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US, EU criticize Polish plans for law that could keep opposition from holding office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The United States and the European Union’s top justice official on Tuesday criticized Polish plans for a law that could keep political opponents from holding public office without full legal recourse, and the EU threatened to take measures if it became fully clear such a law would undermine democratic standards. Polish President Andrzej Duda said early this week he would sign a bill that critics view as a tool to remove from political life the opponents of the ruling party — mostly notably opposition leader Donald Tusk, the former EU Council president. Parliament last Friday already approved the bill, which was proposed by the ruling conservative Law and Justice party as the country heads toward a parliamentary election in the autumn.Experts say the law violates the Polish Constitution and the opposition has called on Duda to reject it.“The U.S. Government is concerned by the Polish government’s passage of new legislation that could be misused to interfere with...

Over 50 shot, 9 killed over holiday weekend in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 50 people were shot over the Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago. Nine of those have died from their injuries.Two 2-year-olds were among those who were wounded. Police said both of the toddlers shot themselves. One shot herself on the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace Sunday around 6 p.m. Two hours later, officers responded to a call of a 2-year-old boy who shot himself in the forearm in the 7900 block of South Hermitage. Chicago Ridge festival canceled over safety concerns The weekend violence began Friday evening with shots fired at North Avenue Beach. Chicago police are expected to release official number of shootings Tuesday.

Chicago Ridge festival canceled over safety concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. — Chicago Ridge's RidgeFest has been canceled due to safety concerns.Organizers announced over the weekend on social media that the village board canceled the annual festival due to safety concerns. A statement on Facebook reads in part, "...the Village Board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s RidgeFest due to safety concerns. This was not an easy decision to make, but the safety of everyone is and always will be first priority of our town."The festival was scheduled for the end of July and Ted Nugent was the headliner. Related: Tinley Park police cancel carnival after flash mob involving 400 teens The announcement follows the cancelation of other Chicago area festivals. Last week, leaders from Most Holy Redeemer Church in Evergreen Park canceled their annual carnival in mid-June over safety concerns. And earlier in May, Tinley Park police canceled the final day of The Armed Forces Weekend Carnival due to safety concerns stemming from a crowd inc...

Sunny and hot, slight chance of showers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

Mostly sunny, hot for Tuesday. High of 88 expected. It will be cooler lakeside with a 10% chance for rain and storms. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Tuesday night set to be partly cloudy. Chance for rain and storms remains at 10%.Wednesday the heat continues. Partly cloudy, hot and high of 88. Cooler lakeside.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Storm and rain chance will be 30%.

Reported pepper spray incident prompts police response at Six Flags Great America

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

GURNEE, Ill. -- Police in Gurnee are investigating an incident at Six Flags Great America Monday night.According to reports, several people visiting the theme park Monday told WGN there was some kind of fight and police were searching inside the park for someone who was reportedly hiding from authorities. 9 injured in shooting near beach in Hollywood, Florida; some taken to children’s hospital Witnesses reportedly also said that several people were pepper sprayed, a number of people had been transported to a local hospital, and several others have been taken into custody.Law enforcement from Gurnee, Round Lake, and North Chicago were seen responding to the area.A mother told WGN that she attempted to enter the Six Flags Great America parking lot to pick up her kids, but wasn't able to go by the entrance of the theme park, so her kids had to find her.WGN reached out to the Gurnee Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff's Office, but have yet to hear back.Stay with WGN as this...

Colleges squirm under anti-diversity, equity and inclusion pressure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

(The Hill) -- Colleges are attempting to find ways to save their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as Republican-led states advance efforts to shut down the programs. Multiple red states have introduced or passed legislation targeting certain aspects of DEI in universities, from mandatory diversity statements to entire offices, causing confusion and fear for faculty and staff. Texas lawmakers Sunday approved a final version of Republicans' sweeping anti-DEI measure, sending it to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is expected to sign it, making Texas the second state to declare full-on war against the programs. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed similar legislation earlier this month.That move left Florida colleges scrambling.“I know that, for coursework and for some of the things, they're just changing the names of committees as opposed to, you know, doing away with them altogether,” said Allan Barsky, professor at Florida Atlantic University's Sandler Sch...

