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Maine expanded abortion access up for debate, passage likely

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A proposal that would give Maine one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country came up for debate Monday while passage seemed all but assured because of Democratic control of the state’s legislature.Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has proposed changing the state’s standard to permit women to get abortions later in pregnancy. If the proposal passes, state law would change to allow abortion after fetal viability if it’s deemed necessary by a physician.Maine’s current laws allow abortions until a fetus becomes viable, which is generally considered to be around 24 weeks. The proposal faced a well-attended public hearing before a committee of the Maine Legislature on Monday.The governor’s proposal arrived as Republican-controlled states around the country are headed in the opposite direction on abortion access. Not all attempts at tightening abortion laws have succeeded, however, as abortion bans in Nebraska and South Carolina ...

Ex-Massachusetts deputy chief indicted on child rape charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

A former Massachusetts deputy police chief is being charged with the rape of a child that occurred when he was a school resource officer nearly 20 years ago, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office announced Monday.Former Hopkinton Deputy Chief of Police, John “Jay” Porter, 54, has been indicted by a grand jury on three charges of rape of a child. He is alleged to have assaulted the student while he was assigned as a school resource officer in the Town of Hopkinton school system.The incidents allegedly occurred in 2004 and 2005 while the victim was a 15-year-old student. The assaults are alleged to have occurred on multiple occasions off school property.It could not immediately be determined if Porter is being represented by an attorney.Prosecutors say that as of Friday, Porter was no longer with the Hopkinton Police Department.The investigation has been handled by the county prosecutor’s office and the Massachusetts State Police. The arraignment has not been scheduled...

Helpful hand? Activist glues palm to podium on live Swiss TV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — An environmental activist stormed the set of a Swiss television debate and glued himself to a podium while live on air, only to be extracted, heels dragging, a few minutes later.Local station Leman Bleu had erected the red-carpet set in a historic arcade much frequented by tourists, near Geneva City Hall, with the public and passers-by invited to look on. The man who ran onto the set wore a T-shirt with the words for “Act Together” in French and the logo of the Extinction Rebellion activist group written on the back.The episode took place Sunday as the TV station was hosting a discussion among candidates around a second, decisive round of local elections. The network’s editorial director and presenter, Jeremy Seydoux, was initially surprised by the stunt, seeming to recoil. He then scolded the activist, who was wearing a beard and ponytail, even as the presenter tried to continued the program despite the disruption.“No, no, sir, you’re not going to glue yourself to the...

Tornadoes in Virginia and Florida, flooding in other states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (AP) — Officials in Virginia, Maine, and Florida are assessing damage Monday from major storms over the weekend, including some that caused power outages and wrecked homes.The City of Virginia Beach declared a state of emergency after a tornado moved through the area and damaged dozens of homes, downed trees and caused gas leaks.Between 50 and 100 homes were damaged after the tornado touched down around 6 p.m., city officials said in a statement Sunday. There were no immediate reports of injuries.The National Weather Service’s Wakefield, Virginia, office confirmed the tornado based on “debris signature on radar, damage reports, and videos of the storm.” The agency said in a tweet Monday that a crew was surveying the damage to determine the rating, or severity, of the tornado.Virginia Beach’s weekend storms are generally associated with the same large-scale area of low pressure over the Great Lakes, NWS Meteorologist Eric Seymour said by telephone.The a...

Stop-work order after fire at Nova Scotia’s Donkin coal mine, no injuries reported

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

HALIFAX — A precautionary stop-work order is in effect at the Donkin coal mine, in Cape Breton, after a fire over the weekend.Nova Scotia’s Labour Department issued a tweet Sunday night confirming the order, following the incident at the underground mining operation. The department released few details but said there were no injuries and no workers were underground at the time of the fire.Cape Breton councillor James Edwards, who represents the municipal district where the mine is located, says he was informed of the fire by mine officials.“They got back to me and said there was a problem with one of the (mine’s) belts and that they were following all of the protocols to address it,“ Edwards, who also sits on the mine’s community liaison committee, said in an interview Monday.He said he didn’t know what specific piece of equipment was involved in the fire.”Later the mine (officials) said the situation was under control. I asked for confirmation on whether the fire was out and ...

Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee won’t seek 4th term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

Washington Gov. Jay Inlsee will not seek a fourth term in office.The 72-year-old Democrat made the announcement Monday. Inslee was first elected in 2012 and became only the second governer elected to three consecutive terms. He made a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 on an environmental platform but gained little traction. In a statement he touted what he described as accomplishments on climate policy, gun violence prevention and family leave benefits.The Associated Press

Project progress under Impact Assessment Act remains slow: Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

CALGARY — A new report says the approvals process for major projects in Canada continues to be slow and cumbersome under revamped environmental assessment legislation. The federal Impact Assessment Act came into force three-and-a-half years ago, and was intended to speed up the application process for major infrastructure and resource projects.But the report by the Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based think-tank, says progress has been slow.The report found almost all projects submitted under the legislation remain in phase one or two of the four-phase process.Industry leaders have warned that Canada’s history of lengthy permitting timelines could slow the deployment of emissions-reducing technology like carbon capture and storage.The Liberal government announced in its federal budget in March that it will unveil a plan aimed at speeding up the permitting process for major infrastructure projects before the end of the year.This report by The Canadian Press was first publish...

As 149th Derby nears, Kentucky prepares for sports betting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby figures to draw 150,000-plus to Churchill Downs, with many beneath the Twin Spires impeccably dressed as they drink mint juleps, puff cigars and hope their bets on horse racing’s marquee event pay off.Countless more aim to cash in on Saturday’s 149th Run For The Roses through online bets, although Kentucky’s recent passage of sports wagering means residents of the Bluegrass State can look forward to betting on other sporting events digitally and in person by the fall.At the very least, proponents of sports betting believe opening sportsbooks at statewide tracks and gaming facilities that feature slots-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines will generate tax revenue that was being lost to neighboring states with expanded gambling options. It’s estimated to generate about $23 million annually in tax revenue and licensing fees, with a percentage earmarked for problem gambling and the state’s public pension system.In attracting people on ot...

Robin shares retro recipe for Terrine of Garden Vegetables

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

WGN Morning News’ Robin Baumgarten is back in the kitchen! She’s up to her old tricks with some retro recipes.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Blue Man Group returns sensory-friendly performance in September

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:26 GMT

CHICAGO — The Blue Man Group is bringing back their sensory-friendly performance to support individuals and families affected by autism in September. A press release from the Chicago-based group said that the Briar Street Theatre will be transformed into a relaxing environment filled with bean bags, dim lights and quiet corners for anyone seeking a sensory break from the thrill of the show. During the performance, sound levels will be reduced at select moments and noise reducing headphones will be available upon request. Ravinia Festival tickets for 2023 concerts on sale Monday Blue Man Group will be partnering with Sloomoo Institute, a multi-sensory experience that will host pre-show sensory play experiences with its signature slime and kinetic sand in the theater lobby. All audience members will also be gifted a complimentary jar of slime to take home. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Turning Pointe Autism Foundation in Naperville. For more information and tickets, ...