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North Carolina lawmakers give final OK to ban gender-affirming care for trans children

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers finalized legislation on Wednesday that would prohibit certain gender-affirming care for children and prevent state funds from being used to provide such therapies and procedures. The House voted 67-46 to accept a version of the measure approved by the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation would bar any medical professional from providing hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgical gender transition procedures to anyone under 18, with some medical exceptions. Young people who begin treatment before Aug. 1 could continue receiving such care if it’s considered medically necessary and their parents consent.The bill, written by Republicans, now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, whose veto is likely. Cooper has expressed opposition to bills that target trans youth. The GOP holds narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers. If the bill is enacted into law, critics have already signaled litigation. Most of the 20 or so states with laws res...

Relatives of man who died during admission to psychiatric hospital seek federal investigation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Lawyers for the family of a Virginia man who died of asphyxiation after he was pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes while being admitted to a psychiatric hospital have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. In letter to federal officials that was dated June 26 and made public Wednesday, prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Virginia attorney Mark Krudys said the state prosecutor’s office that brought second-degree murder charges against sheriff’s deputies and hospital workers does not have the staff or resources to prosecute the case adequately. Irvo Otieno, 28, died March 6 as he was being admitted to Central State Hospital. Video from the hospital showed Henrico County sheriff’s deputies and hospital staff attempting to restrain Otieno — who was in handcuffs and leg shackles — for about 20 minutes. For most of that time, Otieno was on the floor being held...

Blackhawks select Connor Bedard with No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NHL Draft

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

NASHVILLE — What everyone thought was going to happen for nearly two months finally did on Wednesday night.With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected center Connor Bedard at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. General manager Kyle Davidson, who started a full rebuild of the team in March 2022 with the hopes that he could get a high pick in this draft, now has one of the centerpieces of the new era of the team. Bedard is the second No. 1 overall pick in Blackhawks history, with the team taking future three-time Stanley Cup champion and NHL MVP Patrick Kane with the top selection in 2007. Many have argued that he's one of the best prospects in the history of the draft. The 17-year-old center comes to Chicago with a great resume both in North America and internationally. He's won three junior gold medals with Team Canada, one for the U18 World Championships in 2021 and the World Junior Championships in 2022 & 2023.With the Regina Pats of the Western Hock...

WGN-TV to air WGN News Special 'From the Border to Chicago'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV will air “From the Border to Chicago” on Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30pm CT, reported by WGN’s Lourdes Duarte.The WGN News special covers the recent influx of migrants into the Chicago area and spends time with newly arriving families along with Chicagoans who are helping.  The special also examines the costs associated with these changes, the impact on struggling communities in Chicago and the suburbs, and what happens next.The half-hour special will be seen on WGN-TV; the WGN+ TV streaming app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV; online at WGNTV.com/Live and the WGN News mobile app. WGN-TV is Chicago’s Very Own source for news and entertainment and is owned and operated by Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc.  WGN News programs more local news than any other Chicago TV station and can be seen on WGN-TV; the WGN+ TV streaming app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV; online at...

Mary Meg McCarthy, Congressman Mike Quigley discuss what migrants face when looking for a job

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

Thousands of asylum seekers living in Chicago are having a difficult time retaining work due to federal regulations that require a work permit. As part of our "From the Border to Chicago” special, Lourdes Duarte was joined by Mary Meg McCarthy with Heartland Alliance and Congressman Mike Quigley.They discussed the complexities facing migrants when it comes to finding a job.

From the Border to Chicago: Migrants seek Shelter at Police Stations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

More than 600 asylum seekers are sleeping at police stations across Chicago.  Many of them are waiting for asylum hearings which could take months.In our special report "From the Border to Chicago," our cameras were allowed inside the 20th police district where new arrivals shared their stories of survival.   

Video shows alleged baby gator abuse; teen charged in Florida

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — A case of alligator abuse has led to a criminal charge being filed in Plant City, Florida. Wildlife officials said a video began circulating around social media on Thursday, which shows a teen chugging what appears to be an alcoholic beverage with a baby alligator gripping the can. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission caught wind of the video and opened an investigation, which led to one of the teens seen in the video being charged for taking the alligator without a permit. Why are teens pretending to die from McDonald’s Grimace Shake? "The lack of respect and responsibility shown toward this animal was disappointing to see….this serves as a strong reminder of the consequences of such behavior," the FWC said in a statement. Nexstar's WFLA showed the video to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation president Vernon Yates."I could see multiple things in there that are just wrong," he said. "Wrong possession of it [and] wrong to just drop it ...

Ascension Seton Hays sees increase in baby deliveries, more young families in the area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More people are starting and growing their families in Hays County. That's according to Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle. As a result, the hospital expanded its delivery capacity and maternity care. More young families in the area27-year-old, Genevieve Campuzano, is one of many people planting roots in Hays County. She moved to Kyle in 2021 and has since had two babies. "It's a busy household," Campuzano said. Campuzano said she moved into her home in Kyle one week after her son was born. Not too long after, she had her daughter. (Photo: KXAN) She said she chose the area because of how fast its growing and because of how safe she feels there. "It's a very family-oriented city in terms of what they offer, like the Kyle Market, the Festival of Kyle," Campuzano said. Her daughter was born nine months ago at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle. She said she almost didn't get a room because the hospital was packed with deliveries that night. "I went in to be induced and ...

Hiring in full swing as schools look to fill vacancies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Summer is a crucial time for school districts as they look to fill open positions.On Wednesday, Hays CISD held a job fair in hopes of filling some of the 50 teacher openings the district has available."We do have positions we need to fill," said Dahlstrom assistant principal, Jacob Garcia. "We need 6th-grade math, a Spanish position, two special educator positions and some instructional aid positions."Ann Rathbun was one of many who showed up to apply for openings in the district."I am looking for an instructional coach position," said Rathbun.Madison James also stopped by and after an interview was offered a job."I am going to be teaching middle school theatre," said James.Ginger Blanchon is the director of talent acquisition in the district. She said filling open positions is going well this year."We have hired two people and we are conducting interviews," said Blanchon. "We are excited to get all the positions hired." MAP: Which school districts have increased t...

Why the electric grid is stable during the heatwave

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The electric grid has been stable thus far as Texas has endured a brutal heatwave. We can thank renewable energy and batteries for keeping the grid operating. This has happened in spite of some in the state legislature to eliminate the country's renewable energy market.Part of the electric grid, this one in the Houston area Courtesy: Getty ImagesRenewables. They play a vital role as we try to save the planet from a changing climate. Texas has been doing its part as the Lone Star State continues to be the leader in the production of wind power. It's not just wind energy creation, but the production of solar energy, where our state plays a significant role.President Joe Biden's climate bill allows Texas to enhance its role as a renewable energy powerhouse with billions in subsidies to be delivered. When the President signed the Inflation Reduction Act last August, he secured the largest investment to advance energy security and further wage the battle in tackling ...