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Judge calls new Texas election law unconstitutional; state says it will appeal ruling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — A judge on Tuesday called unconstitutional a new law passed by the GOP-led Texas Legislature that will dictate how elections are run in the state’s most populous county, which is a Democratic stronghold and home to Houston.The law, which would abolish a position that oversees elections in Harris County, was temporarily blocked by state District Judge Karin Crump in Austin after county officials filed a lawsuit earlier this month.But the judge’s order, issued Monday, was short-lived. It was put on hold on Tuesday after the Texas Attorney General’s Office filed a notice that it will appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. The new law, set to take effect Sept. 1, was pushed through by Republican lawmakers who accused Harris County officials of mismanaging recent elections. Democrats accused Republicans of singling out the county because, like other large urban areas around the state, it has increasingly voted Democratic.In a statement, the Texas Attorney General’s Office said...

Victim walks into hospital with life-threatening injuries after Rexdale shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

Toronto police say a male has walked into a hospital with life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Rexdale on Tuesday. Police were called after shots were fired in the Finch Avenue West and Martin Grove Road area at around 4 p.m.Initially it was believed that no one was hurt in the incident, but in a follow up police said a male victim attended hospital on his own. His injuries are critical. No further details were immediately available. More to come

US launches program to provide electricity to more Native American homes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Interior Department on Tuesday unveiled a new program to bring electricity to more homes in Native American communities as the Biden administration looks to funnel more money toward climate and renewable energy projects. The program will be funded by an initial $72.5 million. In all, federal officials said $150 million is being invested from the Inflation Reduction Act to support the electrification of homes in tribal communities, many of which have seen mixed success over the decades as officials have tried to address the lack of adequate infrastructure in remote areas.In 2022, the U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Indian Energy issued a report citing that nearly 17,000 tribal homes were without electricity, with most being in southwestern states and in Alaska. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland testified before Congress earlier this year that 1 in 5 homes on the Navajo Nation and more than one-third of homes on the neighbo...

A Pennsylvania study suggests links between fracking and asthma, lymphoma in children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Children who lived closer to natural gas wells in heavily drilled Pennsylvania were more likely to develop a relatively rare form of cancer, and nearby residents of all ages had an increased chance of severe asthma reactions, researchers said in reports released Tuesday evening.The taxpayer-funded research by the University of Pittsburgh adds to a body of evidence suggesting links between the gas industry and certain health problems. The researchers found what they called significant associations between gas industry activity and two ailments: asthma and a relatively rare type of cancer in children called lymphoma.The researchers were unable to say whether the drilling caused the health problems, because the studies weren’t designed to do that. Instead, the researchers combed health records to try to determine possible associations based on how close people lived to natural gas wells.Energy companies use hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to capture natural ga...

Man with ties to Orland Park church named in indictment against former President Trump

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

CHICAGO -- A second person with Chicagoland ties has been named in the fourth indictment against former President Donald Trump.The former president and allegedly 18 allies "knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy" to reverse the 2020 election totals in favor of Trump, according to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office on Monday. Meet the 18 people charged with Trump in Georgia indictment Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a public relations executive and pastor with ties to Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, was named in the Georgia indictment along with former President Trump over their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.70-year-old Lee has been indicted for violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, two counts of criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses and conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings influencing witnesses.The 98-page indictment alleges Lee, who is also reportedly a po...

'The honor of my life:' Chicago's former top doc speaks out after sudden firing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago’s former top doc is speaking out.As commissioner of the Chicago’s Department of Public Health, Dr Allison Arwady helped citizens navigate the many unknowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, regularly facing the community and media to provide guidance and answers. And while she doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to her sudden firing from the post she loved, she says she’ll always be a champion for public health and patients.“When I look back, I’m not thinking about the way it ended,” she said.She was always on call. The internal medicine specialist who chose public health over private practice showed her competence and commitment during the rigors of Covid.“It’s been really the honor of my life to be able to lead my team through this,” she said. “But it is a lot of the work that doesn’t get talked about as much that in many ways I am most proud of.” Mayor Johnson fires Dr. Allison Arwady as Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner That work includes pr...

Skilling: Sunny, warm Wednesday before showers arrive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

Skies have cleared amid gusty, full fetch NNE winds which have raced with cool temps (for this time of year) the length of Lake Michigan. As is typical with "full fetch" winds—i.e. winds which race southward the entire length of Lake Michigan----high waves and rip currents have resulted.  The rain tallies are in from Monday's storm system from across the Chicago metro area. The spread in totals with Monday storms was even evident between the big airports here in the city. MIDWAY recorded 2.81" reports Frank Wachowski, veteran National Weather Service observer responsible for the measurements there. On the city's Northwest Side at O'Hare, the city's official weather observation site, the Monday tally was 0.80".  Oak Park reported nearly 4" of rain while DeMotte, Lowell and Wheatfield, Indiana had rains measured in hundredths of an inch----typical of the wide spread in warm season rains which are so common.Gusts over the open lake have approached 40 mph Tuesday. The high tem...

Limited access to Chicago's 'Bean' as construction project begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Limited viewing of Chicago's iconic "Bean" in Millennium Park began Monday as a construction project is now underway and is expected to last several months. The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Thursday, Aug. 10, that construction in Millennium Park in the plaza that surrounds the "Bean" is in need of repairs, thus limiting access and views of Cloud Gate.The repairs include new pavers and accessibility upgrades. According to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website, construction on Grainger Plaza surrounding Cloud Gate will continue through Spring 2024. As a result, spectators will have to view the "Bean" from a distance instead of up close and underneath. "This necessary maintenance by the City of Chicago will replace pavers and make other repairs and accessibility upgrades to the Plaza—to enhance the nearly 20-year-old Park’s appearance, visitor experience, and position as the #1 attract...

Man paralyzed after being shot by CPD officer suing for excessive force

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is suing the city of Chicago a year after a police shooting left him paralyzed, according to a lawsuit filed last Friday.On Aug. 12, 2022, Raymond Comer was allegedly shot multiple times by a Chicago police officer. The father of four is suing six CPD officers for excessive use of force, attorneys with Romanucci & Blandin announced Tuesday. SEE ALSO: Mayor Johnson quotes Tupac when asked about Dr. Arwady's firingLast August, the then 37-year-old was stopped while parking a friend's car on the Near West Side. Officers responding to the 2100 block of W. Adams St. for a shooting report conducted an investigatory stop on the vehicle. According to police, officers noticed a person inside armed with a handgun.An officer allegedly shot Comer more than 10 times. Police said a firearm was recovered at the scene. Loved ones of Comer told WGN News that he didn’t have a gun and said the car was not his, however.Suspect’s firearm recovered on scene. pic.twitter.com/jIJZmPBQV...

Starting next year, child influencers can sue if earnings aren't set aside, says new Illinois law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:22 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is the first state in the U.S. to ensure child social media influencers are compensated for their work, according to Sen. David Koehler, of Peoria, who sponsored a bill that was signed into law and will go into effect on July 1, 2024."The rise of social media has given children new opportunities to earn a profit,” Koehler said in an emailed press release after the bill was signed Friday afternoon. “Many parents have taken this opportunity to pocket the money, while making their children continue to work in these digital environments.”The idea for the law, which covers children under the age of 16 featured in monetized online platforms, including video blogs (also known as vlogs), was brought to Koehler by a 15-year-old in his district, the Democratic senator said.Besides coordinated dances and funny toddler comments, family vlogs nowadays may share intimate details of their children’s lives — grades, potty training, illnesses, misbehaviors, first pe...