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After one week without a House speaker, Republicans appear no closer to choosing a new leader

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Republican majority is stuck, one week after the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with lawmakers unable to coalesce around a new leader in a stalemate that threatens to keep Congress partly shuttered indefinitely. On Tuesday evening, two leading contenders for the gavel, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, were scheduled to address colleagues behind closed doors at a candidate forum, but they appeared to be splitting the vote. McCarthy, meanwhile, was openly ready to reclaim the gavel he just lost, but was seen by many as a longshot option unlikely to win back the handful of hardliners who just ousted him.“This has been going on for days. Members want to come together,” Scalise said late Monday at the Capitol. “We’ve got to get back on track,” House Republicans took the majority aspiring to operate as a team, and run government more business-like, but have drifted far from that goal. Just 10 months in power,...

Toronto police issue PSA after grenade brought to Scarborough station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

The Toronto Police Service issued a public service announcement urging residents not to bring weapons or ammo to police stations after a grenade was dropped off.A spokesperson said the grenade was brought to 41 Division headquarters in Scarborough at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The explosives unit was forced to intervene.“Please do not turn in guns, ammo, explosives to police stations. Call the police; we will come to you,” TPS wrote on X.The grenade was deemed safe and was removed from the property.No injuries were reported.“If you find [a] gun, ammo, explosive, call 9-1-1. If you’re turning it in, arrange it through 416-808-2222,” TPS added. “We will come to you. Do not bring it to us.”PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTIf you FIND gun, ammo, explosive, call 9-1-1. If you're TURNING IT IN, arrange through 416.808.2222. We will come to you. Do not bring it to us.SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE– Explosives Disposal Unit deemed grenade safe; removed#GO2357...

Man arrested after climbing Accenture Tower in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was arrested Tuesday after scaling the Accenture Tower in the city's West Loop.The 42-story building, located at 500 West Madison Street, houses the Consul General of Israel.Tenants on the south side of the building were told to stay away from windows as the man managed to scale up the length of the high-rise.The man reached the rooftop and was immediately taken into police custody. Charges are pending. 104-year-old Chicago woman who became oldest person to tandem skydive dies He has been identified as an alleged anti-abortion activist who goes by the name "Pro-life Spider-Man" on social media. A video of him climbing the Accenture Tower was livestreamed on his Instagram account.

104-year-old Chicago woman who became oldest person to tandem skydive dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

OTTAWA, Ill. — The 104-year-old Chicago woman who recently became the oldest person to tandem skydive has died.Dorothy Hoffner passed away Monday, a little more than a week after taking the record-breaking plunge with her US Parachute Association instructor, Derek Baxter. Family, friends and neighbors gathered at Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa on Oct. 1 to celebrate Hoffner as she broke the record. It was Hoffner's second dive as a centenarian, having previously jumped out of a plane at age 100. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 104-year-old Chicago woman becomes oldest person to tandem skydive When asked how she felt after becoming a record holder, Hoffner replied, "Like I'm old," to laughs. "Age is only a number, you know?"Skydive Chicago and USPA, who confirmed Hoffner's passing, issued a joint statement:We are deeply saddened by Dorothy’s passing and feel honored to have been a part of making her world-record skydive a reality.Skydiving is an activity that many of us safely tuck away in our...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in low 60s with mostly sunny conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Cool conditions with temperatures near 60 Tuesday. Mostly sunny, Winds: W 5-15. High: 60.Frost Advisory issued until 8 a.m. (all counties except central & northern cook and lake IL). Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly clear tonight, patchy frost possible. Winds: W 0-5. Low: 40.Wednesday Forecast: Increasing Clouds, late day rain/storms, W 0-5. High: 63.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Edible cookie dough recalled in 9 states over allergy risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

(WHTM) -- Cups of edible cookie dough sold in nine states are being recalled due to an undeclared allergen.According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Cookies-N-Milk is recalling their 6-ounce cups of "Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough" because of possible undeclared peanuts.Recalled Cookies-N-Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (FDA)The recalled cookie dough was sold in retail stores in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.The company says no illnesses have been reported so far. The product packaging carries the Cookies-N-Milk logo and lot number 32402342 C.The problem was detected after notification from a distributor, and an investigation indicated it occurred during packaging, according to the FDA. 70M sour candy products recalled due to choking hazard Allergic reactions to peanuts can vary, with some people experiencing severe reactions from even trace amounts, the FDA says.Anyone who purchased the product ...

Prosecution responds to defense's 'ritualistic' murder theory in Delphi case, calls Odinism theory 'unfounded'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. – The Carroll County Prosecutor’s Office filed its response to several allegations made by attorneys for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen.In a series of documents filed in court Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office accused Allen’s defense team of making “unfounded accusations” that are supported by “absolutely no proof.”Prosecutor Nick McLeland accused the defense of “consuming the limited resources of the office and this court with repetitive motions that lack any factual basis.” Attorneys for Richard Allen want client moved, lay out alternative theory of ‘ritualistic’ murder Allen is charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German in February 2017.Allen’s attorneys, Bradley Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin, laid out an extraordinary alternative theory behind the killings.In a motion filed in September, Allen’s attorneys asserted that the murders were “ritualistic” in nature and blamed followers of Odinism, a religion ...

Millions of sour candies sold at Walmart, Amazon recalled due to choking hazard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

(WHTM) -- About 70 million Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candies have been recalled over a choking hazard.According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a rolling ball that holds a sour liquid candy can detach from its container and possibly cause choking.The recall involves the Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy in blue (Blue Razz), red (Strawberry), green (Sour Apple) and pink (Black Cherry) flavors packaged with the branding “Toxic Waste” or “Mega Toxic Waste.” Though there have been two reports of the rolling ball detaching, no injuries have been reported so far. The candy was sold at Walmart, Five Below, Amazon, CandyDynamics.com, and other stores nationwide. Edible cookie dough recalled in nine states Anyone with this candy should immediately stop using it and take it from children. Those with a product not empty of liquid candy can receive a full refund and free return shipping by contacting Candy Dynamics.Candy Dynamics can be reached by calling 877-546-0...

CLEAR Alert issued for missing woman last seen in Pflugerville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a missing woman last seen in Pflugerville.Rani Kondawar, 38, is described as an Asian woman, about 5' tall and 160 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. A clothing description is not available.Kondawar was last seen at 5:09 p.m. Sunday in the 3200 block of Windy Vane Drive in Pflugerville. She was seen in a red 2017 Honda CRV with the Texas license plate JLT5823. What is a CLEAR Alert, and when is it issued? TCSO says Kondawar's disappearance poses a credible threat to her own health and safety.Anyone with information is asked to contact TCSO at 512-974-0845.

Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher-like legislation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After passing a separate omnibus bill to boost teacher salaries and public school education funding, a Texas Senate committee unveiled legislation Tuesday that would create a program for private school subsidies.Senate Bill 1 would allocate $500 million toward the creation of an education savings account program, which was the primary education policy request on Gov. Greg Abbott's agenda for this third special session. The funding comes from Texas' general revenue and would be available for eligible pre-K through 12 school-aged children. Families of eligible students would receive $8,000 each year that they are enrolled in the program in an account. In order to qualify, they must have attended public school within the last year or are about to enter pre-K or kindergarten for the first time.Opponents have expressed concern that creating such a program will take away funding from public schools, which are accountable to the legislature. The bill's author, Sen. Brand...