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The US is restricting visas for nearly 300 Guatemalan lawmakers, others for ‘undermining democracy’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The Biden administration announced on Monday that it would impose visa restrictions on nearly 300 Guatemalan lawmakers, private sector leaders and their families it accuses of “undermining democracy and the rule of law.”Guatemala faces mounting criticism by world leaders and watchdogs accusing it of attempts to block progressive president-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office in January.The victory of Arévalo and his Seed Movement party is seen as a threat to those who have long wielded power in Guatemala. The anti-corruption crusader has been a target for months, with arrests of party members, raids and repeated requests to lift his immunity so prosecutors can investigate him directly.The State Department in a statement condemned “ongoing anti-democratic actions” by prosecutors and other actors and noted “intent to delegitimize Guatemala’s free and fair elections and prevent the peaceful transition of power.”The State Department did not provide The Associated...

Stickney Police Department seeks missing minor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

STICKNEY, Ill. — The Stickney Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a missing minor who was last seen early Sunday morning.According to the Stickney Police Department Facebook page, Noelia Brito was last seen leaving her house at around midnight on Sunday, Dec. 10.If anyone has seen Noelia or has information about her, call 911 immediately or contact the Stickney Police Department at 708-788-2131.

Chicagoland businesses, schools strike to call attention to thousands of Palestinian deaths

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

CHICAGO -- Over 200 businesses and schools in the Chicagoland area have shut down Monday to call attention to the thousands of Palestinians killed in the ongoing conflict with Israel over the past two months. Businesses in the Chicagoland area and across the country have gone on strike to call attention to Palestinians killed in Gaza, the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine said. Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israeli bombings on Oct. 7, mostly being women and Children, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial attack carried out by Hamas, which was reported to have been known by Israel as much as a year in advance, the New York Times said. According to Aljazeera, people have been urged to skip work and school -- with seven schools in the Chicagoland area following along.Schools participating in the strike:Aqsa SchoolAl Majd SchoolAlajyal SchoolKindi AcademyMultaqa AcademyIQ TutoringAltayseer Scho...

Spring Valley convenience store owners watch as lottery player wins $1M on scratch-off ticket

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

SPRING VALLEY, Ill. — A $20 holiday-themed scratch-off ticket has turned an Illinois Lottery player into a millionaire.According to the Illinois Lottery, the Merry Multiplier ticket was sold at Happy’s Super Service Convenience Store in the 100 block of East Dakota Street in Spring Valley, and the store's owners say they watched as the big winner scratched their way to riches.“Next thing we know, the customer is jumping up and down and screaming, so we knew it had to be a big winning ticket. It was a pretty exciting moment,” said Lisa West, who owns the store with her husband Fred. Illinois Lottery: Stories of millionaires made overnight The store's owners say Spring Valley, located about 90 miles from Chicago, only has about 5,500 residents, so the million-dollar win is pretty significant.“There’s not a lot of action going on here, so someone winning a million bucks playing the Lottery is pretty big news around and we’re so excited that it happened at our store,” West said.The re...

Stassi costs White Sox $740,000 minimum in 2024, with Braves sending Chicago $6.26 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are sending $6.26 million to the White Sox along with Max Stassi, covering all of what the catcher is owed next year except for the $740,000 major league minimum salary.Stassi was traded to the White Sox on Saturday, one day after the catcher was acquired by the Braves in a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.Chicago will send Atlanta a player to be named or $100,000.Stassi, 32, did not play this season. He strained his left hip in spring training, and the team said on Sept. 9 that while he was capable of resuming baseball activities, he would miss the rest of the season because of a serious family medical issue. Former NHL player, coach Tony Granato diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma He is owed a $7 million salary for next season as part of a $17.5 million, three-year contract he signed with the Angels in March 2022. His deal calls for a $7.5 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout.Stassi has a .212 career average with 41 home...

Former NHL player, coach Tony Granato diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Former NHL player and coach Tony Granato said on social media Sunday night that he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is taking a leave of absence from TV work for NBC Sports Chicago and the NHL Network.The 59-year-old Granato posted on X that he will begin treatment this week.“I wish I could reach out to everyone individually, but felt like this was the best way to share the news,” Grantato tweeted. “My family, faith, and friends will be my strength to help me through my treatments. I appreciate all the love and support I have received already.”Granato was fired in March as coach at alma mater Wisconsin after seven seasons. Lawsuit accuses NCAA of antitrust violation in college athlete transfer rule A member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Granato had 248 goals and 244 assists in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. He won the 1998 Bill Masterton Trophy as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of persevera...

Pritzker signs law lifting moratorium on nuclear reactors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday lifting a three-decade moratorium on development of nuclear reactors in the state.Smaller nuclear reactors — those producing less than 300 megawatts of power — will be allowed beginning January 2026. Morris Republican Sen. Sue Rezin, the proposal's sponsor, argued that nuclear power is a critical part of the state's renewable energy portfolio. These Illinois cities rank among the worst-paying areas for teachers in the US: analysis “Illinois has a long, successful and safe history of nuclear energy generation,” Rezin said in a statement after the Democratic governor's action, which she said "will ensure that our state can remain a leader in the energy sector by offering us the ability to utilize the amazing advancements in new nuclear energy technology.”Rezin and the measure's House sponsor, Democratic Rep. Lance Yednock of Ottawa, are counting on the future success of so-called small, modular reactors ...

Kate Cox leaves state for abortion while case waits in Supreme Court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The 31-year-old Dallas woman at the center of a major challenge to Texas abortion ban was forced to leave the state for an abortion while her case awaits action in the state Supreme Court, the Center for Reproductive Rights said Monday.Last week, a Travis County court ruled Kate Cox could receive an abortion under the medical exceptions in Texas' ban. Cox received a fatal fetal diagnosis at 20 weeks of pregnancy called trisomy 18. The fetus is unable to sustain life, and Cox argued her health and future fertility would be at risk if she gave birth.But Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene, arguing the lower court abused their discretion by imposing a temporary restraining order on the state ban. The Supreme Court temporarily halted that order while they weigh whether to intervene, meaning that Cox had only a short window to obtain a legal abortion in Texas. State of Texas: Court temporarily blocks emergency abortion for Texas wo...

What are flu levels like in Texas?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the cooler weather comes an increase in the number of colds and respiratory illnesses spreading around Central Texas. But how does this flu season compare to the onset of last year's?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies December through February as peak flu season, with February often accounting for the highest volume of flu activity. While the overall impact and severity of strains vary each flu season, last year's peak in Texas happened in early December, according to data compiled by the Texas Department of State Health Services. How to brace for peak cedar fever season The highest positivity rate reported in Texas during the 2022-23 season happened in early December, where reports indicated a 24.5% positivity rate. That rate is determined by the percentage of flu tests that came back positive compared to the overall number of tests conducted.The 2023-24 flu season began Oct. 1. As of a Dec. 8 DSHS report, there are more than 4,700 posi...

Texas Attorney General: Death benefits awarded for fallen Operation Lone Star soldiers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said four lump-sum death benefits were awarded for fallen soldiers in Texas’ Operation Lone Star.Paxton said legislation was enacted that allows eligible active-duty military members and national guardsmen deployed for Operation Lone Star to be provided a death benefit.“The legislation provides that the surviving spouse, child, or parent will receive the benefit if the individual died while on active duty in connection with operations initiated to address criminal activity in the border region,” Paxton said in a statement.