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Yellen addresses Essence Festival crowd, discusses economy, efforts to enfold minority communities

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday touted the Biden administration’s efforts to build a “fairer economy.”“I strongly believe that our racial equity work is not just the morally right thing to do. It’s in the best economic interests of our entire country,” Yellen told a crowd gathered for the Global Black Economic Forum held at this year’s Essence Festival of Culture.Yellen, the first treasury secretary to attend and speak at the festival, was warmly greeted by the mostly Black audience.“I appreciate all of you for being here today — and for taking time away from the music and other attractions. I know that hip-hop icons like Megan Thee Stallion are playing in the next few days and that I am just a warm-up act for them,” she said, drawing a round of laughter and applause.Yellen said the enactment of the “American Rescue Plan to support families, keep businesses open and ensure that critical services could continue to function” amid the...

Judge allows nearly all of North Carolina’s revised 12-week abortion law to take effect

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge ruled on Friday that nearly all of North Carolina’s revised 12-week abortion law scheduled to begin this weekend can take effect, while temporarily blocking one rule that doctors feared could expose them to criminal penalties.The decision by U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles sets aside that rule but allows the law’s remaining provisions to begin on Saturday while litigation continues. Abortion providers had last week requested a blanket order halting all of the July 1 restrictions pending their court challenge. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and a physician said several sections in the newly revised law were so vague and seemingly contradictory that doctors could unintentionally break the law, leaving them unable to care for women seeking legal abortions.But the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed legislation this week revising or repealing nearly all of the challenged provisions, making arguments against most of them ...

Virginia high school admissions case could be legal follow-up to affirmative action ruling

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court’s ruling last month about the admissions policy at an elite public high school in Virginia may provide a vehicle for the U.S. Supreme Court to flesh out the intended scope of its ruling Thursday banning affirmative action in college admissions.The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, outside the nation’s capital, routinely ranks as one of the best public schools in America; admission is highly competitive.A coalition of parents, backed by a conservative legal foundation, filed a lawsuit in 2021 challenging the admissions policy at TJ, and the foundation is asking the Supreme Court to take up the case. The suit raises similar but not identical issues to those addressed by the high court’s ruling rejecting admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina as unconstitutional.The colleges’ admissions rules took an applicant’s race into account as one of many factors to be cons...

Louisiana governor vetoes anti-LGBTQ+ legislation including a gender-affirming care ban

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards blocked a package of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from becoming law Friday, including the state’s version of what critics call Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for young transgender people.The effort by Republicans to enact the legislation into Louisiana law is likely far from over. Multiple GOP state lawmakers say they anticipate convening for a veto session mid-July in an attempt to override the governor’s decision. Louisiana’s culture divide over LGBTQ+-related legislation echoes what has been seen in GOP-led statehouses across the country. Bills targeting transgender people have topped conservative agendas, and LGBTQ+ advocates say a dangerous and blatant attack is happening on their community. This year alone, more than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 41 states, according to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization...

Friday is a great day for the Cubs in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO — There is at least one thing you can count on from what has been an inconsistent Cubs team in 2023.That's the fact that the group has always seemed to play their best on Fridays, and that trend continued on the last day of June. Led by another strong start by Justin Steele and productive offense, the Cubs raced by the Guardians 10-1 on a warm, humid afternoon at Wrigley Field. It stopped a four-game losing streak that dated back to their trip to London and made fans feel better after getting swept by the Phillies to start the homestand. It also continued the trend of playing strong on Fridays, where the team is 10-2 during the 2023 season - and a lot of the games have been impressive. During five of their wins on Friday this season, the Cubs have won the game by at least six runs. In four of those contests, they've scored over ten runs, including the win on Friday over Cleveland. In the month of June, the Cubs won all four games on Friday, outscoring their opponents 25-7 in...

CPD: 58-year-old man missing since end of May

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 58-year-old man who was last seen on Tuesday, May 23.Jose Pablo Camacho Suarez, 58, was last seen near the 600 block of West Harrison near Chicago's Loop on Tuesday, May 23. Search underway for missing Hermosa man Suarez is described as 5-foot-9, weighing 150 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information regarding Jose Pablo Camacho Suarez's whereabouts are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-744-8266.

SCOTUS LGBTQ+ ruling sparks fear of widespread discrimination

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – In a case that pitted the First Amendment against discrimination laws, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a woman who argued she can't be forced to work with LGBTQ+ couples.Lori Smith is an Evangelical Christian from Colorado who designs wedding websites. Smith argued that because her designs are protected by the First Amendment, she has the right to refuse to work with LGBT couples.On Friday, the high court agreed. Here’s how many Oregonians applied for student debt relief before the SCOTUS ruling “Today I am incredibly grateful for the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling,” Smith said. “I'm free to create custom designs consistent with my beliefs without the fear of Colorado punishing me.”In the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that the First Amendment envisions "all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands."In response, President Biden said, “while the court's decision only addresses expressive original designs, ...

The Scotia Fireworks show presented by Jumpin' Jack's lights up Freedom Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y (NEWS10): The Scotia fireworks show presented by Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In has successfully lit the night sky once again. Except for a few cancellations due to weather and the pandemic, this fireworks show has happened every summer for nearly 50 years. But it was nearly cancelled this year, because of financial and safety concerns.“A stabbing happened last year. But um, I was shocked it was cancelled at first.”Thankfully the Schenectady county legislature was able to find a solution so that the show could go on; much to the delight of Jumpin' Jack's President, Mark Lansing.“So yeah, we’re on. We're ready to rock,” said Lansing. “I'm waiting for the most is the beautiful fireworks,” said one firework show-goer.The show which brings 10 to 15 thousand people to the drive-in and the neighboring park along the Mohawk River featured a water ski show by the U.S Water Ski Team and a live band performing on stage at Freedom Park for all to enjoy. The big fireworks display could be ...

Cohoes stabbing, assault victim pleads not guilty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 39-year-old man accused of attacking two people in Cohoes appeared in court on Friday. Thomas Spears pleaded not guilty to four counts, including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.He was remanded to jail pending an application for bail and is due back in court in August. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Spears is accused of stabbing someone in the neck with a screwdriver at the Stewart's Shop on Columbia Street. The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. He also allegedly attacked a woman in the Columbia Gardens apartment complex.Orders of protection were issued for the victims.

Pickleball courts open at Capital Hills Golf Course

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The popularity of pickleball has spiked in the past few years, and Albany now has its own facility dedicated to the sport. The city held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning to celebrate the opening of four new pickleball courts at the Capital Hills Golf Course.The courts are free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. Organizers hope to see a lot of people come out and play. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "It's the fastest growing sport," Jonathan Jones, Albany Commissioner or Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services, said. "It's for all ages. This court is for all skill levels, and we're just excited to have a dedicated court in the capital of New York."The courts can be reserved for a fee. City officials will be gathering data on usage habits to decide how to maximize the space moving forward.