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Marijuana recommendation from Health Dept. hailed by senators as first step to easing restrictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy, and Senate leaders hailed it Wednesday as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the agency has responded to President Joe Biden’s request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”“We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that HHS had recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalt...

Toronto Arrows announce death of co-founder Bill Webb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

Bill Webb, president and co-founder of Toronto Arrows – Canada’s first and only professional rugby union team – has died.The rugby union club says Webb, who was also a general partner, died after an illness which they say he faced with “courage and determination.”The Arrows say the team would not exist without Webb’s determination and desire to see professional rugby in Canada grow.“Bill was our trailblazer – the father of the Toronto Arrows. He was widely respected and admired for his passion, his vision, and his leadership,” the club said in a statement announcing his passing. “We are profoundly grateful to him for the opportunities he provided, the strength of character he showed, and for demonstrating that we should never be afraid to follow our dreams.”Webb played professionally in England for Wasps RFC before a knee injury ended his playing career.He also served as a director with the Rugby Canada board from 2016 to 2022 an...

Norwegian preschoolers get early exposure to outdoor life by hiking routes around kindergartens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

STAVANGER, Norway (AP) — In the land of mountains and fjords, outdoor life starts early. That’s why as many as 11,000 pre-school kids started their day this week hiking routes around kindergartens in Norway.Dressed in the outdoor one-piece jumpsuits typical of tiny tots in this country, kids from around 400 daycare centers plotted mini-routes through Norwegian wildlife.“We hope we can inspire the kids to be outdoor children,” said Kristin Oftedal of the Norwegian Trekking Association, a volunteer organization which aims to promote outdoor activities. “We believe outdoor children are happy children.”The mini-Nordic adventurers will grow up in a society where outdoor life is quasi-religious. According to the latest official data, 97% of Norwegians participated in some form of outdoor activity in 2021. That compares with just 54% of Americans, according to Outdoor Foundation, a U.S. outdoor industry association.That is hardly surprising. Leisure time for this Scandinavian nation ...

Chicago’s 'Rat' Rage Grows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago’s rat problem is nothing new. The city has long been dubbed one of America’s “rattiest” cities. In 2022, Orkin named Chicago the rat capital of the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year.So, what is being done to rally against the rodents?In a joint investigation with Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago, WGN Investigates looked at how the city and its residents are dealing with the problem. What we found is that, in extreme cases, an infestation can have a disruptive and costly effect on homeowners. And that the city’s main enforcement tool isn’t always effective at repelling the rats.Take the Weinberger family for example. Rats have invaded the yard of their North Side home, destroying landscaping and posing a serious safety hazard.“It was so distressing to me…that I kind of just stopped going down there and enjoying my yard,” Amanda Weinberger said.They estimate they’ve spent about $5,000 to fix their yard and repel the rodents. More Coverage: WG...

1 suspect in custody, 1 at-large after police chase, crash in western suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

LOMBARD, Ill. — One person is in custody and another is at-large after a police chase and crash involving individuals suspected of committing an armed robbery in the western suburbs this evening, according to the Lombard Police Department.Police said a vehicle was travelling eastbound on St. Charles Road and eventually crashed near Westmore-Meyers Road, and one suspect is currently in custody.At least one suspect ran from the vehicle and is described as being a Black male with dreadlocks, wearing a white athletic shirt and black pants. Police said the suspect was last seen in the area of Western and St. Charles Road. 5-year-old dead after shooting inside Gary home, police say A search is currently underway involving several police agencies and includes a police helicopter, K-9 units and a drone deployed to help police located the suspect.Anyone with information is asked to contact 911.No other information is available at this time.

