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Review: Don Winslow writes mob war epic inspired by Homer

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

“City of Dreams,” by Don Winslow (William Morrow)“City of Dreams” is the middle book in a planned trilogy that began when a stunning woman emerged from the surf at a Rhode Island beach in last year’s “City on Fire” and sparked a war between the state’s Irish and Italian crime families.Now, as the latest installment opens, Danny Ryan leads what’s left of the defeated Irish mob on an epic, cross-country journey in search of a new home and a measure of safety from the Italian gangsters, the Rhode Island State Police, FBI agents and a growing number of other pursuers dead set on putting them in the ground.“Ryan’s not sure where they are going,” author Don Winslow writes, “just that they have to get the hell out of Rhode Island.”If the story reminds readers of Homer’s “The Iliad” and Virgil’s “Aeneid,” in which jealousy over a beauty named Helen sparked a war between the Greeks and the Trojans, it should. Winslow peppers his yarn with allusions and quotes from the epic Greek poems, casti...

10 car models qualify for full revamped EV tax credit under Democrats’ climate law

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

(The Hill) -- Ten car models qualify for full electric vehicle tax credits for consumers under the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, according to a list released on Monday. The climate, tax and healthcare law lifted a cap on how many vehicles can qualify for the EV tax credits, but also added new stipulations on which vehicles qualify. For a new vehicle, a consumer can get a $3,750 credit if a portion of the car’s battery components were made in North America and another $3,750 if a portion of the battery’s minerals were mined or processed in countries with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement. With those stipulations slated to take effect on Tuesday, the Biden administration on Monday made a list of vehicles that qualify for some or all of the credit.  Air National Guardsman faces charges after applying to RentAHitman.com, feds say Sixteen models qualify for at least some of the credit, with 10 qualifying for the full credit. Included in those 10 is Tesla’...

McDonald's making these 4 changes to its burgers by 2024, company says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Your Big Mac taste a little different lately? McDonald's said it's been tweaking the way they make their signatures burgers in about a dozen large cities, and plans to roll out the changes nationwide.The changes are subtle, but McDonald's said Monday they've resulted in the company's "best burgers ever."It starts with new buns, that McDonald's said are "softer" and "pillowy" before they are toasted until they're golden. McDonald’s debuts two new desserts — but most Americans will never taste one of them Slathered on those buns will be more Big Mac sauce, the proprietary special sauce the company first developed in 1968 (though the recipe has been tweaked a few times over the decades). McDonald's is also going to start adding onion to patties while they're on the grill. The caramelized onions should have a sweeter flavor, rather than the sharp taste of a raw onion.For those who like a slice of American on their burgers, the recent improvements also mean "perfectly melt...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Jake Gyllenhaal "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant"

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

Dean talks to Jake Gyllenhaal on his role in the new film as U.S. army Sergeant along with his co-star, Danish actor Dar Salim who plays an Afghan interpreter who goes to great lengths to save his Seargent's life in a dangerous mission while stationed in Afghanistan.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!

Top 20 richest people in Illinois — they're all billionaires

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

The first billionaire ever is thought to be Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller back in 1916, or perhaps Henry Ford in 1925.Fast forward some 100 years to 2021: As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rage, a record-breaking 660 people became billionaires globally, growing the previous year's number by 30%. Chicago suburbs’ most expensive home for sale While the U.S. is home to the most billionaires out of any other country, Americans are somewhat split in their feelings on the billionaire class. According to Pew Research Center data, people in the U.S. became somewhat more critical of billionaires between 2020 and 2021.Although support for individual billionaires like Bill Gates is relatively strong, many Americans view the ultra-rich—as a group rather than as individuals—negatively. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026.The U.S.'s wealthiest billionaires are mostly concentrated within just a couple of industries: financ...

AUS: Long lines at airport due to TSA scanner installation, high traffic

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Long lines at Austin's airport this weekend into Monday were due to increased traffic and the installation of new TSA scanners, a spokesperson for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said. The scanners will be able to view carry-on bags in 3D, meaning travelers can leave everything in their bags, including food and electronics larger than a cell phone, according to a previous press release from AUS. RELATED: New TSA scanners being added at AUS An airport spokesperson said these upgrades will ultimately make getting through security faster. A look at the airport midday Monday. AUS says it will be a busy day for air travel as people clear out from MotoGP (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)A look at the airport midday Monday. AUS says it will be a busy day for air travel as people clear out from MotoGP (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)A look at the airport midday Monday. AUS says it will be a busy day for air travel as people clear out from MotoGP (KXAN photo/Frank Martine...

Looming decision over Austin ISD special education appeal expected today

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District leaders will announce late Monday afternoon whether it will appeal the state appointment of a conservator management team to oversee its special education operations.The Austin school district has been under investigation by the Texas Education Agency since 2021 for repeatedly missing state and federal deadlines to evaluate students suspected of needing special education services.The agency heightened its intervention on March 31 – announcing its plan to add a state-appointed management team to oversee the district special education operations.The district has since held multiple meetings with parents and stakeholders explaining the impact of a more severe intervention from the state. But school officials have not disclosed whether it will appeal the decision. Court records: AISD behind on more than 800 special education evaluations If the district decided to appeal, it would have to write a letter to the TEA for an informal revie...

House DFL tax bill includes $1.25 billion in rebates, other reductions and some tax hikes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

Democrats in control of the Minnesota House released details Monday of their plans to change tax rates by $3 billion including rebates, cuts and credits while also generating new revenue.Big ticket tax reductions include $1.25 billion in credits, $1.30 billion in credits for families and $409 million in reduced taxes on Social Security over the next two years. The tax rebates are worth $275 for a single filer and $550 for couples.The proposal also includes creating a fifth tax bracket that would raise about $530 million in the next biennium, changes to corporate taxes that would generate about $452 million as well as increases in other taxes and fees.House Democrats are expected to give more details at a noon news conference at the Capitol. The bills will be debated in committee several days this week.Republicans have pushed for more in rebates as well as permanent tax rate reductions and the elimination of taxes on Social Security. They’ve called DFL plans unsustainable.A tax...

Minnesota is latest to settle with e-cigarette maker Juul

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

Minnesota announced a settlement Monday in its lawsuit against Juul Labs and tobacco giant Altria — the first of thousands of cases against the e-cigarette maker to reach trial — just ahead of closing arguments. It comes only days after Juul announced its biggest settlement ever over the way it marketed its highly addictive products.The terms will be kept confidential until formal papers are publicly filed with the court in 30 days, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement. If it’s like Juul’s other settlements, the Minnesota settlement could include a multimillion-dollar payment and various restrictions on the marketing, sale and distribution of the company’s vaping products. Ellison said ahead of the trial that he was seeking more than $100 million in damages.“After three weeks of trial highlighting and bringing into the public record the actions that JUUL and Altria took that contributed to the youth vaping epidemic, we reached a settlement in the best interes...

Vikings sign cornerback Joejuan Williams

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:37:12 GMT

The Vikings have agreed to terms with cornerback Joejuan Williams, the team announced Monday. Williams spent the past four seasons in New England, where he appeared in 36 regular-season games with one start.Drafted by the Patriots out of Vanderbilt in the second round of the 2019 draft, Williams 41 tackles (31 solo), eight passes defensed and one quarterback hit in NFL games. He also has played in two postseason games (one start) and registered six solo tackles. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 16, 2022, with a shoulder surgery and did not play season.