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Wisconsin Republicans reject eight Evers appointees, including majority of environmental board

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to fire eight state board appointees from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration, including a majority of the panel that sets the state’s environmental and wildlife policies.In a series of votes that fell mostly along party lines, the Senate rejected confirmation for four members of the Natural Resources Board, as well as a Democratic elections commissioner who tried earlier this year to prevent the Senate from voting to fire the state’s top elections official, a nonpartisan role. Republicans also rejected nomination of a medical board chair who has supported abortion rights, Evers’ former spokesperson who was reappointed to the Council on Domestic Abuse, and a member of an agricultural board whose appointment was opposed by dairy and business groups.For years, Evers and Senate Republicans have clashed over gubernatorial appointments. GOP lawmakers refused to act on many of the gove...

Tories want House to study CBC editorial choice, despite broadcaster’s independence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

OTTAWA — The official Opposition is attempting to have a House of Commons committee study an editorial decision of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., despite its independence from the government being enshrined in law. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman introduced a motion today to summon the head of CBC and its director of journalistic standards to testify over the broadcaster’s policy not to call Hamas militants “terrorists.”The CBC is defending the policy, saying it uses the words “terrorist” or “terrorism” when they are attributed to someone, but is asking reporters to avoid using the words in their own voice because they are loaded with meaning, politics and emotion that can impede their journalism.Paul Knox, a professor emeritus at the Toronto Metropolitan University school of journalism, says he believes the Tories’ motion is unprecedented, and he thinks it is out of line because it infringes on freedom of the press.He sa...

Israeli airstrike on hospital kills hundreds, ministry says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

BREAKING UPDATE: A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.Abbas was scheduled to join Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesday’s summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the latest Israel-Hamas war with Biden.But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that Hamas health officials say has killed over 500 people.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.Original story:KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.The he...

Suspected arsonist targeting North Side Halloween decorations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A community alert was issued Tuesday for a suspected arsonist targeting some Halloween and fall decorations on the North Side.Chicago police are looking for a suspect described as a white man, 35 to 40 years old, 6' feet tall, balding with a beard and mustache. He has been seen wearing glasses, a black jacket, blue jeans and a messenger bag.The man is accused of targeting Halloween and fall decorations throughout Lincoln Square, North Center and Roscoe Village. CPD said the last three fires were ignited on front porches.courtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policeCourtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policeA timeline of the incidents is below, per Chicago police.4600 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 4 at 1:50 a.m.2100 block of West Montrose Oct. 4 at 3:48 a.m.4500 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 4 at 4 a.m.4600 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 7 at 4:13 a.m.4000 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 9 at 2:58 a.m.2100 block of West Agatite on Oct. 11 at 3:10...

How recycling can help Chicagoans get a slice of free pizza a day in November

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

CHICAGO — If you want to do something good for the environment while also getting something to eat for lunch or dinner, you're in luck one day this November in downtown Chicago. It's all part of the "Toss In, Take Out" initiative by Coca-Cola in an effort to get people more in the habit of recycling in cities across the country.In Chicago, they'll hold an event on Tuesday, November 7 at Lou Maltani's West Loop location at 1235 W. Randolph Street. From Noon to 8 p.m., customers who visit the location and bring an empty plastic beverage bottle of any kind will receive a free slice of either cheese, pepperoni, or sausage pizza.Coca-Cola is holding the event in celebration of the company's expansion of their 100 percent recycled plastic 20-ounce bottles with a number of their products. "Toss In, Take Out" events are scheduled to be held in two other cities before Chicago's day on November 7.New York City - Tuesday, Oct. 24 - Bleecker Street Pizza - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.Atlanta...

Bears reportedly signing another quarterback this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — With Justin Fields' status for this week and perhaps longer up in the air due to an injury, the Bears are adding another quarterback to their roster. Per a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears will sign free agent signal caller Trace McSorley to their practice squad ahead of their game with the Raiders at Soldier Field on Sunday.The team hasn't confirmed the move as they are scheduled to start preps for Las Vegas on Wednesday at Halas Hall. This comes as Fields is dealing with a thumb injury that he suffered in the third quarter of the Bears' loss to the Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. On Monday, head coach Matt Eberflus said that the starting quarterback is doubtful as the team waits for the swelling around the thumb to reduce. Should he not be able to go, rookie Tyson Bagent would get his first career start against the Raiders with Nathan Peterman serving as his backup. A three-time All-Big Ten second team selection at Penn State, McSorley was ...

Soldier Field to host Chicago Veteran Job Fair this Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

CHICAGO — Soldier Field is hosting a job fair on Thursday for past and transitioning military service members. Disabled American Veterans is teaming up with RecruitMilitary to host the Chicago Veterans Job Fair this Thursday, Oct. 19, in Soldier Field's 1st Floor United Club. The career event will begin at 11 a.m. and last through 3 p.m. Search for jobs on our job board Registration is free and available online to all transitioning military, veterans, military spouses and dependents.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines More than 70 registered exhibitors are expected.

Jan. 6 rioter dubbed ‘bullhorn lady’ sentenced to more than 4 years in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

(The Hill) – The Pennsylvania woman who used a bullhorn to direct rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison.U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth convicted Rachel Marie Powell on all nine counts in July. She was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property, entering a restricted area with a weapon and engaging in violence on Capitol grounds.Powell waived her right to a jury trial. She was nicknamed “bullhorn lady” for her use of a bullhorn directing others around the Capitol on Jan. 6.The Justice Department released a memo last week that said it would be seeking eight years in prison for Powell because of “her conduct on January 6, 2021, including her violent altercations with law enforcement at the West Plaza, her smashing of a window at the Lower West Terrace with an ice axe and a cardboard pole, her encouragement and instructions to other rioters on how to ‘take’ the U.S. Capitol, and for h...

Terrell Owens, NFL Hall of Famer, hit by car in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – NFL legend Terrell Owens was hit by a car in Southern California on Monday night in what law enforcement is investigating as a deliberate act, authorities confirmed to KTLA.Owens was playing pickup basketball in Calabasas, which lies roughly 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, when he apparently got into an argument with another man on the court, TMZ first reported.After the game, the other man got into his car and drove into the former wide receiver's knee, according to TMZ. Owens wasn’t seriously hurt and didn’t require a trip to the hospital.Deputies took a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told KTLA. The driver had not been arrested as of Tuesday morning. Is crime going up in America? Some types are, new FBI data shows Owen, 49, played 15 seasons in the NFL, racking up nearly 16,000 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.In Aug...

IRS to invite some taxpayers to try free e-file tax return system

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:59:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS plans to invite select taxpayers across 13 states to try out the agency's pilot electronic free file tax return system beginning in January.The agency estimates that hundreds of thousands of taxpayers will participate in the limited rollout of the program for the 2024 filing season.The IRS faces intense blowback from private tax preparation companies that have made billions from charging people to use their software. The introduction of a government-run option could upend the industry and fundamentally change the way taxpayers interact with IRS.All eyes are on the agency to get it right — and avoid a roll-out reminiscent of the disastrous healthcare.gov website rollout a decade ago, when many users encountered challenges accessing and using the website.“The plan is to roll it out in increments that get larger and larger, consistent with how products like this are rolled out in the private sector,” IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said on a...