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Minnesota agency had data on iron foundry’s pollution violations but failed to act, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota iron foundry has been violating air emissions laws for at least five years, but the state agency responsible for enforcing air permits didn’t take action against the company, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency tested the air along the perimeter of Smith Foundry in Minneapolis in October 2022 and in April, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA said that both times, the state recorded high levels of particulate matter, which can cause heart attacks, asthmas and chronic health conditions.But it wasn’t until a surprise EPA inspection in May that federal regulators made demands that the company comply with air pollution laws.“It’s such a breach of trust,” said Joe Vital, who lives near the foundry. “The community has met for years with the MPCA asking them to inspect this facility. It’s just regulatory neglect.”MPCA officials said they are reviewing the EPA’s findings.“...

Public sector strikes: Quebec nurses, health staff launch two-day walkout

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec health-care workers launched a two-day strike today, the latest group to walk off the job over stalled contract talks with the provincial government.The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé, or FIQ, represents 80,000 nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and other health professionals, and the strike is affecting the majority of health-care facilities across the province.Essential services are being maintained during the 48-hour strike, but the Health Department says some non-urgent surgeries could be postponed.The government is negotiating with unions representing hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, including the FIQ. Unions rejected Quebec’s latest contract offer — a 10.3-per-cent salary increase over five years and a one-time payment of $1,000 to each worker.Labour unions are demanding a three-year contract with annual increases tied to the inflation rate: two percentage points above inflation in the first year or $10...

Ohtani free agency sweepstakes off to a clandestine start at MLB’s general manager meetings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start.“Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers.“We’re going to be interested in looking at everything that’s available that can make us better,” New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “We may ask some questions, but I can’t tell you we’re diving all in,” Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said. All 30 Major League Baseball general managers have gathered this week at baseball’s GM meetings in Scottsdale. Privately, they’re surely discussing the developing Ohtani sweepstakes, which could cost the winning team upward of $500 million. But publicly, questions about the potentially historic bidding have been met with careful statements. Even the team that employed the Japanese sensation the past six seasons — the Los Angeles Angels — doesn’...

Santa Fe voters approve tax on mansions as housing prices soar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voters have approved a tax on mansions to pay for affordable housing initiatives in New Mexico’s capital city of Santa Fe.Uncertified election results on Wednesday show that nearly three-fourths of ballots were cast in favor of the new tax on home sales of over $1 million, in a city prized for its high-desert vistas, vibrant arts scene and stucco architecture.The ballot measure was pitched as a lifeline to teachers, service-sector workers, single parents and youth professionals who can’t afford local mortgages or struggle to pay rent amid a national housing shortage and the arrival in Santa Fe of high-income digital nomads.Tuesday’s vote signals newfound public support for so-called mansion taxes to fund affordable housing and stave off homelessness. Voters in Los Angeles last year approved a tiered-rate tax on residential and commercial real estate sales of $5 million or more to address housing shortages, while Chicago may ask voters next yea...

Toronto police launch online form for residents to report hate-motivated graffiti

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

Citing a notable rise in hate crimes, the Toronto police force, backed by Chief Myron Demkiw, has launched an online form for residents to report hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods.In a news release, a Toronto Police Services (TPS) spokesperson said the web form, available on the TPS website, provides an avenue for citizens to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti. This will allow responding officers to attend, gather evidence and arrange for graffiti to be removed “as quickly as possible.”The online reporting tool will be monitored 24/7. Related: Man charged after person wearing keffiyeh allegedly assaulted following rally in Toronto Demkiw referenced a rise in hate-motivated crimes since October 7, 2023. Toronto police noted that the number of reports involving hate-motivated graffiti, categorized as “mischief,” has seen the largest increase.“A hate-motivated crime not only victimizes individuals but also entire c...

