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Conflict over transgender rights simmers across the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

As transgender people have increasingly gained acceptance and visibility, conservative lawmakers have zeroed in on restricting their rights: keeping transgender children off girls’ sports teams and out of certain bathrooms, and blocking them from receiving gender-affirming medical care.In response, a growing number of Democratic-controlled states officials have moved to protect such rights, especially access to gender-affirming care.In developments this week, one governor is telling lawmakers they’ll have to return for a special session if they fail to pass some restrictions, two others signed protections into law and a transgender lawmaker was barred from a Statehouse floor amid a standoff with colleagues.THE BIG PICTUREThe push by conservatives has mushroomed over the last few years and become, alongside abortion, a major theme running through legislative sessions across the country in 2023.Six states have laws or policies in effect barring minors from receiving puberty bloc...

Canada, U.S. to share more data in fight against cross-border gun smuggling, opioids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada and the United States have agreed to share more information about the smuggling of guns across their shared border.Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says Ottawa has signed four new or updated agreements with Washington that allow the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency to exchange more data with partners south of the border.Mendicino says the agreements under a rebooted Canada-U.S. Cross-Border Crime Forum will allow more information-sharing with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Mendicino made the announcement this afternoon in Ottawa alongside Justice Minister David Lametti and their American counterparts, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland.The four have agreed to help stem the flow of opioids such as fentanyl, with Garland saying they aim to track the ingredients used to create the deadly drug and the flow of its components from China.The new...

Stock market today: Wall Street rises to cap a winning April

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed out a winning April with gains Friday after more companies said their profits at the start of the year weren’t as bad as expected. The S&P 500 rose 34.13, or 0.8%, to 4,169.48. Despite some sharp swings this week, it still clinched a second straight winning month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 272.00, or 0.8%, to 34,098.16, and the Nasdaq composite gained 84.35, or 0.7%, to 12,226.58.Exxon Mobil did some of the market’s heavier lifting after it rose 1.3%. It reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than forecast. Intel gained 4% after reporting a milder loss than expected and stronger revenue for the latest quarter. Mondelez International, the food giant behind Oreo and Ritz, rose 3.9% after topping Wall Street’s estimates. It also raised its forecast for revenue and earnings over the full year. They helped to offset a 4% drop for Amazon, which weighed heavily on the market despite reporting stronger profit a...

Ritual to add consumer fee to orders placed on platform starting May 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

TORONTO — Ritual is going to begin charging consumers a fee for every order they place on the food pickup platform.The Toronto-based technology company says users will be charged between 15 and 99 cents for orders under $30 and $1.99 for orders above $30 starting May 1.In an email to users, Ritual says it is introducing the fees because many restaurants have resorted to marking up their menu prices on third-party ordering apps to offset costs. It says the fees will help restaurants offset their financial burdens so they can keep offering lower prices.Ritual allows restaurants to set their own prices and says customers have infrequently reported instances of price markups.The email it sent customers promised to credit users the difference for any instances where items they purchased on Ritual cost more than the price displayed at the restaurant.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

Police: Shots fired during funeral service in Maywood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

MAYWOOD, Ill. -- A family dispute ended in shots being fired during a funeral service in a Maywood church early Friday.According to the Maywood Police Department, officers responded to the Rock of Ages Baptist Church on the 1300 block of West Madison Street Friday morning on reports of a dispute. Downers Grove man charged for stealing GrubHub driver’s car, leading police on high-speed chase Upon arrival, officers attempted to defuse an argument inside of the church when an individual pulled out a gun and shot at another individual. Two people were taken into custody.No further information has been made at this time.The investigation is ongoing.Anyone with information of this incident are asked to contact the Maywood Police Department at 708-368-4131 or the anonymous tip line at 708-450-1787.

