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Column: Firings. A shooting in the stands. And a Chicago White Sox GM search that wasn’t a search. 10 days that shook the South Side.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

From the moment Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf fired longtime executives Ken Williams and Rick Hahn to fans unfurling a “Jerry Reinsdorf must go” banner in the ninth inning of Friday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, a season already off the rails veered off a cliff.The Sox already were in the midst of a stunning free-fall from a postseason team in 2021 to the fourth-worst record in baseball on Aug. 22. Traded reliever Keynan Middleton became an unlikely whistleblower, exposing a “no rules,” lackadaisical clubhouse culture exemplified by the pitcher’s allegation a Sox teammate slept in the bullpen during games without repercussions.The fate of Hahn, the general manager in his 11th year, was a daily topic of conversation, fueled by Hahn’s admission he might not be back to try to fix the mess in 2024. Former Sox player and manager Ozzie Guillen harped almost nightly on the NBC Sports Chicago postgame show about...

Tim Scott is the top Black Republican in the GOP presidential primary. Here’s how he discusses race

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) — Tim Scott seldom specifically brings up race in Iowa. Nor does the Republican presidential candidate have to.He is often the only Black person at his campaign events in the state. The South Carolina senator introduces himself as the product of early-life mentors who taught him not to be bitter.When race comes up, he often says the United States is not fundamentally racist. “We don’t have Black poverty or white poverty. We have poverty,” he told an all-white audience Thursday in Oskaloosa after being asked about race. He earlier had spoken about his poor Southern upbringing and his late grandfather, born into Jim Crow-era South Carolina.“The brilliance of this nation is that we keep moving forward, even though there are lots of forces who want us to think the problem is that someone doesn’t look like you,” Scott said.Scott, the only Black GOP presidential candidate campaigning aggressively in the early-voting state, is betting that his upbeat messag...

Pope gives ‘noble’ Chinese people a shout-out at Mass in Mongolia in bid to warm ties

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Pope Francis sent a special greeting to China’s “noble” people on Sunday, giving them a special shout-out at the end of a Mass celebrated in neighboring Mongolia during the first-ever papal visit that was largely overshadowed by Beijing and its crackdown on religious minorities.Francis brought up to the altar the retired and current bishops of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Hon Tong and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow, clasped their hands and told the crowd that included many mainland Chinese pilgrims that he wished them all well.“I want to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people,” Francis said. “To all the (Chinese) people I wish the best and to always go forward, always progress.”“I ask Chinese Catholics to be good Christians and good citizens,” he added, to cheers from the crowd in the Steppe Arena, in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.It was the first and only time that Francis has publicly mentioned China during his four-da...

Taiwan suspends work, transport and classes as Typhoon Haikui slams into the island

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Taiwan suspended flights, rail transport and ferry services along with classes and outdoor events and urged workers to stay home on Sunday as Typhoon Haikui churned across the southern part of the island.The typhoon made landfall in Taitung county on the Pacific-facing east coast around 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) Sunday, bringing sustained winds of 155 kph (96 mph) and gusts of 190 kph (120 mph). The winds and driving rains forced in unsecured doors, uprooted trees — at least one of which crushed a parked minivan — and caused flooding in some low-lying areas. There had been no mass evacuations, although dozens sheltered in school gymnasiums and public meeting halls.There appeared to be little serious damage, and some shops remained open, partly to dispose of locally grown fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. Haikui’s arrival came as Typhoon Saola continued to weaken while swirling along the Chinese coast, where 900,000 people and 80,000 fishing vessels...

'Strange' things about Austin, Central Texas

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you are not from Austin or even Central Texas, there may be some strange things you have noticed about the area, but do not worry. You are not alone.KXAN previously asked what people thought of the state, but here is what a few said were the strangest things they have noticed since moving to the Austin area. Strange things about Texas that non-Texans have noticed What's Loop 1?South Loop 1 sign in Austin, Texas (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Learning the names of roads can be crucial when moving to and settling in a new city, but what if the name on the maps is different from what locals actually call it? That's the case for Loop 1, otherwise known as MoPac Expressway."Loop 1 isn’t actually a Loop. And everyone calls it Mopac, but I think I’ve only seen one or two signs that call it that," one viewer said."It's called MoPac because the railroad that runs along it is the Missouri Pacific line," another viewer replied.How do you say that?Central Texas is a healthy mix...

