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Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict. Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying “Cease Fire Now.”However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and mem...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with increasing clouds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 60s Thursday with increasing clouds and breezy conditions. Winds: SSW 10-20 G30. High: 66. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Cloudy tonight with showers possible. Winds: NNW 15-20 G30. Low: 45.Friday Forecast: Morning 20% shower chance, decreasing clouds. Winds: NNW 10-15 G25. High: 49 (afternoon temp)Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Women bear the brunt of financial stress in the US economy, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

(The Hill) - The economy looks a lot better than it did last year, but persistent inflation, ballooning debt and dwindling savings have hit women especially hard.Nearly 6 in 10 women are living paycheck to paycheck, compared to 41 percent of men, according to a recent study by Varo Bank, Morning Consult and THRIVE Financial Empowerment Services of 1,004 Americans who regularly spend most or all of their income.This economic strain is felt across the political spectrum, and Americans living paycheck to paycheck — regardless of party — cited the cost of living as their greatest financial concern.Eroding savings and increasing debt round out the top three concerns for people living paycheck to paycheck, the study found.“It's impacting everyone,” Colin Walsh, founder and CEO of Varo Bank, told The Hill. “Sometimes you see political headlines and other things that would maybe lead you to believe there's concentrations, but [financial stress] was pretty widespread.”Making less than men af...

Burnet County judge allows Ken Paxton whistleblower lawsuit to proceed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

BURNET, Texas (The Texas Tribune) -- A Burnet County district judge ruled Tuesday that the Ken Paxton whistleblowers’ case can proceed in Travis County, while Paxton’s recently launched legal challenge to the revived lawsuit remains pending.The ruling by Judge Evan Stubbs could allow the whistleblowers’ attorneys to subpoena Paxton and his top aides.The ruling came a week after Stubbs temporarily halted the whistleblower lawsuit at the request of Paxton’s office. The office argued the whistleblowers were violating a tentative settlement they reached earlier this year by restarting work on it after Paxton’s acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial. Whistleblower lawsuit against Ken Paxton can move forward in real court, Supreme Court rules Neither Paxton nor the whistleblowers attended the hearing, which featured extensive debate over whether the terms of the settlement had been met even though the Legislature still has not approved its $3.3 million payout. Stubbs e...

Mild, sunny weather cut short by strong cold front

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Soak in the 70s today as the mild fall weather comes to an end by next week.Patchy dense fog will be an obstacle for many during the morning commute, but it won't last all day. In fact, a good amount of sunshine is expected this afternoon.Following another warm, sunny day Friday, the first of two cold fronts blows through the area rain-free Friday evening. Temperature impacts will be minimal with this front, but a stronger cold front arriving early next week brings cold, windy weather for at least a portion of Thanksgiving week.Two cold fronts over the next 7 days, the second bringing in much cooler airRain totals from this storm system are looking quite meager, with under 0.25" expected areawide at this time. Chillier than normal weather may continue through Thanksgiving Day.Generally light and limited rainfall Sunday and Monday BLOG: Peak fall foliage in Central Texas coming soon Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for rainfall and ice ri...

Other voices: Our federal spending is unsustainable. We have to fix that

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

It’s time to start talking again about the deficit and not dismiss those fretting about the mounting federal debt, now approaching $34 trillion, as Chicken Littles.The yearly deficit has topped $1 trillion — once a nearly unimaginable figure — now for several years running. It was $1.7 trillion in the fiscal year just concluded, and the financial world barely cocked an eyebrow. The federal government has no problem floating debt; the dollar remains strong.This won’t last. Even America, as economically powerful as it is, can’t run on a credit card forever.Without action, U.S. debt eventually will become unappealing to investors. The feds then will need to offer investors ever higher yields, exacerbating the situation.Interest on the federal debt now accounts for about 10% of the budget. To put that in context, expenditures for all nondefense discretionary programs make up 15% of the budget.On the present course, according to the U.S. Government Accountab...

5 things to know this Thursday, November 16

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One more day until Friday, folks. Happy Thursday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie, today and tomorrow look awfully nice by November standards. Make sure to soak it up before a new system brings big changes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A Schenectady man was arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run in Ballston Spa on Wednesday. Gary Lucas was charged with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. Meanwhile, the Pittsfield Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 15-year-old. Josiah Delph stands at 5’10” and 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Driver, victim identified in fatal Ballston Spa hit-and-runA Schenectady man was arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run in Ballston Spa on Wednesday. Gary Lucas was charged with leaving the s...

Woman in custody after stabbing man in south St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - There's a large police presence in south St. Louis responding to a reported stabbing. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter, Nic Lopez, captured footage of the scene located on the 4300 block of Frieda Avenue, where authorities shared that a group of people were drinking all night, then a woman stabbed a man in the back. St. Louis native’s story to hit big screen, local filming continues The woman is now in custody and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Illinois representative petitions U.S. Supreme Court to review assault weapons ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - An Illinois ban on high-power semiautomatic weapons is facing a new challenge. Republican State Representative Dan Caulkins is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law.According to the Belleville NewsDemocrat, the 'Protect Illinois Communities Act' was adopted after the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, last year. It prohibits the possession, manufacture, or sale of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more Caulkins argues the law violates Second Amendment rights and that the justices involved in the case had conflicts of interest. He explained that they received campaign contributions from people who support the ban, including Governor J.B. Pritzker, which go against the separation of powers.

MoDOT holding I-55 project open house meeting tonight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - MoDOT is hosting an informational meeting about the Interstate 55 Corridor Improvement Project.It's at the Jefferson Memorial VFW in Festus from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The project is to address traffic and safety concerns along I-55 by constructing an additional northbound and southbound lane. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more MoDOT will also replace 14 bridges and repair 12 others. Construction on the $246 million project is expected to start in January or February of next year.