Americans owe $1 trillion in credit card debt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

(The Hill) -- America's credit card balance has passed $1 trillion, or it's about to, depending on whom you ask. The average interest rate on a new card is 24 percent, the highest figure since the Reaganomics era.  A typical American household now carries $10,000 in credit card debt, by one estimate, another record.  If that doesn’t sound like a lot of debt, try paying it off. At $250 per month, with 24 percent interest, you’ll be making payments until 2030, and you’ll spend a total of $20,318, twice what you owed. And that assumes you never use the card again. “It’s hard to build wealth when you’re paying 20 percent interest every month,” said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate.com.  The nation’s credit card debt stands at $986 billion, according to the Federal Reserve. The figure has climbed by $250 billion in two years.  Some other estimates range higher. A WalletHub report put total card debt at $1.2 trillion at t...

Central Texas high school graduations get underway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – As the 2022-23 school year ends, high schools across Central Texas prepare to honor and celebrate their graduates. The following Austin ISD schools hold will ceremonies at Burger Activity Center: Crockett ECHS at 10 a.m. on Tuesday Eastside ECHS at 2 p.m. on Tuesday Austin HS at 7 p.m. on TuesdayNavarro ECHS at 10 a.m. on WednesdayMcCallum HS at 2 p.m. on WednesdayAkins ECHS at 7 p.m. on WednesdayTravis ECHS at 10 a.m. on ThursdayLASA at 2 p.m. on ThursdayAnderson HS at 7 p.m. on ThursdayNortheast ECHS at 2 p.m. on FridayBowie HS at 7 p.m. on FridayThe following Hays CISD schools hold ceremonies at Strahan Arena at Texas State University:Johnson HS at 2 p.m. on TuesdayLehman HS at 6 p.m. on TuesdayHays HS at 2 p.m. on WednesdayLive Oak Academy at 6 p.m. on WednesdayThe following Pflugerville ISD schools will hold ceremonies at the Pfield: Hendrickson HS at 8:30 a.m. on TuesdayPflugerville HS at 8:30 a.m. on WednesdayConnally HS at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday Weiss HS at 8:...

5 things to know this Tuesday, May 30

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend, and again thank those who've made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. According to Meteorologist Rob Lindenmuth, more heat is on the way to the Capital Region moving in from Central Canada and the Great Lakes as the week progresses. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A bus of 40 asylum seekers from New York City arrived in Albany on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Schenectady Police are looking for a potential suspect in the Pleasant Street homicide after naming the victim. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. First bus of Asylum Seekers arrive in AlbanyOn Sunday night, the City of Albany welcomed 40 asylum seekers after New York City decided to form a contract with the Ramada Inn on Watervliet Avenue in Albany. Mayor Kathy Sheehan says that the city has already been in contact with commu...

Gabe Gore set to take circuit attorney office today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The new St. Louis circuit attorney will be sworn in and with a backlog of thousands of case. Gabe Gore will certainly have his hands full.Governor Mike Parson appointed Gabe Gore less than two weeks ago. The governor's legal council, Evan Rodriguez has been serving as interim circuit attorney, and Tuesday, will officially be his last day. This all comes as Kim Gardner initially announced her resignation earlier this month.Gore lives, works, and raised his family in St. Louis, and those are some of the reasons why Governor Parson shared that he appointed the former federal prosecutor. He was a partner at the law firm Dowd Bennet and worked there for more than a decade, according to Gore's LinkedIn.18 candidates applied for the circuit St. Louis attorney job, and the governor narrowed it down to three finalists before his announcement of gore on May 19. The governor said that Gore was not a political pick, and it's important to mention this appointment is only temporary. ...