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The Pentagon warns Congress it is running low on money to replace weapons sent to Ukraine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is warning Congress that it is running low on money to replace weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine and has already been forced to slow down resupplying some troops, according to a letter sent to congressional leaders.The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, urges Congress to replenish funding for Ukraine. Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding bill over the weekend, but the measure dropped all assistance for Ukraine in the battle against Russia.Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been flowing to Ukraine. The weapons include millions of rounds of artillery, rockets and missiles critical to Ukraine’s counteroffensive aimed at taking back territory gained by Russia in the war.In addition, the U.S. has about $5.4 billion left to provide weapons and equipment from its stockpil...

Pritzker: Federal response to migrant crisis 'uncoordinated', Illinois requests for assistance 'ignored'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

CHICAGO -- A community gathering will be held on Monday at Benito Juarez Academy to discuss a new migrant shelter coming to Pilsen as Governor Pritzker calls on the federal government to step up.In a new letter to President Joe Biden, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker calls the federal response to the crisis uncoordinated and he says the federal government has largely ignored Illinois’ requests so far. The governor write:“The federal government's lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois. There is much more that can and must be done on a federal level to address a national humanitarian crisis that is currently being shouldered by state and local governments without support.”The governor recommends that President Biden create a single office with an identified leader to oversee the border and coordinate with cities and states, give the state more money for housing, food and social services and speed up the work authorization process f...

Skilling: Cloudy Monday night before high 80s arrive Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

WOW! What a way to send Sept on its way and welcome the new month of October.Monday has recorded the third straight day of 80s and is likely to end up with an official high of 86-deg after an 87 Sunday and an 84-deg high Saturday (which was the closing day of Sept 2023)--and there are another TWO DAYS OF UNSEASONABLE 80s to go which will bring the streak to 5 consecutive 80s.Today (Mon, Oct 2) marked the third consecutive day of 100% of our possible sun. In fact—here are the percentages of possible sun we've logged here in Chicago as measured officially by veteran NWS observer at Midway Airport Frank Wachowski:THU (9/28): 23%.  FRI (9/29): 81%  SAT (9/30): 100%.  SUN (10/1) 100%. MON (10/2) 100%The Greater Chicago area's warmest Monday highs included 91 at Tinley Park: 90 at Roselawn and Hebron IN and 90 at Elwood in Will county plus highs of 88 at New Lenox, Oswego, Starved Rock and at Midewin Tallgrass Prairie-----while  VERY LOCALIZED LAKE BREEZES held immedia...

Will Lionel Messi play vs. Chicago Fire FC? Superstar's status still up in the air for Wednesday's match

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Thanks to an injury, there is now a question as to whether the world's greatest soccer player will indeed take the pitch at Soldier Field Wednesday night. An injury could force Lionel Messi to sit out that match against Chicago Fire FC. It's very possible that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for world player of the year and 2022 World Cup champion for Argentina could be on the bench for Inter Miami CF in one of the most anticipated matches in Fire history. Messi is dealing with a leg injury that forced him to miss the MLS club's last three games and four of his last five. On Saturday, it was announced that he wouldn't play against New York City FC less than an hour before the match that was played at DRV PKN Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets to see Lionel Messi face Chicago Fire FC are in demand The last match Messi played was on September 20 against Toronto FC at home, when he played 37 minutes before being subbed out before halftime. He missed Inter Miami CF previo...

What's on the docket this U.S. Supreme Court term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Gun rights for domestic abusers, free speech on social media and voting rights are among the major issues before the U.S. Supreme Court as it begins another consequential term.Doug Letter of Brady, which works to prevent gun violence, said that though the court expanded certain gun rights last term, the group is "optimistic" it will strike down a lower court's decision allowing domestic abusers to own guns."Because otherwise a whole lot of women and children are going to die," Letter said.Later this month, the justices will consider a racial gerrymandering case that asks if South Carolina's congressional maps discriminate against Black voters."We do have cases that are active in Florida and Georgia and many other states, and in a lot of ways, we're looking at what happens in South Carolina," Kathay Peng of equal rights advocacy group Common Cause said.The court is also expected to take on its first abortion case since overturning Roe v. Wade. This time, it wil...

