Minnesota Leaders Seek Deal to Avert Democratic Boycott in State House

Florida Sen. Randy Fine introduced a bill to block illegal migrants from some public colleges, following Gov. Ron DeSantis' call for a special session on immigration. The legislation would prevent acceptance of illegal migrant students at public institutions with an acceptance rate below 85%, impacting major Florida universities. DeSantis aims to fund immigration efforts post-Trump administration, facing criticism from GOP leaders for the rushed special session. Full Article

On Jan. 15 in the Chicago area, historical events included the creation of Cook County in 1831, the purchase of the Chicago Cubs by Charles Weeghman and others in 1916, and the observation of the first Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Illinois in 1974. Additionally, the premiere of "Hill Street Blues" on NBC in 1981 and the introduction of Lovie Smith as the Chicago Bears head coach in 2004 were significant occurrences. The...

Julia Stiles made her feature film directorial debut with "Wish You Were Here," a story about love and loss. The film follows a young woman navigating a new romance while learning her partner is terminally ill, balancing humor and emotion. Stiles aimed to avoid cliches and saccharine moments, instead focusing on the importance of kindness and love in challenging times. Full Article

Dolvett Quince, former Biggest Loser trainer, recounts his decision to evacuate during the California wildfires and praises the resilience of his community. He describes the challenging conditions before leaving and expresses hope for recovery, noting the assistance and support already visible among residents. Despite disappointment in government preparedness, Quince commends the firefighters for their swift response and hard work, advocating for their increased recognition and compensation. Full Article

Preston Martin's college van, parked in a Malibu neighborhood during the Palisades fire, miraculously survived the devastation, as captured in a widely circulated AP photo. Both Martin and Megan Krystle Weinraub, who now owns the van, were stunned by its resilience. The van, named Azul, has become a symbol of hope amidst the destruction, bringing joy to many who were affected by the wildfire. Full Article

The coastal waters off Laguna Beach between Treasure Island and Table Rock at Aliso Beach are closed due to a sewage spill of 465,000 gallons caused by a main sewer line break near Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Some of the sewage has seeped into nearby beaches, prompting health authorities to keep the area closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until water quality improves. This is the second sewage spill in Orange County in two months,...