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Nikki Haley walks back her demand that social media ban anonymous posters after facing GOP backlash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley on Wednesday partially walked back her proposed requirement that social media companies ban people from posting anonymously online for national security reasons, a stance for which she drew backlash from across conservative social media and some of her GOP presidential rivals.The former United Nations ambassador’s comments Tuesday to Fox News were quickly spread by the campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Both Haley and DeSantis are trying to resonate with GOP constituencies including parents worried for their children’s online safety as well as voters fearful of China’s influence in U.S. affairs. As they try to battle for a distant second place behind former President Donald Trump, Haley and DeSantis have accused each other of being weak on China in particular. “Every person on social media should be verified by their name. It’s a national security threat,” Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, said Tuesday on F...

Senate looks to speed ahead on temporary funding to avert government shutdown through the holidays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate was pushing toward a swift vote Wednesday on a temporary government funding package as lawmakers sought to keep the holiday season free from any suspense over a government shutdown.Senators were trying to speed forward on the funding package one day after it passed the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. Passage would push a final confrontation on the government budget into the new year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, both top Republicans and Democrats in the Senate appeared ready to avert a shutdown and pass the temporary funding patch well before government funding expires Saturday.“No drama, no delay, no government shutdown. That’s our goal,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday morning.Senators were still negotiating how the bill could advance through the chamber, but Republican Whip ...

Anti-Cruelty Society asking for help to find 'Elvis' forever home after he's only dog not adopted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The Anti-Cruelty Society is asking for help to find one of their beloved dogs a forever home.The animal shelter held a "Fall in Love" adoption event over the weekend where 61 pets found new families. Sadly, Elvis was not one of those animals.The shelter says Elvis was the only dog who did not find a family during the event. But with your help, the Anti-Cruelty Society is hoping to change that.Elvis is decribed to be an adorable and sweet 3-year-old pup who was originally brought to the shelter by the Field Services team as a stray dog. The shelter says he was limping and after a veterinarian took X-rays, they learned that he had a fractured pelvis. While in the River North shelter, Elvis underwent therapy and care, but he will still be prone to arthritis as he ages, according to the Anti-Cruelty Society.The shelter says Elvis has an incredibly affectionate personality, loves to cuddle and would do best as the only pet in the home. He is also potty-trained, crate-trained, a...

Suburban woman sues Frontier Airlines over damaged wheelchair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A suburban woman is taking legal action against Frontier Airline over a damaged wheelchair.Last year, Shannon O'Brien was flying home from the Dominican Republic — but when she landed, her wheelchair was not on board.She said it was returned days later and badly damaged.O'Brien said during that time, she was bedridden until the wheelchair arrived, describing the wait as more than an inconvenience."My wheelchair is my legs. Without that, I can't be independent or successful," O'Brien said.She said she is completely dependent on the wheelchair due to a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which causes O’Brien to have minimal movement in her arms and legs. She needs the wheelchair to move, get to work and get around.On behalf of O'Brien, her attorney is suing Frontier Airlines for negligence, alleging physical and emotional injuries. He said this lawsuit is the first step in an effort to improve travel experiences for people in wheelchairs. Reward up to $150K off...

Video show terrifying moments as Bahamas tour boat sinks; US tourist dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A video shows the terrifying moments a ferry carrying tourists heading to Blue Lagoon in the Bahamas sunk Tuesday at around 10:30 a.m. A 74-year-old woman from Broomfield, Colorado, was killed, police confirmed to The Associated Press. She had been on vacation with her family when the boat sank. According to local Bahamas news outlets, the Colorado woman was able to make it to land but died "as a result of the incident." The cause of her death is unknown. Two other people were hospitalized after the incident. Kelly Schissel, a passenger on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, was aboard the two-tier ferry with over 100 other people heading to Blue Lagoon when she noticed something was wrong. Frontier Airlines launches $499 ‘all-you-can-fly’ annual pass Schissel said she was on the top deck when she heard people "freaking out" and saw water coming into the boat after the boat took a sharp turn."Well the Bahamas is off to a fun start… our ferry went dow...

