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Judge limits Biden administration in working with social media companies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

A judge on Tuesday prohibited several federal agencies and officials of the Biden administration from working with social media companies about “protected speech,” a decision called “a blow to censorship” by one of the Republican officials whose lawsuit prompted the ruling.U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana granted the injunction in response to a 2022 lawsuit brought by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. Their lawsuit alleged that the federal government overstepped in its efforts to convince social media companies to address postings that could result in vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or affect elections.Doughty cited “substantial evidence” of a far-reaching censorship campaign. He wrote that the “evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘M...

Far-right figure ends divisive crowdfunding for police officer who shot boy, triggering riots

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A French far-right figure behind a divisive, and hugely successful, crowdfunding campaign for the family of a police officer jailed in the killing of a 17-year-old that triggered riots around France announced on Tuesday that he’s closing the account which topped more than 1.5 million euros ($1.63 million).Criticism, and plans for lawsuits, have mounted around Jean Messiha’s Gofundme effort with claims that his real motive was to spread a message of hate and pit the far-right against residents of poor suburbs with a high rate of people of immigrant origin. Even Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has said the collection for the jailed officer’s family did not contribute to calming the situation, just like Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti who warned on France-Inter radio against a possible “instrumentalization.”The unrest was touched off by the shooting last Tuesday of the young man identified as Nahel, who was stopped while driving a Mercedes in suburban Paris. Violence w...

Ottawa urged to look into best before date system in bid to reduce grocery waste

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

Canadians’ misunderstanding of best before dates could be contributing to excess food waste and, in turn, food insecurity, experts say as a government committee urges Ottawa to examine the issue. A report on grocery affordability from a House of Commons committee on agriculture and agri-food includes arguments that Canada do away with best before dates due to the widespread misconception that they indicate whether a product is safe to consume.Experts say all they indicate is when a product is past its peak freshness.“There’s a lot of confusion around what food labels mean,” Kate Parizeau, a professor at the University of Guelph who studies food waste, said Tuesday.“A lot of people think that best before dates are expiry dates, when there are actually very few products in Canada that have a proper expiry date.”Generally, the only foods with an expiry date are those that have a specific nutritional requirement that could degrade over time, such as b...

Chicago police search for multiple suspects after armed robbery at Redline station

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects reportedly responsible for a strong arm robbery at the Redline Grand Street Station on Tuesday.According to the Chicago Police Department, the suspects approached a victim at the Redline Grand Street Station on Tuesday, grabbing the victim from behind while they were walking on the train station platform. Man hospitalized after Winnetka water rescue The suspects pulled the victim into a stairwell and battered the victim before taking his wallet and fleeing the scene.Chicago police have described the individuals as African American men between 20 and 40-years-old.Anyone with information regarding this incident or the suspect's identity are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-745-4706.

The heat will stay in Chicagoland for another day - with a chance of storms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

CHICAGO — HAPPY JULY 4TH!  Area beaches were packed with thousands enjoying the warm temperatures on Tuesday.  Shoreline air temps on Chicago, North Shore, and Indiana Lake Michigan beaches ranged from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.A light but steady southeast lake breeze developed only a light chop to one-foot waves on Lake Michigan with shoreline water temps at 68 degrees at Ohio Street Beach.Inland temps were HOT as the official air temperature at O'Hare Airport is likely to top out at 93 degrees, making this the sixth July 4 since 2000 to hit or exceed 90 degrees. Tuesday marked the seventh 90-degree temperature day of 2023 at O'Hare and the sixth at Midway Airport. Inland high temps soared to as high as 94 degrees at Tinley Park and 93 at Glen Ellyn with heat indices as high as 98 degrees at Crown Point, IN, Woodstock, and Oswego. Burr Ridge and Barrington each recorded a heat index of 97 degrees.ANOTHER SCORCHER IS COMING WEDNESDAY with a high of 95 degrees predicted and heat ind...

Joliet police search for suspect after man shot at gas station

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

JOLIET, Ill -- A 26-year-old man was shot in the parking lot of a BP gas station in Joliet early Tuesday morning.According to the Joliet Police Department, officers responded to the Ascension St. Joseph Hospital on reports of a 26-year-old man had sustained two gunshot wounds and arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4.Officers determined the victim had been shot while in a vehicle and the victim’s gunshot wounds were considered to be non-life threatening. During investigation of this shooting, Officers determined that it may have occurred in the parking lot of the BP gas station located at 6 McDonough Street. Man hospitalized after Winnetka water rescue Officers responded to this location and found evidence of shooting.The investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time.Anyone with information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact the Joliet Police Department at 815-724-3020, Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-...

Man shot, killed following altercation in River North

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 49-year-old was shot and killed early Tuesday morning in Chicago's River North neighborhood.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the 600 block of North Dearborn Ave in Chicago's River North neighborhood on reports of shots fired just before 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Chicago police search for multiple suspects after armed robbery at Redline station Upon arrival, police discovered a 49-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. He was transported to Northwestern Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Further investigation revealed that the man was in a verbal altercation with a 37-year-old woman. The altercation became physical and the woman drew a gun and shot the man.The woman was taken into custody.No further information has been made available at this time.

8-year-old boy missing after falling off boat in Lake Travis; search continues Tuesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Search crews are still looking for a child who fell off a boat in Lake Travis Monday afternoon and didn't resurface, Austin-Travis County EMS wrote on social media.The 8-year-old boy went missing at around 2 p.m. Monday, the Travis County ESD 1 shift commander told KXAN. The boy was not wearing a life jacket at the time.The incident happened in the Cow Creek Arm of Lake Travis, ATCEMS wrote. The Pedernales Fire Department called the incident an "active situation."Several other agencies are helping with the search, including Lake Travis Fire Rescue and STAR Flight.Crews have switched to recovery mode, according to the Travis County ESD 1 shift commander. The Travis County Sheriff's Office has since taken over the investigation. The Wake: The Secrets of Lake Travis Tuesday morning, TCSO said it started its search at the shoreline, and it has lake patrol on the water. The sheriff's office said the dive team is out searching by sonar, which means the...

Security cameras up at some Austin parks, trails as part of pilot program to curb break-ins

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There are currently 10 cameras up at different park locations across town, according to the city's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD).Crews are adjusting locations as the department works through the pilot program."We get a lot of questions of is there a camera, is there not a camera, so we took this as a chance to get a little more data and see if this is something that’s helpful," Amanda Ross, natural resources division manager for PARD, said. "Just as any city goes, we’ve noticed an increase in crime against cars, vehicles, things like that... Does it actually reduce or make a difference in some of that crime?" Report: Most Mount Bonnell break-ins around sunset A few locations involved in the pilot program include the Covert Park at Mount Bonnell, the Rainey Street area, Edward Rendon Park and areas near the Barton Creek Greenbelt — where Vicky Carrasco had her car broken into. An Austin woman returned from a hike on the Barton Creek Greenbelt to find her ca...

The Battles of Saratoga

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:21 GMT

STILLWATER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- July 4 celebrations with fireworks are possible because of the booming sounds on a battlefield in the Capital Region back in 1777. The Battles of Saratoga were a turning point in the American Revolution, a crucial victory that changed the course of the war for the colonists and the world.    Garrett Cloer, Program Manager for Interpretation and Visitor Experience at Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, says up to that point, "The war got off to a really good start. Washington pushes the British out of Boston but after that the British came back with the largest amphibious force in the history of the world. So, when 1777 dawns the British are planning to crush the rebellion and a lot of America would have thought that was going to happen." Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! But the British didn't crush the rebellion, and Cloer explains how the Battles of Saratoga became one of the most i...