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Colorado politicians seek power to block social media users

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers pushed a bill to the governor’s desk that would give politicians carte blanche to block social media users — including constituents — on their “private” accounts just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would consider to what extent that’s legal. The idea has sparked a national debate as social media becomes an increasingly popular tool for politicians to squeeze arguments into 280-character Tweets, laud their successes, air their grievances, and announce official business — all of which blurs the line between personal accounts and public forums. That fuzzy line has already spurred a litany of lawsuits, including one against former President Donald Trump, but legal precedent remains slim. The legislation’s bipartisan sponsors argue that it’s merely drawing a line between public and private lives and liken it to a public town hall — if two constituents began screeching at each other or harassed or intimidating...

Toronto Zoo welcomes adorable baby camel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

Spring has sprung at the Toronto Zoo with the arrival of a baby camel.Suria, an eight-year-old Bactrian camel, gave birth to a female calf on Thursday.A zoo spokesperson said it’s Suria’s second calf, and the initial stages of nursing have been challenging. As such, the zoo will implement sound strategies to ensure a positive outcome for the mother and calf.“We are thrilled to welcome this little one to your Toronto Zoo,” said Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo.“Our mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. Some guests were fortunate enough to watch Suria give birth right there in the habitat. The experience of witnessing a life beginning is one they will likely never forget.”A Bactrian camel calf typically stays with its mother for three to five years until it reaches sexual maturity.The zoo says the first 30 days are critical, and staff will closely monitor the mom and baby. The calf’s dad, named ...

After winning $385K in damages from Quebec government, Charest seeking $700K more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

QUEBEC — Former Quebec premier Jean Charest is seeking another $705,000 from the provincial government for media leaks related to a corruption investigation targeting him and his party.A judge already awarded him $385,000 in damages in early April after Charest sued the government because journalists were given details about a police investigation into alleged illegal Liberal party financing during his tenure as premier.The former premier and recent candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada was never charged in the investigation and has said the leaks tarnished his reputation and affected him personally.In its April ruling, Quebec Superior Court gave Charest 30 days to add allegations of abuse of process to the lawsuit against the attorney general and the anti-corruption police, known as UPAC.Charest’s lawyers are claiming that the attorney general used stalling tactics during his lawsuit against the province and that their conduct was abusive from start...

Sentencing dates set for 'ComEd 4' defendants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

CHICAGO — The four defendants in one of the biggest corruption trials in the State of Illinois in over a decade now know when they'll be sentenced. Jay Doherty, John Hooker, Michael McClain and Anne Premaggiore - together known as the "ComEd Four" - all have January dates to find out their punishments after all were found guilty on all counts in federal court on Tuesday.McClain, a former lobbyist with close ties to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, will be the first to be sentenced on January 11, 2024 after he was found guilty on all nine counts.Pramaggiore, the former CEO of ComEd, who also was found guilty on all nine counts against her, will be sentenced five days later on January 16, 2024. ‘ComEd Four’ found guilty in bribery trial Hooker, ComEd's former executive vice president of legislative and external affairs, faces sentencing on January 25 after he was found guilty on all six counts in the trial.Doherty, a former ComEd consultant who also was guilty on ...

Two young players shine in Cubs' win over Marlins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

CHICAGO — All of the optimism on a beautiful afternoon at the Friendly Confines could be found in the Cubs' battery on Friday.Their quickly blossoming starting pitcher continued his strong start to 2023 while the catcher had a moment in his first major league game. Both were able to get the Cubs off to a strong start to a homestand that followed a bad week on the road. Justin Steele's pitching and an insurance RBI by catcher Matt Mervis helped give the home team a 4-1 win over the Marlins on Friday afternoon. It snapped a two-game losing streak to start a six-game stretch at Wrigley Field as the Cubs evened their record at 16-16.This came after a 1-6 road trip against Miami and Washington on the road. Steele's seventh outing of the year was quality again as the pitcher allowed just one earned run on six hits through seven innings. He struck out four batters without a walk in 86 pitches to improve his record to 4-0 on the season. It marks the 14th consecutive game that Steele has all...

