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Debt ceiling takeaways: Biden’s invite to liberal skeptics to ‘talk to me,’ McCarthy’s balancing act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a deal no one in Washington claims to really like. But after weeks of negotiations, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have struck an agreement to raise the debt ceiling and avert a potentially devastating government default.The stakes are high for both men — and now each will have to persuade lawmakers in their parties to vote for it. Biden, in an exchange with reporters on Monday, said he felt good about where things stood, but acknowledged that he wasn’t sure if all Democrats on the left will get on board. Biden called on the liberal wing of his party to hear him out. “Talk to me,” he said. Some progressives have balked at the inclusion of new work requirements in two government assistance programs as well as spending caps. Biden on Monday called on the liberal wing of his party to hear him out.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that the United States could run out of cash to pay the bills and default on its obligations i...

Mayoral front runner Olivia Chow plans a ‘modest’ property tax increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

While there’s no question who’s leading the polls in the race for Toronto mayor, there have been questions about how high taxes in the city might rise if Olivia Chow is elected as mayor.The former Toronto city councillor and NDP Member of Parliament has announced increases in the city’s land transfer tax and a new vacant home tax as part of her campaign platform but hasn’t committed to an amount for property taxes to this point.“I’m not going to say this is the percentage,” Chow said in a one-on-one interview. “We don’t know what the rate of inflation is. We don’t know whether the federal and provincial government will come to the table and by how much. So, there’s a lot of uncertainty for next March. I can’t predict what it’s going to be.”Former Mayor John Tory made a point of saying he would keep property tax increases taxes at or below the rate of inflation throughout his nine years in the positio...

Parliament votes down Conservative motion against safe supply of drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has failed to persuade the House of Commons to condemn the Liberal government’s approach to fighting drug addiction.In a vote of 209 to 113 today, MPs defeated a motion presented by Poilievre.It took aim at the federal government’s harm reduction policies, but focused mainly on its decision to fund the supply of pharmaceutical alternatives as a replacement for certain illicit drugs.  The government has pointed to experts who say that a poisoned drug supply is one of the main reasons so many Canadians are dying from unintentional overdoses, and that providing access to other drugs as a substitute saves lives. Poilievre has criticized that approach as fuelling addiction instead of offering treatment and argues it has led to wider access to dangerous drugs by users.Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett has told MPs that his criticisms are not based on evidence, with her office adding in a statement today that Hea...

Marcus Stroman pitches 1-hitter as Cubs beat major league-leading Rays 1-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Stroman pitched a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the major league-leading Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Monday.Stroman (5-4) dazzled in his fourth complete game and second shutout in nine major league seasons. His only other one shutout was against the Cubs during his 2014 rookie season with the Toronto Blue Jays.He set a season-high with 105 pitches and matched his high with eight strikeouts. The right-hander walked one in winning his third straight start and helping the Cubs bounce back from a weekend sweep by Cincinnati.The only hit Stroman allowed was when Wander Franco delivered a clean single to left leading off the seventh. Stroman walked Brandon Lowe and got out of that jam by getting Randy Arozarena to fly out and Josh Lowe to ground into a double play.The only other Rays runner to reach base was when Luke Raley was hit by a pitch leading off the third. Chicago pitched its sixth shutout of the season.Stroman raised both arms and got a big ovation when h...

Skilling: Back-to-back 90-degree days in Chicagoland on the horizon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

FIRST, THE MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY) WEATHER HEADLINES---Good Memorial Day all! It's been a warm one over all but immediate shoreline locations. Check out the spread in temps.--AN AIR QUALITY ALERT HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGH TUESDAY BY THE ILLINOIS EPA into Tuesday night and it wouldn't be surprising to see this extended deeper into the coming week. The air mass stalled over us is growing a bit "dirty". More on that to come.AMONG THE WARMER READINGS at mid-afternoon Memorial Day (Monday) across the Chicago area:88 Oswego87 Joliet86 Montgomery86 Plainfield86 Peotone86 Poplar Grove85 Lake Barrington85 Hebron, Indiana85 Geneva84 KankakeeON THE IMMEDIATE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE at mid-afternoon Memorial Day (Monday):56 Waukegan Harbor56 Winthrop Harbor56 Wilmette buoy57 Harrison-Dever Crib (3 miles off Chicago's North Side)59 Michigan City, IN buoy63 Calumet Harbor63 Burns Harbor, IndianaThat's as much as a 32-deg spread across the Greater Chicago area. But the coverage of the coolest temps ...

