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Secrets uncovered as scientists explore Beethoven’s DNA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

 (CNN) — The idea of time travel has always fascinated me.Since I was a kid, I’ve imagined a “Jetsons”-like future with flying cars and the ability to journey to the past, as the Time Traveller did in H.G. Wells’ novella “The Time Machine.”Advances have turned many sci-fi ideas into reality, but it doesn’t look like I’ll be going for a stroll with novelist Jane Austen or mathematician Ada Lovelace anytime soon.As humans, however, we’re motivated by challenges. If there is a puzzle with no direct solution, there are ways around or over it.Science has evolved enough that we now have innovative ways of peering back in time. This week, a team of researchers stepped into history by using DNA analysis to understand an important figure in classical music a little bit better.We are familyLudwig van Beethoven, known for his stirring sonatas and symphonies, expressed a wish before he died in 1827. The composer wanted doctors to ...

Police respond to possible road rage crash in Westmoreland, NH

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

A woman was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries Saturday after a two-vehicle crash on NH12 in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, that is being treated as a road rage incident, officials said. Troopers responding to a reported crash near Aldridge Road around 4:45 p.m. determined a brown 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by a 34-year-old Walpole, New Hampshire woman tried to pass a red 2004 Chevy 1500 pickup truck when they both lost control and drove off the roadway, according to New Hampshire State Police.The woman driving the Grand Marquis struck an embankment, causing her vehicle to roll over onto its roof. She was taken to Cheshire Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. https://twitter.com/NH_StatePolice/status/1639975644623933440The pickup driver was uninjured.Police say the crash remains under investigation and is being treated as a road rage incident. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Trooper Troy Couillard at 603-223-2162 or Troy.J....

States’ divisions on abortion widen after Roe overturned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A group of Tennessee Republicans began this year’s legislative session hoping to add narrow exceptions to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, armed with the belief that most people — even in conservative Tennessee — reject extremes on the issue.Tennessee law requires doctors to prove in court that they were saving a woman’s life when they performed an abortion. Surely, the lawmakers thought, they could win concessions that would allow doctors to use their good faith judgment about when abortion is necessary to save a woman’s life. But after a key anti-abortion group stepped in, the lawmakers had to settle for a stricter legal standard that moves the needle very little.Like lawmakers in several GOP-led states who started the year thinking about moderating the nation’s toughest abortion laws, Tennessee’s lawmakers found no appetite among their colleagues for loosening the rules.During the first legislative sessions in most states since the ...

In Ghana, Kamala Harris ‘excited about the future of Africa’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

Accra, GHANA (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris was greeted by schoolchildren, dancers and drummers as she arrived Sunday in Ghana for the start of a weeklong visit to Africa intended to deepen U.S. relationships amid global competition over the continent’s future.“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on this continent,” Harris said.The children cheered and waved Ghanaian and American flags as she stepped off her plane after an overnight flight. She smiled broadly and placed a hand on her heart as she passed by the dancers.“What an honor it is to be here in Ghana and on the continent of Africa,” Harris said. “I’m very excited about the future of Africa.” She said she wanted to promote economic growth and food security and welcomed the chance to ”witness firsthand the extraordinary innovation and creativity that is occ...

Veto puts Kentucky in thick of fight over transgender rights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill aimed at transgender health care puts the state in the middle of a national fight, but with more immediate consequences as the state’s looming election offers an early test on the state-by-state assault on gender-affirming care for minors.The veto issued Friday set off competing messages likely to be repeated until the November election — when Bluegrass State voters will decide whether to reward the Democratic governor with a second term or hand over the governor’s office to a Republican. No one seems to know yet how much weight voters will put on the transgender issue with the general election more than seven months away.The legislation in Kentucky is part of a widespread movement, with Republican state lawmakers in other states approving extensive measures that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people this year, from bills targeting trans athletes and drag performers to measures limiting gender-affirmi...

Gap grows between TikTok users, lawmakers on potential ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security breaches and possible Chinese surveillance.On the other are some 150 million TikTok users in the U.S. who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos offering makeup tutorials and cooking lessons, among other things. The disconnect illustrates the uphill battle that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle face in trying to convince the public that China could use TikTok as a weapon against the American people. But many users on the platform are more concerned about the possibility of the government taking away their favorite app. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said during a nearly six-hour congressional hearing Thursday that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government, and wouldn’t do so if asked. Nevertheless, lawmakers, the FBI and officials at other agencies continue to raise alarms that Chinese law compels Chinese companies like T...

Planets on parade: 5 will be lined up in night sky this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

Keep an eye on the sky this week for a chance to see a planetary hangout.Five planets — Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus and Mars — are scheduled to line up near the moon.WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU SEE THEM?The best day to catch the whole group is Tuesday. You’ll want to look to the western horizon right after sunset, said NASA astronomer Bill Cooke.The planets will stretch from the horizon line to around halfway up the night sky. But don’t be late: Mercury and Jupiter will quickly dip below the horizon around half an hour after sunset.The five-planet spread can be seen anywhere on Earth, as long as you have clear skies and a west view.“That’s the beauty of these planetary alignments. It doesn’t take much,” Cooke said.DO I NEED BINOCULARS?Maybe. Jupiter, Venus and Mars will all be pretty easy to see since they shine brightly, Cooke said. Venus will be one of the brightest things in the sky, and Mars will be hanging out near the moon with a reddish glow. Mercury and Uranus could be ...

Sunday Forecast: Cloudy, chance of rain/snow showers, t'storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

Sunday's forecast includes increasing clouds with a chance rain/snow showers, north. Thunderstorms possible south. Some could be strong to severe south of I-80. ENE 5-10 mph. High near 40Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of evening rain. NNE 10-15 mph. Low:32 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Monday's forecast is looking partly cloudy & a bit milder. N 5-10 mph. Highs mid to low 40sFull forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterChilly weather continues Tuesday with some early showers and highs in the mid to low 40s. Some possible showers late Wednesday.  Cubs home opener is on Thursday, soggy but mild with highs in the low 50s and we could see some showers on Friday but temps at or above 60 for the first time this year. 

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle returns to Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

CHICAGO — The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle returned to Chicago Sunday morning with over 26,000 runners expected to participate. Wheelchair runners started their race a slightly before other runners, followed by a two-mile walk. Many groups, like the 'Green Guy Runners' were excited to participate in the Chicago tradition. The race marks the end of all St. Patrick's Day celebrations and kicks off the official Spring Running Season in Chicago.

Sunday Brunch with Scratchboard Kitchen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:57 GMT

Check out this morning's Sunday Brunch with Scratchboard Kitchen with their creative and organic brunch food recipes.Scratchboard Kitchen is a breakfast & lunch restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights delivering scratch-made food and drinks using the highest-quality locally sourced ingredients.  Executive Chef Grace Goudie taps into the bounty of the surrounding farmland to showcase local ingredients in seasonally-inspired dishes paired with a selection of beverages including local craft beer, carefully curated wines, and specialty cocktails.  You’ll also find a daily selection of house-made pastries, locally roasted coffee, specialty espresso drinks, kombucha, and cold brew. Not to mention, little ones love Chef Grace’s unique (and sneakily healthy!) spin on the standard kids menu. Scratchboard Kitchen | Brunch in Arlington Heights, IL (scratchboardkitchenah.com)Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox eve...