Illinois man gets 44 years for hitting trooper during stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

BGLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — An eastern Illinois man was sentenced to 44 years in prison for assaulting a state trooper during a traffic stop.Randy M. Turner, of Danville, was pulled over in May 2022 for driving over 100 mph (161 kph) on Interstate 55 near Chenoa, northeast of Bloomington, The Pantagraph reported.Prosecutors had played dashboard camera video that showed Turner tackling Illinois state Trooper Matthew Niehaus, sending the officer to the ground, and punching him. VIDEO: Kenosha police save elder driver after flat tire sparks vehicle fire Turner, who was sentenced Thursday, was found guilty in March of disarming a peace officer and several other counts.Turner admitted to smoking PCP, a powerful psychedelic drug, authorities said.The trooper, Niehaus, testified he suffered fractured vertebrae.Turner apologized to Niehaus in court and said he was not in the right state of mind.“I didn’t have control like I have control now,” Turner said.

Bipartisan bill looks to change healthcare coverage for guard and reserve personnel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Last July, as Connecticut resident Rachel Clark drove her daughter to gymnastics, she got a notification that two soldiers were at her door."That is when they told me that Mike was killed," Rachel said.Her husband, Sgt. First Class Michael Clark, died during a 30-day training exercise in Georgia."He was struck by lightning and of course, I didn't believe them," Rachel said.And on top of his death, Rachel's family soon faced another issue: the loss of their healthcare coverage."They would increase our monthly payment over 400% or they would drop me," Rachel said.Because Michael's death happened during a training exercise, military policy only allowed 6 months of continuing health coverage, instead of the 3 years offered after the death of an active duty service member. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said that needs to change."Tragic events really expose weaknesses and gaps in the law," Courtney said.He is introducing bipartisan legislation to do just that."To crea...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for most of Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Stay weather aware into this evening as storms are once again in the forecast, but won't impact everyone tonight.Isolated storms have already started developing in parts of the northwestern Hill Country. Isolated to scattered storms will continue developing as we head into the evening getting roughly 30-40% of Central Texas rain.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of Central Texas until 10 p.m. The main severe weather threats this evening will be for large hail and damaging winds, but an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.Severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.The latest outlook from the Storm Prediction Center has most areas along and west of I-35 under a slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms beginning mid-Friday afternoon through midnight.Risk of isolated to widely scattered severe storms Friday afternoon & eveningAnother round of isolated strong to severe storms is possible Saturday.Risk of isolated severe storms in the Hill Country on Sat...

AG Paxton to investigate Dell Children’s Med­ical Cen­ter, cites reports of hospital providing gender-affirming care to minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation Friday to "uncover whether 'gender transitioning' procedures were unlawfully performed on minor children" at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin.“It is now alarmingly common for fringe activists to use their positions in medicine and health care to force experimental, life-altering procedures onto children,” Paxton said in a press release, “Across the country, there are doctors and health care professionals who appear willing to sacrifice the long-term health of American children, all in service to the increasingly dangerous fad of ‘transgender’ extremism. It is deeply disturbing, and there is no place for it in Texas. Along these lines, there have been a number of recent reports about potentially illegal activity at Dell Children’s Medical Center, and this investigation aims to uncover the truth.”  KXAN reached out to the Office of the Attorney General for further information about these r...

SAFE Alliance speaks after recent domestic murder-suicides in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A study showed 1 in 5 suicides involved intimate partner problems, according to a new study from the University of Georgia and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The problems researchers found included breakups, conflict and divorce.In Austin, police are investigating two recent, separate murder-suicides involving two couples. RELATED: Victim, suspect identified in April 27 suspected murder-suicide investigation Police have not said whether officers have investigated prior calls of suspected abuse in either case.Research showed only 10% to 25% of survivors of family violence would ever access services, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice.SAFE Alliance is one of many groups that help survivors of domestic and child abuse, as well as sexual assault and human trafficking victims. RELATED: Police name woman shot, killed by husband in north Austin “What I would say for someone who is reaching out for the first time or unsure is that w...