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Congress is moving into crisis mode as Senate unveils bipartisan bill to avoid a government shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is rushing headlong into crisis mode Tuesday with a government shutdown days away, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means halting pay for the military and curtailing federal services for millions of Americans.There’s no clear path ahead as lawmakers return with tensions high and options limited. The House is expected to launch an evening vote on a package of bills to fund parts of the government, but it’s not at all clear that McCarthy has the support needed as holdouts demand steeper spending cuts.“It’s easy,” McCarthy quipped Tuesday when asked about keeping the government open.But with just five days to go before Saturday’s deadline, the Senate is trying to stave off a federal closure as the hard-right flank seizes control of the House. Senators unveiled a bipartisan stopgap measure to keep offices funded for temporarily, through Nov. 17, to buy time for Congre...

'Chicago is an active war zone': House committee holds meeting on violent crime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee was in Chicago Tuesday to talk about violent crime.Held at the local Fraternal Order of Police headquarters, Democrats called the move a political stunt, adding that Republicans should be in Washington to avoid a government shutdown.Only Republicans made the trip, Democrats on the committee boycotted the hearing. "I’m recent years we’ve seen how the radical left’s agenda makes crime worse," said Republican Committee Chair Jim Jordan."I predict to you that if we, as a nation, continue on this path of lawlessness and a disregard for the rule of law, we will lose our freedom," said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).The meeting began Tuesday morning with three witnesses — two of whom are retired Chicago police — the third had a family member who was killed.Gianno Caldwell, a Fox News analyst, whose younger brother was shot dead 15 months ago said he was not the intended target. "Chicago is an active war zone," Caldwell said. "Living in ...

Where Illinois falls among states most curious about Flat Earth Theory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) - Distortions of the Earth's surface when projected onto a flat map have not discouraged some heavy thinkers from believing in Flat Earth Theory. But which states are the most curious to learn about the alternative theory dismissed by a majority of scientists and mathematicians?To answer this question, BetKentucky.com utilized Google Keyword Tool to reveal which states are searching for flat earth conspiracy online, using terms such as "flat earth", "flat earthers" and "the earth is flat" from August 2022 to August 2023. The data was then ranked based on population across the United States. Study: Kentucky residents are the nicest to delivery people Alaska was ranked at the top of the list, with 314 searches per 10,000 residents. However, California had the highest number of flat earth searches when not adjusted for population, with 999,480 searches relating to the theory. New Jersey was ranked as the least curious state during that time, with only 178 searche...

Chicago youth earned over $33.9M over the summer thanks to employment program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Young people across the city earned millions in wages this past summer thanks to the One Summer Chicago (OSC) program, which works to provide people between 14 and 24 years of age employment and internship opportunities, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson's office.The mayor's office says youth employment through the OSC program rose 19% compared to 2022 and young people across the city earned over $33.9 million in wages over the summer and collectively gained 2.43 million hours of work experience. Oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Rev. Albert Adamich, dies at 101 Over 24,000 young people participated in the program over the summer, which the mayor's office says is an increase of over 4,000 participants compared to 2022.The program, which is a partnership between the mayor’s office, several city services, community-based organizations, corporate partners and local companies offers youth across the city employment and internship opportunities through three inter...

'They’re not afraid of anyone': Bucktown residents voice concerns after man beaten, robbed in broad daylight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Business owners and residents in Bucktown say they are concerned about an increase in crime following a brazen attack and robbery on Monday afternoon that left a man injured.The broad daylight robbery, which involved two men, was caught on surveillance video."What I saw in that video was a shocking terrorist incident and assault, high def, like I’ve never seen in this neighborhood before," Steve Jensen, from the Bucktown Community Organization, said. Oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Rev. Albert Adamich, dies at 101 Video capturing the violent attack shows the two assailants lingering on a sidewalk in the 2000 block of North Damen Avenue, just before 3 p.m. when the victim, a 33-year-old man, is seen crossing the street. The two offenders then follow the man into an alley before one of them runs up behind the victim and punches him in the head. The second robber then joins in, dragging the victim across the alley.A witness in a nearby vehicle who saw the robbe...

