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Conservatives are on a mission to dismantle the US government and replace it with Trump’s vision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With more than a year to go before the 2024 election, a constellation of conservative organizations is preparing for a possible second White House term for Donald Trump, recruiting thousands of Americans to come to Washington on a mission to dismantle the federal government and replace it with a vision closer to his own.Led by the long-established Heritage Foundation think tank and fueled by former Trump administration officials, the far-reaching effort is essentially a government-in-waiting for the former president’s second term — or any candidate who aligns with their ideals and can defeat President Joe Biden in 2024.With a nearly 1,000-page “Project 2025” handbook and an “army” of Americans, the idea is to have the civic infrastructure in place on Day One to commandeer, reshape and do away with what Republicans deride as the “deep state” bureaucracy, in part by firing as many as 50,000 federal workers.“We need to flood the zone with conservatives,” said Paul Dan...

Jacksonville shootings: What we know about the racist killings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A white man wearing a mask and firing a weapon emblazoned with a swastika gunned down three Black people Saturday in a racist attack in Jacksonville, Florida. The shooter, who had also posted racist writings, then killed himself. Here’s what we know about the killings:WHERE AND WHEN DID THE SHOOTING TAKE PLACE?The shooting happened Saturday afternoon at a Dollar General store in New Town, a predominantly Black neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. The city has almost 1 million residents and lies just south of the Georgia border. About a third of Jacksonville’s residents are Black.Just last week, a city council committee pulled funding for the mayor’s chief of diversity and inclusion — the first time the city would have had such a position.The store where the shootings took place is near Edward Waters University, a historically Black school with about 1,000 students. The school said the man was spotted on campus by a security guard shortly befor...

CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

CHICAGO —A Chicago firefighter with over 25 years on the job has passed away following a house fire earlier this month.Lt. Kevin Ward was one of three firefighters injured in a blaze Aug. 11 in the 8300 block of West Balmoral near O'Hare. A mayday call was issued during the fire and Ward was transported in critical condition.Two days later, CFD said he was making improvements at Loyola Medical Center but remained in serious condition. Previous: 3 firefighters injured following Northwest Side house fire Ward, 59, was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He joined the department in 1996.Ward's death is the third line-of-duty death the department has dealt with in 2023. In the same week in April, CFD lost Jermaine Pelt, 49, and Jan Tchoryk, 55, in separate fires.CFD will escort Ward's body to the medical examiner's office on Tuesday morning.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

8-year-old hits man during attempted abduction on North Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A child was able to fight off an attempted kidnapper Monday afternoon in Ravenswood.At around 2 p.m., CPD responded to a call of an attempted kidnapping at the intersection of Ainslie and Seeley.Police believe a dark blue Toyota Corolla, described as very dirty, pulled up next to an 8-year-old boy who was walking ahead of their parent.The driver, described as a white man in his late 30s with medium-length dark hair, attempted to pull the boy through the open driver's side window.According to Ald. Andre Vazquez and Ald. Matt Martin, the child hit the driver and ran away safely. The driver fled westbound on Ainslie. He is not in custody.Anyone with information can contact police at 312-744-8261.

Bears make a trade for veteran lineman, Chicago area native, reports say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Dealing with a few injuries on their offensive line, the Bears have reportedly made a move to shore up their depth ahead of roster cutdown day.This move also brings a Chicago area native back to his hometown.Per multiple reports, first from Jason Sarney of Dolphins Wire, the Bears are acquiring offensive lineman and Orland Park native Dan Feeney from Miami. Per Courtney Cronin of ESPN, the Dolphins will receive a 2024 sixth round pick from the Bears.The teams have yet to confirm the transaction, which happens on the day when teams must cut their roster to 53 players by 3 p.m. central time. Free agent QB, former first round pick among Bears’ early cuts Feeney's acquisition comes as the Bears are currently dealing with a few injuries on their offensive line, including starting guard Teven Jenkins. Reported to be a leg injury, head coach Matt Eberflus described it as "week-to-week" before the Bears' final preseason game with the Bills last week.A former standout a...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in mid 80s with afternoon t-storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 80s Tuesday with increasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms are expected. Winds: N 10-15 G20. High: 84. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Partly cloudy tonight. Winds: NNE 10-15 G20. Low: 60.Wednesday Forecast: Morning clouds, decreasing clouds. Winds: NNE 10-15 G20. High: 71/68.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Trump holds 42-point lead in Georgia after indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

(The Hill) - Former President Trump is maintaining a comfortable lead in Georgia since being indicted in Fulton County related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state, according to a new poll.The new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found that 57 percent of likely GOP primary voters in Georgia would support the former president, giving him a 42-point lead against his closest challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis came in second-place with 15 percent of the vote, while every other presidential hopeful polled in single digits.Former Vice President Mike Pence received 4 percent of the vote, while GOP presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy. Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and Nikki Haley each received 3 percent. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie received 2 percent while Miami Mayor Francis Suarez received just 1 percent.Fourteen percent of voters also said they were undecided — meaning that the Republican presidential candidates still have time to persuade voters...

Add physical fitness section to the SAT, Ramaswamy says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

(The Hill) - Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday suggested adding a physical fitness section to the SAT standardized test as a “pro-merit solution” after the Supreme Court effectively ended race-based admissions policies at colleges.“Now that the Supreme Court finally ended affirmative action, colleges will only further deprioritize SAT scores in favor of subjective factors because of large racial disparities in test results,” Ramaswamy said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.“There’s a simple way forward that will drive excellence and diversity of talent among incoming college classes: the College Board should add a physical fitness section to the SAT, instead of just math and reading sections,” the presidential contender proposed. Ramaswamy suggested the test could consist of “a 1-mile run, pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, etc.” and serve as means to address ”multiple cultural & health challenges” in the country — though he clari...

New court-ordered signs at cigarette displays meant to deter smokers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — You may see new signs at cigarette displays inside stores warning about the dangers of smoking and its addictiveness.It’s part of a court ruling ordering the signs (called “corrective statements”) be posted between July 1 and Sept. 30 inside retail stores that sell tobacco.The court order applies to tobacco companies Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds and ITG Brands."The whole idea here is to counter the industry's deception by revealing the truth at the very point in these retail establishments where smokers will be making the decision to buy that next pack of cigarettes or that next carton of cigarettes, or kids may be making the decision to begin to smoke. Right at that point of sale, they will be confronted with the truth about these products,” said Dennis Henigan, vice president of legal and regulatory affairs for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. APH: 33% increase in COVID-19 cases in past week as new strain emerges nationally Henigan helped lead the organiza...

A physical and emotional toll from this spate of hot temperatures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:24:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The relentless heat wave, the ongoing drought, the increase in the number of wildfires have not only taken a physical toll on many but has also, for some, exacted an emotional and mental strain.Rich Segal spoke with Erin Larson-Mendoza, Clinical Manager of Sage Recovery and Wellness Center.She says part of the problem lies with the heat leading to people getting irritated. The heart rate increases. We sweat more. Some get headaches. These physical issues lead to the increase in the emotional strain. This emotional/mental toll makes it so that some people may begin lashing out at the smallest thing.She also says this irritability could affect sleeping patterns. When that happens, the stress on your emotional well being also increases. Mendoza would guide someone who is suffering emotionally to just pause and notice what is happening. Assess each situation as it comes. Focus on what can be controlled. The heat, the drought, the wildfires taken individually or as a who...