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Federal Liberals have gone more than six months without appointing ethics watchdog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

OTTAWA — It’s now been more than six months since Canada has had a federal ethics watchdog. Mario Dion retired in February after serving as the last permanent ethics and conflict-of-interest commissioner. A longtime staffer in that office, Martine Richard, took on an interim role in April — but she resigned within weeks amid controversy around the fact she is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.Investigations that would normally be conducted by a commissioner are on pause until a permanent replacement is found.Dion says the vacancy also means people can go unpunished — and violations can go unnoticed — until a new person is appointed.Dion, who is helping with the hiring process, says it’s not surprising that a candidate hasn’t been chosen yet because the field is narrow and few people would qualify for the job. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2023. The Canadian Press

Mayor Johnson on firing Dr. Arwady: 'Can't always go by the things that you hear'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

CHICAGO — During a Monday press conference at City Hall, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson quoted a slain rapper while addressing his decision to fire Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.Johnson was asked if the decision stemmed from disputes between Arwady and the Chicago Teachers Union, as both parties had previously clashed over school reopenings during the pandemic.   PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mayor Johnson fires Dr. Allison Arwady as Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner"Transition is difficult for everyone," Johnson said. "But as has already been articulated, I don't know how many times you're allowed to quote Tupac (Shakur) in a press conference, but 'You can't always go by the things that you hear.' Right? 'Real eyes...realize...real lies.' That's also Tupac Shakur."Mayor Johnson’s office confirmed the termination of Dr. Arwady to WGN-TV on Friday. Arwady served as the city's health commissioner since January 2020.Amid Johnson's campaign for m...

Chicago publicist named in indictment against former President Trump

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

CHICAGO — For a fourth time, a prosecutor has issued an indictment against former President Donald Trump.According to Fani Willis, the District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, Trump, and 18 allies "knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy" to reverse the 2020 election totals in favor of Trump. Trump, 18 allies indicted in Georgia over 2020 election meddling The charges were released late Monday night and named Trevian Kutti, a Chicagoan who’s been connected to Kanye West. Kutti is a publicist who is one of 19 people named in the 98-page indictment against the former president. Kutti was recently featured on WGN Morning News over the weekend where she spoke about an event happening in Chicago, but it is her alleged actions from back in 2021 that have pushed her into international headlines. Will Donald Trump show up at next week’s presidential debate? The Fulton County District Attorney alleges that Kutti is connected to an incident where two poll workers were targete...

Christkindlmarket sets schedule for 3 Chicagoland locations for 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Fans of a market that's around during the holiday season now know when it's going to start and finish in 2023. Christkindlmarket, which has three locations in the Chicagoland area, has set the schedule for those locations for the upcoming year. The German-style outdoor market has been a popular stop during the holiday and it will return again in 2023. The location at Daley Plaza at 50 W. Washington Street in Downtown Chicago will open on November 17 and run through December 24. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.On Thanksgiving (November 23) and Christmas Eve (December 24), it will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dean’s Reviews: ‘MJ The Musical’ Also on November 17, the Wrigleyville Christkindlmarket will open at Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field, 3635. N. Clark Street, and will be open through New Year's Eve. This will be part of the "Winterland" celebration that's held inside and outside of the bal...

CPD: Man critical after tow truck drive-by shooting in Little Village

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was critically wounded by a gunman inside a tow truck Monday night in Little Village.At around 6:45 p.m., police said a 25-year-old was outside in the 2600 block of West Cermak when a black tow truck pulled up. An occupant inside fired shots and struck the man in the back.He was transported to Mount Sinai in critical condition. No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

What happens to airline passengers when a plane loses cabin pressure?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The crew of a recent American Airlines flight was forced to make an immediate controlled descent following a “possible pressurization issue” on Thursday, dropping the plane’s altitude by nearly 20,000 feet in a span of minutes.The plane ultimately landed safely at its intended destination in Gainesville, Florida, but not before causing concern among passengers, one of whom shared photos of himself and fellow travelers wearing the oxygen masks that fell from their overhead panels.“I’ve flown a lot. This was scary,” wrote Harrison Hove, an education administrator and former anchor at Nexstar’s WCMH in Columbus, Ohio.“Kudos to our amazing flight crew- cabin staff and pilots on @AmericanAir 5916,” Hove added. “The photos cannot capture the burning smell, loud bang or ear pops. Good to be on the ground.”Both American Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration said a “possible” pressurization issue was responsible incident, but could not yet say what may have caused any ...

Apple to start paying out claims in $500M iPhone slowdown lawsuit: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – iPhone users who have long complained their phones get slower after a software update may finally be getting paid for their troubles.Apple will soon start paying out between $310 million and $500 million it agreed to pay to settle claims the company intentionally slowed down old iPhones' performance with a new iOS update. How much the company ultimately pays out will depend on the number of approved claims.The good news is about 3 million people who filed claims in the class action lawsuit will soon see payments of about $65, Verge reports. The bad news is that if you didn't already file a claim before the deadline passed in October 2020, it's too late now. Time running out to file for $725M Facebook settlement: How to claim your payment Even though the settlement was reached years ago, people still haven't received their payment because of drawn out court procedures and appeals. But last week, the law firm representing Apple customers announced an appeal challenging ...

Texas judge asked to block transgender minor health care ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — A state district judge is hearing arguments Tuesday and Wednesday to determine whether a new law that will soon ban transgender youth from receiving certain health care options should be blocked before the law goes into effect.Five Texas families with transgender children as well as three doctors filed suit in July, marking the first legal challenge to Senate Bill 14 — a bill passed this legislative session that will prohibit transgender minors from getting healthcare to assist in their gender transition. That includes puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapies or surgeries. Texas doctors who provide this type of care could also lose their medical licenses.Republican lawmakers who wrote the legislation argued restrictions on gender-transition care is necessary in order to protect children, who they say are too young to make possibly life-altering decisions. Advoc...

Majority of Americans are feeling the impact of the substance abuse crisis, survey shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A majority of adults are feeling the impacts of a substance abuse crisis in the country, according to a new survey released by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) researchers. With overdose deaths surging across the U.S. and in Travis County, two-thirds of adults surveyed said that they or a family member have at one point been addicted to alcohol or drugs, become homeless because of an addiction or went to the emergency room, were hospitalized or died because of substance abuse, the survey found. Further, about three in ten adults say they or a family member have been addicted to opioids – legal or illegal – at some point.  MORE: Travis County doctors encourage opioid treatment to reduce ‘rapid rise’ in overdose deaths Just over 1,300 adults were contacted online via telephone for the survey. Of the respondents who endorsed an addiction of any sort, less than half said they or their relative got treatment. The KFF researchers said experiences with addict...

Body of drowning victim recovered from Granger Lake in Williamson County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:20 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A person who drowned at Granger Lake in Williamson County over the weekend was recovered Monday afternoon. The Williamson County Game Wardens received a report of a drowning at the lake on Sunday, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which investigated the drowning.TPWD said the person was swimming after his boat that had drifted away while he was standing in shallow water. He went underwater and did not resurface. Game Wardens and Georgetown Fire Department dive team recovered the victim on Monday afternoon.