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Illinois lawmakers push back on library book bans

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers greenlighted a bill Wednesday that says libraries in the state must adopt an anti-book banning policy to receive state funding, in a vote that fissured along party lines.The measure, spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, represents a counter-movement to growing efforts to restrict books on topics such as race, gender and sexuality in schools and libraries across the United States.The legislation has passed both chambers and now heads to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he looks forward to signing it. Indiana bill could make book banning in schools easier “This landmark legislation is a triumph for our democracy, a win for First Amendment rights, and most importantly, a great victory for future generations to come,” said Giannoulias in a news conference Wednesday after HB 2789 cleared the Senate in a party-line vote.In order to be eligible for state funding, the bill requires libraries to adopt the Am...

CPD issues community alert after string of church break-ins in Englewood

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Some South Side churches are shoring up their security after police issued a community alert following a string of burglaries. Since March, three separate break-ins have been reported at churches in the 6900 block of S. Stewart Ave., in Englewood. While police did not specify which churches were targeted, the offenders allegedly broke in through side windows and/or the back door.   Aurora man accused of hurling death threats at Pritzker According to police, the incidents took place:March 16-20 between 12 a.m. - 8 a.m.   March 25-28 between noon - 1:30 p.m.  April 22-May 2 between 12 a.m. - 12 p.m. Repentance and Believe Holiness Outreach Ministries Church in Englewood is one of three churches located on the block. In response to the break-ins, Pastor Felicia Cobb told WGN News that "enough is enough.""We're tired of the breaking in of churches," Cobb added. "What are you going to get? We don't have money in the church. We're here to help souls be saved."Read more: Latest...

4 horse deaths at Churchill Downs under investigation ahead of Kentucky Derby

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The death of four horses at Churchill Downs over a span of five days has overshadowed preparations for the Kentucky Derby.Two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. collapsed on the track and died over the past week. Two other horses also died as either a result of racing or training, including Derby entrant Wild On Ice.Joseph is set to saddle Lord Miles in the first jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday. But he has said he’s unsure of plans after the two deaths from his barn.Churchill Downs Racetrack, in a statement Wednesday, expressed concern over the deaths and said officials would press for answers. Kentucky Derby: What are the requirements for horse names? “While a series of events like this is highly unusual, it is completely unacceptable,” Churchill Downs said. “We take this very seriously and acknowledge that these troubling incidents are alarming and must be addressed. We feel a tremendous responsibility to our fans, the participants in our sport and ...

'80s rock anthem dropped as SF Pride's theme after singer's controversial tweet

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Twisted Sister's 1980s rock classic, "We're Not Gonna Take It" has been dropped as the unofficial anthem of this year's SF Pride Parade & Celebration in San Francisco following a controversial tweet from the band's lead singer, the festival confirmed to Nexstar's KRON. The festival was on the cusp of officially announcing the song as Pride's "unofficial rallying cry" and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider was due to perform the song on the festival's main stage. All Oregon residents could soon choose to pump their own gas as bill advances However, the relationship between the flamboyant rocker and the festival broke down after Snider tweeted his support for a statement from KISS frontman Paul Stanley that's been widely panned as transphobic.On Sunday, Stanley tweeted out a lengthy statement that read in part, "With many children who have no real sense of sexuality or sexual experiences caught up in the 'fun' of using pronouns and saying what they identif...

Senate Democrats launch new effort to surpass China's government

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced a new effort Wednesday to find ways for the U.S. to stay ahead of China."We're in a large very important, very crucial competition with the Chinese government," Schumer said.Schumer is asking lawmakers from both parties to work together a find ways to limit the flow of advanced technology to the Chinese government while increasing investments here at home."The Xi regime is working every day to catch up and surpass the United States," Schumer said.Democrats say they want to build on the momentum generated by last year's Chips and Science Act."China is a pacing threat and we have to pick up our pace," Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said.Reed said meeting these goals will require international cooperation."Showing the Chinese that they would be up against the world if they tried anything," Reed said.Schumer said it's important for Congress to take action as quickly as possible.Schumer, asked if he expected to have ...

