Marcus Leshock

@WGNMorningNews Feature Reporter | @WGNTV Roller Coaster Bureau Chief | Co-host of “What A Day!” 3-4pm on WGN+ | Instructor NU @MedillSchool | NBC-HWC 💪

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@JNusbaum820 Wow sounds like an awesome trip

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

NEW: Universal theme park revenue was up 2.7% in the second quarter, driven by continued strength at Epic Universe in Orlando.

However, parent company Comcast said performance across the broader resort was below expectations with “attendance softening in June which has continued into Q3.”

Comcast co-CEO Mikey Cavanagh said weakness in consumer sentiment and higher travel costs are to blame.

He added that he didn’t expect this to be a permanent issue, saying they “continue to see continued consumer appeal and satisfaction in all things we look at as it relates to the excitement people have” about the parks.

Have you traveled to any of the Florida theme parks this summer?

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@JNusbaum820 How were the crowds?

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

You can read the full Comcast / Universal earnings call transcript here: https://t.co/9NgbFqXdc5

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?! @BarstoolBigCat won ANOTHER 50/50 raffle at Wrigley Field just days after collecting his big check for his previous win! 🤯🤣

And he's once again donating the winnings to charity @LostBoyzInc.

Congrats, Big Cat. As seen on @WGNMorningNews Trending News.

[Bob Waszak @nilwxreports]

The shedd aquarium got 4 Beluga Whales so far with the option for more if needed. Amazing job to these aquariums and parks for rescuing these whales.

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

I HAVE SEEN "THE ODYSSEY!" I shared some of my many thoughts about this incredible film on the @WGNMorningNews today.

Have you seen the movie yet? I'd love to know what you thought about it!

[Adam Roth @arothwdwc]

Glad to see these animals finally being relocated. Credit due to all of the marine facilities who have contributed to this effort and to those who will provide greater care for these creatures in their new homes.

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@AVerchimak I don't get it but hopefully it will make sense lol

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@7echArtist @shedd_aquarium @SeaWorld @GeorgiaAquarium @mysticaquarium The belugas are awesome at the @shedd_aquarium

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

NEW: Four beluga whales have been rescued by Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.

Canada's Marineland park closed, which left 30 belugas needing a home. A team of veterinarians and animal care experts from the @shedd_aquarium, @SeaWorld, the @GeorgiaAquarium and the @mysticaquarium teamed up to transport the whales to new locations.

Four of the female belugas were transported by a cargo jet and a truck to the Shedd. They will not be on display to the public until they are adjusted to their new environment.

The Shedd said that these rescues "demand extraordinary precision, patience and care."

They'll be sharing more updates as the whales get used to their new home.

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@EJXD2 @BTW_Mick After another viewing I can say you are WRONG and the film still holds up! 🏈🤣

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

So many fine programming choices on this aircraft …. I found the best of the best.

Anybody remember NECESSARY ROUGHNESS?! 🏈🤣

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

I love the honesty in this from Ed Harris. Not just how he felt he was not being featured enough when shooting the “Dutton Ranch” season - but how he watched the final product and was pleased with how it turned out.

It made me think about how people want to feel valued in whatever they are doing. And in this case, it seems like that did not happen for him, even if the end product was good.

[Variety @Variety]

Ed Harris says he felt “misled” about his “inconsequential” role on “Dutton Ranch,” and that halfway through filming Season 1, he was telling his team to “get me the f--- out of here.”

“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do — and that I was one of the four main characters,” Harris said. “And that wasn’t really the case... I said, ‘I’m feeling underused and inconsequential,’ and they kind of went, ‘Oh.'”

Harris explained that when he actually watched “Dutton Ranch,” he thought it was “pretty good,” and he felt his character was “relatively important to the story.” However, during filming, “it didn’t feel that way.”

“I’m being told my character will have a little bit more to do [in Season 2],” he says. “I was just a little frustrated, to tell you the truth.”

https://t.co/MCy7v8LaGK

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

This storm system in Iowa is putting on quite the light show. Here’s the view out of the right side of the aircraft we are on. ⚡️ ⛈️ ✈️

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@EJXD2

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

You can see a video of the fox rescue at @SFGreat_America here: https://t.co/ytCKQdE6VH

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

INCREDIBLE RESCUE! A fox fell into the Roaring Rapids water ride at Six Flags Great America today! 😬

Riders in the giant tubes spotted the fox struggling to stay above water and get out. They yelled for operators to stop the ride.

That’s when some amazing @SFGreat_America employees came to the rescue and pulled the fox from the water and took it to a safer, wooded area nearby.

Well done by all involved! Glad it was OK. 🦊 💦

📸: Will Pierce in the Six Flags Great America Junkies group

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

@daverowe2323 It was closed!!

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

WHAT A DAY at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California yesterday. 🤯

For almost four decades, I’ve been dreaming about visiting this park and riding so many of the coasters I’ve been watching from afar.

The Great America Revolution was definitely a highlight. This was the first modern vertical loop on a roller coaster! Think about how mind blowing that had to be for people when it opened.

This is one of those unique parks where every time you turn a corner, there is some ride where you say “oh we definitely HAVE to ride that!” Some were the biggest and fastest when they opened to the public, and others are just plain fun.

Oh … and the views are spectacular! 🏔️

The best part of it all was sharing the moment with my son - we got through a wild long day and some very powerful sun, picking up 11 new coaster credits.

I’ll have more to say about our experience at @SFMagicMountain in an upcoming video. What is your favorite thing about this park?