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Stock market today: Wall Street drifts as its big rally cools some more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are drifting Thursday as Wall Street’s red-hot rally for the year cools a bit more.The S&P 500 was 0.3% lower in late trading after teetering between small gains and losses through the day. It’s on pace for a third drop after setting a 16-month high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 64 points, or 0.2%, at 35,217, as of 3:15 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.2% lower.A day earlier, U.S. stocks tumbled to their worst loss in months. While the drop came after Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S. government’s credit rating, analysts say they expect the move to mean little for financial markets. U.S. Treasury debt is the cornerstone of the global financial system, but the downgrade likely won’t push any investors to dump theirs.The big questions remain whether the economy will avoid a recession, how corporate profits will do and where interest rates are heading. Hanging over them all is whether the stock market’s big run this year wa...

Italy approves extradition of priest wanted for murder, torture during Argentina dictatorship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s justice minister has approved the extradition of an Italian priest sought by Argentina on charges of murder and torture during that country’s last military dictatorship but the priest is appealing the extradition in Italian courts, a lawyer and rights groups said Thursday.Attorney Arturo Salerni, who represents Argentina, told The Associated Press that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio on Wednesday signed off on the request to extradite the Rev. Franco Reverberi, an 85-year-old priest who served as military chaplain during Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship.However, according to an Italian human rights group monitoring the case, Reverberi is appealing his extradition to Italy’s top criminal court and a ruling isn’t expected for weeks.Due to a clerical error, the justice minister was unaware of the appeal when he issued his ruling Wednesday, explained Jorge Ithurburu, who represents the March 24 human rights advocacy group. Even if the top court rejects Rever...

PETA asks Lake Station mayor to recuse police department after dogs die in box truck

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

LAKE STATION, Ind. — PETA has asked the mayor of Lake Station and its city council to recuse its own police department in an investigation related to several police K9s dying in a box truck.On July 27, a driver carrying the German Shepherds from O'Hare stopped at Road Ranger gas station on Ripley Street to get the dogs out of their crates after hearing them bark.Lake Station police said the AC unit in the back of the box truck failed and the driver became stuck in a two-hour traffic delay.There were 18 German Shepherds traveling in the truck and eight of them died.The executive director of the Hobart Humane Society, Jennifer Webber, was among the first on the scene and claims several municipal codes were broken. The driver was allowed to leave with the remaining dogs who were not hospitalized as residents looked on.On Wednesday, PETA sent a letter to Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll and the city's council urging Carroll to recuse police department in the investigation. Several K-9s...

Chicago shootings, murders decline; Still not back to pre-pandemic level

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are reporting continued declines in several key categories of crime in the first seven months of the year.There have been 1,448 shootings so far this year, a decline of 9% from the same period last year. The 363 murders so far this year is 6% fewer than 2022, according to newly released department data. However, murders remain 23% higher than the year before the pandemic.Police brass are also trumpeting the highest murder clearance rate since 2015. While detectives report solving more murders, the 52% reported homicide clearance rate still means a killer essentially has the same odds as a coin flip when it comes to getting away with murder. More Coverage: WGN Investigates The department’s press release fails to mention that when you factor in other major categories of crime – including criminal sexual assault, burglary, aggravated battery and motor vehicle theft - crime is actually up 36% this year and 55% from 2019.    From 2019: Odds of getting away wi...

Here are the top education issues to watch going into the new school year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

(The Hill) -- Schools are preparing for a new academic year amid growing political polarization in the classroom and mounting concerns about learning loss. As the 2024 election heats up and reports indicate plummeting test scores, educators are at the forefront of navigating the line to satisfy students, parents and politicians. From advances in technology to books pulled off a classroom shelf, the new year is expected to bring serious challenges to educators, along with battles at the legislative level on how and what should be taught in the classroom.Here are the biggest education issues to watch heading into the new school year:Learning loss Students are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their learning, with numerous studies showing children have fallen behind in vital subjects such as math and reading. Despite most students getting back to the classroom in 2021, the learning loss experienced from online or hybrid learning reverberates toda...

Austin's 27-day streak of consecutive 100° days ties as the longest in recorded history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing the longest stretch of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means temperatures have reached the century mark for 27 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that ties with 2011 as the longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak past 30 days. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The record streak currently stands at 27 days, set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's streak of triple-digit days came to an end Thursday, July 27, with ...

Waymo gears up for ride-hail service launch in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After announcing its autonomous vehicle prototype testing in Austin back in April, Waymo is slated to begin initial commercial ride-hail operations in the Texas capital this fall before a more public rollout later on.Austin marks the company's fourth ride-hail market, joining the Phoenix metro, San Francisco and Los Angeles, per a company release. Over the past several months, Waymo has tested its all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Austin."With this early testing successfully concluded, we’ll begin an initial phase of operations this fall, with fully autonomous deployment and our first rides with the public in the months following," company officials said in the release.Its Austin operations will provide ride-hail services both during the day and in the evenings, with earmarked travel locations including downtown along with the Barton Hills, Riverside, east Austin and Hyde Park neighborhoods. PAST COVERAGE: New autonomous vehicle company en route for testing i...

Minnesota United and Kemar Lawrence part ways

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

Minnesota United and Kemar Lawrence have parted ways, sources told the Pioneer Press this week.The Jamaican left back’s tenure with the Loons comes to a close within two seasons. He has been away from the club this week, and MNUFC might make his exit official Thursday afternoon.Acquired from Toronto FC in April 2022, Lawrence took over for previous starter Chase Gasper and played 2,305 MLS minutes over 27 matches a year ago. This season, the 30-year-old played 1,116 MLS minutes over 14 appearances, 13 starts.Meanwhile in the summer transfer window, the Loons brought in English left back Ethan Bristow via transfer from Tranmere Rovers in England’s fourth division. Bristow, 21, received his work visa in Canada this week and might MNUFC debut against Columbus Crew in a Leagues Cup round of 32 match on Friday.The Loons have been relying on DJ Taylor and Zarek Valetin at fullback in recent weeks.Lawrence had worn out his welcome in Minnesota. Overshadowed by Emanuel Reynoso’s headline-gr...

White Bear Lake names new police chief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

Dale Hager will be the next White Bear Lake police chief.Hager, an administrative captain with the department, will assume his new role on Aug. 28.Dale Hager will be the new chief of police for White Bear Lake. (Courtesy of the City of White Bear Lake)According to a statement from the city of White Bear Lake, Hager has 26 years of law enforcement experience. In his career, he has been a narcotics task force member, a firearms, field training and defensive tactics instructor, a K9 handler, an investigator as well as a school resource and DARE officer.Before being adminstrative captain, Hager was a sergeant with the Lino Lakes Police Department.“Captain Hager’s past performance in service-oriented leadership to the City and professional preparations demonstrated his outstanding qualifications to assume the responsibilities of White Bear Lake’s next Chief of Police,” said City Manager Lindy Crawford, in a statement. “I am excited for the next chapter for the Police Department and to se...

Union College changes nickname to Garnet Chargers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:28 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The era of the Dutchmen/Dutchwomen has officially ended. Moving forward, Union College will be known as the Garnet Chargers. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The new nickname beat out over 400 submissions by Union students, faculty, staff, and alumni. According to Union College, Garnet reflects the school's official color, and Chargers relates to Schenectady’s legacy as a hub for electrical innovation and invention. Chargers is also a metaphor for the high-energy, forward-looking Union College experience.A new mascot is being finalized. Merchandise with the new Bolt U logo can be purchased on the school's online store.