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Walt Disney World making changes to reservation system, bringing back dining plans next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Walt Disney World announced Monday that it is making changes to its reservation system and bringing back dining plans next year.Guests who purchase a date-based ticket will no longer have to make a reservation starting Jan. 9, 2024. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation Next year, the theme park will offer "good-to-go days" for annual passholders and cast members. Both groups will be able to visit the park on select days without needing a park reservation.Currently, annual passholders do not need to have a reservation if they visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.The theme park also released good news for those interested in the park's dining plan. Guests who purchase a vacation package will be able to add the dining package to their reservation starting Jan. 9, 2024.Disney said guests will be able to choose from two options: Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining P...

A special day for one Cubs fan at Wrigley Field

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the best moments at Wrigley Field this past weekend didn't happen between the lines. Instead, it featured a unique opportunity for a cancer survivor ahead of the Cubs' series against the Marlins. As part of an Advocate Health Care program, ten-year-old Flynn McGuire from Yorkville got to have a unique moment at the Friendly Confines on Friday as he was the honorary bat kid for the afternoon. He's a patient of Advocate Health since having to undergo a craniotomy to remove a large brain tumor on September 25, 2013, just after his first birthday. Since then, he's recovered well and goes in for occasional surveillance imaging. During his day at Wrigley Field, McGuire was joined by his family on the field for an opportunity to visit the Cubs' dugout and meet a few of the players. Given his own No. 23 jersey, Flynn was also featured on the videoboard along with a segment on the game broadcast. Larry Hawley featured McGuire in this edition of the "Random Hawlight" on WGN N...

LIVE: Daniel Perry to be sentenced for murder in 2020 shooting at downtown Austin protest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Daniel Perry, who was convicted last month of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin in 2020, is set to be sentenced Tuesday at 9 a.m. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death During Perry's trial, a jury was presented evidence including police body camera footage after the incident, interview footage of Perry in the Austin Police Headquarters interrogation room, 3D renderings of how close Foster was to Perry’s car, 911 calls, cell phone records, witness video, photos and more.Over the span of eight days, the jury heard testimony from nearly 40 witnesses: Protesters, Foster’s fiancé, police officers, and the lead detective who investigated the case.After deliberating for around 15 hours, a group of 12 jurors found Perry guilty of murder on April 8. Perry was found not guilty for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.A day after Perry’s conviction, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for his pardon, saying in a&...

'Today I Am' campaign aims to help military veterans take care of their mental health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

(KXAN) -- In 2020, there were 6,146 Veteran suicides, or average of 16.8 per day, according to the latest research from the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The Department of Veteran Affairs says there is help with a new campaign it calls ‘Today I Am.’“A lot of veterans are struggling,” said Dr. Christopher Loftis, a licensed psychologist and the National Director for VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration. “It's a difficult time when they leave the military or sometimes it's just the stress of a relationship breaking up, a career change, retirement, all different reasons why veterans might be struggling,” Loftis explained. Hundreds of veterans have shared messages online of how important it is to take care of their mental health.“With this campaign, we're really hoping that by showing the videos of veterans from all different service areas, all different service branches, all different kinds of backgrounds and identities, that veterans will find someone that they...

Austin tourism expected to stay steady, despite possible economic recession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tourism has taken off in Austin.According to Visit Austin, travelers spent $8.2 billion in 2022. That generated $837 million in local taxes, saving the average household $917 annually.At the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, passenger traffic growth this March was up 6.52% compared to March of 2022. With 1,941,044 departing passengers, March of 2023 was the fifth busiest month on record at AUS. March was the 5th-busiest month in Austin airport history Only five months into 2023, Visit Austin President and CEO Tom Noonan says the city is on pace for a record-setting year for tourism.Even with the possibility of an economic recession, he believes that Austin is in a prime position to attract a wide variety of visitors."So many destinations are good at one or two things, they might be good at business travel, they might be a leisure destination,” Noonan said.“We have them all, including festivals and major sporting events. While we may get hit by a recession, at...

ROK Eatery in Schmidt Rathskeller changing concepts to tacos and cocktails

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

ROK Eatery in the Schmidt Brewing Rathskeller building is changing concepts from Nordic and Japanese cuisine to a casual bar featuring tacos and cocktails.In a news release, owner Travis Wycislak said there are three reasons for the change: The rising costs of ingredients, uncertainty surrounding the restaurant’s lease and “long-term expenses.”The uncertainty surrounding its lease is due to the fact that the Rathskeller building is in foreclosure and will be auctioned off this month.The restaurant will keep its name. More than the menu will change, too — there will be more live music, QR code ordering (table service will still be offered at the bar) and Sunday special events with rotating food concepts. There will be “affordable drinks with elevated options,” too. The restaurant’s dog-friendly patio will continue to operate.Changes will go into effect May 17.ROK Eatery: 882 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-528-7273; rokeatery.comRelated ArticlesRestaurants, Food and D...

Thurman Thomas speaking at PAL Breakfast of Champions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hall of Fame running back and Buffalo Bills' legend Thurman Thomas will deliver a keynote address at the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) Breakfast of Champions, taking place on Wednesday from 7:15 to 9:15 a.m. The breakfast is taking place at the Desmond Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel, and tickets for the event can be purchased online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event looks to honor the champions who help support PAL every year. Members to be honored include Arielle King as an Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Honorable Kelly Kimbrough as an Honorary Lifetime Member Recognition, Kaweeda Adams as a community supporter, John Phillips and John Queenan as community advocates, and more. Thomas played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Buffalo Bills. He would win the MVP Award in 1991, beating out Bills' teammate and quarterback Jim Kelly, and earn Offensive Player of the Year honors as well. Thomas ...

Weekend of lawlessness in St. Louis: 15 shootings, 5 dead, 18 injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's been a weekend of lawlessness in St. Louis, with roughly 15 shootings and no arrests. Five people have died, and 18 people were injured.Major Ryan Cousins said the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will increase its police presence."We have to create a large presence, and hopefully that will deter people from coming downtown or anywhere else in the city," he said.On Friday, at the Exotic Bar on Cherokee Street, police shared that two people were shot multiple times and died in the hospital from their injuries.The next day, two people were shot and injured on Cherokee Street during the weekend Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Police said they are asking the public to help them find the two s...

300th anniversary of Illinois National Guard today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

KASKASKIA, Ill. - Tuesday is the 300th anniversary of the Illinois National Guard. It dates back to 1723, when the Illinois militia first mustered at Kaskaskia, Illinois. Family mourns siblings struck and killed on I-170 The French marines will be part of a commemorative celebration at 5:30 p.m. in Kaskaskia.

Man dead after car crash in Thornton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:52 GMT

A man is dead after a car crash in north metro Denver.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | No more free test kits, less data: What the end of the COVID public health emergency means in Colorado Crashes and Disasters | Authorities looking for driver of Jeep who rammed vehicle in Englewood Crashes and Disasters | All lanes of E. Quincy Avenue in Aurora closed for multi-vehicle crash Crashes and Disasters | Three 18-year-olds charged with murder in deadly Colorado rock-throwing spree Crashes and Disasters | Two people killed in crash with Arapahoe County deputy identified The crash Monday night in Thornton, near the intersection of 92nd Avenue and Pecos Street, involved two cars, police said in a posting on Twitter. Three people were transported to hospitals, police said.No further information was released on the man who died as a result of his injuries.The crash forced a temporary shutdown of westbound ...