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WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it's no longer emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. WHO said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn't come to an end, noting recent spikes in cases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The U.N. health agency says that thousands of people are still dying from the virus every week.“It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat,” he said, adding he wouldn't hesitate to reconvene experts to reassess the situation should COVID-19 “put our world in peril.”Tedros said the pandemic had been on a downward trend for more than a year, acknowledging that most countries have alrea...

CPD to launch safety plan ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO — While many are looking forward to more spring-like weather and celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Chicago police and other emergency officials are working on a plan to keep people safe.City leaders are trying to avoid a repeat of what happened the last time Chicago saw a weekend of warm temperatures.On April 15, three teenagers were shot and more than a dozen people were arrested when a group of teens and young adults took over parts of downtown. Video showed young people jumping on cars and busses. A number of fights also broke out.Several aldermen said police were outnumbered and there was not sufficient leadership downtown to tell officers what to do. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture, not independence Days after the incident, the Chicago Police Department told city council members it would staff captains and lieutenants downtown and stage prisoner transport vans to act as a deterrent at different locations.Several pastors and others marched through downtown the weeken...

City meeting over housing migrants turns heated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's shelter system is bursting at the seams and now the mayor wants to open the old South Shore High School to newly arriving migrants.Hundreds of residents gathered at a meeting Thursday evening to hear from city leaders on a plan to move the migrants. Chicago Park District after-school program relocated to accommodate migrants "I think that's what's important is that we establish this is a humanitarian crisis," Nubia Willman, the chief engagement officer for the mayor's office said.Members of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration were supposed to give a presentation but were interrupted by angry outbursts.One question from residents was how many asylum seekers would be housed at the old high school. "We are looking at a phased approach using first floor only, you can fit up to 250 to 500," Brandie Knazze, with the Department of Family and Support Services, said. Police said officers would be at the location 24/7.The city said it must identify respite sites to rel...

Bill banning gender-affirming care for youth to be heard on Texas House floor again after protest, delay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas House lawmakers are expected on Friday to again take up Senate Bill 14, which would ban gender-affirming care for minors, after a vote was delayed earlier in the week when opponents filled the chamber's gallery to protest it. The bill was set for a vote Monday but the protests and a parliamentary move changed the plan. LGBTQ advocates booted from Texas Capitol; vote delayed for bill banning gender care for kids As the debate started on Senate Bill 14, Rep. Mary González (D-El Paso) raised a point of order as a procedural move in an attempt to block the bill.While lawmakers were sorting through the move, protesters in the gallery started chanting in opposition to the legislation. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan asked the Sergeant at Arms to clear the House gallery.The issue of transgender rights brings new conflict at the Texas Capitol. A protester against Senate Bill 14 was apprehended by Texas Department of Public Safety officers May 2, 2023. (Nexstar phot...

TxDOT launches motorcycle safety campaign before ROT Rally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally started Friday at the Austin Speed Shop.Event organizers say they’re hosting a more intimate ROT Rally after experiencing some challenges in recent years.Prior to 2020, the ROT Rally was at the Travis County Expo Center before it was moved due to negotiation troubles.In 2020, the event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, it returned to Circuit of the Americas, drawing thousands of motorcyclists from all over the country.In 2022, the event took place in Bastrop with a 2,500-person capacity limit. This year, ROT Rally is back in Austin.This comes at the same time the Texas Department of Transportation has launched a campaign for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.With this in mind, TxDOT is urging drivers to look twice and be considerate on the road around motorcycle riders.In 2022, 562 motorcycle riders were killed in crashes in the Lone Star State, an 8% increase over the previous year.Amy Jo...

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

By MARIA CHENG and JAMEY KEATEN (Associated Press)GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide.WHO said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn’t come to an end, noting recent spikes in cases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The U.N. health agency says that thousands of people are still dying from the virus every week.“It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.“That does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat,” he said, adding he wouldn’t hesitate to reconvene experts to reassess the situation should COVID-19 “put our world in peril.”Tedros said the pandemic had been on a downward trend for more than a ye...

Coronation watch party starts at 4:30 a.m. at Brit’s Pub on Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

King Charles III’s coronation Saturday will mix of a thousand-year tradition with the streaming age.The pomp and ceremony will be unmissable for U.K. residents, but what about royal watchers across the Atlantic?In Minnesota, Anglophiles can join in on the fun by attending a watch party at Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis. Tickets — which are limited — cost $5 and doors open at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday,“Ticket will include a N/A (non-alcoholic) Bucks Fizz – that’s a UK mimosa,” the pub explains on its website at britspub.com. “There will be a special breakfast menu as well as tea, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase.”(In Minneapolis, alcohol can’t be served until 8 a.m.)The coronation watch party at the pub, located at 1110 Nicollet Mall, wraps up at 9 a.m.Will Americans tune in?Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, carrying the orb and the scepter, enters Buckingham Palace after her Coronation ceremony in London̵...

Live In Your Neighborhood – Waterloo, Ill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

WATERLOO, Ill. – FOX 2 brings you a snapshot of St. Louis area neighborhoods on Fridays.This week we introduce you to the city of Waterloo.See more clips from Bean Tree Cafe, Gallagher's Restaurant, Former Mayor Tom Smith, Shorty's Smokehouse, Outsider Pub, and more from Friday morning’s show on our YouTube channel

Busch Stadium give-away: Cardinals belt bag

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Tonight, and new for the 2023 Cardinals fans, a belt bag is the first give-away. Thanks to mercy, the first 25,000 fans age 16 and older will win a Busch Stadium Cardinals' belt bag. The bag meets the stadium's bag size requirements, so you can bring it back all season long. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. On Saturday, a Ryan Helsley bobblehead will be given out to the first 25,000 fans, ages 16 and older. Purina presents its 18th annual Purina Pooches in the Ballpark event as well. The game starts at 1:15 p.m. The pasta house company will give long-sleeve hooded pullovers to the first 10,000 kids who are 15 years of age and under on Saturday. The game starts at 1:15 p.m.

10-year-old boy missing in Aurora; police asking for help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:44:49 GMT

A 10-year-old boy has gone missing in Aurora, and police on Friday morning appealed for help.The boy identified as Hezekiah Pope — about 4’7″ tall with short, black hair, weighing about 80 pounds — has been missing since 3:50 p.m. Thursday when he left a friend’s house in the 2900 block of South Granby Street in Aurora, the Aurora police said in a Twitter post.#APDAlert: APD is asking for information about 10-year-old Hezekiah Pope, who went missing at 3:50 p.m. after leaving a friend's house in the 2900 block of S. Granby Street. Hezekiah stands about 4'7" and weighs about 80 pounds. He has short black hair. He was last seen wearing… pic.twitter.com/Z9GmCODE0m— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) May 5, 2023He was last seen wearing a multi-colored Army-style jacket, black shirt with red writing, blue pants and black shoes, police said. Anybody who has seen Pope or who has information is asked to call 911.