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Minnesota saw 20% jump in abortions last year, partly due to patients from restrictive states

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota recorded a 20% jump in abortions in 2022, partly because more patients are traveling from states that have banned or limited the procedure since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to an annual report released Friday. The report by the Minnesota Department of Health said more than 16% of the 12,175 abortions performed last year involved women from elsewhere, with 1,714 patients traveling from states bordering Minnesota and 290 coming from distant ones such as Texas. That’s the highest proportion since at least 1980. And the number of abortions involving women from other states or countries was double the total from 2021, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported. Last year marked a sharp reversal of Minnesota’s gradual decline in abortions since the late 1980s.Cathy Blaeser, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, criticized a court ruling last summer that struck down most of the state’s restrictio...

Gubernatorial nominee’s plans to attend rally spark Republican infighting in Kentucky

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican infighting has erupted in Kentucky over gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron’s plans to attend a rally sponsored by an ex-rival who is now looking to challenge an incumbent GOP congressman next year.That congressman, Thomas Massie, bluntly said Friday it would be a mistake for Cameron to attend the September rally to be hosted by Eric Deters in northern Kentucky — a GOP-leaning region where Democrat Andy Beshear made crucial inroads four years ago in winning the governorship. Cameron, the state’s Republican attorney general, is trying to unseat Beshear in one of the nation’s most closely watched campaigns in 2023.Cameron’s plan to associate himself with Deters at the event “damages the AG’s credibility and jeopardizes his election,” the veteran congressman said in an emailed statement.Cameron scored a convincing victory in the crowded May GOP gubernatorial primary, while Deters lagged far behind in fourth place. Since then, De...

N.W.T. construction company fined $100K following worker’s death

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. — A construction company in the Northwest Territories has been fined $100,000 after a worker was killed at a site outside Fort Simpson in 2020.Nogha Enterprises Ltd. pleaded guilty to two offences under the territory’s Safety Act on Wednesday.Along with the fine, it will be put on probation for two years, which includes a requirement to develop and implement a safety program for operators of powered mobile equipment.The territorial Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission originally filed nine charges against the company in December 2021.In December 2020, a worker was digging a pit with an excavator at a gravel quarry when a side wall collapsed and the machine slid into the pit, where the worker drowned.The additional seven charges against the company have been withdrawn.This report by The Canadian Press was first published  June 30, 2023.The Canadian Press

Witness fears industry retaliation for testimony in fatal shooting on Alec Baldwin production

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Special prosecutors in the shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of the Alec Baldwin film “Rust” asked Friday to shield the name of a witness from public disclosure as they pursue charges against a movie weapons specialist. Prosecutors said in court filings that the witness is prepared to testify that film set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed handed off a small bag of narcotics to the witness after returning from an interview at a police station. But they said the witness worries about being harassed by media and blacklisted by the industry. Gutierrez-Reed is fighting charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering as the sole remaining defendant in the case after prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April. Prosecutors can still refile charges against him, however. Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killed her and injured director Joel Souza on ...

Downtown Chicago course presents significant challenge for NASCAR Cup Series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — There are seven 90-degree turns. There are manhole covers, and transitions from concrete to asphalt and back. The margin for error is small, and any rain will make the course exponentially more difficult.Welcome to the first street race in NASCAR Cup Series history.NASCAR brings its 75th season to downtown Chicago this weekend for an experience unlike any other on the circuit. With Lake Michigan and Grant Park serving as the backdrop, the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course begins right in front of Buckingham Fountain and races by several downtown landmarks. Worker dies while setting up Chicago NASCAR race No one is exactly sure what to expect, and there will be just 50 minutes of practice time before qualifying for the Xfinity Series and Cup Series. Saturday's The Loop 121 might be the most closely monitored Xfinity Series race of the season for the Cup drivers.“There's always going to be concerns,” Brad Keselowski said. “We have concerns every week. It's not just this week, ...

