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David Johnston named special rapporteur on foreign interference

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named former governor general David Johnston as the special rapporteur on foreign interference.Johnston has been asked to look into allegations of foreign meddling in Canada’s last two federal elections and recommend what the Liberal government should do about it.That could include a public inquiry, which opposition parties have been calling for, or some other form of investigation.Johnston was appointed to the viceregal role on the advice of former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2010 and his term was extended under Trudeau until 2017.Trudeau announced the plan to appoint an “eminent Canadian” to the role earlier this month, saying at the time that the government will abide by the recommendations.A special parliamentary security committee is also looking into the alleged interference by China in the 2019 and 2021 elections, following reports by Global News and the Globe and Mail.

What Ryan Poles has to say on the Bears trading the No. 1 pick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

LAKE FOREST - For five days, the deal was out there for all to see, and all that was left was for it to become official.On Wednesday, with the opening of the new NFL year, the Bears were able to trade their most valuable commodity this offseason.As the new league year opens, the Bears confirm their trade of the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers along with the signings of:.- LB Tremaine Edmunds- LB T.J. Edwards- DE DeMarcus Walker - OL Nate Davis- RB Travis Homer..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/WeKybAIpcT— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 15, 2023The deal with the Panthers went through just after 3 p.m. central time on Wednesday as the Bears sent the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina for a potential No. 1 wide receiver along with four selections over the next three drafts.WR DJ Moore2023 first round pick (9th overall)2023 second round pick (61st overall)2024 first round pick 2025 second round pickIt's the biggest move made by Bears general manager Ryan Poles in his 14 months on the j...

Advocates cheer EPA's proposed PFAS limits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Biden Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new rule that will drastically limit the amount of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in American drinking water.The announcement comes after decades of advocacy and environmental groups, as well as lawmakers are praising the new move. "(It's) a significant health win," Melanie Benesh with the Environmental Working Groups said. "Exposure to PFAS chemicals are linked to serious health harms including some kinds of cancer, reproductive and developmental harms like lower birth weights and lower sperm counts."The new EPA rule would cut down on the acceptable level of six well-known PFAS compounds in drinking water. Bruno Pigott with the EPA's Water Division said that local water utility companies will be required to check and maintain the new standards once the rule goes into effect. Pigott also said that the Biden Administration set aside $9 billion in the recent infrastructure law to hel...

Petito-Laundrie trial moved to 2024, hearing set for Roberta's 'burn after reading' letter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — The civil trial between the families of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie won't be happening anytime soon.On Wednesday, Judge Danielle Brewer rescheduled the trial for a two-week window starting May 13, 2024 in Sarasota County Circuit Court.The trial had originally been scheduled for August 2023, however, both sides agreed with Judge Brewer's assessment that a postponement was necessary due to a growing list of pre-trial hearings. Previously unseen photo shows Gabby Petito with blood on face moments before police stop, attorneys say A year ago this week, the parents of Gabby Petito — Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt — filed a civil lawsuit against the parents of Brian Laundrie — Chris and Roberta Laundrie — for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Petito's parents claim the Laundries were aware Brian had murdered Gabby and did nothing other than release a statement through their attorney, Steven Bertolino, who has been added as a co-defendant in the laws...

Thieves steal more than $1M in vehicles from North Carolina car dealerships, videos show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) - Car thefts, including those in which vehicles are stolen directly from dealerships, are on the rise.In the past three weeks, Nexstar's WJZY has obtained video of at least four different incidences of thieves brazenly stealing cars from dealerships in North Carolina alone.The first occurred on Feb. 19 in Lexington. Thieves broke into Capital Chevrolet Buick GMC, used a crowbar to break into the key lock box, and drove off with seven cars valued at a total of $344,483. Suspected catalytic converter thief crushed to death at Georgia car lot The following week, on Feb. 27, Adams Auto in Charlotte was hit. The suspects drove vehicles from the showroom through the dealership’s doors, making off with a Maserati and three BMWs with a total value of approximately $300,000.On Mar. 9, Modern Nissan in Cornelius captured surveillance video of suspects driving off with an Audi and a Dodge Durango.And just this past Monday, a group of thieves took si...

