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S&P/TSX composite index keeps climbing on Thursday, U.S. markets also rise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock market index posted a small gain Thursday as it continued its climb this week, helped by strength in financial, telecom and technology stocks, while U.S. markets also rose after the latest inflation report. The latest CPI print in the U.S. showed that inflation ticked higher in July to 3.2 per cent after 12 straight months of declines, but core inflation matched the smallest monthly increase in almost two years. The report helped support continued hope for a soft landing in the U.S., said Tamsin Wilding, fixed income analyst at Leith Wheeler.In both Canada and the U.S., investors will continue to look for data that supports a gradual softening of inflation and the labour market ahead of September, when central banks on both sides of the border are set to make their next rate decision, said Wilding.“They’ve both been facing very similar dynamics on (the labour) front with elevated job vacancies, strong hiring through the first half of the yea...

Construction to limit access to Chicago's Bean

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Fans of Chicago’s beloved “Bean” won’t be able to get up close and personal with the sculpture for several months.The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Thursday that construction in Millennium Park is set to begin next week at which point “access and views of Cloud Gate will be limited.”According to the statement on their website, construction on Grainger Plaza surrounding Cloud Gate will begin on August 15, 2023 and continue through the Spring of 2024.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines“This necessary maintenance by the City of Chicago will replace pavers and make other repairs and accessibility upgrades to the Plaza—to enhance the nearly 20-year-old Park’s appearance, visitor experience, and position as the #1 attraction in the Midwest,” the department said.

Maui Fires: How to find missing, how to help, what you need to know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON2) -- With much of historic Lahaina town either burned to the ground or severely damaged, the impacts keep changing as recovery efforts continue.The latest fatality count is 36, according to Maui County.People are searching for loved ones and the world wants to know how to help. ‘We will need to rebuild a large part of Maui’: Gov. Green How to find lost or separated loved onesThe American Red Cross is acting as the clearinghouse to reunite families. Family members can call 1-800-RED-CROSS for help. A Maui woman has created an alphabetical spreadsheet of those lost or separated. The list is public and can be found on this website.Where are the sheltersThere are shelters at Maui Preparatory Academy, Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Maui High School and War Memorial.The convention center in Honolulu is also prepared to provide shelter to 4,000 people. This includes visitors trying to leave the state and residents who leave Maui.For those trying to leave Lahaina,...

'King of the Hill' voice actor Johnny Hardwick dead: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

(WGHP) — A man known for his voice has died, TMZ is reporting. On Thursday, TMZ reported that voice actor and comedian Johnny Hardwick, known best for his role as the chain-smoking conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble on the long-running animated show "King of the Hill," has died. He was found dead in his Texas home after a welfare check, according to the report. Hardwick's death was confirmed by the medical examiner's office in Texas, USA Today says.No cause of death was provided but foul play is not suspected. Hardwick got his start as a standup comedian in the early 1990s with his television debut on "The Jon Stewart Show" prior to his most beloved role as the oblivious, hat-wearing Dale Gribble on Mike Judge's animated show "King of the Hill." Hardwick was in all but one of King of the Hill's 259 episodes and was slated to reprise his role as Dale in the new revival show, though it's unclear where in production the show was. Though “King of the Hill” ended its run in 2010, Hardwick...

Battle over student loan forgiveness continues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Another federal student loan forgiveness program may be in legal trouble.An appeals court in Texas blocked a Biden administration rule to help out students who claim they were misled and defrauded by for-profit schools."We're talking about veterans who were preyed upon. Their money was taken, their benefits were taken and they were never given a degree," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.Cardona is vowing to put up a fight in court.Already, the Biden administration has approved roughly $13 billion in debt forgiveness for defrauded students, and about half have had their debts cleared."We hear from students every day," said Aaron Ament, president of the National Student Legal Defense Network.Student Defense said the new rules would speed up the process, expand the number of students eligible for forgiveness and put for-profit schools on the hook for repayment.But the group challenging the rules argues they go too far.In the lawsuit, Career Colleges and Sc...