'They wanted us to know he was dying' Bowie HS football player overheats, rushed to ER after game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)—A senior football player at Bowie High School almost died from a heat stroke after the first game of the season, his mom told KXAN.On Wednesday, things were somewhat back to normal for Justice Trumpler and his family, just days after he was rushed the the Emergency Room.Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe). Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe). "He started to say his head felt like it was going to explode," Jennifer Norman-Wolfe, Trumpler's mother said. Trumpler is a senior left-center lineman on the Bulldogs's football team. On a 104-degree day— the game went into overtime. Justice wasn't playing his best, and Norman-Wolfe said their family noticed. "A couple times he tried to stay on his feet so that he could stay in the game and just couldn't and fell over," Norman-Wolfe said. At home after the game, he got worse. After a CT-scan, Justice's mom said doctors told...

APD seeking public's help finding person accused of hitting man with vehicle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a person who it says is responsible for hitting a man with a vehicle in south Austin over the weekend.Shortly before 12:30 a.m., Aug. 27, a man was walking his two dogs westbound in the 3400 block of Paisano Trail, when a vehicle driver him him, APD said. Police said the driver did not stop to help the man and drove away.The man suffered from a severe, life-threatening injury, according to the department. He was taken to a local hospital and remained in critical condition as of Wednesday. Police obtained video of the incident, but noted it's difficult to make out. The person of interest was driving a vehicle described as a four-door Sedan, possibly gold or beige in color, according to police.Anyone with any information may submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling (512) 472-8477.

Ozone Action Day on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hotter, stagnant sunshine expected Thursday afternoon in the Austin Metro area will lead to higher levels of pollution than normal, dropping air quality to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and prompting an Ozone Action Day.Consider doing what you can do limit your pollution footprint on Thursday, and those with respiratory conditions should limit time outdoors during the heat of the day when ozone levels are highest.Wednesday brought Austin's 68th 100° day of the year -- a tie for the third highest count on record, and a tie with last year's total count. We expect 7 more triple-digit heat days over the next week. Humidity gradually returns this weekend.We are tracking a slight chance of sea breeze showers and thunderstorms, mainly east of Austin, returning Labor Day into next week. Most areas currently look to remain dry.See the supermoon!The 'super blue moon' will be visible through 7:38 a.m. Thursday morning under mostly clear skies. A supermoon happens when the m...

Remnant of TCAAP site in Arden Hills could go to green burial concept as auction counts down

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

A 62-acre parcel that was once used to manufacture and test ammunition in Arden Hills is up for auction.A remnant of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant is up for auction until next week, when the federal government awards the land to the highest bidder. One of the bidders is attempting to change life as we know it, or rather, death.Life After Life, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., creates “living memorial parks” that help restore native ecosystems through the natural decomposition of human bodies, said Jacob Tannenbaum, founder and CEO of Life After Life.“The space functions like a park; a lot of our famous parks used to be cemeteries,” Tannenbaum said.The Life After Life Foundation encourages people who are at the end of their lives to have a natural burial, foregoing embalming and a traditional casket.“When you embalm a body, you sterilize it and keep it and the soil free from any microorganisms,” Tannenbaum said. By eliminating the embalming process, bodies are able to decompose natur...

6 finalists for Oak Park Heights city administrator selected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:35 GMT

Six finalists have been named for the city administrator job in Oak Park Heights.Twenty-six people applied for the position, which is held by Eric Johnson. Johnson’s last day on the job is Friday.The finalists are:John Harrenstein, who previously served as the city administrator of Altoona, Iowa, and North Mankato, and as the city manager of Eudora, Kan.Ryan Heise, city manager of Saugatuck, Mich., and former village administrator of Egg Harbor, Wis.Scott Hildebrand, city administrator in Pine City and former city administrator of Valley Center Kan.Nicole Miller, assistant to the city manager of St. Anthony Village.Jennifer Pinski, assistant city administrator/city clerk of Oak Park Heights.Jacob Rife, who previously served as village administrator in Village of Cary, Ill.The Oak Park Heights City Council will interview candidates Sept. 15-16. The council is expected to make its selection on Sept. 26, and a new administrator is expected to be on board by Nov. 1, Mayor Mary McComber ...