Downers Grove man charged for stealing GrubHub driver's car, leading police on high-speed chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. -- A Downers Grove man reportedly led police on a high-speed chase with a vehicle he stole from a GrubHub delivery driver Thursday.According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, a Villa Park police officer noticed a vehicle that was reported stolen just before 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27. The officer parked his cruiser behind the vehicle when the driver, 25-year-old Deshun Williams, sped off.Williams allegedly entered I-290/I-88 eastbound and reached upwards of 107 mph while evading authorities. The Villa Park officer then ended the pursuit when a Chicago Police Department helicopter began tracking Williams' and the stolen vehicle. Downers Grove South High School coach arrested on child pornography charge Authorities reported that Williams then exited the expressway and, after crashing into a parked car in Cicero, fled the scene on foot and attempted to blend in with a crowd of elementary school students who were being released for the day.Authoriti...

Michael Jordan has more company in exclusive NBA group

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

NEW YORK — It looks like Michael Jordan will have some company in a very exclusive club in one of the world's biggest footwear, apparel, and sports equipment companies.On Friday, Kevin Durant confirmed that he's received a lifetime contract from Nike that will continue a partnership that began Durant's rookie year in 2007 in Seattle. The Suns forward has become just the third NBA player in Nike's history to have a lifetime contract. That's where the Bulls legend comes in since he is one of the other two to have that kind of deal with the company along with LeBron James.As he was getting ready to enter the NBA, Jordan signed a five-year, $2.5 million deal with Nike and began a partnership that transformed both over the past three decades. The "Air Jordan" brand is one of the most iconic in the world and helped to grow the six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP into one of the most popular athletes of all time.Per Centuro Global, Jordan was estimated to have made as much as $1.3 bill...

Austin police responding to SWAT call on South Lamar Boulevard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Officers from the Austin Police Department are on the scene of a SWAT call on South Lamar Boulevard near the intersection of Barton Springs Road. APD tweeted at 3:12 p.m. that officers were on the scene of the call in the 600 block of South Lamar Boulevard. Police told KXAN the call started as a theft call around 12:20 p.m., then the preliminary investigation led to a SWAT call.Police are asking the public to avoid the area. It's not clear if the scene is at a home or a business.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

LIVE BLOG: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in effect for Burnet, Llano, Williamson counties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe storms are expected across much of Central Texas Friday afternoon and evening. The main concerns tonight are large hail and damaging winds. Isolated tornadoes are also possible.The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the KXAN viewing area in a 3 out of 5 threat for severe storms, as another potent low-pressure system dives into the state.A Tornado Watch is in effect for Lampasas, Mason, Milam and San Saba counties until 8 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all other local counties until 9 p.m.Storms are expected to develop in the Hill Country between 4-6 p.m., move into the Austin Metro/I-35 corridor between 6-8 p.m., then impact eastern counties between 7-10 p.m. KXAN First Warning Weather forecast Weather ResourcesHow to talk to your kids about severe weatherWatches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeTraffic mapLive Central Texas radarCentral Texas rainfall totalsDownload KXAN Weather AppSign up for KXAN daily forecast news...

Animal advocates recommend spaying and neutering as kitten season continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For several years, Taylor resident Marta Lucio has taken care of two young cats that live in her neighborhood, which she named Sarita and Anita. Several months ago, the cats started to look fatter, which Marta believed to just be due to a better diet.However, with more time, Marta saw that specifically the bellies of the cats was getting bigger. She took in the two sisters, who gave birth in her home.Anita feeds her newborns (Courtesy Mariah Lucio)Marta's granddaughter, Mariah Lucio, said that the births was a surprise to the family.Sarita inspects one of her newborns (Courtesy Mariah Lucio)"They're only a week old. So, we're still trying to figure out their personalities. They're still like, eyes are closed and everything," Mariah said. "It must be like such a big change for [Marta], like we've had dogs...but we've never had a situation like this. I think it's probably a big shock, but I can tell she loves them and she finds a lot of joy in taking care of them."Mar...