GIBSON CITY, Ill. – A fierce storm barreled through Gibson City on Friday night, unleashing winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour and leaving a trail of destruction, notably at the local American Legion.
Steve Anderson, the Legion’s commander, recounted the chaotic scene. “We were playing music inside when one of the girls burst through the back door, warning us that the sirens were blaring. The next moment, water was pouring through the ceilings,” Anderson explained.
Anime openings and endings have grown to be as eagerly awaited as the upcoming seasons and plotlines they introduce. While fans are captivated by the action and narrative, compiling anime playlists to enjoy outside the screen has become an equally thrilling hobby.
Some anime themes are so irresistibly catchy that they linger in the minds of fans long after the episode ends, and there’s a good reason for it. These memorable tunes do more than entertain; they evoke cherished memories of beloved storylines, characters, and moments, creating a lasting connection with the audience each time they play.
The second ending theme of Gintama, “Mr. Raindrop” by the fleeting rock band Amplified, exemplifies a tune that’s impossible to shake off once heard. This song accompanies the peculiar alien character, Elizabeth, who skips through the credits under a red umbrella with a hauntingly vacant expression. Interestingly, out of more than twenty ending themes, two spotlight Elizabeth’s quirky escapades, both of which are considered musical gems.
Gintama‘s second ending theme, “Mr. Raindrop,” by the short-lived rock band Amplified, is the kind of song that once you hear, you can’t stop hearing it. Paired with one of Gintama‘s most bizarre alien enigmas, Elizabeth, she skips through the credits in the rain with a red umbrella and an unnerving blank expression. As a hilarious aside, across over two dozen ending songs, two feature Elizabeth’s wacky adventures, and both songs are absolute masterpieces.
“Mr. Raindrop’s” playful repetition is enough to lodge the song firmly in the listener’s ear. Considering it was Amplified’s debut single back in 2006, they definitely had a knack for catchy tunes. Sadly, as of 2007, the band is no longer together.
There is no denying it. Jujutsu Kaisen‘s anime outdoes itself in every story arc with openers and closers. Fans walk around singing them, even if they have no idea what all the lyrics actually are, because they don’t speak Japanese. “Kaikai Kitan” by Eve was the very first JJK opening theme, introducing fans to Yuji Itadori and the devastating world that was about to drag him into its darkness.
For a lot of fans, the nostalgic factor of “Kaikai Kitan” will draw them right back to the moment they discovered an anime that would quickly become a favorite. The way Jujutsu Kaisen utilizes both its opening and closing credits to connect fans to very specific story arcs is brilliant. There’s not a JJK fan who doesn’t understand the hype and excitement that builds up the moment “Kaikai Kitan” launches.
Fans were already excited for Dandadan to get an anime adaptation, so when the first episode dropped and that catchy opener hit, it was an instant earworm. Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke” was so popular, it spent weeks dominating Oricon’s charts. Fans couldn’t get enough of the deliberately tribal beat of “Otonoke,” which backed up the supernatural elements that dominate Dandadan‘s overall theme with lyrics featuring ghosts and demons.
Much like Jujutsu Kaisen‘s “Kaikai Kitan,” the way “Otonoke” came to define the moment fans first set eyes on Science SARU’s adaptation of a beloved manga. Even fans who only discovered Dandadan through the anime will remember that introduction every time they hear the opening beats of that song, and then they’ll be singing it all day.
After The Apothecary Diaries‘ successful first season, fans were champing at the bit to find out what mysteries everyone’s favorite apothecary would solve in Season 2. Even more exciting was the prospect of the slowburn romance between Maomao and Jinshi inching toward a reveal.
Launching into The Apothecary Diaries second season with “Hyakka Ryouran” by Lilas Ikuta was as much a promise of things to come as it was a near-relentless earworm that had fans wanting to learn Japanese for the sole purpose of being able to sing along. In fact, the song was so popular, it’s still winning awards over a year later.
“Hero’s Comeback!!” by nobodyknows+ is glorious hype, announcing the return of a shonen hero embarking on the second half of his epic journey to save his best friend and become the hokage one day. Studio Pierrot wasted no time between the original Naruto anime’s ending and the premier of Naruto Shippuden. Fans didn’t even have time to miss Naruto and the ninjas of the Hidden Leaf, because Shippuden launched just one week after the end of the original anime.
The importance of “Hero’s Comeback!!” lies in the two-year timeskip between the two anime, where Naruto was away from the village and training with Jiraiya. There’s a nostalgic feeling, even now when the drums start, like the viewer is coming back home along with Naruto. As silly as it might sound, nobodyknows+ perfectly captures the heroic vibe with the song, which, once heard, will probably groove without a cover charge inside the head for days on end.