Map shows the hottest neighborhoods in US cities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Does it feel like a totally different climate when you go across town? It may be the urban heat island effect. The way a city is designed can make hot weather feel even worse. The temperature on your block is influenced by everything from the number of trees on the street to the color of the pavement. When trees and vegetation (which absorb heat) are replaced by buildings and roads (which can radiate heat), it feels hotter. "The heat island effect can result in significant temperature differences between rural and urban areas," explains the Environmental Protection Agency. Map shows which areas of the US will be underwater in 2050 Climate Central, an organization of scientists and journalists focused on studying the impacts of climate change, broke down 44 cities into Census blocks to determine which neighborhoods suffer from the worst urban heat effects. In some cities, like Indianapolis, Albuquerque and San Jose, the worst impacts are concentrated in the cities'...

'Above-normal’ hurricane season now forecasted due to higher sea temperatures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

(The Hill) - Record high ocean temperatures may lead to more hurricanes than previously expected this season, according to national weather forecasters.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has upped its prediction for the hurricane season from average to an "above-normal level of activity" for this year, the group announced Thursday.Experts predicted about a 60 percent chance that hurricane season has more activity than normal this year, a rise from a 40 percent chance back in May. The group expects between 14 and 21 named storms, with seven to 11 of them being hurricanes. Between two and five of those storms are expected to be major hurricanes with winds stronger than 111 mph, the forecast says. Odds of a ‘strong’ El Niño grow again: Will you feel it locally? Forecasters previously predicted a quieter season because the Pacific Ocean is in El Niño — shearing winds from the west that would usually weaken storms before they get serious enough to form hurr...

Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober feeling ‘great’ physically as he passes previous season high in innings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

DETROIT — When Bailey Ober first reached the major leagues in 2021, the Twins were very careful about limiting his workload, being mindful of his injury history.Ober pitched six innings once and topped 90 pitches just once, too, in 20 starts in the majors that season. Between 92 1/3 innings pitched at the major-league level and another 16 innings in the minors, it marked a new career high for him as a professional.The right-hander eclipsed that number for the 2023 season on Thursday and has now thrown 108 2/3 innings this season, posting a 3.40 earned-run average in the process. While the results of late haven’t been what he’s been looking for, he says he has no physical concerns.“The last three outings, I’ve felt great,” Ober said. “I’ve probably felt the best I’ve felt since spring training, and it’s probably been my toughest three outings of the entire year. I’m trying to not think too much out of it just because I’m feeling really, good, the body feels great.”Ober gave up five r...

Marquita Stephens named president & CEO of Urban League Twin Cities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

Marquita Stephens has been named president and CEO of the Urban League Twin Cities.Stephens, who’s apppointment was effective July 20, is the first woman to lead the 98-year-old organization.Marquita Stephens has been named president & CEO of Urban League Twin Cities, it was announced Aug. 8, 2023. Stephens, whose appointment was effective July 20, 2023, is the first woman to lead the organization in its 98-year history. (Courtesy of Urban League Twin Cities)“I am driven to lead the Urban League Twin Cities toward its goal of building an equitable society,” Stephens said, in a statement. “With a dynamic team and engaged board, together we can deliver on the democratic promises this nation made at its birth, but which for so many go unrealized.”Stephens has spent 20-plus years in public service, focusing on “helping to build strong families and potentialwithin communities, particularly communities of color,” according to a press release from the Urban League.Bef...

State officials break down cyber security strategy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:56:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Protecting sensitive information online more may have gotten easier here in New York. State officials announced a new cybersecurity strategy which uses budget funds to provide money to healthcare IT and the police department. Experts say as we become more reliant on technology, there will be more pathways for our computer systems to be compromised. This can cause issues for health care facilities, businesses and your average New Yorker.  Lake George Triathlon hits the water on Sept. 2-3 "In my world this is a different kind of cyber attack. It’s an attack on the psychology of our children our daughters, particularly. When one out of three teenage girls, entertains thoughts of suicide, because they’ve been attacked or bullied or made to feel worthless," said Governor Hochul at a press event on Wednesday. In an effort to combat cyber bullying and child trafficking, the state has invested over seven million dollars into specific police units. This includes comp...