MedWatch Digest: Older men face an increasing risk of suicide — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

For Wednesday, Nov. 15, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Men over 55 at greater risk of suicideOlder men face an increasing risk of suicide. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found there were about 30 suicide deaths for every 100,000 men aged 55 and older in 2021. Those 85 and older saw 56 suicide deaths for every 100,000 people. A statistic that surpassed any other age group. The report also found half the suicides involved guns. They were used in at least 3/4 of suicides among men 65 and older. Pesticides hurting sperm countCommon pesticides may be affecting men's fertility. New analysis reveals pesticides have contributed to lower sperm counts in men worldwide. Researchers say those counts have been cut in half over the past 50 years. Doctors believe there are likely other contributing causes, but men exposed to pesticides the most had the lowest numbers. Experts recommend buying organic t...

Suspect sketch in 1996 Virginia murder looks like accused Gilgo Beach killer, victim's family says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. (WPIX) - The twin brother and younger sister of Alicia Showalter Reynolds, a 1996 murder victim in Virginia, think an old state police sketch of the elusive suspect looks just like accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann."When I saw the picture of Rex Heuermann, subtract 27 years from the way he looks now, it's the first time I've seen anyone look like any of the composite sketches that were done at the time of my sister's abduction," said her brother, Dr. Patrick Showalter.Showalter's sister, Barbara Josenhans, felt the same way."The similarities are striking," Josenhans told Nexstar's WPIX. "The eyes and the cheeks, the face structure." Gilgo Beach murders: Inside the investigation that led to Rex Heuermann’s arrest Alicia Showalter Reynolds, a 25-year-old PhD student at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, was driving to meet her mother in Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 2, 1996. The two were going to buy dresses for Patrick's upcoming wedding...

$63M grant funds OK'd to bring cancer research, treatment to Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The oversight committee of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) approved $63 million in grant allocation Wednesday to help "bring innovative researchers and companies to Texas," per a CPRIT news release. The grant funds were used to attract cancer researchers and treatment developers from around the world, officials said in the release.“Today’s slate of awards clearly illustrates how CPRIT is making Texas a global leader in cancer research,” said CPRIT CEO Wayne Roberts in the release. “Whether it’s Switzerland, Israel, Houston, or Dallas, CPRIT is funding the innovators and the ideas that will change the future in the fight against cancer. Around the world, CPRIT has made Texas the new home for innovation in medical research and life science.”Wednesday's oversight committee included a presentation from Kirk Dorius, CEO of Austin-based Atom Mines, LLC. The company specializes in the production of stable Ytterbium-176, which is needed to produ...

Anthony Barr returns to Vikings wearing No. 54. He got the blessing of good friend Eric Kendricks.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

The jersey color will be familiar for veteran linebacker Anthony Barr. The jersey number will be a little bit different.After signing with the Vikings this week, Barr learned his usual No. 55 jersey was occupied by rookie pass rusher Andre Carter. Instead of trying to negotiate a number swap, which is common for NFL players, Barr chose No. 54 in honor of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, a former Vikings teammate who currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.Fitting since they were good friends in college at UCLA before reuniting in the NFL and spending the better part of a decade as key contributors for the Vikings.“I called EK and asked him if it was cool,” Barr said. “He gave me his blessing.”The next step for the 31-year-old Barr will be getting himself ready to play in an actual game. He technically is on the Vikings’ practice squad now while he knocks off the rust. He hasn’t played since suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys last season.R...

After hours at Cafe Astoria: traditional Italian small plates, by reservation only

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:25 GMT

For a year and a half or so, chef Leah Raymundo showcased her Filipino culinary heritage at the now-closed restaurant Kalsada. Now, it’s her partner’s turn in the kitchen.At Cafe Astoria, the trendy coffee shop Raymundo and John Occhiato have owned since 2017, the duo are adding an after-hours Italian dinner menu.Occhiato “has spent the bulk of his career studying and cooking Italian food,” Raymundo said via email. Three nights per week, the cafe will flip mid-afternoon to a full-service Italian restaurant with dishes including orecchiette with lamb sausage, goat cheese ravioli, porchetta tonnato and other Italian small plates. (Several pasta dishes are served in two size options.)Currently, they’re also serving beer, Italian wines, and non-alcoholic cocktails, though Raymundo said they hope to have an expanded liquor license by the end of the year so they can add spirits, as well.Don’t worry, though: Cafe Astoria will keep its existing coffee shop hours — 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday ...