From Math Class To The Vatican: Villanova Alum Named First American Pope From Math Class To The Vatican: Villanova Alum Named First American Pope
From Math Class To The Vatican: Villanova Alum Named First American Pope The Catholic Church made history on Thursday, May 8, naming its first American pope — and he’s a math whiz from Villanova. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:06 p.m. Rome time, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, of Chicago, as the 267th pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history. He has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. At 6:06 p.m. Rome time, Thursday, May 8, white smoke emanated from the Sistine Chapel's chimney Vatican News The conclave began just a day earlier on Wednesday, May 7, and concluded in either the fourth or fifth round of vo…
REAL ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It REAL ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It
Real ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It The federal REAL ID deadline is officially here — but travelers say enforcement may not be as strict as advertised. Beginning Wednesday, May 7, TSA started enforcing the long-postponed REAL ID Act, which requires a REAL ID-compliant license or federally approved ID to board domestic flights. But social media users and TSA say passengers without one are still being allowed to fly — after undergoing extra screening. If you have a non-compliant state ID or driver’s license and do not have another acceptable form of ID, you'll be notified of your noncompliance (see photo below), and you may …
Woman Strips Naked, Defecates On Seat Aboard Southwest Flight Woman Strips Naked, Defecates On Seat Aboard Southwest Flight
Woman Strips Naked, Defecates On Seat Aboard Southwest Flight Chicago’s Midway Airport was the scene of an unusual incident involving a female passenger aboard a Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Philadelphia to Chicago.  Reports indicate that the woman allegedly disrobed and then defecated on her seat during the flight on Saturday, April 26.  After the plane landed, it was met by law enforcement, NBC Chicago reports, adding that the aircraft was then taken out of service for thorough cleaning.  In response to the incident, Southwest Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the disruption, according to a report by NBC…
Kanye West Admits To Incestuous Relationship With Cousin Kanye West Admits To Incestuous Relationship With Cousin
Kanye West Admits To Incestuous Relationship With Cousin Kanye West claimed on X that he had an incestuous relationship with a male cousin until the age of 14.  The 47-year-old rapper made the admission Monday, April 21, to his 33 million followers on the social media platform. He was teasing his forthcoming song called "Cousins." He said the sexual contact began after he and his cousin would re-enact what they saw in adult magazines that belonged to his parents. The Chicago native said his cousin was 6 when it began, and West was 14 when the relationship ended. It's unclear how long it lasted.  Perhaps in my self centered me…
Helicopter Pilot In Deadly Hudson River Crash Was Navy SEAL Who Dreamed Of Flying: Reports Helicopter Pilot In Deadly Hudson River Crash Was Navy SEAL Who Dreamed Of Flying: Reports
Helicopter Pilot In Deadly Hudson River Crash Was Navy SEAL Who Dreamed Of Flying: Reports Just two weeks before a deadly helicopter crash over the Hudson River, Navy veteran Sean Johnson posted a video of himself flying past the Freedom Tower. “When it all comes together,” the 36-year-old wrote on Facebook on March 27, alongside the clip showing him piloting a Bell 206. On Thursday, April 10, that same type of helicopter went down in Hudson County, NJ, killing Johnson and the family of five on board: Siemens exec Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children. Johnson was identified by his wife Kathryn, who spoke with Gothamist.  A cause of…
Westport Chef Named James Beard Finalist For Best In Northeast Westport Chef Named James Beard Finalist For Best In Northeast
Westport Chef Named James Beard Finalist For Best In Northeast A chef in Fairfield County has been nominated as one of the best in the Northeast, making him the only Connecticut-based culinary professional recognized on this year’s James Beard Awards list—often dubbed the "Oscars of the food world." Brian Lewis, chef and owner of The Cottage in Westport, was nominated for the James Beard Awards on Wednesday, April 2. Other contenders in the Best Chef: Northeast category hail from Rhode Island, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Lewis began his culinary journey at age 13 in Somers, New York, after a football injury sidelined him, according to his bio. He earne…
