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Florida settles lawsuit over COVID data, agrees to provide weekly stats to the public

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida will have to provide COVID-19 data to the public again after a former Democratic state representative settled a lawsuit with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration over the decision two years ago to stop posting information on the virus’ spread online.Then-Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith sued after the Department of Health denied his public records request for COVID-19 data in 2021 and announced the settlement Monday. He was joined by the Florida Center for Government Accountability.The settlement requires the department to provide COVID-19 data to the public for the next three years, including weekly statistics on cases, deaths and vaccinations by county, age group, gender and race, Smith said in a news release. The state must also pay more than $152,000 in legal fees to cover the plaintiffs’ legal costs.“All Floridians have a constitutional right to public records and the right to receive critical public health data in a timely ...

Louisiana public school principal apologizes after punishing student for dancing at a party

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

WALKER, La. (AP) — A Louisiana public school principal has apologized and requested leave for punishing a student and questioning her religious beliefs after he saw a video of her dancing at an off-campus party. The 17-year-old student government president and scholarship candidate was videotaped dancing at an off-campus party following Walker High School’s Sept. 30 Homecoming festivities. A hired DJ took the video and posted it on social media. Three days later, Jason St. Pierre, principal of the public high school near the state capital of Baton Rouge, told the student she would be removed from her position with the student government association and that he would no longer recommend her for college scholarships. At a meeting in his office with the assistant principal, St. Pierre told the student she wasn’t “living in the Lord’s way,” her mother said, according to The Advocate. He printed out Bible verses with highlighted sections and “questioned who her friends were and if ...

European Union reverses earlier announcement that it was suspending development aid to Palestinians

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union late Monday reversed an earlier announcement by an EU commissioner that the bloc was “immediately” suspending development aid for Palestinian authorities and instead said it would urgently review such assistance in the wake of the attacks on Israel by Hamas to make sure no money was misused.“There will be no suspension of payments” at the moment, a terse European Commission statement said late Monday, five hours after EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi had said that all payments from the development program for Palestinians would be “immediately suspended. All projects put under review. All new budget proposals … postponed until further notice.”No immediate explanation for the reversal was given. A full European Commission statement always trumps a statement from an EU commissioner, but the reversal on a 691 million-euro ($730 million) program capped an embarrassing day at the EU’s executive at a time of extreme geopolitical sensitivities. Since Satur...

Emergency crews respond after possible home explosion in Woodstock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Emergency crews are on the scene of a possible home explosion in the northwest suburbs on Monday afternoon.Debris and smoke from the home could be seen overhead by WGN TV's Skycam 9 which was over the scene in Woodstock near North Tryon Street and Lincoln Avenue at around 3:40 p.m. In a post on Facebook Woodstock Fire and Rescue officials said that crews were working a natural gas leak in an area along North Tryon Street between Washington Street and West Judd Street. Crews closed the road while working in the area. In the post, officials said St. Mary's Catholic Church was evacuated and surrounding homes were advised to shelter in place. "The safety of the public and every family we serve is our No. 1 value. Nicor Gas crews are onsite working with first responders to safely secure the area and to assist local authorities with their investigation of this incident," an official from Nicor Gas said in a statement on Monday afternoon. ...

2 dead after shooting inside convenience store in Englewood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Two people are dead on Monday after a shooting inside of a convenience store on the city’s South Side, police say.According to Chicago police, the shooting happened in the 6200 block of South Ashland Avenue in Englewood around 2:35 p.m. Man, 24, shot while inside parked car on West Side Police say a victim and a 28-year-old offender were involved in a fight before both suffered fatal gunshot wounds.According to police, both people involved were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. Currently, it is unclear what led to the altercation or who fired the shots. Police say Area One detectives are now investigating. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Chicago artist uses vibrancy to uplift marginalized communities in exhibit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Using vibrant colors and intricate flowers as a sign of growth, a Chicago artist utilizes her artwork to uplift marginalized communities and visualize the change many artists hope to see in the world.Shirien Darma, a Palestinian illustrator, is showcasing her work at IMAN Central, a South Side community organization, to create a visual platform for social justice initiatives.“I want to use art to pave a vision moving forward,” Darma said.With more than 10 years of experience, Darma has forefronted her art in causes ranging from the Black Lives Matter movement to raising awareness for the Indigenous community.  Kiptum sets world marathon record in Chicago in 2:00:35, breaking Kipchoge’s mark “Black and Brown communities are often villainized, and many people haven’t gotten the love from society, so I want to uphold their dignity,” Darma said.Darma works with families, non-profits, and legal teams to create honest, informative, yet eye-catching art pieces. Her newest exhib...

