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No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise returns to the Capitol after his blood cancer diagnosis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, returned to the U.S. Capitol on Thursday for the first time since being diagnosed with a blood cancer known as multiple myeloma and told reporters his chemotherapy treatment is underway. “It’s kind of a few months process. They don’t know yet how long it’s going to be — four months, six months — but they want to continue to evaluate and say, ‘OK, how’s he doing? How’s the treatment?’ The treatments are going well so far,” said Scalise, who was taking precautions to protect his immune system and wore a face mask and stood back from reporters as he entered the Capitol building.The Louisiana congressman, 57, said he would be able to receive some of the chemotherapy treatment in Washington and continue his work in Congress, where he was limiting his in-person interactions. Scalise’s cancer diagnosis comes at a fraught moment for House Republicans, who are trying to avert a g...

Alex Murdaugh makes his first appearance in court since his murder trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — Alex Murdaugh appeared publicly for the first time since his murder trial at a Thursday state court hearing over the slew of financial crimes allegedly committed by the disbarred South Carolina attorney.The man found guilty this March of fatally shooting his wife and youngest son in June 2021 got a fleeting break from the maximum-security prison where he is serving a life sentence without parole. The prosecution and defense agreed Thursday that some of the 101 total charges brought against Murdaugh will be heard at a trial beginning the week of Nov. 27.Murdaugh sat in an orange jumpsuit, occasionally whispering with his lawyers, as he learned how he will spend the week after Thanksgiving.It won’t be long before Murdaugh finds himself back in another courtroom. A federal hearing over a similar bevy of charges is scheduled next Thursday in Charleston. There, Murdaugh is expected to plead guilty to theft and wire fraud — possibly marking the first time he wi...

Water bead kit recalled after infant death in Wisconsin: Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- A water bead kit has been recalled as a safety hazard after the death of an infant child in Wisconsin this year, reports said. Consumer Reports recalled the Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity kits that ae exclusively sold at Target. CPSC announced that the water beads can pose ingestion, choking and intestinal obstruction hazards inside a child's body resulting in many injuries, including death. Latest Recalls CR urges parents to take action and if purchased the kit then take the product back to a Target store or signing up to receive a mailing package at Recall of Ultimate Water Beads (chuckleandroar.com).Consumer Report says to keep water beads in a secure container and out of reach of children. For more information, visit: Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits Recalled - Consumer Reports

Man critical after shot while driving scooter: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man is in critical condition after he was shot while driving a scooter in West Englewood Thursday morning, police said. According to police, the 35-year-old man was riding a scooter near the 6900 block of South Justine Street around 9:54 a.m. when an unknown individual approached him on foot and fired shots. The offender displayed a firearm and shot the man in the stomach and left leg. Police search for man who allegedly sexually assaulted woman in Logan Square apartment Police said the man was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.The suspect fled eastbound in an alley. There were no other inured reported and there is no one in custody at this time. WGN is investigating the incident and will update as more information is recovered.

Chicago considering first city-owned grocery store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Johnson has announced that Chicago has partnered with the Economic Security Project to work on a pathway toward opening a city-owned grocery store.The non-profit will provide technical assistance to the city.“All Chicagoans deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery options. We know access to grocery stores is already a challenge for many residents, especially on the South and West sides,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.Food deserts have been a cause for concern on the South and West Sides after departures of Walmart, Aldi and others. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 63.5% of residents in West Englewood and 52% of residents in East Garfield Park live more than half a mile from their nearest grocery store.“The City of Chicago is reimagining the role government can play in our lives by exploring a public option for grocery stores via a municipally owned grocery store and market,” said Ameya Pawar, Senior Advisor at Economic Security Projec...

