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Want to buy now, pay later this holiday season? Ask yourself these 5 questions first

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Shoppers gearing up for the 2023 holiday season won’t have to look hard for a convenient way to pay for all those presents.“ Buy now, pay later,” a type of payment plan that divides the total cost of your purchase into smaller installments, is offered at most major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Amazon. It’s expected to fuel $17 billion in online holiday spending this year – up almost 17% from 2022 – according to forecast data from Adobe Analytics, an analytics and measurement tool from software company Adobe.The short application, immediate approval decision and no hard credit check can make buy now, pay later seem like a no-brainer financing option, but experts say it’s risky. Ask yourself these five questions before opting in.1. DOES THIS PLAN CHARGE INTEREST?While most shoppers will encounter zero-interest pay-in-four plans — which divide the cost of your purchase into four equal installments with the first due at checkout, and the remaining three due every two weeks —...

Greta Thunberg denies public order offense after she was arrested at a London protest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday denied a public order offense after she was arrested last month at a demonstration against a major oil and gas industry conference in London. The 20-year-old Swedish environmental campaigner was among more than two dozen people charged after protesters sought to block access to the luxury InterContinental Hotel in central London during last month’s Energy Intelligence Forum, attended by some of the industry’s top executives. Thunberg was charged with breaching a section of the Public Order Act that allows police to impose limits on public assemblies. She and four other Fossil Free London protesters pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Thunberg confirmed her details in court, but her address in Stockholm was not read out due to concerns over alleged threats she has received.The protesters were granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial in London scheduled for February 2024. The court...

3.6 magnitude earthquake reported in north central Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

STANDARD, Illinois —  An earthquake struck north central Illinois early Wednesday morning. The 3.6 magnitude quake was centered about a mile southeast of Standard, Illinois — which is southwest of La Salle, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.A WGN News viewer in Spring Valley said his entire house shook around 4:45 a.m.So far, there are no reports of any damage.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Man charged in attack that critically injured woman on Michigan Avenue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has been charged in the attack that critically injured a woman on Michigan Avenue.Bruce Diamond, 52, is facing one felony count of aggravated battery/great bodily harm.Police said he was arrested Monday after being identified as the offender who, moments earlier, threw a large object at a woman in the 600 block of North Michigan Avenue.The woman was struck in the head and transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Woman in critical condition after being attacked on Michigan Avenue Diamond was quickly placed into custody, according to police.He is scheduled to attend a detention hearing Wednesday.

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with mild and dry conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Sunny skies and southwest winds will push temperatures into the mid-60s Wednesday.  It will stay dry tonight as temperatures fall into the lower 40s under mostly clear skies.  Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Thursday Forecast: Increasing clouds and temperatures, along with breezy SSW winds gusting up to 30 mph. Thursday's highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 60s.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Are school report cards doing enough to assess kids' progress?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Nearly nine out of 10 parents believe their child is performing at grade level despite standardized tests showing far fewer students are on track, according to a poll released Wednesday by Gallup and the nonprofit Learning Heroes.Report cards, which many parents rely on for a sense of their children's progress, might be missing the whole picture, researchers say. Without that knowledge, parents may not seek opportunities for extra support for their children.“Grades are the holy grail,” said Bibb Hubbard, founder and president of Learning Heroes. “They’re the number one indicator that parents turn to to understand that their child is on grade level, yet a grade does not equal grade-level mastery. But nobody’s told parents that.”In the Gallup survey, 88% of parents say their child is on grade level in reading, and 89% of parents believe their child is on grade level in math. But in a federal survey, school officials said half of all U.S. students started last school year beh...

Deadly crash shuts down eastbound Highway 71 near Austin airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A deadly crash shut down eastbound Highway 71 near the Austin airport early Wednesday morning. The crash happened around 6 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 71 near its intersection with Highway 183. All traffic headed east is being diverted onto Highway 183. As an alternate route, drivers could use Burleson Road to FM 973, to Hwy 71 to access the airport. According to the Austin Fire Department, one person died after a motorcycle crashed. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said on social media drivers should expect huge traffic delays getting to the airport and plan for extra time to arrive. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Warm sunshine ahead of late weekend weather-maker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This week's weather is why we put up with 80 days of triple digit heat in the summer - mild, sunny & just downright perfect.Today and tomorrow will look alike with plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures (mid-70s), light winds and low humidity.On Friday, our first of two cold fronts blows in... but with little fanfare. Breezy winds and slightly cooler temperatures will follow the front, but no rain expected.The next storm system approaches the West Coast that same day, but doesn't start to affect our weather until Sunday. Clouds increase late in the weekend with a few showers possible Sunday, then we expect cloudy skies with a higher chance of rain and thunderstorms on Monday.At the moment, only light rainfall is expected.Early look at rainfall projections Sunday through TuesdayA cold front on the backside of that storm system is expected to bring colder, windy weather next Tuesday. Cool temperatures may linger through Thanksgiving Day.As of now, Thanksgiving Day ...

SP: Schenectady man tried to sexually exploit teen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man was arrested on Tuesday, November 7, and is accused of trying to meet a 14-year-old for sexual exploitation. Joseph Leverett faces multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! State Police investigators, along with the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Leverett following an investigation. According to state police, the investigation found Leverett made arrangements and traveled to a pre-determined location in Colonie to meet what he believed to be a 14-year-old to sexually exploit them.Charges:Second-degree attempted rapeSecond-degree attempted criminal sex actSecond-degree attempted patronizing a person for prostitutionLeverett was arrested and processed at Latham State Police. He was issued an appearance ticket to return at the Colonie Town Court on November 29 and was released.

Crash on NY 50 closes lanes in both directions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

BALLSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on NY 50 has closed all lanes in both directions at Brookline Road in Ballston. Drivers in the area should seek alternate routes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Information on this crash is limited at this time. Stick with NEWS10 as more information becomes available.