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Louisiana ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill for public school classrooms advances in the legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A bill that would broadly ban K-12 public school employees in Louisiana from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom is nearing final passage after securing the endorsement of a key Senate committee Thursday.Louisiana’s legislation, which already passed the House and advanced from the Senate Committee on Education to the GOP-dominated Senate floor on Thursday, is similar to a law enacted in Florida last year that critics dubbed, “Don’t Say Gay.” Florida’s law bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take. As of March, at least 30 proposals similar to Florida’s law were filed in 16 states. At least three other states — Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky — have enacted similar “Don’t Say Gay” laws.“This is a hateful piece of legislation,” state Public Service Commissioner Deva...

Soaring rhetoric: NASA mission will carry Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s words to Jupiter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A new work by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, written for an upcoming NASA mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, is a glance at outer space that returns back to Earth.Limón’s “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa,” which she read Thursday night during a ceremony at the Library of Congress, is part of NASA’s “ Message In a Bottle Campaign ” as the aeronautics and space administration prepares for a years-long journey. The Europa Clipper is expected to launch in October 2024, with “In Praise of Mystery” engraved on the spacecraft.“Writing this poem was one of the greatest honors of my life, but also one of the most difficult tasks I’ve ever been assigned,” Limón said in a statement released through the Library of Congress. “Eventually, what made the poem come together was realizing that in pointing toward other planets, stars and moons, we are also recognizing the enormous gift that is our planet Earth. To point outward is also to point inward.”During a ...

Evanston residents weigh in on slow-moving reparations plan 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. – Despite obstacles, Evanston officials say the city's reparations program is moving forward though some residents say it’s not fast enough. Anthony Swope was one of many who gave a testimonial at the Evanston Reparations Committee meeting on Thursday. The Evanston resident shared how he convinced his wife, Eleanor, to apply. Unfortunately, she’s one of several approved applicants who died before receiving benefits. The issue is another that the city's groundbreaking reparations program is facing. Yet, Swope says he is helpful. RELATED: Black Californians could receive up to $1.2 million in reparations payments, task force says"I’m exceedingly full of joy to see that there are people who are recognizing people of color," he said. Sixteen people were selected for the first round of benefits, but hundreds of others continue to wait, leaving some residents frustrated."You spend a lot of time on dinners, stale tactics, showboating, canceling meetings and ti...

Former Stagg star Max Strus helps Heat reach NBA Finals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

PALOS HILLS, Ill. - The road to the NBA Finals begins in several places for a number of different players. For Max Strus, it started at Stagg High School, where his brother Marty is now the head coach of the Chargers. "The biggest knock on why he didn't get all of these huge offers out of high school was just his size, and those are all fair. He wasn't the prototypical size," Marty Strus said. "But his athletic ability overcame a ton of that."Max made leaps and bounds on the court, with his brother, Marty, taking notice."I was doing my own thing in college and when I came back, all of a sudden, he's flying through the air and dunking. 'Where did that come from?'" he said. Strus' journey to Miami was a long one. Beginning as a 5-foot-9-inch sophomore to a 6-foot-6-inch senior, he took his talents to Lewis University, then to DePaul University for two seasons before going undrafted and signing two-way deals with the Celtics and Bulls. He would eventually land in South Beach. "It...

See where the Blackhawks will hold a pair of 2023 NHL Draft night parties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Blackhawks fans will have two places in which they can watch one of the most anticipated NHL Drafts in franchise history. One is going to be in Chicago while another is in the city where the selections will be made. The Blackhawks have announced plans for NHL Draft night parties in both Chicago and Nashville for Wednesday, June 28..The team will have the No. 1 overall pick for just the 2nd time in team history..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/0axAuZGFne— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) June 1, 2023On Thursday, the Blackhawks announced that they'll have a fan watch party at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., on Wednesday, June 28, when they'll make just their second No. 1 overall selection in team history.The party is first-come, first-serve until capacity is reached, and the only thing needed for entry is to download and show the Blackhawks' app when entering the facility. This event will include live music, food and beverage options, along with a few giveaways, one of which ...

