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Missouri GOP leaders say LGBTQ+ issues will take a back seat to child care, education policy in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's five-month annual legislative session began Wednesday, and top Republican leaders say passing more laws directed at LBGTQ+ people is not a priority.Republicans spent much of last session crafting two new transgender-related laws, despite considerable pushback from Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates.One measure outlawed gender-affirming surgeries for minors and instituted a four-year ban on the use of hormones and puberty blockers as a part of gender-affirming health care for minors who were not already receiving those medications. Another law limits athletes to school sports teams based on their sex as assigned at birth, an act that also expires in August 2027.Bills filed this session would repeal the expiration dates for both transgender-related laws, make public drag shows a crime, require teachers to notify parents if students express confusion about their gender, and put limits on what books are available to minors in public and school libraries...

Illinois attorney general shares how to avoid phone voice-mimmicking AI scams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill., - Attorney General Kwame Raoul has urged locals in Illinois to avoid scams over the phone that could mimic the voice of a loved one via artificial intelligence.A new ploy has developed that allows scammers to mimic the voice of a target’s family member, which results in the target sending payments or personal information. Attorney General Raoul advises people to hang up and return phone calls with confirmed numbers. Sharing a code word is also an alternative.With these new technological scams come new tactics. Here is a list that Raoul has provided of warning signs to watch out for: Scorched building in Pine Lawn has ties to high-profile federal suspect Scammers come onto you - Beware of unsolicited phone calls, texts, or emailsScammers pressure you to act quickly - The ultimate goal is to send payment before getting chance to think about Scammers want your personal information - IRS, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Postal Service will always be aware of pe...

Uncle Sharkii joins Walmart, offering fast-food poke bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

ST. LOUIS – If you are a fan of poke bowls, then you will be excited to hear that Uncle Sharkii, a fast-food poke bowl service, has teamed up with Walmart. The company will be opening in select Walmart locations and offering a new option for fast food. Uncle Sharkie’s restaurant openings will begin with the rollout of 10 new locations throughout California. A poke bowl is usually a bowl of diced raw fish. It is served with an appetizer or a main course. The company Uncle Sharkii has different types of poke bowls, such as tofu and chicken so it's not all fish. When you order a poke bowl from the restaurant, you get to choose either rice, salad, or both. Then, you choose your preferred main protein, which can be spicy or not. After that, you choose the sauce you would like for your bowl. Scorched building in Pine Lawn has ties to high-profile federal suspect Uncle Sharkie plans to have a Walmart-exclusive menu that is catered to shoppers. The restaurant currently has locations ...

Douglas County Canine Rescue charged with failing to provide timely veterinary care, falsifying records

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

A Douglas County dog rescue is facing the potential loss of its license after a Colorado Department of Agriculture program filed charges against the rescue.The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act program on Dec. 21 filed the charges with the Office of Administrative Courts, alleging Douglas County Canine Rescue failed to provide timely veterinary care to dogs in its care, failing to maintain records, falsifying records and operating without proper licensure, according to a Wednesday news release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.Nine charges were filed against the rescue.Douglas County Canine Rescue could not initally be reached for comment.Pet facilities must appropriately care for the animals in their systems and follow the regulations and requirements of the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act program, a state licensing and inspection program, according to the news release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Experts stress caution during holiday season as...

Northbound I-25 closed north of Mead after crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

Both lanes of Interstate 25 northbound are closed north of Exit 245 in Mead due to a crash, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.Traffic could be seen on CDOT cameras driving around the crash on the median. Mountain View Fire Rescue reported on X the crash has caused extensive backups in the area.Photos from the scene show at least two vehicles, a pickup truck and an SUV, involved in the crash.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Two lanes of westbound I-70 near Morrison closed for emergency roadwork Crime and Public Safety | Roads reopen after blizzard conditions on Tuesday caused continued closures Wednesday in eastern Colorado Crime and Public Safety | South Broadway to close at I-25 Friday evening through midday Saturday for Denver bridge project Crime and Public Safety | I-70 westbound reopens at Wolcott after vehicle recovery Crime and Public Safety | I-25 near Pueblo to close for...