Once again, Tyson Bagent will start for the Bears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There will not be a change at quarterback for the Bears on Thursday evening. While making progress with his injured right thumb, Justin Fields hasn't been medically cleared by the team doctors to play as of Wednesday. That means that rookie backup Tyson Bagent will get the start against the Panthers on Thursday night at Soldier Field at 7:15 p.m.This is the third-straight game that Bagent has started after Fields dislocated his thumb in the second half of the Week 6 loss to the Vikings. The rookie finished out that game against Minnesota and then started in a win over the Raiders the following week.Bagent was under center for road losses to the Chargers in Week 8 and the Saints in Week 9. Fields was a limited participant last Friday before the game in New Orleans, throwing the ball in practice for the first time since the injury. He was listed as limited in the last three practices, with the first two of the week being walkthroughs. "He's getting better, though,"...

14-year-old boy missing out of Englewood last seen on Sunday, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

CHICAGO  — Chicago police are looking for a 14-year-old girl last seen Sunday in Englewood.Samir Hall-Chamliss was last seen on Nov. 5 in the 6800 block of S. Elizabeth St.SEE ALSO: Kenosha County deputies looking for missing 15-year-old girl last seen SaturdayAccording to police, Samir stands 5-foot-10-inches, weighs 310 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.Locals may also contact Area One SVU at (312) 747-8380 or call 911 if Samir is located.

Streamwood native, Colts Super Bowl champion Matt Ulrich dies at 41

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced former player Matt Ulrich, who is from Streamwood, has died at 41.Ulrich was a former offensive lineman who was on the team's Super Bowl championship team during the 2006 season.Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Dylan Gandy, left, and offensive guard Matt Ulrich are pictured in Jan. 2007 at the team's hotel in Florida ahead of Super Bowl XLI. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)In Irsay's statement on X (formerly Twitter), he said:I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Matt Ulrich. Matt was with us only two seasons, but left his mark on many. Great guy, I hear he was a great dad — and he was a Super Bowl champ. My prayers to his family.Jim Irsay, Colts Owner Several injured in plant explosion in Shepherd, Texas Ulrich, a native of Streamwood, attended Northwestern and signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played five games that season and five games in 2006 before retiring."It's an incredible feeli...

Disney guests poop while waiting in line for rides, ex-employees say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

(KTLA) - Some Disney Parks fans have seemingly taken the saying “when you gotta go, you gotta go” to the extreme.A Disney Parks urban legend, claiming that parks guests poop while standing in line for rides, is apparently true, SF Gate reported.Two former Disneyland custodial team workers, known as cast members, wrote about the unsavory topic in their 2015 book “Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt’s Dream Spotless.”In the chapter “Disgusting Things,” authors Ken Pellman and Lynn Barron share details about such instances.They describe how these incidents have occurred all over the theme park, most notably in the stand-by queue for the “Indiana Jones Adventure” ride at Disneyland. While standing in this particular queue, many guests think the restrooms are far away, but that isn’t the case. Disneyland announces opening date for Adventureland Treehouse “There’s a pair of individual-use restrooms just backstage from the north unload. It was mainly for cast members, but...

Former Elgin day care center teacher pleads guilty to sexually abusing kids in classroom

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:52 GMT

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — A former day care teacher in Elgin, accused of sexual abuse on at least two occasions, has pleaded guilty to the charges.The Kane County State's Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Frank Walaitis pled guilty to multiple felony counts of criminal sexual abuse. Walaitis must register for life as a sex offender per the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.Authorities alleged that Walaitis sexually abused two children, who were younger than 13, while employed at The Learning Tree.Walaitis was the victims’ teacher and was in charge of their care. Prosecutors alleged the abuse took place inside his classroom between Dec. 2008 and July 2022.Frank WalaitisFollowing Walaitis' arrest, The Learning Tree issued a statement, saying in part, that "(Walaitis) was removed from the center as soon as the allegations were made, " and he was no longer employed at the child care center. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Sentencing is set for Feb. 8.Anyone with addit...