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Things to know about a vote in Ohio, court action in Kansas and Utah and other abortion developments

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

Voters in Ohio and judges across the U.S. are weighing in on the future of abortion access in several states more than a year after the nation’s top court overturned Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion, setting off a series of policy shifts.Here are the latest developments.WHAT VOTERS SAYOhio voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot question that would have raised the threshold for future constitutional amendments and required at least 60% support for a measure to pass instead of a simple majority.The new policy would have been in place in November, when voters will be asked to amend the state constitution to give voters the right to make their own reproductive decisions, including both fertility treatment and abortion.Ohio, where Republicans control the state government, has a law banning abortions after cardiac activity can be detected — which is around six weeks and often before women realize they’re pregnant. Enforcement of the ban is on hold while courts consider its lega...

Ex-Las Vegas Raider Henry Ruggs sentenced to 3-plus years in prison for fatal DUI crash in Nevada

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Las Vegas Raiders player Henry Ruggs was sentenced Wednesday to at least three years in a Nevada prison for killing a woman in a fiery crash while driving his sports car drunk at speeds up to 156 mph on a city street nearly two years ago.“I sincerely apologize,” the former first-round NFL draft pick said as he stood for sentencing in Las Vegas after pleading guilty in May to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, a charge carrying a six-month jail sentence that will be folded in with his three-to-10-year prison term.Ruggs, now 24, was cut by the Raiders while he was still hospitalized following the predawn crash on Nov. 2, 2021. The collision killed Tina Tintor and her dog, Max, and injured Ruggs’ passenger, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, his fiancee and mother of their daughter.“I have no excuses,” Ruggs said, citing pain the case has caused his family, teammates and Tintor’s family. Ruggs said that after prison, he inte...

Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, subject of ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ documentary, dies at 81

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Sixto Rodriguez, who lived in obscurity as his music career flamed out early in the U.S. only to find success in South Africa and a stardom he was unaware of, died Tuesday in Detroit. He was 81.Rodriguez’s legacy would take off back home after the singer and songwriter became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.”His death was announced on the Sugarman.org website and confirmed Wednesday by his granddaughter, Amanda Kennedy.He died following a short illness, according to his wife, Konny Rodriguez, 72.A 2013 Associated Press story referred to Rodriguez as “the greatest protest singer and songwriter that most people never heard of.”His albums flopped in the United States in the 1970s, but — unknown to him — he later became a star in South Africa where his songs protesting the Vietnam War, racial inequality, abuse of women and social mores inspired white liberals horrified by the country’s brutal racial segregation system of a...

Millions struggle to pay AC bills in heat waves. Federal aid reaches only a fraction

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Bobbie Boyd is in a losing battle against near triple-digit temperatures in northwest Arkansas.Her window air conditioner runs nonstop and the ballooning electric bill carves about $240 out of her $882-a-month fixed income. So the 57-year-old cuts other necessities. Boyd eats one meal a day so her 15-year-old grandson, who she’s raising alone, can have two. She stopped paying car insurance and skips medical appointments.“The rent and the light bill. And I’m broke,” said Boyd, who needs the cooling to stave off her heat-induced asthma attacks.As climate change ratchets up temperatures across the U.S., millions of the poorest Americans grapple with the same agonizing decisions as Boyd — between perilous indoor heat or paying costly bills. While President Joe Biden has invested billions into federal programs that subsidize the poorest Americans’ energy costs, the money reaches only a fraction of the most vulnerable during the sweltering summer months.Nationwid...

4 dead, including suspected 'aggressor,' after shooting inside home in Crystal Lake: police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

UNINCORPORATED CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill — Three female family members were found dead, and one seriously injured, inside a house in Unincorporated Crystal Lake, authorities have confirmed.According to police, the suspected gunman has also died.The shooting happened just before 4 a.m. Wednesday on the 5800 block of Wild Plum Road. Officers were dispatched to a residence for the report of a "single household member shooting their relatives."Upon arrival, police found a total of five people inside the house. Three females were pronounced dead on the scene. Another female, who initially called 911, was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.A male, who is believed to be the aggressor, was transported to an area hospital where he later died.Police said the five people all lived in the house. Subway, customers robbed at gunpoint on Chicago’s Southwest Side According to authorities, this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.The McHenry County Sheriff's Off...