Would Pence dine alone with a woman if he had a female VP?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

(NewsNation) — Former Vice President Mike Pence’s dining habits sparked headlines in 2017, after one of his comments during a 2002 interview was unearthed during his first year in the role.That comment? Pence said he would not dine privately with any women other than his wife Karen, or even attend events with alcohol without her. “I remember I said, ‘Well, I promised her that I wouldn’t dine alone with a woman that’s not my wife.’ It wasn’t very controversial until after I became vice president,” Pence told NewsNation host Leland Vittert during a town hall appearance on Wednesday night. Pence on gender-affirming care: ‘We love you but wait’ After Pence said he would consider having a woman as a running mate, Vittert asked again about Pence and his potential VP's dining arrangements, should he win the nomination.“How would that work out if you had a female vice president?” Vittert asked.“That’s a very clever question, it really is," Pence responded. "Let me say, it’s a promise...

Here's how to help: Relief for deadly Morocco quake and Libya floods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- At least 5,100 people are dead after the collapse of two dams released a flood in Libya and almost 3,000 are reported dead after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco. The number of deaths in Libya was likely to increase since teams are still collecting bodies with at least 9,000 people are missing. At least 30,000 people in Derna were displaced.Of the 2,122 deaths reported as a result of the earthquake in Morocco, 1,351 were in Al Haouz, a region with a population of around 570,000, according to Morocco’s 2014 census.UNICEF estimated that roughly 100,000 children “have been impacted by the powerful earthquake.” About one-third of the population in Morocco is children.Several organizations in the Chicagoland area and worldwide have dedicated their efforts to provide ample assistance amid the humanitarian crisis, here are just a few: Donation sites: Morocco Earthquake Relief (hhrd.org)Middle East | Donate Now | Islamic Relief USA (irusa.org)Libya Floods Response | Zakat F...

Power outages affecting PfISD schools; Copperfield students to be picked up early or moved to Delco

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Some school campuses in the Pflugerville Independent School District are being affected by ongoing power outages caused by storms in the area overnight and early Thursday morning. The school district posted an update on its website at 9:56 a.m. of the status of power at campuses at that time: These are the campuses that we know of as of now with partial power: Pflugerville Elementary - Partial Power. We are waiting on an update from Oncor Energy at this time. Our school day will proceed as normal. Teachers will adjust learning activities as needed. We will provide more detailed updates when available.Copperfield Elementary - Parents asked to pick up students early. Students who remain after 11 a.m. will be moved to Delco Elementary. Please check your email for end-of-day dismissal instructions.Northwest Elementary - Partial Power. We are waiting on an update from Oncor Energy at this time. Our school day will proceed as normal. Teachers will adjust lear...

Trump won’t be tried with Powell and Chesebro next month in the Georgia election case, a judge rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

By KATE BRUMBACK (Associated Press)ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge ruled Thursday that former President Donald Trump and 16 others will be tried separately from two defendants who are set to go to trial next month in the case accusing them of participating in an illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election.Lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro had filed demands for a speedy trial, and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had set their trial to begin Oct. 23. Trump and other defendants had asked to be tried separately from Powell and Chesebro, with some saying they could not be ready by the late October trial date.Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last month obtained an indictment against Trump and the 18 others, charging them under the state’s anti-racketeering law in their efforts to deny Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over the Republican incumbent.Willis had been pushing to try all 19 defendants together, arguing that it woul...

St. Paul City Council to amend marijuana ordinance, barring smoking from parks, playground, reduced penalties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:54 GMT

Weeks after recreational marijuana became legal statewide, the St. Paul City Council is planning to approve new rules limiting where residents may smoke.A public hearing on Wednesday drew strong opinions on all sides, with anti-smoking advocates urging the council not to back down from efforts to keep second-hand smoke of any kind out of public places enjoyed by children and families. A final vote is scheduled for Sept. 20.The proposed ordinance amendment follows the city’s existing anti-tobacco rules, barring smoking of any sort in parks and playgrounds unless it’s part of a cultural ceremony or in an area designated with signage by the director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation.On Wednesday, the council amended a previous proposal from Council Member Chris Tolbert, reducing penalties and softening language in light of heavy criticism from advocates for marijuana decriminalization. At Tolbert’s request, the new ordinance makes no mention of marijuana in particular,...