NASCAR weekend has Chicago emergency rooms on alert

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

CHICAGO — As NASCAR is set to overtake Chicago this weekend, growing concerns about the race and the lingering air quality issues have local hospital staff on high alert.Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, an assistant EMS director and professor at Rus University Medical Center, joined WGN Evening News at 4 to talk about emergency preparations in place for NASCAR weekend. Among the topics of discussion was how spectators and locals can protect their hearing and health. Worker dies while setting up Chicago NASCAR race Watch the full interview in the video player above.

Bulls re-sign one guard, add a Chicago area native to start free agency, reports say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

CHICAGO — One guard is going to be staying with the Bulls for the foreseeable future while another is returning to his hometown as free agency begins. Per numerous reports, the first by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Bulls are bringing back Coby White on a three-year, $33 million deal after he had a strong finish to the 2022-2023 season.At the same time, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Bulls are signing free agent guard and Oak Park native Jevon Carter to a three-year, $20 million deal.The team has yet to confirm the moves. A standout at Proviso West High School in Maywood and later West Virginia, Carter will be joining his fifth team in his sixth NBA season. Originally a second round pick of the Grizzlies in 2018, he's played one season in Memphis, two in Phoenix, a half-season with the Nets before joining the Bucks in February 2022. In 81 games with Milwaukee last season that included 39 starts, Carter averaged eight points, 2.5 rebounds...

Jan. 6 suspect arrested near Obama's home had guns, 400 rounds of ammo in van: feds

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man arrested near former President Barack Obama's Washington home on charges in the U.S. Capitol riot had two guns, 400 rounds of ammunition as well as a machete in his van, a federal prosecutor said Friday.Taylor Taranto, 37, was arrested Thursday after being spotted a few blocks from the former president’s home and chased by U.S. Secret Service agents. Court documents unsealed Friday show Taranto is charged with four misdemeanors related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, including disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Man with ties to Jan. 6 riot arrested near Obamas’ DC home The Justice Department, during a hearing in Washington's federal court, disclosed the details about the weapons found in the van that the man appeared to be living in, NBC News reported. Taranto was ordered to remain behind bars pending a detention hearing scheduled for next Wednesday.An email seeking comment was sent to Taranto's attorn...

Ascension Seton Medical Center nurses to return Saturday morning after strike

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After some nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin went on strike Tuesday “to protest management’s resistance to bargain in good faith," nurses will be allowed back at work Saturday morning.Though the strike was one day, the hospital said it did not allow participating nurses to return until Saturday, July 1 because of the required length of contracts for staff brought in to fill the gaps. Nurses called it a "union-busting tactic." A return-to-work march will happen Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m., according to the National Nurses United.“Union nurses at Ascension Seton are so thankful to the Austin community for coming out in record-breaking heat to support our efforts for improved patient care conditions,” said Natasha Gosek, RN in the neonatal intensive care unit. “We have heard from countless hospital staff, patients, and neighbors who understand that safe staffing and improved nurse retention are commonsense solutions our community needs...

Ex-Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti released from federal prison in Bastrop

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A former Texas state senator who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2019 was released from federal prison in Bastrop Friday, an Office of Public Affairs spokesperson confirmed to KXAN.Furthermore, the spokesperson said Uresti was moved to a community confinement overseen by the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) San Antonio (RRM) Office. Community confinement means the inmate is in either home confinement or a Residential Reentry Center -- which is an RRC or halfway house.Uresti's projected release date was set for Dec. 12, 2024, the spokesperson said.Uresti was previously sentenced on federal fraud charges to 12 years in prison for his part in a Ponzi scheme, but on Feb.13, 2019, he received a 5-year prison term on the separate bribery charge. Ex-State Sen. Carlos Uresti turns himself in after bribery plea Uresti, a Democrat, was first elected to the Texas Legislature in 1997. Before becoming a state senator, he was a representative in the Texas House. He resigned in June 2018, ...