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US lawsuit seeks to protect habitat of endangered corals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — An environmental group filed a lawsuit Monday accusing the U.S. government of failing to protect 12 endangered coral species across the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean that have been decimated by warming waters, pollution and overfishing.The Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity said it filed the lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service more than two years after the agency proposed to protect more than 6,000 square miles worth of coral habitat but never did so.The critical habitat designation would cover 5,900 square miles off Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It also would cover 230 square miles around islands including Guam and American Samoa in the Pacific.Such a designation could improve water quality in the coastal zone, limit excessive fishing and protect spawning grounds, according to the environmental group, which said “absent bold and immediate action” coral reefs worldwide co...

$13M settlement for family of woman killed in PACE bus crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — PACE suburban bus has agreed to terms with the family of a woman killed in the summer of 2021 when a driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. Brenda Burse (Provided by family)The family of Brenda Burse will receive $13 million following the death that attorneys say could have been prevented. More importantly, however, loved ones say they hope Monday's decision is a base for change. RELATED CONTENT: $20M settlement reached after woman struck, pinned under CTA bus in Streeterville"I’m looking forward to seeing that they take it very seriously when it comes to individual lives," said Amelia Burse, the daughter of Brenda Burse. "Safety does matter and a lot of rules and regulations should be changed for employees." Brenda Burse was a passenger on a Pace bus on August 15, 2021, when attorneys say the driver, Joe Mckee, fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a tree resulting in her death. Attorneys Marc Taxman and Sean Murray say McGee was known to have sleep apnea and wa...

Gluten-free Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle recalled over undeclared wheat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXIN) -- Snacks marketed as gluten-free are being recalled because they may contain wheat.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the recall involves Gluten Free Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle, which was sold in stores nationwide and online.The recall was initiated after Second Nature Brands discovered the wheat got into the product due to cross-contamination at a co-manufacturer. Production was suspended until the FDA and the company are certain the problem has been corrected. Kawasaki recalling engines due to fire hazards People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. So far, one reported illness has been connected to this product.The product comes in a 4-ounce pouch with UPC 711747011562 marked with lot codes SG 1054 15/NOV/2023 1S and SG 1054 15/NOV/2023 2S on the backside of the pouch.Photo//FDAPhoto//FDAAnyone with the recalled snack should n...

Jeremy Renner taking major steps on road to healing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

(WJW) -- It's been three months since Jeremy Renner was in critical condition after a snow plow accident on New Year's Day.In a February Instagram post, Renner promised fans across the globe they would see his upcoming work as soon as he was back on his feet.And now he's taking those first steps toward getting back at it. He shared a physical therapy moment on Twitter along with a video showing him on an anti-gravity treadmill -- on both feet!You can see the video here."I now have to find OTHER things to occupy my time so my body can recover from my will," the tweet reads.According to University of Michigan Health, "Anti-gravity training and rehabilitation assists athletes by lessening the impact or loading on lower body extremity joints and muscles while shortening the healing process by overcoming weight bearing restrictions due to injury and overuse."The 52-year-old “Avengers” star suffered blunt chest trauma and multiple orthopedic injuries after being run over by a snowcat, a l...

See the Bears' 2023 NFL Draft hat design

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO - On April 27, fans of the Bears will find out who the Bears will choose with their first selection in the opening round of the NFL Draft in two years.But there is one thing that rooters know for sure about the player they pick to start helping the building of the team in 2023: Their headwear. New Era has unveiled the designs for their 2023 NFL Draft hats including the Bears, who have the No. 9 pick to start their selections this year. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/Fu60RL01PP— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 27, 2023In what has become a tradition, New Era Cap Company released the design for their 2023 NFL Draft hats on Monday for the selections that will be held in late April in Kansas City. It's customary for players to don the hat of the team they are drafted by when they go on stage to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell or even if they are at home with family.The design is uniform for all 32 NFL teams with the nickname in large letters on the front of the hat with t...