Charley Walters: Looking ahead to Vikings’ QB candidates in 2024 draft

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

The way it looks now, the Vikings are headed for a 9-8 or 8-9 season or so that begins in a week against Tampa Bay.That would make it unlikely Kirk Cousins will return as quarterback in 2024.The Vikings seemingly would pick somewhere near the middle of next April’s NFL draft. The consensus two top quarterbacks are USC’s Caleb Williams, expected be No. 1 overall, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye, probably to be taken within the top six.The Vikings won’t draft high enough for either. That probably would leave their options from among Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Duke’s Riley Leonard, Texas’ Quinn Ewers or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with their top pick.The Vikings also would be expected to sign a relatively inexpensive journeyman as a bridge QB.>> Myles Gaskin, the veteran running back the Vikings signed last week, is expected to be used mostly as a third-down receiver out of the backfield.>> The Vikings have sent longtime season ticket holders commemorativ...

Literary calendar for week of Sept. 3

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

BAILEY/SHUBERT: Minnesotans Angie Bailey and Susie Shubert sign copies of “Little House Life Hacks: Lessons for the Modern Pioneer from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Prairie,” humorous life lessons from the seminal “Little House on the Prairie,” blending Ingalls Wilder’s 19th-century teachings with her penchant for homesteading, crafting, and the lifestyle we now call Cottagecore. These are hacks for everyone, from efficiently handling family and friends to managing work and romance. Bailey is a Gen X pop-culture nerd, award-winning writer and humorist; Shubert helps others navigate their unexpected journeys as a writer and content creator for modernprairie.com and a tarot adviser. 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.LITERARY BRIDGES: Celebrates its sixth anniversary with readings by hosts/curators of other reading series, including Bill Anderson, vice-president of Cracked Walnut chapter, League of Minnesota Poets; Fr...

Gateway Cup Cycling event takes center stage in The Hill neighborhood

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- In the Hill neighborhood today, the excitement of the annual Gateway Cup cycling event continues to build. This morning, viewers can get an inside look at what cyclists and spectators can expect on this thrilling leg of the race. The Hill neighborhood is set to host a racing event that has become a staple in American cycling history. Mike Weiss, the event director, spoke about the race's significance. With a mix of amateurs and professionals, the race promises an action-packed day for the community. Cyclists from all over the world, including Olympians and national champions, have gathered in the Hill neighborhood for this unique event. "We're talking about the fastest men and women in the world competing right here on the streets of the Hill," Weiss said.  The neighborhood is bracing for a massive turnout, with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 spectators expected to line the streets. According to Weiss, every spot along the course offers a front-row view of the thril...

Today's forecast: dry and sunny with highs in the low 90s

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Hot and humid weather is expected over the next few days. Today will be dry with plenty of sunshine and highs in the low 90s. Humidity will be more noticeable, and heat indices will be close to 100. It will be mostly clear, warm, and muggy overnight, with lows in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Labor Day will have similar heat, but isolated storm chances begin to return to the forecast. Most places should remain dry, but some thunderstorms are possible again on Tuesday and Wednesday. The temperature will be less hot at the end of the week behind a cold front.

Growing solid state battery company eyes new partnerships, global operations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:23 GMT

Solid Power, spun out of a research venture at the University of Colorado in Boulder, is producing the material for solid state battery cells in a new, 75,000-square-foot factory in Thornton and is looking at expanding operations globally in the next year or so.The company, with a smaller production facility in Louisville, is one of several, including startups and large auto manufacturers, striving to commercialize solid state batteries, seen as essential to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.John Van Scoter, who joined as CEO in June, believes Solid Power is well positioned to be a leader in that quest.“One of things I found so refreshing after I joined was the whole team thinks about very high volume manufacturing with everything that we do. For an early-stage company, that’s quite unique in my experience,” Van Scoter said. “Usually it’s ‘We have to make it work,’ and then, ‘Now we have to figure out how to make it work...