Illinois lawmakers approve $50.4 billion budget, await Gov. Pritzker's signature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP/WGN) — Illinois lawmakers finally approved a new state budget early Saturday, sending it to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature with just over a month to spare before it takes effect with the new state fiscal year July 1.In a vote along party lines, Illinois lawmakers approved a $50.4 billion spending plan that includes health care for undocumented residents, $250 million to fund Governor Pritzker’s early childhood program, $350 million for K-12 evidence-based school funding and $400 million to attract businesses and jobs to the state.  Illinois bill to allow law enforcement use drones for public safety almost law The General Assembly delivered the budget to Pritzker more than a week late after lawmakers failed to meet a self-imposed May 19 deadline to adjourn despite Democrats controlling both chambers.The budget makes “transformative investments” in early childhood and higher education, public safety, workforce development and mental health servic...

Notre Dame wins first men's lacrosse national title in program history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Liam Entenmann made a season-high 18 saves and Brian Tevlin scored a go-ahead goal with 27 seconds left in the third quarter to help Notre Dame claim its first men's lacrosse national title with a 13-9 victory over Duke on Monday.Third-seeded Notre Dame (14-2) had lost in its previous two championship game appearances in 2010 and 2014 — both to Duke. The top-seeded Blue Devils (16-3) were playing in their seventh national championship game in program history.Entenmann made eight saves on nine shots on goal in the first half as Notre Dame cruised to a 6-1 lead after scoring six unanswered goals — from six different players. After scoring 35 seconds into the game, Duke was held scoreless for the final 29:25 of the first half.Duke was 1-for-24 shooting in the first half, but opened the second going 4 for 6 to get within 6-5. Charles Balsamo knotted it at 7-all with 1:01 left in the third — for the first tie since it was 1-1.But Notre Dame scored two goals in the fin...

Good Memorial Day all!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

It’s been a warm one over all but immediate shoreline locations. Check out the spread in temperatures. AN AIR QUALITY ALERT HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGH TUESDAY BY THE ILLINOIS EPA into Tuesday night, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this extended deeper into the coming week. The air mass stalled over us is growing a bit “dirty.” More on that to come.AMONG THE WARMER READINGS at mid-afternoon Memorial Day (Monday) across the Chicago area:88 Oswego87 Joliet86 Montgomery86 Plainfield86 Peotone86 Poplar Grove85 Lake Barrington85 Hebron, IN85 Geneva84 KankakeeON THE IMMEDIATE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE at mid afternoon Memorial Day (Monday):56 Waukegan Harbor56 Winthrop Harbor56 Wilmette buoy57 Harrison-Dever Crib (3 miles off Chicago’s North Side)59 Michigan City, IN buoy63 Calumet Harbor63 Burns Harbor, INThat’s as much as a 32-degree spread across the Greater Chicago area. But, coverage of the coolest temps was literally ON THE IMMEDIATE SHORELINE.It should be noted that Lake Michigan ...

Texas House selects 12 managers for Ken Paxton impeachment trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House of Representatives approved which 12 of its members will serve as managers when the Senate holds an impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton. The group includes seven Republicans and five Democrats, including all the members of the House general investigating committee that first recommended articles of impeachment against Paxton over years of alleged misconduct. Here's a list of the impeachment managers: Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, chair. Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, vice chair. Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth. Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso. Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen. Rep. Oscar Longoria, D-Mission. Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas. Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Houston. Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton. Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro. Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez, D-Brownsville. Texas House votes to impeach Ken Paxton The House approved their selection by a vote of 136-4. Afterward, the 12 impeachment managers walked across the C...

Hill Country storms produce heavy rains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Showers and thunderstorms increased in coverage and intensity over the Hill Country this afternoon. The biggest threat has been from lightning. Radar indicated most hail to be marble-sized but there is one report of pea-sized hail before 3 p.m. west of Fredericksburg at Highway 290 and Cedar Hills Dr.There are three Flash Flood Warnings in Gillespie County. One for the southern part of the county, including Morris Ranch, runs until 7 p.m. The second for Cherry Spring and Doss runs until 7:15. The third, for Harper, runs until 7:30. Several rain gauges in the Hill Country have had rain totals exceeding an inch, particularly in Blanco, Fredericksburg, and San Saba. Rain totals so far this Memorial Day These showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening. The loss of daytime heating spells the end of the rain, likely before 10 to 11 p.m. Much of this precipitation will be in the Hill Country.Additional showers and thunderstorms through the eveningDry weathe...