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Ricky Martin overhears Ana’s fangirl freak-out

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The only thing more exhilarating than meeting your favorite celebrity is the embarrassment when they hear you gushing about them afterwards. WGN Morning News reporter Ana Belaval couldn’t contain her excitement when she met Ricky Martin, unaware he was still on the line.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Mike Toomey remembers an early appearance as Batman

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Mike Toomey first came on WGN Morning News as Batman. In one of those early appearances, Larry said something that made him break. For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

That time Robin knocked herself out on the way to the Traffic Cave

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

WGN Morning News anchor Robin Baumgarten remembers the time a sprint onto the set left her unconscious.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Mike Janssen’s life comes full circle

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Growing up on a farm, the WGN weather forecast was an important part of Mike Janssen’s routine. Now as a WGN Weatherman, Mike says it's a full circle moment, as his family now relies on his weather reports.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Marcus Leshock’s ‘I made it’ moment

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Marcus Leshock grew up watching the WGN Morning News and dreamed of one day working in news. Little did he know, he would... at the very place that inspired him.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Dan Ponce on what makes WGN Morning News unique

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

There’s a reason viewers choose WGN. Morning News anchor Dan Ponce reflects on the spontaneity, inside jokes, and authenticity that makes WGN Chicago’s very own.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

'Star Wars' actor Paul Grant dead at 56: reports

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Actor Paul Grant has died after collapsing outside a London train station, his family confirmed to British news outlets Monday. He was 56 years old. Grant's acting credits include parts in two of the biggest series in movie history, "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter." He played an Ewok in "Return of the Jedi" and a goblin in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Grant was found by emergency crews Thursday afternoon and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced brain dead, according to Sky News. He was officially pronounced dead early Monday morning.He collapsed at King's Cross Station – a transit hub made famous internationally by the "Harry Potter" books and movies. Lance Reddick, ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ star, dies at 60 The Daily Mail reports he leaves behind three children. Grant's daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, told The Sun, "My dad was a legend in so many ways. ... He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face." According to his IMDb pa...

When Lauren hopped into Paul's van

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

WGN Morning News anchor Lauren Jiggetts remembers the day she got into Paul Konrad's van for his ‘Konrad in a Van’ segment. "How am I getting paid for this?" she thought. Only at WGN.For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories Sean Lewis tries to live up to viewers expectations

Early voting for Mayoral race in Chicago begins

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Voting is underway in Chicago's runoff elections — from the mayor's race to the undecided races for members of city council.Polls opened at 9 a.m. Monday ahead of the April 4 election. Chicago residents can now head to early voting locations across the 50 wards, including the supersite on North Clark Street, to cast their ballot.So far, 192,000 vote by mail applications have been received and the Board of Elections said they expect that number to rise within the next two weeks.Voters are advised to get their application in as soon as possible if they do plan to vote by mail, since applications are due by March 30. Mail ballots must be postmarked no later than April 4 and arrive by April 18.First time voters or those looking to update an address or file a name change, will need two forms of government-issued I.D’s, one of which shows the person’s current address.In an effort to increase voter turnout, there will also be a voting location on a local campus for three days.Ear...

Starbucks CEO steps down early ahead of Senate testimony

Published Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

(The Hill) - Howard Schultz, the former interim CEO of Starbucks, is stepping down from his position at the head of the company earlier than expected, just days before he is expected to testify in front of a Senate committee examining the coffee giant’s treatment of union organizing efforts.Starbucks announced Monday that Laxman Narasimhan, who was selected as the incoming chief of the company in September, was taking over for Schultz immediately. He was originally slated to take over at the beginning of next month.Schultz served three different stints at the top of the company. He was CEO from 1986 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2017. He served as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023.Schultz’s early exit from the company comes about a week before he is set to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions after weeks of back-and-forth between the company and committee Chair Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to secure Schultz’s testimony.Sanders is seeking input fro...