In the early hours of Sunday, a violent incident unfolded near the University of Iowa campus, leaving five individuals injured in a mass shooting following a significant altercation. The Iowa City police have confirmed the incident and are actively seeking public assistance in identifying five “persons of interest” related to the event.
Currently, one of the victims remains in critical condition, while the other four have been stabilized, as reported by the Iowa City Public Safety in a statement shared on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
The authorities have released an image depicting five young men who they believe may have crucial information regarding the incident. They are urging anyone who can identify these individuals to reach out to Detective Cade Burma via email at cburma@iowa-city.org or by calling 319-356-5275.
The chaotic scene unfolded at approximately 1:45 a.m. at the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, where a fight involving nearly 100 people erupted. Amidst the turmoil, gunfire was heard, marking a tragic end to the brawl.
“Anyone with information on the people pictured here are asked to contact Detective Cade Burma at cburma@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5275.”
Police were responding to a fight at the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City around 1:45 a.m. involving as many as 100 people when gunshots rang out.
Dramatic video of the melee shared on social media showed dozens of people crowded around a group of men throwing haymakers at each other.
The brawl took place in a popular bar area that is just one block from some parts of the Big Ten campus.
Authorities are in the process of piecing together the tragic events of a mass shooting that unfolded in Louisiana, spanning across multiple locations.
In a heart-wrenching incident in Shreveport, Louisiana, eight young lives, ranging from just a year old to 14, were tragically cut short. The children were among ten victims struck by gunfire during what police have described as a “domestic disturbance” on Sunday morning. However, the specifics surrounding the incident remain under investigation as the situation continues to develop.
During a brief press conference held around midday on Sunday, Christopher Bordelon, a spokesperson for the Shreveport police, provided early insights into the ongoing investigation. He emphasized the complexity of the case, noting that it involved a “very large scene” that stretched across four different locations.
As investigators work diligently to uncover the full story behind this devastating event, the community and beyond are left grappling with the immense loss and seeking answers to how such a tragedy could occur.
Bordelon said police were investigating a “very large scene” across four locations.
Police responded around 6 a.m. local time to a call about a domestic disturbance in a residential neighborhood but found a crime scene at two homes on the same street and a third on a street nearby.
Shreveport police said the suspected gunman carjacked a vehicle near the crime scenes and led law enforcement on a pursuit that ended in nearby Bossier City, which police identify as the fourth scene.
Shreveport police said officers shot and killed the man, who they believe is the only gunman.
Police said the man’s children were believed to be among the dead.
“It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux said during the press conference.
“We have a hurting community. We have hurting families. And we have hurting police officers, coroners’ personnel, fire department, sheriffs’ people—this affects the entire community. We all mourn with these families,” he said.
When police confirmed the details about the children during the press conference, attendees were heard crying out and gasping after learning about the tragic developments.
“I just don’t know what to say,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “My heart is just taken aback. I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
Police expect to release the name of the suspected gunman and more information about the investigation in the coming days.
This story is developing and will be updated as information becomes available.
CHICAGO (WLS) — The recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month began 25 years ago, marking its inception in 2001. This important observance seeks to bring attention to the prevalence and impact of sexual violence.
According to statistics from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, more than 45% of women and 16% of men across the United States endure sexual violence at some point in their lives, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.
Furthermore, workplace sexual harassment remains a significant concern, affecting one in three women, as indicated by recent data.
Rachel Hines, who serves as the associate clinical director at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, plays a vital role in supporting survivors of sexual assault through her work at the organization.
Hines noted that in many cases, the perpetrator of such assaults is someone known to the victim, underscoring the complex dynamics often involved in these situations.
“Statistically, it’s more likely to be someone you know. Like around 60-to-80% it’s more likely to be someone you know. I’ve been doing this work for 16 years, in all of those 16 years I can only think of a handful of cases where it’s been someone that the survivor didn’t know,” Hines said.
These days, technology is changing how people are targeted.
“Kids are being targeted in online game forums and chats. Ex-romantic partners are releasing intimate photos and videos of their partners,” she explained.
Hines also cited reports of a “rape academy” website. She said its “where men were going to this website to exchange information and photos and videos around how to assault their wives. Also, AI is a big concern when it comes to sexual violence. There’s been trends of folks taking people’s videos or photos, altering them creating fake pornography. This is also something that has been targeting children as well.”
Hines said sexual assaults are likely underreported.
“Often times when survivors there’s a lot of scrutiny on the survivor. the victim like ‘what did you do, didn’t you do, what were you wearing, why were you here, did you want this in some way?’ any number of things. That’s hard to face. There’s also consequences, when there’s someone that you know, if it’s someone in your family, if it’s your work colleague, etc. there can be a lot of fallout. So it has, like, a severe impact in lots of different areas in a survivor’s life.”
