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Debate begins on bill that would expand access to abortions in Maine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Lawmakers launched into an emotional debate over expanding access to abortions in Maine, delivering impassioned appeals Thursday as the vote margin appeared to tighten on a proposal that was once seen a foregone conclusion in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Debate abruptly halted after little more than an hour amid questions of the vote count and a late amendment. At least one of the bill’s co-sponsors signaled a change of heart.Rep. Walter Wiseman, D-Harrison, said the current state law banning abortions after a fetus becomes viable outside the womb, at roughly 24 weeks, unless a mother’s life is at risk, is “doing its job.”“Let’s stop now before we get in too deep,” he said.The bill by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, and sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross and Senate President Troy Jackson, would give the state one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country.It would allow abortions any time before birth if deemed necessary...

TDSB to restore 99 positions previously eliminated in $3.4 billion budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has approved a $3.4 billion budget for the next school year. Trustees say the budget will see 99 positions restored that were eliminated after the province’s COVID-19 funding was discontinued. These included social workers, child and youth counsellors, school-based safety monitors, and elementary and secondary vice-principals.The board says the addition of these positions will cost $10.4 million. The board says it has identified a number of “cost-saving measures” within the budget, including reducing central staffing and department budgets. Even with that, the 2023-24 operating budget includes a projected deficit of $15.1 million.The TDSB says over the past three years, they were forced to take $69 million from its reserve fund in order to support the continuation of learning and the safety of students and staff during the pandemic. As a result, there are limited reserves left to offset any future operating shortfalls.“As Tr...

Theater Review: ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ with Britney Spears songs will drive you crazy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — You’re handed an LED wristband as you enter “Once Upon a One More Time,” a musical on Broadway stuffed with Britney Spears songs. But the gift is strangely inert for the whole show, only coming to life and gleaming at the curtain call. It’s not a wristband — it’s a metaphor. It glows in the end because you are free. Free of this bombastic, patronizing, clumsy, lazy show.“Once Upon a One More Time,” which opened Thursday at the Marquis Theatre, is pure summer dumb — it’s got smoke machines working overtime, weird dance breaks, tons of glitter and every song ends with a manufactured IMAX-level sonic boom. One of the main characters actually swings on a chandelier.Everything about it seems recycled: A fractured fairy tale that is a tired concept by now — no less a giant than Andrew Lloyd Webber failed with it with “Bad Cinderella” this spring. It’s also a safe feminist story about women writing their own story led by a creative team led mos...

3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday.The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS — a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware.Described as “forever chemicals” because they don’t degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.The compounds have been detected at varying levels in drinking water around the nation. The Environmental Protection Agency in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others. Water providers would be resp...

Nursing home resident gets 45 years for murder and rape of 80-year-old invalid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A 61-year-old Indianapolis nursing home resident was sentenced Thursday to 45 years in prison for the murder and rape of an 80-year-old invalid last year.Dwayne Freeman learned his sentence after pleading guilty June 8 for the crimes against Patricia Newnum at the nursing home where they both lived.A judge sentenced Freeman to 45 years on the murder charge and 30 years on the rape charge, with the terms to be served concurrently.Court documents say an employee at Homestead Healthcare Center entered Newnum’s room to give her medication on the morning of Feb. 2, 2022. She saw Freeman naked and lying on top of Newnum while holding a pillow over her face.Documents say Freeman admitted to having sex with Newnum, but said it was consensual. It wasn’t clear why Freeman was a resident of the nursing home.The Marion County Coroner’s Office ruled Newnum died of asphyxiation by smothering.Newnum’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Homestead, w...

One seriously injured after vehicle-pedestrian crash in west Austin, ATCEMS says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was seriously injured after a vehicle-pedestrian crash in west Austin Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly before 7 p.m., medics responded to the crash at 1100 Tillery St., the tweet said.In the same Twitter thread, medics said the incident involved someone on a bicycle. One adult patient was taken to Dell Seton with serious injuries, medics said.No further information was released Thursday, and the incident remained under investigation.

Inmate dies in Gatesville prison, TDCJ says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- An inmate died Thursday afternoon at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, a TDCJ spokesperson told KXAN Thursday."The inmate was being seen by medical when she started having complications. Life saving measures were initiated and EMS was called," TDCJ Director of Communications Amanda Hernandez said. The cause of death is still pending and will be investigated by the Office of the Inspector General.Inmates are concerned the deceased become ill due to heat, according to a community advocate and former Murray Unit inmate in communication with people on the inside."This inmate is confined to a wheelchair and can't walk on her own," she said. "The heat is believed to be a contributing factor... it exacerbated her medical issues."Another inmate raised concerns about the heat inside the Murray Unit in an email on Tuesday."It is so hot. There is no relief," the inmate wrote.The Murray Unit does not have air conditioning in the cellb...

Missouri schools offered free safety app to increase safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo -- Following a deadly school shooting in St. Louis last fall, the state is offering a free emergency alert app for districts across Missouri. More than 30% of the state's school districts have already signed up for the app. It's designed to streamline emergency response by allowing teachers and other school staff to alert the rest of the school and first responders through their phone within seconds. "The hope is that it never has to be used, but if it saves seconds, it could wind up saving lives," communications director with the Department of Public Safety Mike O'Connell said. Teachers, administrators and staff at more than 700 school buildings across Missouri will start school this fall with a new app on their phone for emergencies. "Normally, you would call [911] and give your name and your cell phone location," chief marketing officer for Raptor Technologies David Rogers said. "This provides an enhanced location, it provides the name of the tea...

‘Wheat Ridge Kardashians’: Alleged makeup thieves in viral post nabbed in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

By Landon Haaf, Denver7The alleged makeup thieves dubbed the “Wheat Ridge Kardashians” in a now-viral Facebook post by the local police department have been captured in California.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Goodwill permanently closes fitting rooms at all but one Colorado store, blaming theft, vandalism, drug use Crime and Public Safety | Veruca Salt’s Louise Post says trailer containing all her musical gear was stolen in Denver Crime and Public Safety | Parker police search for suspects involved in car trespassing cases, ask public for help Crime and Public Safety | Arvada drug deal leads to fatal stabbing Crime and Public Safety | Greeley police return parent’s ashes to victim after vehicle theft Wheat Ridge police say a trio of women were caught on surveillance video stealing $1,443 worth of products from a Wheat Ridge Ulta store on May 28.The department wrote a tongue-in-cheek po...

Multi-acre brush fire threatening homes in Los Angeles County contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

A multi-acre brush fire threatening homes in a West Hills neighborhood was successfully extinguished Thursday night.The fire was reported near Knapp Ranch Park on the 25000 block of West Kittridge Street around 4:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.Over 100 firefighters responded to the scene from both LAFD and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.Sky5 video showed heavy smoke billowing across a neighborhood perched on a hill. Homes near the edge of the steep terrain were most threatened by the flames, according to officials.A multi-acre brush fire threatens homes in a West Hills neighborhood on June 22, 2023. (KTLA)A multi-acre brush fire threatens homes in a West Hills neighborhood on June 22, 2023. (KTLA)A multi-acre brush fire threatens homes in a West Hills neighborhood on June 22, 2023. (KTLA)A multi-acre brush fire threatens homes in a West Hills neighborhood on June 22, 2023. (KTLA)A multi-acre brush fire threatens homes in a West Hills neighborhood on Ju...