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Prom price index shows cost of celebration is getting relatively cheaper – even at a time of high inflation

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

(The Conversation) - Going to the prom can be an expensive affair for cash-strapped teenagers. Past estimates and surveys put the average cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000 or more. Some teens reportedly spend upward of $2,000 on the traditional dancing ritual at the end of high school – and that’s not including an over-the-top after-prom party.But with inflation running at the fastest pace since the 1980s over the past year, has the price of prom jumped in cost too?As an economist, I became curious about the cost of proms back in 2014, when my daughter attended the dance. After tallying up how much this rite of passage was costing me, I started tracking the costs over time. What I found surprised me – and will likely delight any parent helping cover the cost of their teenager’s big day.A centuries-old traditionProms have been around since at least the end of the 1800s and are a signature high school experience.Proms have been featured in Broadway plays&...

Texas House committee recommends expelling Rep. Bryan Slaton

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A House committee has recommended the expulsion of Republican state Rep. Bryan Slaton after finding that he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate.In a speech from the floor, Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, chairman of the House General Investigating Committee, said Slaton's behavior was "induced by alcohol" that the representative provided the 19-year-old woman."Rep. Slaton then acted systematically to influence that subordinate and multiple witnesses to obstruct the investigation,” Murr said.Murr said expelling Slaton was necessary to protect the "dignity and integrity" of the Legislature.After Murr's speech, clerks distributed the House Committee on General Investigating report on Slaton. Members sat silently for about 10 minutes and read it. Slaton remained seated at his desk, occasionally peering at his phone. Speaker Dade Phelan then resumed normal legislative business.A Capitol employee filed a complaint with the ...

Photos: Who wore what to King Charles III’s coronation

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — What does one wear to a coronation?For senior royals like Queen Camilla and Kate, the Princess of Wales, the theme was pale, subdued dresses to let their regal robes and glittering jewelry do the talking.Camilla, who was crowned alongside King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, wore an embroidered silk gown in ivory, silver and gold tones with a short train by Bruce Oldfield — a British designer favored by the royal family — with matching shoes.Kate wore an ivory silk crepe dress by British fashion house Alexander McQueen under her cobalt blue and red Royal Victorian Order mantle, or robe. She didn’t wear a tiara, instead opting for a large silver and crystal headpiece designed by milliner Jess Collett in collaboration with McQueen.She also sported pearl and diamond earrings belonging to William’s late mother, Princess Diana.Her 8-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, wore a similar headpiece and ivory McQueen dress with cape, embroidered with rose, thistle...

Five victims identified from deadly dust storm crashes in Illinois

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. - Illinois State Police identified five more victims from a series of deadly dust storm crashes on Interstate 55 last Monday. Seven drivers in the northbound lanes of Interstate 55, between mile markers 76 and 78, died from crashes in the deadly dust strom around mile marker. Illinois State Police say 37 people were hospitalized, and 72 vehicles were believed to be involved in the crash in some capacity. Top Story: St. Louis residents react to deadly downtown shootings The victims identified Saturday include...Joseph Bates, 73, of Crystal Lake, IllinoisDonna Bates, 71, of Crystal Lake, IllinoisEarl LeGrand, 64, of Florissant, MissouriMichael Zinchuk, 55, of Champaign, IllinoisAmy Zinchuk, 54, of Champaign, IllinoisInvestigators previously identified Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, as one of the victims. Police have not yet disclosed the identity of one other victim. ISP spokesperson Brendan Kelly says they can’t jump to conclusions on what exact...

Two pedestrians struck, killed by pickup truck on I-170 in St. Louis County

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Just after midnight Saturday, a man and a woman were walking on I-170 northbound when a pickup truck hit both pedestrians. MSHP has identified Harvey McGee, 29, and Crystal Bounds, 39, as the victim. Next of kin has been notified. Investigators say the pickup truck driver was heading northbound on Interstate 170 near the Interstate 70 interchange when McGee and Bounds were on the roadway and fatally struck. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. We are working to learn more about this accident and will update as new information becomes available.

