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Missouri appeals court rules against ballot summary language that described ‘dangerous’ abortions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday ruled against Republican-written summaries that described several abortion-rights amendments as allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.” A three-judge panel on the Western District Court of Appeals found the summaries written by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is running for governor in 2024, are politically partisan. The judges largely upheld summaries that were rewritten by a lower court judge to be more impartial.Ballot summaries are used on Missouri ballots to help voters understand sometimes lengthy and complex constitutional amendments and policy changes.Ashcroft said he plans to appeal the ruling. Summer Ballentine, The Associated Press

More than 40% of Ukrainians need humanitarian help under horrendous war conditions, UN says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russian strikes are inflicting unimaginable suffering on the people of Ukraine and more than 40% of them need humanitarian assistance, a senior U.N. official told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday.Ramesh Rajasingham, director of coordination in the U.N. humanitarian office, said thousands of civilians have been killed in strikes on homes, schools, fields and markets since Russia’s invasion in February 20022. The U.N. human rights office has formally verified 9,900 civilians killed, but he said “the actual number is certainly higher.”Ukrainian civilians are suffering “horrendous humanitarian consequences” and “unimaginable levels of suffering” from the Russian strikes, Rajasingham said. About 18 million Ukrainians — more than 40% of the population — need some form of humanitarian assistance, and as winter approaches “needs will be magnified,” he said.Rajasingham said significant damage and destruction of critical infrastructure continues to severely imp...

One man recovering, 16 containers retrieved in Iqaluit port following fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

IQALUIT, Nunavut — A shipping company serving the Far North says an employee is recovering in an Ottawa hospital after he and almost two dozen containers fell into the water near Nunavut’s capital on Friday.A spokesperson for NEAS Arctic Sealift, based in Montreal, says a worker lost his footing, fell into an Iqaluit shipping port, was rescued by a local and brought ashore to emergency crews. Jeremy Hennessy, with the Canadian Coast Guard, says 16 of the 23 containers that fell have been recovered as of Sunday, while the rest are still unaccounted for, and that there are no dangerous goods inside.Eight of the containers belong to the Northmart in Iqaluit, and a representative says the spill will have little to no effect on supply as containers shipped by boat generally carry non-perishable foods and general merchandise.The Transportation Safety Board says it’s still gathering information to determine if it will launch an investigation. Hennessy says local boat operators ...

Winter Weather Advisory issued for Cook, Lake County in Illinois and Porter, Lake County in Indiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

CHICAGO — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Cook and Lake County from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday.Also, the NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Porter and Lake County in Indiana from 8 p.m. on Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday.Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) ask the public to drive safe as gusty winds, slippery conditions, and poor visibility can be expected Tuesday evening and night. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here What a Halloween! This is one for the books. It's not often Halloween here in Chicago has come with snow and this level of cold. It's official—the day has produced measurable snow—defined at 0.1" or more of snow on the ground---at the official O'Hare observation site. That makes today only the third Halloween in 138 years of official Chicago snowfall measurements in which the holiday has produced sticking storm---and only the 8th Halloween with any snow at all in all that time d...

Man charged in North Lawndale shooting that wounded 15

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has been charged in the weekend shooting that injured 15 people, Chicago police announced Tuesday.William Groves, 48, has been charged with 15 counts of attempted first degree murder, 15 felony counts of aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm, one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and one felony count of aggravated discharge of a firearm in an occupied building.  Groves is expected to have his first court appearance Tuesday at noon.  According to police, the shooting happened just after 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of South Pulaski Road at Studio 1258.Officers say around 100 people were gathered inside the building. Officials Tuesday said Groves was in an altercation inside of the establishment, not allowed to return and then allegedly opened fire into the crowd. According to police, two people, a 48-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were both critically injured in the shooting and 13 others, ages 26 to 53, were reported...

