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Howard Brown Health workers begin 2-day strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Hundreds of employees for a health care system, that's been a longtime provider of care to the LGBTQ community, are striking Tuesday.This strike is happening in the shadow of negotiations for the very first union contract for a majority of the employees at Howard Brown Health. This contract would cover about 360 of the nearly 600 employees of Howard Brown at its six clinics, three Brown Elephant thirft store locations, The Broadway Youth Center and some of the workers at Howard Brown headquarters in Uptown.The union says that Howard Brown management recently made its “last, best, and final offer.“ It included pay raises of at least 4 1/2% for higher paid staff, and upwards of 19% for some of its lowest paid staff. That amounts to a few dollars extra an hour.It also includes an extra paid day off. But the union says Howard Brown can afford to do more and also needs to treat all locations, both North and South sides, equally. CTU boss fined, billed for back taxes In a...

MedWatch Digest: Illinois ranks 16th worst in lung rates for 2023 — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

For Tuesday, Nov. 14, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Women continue to outlive men and the gap is wideningAccording to new research published in JAMA, men currently die nearly six years before women. In 2021, life expectancy for women was 79.3 years, compared with 73.5 years for men. It's the most significant difference since 1996. Researchers say Covid was the leading factor in the gap's growth. Additionally, unintentional injuries and poisonings, primarily by drug overdose, as well as accidents and suicide, are also contributing. The trend is occurring alongside a decrease in overall life expectancy in the U.S.Illinois ranks 16th worse in lung rates for 2023Lung cancer cases in Illinois this year are among the highest in the nation. A new report by the American Lung Association ranks Illinois as the 16th worst in the country for new cases. The state saw nearly 60 new cases per 100,000.The national average is less than 5...

There's a new most popular baby name, 2023 report finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – If you don't know someone named Noah already, you certainly will soon. The name was the most popular choice for baby boys in 2023, according to a BabyCenter analysis of more than 300,000 babies born this year. Noah dethroned Liam, which had ranked No. 1 for boys for four years. Liam didn't drop far, however: It's now the No. 2 most popular pick, followed by Oliver at No. 3. Babies sickened by salmonella in tainted kibble, officials say There was less change for the most popular girls' names this year. The top three matched last year's top choices: Olivia, Emma and Amelia. BabyCenter noted girls' names ending in an "a" were a big trend in 2023. Of the top 10 girls' names, eight end with the letter.RankMost popular girls' namesRankMost popular boys' names1.Olivia1.Noah2.Emma2.Liam3.Amelia3.Oliver4.Sophia4.Elijah5.Charlotte5.Mateo6.Ava6.Lucas7.Isabella7.Levi8.Mia8.Leo9.Luna9.Ezra10.Evelyn10.Luca11.Gianna11.Asher12.Lily12.James13.Aria13.Ethan14.Aurora14.Sebastian15.El...

Shutdown risk seems to shrink, but tempers flare across Capitol: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

House Republicans on Tuesday are set to try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government into the new year.In a surprise late-night announcement, GOP leaders said they would try to move the continuing resolution under a fast-track process that will require support from Democrats, an attempt to work around GOP opposition that threatened to tank the bill on a procedural vote.The gambit is sure to draw howls from the party’s right flank, but Democratic leaders have indicated the party could support the substance of the unusual two-part stopgap.Under suspension of the rules, the bill would need two-thirds support to pass the House and head to the Senate.At the same time, attention in the Capitol has turned to a number of shouting matches and near-brawls on both sides of the building as tempers flare.Follow along with live updates below.

TDCJ mourns correctional officer who died while restraining inmate at East Texas prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

LOVELADY, Texas (KETK) - The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced on Tuesday one of its correctional officers died in the line of duty Monday. Jovian Motley, 27, died while serving at the Wainwright Unit in Houston County, according to the TDCJ. Officials said he was assisting other officers in restraining an inmate when he died. Motley had been with the agency since October 2022. "Officer Motley was a hero who tragically died while protecting his fellow officers and the public," TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. "His courage and dedication will forever be remembered. We are praying for his family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time."The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the incident, and the TDCJ said it is an ongoing criminal investigation."Officer Motley demonstrated unwavering commitment to serving his community and gave his life for others," Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said. "His sacrifice is a s...

