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Biden urges Northern Ireland to sustain peace, reap gains

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Northern Ireland must “not go back” to the violence that scarred it for years before a U.S.-brokered peace deal 25 years ago, nudging politicians to resolve a political crisis that has left this part of the United Kingdom without a functioning government.Speaking of the economic growth Northern Ireland has experienced since the Good Friday Agreement ended 30 years of sectarian bloodshed, Biden said: “It’s up to us to keep this going.”On his first presidential visit to Northern Ireland, Biden dangled the prospect of more American investment to help fuel economic growth — especially if Belfast’s fractious politicians resolve a stalemate that has put their government on pause.“The simple truth is that peace and economic opportunity go together,” Biden said during a speech at Ulster University’s new campus in Belfast. He said the glass-clad downtown building would have been unthinkable during the years of bombings ...

Prime Minister Trudeau says it’s up to provinces to make Orange Shirt Day a holiday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

WINNIPEG — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is encouraging provinces and territories to step up reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples but stopped short of saying they should make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, commonly called Orange Shirt Day, a statutory holiday. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson recently announced her Progressive Conservative government would not be making that day a provincial statutory holiday this year, citing the need for ongoing consultations. The federal government made the day a statutory holiday for its workers and federally regulated workplaces in 2021.The decision to do so is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action. The prime minister said the federal government has moved forward on “living up and fulfilling” that call.“That is a day that Indigenous Peoples wanted to be marking truth and reconciliation, and all the challenges and difficulties that came from that,...

Ian Happ, Cubs agree to contract extension

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A year after nearly trading him at the deadline, the Cubs are keeping one of their All-Star outfielders around for a few more years.Now Official: The Cubs have signed All-Star and Gold Glove winning outfielder Ian Happ to a three-year deal that runs from 2024-2026..Per multiple reports, first from @Michael_Cerami of @BleacherNation, the deal is for $61 million..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/iL9g9T4bMX— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 12, 2023On Monday afternoon, the Cubs confirmed that they've signed outfielder Ian Happ to a new three-year contract extension. Per multiple reports, the first from Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation, it's for $61 million over the length of the deal.A first round pick of the Cubs in 2015, Happ has been at the major league level for seven seasons with the club. He's played on three playoff teams and was named a National League All-Star & Gold Glove winner in 2022.So far in the 2023 season, Happ has a slash line of .314/.467/.514 with fo...

Juul to pay $462 million settlement to 6 states including Illinois

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois will receive millions of dollars in settlement money from one of the country’s prominent e-cigarette and vape manufacturers. Announced Wednesday morning by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Juul’s role in the youth vaping epidemic across the country will cost the company at least $462 million. “Juul lit a nationwide public health crisis by putting addictive products in the hands of minors and convincing them that it’s harmless,” James said in a statement. “Today they are paying the price for the harm they caused.”The agreement with New York, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. marks the latest in a string of recent legal settlements Juul has reached across the country with cities and states. Last month, the company paid Chicago $23.8 million to settle a lawsuit.New York, alone, is set to receive more than $112 million. Illinois' allotted amount is currently unknown.SEE ALSO | Chicago reaches $23...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in low 80s with warm and sunny conditions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Another day of summer-like temperatures Wednesday with sunny conditions. Windy, SW 15-20 G35. High: 82.Clear conditions tonight. Winds: SW 10-15 G25. Low: 56.Thursday Forecast: Mostly sunny, SW 10-15 G25. High: 82.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

12-year-old girl reported missing in Hermosa

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A 12-year-old girl was reported missing in Hermosa after she was last seen Tuesday night.Davianna Johnson, 12, was last seen leaving a residence in the 1800 block of North Kedvale at around 8 p.m.She was wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Johnson is 4'9", 110 lbs. with a scar on her nose.Anyone with information can call police at 312-746-6554.

Judge sanctions Fox News for withholding evidence in Dominion lawsuit 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

(The Hill) – A judge in Delaware has sanctioned Fox News for withholding evidence in Dominion Voting Systems' blockbuster lawsuit against the company just days before the matter is set to go to trial. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis expressed anger with the network's lawyers and suggested he could order an investigation into an effort to withhold evidence from Dominion's team as part of its process of discovery, according to a person in the courtroom during a pre-trail hearing on Wednesday. Davis's ruling came after lawyers for Dominion played a never-before revealed recording they obtained from former Fox producer Abby Grossberg of Rudy Giuliani, a top aide to former President Trump, speaking with Fox employees. Dominion's lawyers said Grossberg has more recordings from her time inside Fox that she has shared with the company's legal team. Judge sends Dominion’s $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News to trial Grossberg, who is also suing Fox and was fired by th...

Disneyland announces closing date for Splash Mountain

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

(KTLA) – After announcing the impending "re-imagining" of Splash Mountain back in 2020, the Disneyland Resort has finally announced a closing date for the ride.The California park's version of the decades-old attraction, which opened in 1989, will close on May 31 ahead of the extensive renovation project.The last day of operation will be on May 30, Disneyland officials announced Wednesday. The Disney World version of the ride, meanwhile, had already been closed in January ahead of its own re-imagining. New ‘Princess and the Frog’-themed restaurant coming to Disneyland While the attractions themselves aren’t getting torn down, the former Splash Mountain areas will undergo complete makeovers before reopening as “Princess and the Frog”-themed attractions titled “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure." The re-themed rides are scheduled to open in late 2024 at both U.S. Disney parks."The ride will feature a new cast of original Disney characters," and new music alongside favorite songs from the film...

TIMELINE: The latest with the Daniel Perry case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

Editor's Note: In the video above, a recap of KXAN News' morning headlines for April 12, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Army Sergeant Daniel Perry has yet to be sentenced after a jury found him guilty of murder on April 8.Perry shot and killed an Air Force veteran and Black Lives Matter Protester, Garrett Foster during a racial justice protest in July 2020 in downtown Austin. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death Foster was armed with a rifle. Perry — who was in Austin from Killeen driving for Uber to make more money — drove into a crowd of protesters. He told police he was on his phone, looked up and was surrounded by a group kicking and hitting his car, and screaming at him. Protesters said they reacted to him driving into the crowd. Witnesses said Foster approached Perry's car, in an attempt to protect other demonstrators. Perry sped off after shooting Foster five times. Another protester shot at his car as he drove away. Perry pulled over shortly after and call...

Texas House passes bill to expand medical marijuana program

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:20 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — More Texans could soon have access to the state's medical marijuana program after the Texas House approved a bill Wednesday that would expand eligibility to people who suffer from chronic pain.The bipartisan legislation, HB 1805, was sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, who also chairs the House Public Health Committee. Since the state created the "Compassionate Use" law in 2015, it has expanded the type of conditions in which Texas patients can qualify for legal marijuana usage under the program. Klick's bill adds patients who suffer from chronic pain that would normally warrant an opioid prescription to be eligible for a 10-milligram dosage of cannabis, per their doctor. Texans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, ALS, cancer and epilepsy already qualify under the program.Her bill passed 127-19 on Wednesday and will now head to the Senate. Despite some lawmakers voting against it, there was no debate on the House floor over ...