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Federal judges rule against provisions of GOP-backed voting laws in Georgia and Texas

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Federal judges in Georgia and Texas have ruled against key provisions of two controversial election laws passed two years ago as the Republican Party sought to tighten voting rules after former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential contest.U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez struck down a provision of Texas’ law requiring that mail voters provide the same identification number they used when they registered to vote. He ruled the requirement violated the U.S. Civil Rights Act because it led to people being unable to cast ballots due to a matter irrelevant to whether they are registered.The change led to skyrocketing mail ballot rejections in the first election after the law passed in September 2021 and was targeted in a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice.“This ruling sends a clear message that states may not impose unlawful and unnecessary requirements that disenfranchise eligible voters seeking to participate in our democra...

Officials identify IRS agent who was fatally shot during training exercise at Phoenix firing range

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — An Internal Revenue Service agent who was shot and killed during a routine training exercise in Phoenix was identified by the agency Friday.Special agent Patrick Bauer, 47, was fatally wounded Thursday at a firing range in north Phoenix, the IRS said in a news release.Bauer was a retired master sergeant in the Arizona Air National Guard. He leaves behind a wife and four children.Charlotte M. Dennis, a spokesperson for the IRS Phoenix field office, said he died shortly after arriving at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center.No other injuries were reported. IRS officials have not given any details on the nature of the exercise and how many other agents were taking part. The range is on property that belongs to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. But because of an interagency agreement, other law enforcement agencies typically use the facility.Officials with the FBI’s Phoenix field office said they will oversee the shooting investigation. The results will be turned ove...

Dufferin Grove neighbourhood shows how preserved heritage buildings are being reused

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

As many Toronto neighbourhoods continue to see a boom in developments, Dufferin Grove isn’t excluded. However, for those who want to step back in time and enjoy heritage buildings, the neighbourhood is one to check out.Along Sterling Road, east of Dundas Street West and south of Bloor Street West, lies a collection of historical structures worth exploring. At the centre of this Dufferin Grove street is Ethica Coffee Roasters.The business, dedicated to selling single-origin coffee by the glass or by the bag from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Kenya, is in an old industrial warehouse property that was constructed in the late-1800s near multiple rail lines. Liza Dobrokhodova, a spokesperson for the company, said the owners leaned into the building’s heritage in order to help build the brand.“I think in our community people who come to Ethica, when they think about Ethica, they definitely feel think about the exposed brick walls and window...

‘Like 100 years of firefighting in one night’: The battle for West Kelowna, in quotes

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Here’s what some people are saying about the unfolding wildfire disaster in the Okanagan, where the McDougall Creek fire has forced thousands of people to evacuate from West Kelowna. The blaze has destroyed a significant number of properties.“It was a devastating night last night, probably the toughest of my career. We fought hard last night to protect our community. It was like 100 years of firefighting in one night.”— West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund“To see the fire jumped a lake like that was unreal … And within eight minutes, it felt like a quarter of the mountain was on fire …“There were people that can’t go anywhere. They think their houses burned down, but they are not sure. You can just see this look on their face.”— West Kelowna photographer Darren Hull“’It’s probably the worst wildfire I’ve ever recorded just because of the human impact … It’s a bit like spitting on a campfire when you have a fire th...

Planned Parenthood appeals ruling that let Nebraska abortion ban stand

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has appealed a judge’s ruling that left a new Nebraska law intact that bans abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy and imposes restrictions on gender-affirming surgery.Planned Parenthood filed its appeal Friday with help from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, one week after a judge sided with the state and rejected the challenge to the law Nebraska lawmakers approved earlier this year.The lawsuit had argued that the law violated a Nebraska constitutional rule that bills cannot contain more than one subject, but the judge disagreed. Lawmakers added the abortion ban to an existing bill dealing with gender-related care.The law outlaws abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. As of Oct. 1, it also will prevent people under 19 from receiving gender-affirming surgery and restricts the use of hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors.Ruth Richa...