Airbnb guest won't leave after staying at rental for over a year without paying, homeowner says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

(KTLA) – It's sometimes said that uninvited guests are most welcome when they leave, but one California resident wouldn't know from personal experience. Sascha Jovanovic said a one-time Airbnb tenant has remained on his Brentwood property for over a year, refusing to either leave or pay. He told the Los Angeles Times that Elizabeth Hirschhorn didn't move out when her stay ended in April 2022. Not only has she been living there rent-free, Jovanovic also claims Hirschhorn wants him to pay her a relocation fee of $100,000.“This is like a nightmare, to be honest,” Jovanovic told KTLA. “This is extortion. This is like manipulation. Nobody should go through this.” Shrek’s Swamp now an Airbnb stay in Scotland Hirschhorn's attorney told the Times that "she was not required to pay rent because the city had never approved the unit for occupancy and that its shower was constructed without a permit."Because of those code violations, the city determined that Jovanovic couldn't evict Hirschhorn...

RFK JR announces he's running for president as an independent candidate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now running as an independent instead of a Democrat. The move adds some drama to the already complicated 2024 race, which is expected to be a rematch between President Biden and Former President Trump.In a speech in Philadelphia on Monday, RFK Jr. announced he's leaving the Democratic party, but not the 2024 race for president. New Florida bill would shorten wait time for firearms purchases "I'm here to declare myself an independent candidate," Kennedy said.Taking aim at President Biden's age and Former President Trump's legal challenges, RFK Jr. pitched himself as an alternative for Americans fed up with the two-party system."We need to pry loose from the hammerlock of the corrupt powers in Washington D.C. and make this nation ours again," Kennedy said.Historically, independent presidential candidates haven't gained enough traction to win. Despite that, Kennedy could still have an impact on the race.Political ...

ATCEMS: No naloxone doses administered by EMTs during ACL Weekend 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services officials said its staff didn't administer any doses of Narcan or Naloxone during the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a spokesperson told KXAN Monday.This year's festival marked the first time attendees could both receive a free opioid overdose reversal treatment and undergo training on how to use it. ACL festival organizers told KXAN Oct. 2 they wanted this to be a "proactive measure" for attendees to be both educated and equipped to handle an overdose situation, should one arise. ICYMI: Naloxone to be handed out for free at ACL music festival for the first time “The nationwide fentanyl overdose crisis is affecting many different aspects of our communities, and while it’s not unique to festivals we see this proactive measure as an important opportunity to educate and arm a large group of like-minded people with information and tools that can save lives,” ACL festival organizers told KXAN Oct. ...

How Sarkisian would have handled goal line stand vs. OU differently

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - In Texas' 34-30 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday in the Red River Rivalry, a couple of key momentum swings seemed to decide the game. The Longhorns held the lead late but ultimately suffered their first loss of the year.The Sooners drove down the field to score the game-winning touchdown with 1:17 left in the game with no timeouts. That, along with a defensive stand for Oklahoma, are the two moments that are pointed to in hindsight where the Sooners won. Inches away from scoring at critical moment, Longhorns have plenty to think about during bye week The stand came early in the fourth quarter when the Longhorns had first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Three rushes from Jonathon Brooks brought a fourth and goal where Quinn Ewers completed a pass to Xavier Worthy but was stopped before reaching the goal line.The stop gave Oklahoma the ball back up seven points with 11:30 left in the game. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media Monday and broke down the seque...