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Republican bills push cash bail, subvert Democratic changes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Just two days before he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, killing six people and injuring more than 60, Darrell Brooks Jr. had posted bail for charges of domestic violence.He had been accused of using his SUV to run over the mother of his child, and a pretrial assessment found Brooks was at high risk of reoffending. But a court official set that bail at a mere $1,000 cash at the request of prosecutors, who later called their recommendation a mistake. For the parade killings, Brooks was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Brooks quickly became the poster child for a Republican-backed push to enact tougher bail policies. The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature is asking voters to ratify a constitutional amendment that would make it harder for violent criminals to get out of jail on bail.GOP lawmakers in other states also are scrambling to make it harder for defendants to get out of jail before trial a...

Police supervisor in Tyre Nichols' death retired with benefits day prior to termination hearing: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

The police supervisor who responded to the scene of Tyre Nichols’ arrest retired with benefits the day before his termination hearing, according to media reports.Lt. DeWayne Smith, who spent 25 years on the Memphis police force, was facing disciplinary charges for neglect of duty, unauthorized public statements and compliance with regulations, when he submitted his retirement on March 1, Memphis’ Action News 5 reported. His disciplinary hearing was scheduled for March 2.During the Jan. 7 arrest that ultimately led to Nichols’ death, Smith failed to get the 29-year-old medical care or remove his handcuffs, despite hearing him say, “I can’t breathe,” according to NBC News.Nichols was brutally beaten by several Memphis police officers during the early January traffic stop and died three days later from his injuries. Despite noticing Nichols’ injuries, Smith failed to obtain reports from the other officers about their use of force.Smith also told Nichols’ family that he had been driving...

Allergy season is 'earlier, longer and worse' in these US cities, report finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – That extra head congestion you've been feeling lately may not all be in your head, so to speak. A new report on seasonal allergies found the growing season has lengthened by more than two weeks, on average. A longer growing season means more days of sniffles, sneezes and headaches for allergy sufferers. Climate Central, an organization of scientists and journalists focused on studying the impacts of climate change and warming global temperatures, analyzed temperature data from 203 U.S. cities since 1970. They found allergy season isn't just getting longer, it's also getting more intense. ‘National Customer Rage Survey’ points to troubling trend among US consumers It's largely because warming temperatures have essentially shortened the length of deep-freeze winters and extended the length of seasons where allergen-producing plants thrive. "Earlier spring and longer periods of freeze-free days mean that plants have more time to flower and release allergy-inducing po...

2 dead after trapped in apartment building fire in Vernon Hills: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Two people are dead after an apartment building caught fire while trapped inside Sunday morning, police say. According to Vernon Hills Police, officers responded to a call of a fire and people possibly trapped at a building in the 900 block of South Court Shorewood around 3:15 a.m.Police found heavy fire conditions and after taming the fire, found two individuals. One person was found dead and another adult was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center where they later died. Man charged after officer struck by car on LSD Friday The identities of the victims have not been released yet. The fire was extinguished but the building is inhabitable. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Why getting a COVID vaccine in the nose might work better

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Scientists are hopeful a new type of vaccine in development could give us a better shot at fighting COVID-19 -- without involving any type of shot at all. Clinical trials are underway for a type of intranasal vaccine, which is administered by spraying into the nose, not injecting into the arm. While current vaccines and boosters are very effective at preventing severe disease and death, the hope is that a nasal vaccine would be even better at preventing mild illness."These will induce immunity in the mucosa of the nasal pharynx – the site of initial viral replication – and may prevent infection and reduce transmission," said Dr. William Moss, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Have the odds of getting long COVID changed? Nasal vaccines, because of where they are administered, work to immediately strengthen antibodies in the mucus and nose. "Mucosal immunity," Moss explained, could prevent infection before the virus is a...

