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Narrow abortion exemption bill passed by Tennessee lawmakers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Senate gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would add a narrow exemption to one of the strictest abortion bans in the United States, with it now heading to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his approval.The Senate passed the bill on a 26-1 vote, with several of the chamber’s Democratic lawmakers voting “present” rather than picking a side.The bill’s passage comes after weeks of drastically reworking the proposal in order to gain enough support from the General Assembly’s Republican supermajority, as well as the state’s powerful anti-abortion lobby, which had warned lawmakers would likely face political retribution if they advanced a bill without the group’s endorsement.Under the bill, doctors would be allowed to use “reasonable medical judgment” when determining an abortion is necessary to prevent the death of a pregnant patient or to spare her from the irreversible, severe impairment of a...

Vancouver police deployed to end tent encampment in Downtown Eastside

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

Vancouver police have dispatched officers to a tent encampment on the city’s Downtown Eastside with the aim of shutting down the site to campers. The City of Vancouver says it has asked police to help bring a close to the encampment, removing all remaining tents and structures. It says in a statement that it decided to act due to “the growing public safety risk” posed by the encampment on East Hastings Street.It says more than 400 outdoor fires have occurred over the last eight months and four people have been injured this year. “The persistent fire risk posed by the encampment and recent fires in neighbouring buildings has made the situation on East Hastings even more precarious. Fires are occurring too regularly in the area and with escalating intensity due to an accumulation of materials and propane tanks,” the statement says. It says the city has been working on the street daily to address fire, life and safety concerns identified by the fire chief&...

Randy Bachman offers look at more than 80 of his guitars in Studio Bell exhibit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

TORONTO — Randy Bachman is shedding light on his incredible guitar obsession with a new temporary exhibit set to open at Calgary’s Studio Bell next month.Organizers say the Guess Who co-founder and “Taking Care of Business” hitmaker will showcase more than 80 of his prized axes for “Randy Bachman: Every Guitar Tells a Story.”The exhibit will include instruments from every part of Bachman’s career and feature videos of the 79-year-old musician telling the stories behind them.Highlights include the first guitar Bachman purchased from a Sears catalogue at 13 years old and his signature 1959 Les Paul electric guitar, which was used on the Guess Who’s beloved hits “These Eyes,” “No Time” and “American Woman.”Also planned for the display is his rare first-year white Stratocaster, which he played on numerous Bachman-Turner Overdrive albums, and his 1957 Gretsch electric guitar, which was famously stolen from a To...

Indiana governor signs ban on gender-affirming care

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s governor signed a bill banning all gender-affirming care for minors Wednesday, joining at least 12 other states that have enacted laws restricting or banning such care.Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the legislation after Republican majorities in the Legislature approved it. The law will go into effect July 1, and trans youth currently taking medication to transition would have until the end of the year to stop doing so.Holcomb had told reporters Tuesday that the bill on his desk was vague and had not indicated he would sign it or veto it.Opponents of the legislation said the types of care the bill would ban, such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, are vital and often life-saving for transgender kids. Medical providers say most of the procedures banned in the bill are reversible and safe for minors. Transgender medical treatments for children and teens have been available in the U.S. for more than a decade and are endorsed by major medical ass...

‘Freedom Convoy’ in ‘full swing’ when emergency law invoked, feds tell court

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

OTTAWA — A federal lawyer says the “Freedom Convoy” movement was still in “full swing” the day the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act early last year, justifying the extraordinary measures.John Provart told a Federal Court hearing today that the notion the protests and blockades across Canada were being brought under control by that point is “little short of revisionist history.”Lawyers for the federal attorney general are spelling out reasons the court should dismiss arguments from several groups and individuals opposed to the government’s use of the emergency law.Civil liberties and constitutional defence groups have told Justice Richard Mosley this week that the government did not meet the legal threshold for resorting to the Emergencies Act.The act allowed for temporary measures including the prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets and a ban on support for partic...

Firefighter dies after Gold Coast high-rise blaze

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago firefighter died Wednesday following a high-rise fire in Gold Coast. He is the second CFD member to die in as many days.At around 7:20 a.m., CFD tweeted that they responded to the 1200 block of North Lake Shore Drive, which is near the intersection of Division, for a still-and-box response.Then a short time later, a mayday response was called for a firefighter down. Chicago fire said Lt. Jan Tchoryk was making his way up the stairs to the 27th floor when he went down.He was rushed by colleagues to the lobby. He died as a result of his injuries, CFD said.Three other firefighters were taken to the hospital in fair condition and two civilians were injured as well.The fire department said the fire was initially out and they were just battling hot spots. However at around 8:55 a.m., the fire reignited and large flames were shooting out of another unit. CFD lost the ability to use elevators and said there are no sprinklers on the floor.On Tuesday morning, the departme...

Why is Ron DeSantis fighting with Disney?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Walt Disney Company is taking the fight to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in an escalating feud between one of Florida's largest employers and the likely 2024 presidential contender. Disney CEO Bob Iger said Monday that DeSantis’ decision to punish the company for speaking out against what critics call Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law was “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.” A whole new world: DeSantis signs bill giving him more power over DisneyIger’s remarks come after Disney used a legal loophole to maintain authority over its self-governing district in central Florida, appearing to circumvent a DeSantis-led bill to strip Disney’s power. Disney CEO goes on offense, accuses DeSantis of retaliationFILE - Bob Iger speaks at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, Sept. 25, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) In response to Disney’s criticism of Florida Republicans’ law to limit discussion of sexual orientation and gender in schools, DeSantis le...

WGN celebrates 75 years

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

As we mentioned at the top of the show, WGN is celebrating its 75th anniversary today. It's not only a place where history has been made, but also a place where memories are created. Mike Lowe explains why.Daytime Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Austin Pets Alive! seeks fosters, 'bottle baby' volunteers during busy start to 'kitten season'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From March to October, cats frequently give birth to their litters of kittens, creating a strain on animal shelters often referred to as "kitten season."The "Anti-Hero" litter of kittens must be bottle fed every two to three hours. (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)Sometimes, these kittens are orphaned and require human volunteers to weigh and bottle feed them every two to three hours, according to a press release from Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). The animal protection organization is currently in need of volunteers to help them with this around-the-clock work after it received 20 orphaned kittens."Bottle baby fostering is a rewarding experience because the kittens depend on humans for survival; they need round-the-clock attention and care to thrive," an APA! press release read. "APA! has already experienced a busy start to kitten season, with fosters helping save more than 450 kittens this year."APA! said that 425 bottle baby fosters saved 2,300 kittens in 2022. APA! a...

Texas Supreme Court ruling puts Austin Fire pay in limbo, union looking to council

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a special-called meeting Thursday, Austin City Council members will talk about whether a Texas Supreme Court decision out of Houston impacts how Austin moves forward with discussions about how much firefighters should be paid. “The Texas Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on Friday which relates to the arbitration proceeding currently underway between the City and the Austin Firefighters Association. The arbitration is in recess so that City attorneys can advise Council about the ruling," a spokesperson for the City of Austin said. The president of the Austin Firefighters Association, Bob Nicks, expressed frustration about the process in a letter sent to city council members ahead of the special-called meeting. "I understand the need for the new interim City Manager to get policy direction from the Council on the legal issues raised by the City’s lawyers, and I respect this process to provide that direction to the Manager. Still, the firefighters are righ...