HGTV | Tour Tiffany Brooks’ Dramatic Illinois Home

The Story

Buying a new house is a fresh start, and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I closed on this home in Grayslake, Illinois, just four days after my divorce became final. The place needed some updates — the design was very ’90s, and not in a trendy way — but the minute I saw the black-and-white checkerboard tile on the first floor, I thought, This is so me!

I’ve done all of the decorating while living here with my son, Ayden, who has taken over the basement apartment. The rest of the house is just for me, and the design process has been an adventure in independence.

The home’s traditional bones inspired me to add lots of molding and crystal chandeliers, but I also stayed true to my bold, contemporary style by choosing out-of-the-box colors and fun, graphic art. High-gloss navy paint all over the living room? Why not?! Multiple room-size closets? Yes, I can! Every design choice I made puts a smile on my face, and really, what more can you ask for?

—Tiffany Brooks  –read more–  

CNN US | Sheriff asks FBI to investigate death of Black man found hanging in Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama (AP) — The FBI is investigating the death of a Black man in Alabama, who was found hanging in an abandoned house, following a request from a local sheriff amid fears among community members who accuse local law enforcement of longstanding, unchecked misconduct.

Sheriff’s deputies found Dennoriss Richardson, 39, in September in a rural part of Colbert County, miles away from his home in Sheffield, a city of approximately 10,000 people near the Tennessee River.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Office ruled Richardson’s death a suicide. But Richardson’s wife, Leigh Richardson, has said that is not true, explaining her husband did not leave a note and had no connection to the house where he was found.  –read more– 

F1 | Verstappen wins chaotic Sao Paulo Grand Prix after stunning recovery from P17 as Alpine score shock double podium

Max Verstappen has stormed to a remarkable victory in a frenetic Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Dutchman climbing through the field from an original starting position of P17 to score his first race win since June amid changing weather conditions and huge drama along the way – which also saw Alpine score a double podium result.

The chaos started before the event had even got under way after Lance Stroll spun off during the formation lap, leading to some confusion over the aborted start procedure as pole-sitter Lando Norris led a number of cars away while others stayed on the grid, meaning that Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson will be investigated after the race for a start procedure infringement.

When the Grand Prix did begin, Russell enjoyed a stronger launch and led from Norris while Verstappen worked his way through the pack in the early stages. As the event unfolded amid changing levels of rainfall, a red flag was thrown on Lap 32 following a crash for Franco Colapinto in the Williams – shortly after Russell and Norris had lost out by pitting just as a Virtual Safety Car period ended.  –read more–

CNN US | A White man allegedly shot his Black neighbor in Minneapolis. Why police waited days before making an arrest

(CNN) — The White man accused of shooting his Black neighbor in the neck last week has an “extensive history of threats, harassment and property damage against numerous neighbors” over a two-year period and evaded arrest by holing up in his home, court records show.

John Sawchak, 54, had two outstanding warrants against him for an alleged yearlong campaign of harassment targeting the shooting victim as well as a third warrant charging him with assaulting another neighbor in 2022, according to court documents.

Now, the Minneapolis Police Department once again finds itself at the center of controversy over race and policing, after failing to arrest Sawchak on the active warrants before he allegedly shot Davis Moturi on October 23, and then waiting several days before taking the alleged shooter into custody.  –read more– 

Quotes Library | George Washington Timeless Wisdom: Quotes from America’s First President

CNN Business | Apple debuted AI on the iPhone today. Here’s what to look out for

(CNN) — Apple Intelligence launched on Monday, but the rollout is just a glimpse of how Apple hopes to transform its products with artificial intelligence.

The tech giant unveiled initial features of Apple Intelligence — its suite of AI tools — on select devices with its latest software update for iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Apple’s AI features for iPhones will be available for free to users with any iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, who update to iOS 18.1. Apple Intelligence is also available for iPad and Mac models that support iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.

With Apple Intelligence, the company is implementing its first set of generative AI tools that aim to change how people use their iPhones and cement Apple’s stake in the AI race against competitors like Microsoft and Google. Generative AI is the technology that produces unique text and images in response to user-prompts — from obscure images to relentlessly catchy music.  –read more–  

CNN Business | People who allegedly withdrew thousands of dollars from Chase ATMs in viral check fraud scheme may soon have to pay up

New York (CNN) — So long to all that “free” money.

Customers who allegedly withdrew money fraudulently from Chase Bank ATMs using an illegal scheme that blew up on TikTok over the summer could soon have to cut hefty checks back to the bank.

These people were able to withdraw funds by writing checks to themselves and immediately withdrawing funds before the checks bounced. Normally, the bank follows the industry standard of making a portion of any check available to customers before the funds clear. However, a temporary glitch allowed customers to withdraw more substantial amounts than typically allowed before a check clears.

Now the bank is suing four customers who allegedly owe the bank nearly $662,000, according to four lawsuits JPMorgan, Chase’s parent company, filed Monday in three federal courts.  –read more–  

CNN Style Fashion | Can a troubled Victoria’s Secret successfully write its next chapter? It’s certainly pulling out all the stops

New York (CNN) — The message on Tuesday night in Brooklyn was simple: after a six-year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back, and the lingerie brand’s future is being shaped by women.

The presence of the female gaze was felt throughout the evening with a production that featured an all-women musical lineup, and a diverse cast of models wearing more sophisticated — and in some cases, more comfortable-looking lingerie, including leggings and sheer coverups.

Lisa from K-pop supergroup Blackpink kicked off the event with an opening performance, and Gigi Hadid rose from the stage floor on a catwalk that looked like the love child of the “Barbie” movie set and an ’80s video game. Hadid, along with other models, wore the brand’s signature angel wings (this year, faux feather versions were PETA-approved).  –read more–

CNN style | The best fashion at Cannes Film Festival so far

(CNN) — The 76th edition of the most fashionable film festival is officially underway, with a slew of directors, actors and writers ready to make their entrance on the hallowed Promenade de la Croisette. This year, “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig, “Killers of the Flower Moon” breakout star Lily Gladstone and James Bond actor Eva Green are among the jury members, along with Spanish director Juan Antonion Bayon and Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan. –read/see more–