Sunday Brunch with Galit Restaurant, "Chicago Chefs Cook for Earthquake Relief"

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Executive Chef Zachary Engel joins us for Sunday Brunch to cook an authentic Turkish food and share more about the "Chicago Chefs Cook for Earthquake Relief."Chef Engel is one of the 45 chefs participating in "Chicago Chefs Cook for Earthquake Relief," an event happening Monday night to raise funds for the relief efforts int he aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. He shared one of the recipes he will be offering at the Event. The event will take place Monday from 5-9 p.m. at Avli on the Park at 180 North Field Boulevard. In addition to the chef-curated tasting stations, the evening will offer an upgraded VIP meet and greet chef experience. General admission and VIP tickets are available and can be purchased by visiting Chicago Chef Cook for Earthquake Relief (givebutter.com).All funds raised will directly support the World Central Kitchen's relief efforts.

Skateboarders pitch new Dayton’s Bluff skate park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

A coalition of skateboarders and parents are advocating for a new skate park by the Dayton’s Bluff Community Center on Conway Street.Members of the nonprofit organization City of Skate plan to participate in a community meeting at the rec center at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the proposal, which would repurpose an underused tennis court for seasonal skating. The meeting will be hosted by St. Paul Parks and Recreation.St. Paul maintains six city-designated skateboarding sites, but other than a new half-pipe ramp at Battle Creek Regional Park, the East Side has no skate park amenities, said Council Member Jane Prince. “I’m totally on board,” Prince said. “I’ve offered to help find funds. The East Side needs a skatepark.”Among potential funding sources, City of Skate plans to lobby the Legislature for $19 million in statewide skate park funding during “Skatepark Advocacy Day” at the Minnesota State Capitol, scheduled from 9 to 10:30...

Charley Walters: Kirk Cousins will be Vikings QB next season. But will he in 2024?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

It’s clear that Kirk Cousins will be the Minnesota Vikings quarterback next season. What’s unclear is who will be the quarterback in 2024.The Vikings have restructured Cousins’ contract for salary-cap room this year, but his deal for a $30-million payout remains the same. The contract also expires at the end of next season, after which he could become a free agent.Cousins turns 35 in August and his future in Minnesota now depends on how well he plays this year. Meanwhile, the Vikings, either this year but probably in 2024, will have to draft a quarterback early.— The Vikings currently do not have enough picks to move up high enough in next month’s draft to get a young QB to succeed Cousins. Basically, the Vikings would have to trade next month’s first-round pick (No. 24) and next year’s first-round pick, and maybe more, to move up to get a QB of the future.The problem for the Vikings now is that they have quite a few holes, and probably need to use their first-round pick on a ...

Bishop Gibbons' season ends in state semifinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Bishop Gibbons came close to taking the momentum in the third quarter against Oxford, but the Black Hawks made pivotal shots down the stretch that catapulted them to a 75-54 semifinal win. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Things were tight between the two combatants in the first half and the Golden Knights found some rhythm thanks to Mia'Rose Wylie who scored on a layup to give Bishop Gibbons a one point edge. Oxford was ready to respond and the best way they did was by shooting. Jocie Finch helped by scoring on a three-pointer that gave the Black Hawks an 18-14 advantage. The Golden Knights refused to give up and showed their three-point range as well. Angelina Dietz knocked down a corner three to trim the deficit to three points. Later on, Madalyn Barrow struck from three-point range and the Black Hawks went into recess with an 11-point lead. Bishop Gibbons came out the locker room on a mission and c...

Millbrook's second-half offense outshoots Greenwich

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:54 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Greenwich's defense had trouble containing Millbrook's experienced, high-powered offense resulting in a 70-54 state semifinal loss. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Early on, both teams were trading blows which made for a good back-and-forth affair. The Witches had some momentum going in the first quarter, thanks to Norah Niesz knocking down a three-point shot to give them a 10-6 edge. Millbrook showed resilience and chemistry when Beth Bosan assisted Emily Grassler for an easy layup giving the Blazers a seven-point lead.Millbrook was able to capitalize on a match-up in the paint thanks to Natalie Fox who finished the game with a double-double scoring 19 points and grabbing 20 boards.Just before halftime, Greenwich showed closed the gap. Grace Autiello scored on an underhand layup as she fell to the ground to pull Greenwich within eight. However, the Blazer's offense hit a different gear in the third q...