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Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature poised to pass contentious gun control measures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic Minnesota senators, holding firm despite only a one-vote majority, were poised Friday to pass gun control legislation strongly supported by the governor that would align the battleground state with others nationally that have taken steps to keep guns out of the hands of people in crisis and criminals.The proposals include a “red flag law” that would allow authorities to ask courts for “extreme risk protection orders” to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be an imminent threat to others or themselves. The provision is part of a broad public safety budget bill that also contains expanded background checks for gun transfers. “What we are going to be providing — finally — is a path forward for families and law enforcement who know that someone’s exhibiting signs of crisis and danger,” said Democratic Sen. Rob Latz of St. Louis Park, chairman of the Senate public safety committee. “And it will give them lawful tools to sep...

Youth lawsuit challenging Montana’s pro-fossil fuel policies is heading to trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge on Friday said a climate change lawsuit from young people challenging the state’s pro-fossil fuel policies will proceed to trial despite efforts by the state to derail the case.The upcoming trial in Helena would be the first of its kind in the United States, according to experts in climate law who said the nation is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of climate litigation. However, because of prior rulings that limited the scope of the Montana case, a victory for the plaintiffs would not automatically alter the state’s regulation of fossil fuels.Attorneys for the 16 young plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, alleged state officials were trying to avoid the upcoming trial when Republican lawmakers in March repealed the state’s energy policy — one of two laws that the case challenges. The plaintiffs and their backers are hoping to use the two-week trial that’s set to start on June 12 to highlight the dangers of fossil fue...

New menopause drug for hot flashes gets FDA approval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Friday approved a new type of drug for women dealing with uncomfortable hot flashes caused by menopause. The Food and Drug Administration approved the once-a-day pill from Astellas Pharma to treat moderate-to-severe symptoms, which can include sweating, flushing and chills. Astellas’ drug, Veozah, uses a new approach, targeting brain connections that help control body temperature. The FDA said the medication will provide “an additional safe and effective treatment option for women,” in a statement.More than 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause, the FDA noted, as the body gradually produces lower levels of reproductive hormones between the ages of 45 and 55.The most common treatment consists of hormonal pills aimed at boosting levels of estrogen and progestin. But the treatment isn’t appropriate for some women, including those with a history of stroke, blood clots, heart attack and other health conditions. ...

Investigators comb through Ontario village a day after OPP officer dies in shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

BOURGET, Ont. — Investigators combed through a property in a small village east of Ottawa on Friday as police looked to gather more information on a shooting that left one officer dead and two others injured a day earlier. Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Eric Mueller died in hospital following the early Thursday shooting at a home in Bourget, Ont. The 42-year-old and two other officers had been responding to a disturbance call, police have said. Alain Bellefeuille, a 39-year-old Bourget resident, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the case. He’s expected to appear in court on Thursday in nearby L’Orignal, Ont. In Bourget, police vehicles were parked Friday near the home where the shooting took place and officers went to and from the property. Police barricades remained in place in some areas and officers were seen going door-to-door in the area.Veronique Poirier-Larabie had set up a small bunch of colourful silk flowers ...

Washington Commanders timeline under Dan Snyder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

Dan Snyder’s ownership of the Washington Commanders, which has been a matter of considerable debate for many years, is coming to an end.Snyder has agreed to sell the team for a record $6.05 billion to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and Devils owner Josh Harris, which also includes Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.Snyder’s ownership was been under fire long before he and wife Tanya even considered putting the team up for sale. Some centered around a lack of success on the field: two playoff game victories since he bought the team in 1999. But recent events away from football put more heat on Snyder, with a series of scandals and investigations that spanned three different team names. Most recently, the Commanders settled a lawsuit with the District of Columbia for $625,000 over withholding fans’ season-ticket deposit money.A look at what has brought Snyder to this point:JULY 2020Amid a national reckoning over racism in the wake of the George Floyd protests,...

