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Judge wants plan to protect humpback whales from fishery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

A U.S. judge this week ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the law when it failed to develop a plan to prevent the harming of humpback whales by West Coast commercial fishermen catching sablefish. The Endangered Species Act requires the fisheries service to develop a plan to reduce the number of whales accidentally injured or killed by the fishery, but the agency neither crafted such a plan nor started to create one, the ruling said. About 150 commercial fishing vessels use traps to capture sablefish in waters off California, Oregon and Washington. The fish dwell on muddy ocean floors deeper than 650 feet (200 meters). To target the fish, fishermen place multiple heavy pots on the seafloor and link them together with heavy-duty fishing line.The number of pots range from 15 to 50 while the lines can stretch about two miles (three kilometers), according to court documents. The fishery deployed an annual average of 75,000 pots from 2015 to 2019, the document said....

Here is what’s at stake in abortion medication case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of a popular abortion medication. The hearing comes as a conservative Christian group seeks to reverse federal approval of the drug mifepristone.A two-pill combination of mifepristone and another drug is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. and the ruling would affect states where abortion is legal as well as those that outlaw it. The case has raised concerns about court transparency and so-called judge shopping.Here’s a look at some of the legal issues surrounding the case: HOW DID THE ABORTION PILL CHALLENGE START? Abortion opponents who helped overturn Roe v. Wade filed a lawsuit in November, asking a judge in Texas to reverse the approval of mifepristone. Research shows that medication-induced abortions are safe and effective, and they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration more than 20 years ago. But the group, Alliance Defending F...

André Boisclair, former Parti Québécois leader and sex offender, granted parole

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

MONTREAL — Former Parti Québécois leader André Boisclair, who pleaded guilty in June to sexually assaulting two young men, has been granted parole. In a decision rendered Tuesday, the provincial parole board, the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles, concluded that releasing Boisclair would not compromise public safety.“The commission believes that release at this stage of your sentence, with followups, conditions, and supervision, remains, in the long run, an appropriate measure to ensure the protection of the public, while promoting successful reintegration,” it wrote. Boisclair, 56, has served roughly one-third of his sentence of two years less a day in jail.It was the second time Boisclair had sought parole. A previous application was denied in November because of what the parole board saw as Boisclair’s “arrogant attitude” and his refusal to take part in a therapy program. The board wrote this week that it believes the November denial has led ...

New ticket lottery launches for Paris 2024 Olympics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Paris Olympics organizers kicked off the individual ticketing program Wednesday for next year’s Games, after an initial round of package sales left many buyers feeling frustrated at high costs.Would-be spectators can sign up now through April 20 for a lottery for millions of tickets for Olympic events, which run July 26-Aug. 8, 2024. Those chosen for the draw will be contacted in May to log on and purchase individual tickets.An initial ticketing lottery in February and March allowed buyers to get packages of tickets, but few people were able to access lower-cost tickets. Buyers were also required to buy packages for multiple sports, to encourage people to attend less-popular events.Paris 2024 organizers announced last year that there will be 1 million tickets at 24 euros ($26) and more than 4 million for less than 50 euros ($53). In all, 10 million tickets for the Olympics and 3.4 million for the Paralympics will be made available on the online platform. A final ticketi...

AG Kwame Raoul backs Johnson, Vallas endorsed by Ja'Mal Green, councilmembers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

CHICAGO — On the heels of a Tuesday night debate focused on public safety, Chicago mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson picked up key endorsements on Wednesday.One finalist received the support of one of the state's highest elected officials, while a former mayoral opponent backed another. Brandon Johnson was endorsed by Illinois' top legal professional, Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Amid this election season, Raoul is the first statewide elected official to endorse a candidate for mayor. Raoul said he had discussions with both candidates before making his decision.  Johnson, Vallas pick up endorsements, participate in public safety forum at UIC "After all of the conversations, I decided that Brandon is better for Chicago," Raoul said. To improve safety and curb violence in Chicago, Johnson says part of his crime reduction strategy includes hiring or promoting 200 detectives. Raoul stressed confidence that Johnson’s leadership would improve the city’s clearance rates...

Feds: 6 people indicted in drug trafficking investigation after shipping meth from California to Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Five people from Chicago and one person from California have been indicted on federal charges after selling meth shipped from California to Chicago.According to federal prosecutors, the group of people, five from Chicago and one from Sacramento, California, are all facing drug trafficking charges after more than 200 parcels of suspected meth were shipped to the group in Chicago. 5 in custody after attempted robbery on CTA train in Loop The indictment was filed on Tuesday and alleges the shipments happened between February 2022 and February 2023.Money was also shipped back to the person in California by private shipping companies, including FedEx and UPS. Chicago man files class action suit against Buffalo Wild Wings, says boneless wings are just nuggets Several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DEA, FBI, Chicago Police Department, Riverside Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations were involved in the investigation.

Several students sickened after possibly eating pot gummies at California school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

(KTLA) – At least seven people needed medical evaluation Wednesday afternoon after possibly ingesting marijuana gummies at a school in Sun Valley, California officials said.The incident was reported around 1:20 p.m. at 7330 N. Bakman Avenue, the site of Sun Valley Magnet School, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.The patients, all believed to be school age, were being evaluated for "sudden illness" after ingesting what is believed to be chewable marijuana, officials said. They were all conscious and breathing.Several Los Angeles Fire Department units responded to the school, aerial video from Nexstar's KTLA showed.No further details about the incident have been released.Marijuana and marijuana edibles are widely available in cannabis stores across California, where voters legalized recreational use in 2016. This is a developing story.

Winnipeg Set To Host Major Conference On Cybersecurity and Cyber Insurance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

First Warning: Weekend cold snap may bring a few snowflakes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A late-season cold snap blows into central Texas on the heels of strong to severe thunderstorms late Thursday night.We wake up Friday morning with temperatures in the lower 40s and northerly winds howling at more than 30 miles per hour. A Wind Advisory may be issued Friday by the National Weather Service. Wind chills early Friday drop below freezing in some areas.Forecast wind chill temperatures Friday morningCold, cloudy weather lingers through the weekend into early next week. Freezing temperatures are possible only in the coldest Hill Country communities through Monday morning, though they will not fall as cold as the 20s, nor will they be widespread. Freezing temperatures are not expected in Austin nor our eastern communities.Wait... Did He Say Snow?A weak disturbance in the atmosphere may generate a few light rain showers in our southern tier of counties this weekend, then a likelihood of cold rain on the first day of spring Monday.But cold rain is not the only ...

Austin creek turns green and it's not for St. Patrick's Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:39 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 15, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dead fish are littering the shoreline of Shoal Creek in central Austin, and several others were spotted floating in the water Tuesday, according to photos from a KXAN viewer. The water in the creek has also turned green in spots. Officials tell KXAN it's because of a water main break.The TCEQ Austin region said it learned about a water discharge into the creek on March 14. A 12-inch water main broke near Shoal Creek Boulevard and Bull Creek Road. TCEQ crews responded to the area on March 15 and noted the dead fish and unclear water conditions.Crews repaired the pipe on the morning of March 15. The Austin region will monitor the creek until it returns to normal.Photos taken March 15, 2023 at Austin's Shoal Creek. Photo courtesy: Matt FranksPhotos taken March 15, 2023 at Austin's Shoal Creek. Photo courtesy: Matt FranksPhotos taken March 15, 2023 at Austin's Shoal Creek. Photo court...