Kane County attorney, sheriff warn public of fake treasurer website

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

KANE COUNTY, Ill. -- Don't fall for it Kane County.Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Sheriff Ron Hain are warning the public about a fake website that claims to be the Kane County Treasurer’s site."Anyone who encounters this site should not attempt to make a payment through it," Kane County State's Attorney Jamie L. Mosser wrote.The Kane County State's Attorney's Office wants to ensure the public that the authentic site is secure, but the fake site is not. Teamsters oust suburban board after more than $1M in questionable expenses The authentic Kane County Treasurer’s site, www.kanecountytreasurer.org, has Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen pictured in the upper left.Additionally, the authentic website has a tab to make an online payment has the Kane County seal in the upper left, the treasurer’s office address and telephone number in the upper right, and users must click on a terms of use agreement before they can search for their tax bill or make a payment.The fake...

Putin assassination attempt? What to know about the Kremlin drone attack

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

(The Hill) – An apparent drone attack on the Kremlin has spurred a global whodunit. Moscow quickly accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, a claim that was met with skepticism among Western officials and defense experts — and denied by Ukraine.Unverified videos that circulated online Wednesday purportedly show the aftermath of the attack, which Russia says it thwarted by shooting down the drones.The attack will likely have a “rally around the flag” effect in Russia, leading some to speculate it may be a “false flag” operation staged by the Kremlin to bolster support ahead of Victory Day on May 9, an annual holiday to celebrate the Soviet defeat of Nazis in WWII. “It looks to me like Putin and his handlers are constructing a fake provocation with this so-called terrorist attack that Russia can use as an excuse to rain down even more pain and suffering on the Ukrainian people or possibly use to justify an assassination at...

Counties with the lowest cost of living in Illinois

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

With inflation still eating into American household budgets, middle-class Americans are paying keen attention to their finances and finding ways to reduce spending.Nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed by financial services provider Primerica at the end of 2022 said they are not able to save for their future due to rising costs. Home prices, rent, and food inflation as well as higher prices for gas in the last couple of years are making it so that each dollar earned has even less purchasing power than before.Stacker compiled a list of counties with the lowest cost of living in Illinois using 2022 rankings from Niche.#30. Marion County- Overall Grade: B-- Public School Grade: B-- Cost of living grade: A-- Population: 37,781#29. Schuyler County- Overall Grade: B-- Public School Grade: C+- Cost of living grade: A-- Population: 6,953#28. Franklin County- Overall Grade: C- Public School Grade: C+- Cost of living grade: A-- Population: 38,068#27. Fayette County- ...

Texas counties spend millions on ice-storm recovery, when will they be reimbursed?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — Central Texas leaders say they're relieved now that President Biden has approved federal reimbursement for millions spent on ice storm recovery.Travis County Judge Andy Brown said recovery efforts from the city and county level have reached a cumulative $56.8 million. That number is made up of expenses for things like debris cleanup, overtime for Austin Energy employees, and first responders being on the job.With this approval Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis and Williamson counties could be reimbursed for 75% of the money spent on storm recovery.This federal relief has only been approved for these government bodies, not individual home or property owners that experienced damage from the ice storm.Judge Brown said county emergency leaders think Travis County is unlikely to meet the threshold to qualify for such relief. He also said it could take anywhere from 2 to 5 years for the county to be paid back f...

Family donates life-saving AED to Cottage Grove park where son died, and they’re raising money for more

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:07:31 GMT

Teddy Dowdle collapsed and died of sudden cardiac arrest a year ago after going up for a rebound while playing basketball with his older brother and friends at Woodridge Park in Cottage Grove.He was 22.Teddy Dowdle gives a thumbs-up at the Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in April 2022. (Courtesy of the Dowdle Family)His family believes Teddy might still be alive had there been a medical device called an automated external defibrillator in the park. “CPR was administered, but there was no AED readily available,” his father, Craig Dowdle, said. “If there had been an AED applied within the first three minutes of his collapse, instead of when the EMTs showed up eight or nine minutes later, there would have been a much greater chance of his survival.”On Thursday, the first anniversary of Teddy’s death, the Dowdles will install an AED in Woodridge Park — the first outdoor AED device in Cottage Grove.The couple, along with son Carter and daughter Olivia, formed Teddy...