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Metallica returns with ’72 Seasons’; band not slowing down

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Zoom has been credited for keeping students and teachers connected, the judicial system working and fitness classes jumping. You can add a Metallica album to that list.The hard rockers met weekly over their computers to stay connected during the pandemic, a standing get-together that eventually became a songwriting factory. The first step was an acoustic version of their song “Blackened.”“It proved to us that, yes, we can at least do something remotely while we’re all still separated,” says guitarist Kirk Hammett. “That grew into trying to get riffs together for the new album though Zoom.”Six or seven of those song sketches ended up on “72 Seasons,” the band’s 12th full-length album, out Friday. It’s the sound of a band not slowing down, despite singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich turning 60 this year and Hammett already on the other side of that milestone. Bassist Robert Trujillo is the baby, at just 58.“It ended up working...

White House wants rule to protect abortion patients’ records

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Wednesday proposed a new federal rule to limit how law enforcement and state officials collect medical records if they investigate women who flee their home states to seek abortions elsewhere.The proposal, prompted by a string of blows to abortion access across the country, follows a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that threatens to pull the most commonly used abortion pill, mifepristone, off the market. The White House’s proposed rule would prohibit health care organizations from sharing personal medical records with authorities for investigations related to reproductive care in states where a woman legally obtained an abortion. While medical records are protected by federal privacy laws, health providers and insurers can be compelled to turn over medical records with a court order.Doctors around the country have voiced concerns about protecting that medical information from law enforcement officials, said Melanie Fontes Rainer, the direc...

Japan park where Babe Ruth played subject of climate battle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A historic baseball stadium in Tokyo where Babe Ruth played could be demolished, part of a disputed redevelopment plan harshly criticized by environmentalists.Ruth played at the Meiji Jingu Stadium in 1934 on a barnstorming tour with other American stars that included Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez and Jimmie Foxx. Ruth homered several times before 60,000 fans in games at the stadium, which is still home to the Japanese league champion Yakult Swallows.Only three other major ballparks remain where Ruth played: Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and the Koshien Stadium in Kobe, Japan. Wrigley and Fenway have been renovated, but plans to save Meiji Jingu have been dismissed by developers and politicians.The stadium was opened in 1926 in an area known as Meiji Gaien, a green patch in central Tokyo that’s famous for an avenue lined with about 150 ginko trees. Plans call for razing the ballpark and a neighboring rugby stadium and rebuilding them in different spots in the reconfigured ...

Chip component plant to get $300M expansion in Pennsylvania

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The electronics subsidiary of German multinational health care company Merck KGaA said Wednesday it will spend $300 million to expand its specialty gas production facility in eastern Pennsylvania in a step that state officials hope will help boost the area’s appeal to the fast-growing semiconductor industry.The subsidiary, EMD Electronics, said the expansion will create the world’s largest integrated specialty gases facility as part of its program to invest over $3.5 billion on projects by 2025, including at sites in Arizona, Texas and California.Company officials say the site houses a research center and synthesizes materials that form core building blocks of transistors, a component of microchips.Gov. Josh Shapiro, who attended the announcement at the site in Schuylkill County, pledged more than $1 million in state grants for the expansion.“This industry is huge and its growth potential is enormous, and it is key to our economy and to our national secu...

Man, 18, charged with killing CPD Officer Andres Vásquez Lasso pleads not guilty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

CHICAGO — The man accused of killing a Chicago cop last month entered a not guilty plea Wednesday.Steven Montano, 18, answered a few "yes or no" questions during the court hearing, before his public defender entered the plea of not guilty.Montano is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of police Officer Andres Vásquez Lasso. He is also facing a number of additional felony charges.Montano is being held without bond.On March 1, Vásquez Lasso was investigating a domestic-related call in the 5200 block of South Spaulding and saw Montano running from the scene with a gun.Court records say Officer Vásquez Lasso started chasing him, and the two men exchanged gunfire. The officer was shot several times and was killed. Bodycam video released from Louisville bank shooting Montano was shot and transported to a hospital in critical condition, but has since been released and is currently in Cook County Jail.Dozens of police officers were inside and outside of the courtroom We...

Comedian Chelsea Handler coming to Chicago Theater

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Add another name to the lineup of stand-up comedians coming to the Chicago Theater.   Grammy-nominated comedian, television host and best-selling author Chelsea Handler has added a Chicago date to her 2023 tour.   Dean’s Home Video: Jeremy Renner’s new show debuts Even though she'll play in Peoria on April 13, she'll also be at the Chicago Theater on Friday, October 27. Pre-sale for tickets began at 10 a.m. Wednesday.  General on-sale starts on Friday at LiveNation.com.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Midday Fix: A live performance from JAGGED LITTLE PILL

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

Jade McLeod Maya J. ChristianEvent:JAGGED LITTLE PILLJames M. Nederlander Theatre24 W. Randolph St., ChicagoPlaying now through April 23!http://www.BroadwayInChicago.comhttp://www.jaggedlittlepill.com

Amy Rutledge’s Bozo’s Circus Revenge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

Daytime Chicago’s Amy Rutledge suffered an early setback in life with respect to Bozo’s Circus. But now she’s getting the last laugh. WGN celebrates 75 years with special report For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

With hit movie and comedy special out, Marlon Wayans bringing stand up tour back to Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

Actor, comedian, writer Marlon Wayans took time from his morning workout for a little fun, as he prepares for two weekends of shows at the Improv in Schaumburg.Visit here for showtimes and tickets.

MLB's new pitch clock is prompting parks to change their beer policies: Here's why

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) – Several MLB franchises are relaxing the alcohol cutoff times at their stadiums to increase sales and give fans more time to enjoy their beverages during shorter games.At least four teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers — have chosen to extend sales into the eighth inning as a response to the new pitch clock rule which speeds up the pace of play, the Associated Press reported.“This is [reflective] of the fact that the games are shorter. From a time perspective, we're probably looking at selling beer for the same amount of time by extending to the eighth inning that we did last year through the seventh,” Rick Schlesinger, Milwaukee's President of Business Operations, said in an interview with MLB.com. The policy was implemented for the final two games of the team's home-opening sweep against the New York Mets, and Schlesinger said there were no reported issues. Padres slugger draws first-ever pitch clock viola...