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Penalosa bows out of mayoral race, throws support behind Chow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

The man who finished a distant second to John Tory in last year’s mayoral election says he won’t be vying for the job again when Torontonians head to the polls to replace Tory in the upcoming byelection.In a surprise announcement Wednesday, urban planner Gil Penalosa said he won’t be running for mayor, instead throwing his support behind candidate Olivia Chow.Penalosa garnered just under 18 per cent of the vote in October’s election, running on a platform to create more urban spaces and to make Toronto a more walkable and transit-friendly city.He had announced his intentions to run for mayor again after Tory resigned in the midst of a scandal over an affair, but he never actually registered.On Wednesday, he made it clear on Wednesday that he would not move forward in the increasingly-crowded race.“We need to act now to create a magnificent city for future generations to live in and enjoy,” he said on Wednesday, flanked by NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, who i...

Nordic news outlets: Russian yachts, cargo ships spy at sea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Russia is suspected of spying in the waters of the Baltic Sea and North Sea using civilian fishing trawlers, cargo ships and yachts, the public broadcasters of four Nordic countries said in a joint investigation published Wednesday. The investigation by the public broadcasting companies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden uncovered Moscow’s alleged undersea intelligence operations by tracking the radio traffic and locations of Russian vessels traveling in the seas over the past year.Analyzing the data revealed suspicious sailing patterns, particularly around offshore wind farms, gas pipelines, and undersea power and data cables, the broadcasters said. They published the investigation on their websites and planned to air a documentary, titled “Shadow War,” with their full findings later Wednesday. One of their conclusions states that Russian military and civilian ships were constantly on the move in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea with the aim of mapping critical ...

PSAC strike could have domino effect for unionized workers: labour expert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

A labour expert says if the current strike by thousands of public sector workers is successful, it could have a domino effect for unionized workers in other industries. Larry Savage, a professor in the labour studies department at Brock University, says strikes in the federal public service are rare, but the current labour dispute is reflective of a larger trend that’s seeing more militancy among unionized workers amid persistent inflation. Thousands of public-service workers began their strike Wednesday morning after the federal government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, representing some 155,000 federal workers up for bargaining, couldn’t reach a deal in negotiations that began almost two years ago. Almost a third of all federal public servants are involved in the strike, and the union and government alike have warned of disruptions to tax season, border operations, Employment Insurance, immigration and passport applications. Savage said the striking workers have been w...

Murder charges for 2 teens in Alabama Sweet 16 shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a shooting that killed four young people at a Sweet Sixteen birthday party, Alabama investigators announced Wednesday.Tallapoosa County District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair — Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee — would be tried as adults. That’s automatically required in Alabama for anyone 16 or older charged with murder. Sgt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency wouldn’t say where the two are being jailed, or whether they were already in custody when they were charged late Tuesday.“We can’t get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation,” Burkett added. “We can’t share that.”Authorities did not specify if they’re related. Segrest said prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail. A bond hearing must be held by Friday under Alabama law. Online court records do not show any previou...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 70s with showers, storms developing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Wednesday with a 30% storm chance. A wide range in temperatures (cooler N & NE). Winds: ESE 10-15 G25. High: 76. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy, slight storm chance, S 5-15. 62TOMORROW: Mostly cloudy, thunderstorms likely, SSW 15-20 G30. 73

'Survivor' contestant Keith Nale dies at 62, family says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

KEITHVILLE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Two-time "Survivor" contestant and Louisiana native Keith Nale died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, multiple entertainment outlets reported Wednesday. TMZ reported the 62-year-old died in his home in Keithville, Louisiana. Nale's wife Dana said it was unclear what type of cancer he had. His son Wes, who confirmed the death to Entertainment Tonight, said his father had been sick "for the past few months."The father-and-son duo appeared on 2014's "Survivor: San Juan del Sur," which was themed around loved ones competing together. Keith Nale he reached the final four before being voted off. Coroner releases Aaron Carter’s cause of death, says singer accidentally drowned in tub In 2015, Nale made a comeback for "Survivor: Cambodia," where he also made it far, but didn't secure the win."Lie, Cheat and Steal" -- Keith Nale at Tribal Council during the two-hour season finale of SURVIVOR, Wednesday, Dec. 16 (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)"Villains Have ...

Once-expelled Tennessee lawmakers invited to White House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

President Biden will host the two Tennessee lawmakers who were once expelled from the state's legislature and a third who was subject to expulsion at the White House on Monday.Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday that Biden would welcome Democratic state Reps. Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson. The president spoke with the lawmakers, known as the "Tennessee Three," on a recent video call to thank them for their work.Jones and Pearson earlier this month were expelled from the legislature for their participation in the recent gun violence demonstrations following a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tenn., last month. They both have been reinstated. Johnson, who also participated in the protests and is white, narrowly survived her expulsion vote.Jones, Johnson and Pearson led chants on the House floor last week in the aftermath of the shooting, chanting “No action, no peace.” Resolutions to expel them say they engaged in ...

Risk of strong to severe storms on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Confidence is rising in widespread storms and potentially some severe weather this week. Below is a day-by-day breakdown of storm potential & risks:TODAY (WED): Mainly cloudy skies can be expected through most of the day with a few sprinkles in the mix. Some breaks in the clouds are possible later this afternoon. A low risk for an isolated strong to severe storm is possible in the far western Hill Country as a dryline further west attempts to trigger storms. Low confidence exists in storms (1) forming & (2) holding together long enough to reach the Hill Country, but if they do, large hail will be the primary concern.Low risk (1 out of 5) for strong to severe storms Wednesday afternoon & eveningTHURSDAY: A slow-moving cold front tied to a strong storm system further north will be the main driver of storm development in our area Thursday. Scattered storms and showers are looking likely for a large portion of our area. There is a 1 out of 5 risk for isolate...

Study dubs Austin's I-35 'freeway without future'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A study conducted by a national urban mobility organization ranked Austin's I-35 on its list of 10 "freeways without futures," citing the highway's history of segregation, proposed expansion's displacement impacts and environmental concerns as reasons for its listing.The Congress for the New Urbanism is a 30-year-old institution that works with grassroot organizations and urban planners on ways to increase connectivity and mobility in cities. CNU's work focuses on improving transit diversity and access so people have more modes to travel places. RELATED: How I-35’s expansion proposal could impact Austin congestion, displaced properties In its evaluation of I-35, CNU noted both grassroot campaigns launched to replace I-35 as an urban boulevard, as well as concerns voiced by city and county officials on the TxDOT project.Federal funding funneled into I-35 'Cap and Stitch' programIn February, both Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court submitte...

MN Wild to host free playoff viewing party at Xcel Energy Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:40 GMT

Minnesota Wild fans are invited to attend a free playoff viewing party at Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday evening.Doors open at 8 p.m., a half hour before the puck drops in Dallas for Game 2 of the playoff series.The view should be great: Fans can watch the Wild face off with the Dallas Stars via the arena’s big screen — the 39×53 foot scoreboard — according to an Xcel Energy Center spokesperson.Concessions will be available for purchase.All guests should enter through Gate 1 of the X, which is located on the corner of West Kellogg Boulevard and West 7th Street in downtown Saint Paul.Info at xcelenergycenter.com/events/detail/minnesota-wild-playoff-viewing-party.It’ll be tougher (and more expensive) to get back into the arena on Friday, when the Wild return home for Game 3. “Verified resale tickets” were available on Wednesday through Ticketmaster starting at $160.If you want to stay home and watch Wednesday’s game, it’ll air at 8...