Witness: Teen wounded by Baltimore police was shot in the back while running away

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — A teenager critically wounded by Baltimore police Thursday afternoon was shot in the back while running from officers, according to an eyewitness account that raised more questions about whether the shooting was justified.Baltimore police said the shooting followed a short foot pursuit that began because an officer thought the teen was armed and approached him. The teen ran away, ignoring commands to drop his gun, according to police.Officials are considering whether to release body-camera footage of the shooting, which has prompted heated criticism of the Baltimore’s embattled police department. Other police shootings in cities nationwide have raised similar issues in recent years, with prosecutors, courts and the public considering when an officer should use whatever means necessary to stop a fleeing suspect.Baltimore police said the 17-year-old was carrying a gun with an extended magazine, but they declined to provide many other details about the shooting, includ...

WATCH: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot leaves city hall for last time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was joined by her staff, bagpipers and confetti as she left city hall on Friday for the last time.She is leaving office as a one-term mayor after losing her reelection bid to Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. Lori Lightfoot bids farewell as Chicago Mayoral tenure comes to a close She became the 56th mayor of Chicago in 2019. It was her first political office after serving as president of the Chicago Police Board and chair of the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force.Lightfoot was the city's first Black, gay female mayor.This story will be updated.

Youth football coach shot, killed outside Chicago home while taking his daughter to school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO — A youth football coach was shot and killed Thursday morning outside of his home in the Oakland neighborhood while he was getting ready to take his daughter to school, family and police said.Chicago police said Jermone Baker was shot and killed around 6:30 a.m. in the 700 block of 38th Place by someone who got out of a car and started shooting. Woman found shot to death in ‘suspicious’ South Side house fire: fire officials "He was the strongest, most genuine, loving, caring, ambitious," Tishara Woodward said. "He was so motivated. He wanted to help everybody."Woodward said there aren't enough words to perfectly describe the type of person Baker was to friends and family."He was such a great person, like a great man, a father," she said. Baker, 34, is a father of five kids and shares three with Woodward. She said the kids are taking his loss the hardest and are living in the middle of a nightmare. "Yesterday was our son's birthday so it was even harder," Woodward said. ...

Two remarkable stories: Organ donation leads to boy's second chance & lawn care helped family as friend battled rare cancer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- There truly never is just one ending to a story, especially these two stories that only became better with time.Levi Olson, a 5-year-old who was born with half a heart and a long road ahead. Six months ago, WGN's Erin Ivory followed his family's remarkable four year journey from the transplant list to the day they received the call that changed their lives.In their darkest hour, a family made the choice to donate their own child's heart so another could live. ‘We could never be more grateful’: Family shines light on organ donation after boy gets second chance at life "Let's go for a quick walk." Levi took more steps than he had in all his days. "He had never walked this far before" each of our hearts have their own journey. "We could never be more grateful for that".Last week, Levi's parents heard from the family that gave their son a second chance at life six months after the transplant.And as far as Levi, he's thriving, back in kindergarten full time, swinging at the ...

‘No remorse at all’: Family seeks answers after father killed in Humboldt Park hit-and-run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 71-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run in Humboldt Park, across the street from where he worked. Now, his family is left searching for answers.It’s been nearly one week since 71-year-old Marcelino Lozano on his way to work at Menards when he was killed in a car crash around 5 a.m. Saturday morning.Lonzano was driving through the intersection of Kolmar and North avenue, when another car came crashing into his.Police say the driver of the Mitsubishi that hit him, got out and ran from the scene."They left my father to die there with no remorse at all," Lozano's daughter Ginett Delgado said. "Not even calling 911, they left him there, that made me so angry."Family members say they’re working closely with Chicago Police Department to find answers.There are cameras in the area – they have the car – but still no suspect."They took my father’s life and I just want justice, I was justice for my father," Delgado said. East Chicago family suing after noise complaint alleged...