Few in new poll say conservatives can speak freely on college campuses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

(The Hill) -- Americans in a new survey said they believe college campuses are more likely to be open to liberals than conservatives when it comes to free speech.Forty-seven percent of adults questioned said liberals on college campuses have “a lot” of freedom to express their opinion, while only 20 percent said conservatives do, according to the poll from the University of Chicago and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. While Republicans are more likely to report a bias against conservatives on college campuses, the poll found Democrats do as well. After 3 years, student loan payments are back Only 9 percent of Republicans said conservatives can speak freely on campus, while 58 percent said liberals can speak their minds. The poll found that about 4 in 10 Democrats said liberals can express their views freely, while about 3 in 10 Democrats said conservatives can.The poll comes after a handful of students at U.S. colleges held protests against conservative guests ...

'No one above the law': Trump on trial in NY fraud case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) -- Moments before entering a New York courtroom to begin a bench trial on business fraud, former President Donald Trump defiantly called the fraud case against him part of "the single greatest witch hunt of all time."The fraud charges could cost Trump control of some of his prized properties and as much as a $250 million fine.Trump also lashed out at New York Attorney General Leticia James, who brought the case against him for lying about his wealth in financial statements to banks, insurers and others."We have a racist attorney general who's a horror show," Trump said.And he blasted Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled on part of the case last week that Trump committed fraud for years by overvaluing or undervaluing his assets."He's a Democrat operative," Trump said of the judge.This is a high stakes civil trial that could strip Trump of control of Trump Tower and other properties. In 2018 Trump valued his Mar-a-Lago estate at about $739 million. Prosecutors say that...

More Texas Black mothers die while giving birth, so an HBCU looked for solutions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's historically Black university is launching a new doula-midwife training program.Huston-Tillotson is partnering with Black Mamas ATX and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The university set out to add more culturally competent people to the maternal health workforce through Boldly B.L.U.E. BCBSTX, Huston-Tillotson announce collaboration for culturally-aligned maternal, infant healthcare in Texas State data shows Black women die while giving birth at a higher rate compared to other women in Texas.Right in the thick of this task is Nakeenya Wilson. She's a mom of three, an entrepreneur and now a certified doula who will be consulting key leaders in HT's new program."It's being that support being a source of information, education, for both the birthing person and their partner," Wilson said.Wilson wants to help mothers cherish precious birthing moments. A calling, if you will, after she herself had major labor complications with her son."Him being born, not breathing.....

Williamson County burn ban lifted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell approved Monday lifting its burn ban for unincorporated areas within the county's jurisdiction. The ban officially lifted at 3:30 p.m., according to an updated county news release.Residents are still advised to exercise caution when it comes to any outdoor burning activity, which must be done under state regulations outlined in Texas Administrative Code Section 30 TAC 111.219.Anyone conducting control burns are advised to contact the local fire department, with county officials noting some departments require a burn permit before a control burn is done. The county also stressed calling and reporting the controlled burn to Williamson County Communications at (512) 864-8282, with the office available to provide information on any burning restrictions countywide.

Man killed on St. Paul street was 36-year-old from Milwaukee, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:20 GMT

A man found fatally shot on a street in St. Paul’s Battle Creek neighborhood was a 36-year-old from Milwaukee, police said Monday.No one was under arrest in the killing of Khoua Yang as of Monday afternoon.Officers were called about 2:10 a.m. Sunday to a shooting in the 2100 block of Scenic Place, which runs between Pederson and Winthrop streets. They found Yang had been shot and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.Investigators asked on Sunday for anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Man fatally shot on St. Paul street in Battle Creek neighborhood Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul high school coach charged with sexual contact with 15-year-old student Crime & Public Safety | ‘There really is just no justice,’ brother says after motorist pleads guilty to Falcon Heights criminal vehicular homicide Crime & Public Safety | White Bea...