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Here's where human composting is legal, and the states still considering it

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - When we die, one of few things may occur: we’ll be cremated, placed in a casket and buried, or donated for research. There are other options — like being shot into space or put in a casket and pushed into the ocean — but some states are hoping to legalize another option: human composting. It was the state of Washington that first legalized human composting — otherwise referred to as natural organic reduction — in 2019. Since then, nearly half a dozen states have passed legislation to allow human remains to be broken down by tiny microbes and composted into soil. Other states are hoping to do the same. It may be coming at the right time, too — according to a recent survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, 60% of respondents, comprising of consumers 40 years old and older, said they would be interested in exploring “green” funeral and natural burial options, data shared with Nexstar shows.What is natural organic reduction?While the means of human com...

Early Kentucky Derby favorite scratched from race; 18 horses still to run

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby was scratched Saturday hours before the race.Forte was declared out of the 149th Derby, according to Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers. Co-owner Mike Repole said Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians had concerns about a bruised right front foot.It was the fifth scratch this week from the $3 million race, the first time that many were scratched since 1936. That year, 19 horses were entered and 14 ran. Who are the 5 greatest Derby-winning horses of all time? The colt stumbled on the track during a workout Thursday, although trainer Todd Pletcher had downplayed it.Kentucky Derby hopeful Forte works out at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. Forte was eventually removed from the field of contenders hours before the May 6 race. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Five horses have died at Churchill Downs in recent days, including two trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. He was suspended by the track...

Youth Guidance to help kids to bright futures

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

CHICAGO — A school-based program initiative is helping kids overcome obstacles and guiding them to bright futures.Youth Guidance has an abundance of programs from womanhood to helping youth prepare for careers.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Oakland A's announcer apologizes, says apparent use of on-air slur was accidental

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

(KRON) – Oakland A's announcer Glen Kuiper apologized after it sounded like he uttered a slur while calling the team's game against the Kansas City Royals Friday night. Kuiper was referencing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City when his words "didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to," he said later in the game. Popular Kansas City barbecue spot shows up in ‘Ted Lasso’ episodes Kuiper's original remarks occurred during a pregame segment on NBC Sports California. Kuiper was recounting the "phenomenal" day he had just spent in Kansas City, which included a visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which honors the leagues that Black athletes played in before Major League Baseball's integration. Kuiper also added that he visited the city's famed Arthur Bryant's Barbeque restaurant.Before the 6th inning began, Kuiper apologized. "A little bit earlier in the show, I said something [that] didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to," he said. "And I just wanted to ap...

Weekend Break: Art in Wilder Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

Join Marcella in today's Weekend break where she visits Wilder Park.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

APD seeking help identifying skeletal remains found in southeast Austin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department’s Cold Case Unit requested help identifying skeletal remains that were discovered in southeast Austin in December 2021.APD said the skeletal remains of an unidentified man were found in a wooded area near the 8200 block of Alum Rock Drive.“Despite the extensive efforts of law enforcement, the decedent's identity remains a mystery,” police said.APD said the unknown person was estimated to be between 16 and 20 years old at the time of death. Police also said the man was considered to be White or Hispanic. Investigators said they believed he had black hair and brown eyes; however, his height and weight could not be determined, according to APD.APD Cold Case Detectives seeking help identifying skeletal remains found in southeast Austin (APD photo)A DNASolves crowdfund was created to raise funds for the remaining casework costs, according to police.“In January 2022, details of the case were entered into National Missing and Unidentified Person...

See how many music festivals are within a 1-hour drive of St. Louis

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

Fifty-odd years ago, Michael Lang, Artie Kornfeld, Joel Rosenman, and John P. Roberts put on what has come to be arguably the best-known music festival of all time: the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Advertised as three days of peace and music, the event attracted some 400,000 attendees (twice the expected 200,000 maximum) who were entertained by 32 acts. While Woodstock certainly wasn't the first music festival to be held in the U.S., it changed the course of the industry from community-run and just-for-fun to commercial and competitive.About 32 million Americans attend music festivals each year, according to Billboard. Almost half of these are millennials, who place a lot of value on experiences and travel. Organizers, recognizing the generation's priorities and massive spending power, have started making their events not just parties but destinations. Rather than running festivals in rural areas like Bethel, New York, many of the country's biggest events are now held within a few ...

Authorities looking for driver Jeep who rammed victim vehicle in Englewood

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

Authorities are looking for the driver of a Jeep who rammed a vehicle off a metro area roadway seriously injuring two people in the victim’s vehicle.The incident happened about 8:35 p.m. Friday at U.S. Highway 285 and Downing Street, according to a Medina Alert posted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.Please share: Medina Alert – 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with CO License Plate # CISZ19. The suspect vehicle rammed victim vehicle off the road near HWY 285 and S. Downing St. If you see this vehicle, please call 911. pic.twitter.com/8cDwHg0T67— CBI (@CBI_Colorado) May 6, 2023Investigators are asking for the public’s looking for a black 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Colorado License CISZ19.The driver of the Jeep struck the victim’s vehicle multiple times, ramming it off the road and crashing into a light pole. Two people suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep fled the crash scene. The Jeep should have front end damage.Anyone who sees the Jeep, or ...

Review: Jazz great underscores why this Berkeley venue is among Bay Area’s best

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

The California Jazz Conservatory offers one of the most incredible concert experiences in the entire Bay Area.And the No. 1 reason why is the intimate setting.That point was driven home once again during the Mike Stern concert at the CJC’s Rendon Hall in Berkeley on Friday night (May 5).There he was — one of the world’s greatest guitarists, a jazz giant who has performed alongside such icons as Miles Davis, Billy Cobham and Jaco Pastorius — performing in front of a crowd of a little more than 30 people.Yes, 30 people.Granted, it wasn’t a sold-out show. But at full capacity, we are only talking about 100 people. So, that should definitely motivate jazz fans to get acquainted with this amazingly intimate venue, which further distinguishes itself with its crystal-clear acoustics and sound.The setting — which brings to mind some small underground jazz room that only “those in the know” can locate in New York City — regularly hosts co...

With COVID benefits ending, low-income Marylanders worry about food

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:19 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.With the federal health emergency nearing its end in mid-May, low-income Marylanders are still struggling with food insecurity and the costs of everyday household items, according to a statewide hunger-relief non-profit.“Between inflation and the end of government pandemic emergency aid, the need for food assistance in Maryland remains high as the rates of food affordability, financial hardship, and food insufficiency continue to trend upward across all income groups,” according to a press release from the Maryland Food Bank.According to the Maryland Food Bank, 36% of Maryland families surveyed reported that their children were sometimes not eating enough due to the cost of food, which is 12% higher than the previous month. This data comes from an analysis of the Household Pulse Survey data from the U.S. Census as of April 19.Food in...