CPS student shot and killed near South Side high school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy has died following a shooting near Chicago Vocational High School on the city's South Side.Officers say the shooting happened in the 1900 block of East 87th Street just before 4 p.m. on Monday. According to Chicago police, the boy was critically injured after he suffered gunshot wounds to his back and right leg while in a parking lot in Avalon Park. Police say the boy was taken to Comer Children's Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The medical examiner has identified the 16-year-old boy as Ameer McMullin. The teen was a student at Chicago Vocational High School. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and officers say no arrests have been made. An investigation into the deadly shooting is currently underway.Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Area Two Detectives by calling the CPD non-emergency number at (312) 746-6000. Tips for police can also be f...

Bears trade for DE Montez Sweat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The first Bears' move before the trade deadline is an addition to their defense. On Tuesday, the team acquired defensive end Montez Sweat from the Commanders in exchange for a 2024 second round pick.Now Official: The Bears acquire defensive end Montez Sweat from the Commanders for their 2024 second round pick. . A statement from Ryan Poles is below..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/3rn2Imgfyy— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 31, 2023“Montez is a huge addition to our team,” said general manager Ryan Poles in a statement from the Bears. “He is not is not only a great player but a great person. We expect him to help elevate our defense.”A first round pick of Washington in 2019, Sweat has shown his ability to get to the quarterback with 35 1/2 sacks in 67 career games with the Commanders over five seasons. So far in 2023, he's had 6 1/2 sacks along with ten tackles for loss in eight games.Establishing a consistent pass rush has been an issue for the Bears over the...

Chicagoland's Halloween Houses: Ausumtism Lair in Dyer, Indiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

It's rare that a Halloween decorated home starts INSIDE the house. That's how Jon Foster's incredible display began. He has spent 20 years collecting all kinds of Halloween decorations and memorabilia - and almost every piece of it is on display.You'll find plenty to look at outside of the home. There are giant skeletons, werewolves and a floating Max from Stranger Things. The yard is packed full of skeletons in all kinds of actions poses. If you are a Chicago Bulls fan, you will love the many tributes to Michael Jordan. A tombstone celebrates the famous Flu Game, and one skeleton is in the air recreating his last shot. On the side of the house, you will find a full Halloween inflatable walkthrough experience. In all of my years covering Halloween decorated homes, I have never seen this many inflatables packed into a small-ish space. Jon's 8 year-old son Ryno is a big part of putting this display together. Ryno has auti...

Man dead, another hospitalized after wrong-way crash in Zion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

ZION, Ill. — An Indian Creek man died following a wrong-way crash Halloween morning in unincorporated Zion.Around 9:15 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a head-on collision on West Russell Road at Park Lane in unincorporated Zion.Arriving deputies located a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Malibu, both with significant damage.SEE ALSO: 2 men found dead in room of shuttered Waukgean hotel; names releasedEarly reports indicate that the driver of the Ford, a 46-year-old Milwaukee man, was traveling westbound on Russell Road. The Chevrolet, driven by a 72-year-old Indian Creek man, was traveling eastbound.  According to deputies, for reasons unknown, the driver of the Ford crossed into the eastbound lanes of traffic. Traveling in the wrong direction, the Ford driver struck the Chevrolet head-on. The 72-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The driver of the Ford was hospitalized with severe injuries. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines ...

Chicago Public Schools celebrates record breaking graduation rates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago Public Schools celebrated a record breaking graduation rate and post secondary successes for the Class of 2023.Four year graduation rate reached 84% and the five year graduation rate of 85.5% in 2023. Both metrics are more than 1% higher than the Class of 2022 and marked record highs for the school district.In 2013, the Chicago Public School graduation rate was 59%.“Our CPS graduates reflect the best of our city. Through collaboration with our teachers and community partners, nearly half our graduates are leaving CPS with more than a high school diploma,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.The CEO of Chicago Public Schools Pedro Martinez believes the data shows the district is recovering from set backs during the pandemic. Inaugural Southwest Job Fair set for January CPS also had their 11th straight year where the drop out rate reached less than 10%.The Class of 2023 collectively earned more than $2 billion in scholarships, the highest amount ever awarded to a Chicago P...