Warmth and sunshine return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today may just be one of the top weather days of the year because of all the generous sunshine and warmer temperatures. Many highs today return to the upper 60s to low 70s.A warming trend started todayThe upper-level flow is coming from the northwest today and will for the next few days. Today, tomorrow, and Thursday are all forecast to be mostly sunny. Scattered clouds return Friday and Saturday.High pressure aloft will keep the sky bright for a few daysThe next upper-level storm system moves from the Pacific Northwest Thursday to Kansas and northern Oklahoma Monday. Moisture from the Pacific will flow ahead of the low resulting in a low rain chance Sunday. The upper flow will work in tandem with the next cold front to increase the chance for showers and a few thunderstorms Monday.A wet start to Thanksgiving WeekThe second week outlook that runs from the 21st to 27th is now being forecast as near normal to cooler than normal temperatures which, if this does materia...

Samsung donates $1 million to help Taylor ISD with new career and technical education center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Samsung presented leaders from the Taylor Independent School District with a $1 million check Tuesday to help get a new building and program off the ground. The announcement about this sizable monetary donation came at the groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for a new Career and Technical Education Center at Taylor High School. A Samsung representative shared how this will help invest in equipment, staffing and training needed for new classrooms and labs. The center is expected to open in fall 2025, district leaders said. Taylor ISD finds success with Samsung internship program The speakers at Tuesday's event detailed how they anticipate this new center will work to train Taylor ISD students for employment opportunities at the company's massive new semiconductor plant. This groundbreaking follows an already successful partnership between Samsung and Taylor ISD. The company now has an internship program where students get a first-hand look at the world of tech....

Austin Police Association president shares memories of officer killed during hostage situation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Support continued to pour in for Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore, who died on duty during a hostage situation Saturday.Pastore was shot during a SWAT operation attempting to free hostages in a south Austin home. He died from his injuries at Dell Seton Medical Center. ‘Died doing what he loved’: Dozens rally in honor of APD officer killed in hostage situation Michael Bullock is the incoming president of the Austin Police Association.Memorial for fallen Austin Police Department officer Jorge Pastore outside of APD headquarters in downtown Austin on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Bullock was at that scene this weekend and said he was one of the last people to see Pastore."I was standing on scene, he ran up, he saw me and other officers, gave us hugs and with a smile in his face he went into battle,” Bullock said. "He didn't come home. That is a warrior’s death right there and he did it fighting for Austinites."Sunday night, dozens gathered outsid...

LIST: Holiday light events in Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holiday season is near, and several Central Texas cities have scheduled their annual tree lightings starting this month. Here's a list of tree-lighting events in the area:Nov. 24: Georgetown Square LightingThe annual lighting of the Georgetown Historic Square will start at 5:30 p.m. The free event will also have carolers.Nov. 25: Hutto Downtown Tree LightingThe annual tree lighting will start around 8 p.m. in Downtown Hutto. Activities include crafts for kids, writing letters to Santa, photos with Santa and more. Nov. 25: Hill Country Galleria tree lightingThe shopping center will hold its annual tree lighting starting at 6 p.m. with music performances before and after the ceremony. There will also be ice-skating, refreshments and holiday market shopping.Nov. 26: Zilker Holiday Tree LightingThe ceremony will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at 2100 Barton Springs Road on the south side of the park. This will be the 57th annual lighting ceremony. Dec. 1: Buda tree lighting...

Report: Texas one of the worst states in the country for lung cancer screenings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:22:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report released by the American Lung Association Tuesday revealed Texas is ranked 49th in the country for its lung cancer screening rates.The findings came via ALA's sixth edition of its "State of Lung Cancer," an annual analysis on the rates of lung cancer screenings, survival level and early diagnoses as well as treatment availability. Within the report, ALA determined the following rankings for Texas:10th out of 48 in the country for rate of new survival cases: 46.76 per 100,000The national rate is 54.6 per 100,00025th out of 42 in the country for survival rate five years after a lung cancer diagnosis: 24.8%The national survival rate of people five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%44th out of 37 in the country for early diagnosis: 23.4%Nationwide, 26.6% of cases are diagnosed within the early stages, which is when survival rates are substantially higher49th out of 51 in the country for lung cancer screenings in high-risk patients: 1.2%The report f...