Man fatally shot by police in Blue Island following well-being check

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — An investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot by police following a well-being check in Blue Island.Around 2 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the area of Broadway and Division for a suspicious vehicle and well-being check of a man, identified as 21-year-old William Burruss, of Olympia Fields, who was unresponsive in the driver's seat.Upon arrival, police said officers observed an AR-15 pistol on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Additional officers arrived at the scene as attempts were made to wake up Burruss.According to police, when Burruss finally woke up and saw the officers, he reached for the front passenger seat.Police said one officer then fired one round and shot Burruss in the torso area. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead. Off-duty Chicago police officer shot on city’s Near West Side Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services responded to the scene to process evidence an...

ComEd's summer rate hike kicks in, $11 monthly increase projected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — ComEd's new summer rate takes effect June 1, with an anticipated $11 a month increase for homes using an average of 700 kWh a month.The cost is 14% higher than last summer.Wholesale energy prices are down 50% from 2022, but ComEd says the increase is due to infrastructure improvements needed to meet the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act timetable. Residents of collapsed Iowa building were allowed to stay as reports noted crumbling wall The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act require that major coal and natural gas plants in Illinois close in 2045.The utility watchdog, the Citizens Utility Board, is challenging the need for a record-setting electric rate hike, asking regulators with the Illinois Commerce Commission to slash the amount it approves.CUB says ComEd is asking for $914 million more than it needs, and the excess would boost shareholder profits by 3%. Taylor Swift fans line up for hours outside Soldier Field for ‘Eras Tour’ merch ComEd officials b...

Wood Dale man arrested after leading police on hour-long, 100 mph chase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. -- A 27-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday after leading police on an hour-long police chase from the western suburbs to Chicago and back, reaching speeds of 100 mph.According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, the Bensenville Police Department observed a vehicle near Jefferson Street and Church Road just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday that was wanted out of Schiller Park for an Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding incident in April.Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and initiated pursuit near Route 83 until the vehicle allegedly entered eastbound I-290, at which time an Illinois State Police helicopter and airplane continued to monitor the vehicle. Oswego man accused of leading police on 110-mph chase in stolen jaguar It is alleged that the driver continued to drive on I-290 to Chicago only to return to Route 83 in Bensenville at which time BPD officers reactivated their lights and sirens and continued pursuing the vehicle.After off...

Paper or plastic? Major change will affect all online Walmart orders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

(WHNT) — Millions of American families utilize the convenience of the superstore's online grocery shopping pickup and delivery during their hectic lives, but an upcoming change is expected to affect those orders.On Thursday, June 1, Walmart announced plans to eliminate over 2,000 tons of plastic by transitioning from single-use plastic bags to paper bag mailers — but is leaving the decision in the hands of customers. Tillamook recalling mislabeled ice creams that may contain wheat, soy According to the chain, cutting down on waste is an effort to help create a more sustainable "omnichannel fulfillment network," and will give customers the option to opt-out of plastic bags for online orders.Customers will have the option to choose from recyclable paper mailers, right-sizing cardboard box packaging, which Walmart says will consolidate shipping on eCommerce orders and reduce mileage and delivery times.Right-size packaging is an approach Walmart is taking advantage of that helps creat...

We Are Blood asks for Type O- blood donations following Memorial Day Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — We Are Blood (WRB) issued an urgent request for Type O Negative blood donations—the universal red blood cell type necessary for traumas and surgeries.WRB, a provider of blood to over 50 hospitals and medical facilities in Central Texas, said it experienced a shortage around Memorial Day weekend.“Holidays can stress our Central Texas community’s blood supply and the need is now urgent for protecting local patients following Memorial Day weekend,” Nick Canedo, VP of Community Engagement at We Are Blood, said.Canedo said blood and platelet donations dropped around Memorial Day due to the start of the summer vacation season.WRB asked for those with Type O Negative blood to make an appointment at one of its four centers to donate. Other blood type donations are still being accepted from eligible donors, according to WRB.Currently, WRB said it needed at least 200 donors per day across 10 counties to maintain a healthy blood supply. Individuals can schedule an appointment o...