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Marijuana legalization raises safety questions Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Marijuana may be coming out of the black market in Colorado and Washington state, but the drug, at least for now, will retain a decidedly underground feel: Users may not know what's in it. Less than a year away from allowing pot sales, regulators are grappling with how to ensure that the nation's first legal marijuana industry will grow weed that delivers only the effects that pot smokers want.
Growth in US budget deficit slows in January Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
The federal government reported a rare surplus for January and is on track to run its smallest annual budget deficit since President Barack Obama took office. The Treasury Department said Tuesday the government took in a surplus of $2.9 billion in January. That's the first monthly surplus since April, a month that benefited from income tax payments.
Prospect Heights bistros seeking video gambling permits, owner says Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Three new bistros planned for Prospect Heights will target an "upscale" clientele, serve only patrons over 21 years old and seek video gambling permits from the state, a partner in Blackhawk Restaurants told the city council Monday. The restaurants, called Penny's, will serve soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts and will request city licenses to serve beer and wine.
Texas Gov. Perry raids California businesses Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Texas Gov. Rick Perry brought his brash pitch for jobs to California on Monday as he sought to lure businesses to his state with the promise of lower taxes and fewer regulations. Perry's private meetings with business leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area weren't his first effort to tempt companies to leave the Golden State, but this three-day trip has certainly drawn more attention than previous attempts, and the failed Republican presidential candidate welcomed the spotlight.
Need surgery? Good luck getting hospital cost info Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Want to know how much a hip replacement will cost? Many hospitals won't be able to tell you, at least not right away — if at all. And if you shop around and find centers that can quote a price, the amounts could vary astronomically, a study found. Routine hip replacement surgery on a healthy patient without insurance may cost as little as $11,000 — or up to nearly $126,000. That's what researchers found after calling hospitals in every state, 122 in all, asking what a healthy 62-year-old woman would have to pay to get an artificial hip.
Finger-pointing trumps problem-solving on budget Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Just about everyone in official Washington is in agreement that big across-the-board spending cuts at the Pentagon and throughout domestic federal programs on March 1 are a bad idea. So far, however, the warring tribes in the nation's capital seem more interested in finger-pointing than problem-solving. Top House Republicans have embarked on a PR campaign reminding the public that the idea for the across-the-board cuts originated in Obama's White House. Senate Democrats are preparing a bill to substitute about $120 billion in alternative deficit cuts over 10 years and prevent the automatic cuts — in Washington parlance, a sequester — through the end of calendar 2013.
TV station hacker warns of zombies in Montana Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
A Montana television station's regular programming was interrupted by news of a zombie apocalypse. The Montana Television Network says hackers broke into the Emergency Alert System of Great Falls affiliate KRTV and its CW station Monday. KRTV says on its website the hackers broadcast that "dead bodies are rising from their graves" in several Montana counties. The alert claimed the bodies were "attacking the living" and warned people not to "approach or apprehend these bodies as they are extremely dangerous."
Stronger U.S. economy since 1st Obama State of Union Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
As President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, he presides over an economy much healthier than the one he inherited four years ago. Yet growth remains slow and unemployment high. In early 2009, the U.S. economy was in the midst of a full-blown panic sparked by the collapse of a housing bubble. Companies were slashing jobs. The unemployment rate was surging. Auto sales in January 2009 had reached a 26-year low. "You don't need to hear another list of statistics to know that our economy is in crisis," Obama said in his first State of the Union address in February 2009. The numbers were frightening.
Don’t send revealing note to cheater’s spouse Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Reader wants to know if she should send a note to a cheater's spouse or MYOB. Carolyn Hax says sending an anonymous letter would only add to the problem.
Images: Front pages of pope's resignationFeb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict XVI did what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, stunning the world by announcing his resignation Monday and leaving the already troubled Catholic Church to replace the leader of its 1 billion followers by Easter. Here are how newspapers from around the world handled the story.
Hoffman Estates closer to choosing fireworks provider Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Despite one village trustee's push to reexamine four fireworks bids for this year's Northwest Fourth Fest, the village board's Finance Committee moved forward Monday with a plan to award the contract to the same firm that put on last year's often criticized show. The contract, which will go to the village board for possible approval next week, would give the 30-minute show to Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc.
Synagogue plans move to Wheeling, will occupy former library building Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Shir Hadash, a Reconstructionist Jewish synagogue, will move to Wheeling this summer, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow said this week following approval by the village board. The congregation, which has offices in Northbrook and holds services and events at various sites on the North Shore, will purchase the building at 200 W. Dundee Road, across the street from village hall. The building formerly was home to the North Suburban Library system.
Boosting business, having fun: the guy in the Statue of Liberty costumeFeb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
If you drive up and down the Randall Road corridor any time during tax season, you've probably seen Tim Kelly or one of his co-workers waving at you from the side of the road. Kelly is one of a handful of part-time employees at Liberty Tax Service centers in the area who don the flowing gown and foam crown each winter, posing as the Statue of Liberty in hopes of drawing customers into the tax preparation business.
Winter Wood Wonders Festival comes to Kane fairgrounds Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Many people stop by the Winter Wood Wonders carving show at the Kane County Fairgrounds just looking for something different to do indoors on a cold winter day. "They're not expecting much," carver Bob Mau said. "A lot of people come in and they're bored. Then they wander around and they're just shocked at what they see. "They say to me, Wow, this is good stuff and it's really neat. I had no idea.'"
West Aurora High School, district sued over 2009 expulsion Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
A former West Aurora student is suing a teacher, the district and school board, saying he was wrongly expelled after a teacher confiscated his cellphone. Alexander Contini says he did not shove a teacher nor yank the teacher's arm and that a surveillance video proves his innocence. He seeks more than $50,000 damages for defamation, conspiracy and emotional distress. A District 129 official said he has not seen the suit and could not comment.
Illinois gets $12m federal grant to house disabled Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Illinois is getting nearly $12 million from the federal government to pay for housing for the disabled. Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development representatives announced the funding on Tuesday in Chicago. Quinn's office says the award money will make up to 825 apartments statewide affordable for the disabled and those with special needs.
‘Biggest Loser’ contestants to speak at Glacier Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Jerry and Estella Hayes, the oldest couple to compete on the "Biggest Loser," will speak at Glacier Ice Rink, 670 Lakeview Pkwy in Vernon Hills, on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m.
Gurnee police, Woodland schools join forces on video Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Gurnee police and Woodland Elementary District 50 are combining forces to produce a video on school safety.
Casino revenues a hot topic in Des Plaines mayoral race Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Protecting Rivers Casino gambling revenues, prioritizing what city projects to spend casino money on, and deciding whether to allow video gambling in town are three important issues the next mayor of Des Plaines likely will tackle. With no incumbent in the race, the three hopefuls vying for the mayor's office April 9 are former mayor Tony Arredia, and two sitting aldermen, Matt Bogusz of the 3rd Ward and Mark Walsten of the 6th Ward.
Police: Elderly Niles bank robber hoped to get caughtFeb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Authorities say a 73-year-old ex-convict told investigators he became accustomed to life in prison and wanted to get caught when he robbed a Niles bank so he could live his final years behind bars. A federal complaint says Walter Unbehaun walked into the Niles bank with a pistol and used the stickup line that he had just months to live. He wore no disguise during Saturday's heist that netted him $4,178.