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Minn. Senate protects gender-affirming care, abortion rights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate waded into the culture wars Friday by passing bills to make Minnesota a refuge for youth seeking gender-affirming care, out-of-state abortion patients and providers seeking protection, and to ban so-called conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth.All three bills passed the Democratic-controlled House earlier this session. While Democrats hold just a one-seat majority in the Senate, bill sponsors were confident heading into the emotional debate. First up was the conversion therapy ban, which passed 36-27 with two Republicans voting “yes.” The abortion refuge bill passed 34-29 on a party-line vote, and the trans refuge bill won similar approval 34-30.The conversion therapy ban and trans refuge bills now go straight to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. Meanwhile, the bill expanding abortion rights was headed back to the House for its agreement with adding pharmacists to the list of shielded medical providers.“The through-thread in all of...

Delaware governor says he won’t block marijuana legalization

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware Gov. John Carney said Friday that he will allow bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry to become law without his signature.The Democratic governor’s move marks a turnaround from last year, when he vetoed a legalization bill championed by fellow Democrats. That led to a failed veto override attempt by House Democrats.Just last month, Carney’s office said he continued to have strong concerns about the unintended consequences of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, including the effects on young people and highway safety.“I want to be clear that my views on this issue have not changed. And I understand there are those who share my views who will be disappointed in my decision not to veto this legislation,” Carney said in a prepared statement Friday. “I came to this decision because I believe we’ve spent far too much time focused...

Veterans warned of longer wait times due to federal public service strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

OTTAWA — Ill and injured veterans were being warned to anticipate longer-than-normal wait times and delays as federal public servants — including hundreds of Veterans Affairs Canada employees — remained on the picket lines heading into the weekend.The Union of Veterans Affairs Employees is part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, whose more than 100,000 members walked off the job on Wednesday after failed labour negotiations with the federal government.To ensure former service members struggling with mental and physical injuries weren’t unduly affected by a labour disruption, the union and government agreed in December to classify about 400 positions at Veterans Affairs as essential.Those essential staff are continuing to provide critical support and services to veterans, which includes the provision of financial and medical benefits as well as assistance in accessing various treatments.They work alongside Veterans Affairs employees who are not members of UVAE or PSAC bu...

Migrants sleeping on floors of Chicago police districts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's City Hall is facing criticism for its efforts in handling migrant refugees as migrant families are forced to sleep on the floor at many police districts.Chicago is historically known as a city of immigrants and a sanctuary city welcoming newcomers, but the reception for mostly Venezuelan and Cuban immigrants has been a mixed bag with not enough shelter capacity or available migrant housing. Lightfoot calls for nearly $54M in state aid to support migrants "We are sleeping recently on the floor because we don't have anywhere to go," Kae Bay, a Venezuelan migrant said. Bay is with his wife, two kids and his cousin's family. The children are struggling to deal with this unusual confinement."They're practically locked in and they want to play, go outside. But we can't because we are awaiting a response," Bay said.As instructed, he called the city's 311 helpline and is waiting to be transferred to a shelter by city drivers and private relief organizations that are...

Cicero man arrested after crashing into Indiana trooper's car at crash scene

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. — A man from Cicero was charged after he crashed into an Indiana State Police trooper's car at a crash scene while he was intoxicated, according to state police.The 37-year-old man crashed into the trooper's car around 9 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 65 southbound in Tippecanoe County. Man gets 2 life sentences in Gary bank robbery where retired Cook County deputy was killed The trooper was blocking another lane for a previous crash when the man crashed into the back of his car, Sgt. Jeremy Piers said.During the investigation, troopers found the man had a BAC of .181%, Piers said. President Biden approves Indiana disaster declaration after recent tornadoes According to online court records, he has been charged with Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person and Operating a Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to at least .08 but less than.15.No injuries were reported.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson hires Chief of Staff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- The mayor-elect's incoming Chief of Staff is a familiar face with a background in public safety in Chicago.Rich Guidice, the former Head of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, announced his retirement after the incoming Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson was elected following the April 4 runoff election."It was not a part of the plan," Guidice said. "I fully planned on retiring, but I’m truly excited about the opportunity to continue to do what I do."Guidice didn't say if he voted for Johnson, but he will become the Mayor-elect's Chief of Staff."I’ve had conversations with the mayor I feel were very passionate and sincere and I feel he is open to conversation in my opinion on public safety and relationships and how to make relationships better within public safety and also to entrust CPD to do the job they’re supposed to do."Dr. Cristina Pacione-Zayas will also act as First Deputy Chief of Staff to the Johnson administration. She has been an Illinois State S...

Brookfield Zoo welcomes birth of rare addax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

CHICAGO – For the second time in less than a year, an addax has been born at Brookfield Zoo, marking a big step for the endangered species. Experts with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources estimate there may be less than 100 left in the wild. SEE ALSO | Brookfield Zoo named 5th best zoo in new pollThe female calf is nearly a month old and weighed just over 15 pounds at birth. Visitors can see the calf and her mom, 6-year-old Simone, along with the rest of the addax on the northwest end of the zoo along the 31st Street walkway.  Before the newborn, Simone last gave birth to a male calf in July of 2022. Other addaxes at the zoo include a 3-year-old female named Ivyc.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesCurrently, there are more addax living in professional care facilities in North America than in the wild due to threats of hunting and poaching.

Illinois bill introduced to tax Bears tickets to pay Soldier Field debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Bears fan may have to pay a little extra to try and help the team payoff it's old debt to Soldier Field.A new bill introduced in the Illinois House would add $3 to the price of a Bears ticket if the team makes the move to Arlington Heights. Chicago Bears officially sign purchasing agreement for Arlington Park The measure would go to payoff the costs of the Soldier Field renovation project from two decades ago. The City of Chicago remains on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars from the project.The decision to make this move was to jump start talks of state assistants for the Bears potential move to the suburbs. The legislation also calls for pulling revenue generated from the new site from state sale, hotel, and liquor taxes.

Kansas City Royals staff rescue dog stuck inside car engine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Several employees of the Kansas City Royals had rather an unusual start to their workday.A digital reporter with the Major League Baseball team posted a video after finding a dog in the engine compartment of a co-workers car. VIDEO: Wisconsin police pull bobcat from inside car Other employees heard about the situation and jumped into help rescue the dog from the car. Almost an hour and a half later, they were able to get the dog free.Turns out, the dog was inside the car for the owners 30 minute commute to work. The owner and the dog were reunited after a stressful morning.

'Nickel' the sea turtle celebrates 20 years at the Shedd Aquarium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- A sea turtle is celebrating 20 years of calling Chicago's Shedd Aquarium home.Back in 1998, a marine biologist rescued "Nickel" from the Gulf Coast after spotting the injured turtle struggling to stay afloat. Brookfield Zoo welcomes birth of rare addax "Suffering from a deep gash to the rear of her shell from a motorboat propeller, (Nickel) was treated in a rehabilitation center in Florida, but extensive injuries resulted in permanent problems that resulted in her being unable to return to the ocean," according to the Shedd website.On April 23, 2003, Nickel arrived at the Shedd Aquarium where veterinarians found a nickel stuck in her esophagus during an X-ray. Thus, Nickel was named.In the past 20 years, Nickel has become one of the Shedd Aquarium's most iconic residents.