Senior more vulnerable to financial scams, Rush study shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

Financial scams are estimated to cost older Americans a staggering $8 billion a year.And a new study conducted at Rush University Medical Center reveals that estimate may not even be close to the real extent of the crimes.Dr. Patricia Boyle is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Rush and the author of the study.She joined the WGN News to talk about the findings.You can read the full study here.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here.

Skunk-squirrel? What is this odd critter seen in Ohio?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) — Some of the most often-spotted "rare" animals seen around Northeast Ohio are white or albino variations but recently an even more unusual variant was spotted.The picture of a black squirrel with a white-tipped tail was shared by Olmsted Township resident Larry Pecsok. A Google search reveals that people captivated by the unique combination of black and white have cleverly dubbed the animals "squnks." Shrek’s Swamp now an Airbnb stay in Scotland Although we are certain that is not a technical term, it does describe the unusually-colored squirrel pretty well. (WJW)While it's technically impossible for skunks and squirrels to breed since they are genetically so dissimilar (here's an easy explainer on how animal hybrids work), it hasn't stopped many online throughout the years from spotting creatures like the "squnk" seen above. Based on research, however, it's more likely the "squnk" seen here is actually an eastern gray squirrel that descends from a g...

Second-hottest September continues with mainly dry weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we continue to sweat in the second-hottest September to date, we are tracking signs of a weather pattern change in the long-range forecast that may bring cooler, stormier conditions.In the short-term forecast, a few isolated showers remain possible -- mainly south of Austin -- close to a stalled frontal boundary. Most areas remain dry, with slightly lower and more comfortable humidity than recent days.Rain chances drop to zero Thursday through the coming weekend with unseasonably hot days in the lower to middle 90s.A change in the weather pattern next work week may break down the persistent heat dome and allow a trough of low pressure to move into Texas. While details are fuzzy beyond the 7-day forecast, wetter conditions are expected later next week between Oct. 4th - 10th.Stay tuned for updates. PHOTOS: Large, damaging hail pummels parts of Central Texas BLOG: El Niño into 2024: What that means for winter and spring Austin Interactive Weather Stats (202...

How Austin Energy is expanding electric vehicle access

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the City of Austin works toward reducing its carbon footprint, city officials are working to expand programs and infrastructure to help make electric vehicle technology more accessible citywide.Amy Atchley, senior lead with Austin Energy's EV equity program, spoke Tuesday at MOVE America 2023, a mobility conference held in downtown Austin. Atchley's presentation centered around providing EV access to underserved community members, particularly as the city moves toward a 2035 goal of net zero carbon emissions. With that goal in mind, she noted transportation is the leading emitter of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In order to achieve that benchmark, she said the city must have at least 40% of its vehicle miles traveled done via electric vehicle technology by 2035.Currently, there are more than 28,000 registered electric vehicles and more than 1,600 charging ports citywide. Among its program offerings, Austin Energy runs a home rebate program for charging infra...

Francis Wilkinson: Democrats have to solve their Bob Menendez problem

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:25 GMT

Al Franken was an above-average senator from Minnesota who was driven from office in 2018 by his Democratic colleagues after several women accused him of touching them inappropriately or making them feel physically uncomfortable. Democrats opposing Donald Trump — then a confessed groper, later found liable for rape — did not want to have to defend the unseemly behavior of one of their own. Collectively, they applied sufficient pressure on Franken that he felt compelled to quit the Senate.Bob Menendez is a below-average senator from New Jersey who is now facing his second round of charges of public corruption. Democrats opposing Trump — whose corrupt practices in business and politics are fodder for Democratic campaigns — should not have to defend Menendez’s conduct. So his Democratic colleagues need to make him understand that the Senate would be better off without him.Menendez was indicted Friday in a 39-page howitzer from Damian Williams, the U.S. att...