Bone Voyage: New Dog-Friendly Airline To Offer Flights At Long Island Airport Bone Voyage: New Dog-Friendly Airline To Offer Flights At Long Island Airport
Bone Voyage: New Dog-Friendly Airline To Offer Flights At Long Island Airport It'll soon be wheels – and paws – up for a new airline taking off from a Long Island airport. RetrievAir, a pet-centric airline built entirely around traveling with dogs, will begin service out of Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, Mar. 26. Flights will begin on Thursday, May 22. From the executive airport, RetrievAir will offer service to seven US cities with weekly departures. The cheapest flights go to West Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursdays for $749 one way. Other destinations from Farmingdale's airport include Chicago,…
PA College Dropping Sports To D-III After Ending 34-Year March Madness Drought PA College Dropping Sports To D-III After Ending 34-Year March Madness Drought
PA College Dropping Sports To D-iii After Ending 34-Year March Madness Drought Just two weeks after the men's basketball team punched its first March Madness ticket in almost 35 years, Saint Francis University is making a historic move by dropping down to Division III. Saint Francis University will leave the NCAA's Division I and the Northeast Conference, the school announced on Tuesday, Mar. 25. The Red Flash will reclassify to Division III and compete in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The shocking decision came one week after the Loretto, Pennsylvania, school played in its first NCAA men's tournament since 1991. The Red Flash lost to Alabama State 70-68 in the…
Trendy Retailer Opens First East Coast Store In Greenvale: What Shoppers Can Expect Trendy Retailer Opens First East Coast Store In Greenvale: What Shoppers Can Expect
Trendy Retailer Opens First East Coast Store In Greenvale: What Shoppers Can Expect A growing retail brand known that aims to turn shopping into an experience is arriving on Long Island. Uncharted officially opened its first East Coast store in Greenvale, the chain said in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 25. The shop is located in Green Cove Plaza at 90 Northern Boulevard. Backed by The Paper Store, Uncharted debuted in the Chicago suburbs in the fall of 2024 and quickly became the top-performing store in the company's portfolio. "Greenvale's vibrant community made it the perfect choice for Uncharted's East Coast debut," said Tom Anderson, president and CEO of The Paper S…
Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter Headlining Lollapalooza Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter Headlining Lollapalooza
Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter Headlining Lollapalooza This year's Lollapalooza comes with a shot of "Espresso." As long as you have your "Drivers License." Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter are among the headliners for the 2025 Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago, running from Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3. Other headliners include Tyler the Creator, Gracie Abrams, Luke Combs and Korn. This is Rodrigo's first time playing the venerable music festival. The "Get Him Back" singer has been on her acclaimed "Guts World Tour," which earned her Touring Artist of the Year honors from Billboard.  Carpenter, who was born in Quakerst…
Close Call: Southwest Plane Nearly Collides With Private Jet Close Call: Southwest Plane Nearly Collides With Private Jet
Close Call: Southwest Plane Nearly Collides With Private Jet A Southwest Airlines plane and a private jet were involved in a near miss at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning, Feb. 25.  The incident required the Southwest flight crew to execute a go-around to avert a potential collision.
 According to Southwest Airlines, Flight 2504 successfully landed at the airport after avoiding the other aircraft on the runway.  INCIDENT: Southwest #WN2504 (Boeing 737-800 N8517F) in near miss 1448UTC/0848CST today @ Chicago/Midway as FlexJet #LXJ560 (Challenger 350) crosses Runway 31C.ATC Audio (skip to 18min): https://t.co/e6OVal…
Dunkin' Drops This Controversial Charge Dunkin' Drops This Controversial Charge
Dunkin' Drops This Controversial Charge Dunkin’ customers will soon be able to add dairy alternatives to any beverage without paying an extra fee. The coffee giant previously charged an upcharge for almond and oat milk, with costs varying by location. In New York City, the additional fee was 75 cents, while in Chicago, customers ordering through the Dunkin’ app paid one dollar. The new policy, which takes effect Wednesday, March 5, comes in response to customer feedback and aims to provide more flexibility for those with dietary preferences. With over 13,200 locations worldwide, Dunkin’ ranks as the second-largest coffee chain g…