Illinois resolution calls for SNAP benefits to all foster families, regardless of income

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A resolution being sent for a vote in the Illinois House would urge the U.S. government to give SNAP benefits to all Illinois foster families, regardless of income.Approximately 16% of all Illinois residents use food assistance programs like SNAP, the 6th highest in the nation, The Center Square reports.Last year, the federal government paid $5.6 billion in SNAP benefits to Illinois. Extra SNAP benefits set to expire for millions, including Illinois residents Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) submitted House Resolution 75 to the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee on Tuesday.“We’re losing a lot of foster parents because of the fact that they can’t get SNAP benefits unless they qualify, not counting these children that they take on,” she said.However, Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) argued that even millionaires would qualify to receive the benefits, if the federal government agreed to the plan.“I think that giving it an open-ended qualification or elig...

Harris traveling to Iowa for first trip to the state as VP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

Vice President Harris will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday for her first trip to the state as vice president.In Iowa, the vice president will meet with local leaders to discuss Democrats' fight to protect reproductive rights and participate in a roundtable, her office announced on Tuesday. Harris has traversed the country in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and has met with local leaders and advocates to discuss abortion issues. She has been the out-front face and lead messenger in the administration on pushing back on GOP-led state laws restricting abortion access and supporting states that have protected abortion access.Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has requested the state’s Supreme Court allow a law to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in most cases. Meanwhile, some Iowa Republicans have introduced a bill in the State House that would determine that life begins at conception.Harris, who ran against President Biden for the Democratic preside...

Family of man fatally shot sues APD officers for wrongful death, excessive force

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The mother of Anthony Marquis Franklin, a man fatally shot by APD officers on Jan. 15, has sued those officers, claiming body camera footage shows officers opened fire "less than a second" after her son had fallen on his back. Attorneys for the family said officers shot at Franklin when he was “on the ground crouched in the fetal position." Family of man fatally shot by police in January announcing lawsuit against APD officers The shooting occurred in downtown Austin just before midnight on Jan. 15, near Sixth Street and Colorado Street.Franklin's family and their attorneys, Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Nathaniel Mack III, held a press conference on Tuesday outside of the U.S. District Court in Austin."Mr. Franklin posed no threat to the officers. The video was clear," said Mack at the press conference. " But unfortunately, Mr. Franklin was gunned down by members of the Austin Police Department, we believe we know is unjustified. We're here today to showcase ...

Avoid the hustle and bustle: South Austin venues offer SXSW experience too

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  For two weeks in March, thousands of people come to Austin for the South by Southwest Conference and Festival.The festival offers music, conferences, movies and more, but it also offers opportunities for businesses all over Austin. How development, campaigns are impacting Austin’s live music industry "We are looking at somewhere in the ballpark of $300 million in overall economic impact," Matt Patton with Angelou Economics said.While many of the venues are in downtown Austin, surrounding venues, restaurants and shops also can see a bump in business."That really is a benefit to all our live music venues, even some of the impromptu venues," Patton said.The Far Out Lounge and Stage has been hosting bands during SXSW."If you don't want to go north of the river, there are plenty of places offering the same quality without all of the crazy down south," The Far Out Lounge and Stage General Manager Clayton England said.Happy Landing is a band from Nashville that played SX...

ABC Kite Fest returning to Zilker Park for its 95th year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A long-standing Austin tradition is returning to Zilker Park this spring for its 95th year. ABC Kite Fest will take place on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event includes activities for all ages, including kite contests, kite making and music concerts for children. The KXAN First Warning Weather team will be there, and attendees could also get their hands on some KXAN kites while supplies last. Spring things to do in and around Austin The festival was founded in 1929 by The Exchange Club of Austin with the goal "to foster creativity among children," according to its website. Proceeds from ABC Kite Fest go toward Communities in Schools of Central Texas and the Moss Pieratt Foundation. Learn more about the event online.