Blackhawks honor late owner Rocky Wirtz

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Less than a week after his death, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced plans to publically honor their late owner.It will happen at a place he helped turn into one of the best venues in all of the National Hockey League over the previous 16 years.The @NHLBlackhawks have announced the details for a public memorial to honor late chairman Rocky Wirtz on Wednesday, August 9th at the @UnitedCenter..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/aSMRVSmKMh— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) July 31, 2023On Monday evening, the Blackhawks announced plans to honor late chairman Rocky Wirtz on Wednesday, August 9 at the United Center. The event is expected to begin at 11 a.m. and will be open to the public, with first-come, first-serve seating for the formal ceremony. Once completed, the United Center will remain open to fans to pay their respects to the late owner, who died after a brief illness on July 25. Fans attending the event can start doing so at 9:30 a.m. through Gates 6 & 7 on the south s...

Lil Tay, child rapper and YouTube personality, dies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

(KTLA) – Lil Tay, the young YouTube star and rapper, has died. According to reports online, she was just 14 years old. The family of Tay, whose real name is Claire Hope, issued a statement about her death in a post on Instagram Wednesday morning. The statement revealed her brother had died, as well. "It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain," the statement read. "This outcome was entirely unexpected and has left us all in shock. Her brother's passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief. During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother's passing are still under investigation.""Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable voice that will be felt by all who knew and loved her," the statement...

‘End Call’ button will be moved in latest iPhone software update

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- One of the changes coming as part of Apple's upcoming iPhone software update may require you to retrain your thumbs. Among the changes and new features being rolled out as part of the iOS 17 update will be the relocation of the "End Call" button from the center of the call screen to the bottom right.Replacing the "End Call" button in the center of the call screen will be the button that brings up the Keypad, according to a screenshot displayed in a CNBC report. For long-term iPhone users, accustomed to hanging up calls by pressing the center button, there could be a period of readjustment. Some social media users are already complaining about it.iOS 17 will be one of the biggest revamps of the iPhone phone apps in years. Beyond the end button, there are additional changes to the placement of other call features seen on past iOS versions. The “Mute” and “Speaker” buttons, for example, have swapped — as have the “FaceTime” and “Keyboard” options. And it appears...

Kelly Ripa doesn't think there will be a female president in her lifetime: 'It's scary. It's sad'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

(The Hill) -- Kelly Ripa says it’s “depressing,” but she doesn’t expect to see a woman in the White House in her lifetime.“This goes regardless of political affiliation: Women have to deal with so much bulls--- in every facet of life,” Ripa said on her “Let’s Talk Off Camera” podcast, released Wednesday.“But when it comes to politics, take that and put it to the 100th power,” the “Live! With Kelly and Mark” host said.Women in politics, Ripa said, “have to be tough, but not too tough. They have to look good, but not too good. They can't be emotional, but they can't be cold. Or they're too strong or not strong enough. Or what if she gets her period — will she launch a nuclear weapon?”“I mean, it's just the absolute crap that they have to deal with,” added Ripa, 52.Asked by one of her podcast co-hosts if she thinks the country “will ever see a female president” during Ripa’s life, the TV personality replied, “I, unfortunately, do not.”“It's scary. It's sad. It's depressing. It's d...

25-year-old single mom and newborn among evacuees from Cedar Park brush fire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:29:25 GMT

CEDAR PARK (KXAN) — Makayla Cray didn't even have time to grab diapers on her way out of the apartment Tuesday, flames flaring up behind her shortly after she rushed to evacuate. Maykayla Cray and her newborn, Parmer Lane Fire Evacuees. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).On Wednesday morning, she returned to the Bexley at Silverado complex as a helicopter circled around the residential area, dumping water on lingering flames and hot spots. Her building is right next to the one that was destroyed by the fire in the residential area, she told KXAN Reporter Jala Washington. Not able to get back inside, a Cedar Park Police Officer offered to go back into her unit to grab diapers, medication and bottles for her newborn. This story will be updated by Reporter Jala Washington.