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Transgender Day of Visibility rallies held amid backlash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Hundreds of young people gathered on the lawn of the Vermont Statehouse on Friday as part of a nationwide series of events to help build support for transgender rights amid what they denounced as an increasingly hostile climate.Chanting, “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!” many draped themselves in pride flags or carried posters with messages like “yay gay” or “protect trans kids.”Similar events were planned at capitols in states including South Carolina, Alabama, Minnesota, Nebraska and Montana, and at other venues Friday and this weekendYoung people, some as young as middle-school, stood in front of the Vermont crowd and told of their struggles with their sexuality at a time when many people across the country refuse to acknowledge them.Charlie Draugh, a 17-year-old high school senior from Chisago, Minnesota, who attends a boarding school in Vermont, said he was angry that groups are trying to control his life and turn him into a pol...

Advocates highlight best of Jane and Finch as community changes with future LRT, new homes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

Like so many parts of Toronto, the Jane and Finch neighbourhood is undergoing a broader transformation with a rapid transit line in the offing and a surge in new homes.While a stigma among some surrounding perceptions of crime and violence has been an ongoing challenge even though advocates noted those misconceptions don’t really match the day-to-day reality for most in the community, they said upcoming changes will add to the vibrancy of the area.Steps away from the future Sentinel station on the soon-to-be-opened Finch West LRT is El Jefe de Pollo Chicken and Tacos where Chef Chino, as the restaurant’s name suggests, serves up mouthwatering poultry and Mexican dishes with Canadian and Caribbean twists.Chef Chino didn’t always live in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. He said he grew up in a lower-income household near Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto, and added he “got involved in the wrong things in the past.”Seeking a change...

Minneapolis and state agree to revamp policing post-Floyd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights signed a “court-enforceable settlement agreement” Friday to revamp policing in the city where George Floyd was murdered by an officer nearly three years ago.The state agency issued a blistering report last year after a two-year investigation found the police department had engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade. City leaders subsequently agreed to negotiate the settlement, which the City Council approved on an 11-0 vote. Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero signed it about half an hour later.“The agreement isn’t change in and of itself, but it charts a clear roadmap to it,” Frey said at a news conference. “This agreement helps us to embark on the work and then push it even further.” Lucero pointed out that Floyd was murdered 1,040 days earlier. “It’s been a very long time to get to this point, where he should be alive...

Lourdes shrine reviewing mosaics after Jesuit abuse claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

ROME (AP) — Officials at the Catholic shrine in Lourdes announced the creation of a study group Friday to decide what to do with one of the French sanctuary’s most famous but now controversial attractions: mosaics by a Jesuit artist who has been sanctioned by the Vatican and his religious order for sexually, spiritually and psychologically abusing women.The Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik designed the facade of one of the three basilicas at Lourdes with a series of mosaics in 2008 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions that turned the shrine in southwest France into one of the world’s biggest pilgrimage sites, attracting around 3 million visitors a year.In December, the Jesuits revealed that Rupnik had been declared excommunicated by the Vatican in 2020 for committing one of the worst crimes in church law — using the confessional to absolve a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity — and had also been accused by nine women of related sexual, spiritual and psycholog...

Live Chicago severe weather: Tornado watch, storms through Friday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

The Chicago area is under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Friday.Two rounds of storms are forecasted between the hours of 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The first round set to move into the Chicago area around 4 p.m. as super cell thunderstorms. These storms pose a tornado threat and a golf-ball sized hail threat. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A cold front then moves through around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. bring another round of very quickly moving severe weather. These storms also pose the threat of tornadoes. The storms are likely to move through at a rate of 50-60 mph so any tornado warnings will be quick and offer not much time. It's advised that residents be prepared in advanced and stay tuned to WGNTV and the weather app for alerts and updates. Tom Skilling also suggests anyone with any porch furniture or outdoor items susceptible to strong wings should bring them inside. These storms are set to bring potentially dangerous and destructive winds with...

Tornado emergency issued for Little Rock and nearby areas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for Arkansas's capital of Little Rock and surrounding areas on Friday, warning that 350,000 people are in danger from a “confirmed large and destructive tornado.”Forecasters say “a large and destructive” tornado touched down Friday afternoon in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The violent twister was seen in video posted online plowing through neighborhoods and business districts of Little Rock and surrounding areas. Aerial footage showed several rooftops reduced to splinters in Little Rock and nearby Benton, vehicles were toppled over and debris was scattered across roadways.There were no immediate reports of injuries. Passengers and airport employees at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock took shelter in bathrooms. Massive storms brewing over at least 15 states in the Midwest and southern U.S. on Friday have meteorologists urging people to brace for dangerous weather including tornadoes, saying the...

Bolingbrook teen told he’s indicted on 3 murder charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago teen accused of fatally shooting his 17-year-old girlfriend, a 9-year-old girl and the child’s father was told Thursday a grand jury has indicted him on three charges of first-degree murder.Byrion Montgomery, 17, of Bolingbrook, went before a Will County judge and was informed that the grand jury indicted him in the March 5 slayings of 40-year-old Cartez Daniels, 17-year-old Samiya A. Shelton-Tilman and Sanai Daniels, 9. Bolingbrook victims ID’d, teen gunman was dating 17-year-old Judge Dave Carlson told Montgomery, who is currently being held at the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center in Joliet, that he will be transferred to the Will County Jail after he turns 18 on April 27, the Arlington Heights Daily Herald reported.Carlson also granted an order to have Montgomery submit to DNA testing. Bolingbrook victims ID’d, teen gunman was dating 17-year-old The 13-count indictment contained the same adult charges that were filed...

Man arrested, 19 guns found after Austin road rage incident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was booked into jail Wednesday in connection to a January road rage incident on the Interstate 35 frontage road, the Austin Police Department said in a release.On Jan. 30, a caller told APD a man pulled a gun out and pointed it at two people, including a child, in another vehicle in the 5700 block of the South I-35 frontage road, which is in central Austin near Koenig Lane, APD said.Detectives identified the man as 23-year-old Austin Martin, the release states.Firearms discovered at Austin home. Photo: Austin Police DepartmentMartin was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, APD said.KXAN has reached out to an attorney representing Martin. This story will be updated if we receive a statement.Deeper into the investigation, detectives conducted a warranted search of Martin's home and found 19 guns on March 29, according to APD.Martin remained in custody at Travis County jail Friday, and according to jail records, his bond was set at $...

Lockout lifted: Middle school in Buda placed on lockout as 'safety precaution'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A lockout at McCormick Middle School in Buda was lifted at 11 a.m. Friday, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office. At 9:34 a.m., HCSO said the middle school was placed on a lockout as a "safety precaution."The sheriff said deputies were working an incident off Hillside Terrace near Denise Ellen Drive in Buda. The tweet from the sheriff did not say what the incident was related to.In another tweet, the sheriff said this was an active investigation, and HCSO would provide an update as more information becomes available.“Please be mindful this will cause a traffic backup in the area,” HCSO said.According to Hays County ISD, a lockout is when there is a threat outside of the building.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more information.

Texas DPS Chief EEO officer suspended after arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:53 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — A leader within the Texas Department of Public Safety was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to Williamson County jail records. The Austin Police Department arrested Nathanael Haddox, the chief equal employment and opportunity officer for DPS, Thursday.Haddox was "suspended pending an investigation into the circumstances of this incident," DPS told KXAN.Nathanael Haddox (Williamson County Sheriff's Office Photo)Haddox had a personal recognizance bond originally set for $1,000, but it was waived. As of Friday morning, the chief DPS officer was released on bond, according to Williamson County Jail records.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.