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Hollywood’s writers strike is on the verge of ending. What happens next?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Hollywood strike of nearly five months appears about to end as a tentative deal has been reached between unionized screenwriters and the studios, streaming services and production companies that hire them. Here’s a look at the steps to come for writers, and for the actors whose strike continues.FIRST COMES TWO CRUCIAL VOTESAfter five days of marathon negotiating sessions that included the CEOs of Hollywood’s biggest studios, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers came to terms Sunday night on a contract good for three years, the standard length in the industry.But two successful votes must happen before the strike is over. First, boards of the WGA’s eastern and western branches must approve the deal. Then the 11,500 members themselves must vote for approval. Such votes are actually common with Hollywood unions, taking place every time a new three-year contract is negotiated, though they don̵...

One dead following stabbing near Finch station

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

One person has died following a stabbing in the Yonge Street and Hendon Avenue area, near Finch subway station, on Sunday night.Police responded to reports at approximately 9:58 pm of a stabbing in the area.On scene, police located a male in 20’s with a stab wound who was transported to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.Later police updated that the male was pronounced deceased at the hospital.The homicide unit has taken over the investigation are those in the area should expect road closures.

Sunday night forecast: Mostly cloudy & chance of showers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy & chance of showers. SE 5-10 mphLow 62 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Monday: Mostly cloudy & chance of showers. ESE 5-15 mphHigh 73Extended outlook calls for more clouds on Tuesday with temps in the lower 70s with some showers likely. On/off showers and iso. t'storms on Wednesday that could extend into early Thursday. We'll see more sunshine and temps back to almost 80 by the end of the week. 

2 DePaul students robbed overnight on Lincoln Park campus

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

CHICAGO — University officials say two DePaul students were involved in separate robberies overnight.According to the university, the robberies happened between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the Lincoln Park campus.According to a news release sent out by the university on Sunday, the robberies happened at the quad near West Belden Avenue and North Seminary Avenue, and at the intersection of West Belden Avenue and North Racine Avenue. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines University officials say during both incidents, the offenders approached the students and demanded their belongings. During one of the robberies, an offender pulled out a weapon and hit a student with it. Officials did not say what type of weapon was used.Following the robberies the university says it will be increasing its public safety presence on both campuses and Chicago police will be increasing patrols around campus.The university urges students to take extra steps to remain aware of their surroundings.

Writers Guild and Hollywood studios reach tentative deal to end strike. No deal yet for actors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a historic screenwriters strike after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors. The Writers Guild of America announced the deal in a joint statement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations.“WGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” the guild said in an email to members. “This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days.” The three-year contract agreement — settled on after five marathon days of renewed talks by negotiators WGA and the AMPTP — must be approved by the guild's board and members before the strike officially ends.In a longer message from the guild shared by members on social media, the writers were ...

Scattered severe storms moving through the area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures hit 103º in Austin at Camp Mabry and at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Sunday. This easily smashed the previous record high for this day at Camp Mabry of 99º set in 1926, 2005 and 2011. The record at AUS was also broken today beating the previous record of 101º in 2005.Scattered severe storms possible tonightSevere storms with large hail, damaging winds and frequent lightning continue to move through the area. Storms have had a history of producing up to baseball size hail. Storms have recently lost some of their intensity, but 60% rain chances continue for the next few hours.Most of the area is in a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk tonight with large hail and damaging winds the primary concern. Severe weather risk this evening and tonight (SPC)Hail size could exceed 2", so make sure to put your car in a car port or garage if you have one. Wind gusts over 60 mph could cause isolated power outages and wind damage. NEW BLOG: October forec...

PHOTOS: Large, damaging hail pummels parts of Central Texas

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows large hail falling in Round Rock, courtesy Suzette Cowan.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Large, dangerous hail fell in parts of Central Texas Sunday night as severe storms moved through the area. Viewers submitted photos to KXAN, showing just how big the hail got in places like Georgetown and Round Rock, as well as the damage it caused to windshields and windows. Shattered windows from large hail in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Austin on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Brandi Lea)Shattered windows from large hail in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Austin on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Brandi Lea)Large hail in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Austin on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Brandi Lea)Large hail in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Austin on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Brandi Lea)Damage from large hail in Round Rock on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Tony)Damage from large hail in Round Rock on Sept. 24, 2023 (Courtesy: Tony)Damage from large hail in Round Roc...

West Austin neighbors petition against self-driving cars

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stopped at a red light near Austin Community College, Jinous Rouhani says she narrowly avoided having her car hit by a driverless Cruise vehicle.“The Cruise car turned onto Rio Grande and it was so close to hitting my car,” she said. “I closed my eyes and just knew it was imminent but luckily it missed me.”The Pemberton Heights resident says the driverless vehicles have caused congestion in her neighborhood at night. Cruise driverless cars turning heads in Austin “The frequency of errors that I see on their part is very worrisome,” Rouhani said.Cruise recently expanded its operations past I-35, into the East Austin neighborhood.Michael Staples is Cruise’s general manager for the Austin market. He says they’ve seen a significant increase in passenger volume this fall.“We’ve gotten a lot of rides coming out of the West and North Campus area, especially going downtown,” he said. “We've seen a huge increase over the last in the last few weeks.”Cruise says its seen a si...

Concert review: Minsoo Sohn opens Chopin Society’s 40th season with exquisite performance

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

The Chopin Society of Minnesota began its 40th season with a delicious concert at Macalester College’s Mairs Concert Hall on Sunday, featuring lesser-known Rachmaninoff works played by Korean American pianist Minsoo Sohn.An austere presence, Sohn imbued the keys with a potent energy as he played the piano works in a masterful and precise performance.Introducing Sohn, Mary Sigmond, president of the Society, noted that all guest artists presented by the organization, including Sohn, have “authenticity.” It’s an intriguing word to use these days, what with the rise of artificial intelligence. You can go online and watch an AI-created video of Rachmaninoff’s works, and yet, no computer has known trauma. An AI program has never experienced sublime passion, desolate grief or unstoppable laughter. The gift musical performers give us is their ability to channel emotion, frailty and strength into the instrument they are playing. Computers can’t match that magic — at least not yet. They also ...

Theater review: Theater Latte Da’s ‘Falsettos’ worthy of high praise

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

There are departures and then there are departures. Leadership roles change hands regularly in the arts, but it’s different when a theater’s founder and artistic director leaves, for it’s their vision that brought the company into being and shaped what it’s become.Like Penumbra’s Lou Bellamy and Mixed Blood’s Jack Reuler, Peter Rothstein has placed a very individual stamp on his company, Theater Latte Da, which he founded in 1998 and led for 25 years before moving on to Florida’s Asolo Repertory Theatre this summer.Next month, his successor arrives when Justin Lucero comes northward from the El Paso Opera. But Theater Latte Da’s aesthetic of intimate and insightful interpretations of musical theater lives on in its richly entertaining season-opening production of William Finn’s “Falsettos.” The deeply committed cast throws itself passionately into each characterization and song, the attention to musical detail is awe-inspiring, and the stagecraft is impeccable.Thatcher Jacobs and Ni...