Warrenton man missing since Wednesday, endangered advisory issued

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

WARRENTON, Mo. - Police have issued an "endangered person advisory" for a Warrenton man missing since Wednesday. Authorities are searching for a 60-year-old man, Harold Eugene Murray III. He was last seen Wednesday afternoon near a home in the 1100 block of Juniper Drive. According to the Warrenton Police Department, Murray was last seen walking away from his home and informed his wife he would be gone for two weeks. It's unclear where he went, and he left behind his wallet, phone and medications. Trending: King Charles III coronation in London: Watch live Warrenton police say in the advisory that Murray suffers from diabetes, COPD, and bipolar disorder. Murray is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 265 pounds with gray and blonde hair, a long beard, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He has tattoos that cover both arms. He was also last seen wearing a white t-shirt, Red Sox jacket, blue jeans, and gray and blue tennis shoes.If you have any information on his whereabouts, contac...

Kentucky Derby races on amid 6th death, scratched favorite

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

By BETH HARRIS (AP Racing Writer)LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A star-crossed Kentucky Derby lost its early favorite when Forte was scratched and a sixth horse died at Churchill Downs earlier Saturday, further blows to a sport already reeling from a series of doping suspensions and breakdowns.“This is part of racing and it’s the cruel part,” Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte, said in an interview with FanDuel TV.Forte was the fifth scratch from the Derby in the days leading up to the $3 million race for 3-year-olds. Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old gelding that ran on the Derby undercard, is the sixth horse to have died at Churchill Downs in recent days.The string of horse deaths cast a pall for some Derby-goers on a mostly cloudy and warm day.“It’s concerning, and I hope they’re quickly trying the best they can to correct whatever’s going on,” said Michael Freeze, who along with his friend dressed up as jockeys. “They need to do wh...

6 hurt, 2 with life-threatening injuries, after mechanical collapse at Gaylord Rockies Resort’s pool area

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

Six people were hurt, two with life-threatening injuries, in an incident at Gaylord Rockies Resort on Saturday morning.Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the resort, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., where mechanical equipment collapsed into an indoor swimming pool area, according to a fire department tweet at 10:02 a.m. Saturday.We have provided medical care for six total patients.Two of these patients were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries. pic.twitter.com/yVQOwebgY5— Aurora Fire Rescue (@AuroraFireDpt) May 6, 2023Emergency responders provided care for six people, including two who were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, fire department officials said.The resort and convention center, which has more than 1,000 rooms, features a water park on its property that offers 500,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.This story will be updated.  

Saunders: Rockies’ bullpen has been surprisingly solid

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

Buried beneath the Rockies’ woeful early-season record, injuries to starting pitchers and a hit-and-miss offense, you’ll discover several relievers who have pitched remarkably well.No way, you say. After all, when things go south for the Rockies, the bullpen often leads the way.Plus, you point out that the Rockies’ bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, the eighth-highest in the majors. Its 1.41 WHIP is the seventh-highest and its .250 average against is also the seventh-highest.But here’s the thing. If you throw out left-hander Ty Blach’s 8.18 ERA and right-hander Dinelson Lamet’s 12.66 ERA, most of the rest of the ‘pen has been rather salty.Mercifully, the Rockies designated Blach for assignment. I thought they might do the same with Lamet, but because he can throw a 95-97 mph fastball, he’s still around, albeit he’s now on the injured 15-day injured list with a convenient case of lower-back stiffness.In mid-April, as Daniel Bard rejoined the...

Authorities looking for driver of Jeep who rammed vehicle in Englewood

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

Authorities are looking for the driver of a Jeep who rammed a vehicle off a metro area roadway seriously injuring two people in the victim’s vehicle.The incident happened about 8:35 p.m. Friday at U.S. Highway 285 and Downing Street, according to a Medina Alert posted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.Please share: Medina Alert – 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with CO License Plate # CISZ19. The suspect vehicle rammed victim vehicle off the road near HWY 285 and S. Downing St. If you see this vehicle, please call 911. pic.twitter.com/8cDwHg0T67— CBI (@CBI_Colorado) May 6, 2023Investigators are asking for the public’s looking for a black 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Colorado License CISZ19.The driver of the Jeep struck the victim’s vehicle multiple times, ramming it off the road and crashing into a light pole. Two people suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep fled the crash scene. The Jeep should have front end damage.Anyone who sees the Jeep, or ...