Rockford WIFR-TV morning anchor Andy Gannon returns after on-air gaffe

Associated Press
After a 15-year pause in executions, Indiana prepares to put to death a man who killed 4
Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state's first death row inmate in 15 years, who was convicted a quarter-century ago of killing his brother and three other men. Joseph Corcoran, 49, has been on Indiana's death row since 1999. If he is put to death as scheduled Wednesday, it will be the state's first execution since 2009.
Associated Press
Argo the dog, a TSA calendar star, protects air travelers by sniffing out explosives
When Argo walks through the doors of Baltimore-Washington International Airport, he knows it’s time to work. The 9-year-old black Labrador retriever spends most of his waking hours patrolling the airport, with his sensitive nose finely tuned to detect potential explosives. If he gets a whiff of anything suspicious, he immediately alerts his handler, transportation security specialist Jonathan Lilly.
Associated Press
New Syria's 1st week: Rebels try to bring normalcy while Syrians vow to speak up
The new head of security arrived at Damascus’ international airport with his men, a bearded fighter who marched with other rebels across Syria to the capital. The few maintenance staff who showed up for work huddled around Maj Hamza al-Ahmed, eager for answers about what happens next. As al-Ahmed tried to reassure them, Osama Najm, an engineer, confessed: “This is the first time we talk.”
Associated Press
One week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again
The few maintenance workers who showed up for work huddled around Maj Hamza al-Ahmed, eager to learn what will happen next. As Al-Ahmed tried to reassure them, Osama Najm, an engineer, announced: “This is the first time we talk.” This was the first week of Syria’s transformation after Assad’s unexpected fall.
CBS News
Drone activity shut down runways at Stewart Airfield, Hochul says
Drone activity forced runways at New York's Stewart Airfield to shut down Friday night, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
TODAY
What December's full moon in Gemini means for you
The full moon in Gemini rises on December 15, 2024. Here's what the Cold Moon has in store for each zodiac sign, and more astrological meaning.
AFP
South Korea's Yoon impeached: what happens next?
South Korean lawmakers have voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his shock decision to declare martial law last week, which plunged the country into some of its worst political turmoil in decades. "Lee has demonstrated strong leadership during the turbulent days since the martial law declaration and played a key role in passing the impeachment motion," said attorney and political columnist Yoo Jung-hoon.
AFP
Chinese firms take on EV truck challenges
Dominant in the electric car sector, Chinese companies have been quietly consolidating their position in the lesser-watched trucking scene -- but foreign tariffs and a perceived quality gap could signal roadblocks ahead, experts warn.Chinese manufacturers have been seen as producing lower quality products than foreign counterparts.
Associated Press
Activists release images of foxes at Finnish fur farms to push EU to ban the trade
Finnish advocacy group Oikeutta Elaimille, or Justice for Animals, and Humane Society International have released images taken from an “undercover investigation” at three fur farms in western Finland in late October to highlight the behind-the-scenes realities of the trade. The activists’ incursion came as the European Union, which counts Finland as a member, is awaiting advice in March from the EU agency that oversees animal welfare before deciding in March 2026 whether it should propose a ban on fur farming altogether.
AFP
Rare foreign-born CEO says Japan needs immigration to thrive
The Indian-born head of one of Japan's most famous snack brands has warned that the country must change its mindset and admit more immigrants to get the economy back to the glory of its boom years."Forty years ago I came to Japan because it was close to number one in GDP... it was booming," the biotech scientist told AFP at Kameda's headquarters in Japan's rice heartland of Niigata.
CBS News
Tornado touches down in Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz, flipping cars
A tornado touched down in the Northern California town of Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz Saturday afternoon, flipping cars and knocking down power lines, according to authorities.
CNN
Downtown San Francisco experiences first tornado warning in recorded history
For the first time in recorded history, downtown San Francisco was issued a tornado warning on Saturday as severe storm conditions swept through the city, prompting local authorities to warn residents of the rare threat.
Associated Press
South Korean leaders seek calm after Yoon is impeached
South Korea’s opposition leader offered Sunday to work with the government to ease the political tumult as officials sought to reassure allies and markets, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon's impeachment and proposed a special council for cooperation between the government and parliament.
CNN
From defense to chips, Trump keeps Taiwan guessing
During his first term as US president, Donald Trump was widely seen as a friend to Taiwan, having bolstered support for the island through increased arm sales and upgraded diplomatic visits.
NBC News
'This has gone too far': N.Y. governor calls for federal assistance after mysterious drones shut down airport
Mysterious drones in New York temporarily shut down runways at an Orange County airport, a frustrated governor said, calling for federal assistance and declaring that "this has gone too far."
Associated Press
Trump appoints longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as special missions envoy
President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he's picked longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as an envoy for special missions, tasking him with helping the incoming administration deal with some of the toughest foreign policy challenges. Grenell served as ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first administration, special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and did a stint as acting director of national intelligence. “Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said in a posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing the appointment.
CNN
University of Michigan DEI administrator fired over alleged antisemitic comments plans to take legal action, attorney says
An administrator with the diversity, equity and inclusion office at the University of Michigan was fired Tuesday after she was accused of making antisemitic remarks – and now she plans to pursue legal action against the school, her attorney said.
Reuters
Rhode Island hit by data breach as hackers demand ransom
Hundreds of thousands of Rhode Island residents' personal and bank information, including Social Security numbers, were very likely hacked by an international cybercriminal group asking for a ransom, state officials said on Saturday. In what Rhode Island officials described as extortion, the hackers threatened to release the stolen information unless they were paid an undisclosed amount of money. The breached data affects people who use the state's government assistance programs and includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and healthcare purchased through the state's HealthSource RI, Governor Dan McKee announced on Friday.
USA TODAY
'This has gone too far': Drones temporarily closed runways at NY airport, governor says
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's statement comes among a rash of reported drone sightings and reassurances from federal agencies.
AFP
US Fed expected to cut rates in last meeting of Biden era
The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce a quarter point cut to its key lending rate on Wednesday despite a recent uptick in inflation, in the central bank's last meeting of Joe Biden's presidency.In September, members of the Fed's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) penciled in an average of four additional quarter point rate cuts in 2025, predicting that the bank's benchmark lending rate would fall to between 3.25 and 3.5 percent.

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