laundry are all on hold until the discoloration is gone.Bonne Terre officials do not believe the water poses a health danger, but some residents are not convinced.“It (the water) was brown, and then it went to gray and all kinds of colors,” said Michael Stokes, a Bonne Terr...

Man describes St. Louis outdoor sirens as ‘weak’ during test

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS – There's nothing like anxiously awaiting a test of the outdoor warning siren, something Thomas Wokurka of south St. Louis hasn't heard in two years."I'm finding it interesting," he said.Besides some wind, it's a perfect spring day."Countdown begins," Wokurka said. "Here we go!"Moments after the clock hit 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Wokurka’s ears were perked."I do hear something," Wokurka said. "Yeah, I do hear it. Way over there."The St. Louis outdoor warning sirens could vaguely be heard in south city, from the same area where the city received most of its complaints in 2022 about residents not hearing the siren."It's kind of weak, isn't it? But there it is," Wokurka said. Top Story: 2 more prosecutors resign from Kim Gardner’s office Chad Storie lives in the south city area and complained about not hearing the siren during April's tornado warnings."We heard a faint test on a siren [Monday] but not confident it was a city siren sounding," he said.Others called FOX 2 from so...

Met Gala watch party highlights growing St. Louis fashion scene

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis fashion industry leaders and rising talent celebrated while showcasing the growing industry locally at a Met Gala watch party in the Central West End.It’s the first Monday of May. Fashion lovers already know what that means: It's time for the Met Gala! To celebrate fashion's biggest night, St. Louis fashionistas came together to watch the event at The Maryland House wearing their best Chanel or Fendi-inspired looks, a nod to this year's theme, the late designer Karl Lagerfeld. Dust storm closes I-55 in southern Illinois and causes massive pile-up "Our DNA in fashion it's part of the city's brand; I mean, we used to have a garment district that was only second to New York,” said Susan Sherman, co-founder of St. Louis Fashion Fund.Many attendees were designers themselves, highlighting a thriving industry making strides once again."We love that there's so much happening here, and we want more and more," said Anjali Kamra, a Rungolee designer. "We want the busine...

State auditor may take Kim Gardner to court over failing to hand over needed documents

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Auditor says he may file a lawsuit against St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said she’s not handing over the information he needs to complete the audit to see if her office is wasting taxpayers' money.He said he’s been after certain documents for some time now and has given the Circuit Attorney’s Office deadlines. He said he'd run out of patience.“If we don’t received that in the next week or so, then we will be going to court," Fitzpatrick said. "We basically have to file a lawsuit to enforce the petition in court, where a judge would essentially order the Circuit Attorney’s Office to comply with the subpoena, and if they fail to do that, we would have to go back to the judge and say they didn’t. Then the judge would have to determine if they were going to be held in contempt of court or what was going to happen there. So the next step is just going to court to enforce the subpoena and force them to comply with...

Riders react to MetroLink train fatal shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:23 GMT

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. - Another homicide on the MetroLink train has left some riders shaken, but not completely deterred from riding."It's only getting worse,” said John Avery, a Valley Park resident.MetroLink riders see and encounter just about everything."I've seen fights on the trains,” Avery said. “I've seen fights on the platforms."Bob rides the train to and from work every day."The security at times is always here in the morning and the afternoons,” he said. “But when I think there is more trouble, they are not quite as visible." Top Story: 2 more prosecutors resign from Kim Gardner’s office On Monday, several riders all agreed on one thing, more police on trains would deter crime."When you're on the train and people don't see law enforcement, they think it's time to party,” said Demetrius Collins. “But when they see law enforcement, everyone is going to act like they are civilized."However, on Saturday, police were on the train when two men exchanged gunfire, and one was left dead...