Chicago, IL

Could Will Smith win his 1st Oscar? Hollywood veteran appears a lock for ‘King Richard’ performance

Published

3 years ago

March 28, 2022

Could Will Smith win his 1st Oscar? Hollywood veteran appears a lock for ‘King Richard’ performance

LOS ANGELES — The 94th Academy Awards opened Sunday with a star-studded nod to “King Richard,” on what might be a giant evening for the movie’s star, finest actor nominee Will Smith.

After an introduction by tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, finest unique music nominee Beyoncé Knowles-Carter confirmed like to town of Compton in her efficiency of “Be Alive,” towards a glowing inexperienced tennis court docket facade.

Whereas “King Richard” is nominated for 5 Academy Awards, together with Greatest Image, Greatest Authentic Screenplay, Greatest Supporting Actress and Greatest Movie Modifying, Smith seems a lock to win his first Oscar. He was nominated twice earlier than for finest actor (for “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness”).

Smith’s efficiency as Richard Williams, father to Venus and Serena, has remained the more than likely selection all through the season. And the speech by the exuberant 53-year-old star must be some of the energetic of the evening.

A win, although, must come over some formidable competitors — together with the actor who bested Smith’s “Ali” efficiency 20 years in the past: Denzel Washington, a winner then for “Coaching Day” and a menace this time for “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”

Smith’s already scored prime performing honors on the Display Actors Guild Awards, Critics Alternative Awards and British Academy of Movie and TV Awards, and was acknowledged with an Picture Award from the NAACP.

However he advised WABC’s Sandy Kenyon that even with this momentum, he is not setting any expectations for the Oscars.

“I am not even fascinated about it like that … It all the time feels like actors making an attempt to be humble saying, ‘Properly, you realize, I do not take into consideration awards in that means. I am in regards to the work. I keep centered on the work,’” he mentioned. “It isn’t that.”

His focus is as a substitute on the ability of “King Richard’s” ensemble and story of the Williams household.

“I am discovering myself with the eye being on the hearts and the expertise the individuals round me moderately than the place or not my identify will get known as,” Smith mentioned.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.