For survivors seeking help, the Rape Crisis Hotline is: 888-293-2080.
For more information on the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, which is celebrating 150 years:
https://ywcachicago.org/
You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
McDonald’s once ventured into uncharted territory with an unconventional menu item that left fans less than thrilled: the onion-themed dish.
During the 1970s, the fast-food juggernaut experimented with ‘onion nuggets’—crispy, batter-coated onion chunks designed as a vegetarian-friendly option. Despite its novelty, this quirky side dish failed to capture the hearts of customers.
Unexpectedly, a seemingly insignificant decision within the company marked the end of onion nuggets while paving the way for one of McDonald’s most successful products.
The unique, battered shape of the onion nuggets, which deviated from the familiar ring style popular at other eateries, didn’t resonate with diners. Sales were lackluster, and within a year, the item vanished from menus, never truly offering a competitor to Burger King’s offerings.
Legend has it that in 1979, a casual conversation sparked a revolutionary idea. Fred Turner, then-chairman of McDonald’s, proposed a pivot: “Let’s forget onions and try chicken instead.” This suggestion would soon lead to a menu staple that transformed the fast-food scene.
That offhand pivot sparked the creation of the Chicken McNugget – which officially launched nationwide in 1983 and went on to become one of the chain’s most iconic and profitable products.
Since then, the fast food giant introduced dipping sauces like Tangy BBQ and Sweet ‘N Sour, as well as a limited-time spicy version of their chicken nugget.
The menu item costs around $3.99 for a 6-piece and $10.49 for a 20-piece, making it one of the cheaper options at the chain restaurant.
McDonald’s onion nuggets where the inspiration behind the fast food chain’s Chicken McNuggets
McDonald’s introduced the onion nugget in the 1970s, although it was a short-lived menu item
Chris Kempczinski has acted as McDonald’s CEO since 2019
But the legacy of the onion nugget isn’t lost among fast food fans. Disappointed customers took to social media, some sharing their disappointment that they’ll never try an onion nugget.
‘Bring them back,’ one Reddit user said. ‘McDonald’s should do a promotion where they bring back a bunch of old items.
‘These, the McTasty, McBrat, the salads, fruit and yogurt parfait, snack wrap. There are so many great discontinued items.’
‘I’ll stick with my chicken rings, thank you very much,’ another said, referencing Burger King’s fan-favorite offering.
Burger King is testing out a new version of their onion rings in Canada, swapping minced onions with a prickly coating for an actual onion with a smoother, less breaded outside.
Customers shared their reactions on Reddit, with one user saying, ‘I actually like their current onion rings when they’re fresh.’
‘I like the current onion rings,’ another wrote. ‘No need fixing what isn’t broken. If I want a thick sliced onion ring where the onion pulls out of the breading on the first bite, I can go to just about any sit down restaurant.’
Others reacted to the price of the upgraded item, which rang up well over $5. Although the current onion rings vary in price based on location, a medium costs about $3.
Burger King’s onion rings are an iconic and beloved menu item, with a medium size costing around $3
There’s no word regarding when, or if, they will make their US debut, but the chain has been slowly improving its restaurants amid growing customer complaints. That includes updating its iconic Whopper sandwich.
Although the Whopper has been a restaurant staple for decades, diners complained that the quality has slowly been on the decline. As a result, Burger King elevated the item with new packaging and more premium ingredients.
This new burger still includes freshly cut onions and tomatoes, lettuce and pickles – along with what the company describes as ‘better tasting’ mayonnaise.
The chain also announced staff members would be required to wear AI-powered headsets that monitor how friendly employees are to customers. These headsets feature an AI voice, called Patty, that can send feedback to managers.
For example, if Patty detects an employee hasn’t said keywords like ‘welcome’, ‘please’ or ‘thank you,’ it can flag it to their boss.
The changes were met with massive customer approval, forcing the chain to hire 60,000 new employees to meet growing demand.
A tragic domestic altercation in Louisiana escalated into a shooting spree early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of eight children across various residences. The grim series of events concluded only after the perpetrator was fatally stopped by officers during a pursuit, as reported by local authorities.
According to Chris Bordelon, spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department, the young victims were between 1 and 14 years of age. The harrowing incident also left two adults wounded, bringing the total number of people shot to ten.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith expressed his profound shock, stating, “I am at a loss for words; my heart is profoundly shaken. It is unimaginable that something of this nature could unfold.”
Describing the aftermath, Bordelon noted, “This is a complex scene, the likes of which many of us have never encountered.”