Rushil Barri, Nageswararao and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, Naveena Potabathula, Krithik Potabathula, Nishidha Potabathula Killed in Car Crash on County Road 1119 [Johnson County, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

Six Dead after Van vs Pickup-Truck Collision near Highway 67JOHNSON COUNTY, TX (January 3, 2024) – Tuesday, Rushil Barri, Nageswararao and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, Naveena Potabathula, Krithik Potabathula, and Nishidha Potabathula died in a car crash.The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m., near U.S. Highway 67 on December 26th.Officers say a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a van were involved.Law enforcement officials report that the van was occupied by 28-year-old Rushil Barri, 36-year-old Naveena, 10-year-old Krithik, 9-year-old Nishidha, 43-year-old Lokesh Potabathula, 60-year-old Sitamahalakshmi, and 64-year-old Nageswararao.Additionally, behind the wheel of the Chevy was 17-year-old Luke Resecker, accompanied by a teenage passenger.According to accounts, Luke was heading south when he swerved into the northbound lanes, violating a no-pass zone, leading to a head-on collision with the van.Officials declared all van occupants, except Lokesh, deceased at...

Pro Bowl preview: 49ers dominate fan ballots; official honors unveiled today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ talent pool sure has changed since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch inherited a roster that had no Pro Bowlers seven seasons ago.At 5 p.m. today, a slew of 49ers players will draw that all-star designation, perhaps their most since 2012, when 10 bypassed their Pro Bowl nod to play in the Super Bowl.The 49ers overwhelmingly won the fan voting, which counts for just a third of the selection process, as players and coaches also have their say.Brock Purdy, who stands to become the 49ers’ first Pro Bowl quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2002, led all players in fan balloting with 451,864 votes, according to the NFL. Teammate Christian McCaffrey placed second (429,993) ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (414,502), 49ers tight end George Kittle (373,750) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (327,263).Of course, as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the 49ers (12-4) prefer to be heading to the Super Bowl (Feb. 11, Las Vegas) than s...

Clerk who denied same-sex marriage licenses hit with $360,000 ruling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

By Chris Boyette | CNNThe former Kentucky county clerk who in 2015 declined to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples must pay $260,000 in fees and expenses to the couple’s attorneys in addition to the $100,000 in damages awarded by a jury last year, a federal judge ruled.Kim Davis, ex–clerk of Rowan County in northeastern Kentucky, became a national figure in 2015 when she defied the US Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Davis refused to sign marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs. At the time, US District Judge David Bunning found her in contempt of court and ordered her to jail, and she spent five days behind bars.David Ermold and David Moore sued Davis after being denied marriage licenses multiple times by her or her office. In 2022, Bunning ruled Davis violated their constitutional rights, and in September 2023 a jury awarded the couple $100,000 in damages.Last week, Bunning ruled in favor of the couple on the question...

2024 Banished Words List: At the end of the day, Lake Superior State University slays once again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

The marking of a new year not only inspires us to look ahead but to reflect on the past and consider what can be done to make things better including our cringe worthy use of the English language.It’s with this in mind that Lake Superior State University (LSSU) recently unveiled its 2024 Banished Words List.“This season is marked by various joyful traditions, and the Banished Words List remains one of the most iconic, humorous, and quirky traditions in the region,” Sheridan Worth, director of marketing at LSSU, said in a news release.A tradition since 1976, LSSU’s annual list highlights certain words that are often misused, overused, or have lost their meaning over the past year. It also encourages us to laugh at ourselves as we reconsider and reflect on the importance of our vocabulary.“The tradition provides a lighthearted opportunity to pause and reflect on the past year—our experiences, communication styles, and the phrases we commonly use. At the end of the day, it serves as a ...

Downtown San Jose retail building may become vet center, pet daycare

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:05 GMT

SAN JOSE — A long-time retail building in downtown San Jose has been bought in a deal that clears the way for its transformation into a pet care and kennel complex.The store and warehouse at the corner of North First Street and Devine Street in downtown San Jose has been bought for $2.2 million by a Bay Area veterinarian who wants to turn the property into a site to care for pets.Elevated view of 260 North First Street, a retail building in downtown San Jose near Devine Street, showing a nearby neighborhood. (Meacham Oppenheimer)The building, located at 260 North First Street in San Jose, was bought by an affiliate controlled by Gurjeet Ghumman, who is a veterinarian operating in Mountain View, according to documents filed on Dec. 29 with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office.“The buyer wants to convert this to a veterinary hospital with overnight care and pet daycare,” said David Taxin, a partner with Meacham Oppenheimer, a commercial real estate fir...