Biden stays mum on Justice Dept. decision to name special counsel in Hunter Biden probe

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — President Joe Biden is keeping mum about Attorney General Merrick Garland’s decision to name a special counsel in the investigation of his son Hunter Biden.Speaking at a news conference Friday at the conclusion of his Camp David summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden demurred when asked about the latest twist in his son’s legal issues. The comments were Biden’s first on the matter since Garland announced last week he was naming a special counsel into the probe of Hunter Biden’s financial dealings.“I have no comment on any investigation that’s going on,” said Biden. “That’s up to the Justice Department and that’s all I have to say.”Garland noted the “extraordinary circumstances” of the matter when he named David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware who had already been probing Hunter Biden’s financial dealings, as special counsel after a plea deal over tax evasion and a gun charge collapsed ...

1 hospitalized after fire breaks out at high-rise in Lake View

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A fire at a high-rise in the city's Lake View neighborhood left one person hospitalized on Friday afternoon, according to the Chicago Fire Department.Black smoke could be seen billowing from a window in the upper levels of the Eddystone building near West Melrose Street and North Sheridan Road at around 5:50 p.m. Chicago police officer facing additional sexual abuse charges Fire officials say the blaze broke out on the 15th floor of the 21-story building and has been extinguished.According to fire officials, the individual who was taken to the hospital was in critical condition.WGN News spoke to some witnesses in the area who said they were evacuated from the building while crews worked to extinguish the blaze.Currently, it is unclear how the blaze broke out.Officials from the Chicago Fire Department are set to provide live updates on Friday evening. The live updates can be watched in the video player above. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest u...

VIDEO: Man uses key to steal mail from Belmont Gardens condo building

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

CHICAGO -- Several Northwest side residents are disturbed after surveillance video captures a man entering their condo building and stuffing mail down his pants before leaving.Only residents with a key can enter this condo building in 2800 block of North Pulaski Avenue in Chicago's Belmont Gardens neighborhood, but somehow a man, who residents say they aren't familiar with got inside with a key around 1:45 a.m. on Friday. 1 hospitalized after fire breaks out at high-rise in Lake View The man in the video, who happens to be barefoot, casually enters the entrance of the Belmont Gardens condo building. Once inside, he immediately goes to the row of six mailboxes and uses a key opening all of the mailboxes at one time.The suspect then looks inside and removes mail from three of the compartments. He closes the mailboxes up and before walking outside stuffs the mail down the front of his shorts. 6 robbed at gunpoint at different locations on Chicago’s North Side Resident Ramon Cotto l...

Back-to-school events help CPS students prepare for upcoming school year

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Students at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are preparing to head back to class and a couple of events were held on Friday to help get kids ready.In Morgan Park, Graduates Over Guns along with Chicago Excel Academy and Mount Calvary Baptist Church teamed up for a back-to-school bash. It is one of several events taking place in the city to help families get ready for the return to class. Crane High School hosts CPS Back-To-School Bash The organizations, which handed out 200 backpacks with supplies, had free food, and several resources on hand."I appreciate what they did, they gave me three backpacks for my three grandbabies, and I appreciate that," Morgan Park resident Vernicia Kenluy said. ‘Building stronger communities’: Mayor Johnson celebrates CPS Safe Passage workers at rally Last Friday, this area was a crime scene following a deadly shooting and organizers say they’re determined to change that image."We are not afraid to be out here," Tyree Booker, Executive Directo...

One Bears player is eager to get back on the field this preseason

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — For veteran players, the preseason can be a time to balance taking the field in a game, but one defender is eager to see the field sooner than later. That's because DeMarcus Walker hasn't been able to do so very much during training camp due to an undisclosed injury.But the defensive end was back on the field when the Bears joined the Colts for practice the last two days in Westfield, Indiana. It's a positive sign for a player the team signed to aid its struggling pass rush, and you could say he was just a little excited to return to workouts."From zero-to-100, I'd give it 250," said Walker when asked about his eagerness to get back to practice as the Bears prepare for their season opener against the Packers on September 10. "So excited to see the guys make plays and the young guys to develop, so the eagerness is through the roof."Does that mean he could see the field when the Bears take on the Colts in their second preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday night? ...