A photograph taken on September 4, 2025, shows a map of Shreveport, Louisiana, in Chief Wayne E. Smith’s office. The city was the site of a mass shooting on April 19, 2026, where eight juveniles lost their lives following a domestic dispute, according to police reports. (Reuters/Kathleen Flynn)
The man stole a car at gunpoint a half block away from the original crime scene, leaving the scene of the shootings and getting pursued by police, according to Bordelon.
A shootout between police and suspect occurred after a traffic stop in Bossier Parish, resulting in the suspect’s death.
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It’s a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting, where Shreveport police stopped a suspect, who died after shooting 10 people, including eight children. (ablokhin/Getty Images)
Officials said they were still gathering details about the crime scene, which extended across three locations. Some of the children shot were related to the suspect, according to Bordelon.
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting.
Police are still investigating after officers stopped a man accused of fatally shooting eight children following a domestic dispute. (iStock)
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An unfortunate incident on Interstate 4 has resulted in the death of a passenger after a tire blowout led to a fatal crash, authorities confirmed.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred early Sunday morning when a 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer was heading westbound on I-4. The vehicle’s right rear tire suddenly blew out, setting off a chain of events that ended in tragedy.
The blowout caused the SUV to violently flip over multiple times, eventually crashing onto the left shoulder and slamming into the median guardrail, troopers reported.
During the chaotic sequence, one passenger was thrown from the vehicle, landing in the eastbound center lane of the highway.
Tragically, a 2017 Lexus CT traveling in the eastbound center lane struck the ejected passenger, according to the troopers’ account.
The TrailBlazer’s driver and six passengers were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, investigators said.
The passenger who was ejected was taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where the person was pronounced deceased.
The Lexus driver and passenger were not taken to the hospital and remained at the scene, troopers said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
Inset: Jimmy Cazares (Weld County District Attorney”s Office). Background: Wyler’s Pub and Brew in Greeley, Colorado (KUSA).
A Colorado judge has handed a 96-year prison sentence to a 33-year-old man for a shooting incident at a bar, where he fired 59 shots, hitting a bartender in the neck, following his ejection from the premises for fighting.
In February, Jimmy Cazares was found guilty of multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief, as reported by the Weld County District Attorney’s Office. On Wednesday, Judge Annette Kundelius of the Weld County District Court issued the lengthy sentence.
Authorities in Greeley, located approximately 60 miles northeast of Denver, were dispatched to Wyler’s Pub and Brew on November 30, 2024, following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered a bartender who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, one of which was to the neck. Another woman, though not physically shot, was harmed by being in the direct path of the gunfire, according to prosecutors.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Cazares was expelled from the bar for engaging in a fight. About 40 minutes later, he returned and unleashed a barrage of 59 bullets into the establishment from outside.
During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, one of the victims recounted, “My life changed forever that night. I never could have imagined I was being shot at. I firmly believe I died for a brief moment.”
Cazares also was found guilty of drug-related charges.
“It’s only by the grace of God that no one was killed that night,” Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells said. “He gunned down two women at a local, community establishment and clearly has no respect for human life.”
The defendant was facing up to 134 years in prison.
“Damage didn’t stop when the bullets stopped,” Wells said. “These victims of this horrific and senseless crime will live with the mental, emotional and physical damage the rest of their lives.”
Christina Aguilera unveiled a striking new look as she stepped out in a sleek black leather dress at the glittering 2026 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony gala.
The pop icon, known for her hit “Genie in a Bottle,” captivated onlookers in an elegant off-the-shoulder gown by designer Salih Balta. Aguilera posed for cameras at the prestigious event held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday night.
Fans were surprised by her bold transformation, as she sported a chic short blonde bob, a notable change from her signature flowing locks.
The 45-year-old star completed her ensemble with a statement choker necklace, eye-catching silver rings, and stylish black strappy heels, enhancing her glamorous appearance for the evening.
Alongside her on this dazzling night was her fiancé, Matthew Rutler, making the occasion a rare and romantic date night. The couple has been engaged since 2014, adding a special touch to the star-studded affair.
The long-term couple didn’t shy away from packing on the PDA for photographers, as Rutler placed a warm kiss on his fiancée’s cheek.
For his part, the businessman, 41, sported a classic black suit.
Aguilera and Rutler were among the A-list attendees at the event to celebrate the greatest minds in science.
The Breakthrough Prize Ceremony honors the world’s top scientists’ achievements with a gala awards and $3 million in prize money for researchers in the fields of life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics.
The gala was founded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, his wife, Priscilla Chan, Julia and Yuri Milner, Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki.
The group celebrated winners from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and more.
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Paris Hilton, Lionel Richie, Michelle Yeoh, John Legend and Rob Lowe were just some of the many stars who attended and mingled with tech moguls and scientists inside.
Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates also made an appearance and smiled at reporters while making his way down the carpet.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Copyright Newsfinal Publications.