West Side redevelopment plan announced

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A swath of vacant city land at Lake St. and Kezie Ave. will see new, affordable residential development.Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is set to announce a winning proposal at a Monday event selected from three finalists. All three proposals include a first phase apartment building ranging form 52 to 63 units of a variety of sizes. $13M settlement for family of woman killed in PACE bus crash The announcement is set to take place at The Hatchery, a non-profit food and beverage business incubator located adjacent to all three vacant city plots up for consideration by the hopeful developers. There is also a CTA Green Line stop at the heart of all sites.Interested teams were given a 47-page packet to help guide their proposals. Overall, the city sought to have the following goals met, as stated in the packet:Create a well-integrated mixed-use development that enhances the vibrancy of the Garfield Park community.Implement Equ...

Faculty strike at 3 Illinois universities imminent?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Three universities across Illinois are bracing for a possible strike involving educators and staff.The University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 faculty and staff unions at Eastern Illinois University, Governor's State University and Chicago State University have announced their intent to strike after what they called 'minimal progress' at the bargaining table. Teachers and staff at Eastern Illinois University plan to walk out on April 6 if a deal if both sides can't come to terms over pay. Faculty and staff at Governor's State University in the south suburbs, and the city's Chicago State University, also held a strike vote last Friday.The earliest strike date for GSU and CSU is April 7 and April 3, respectively. “Sadly, we’re seeing these situations on campuses across the state,” said UPI President John Miller. “From CSU to Governors State University to Eastern Illinois University, campus presidents are refusing to do the right thing for their students, faculty...

One warm day before a brief cooling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This day started mostly cloudy before some clearing provided sunshine into the early afternoon.More warmth before a brief cooldownA warm front will move into the southern part of Central Texas during the day. It will then return to the south as a cold front tonight through the overnight hours. This results in a 30% chance of showers/thunderstorms. North winds will arrive behind the front.The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a marginal risk (Category 1 out of 5) of strong to severe thunderstorms tonight. Hail and gusty winds are possible. Low risk of severe storms late Monday - threat: large hailTuesday will be breezy and cooler with most highs in the middle/upper 60s to a few low 70s. The north wind will gust in excess of 25 to 35+ mph.Wednesday will be the coolest day this week with lows from the middle/upper 40s to low 50s and highs below normal in the middle to upper 60s. An upper-level low is in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Washington. It will head...

What Texas is doing to keep students safe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas lawmakers will consider 17 bills aimed at enhancing school safety in the House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety on Monday.The hearing, conducted by a special committee formed after the tragic Robb Elementary massacre in May, comes hours after another mass school shooting left three children and three adults dead in Nashville, Tennessee.House Bill 3 is the legislature's sweeping school safety bill and is at the top of the committee's agenda. It is authored by State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), who also chaired the House's investigation into the Robb Elementary school shooting.HB 3 requires Texas schools to meet enhanced security standards for their physical infrastructure and mandates school districts place at least one armed security officer at every campus. It also requires districts to implement a "multihazard emergency operations plan" and perform intruder detection audits every year. Under that bill, school districts would receive at leas...

Eric Clapton to play St. Paul for the first time in 14 years in September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:59 GMT

Eric Clapton, the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will return to St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center Sept. 14 for his first local concert in 14 years.Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced prices. Blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan will open.Clapton, who turns 78 on Thursday, began performing as a teenager. In 1963, he joined the Yardbirds, a British band that played Chicago-style blues. He left the group two years later, after their single “For Your Love” became a chart success. He then joined the power trio Cream, rock music’s first supergroup.Cream only lasted 28 months, but sold more than 15 million albums and scored hits with “White Room,” “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Crossroads.” Clapton’s next group, Blind Faith, included Steve Winwood, with whom he shared the stage when he last played the X in June 2009.After joining yet another band, Derek and the Dominos, Clapton embarked o...