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Colleges should step up their diversity efforts after affirmative action ruling, the government says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is asking America’s colleges to renew their efforts to make campuses more racially diverse, urging schools to boost scholarships and minority recruiting and to give “meaningful consideration” to the adversity students face because of their race or finances.The Education Department issued a report Thursday promoting strategies to increase diversity in the wake of a Supreme Court decision in June barring colleges from considering the race of applicants in the admission process. It fulfills a request from President Joe Biden to help colleges advance diversity without running afoul of the court’s decision.In announcing the report, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called on state and local education leaders to “break down barriers for underserved students and reimagine pathways into higher education.”“Our future is brighter when we prepare students of all backgrounds to lead our multiracial democracy together,” Cardona said in a st...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law to raise minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California fast food workers will be paid at least $20 per hour next year under a new law signed Thursday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.When it takes effect on April 1, fast food workers in California will have among the highest minimum wages in the country, according to data compiled by the University of California-Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. The state’s minimum wage for all other workers — $15.50 per hour — is already among the highest in the United States. Cheering fast food workers and labor leaders gathered around Newsom as he signed the bill at an event in Los Angeles.“This is a big deal,” Newsom said.Newsom’s signature on Thursday reflects the power and influence of labor unions in the nation’s most populous state, which have worked to organize fast food workers in an attempt to improve their wages and working conditions.It also settles — for now, at least — a fight between labor and business groups over how ...

Ex-MPP Randy Hillier’s request to move trial away from Ottawa denied

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

OTTAWA — A judge has denied a second request by former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier, who is facing charges related to his participation in the “Freedom Convoy” protest, to move his jury trial away from Ottawa.Hillier’s lawyer David Anber had argued that “widespread bias” against the 2022 protest, which disrupted the capital city’s downtown core for three weeks could taint the perspectives of jurors.Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne London-Weinstein says that although there is a probability of prejudice against Hillier in Ottawa, she is satisfied that legal safeguards will ensure he has a fair trial in the city.A summary of the judge’s decision also says that given the significant media attention paid to the embattled former politician’s case, a potential jury should be appropriately screened.Hillier, who represented an Ottawa-area riding from 2007 to 2022, is facing nine criminal charges related to his role in the demonstrations against...

Teddy Swims’ debut album is powered by toxic relationships and heartbreak

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — If you feel emotionally drained after listening to Teddy Swims’ debut album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1),” don’t worry — he understands.“I’m sure for anyone that’s not heartbroken, it’s probably exhausting. But there’s still upbeat and there’s fun (songs) — but everything that is also upbeat and fun is still very, very sad,” laughed the soulful singer, confirming it’s “absolutely” a heartbreak album. “But it’s helping me heal through a lot of things.”Irony has visited the 31-year-old during a time that should be among the most monumental of his life; Swims, who gained popularity by posting unique cover songs on YouTube, never imagined he’d be engulfed in a relationship severance while celebrating the release of his breakup-themed debut.“Our lives were very intertwined. And so, it’s quite nuts to have this come out at the same time this is all happening, and it’s all even more real to me now than it was when I was writing it, which is quite insan...

Lebanese police say US Embassy shooter was motivated by personal grudge against security guards

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese police said Thursday that a food delivery driver who opened fire outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut last week allegedly did so because of a personal grudge against the guards at the compound.The police said they had arrested the suspected shooter on Monday, identifying him only by his initials M.K. and that he later confessed to the shooting. They cited an alleged confession by him saying he was upset as the guards had insulted him two months earlier, when he came to deliver an order.The Associated Press could not independently verify that claim.No one was hurt in the shooting in Beirut’s northeastern Christian suburb of Aukar, which left at least five bullet holes in the wall next to the embassy entrance.Police said that during the arrest, security forces confiscated an AK-47, a knife and the shooter’s food delivery motorcycle. The rifle was was allegedly hidden in a food delivery bag and the shooter changed his route to reach the U.S. Embassy compound ...

Police release video of suspects breaking into homes in search of key fobs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

York Regional Police have released video surveillance as they search for a third suspect allegedly involved in residential break-and-enters targeting key fobs to commit auto thefts.Investigators say four suspects were arrested in June 2023. At the time, two men — identified as 21-year-old Jackson Lake of Richmond Hill and 21-year-old Christian Nunez-Garcia of London, Ont. — were charged with break-enter and theft crimes believed to be motivation to steal car keys or key fobs from inside homes.A third suspect remains wanted by police.In a news release, investigators said the vehicles of interest are often left in driveways overnight. On two occasions, the suspects targeted cars with their side mirrors extended, indicating they were unlocked.Surveillance footage from outside various homes shows the suspects at work. Police said once the perpetrators noticed that vehicles were unlocked, they would use the garage door opener to enter homes through the garage and obtain the k...

Chicago's iconic Signature Room closes abruptly: report

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

CHICAGO — One of Chicago's most iconic scenic restaurants has abruptly closed. According to Crain's Chicago Business, The Signature Room at 95th, located at 875 North Michigan Avenue in Streeterville, is closing due to "economic issues" related to post-COVID-19 pandemic persisting. Crain's reports that a posted message Thursday, the restaurant owners also blamed safety issues and negative publicity as factors in their decision to close. ‘It’s amazing’: Chicago day care focuses on teaching sign language The Magnificient Mile staple in the John Hancock Center recently celebrated its 30th birthday in July. See the Haunted Houses in the Chicago area in 2023 This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Andrea Medina will have more on this story beginning at WGN News at 4 p.m.

Verdict expected for Chicago officers charged in 2022 Pilsen shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A verdict is expected Thursday in the trial of two Chicago police officers accused of shooting an unarmed man, then lying about it.Sgt. Christopher Liakopoulos and Officer Ruben Reynoso have each been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and official misconduct. Last year, prosecutors said the officers instigated a gunfight with a teenager, then shot and wounded his companion Miguel Medina in the Pilsen neighborhood. Person with gun breaks into migrant shelter in Gage Park: police In the officers' report, they claimed they came under fire and shot Medina in self-defense — but no gun was found near him.

United Airlines passenger faces possible life sentence for alleged attempt to stab flight attendant

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

BOSTON (WWLP) – A federal grand jury has indicted a Massachusetts man on charges stemming from an in-flight incident in March, during which he was accused of trying to stab a flight attendant with a broken spoon.Francisco Severo Torres, of Leominster, was indicted in a Boston federal court on Wednesday. He faces one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.The 33-year-old was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport on March 6 after he allegedly tried to open an emergency exit door while aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. He is also accused of attempting to stab a flight attendant in the neck. ‘I’m going to kill everybody’: Woman recounts United passenger’s violent outburst Prosecutors say the flight crew became aware of the plane door becoming disarmed about 45 minutes prior to landing in Boston. Another flight attendant reported seeing Torres near the door, and believed he had...

Biden to end disaster assistance to Louisiana, as salt water threatens the state's drinking water

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:54 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced federal disaster assistance for Louisiana, which is working to slow a mass inflow of salt water creeping up the Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in the southern part of the state. Biden's emergency declaration will allow for more equipment, resources and federal money to address the saltwater intrusion. Typically, the river’s mighty flow keeps mass amounts of salt water from reaching too far inland, but hot and dry conditions across the country this summer triggered drought that slowed the Mississippi’s flow and lowered its water levels. In parts of Plaquemines Parish residents have relied on bottled water for cooking and drinking since June.