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Indiana governor signs ban on gender-affirming care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s governor signed a bill banning all gender-affirming care for minors Wednesday, joining at least 12 other states that have enacted laws restricting or banning such care.Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the legislation after Republican majorities in the Legislature approved it. The law will go into effect July 1, and trans youth currently taking medication to transition would have until the end of the year to stop doing so.Holcomb had told reporters Tuesday that the bill on his desk was vague and had not indicated he would sign it or veto it.Opponents of the legislation said the types of care the bill would ban, such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, are vital and often life-saving for transgender kids. Medical providers say most of the procedures banned in the bill are reversible and safe for minors. Transgender medical treatments for children and teens have been available in the U.S. for more than a decade and are endorsed by major medical ass...

‘Freedom Convoy’ in ‘full swing’ when emergency law invoked, feds tell court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

OTTAWA — A federal lawyer says the “Freedom Convoy” movement was still in “full swing” the day the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act early last year, justifying the extraordinary measures.John Provart told a Federal Court hearing today that the notion the protests and blockades across Canada were being brought under control by that point is “little short of revisionist history.”Lawyers for the federal attorney general are spelling out reasons the court should dismiss arguments from several groups and individuals opposed to the government’s use of the emergency law.Civil liberties and constitutional defence groups have told Justice Richard Mosley this week that the government did not meet the legal threshold for resorting to the Emergencies Act.The act allowed for temporary measures including the prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets and a ban on support for partic...

Firefighter dies after Gold Coast high-rise blaze

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago firefighter died Wednesday following a high-rise fire in Gold Coast. He is the second CFD member to die in as many days.At around 7:20 a.m., CFD tweeted that they responded to the 1200 block of North Lake Shore Drive, which is near the intersection of Division, for a still-and-box response.Then a short time later, a mayday response was called for a firefighter down. Chicago fire said Lt. Jan Tchoryk was making his way up the stairs to the 27th floor when he went down.He was rushed by colleagues to the lobby. He died as a result of his injuries, CFD said.Three other firefighters were taken to the hospital in fair condition and two civilians were injured as well.The fire department said the fire was initially out and they were just battling hot spots. However at around 8:55 a.m., the fire reignited and large flames were shooting out of another unit. CFD lost the ability to use elevators and said there are no sprinklers on the floor.On Tuesday morning, the departme...

Why is Ron DeSantis fighting with Disney?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Walt Disney Company is taking the fight to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in an escalating feud between one of Florida's largest employers and the likely 2024 presidential contender. Disney CEO Bob Iger said Monday that DeSantis’ decision to punish the company for speaking out against what critics call Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law was “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.” A whole new world: DeSantis signs bill giving him more power over DisneyIger’s remarks come after Disney used a legal loophole to maintain authority over its self-governing district in central Florida, appearing to circumvent a DeSantis-led bill to strip Disney’s power. Disney CEO goes on offense, accuses DeSantis of retaliationFILE - Bob Iger speaks at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, Sept. 25, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) In response to Disney’s criticism of Florida Republicans’ law to limit discussion of sexual orientation and gender in schools, DeSantis le...

WGN celebrates 75 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

As we mentioned at the top of the show, WGN is celebrating its 75th anniversary today. It's not only a place where history has been made, but also a place where memories are created. Mike Lowe explains why.Daytime Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Austin Pets Alive! seeks fosters, 'bottle baby' volunteers during busy start to 'kitten season'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From March to October, cats frequently give birth to their litters of kittens, creating a strain on animal shelters often referred to as "kitten season."The "Anti-Hero" litter of kittens must be bottle fed every two to three hours. (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)Sometimes, these kittens are orphaned and require human volunteers to weigh and bottle feed them every two to three hours, according to a press release from Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). The animal protection organization is currently in need of volunteers to help them with this around-the-clock work after it received 20 orphaned kittens."Bottle baby fostering is a rewarding experience because the kittens depend on humans for survival; they need round-the-clock attention and care to thrive," an APA! press release read. "APA! has already experienced a busy start to kitten season, with fosters helping save more than 450 kittens this year."APA! said that 425 bottle baby fosters saved 2,300 kittens in 2022. APA! a...

Texas Supreme Court ruling puts Austin Fire pay in limbo, union looking to council

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a special-called meeting Thursday, Austin City Council members will talk about whether a Texas Supreme Court decision out of Houston impacts how Austin moves forward with discussions about how much firefighters should be paid. “The Texas Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on Friday which relates to the arbitration proceeding currently underway between the City and the Austin Firefighters Association. The arbitration is in recess so that City attorneys can advise Council about the ruling," a spokesperson for the City of Austin said. The president of the Austin Firefighters Association, Bob Nicks, expressed frustration about the process in a letter sent to city council members ahead of the special-called meeting. "I understand the need for the new interim City Manager to get policy direction from the Council on the legal issues raised by the City’s lawyers, and I respect this process to provide that direction to the Manager. Still, the firefighters are righ...

Troy felon sentenced to one year for having ammunition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, Adam Middleton, 40, of Troy, was sentenced to 12 years and one day in prison. Middleton will also serve a 1-year term of supervised release. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Middleton admitted to possessing a Glock magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 9 mm ammunition at his residence in Troy on December 7, 2021. During this time, he had a felony conviction for a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. The conviction prevented Middleton from having any ammunition in his possession.

Narcan housing units installed across Albany County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Office of the Albany County Executive, there were 132 overdose deaths in Albany County in 2022. To combat the opioid epidemic, local officials unveiled a new public health initiative that may help prevent future tragedies. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Narcan housing units have been installed at various locations throughout the county. The overdose emergency kits provided by the Albany County Department of Health and Catholic Charities contain Narcan nasal spray.Instructions can be found inside the overdose emergency kits. Narcan housing units can be found at the following locations:Guilderland Public LibraryWashington Avenue branch of the Albany Public LibraryBerne LibraryThe Capital City Rescue MissionUniversity of Albany

Cat up for adoption at Dutchess County SPCA after almost being euthanized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:21 GMT

HYDE PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In December, Lulu, a 13-year-old Himalayan cat, was brought to a veterinarian's office to be euthanized because she was urinating outside of her litter box. The vet called Dutchess County SPCA (DCSPCA) and they both agreed that this was not a reason to euthanize a cat. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! DCSPCA took Lulu back to the shelter. The shelter said Lulu had urinary crystals, a condition which is easily treated with a special diet, and that is why she wasn't using the litter box.Lulu (photo courtesy: Dutchess County SPCA)Lulu (photo courtesy: Dutchess County SPCA)Dutchess County SPCA Executive Director Lynne Meloccaro said euthanasia literally translates to "good death," meaning it should be used as a relief from suffering if an animal cannot recover. That was not the case with Lulu. Earth Day events around the Capital Region "Although it is a pet parent's personal decision about...