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State lawmakers return to Springfield Tuesday for fall veto session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On the eve of the start of the Springfield veto session — the first meeting in four months for state lawmakers — the race is on to determine what, if anything, legislators can pass. But several controversial topics and another election around the corner could halt action at the Capitol.What they’re likely not going to act on, according to a top Democrat, is an extension of a controversial tax scholarship program and supplemental money for communities struggling to deal with the influx of migrants. "The General Assembly will not do a supplemental budget to fund anything that will support ongoing funding for the migrants in Chicago," said State Rep. LaShawn Ford.MORE FROM TAHMAN BRADLEY: Illinois Congressman rips Texas governor for ‘man-made' migrant crisisFord says if state money is going to flow, it will have to come from funds that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker can use at his discretion. Finding additional cash in the budget is not sustainable."This is almo...

How long do you keep kids home after a Covid diagnosis? — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for Oct 23How long do you keep kids home after a Covid diagnosis?While school recommendations vary, doctors are weighing in on how long kids are contagious.Children infected with the omicron variant of covid are infectious, on average, for three days after testing positive.University of Southern California researchers wanted to give parents some advice about how long to isolate their children following a cCovid infection.And they urge public health and education leaders to consider shorter duration restrictions for children, allowing them to return to school within three days.Noninvasive Colon Cancer TestA noninvasive test may work as well as a colonoscopy for detecting colon cancer.The prep and the invasive nature of the gold standard colon screening prevents many people from getting the potentially lifesaving test.Now a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds RNA stool tests in people 45 years and older are sensitive and accurate at find...

1981 DeLorean with less than 1K miles on it found in Wisconsin barn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (WTVO) — Talk about a blast from the past. A 1981 DeLorean, popularized by the cult classic "Back to the Future" film series, was recently found with only 977 miles on the odometer in a Wisconsin barn. Michael McElhattan owns the DeLorean Midwest restoration shop, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. USA Today reported that McElhattan recently got a call about a DeLorean DMC-12 car for sale, but he wasn't interested in the vehicle until learning it had less than 1,000 miles on it. The person who made the call was the nephew of the car's original owner, according to WDJT-TV.In early October, McElhattan and his social media coordinator, Kevin Thompson, traveled to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, to meet with the 90-year-old owner, identified only as Dick. Here’s where America’s worst drivers are found: study The duo documented their journey in a video posted on their DeLorean Nation YouTube channel. During their trip, McElhattan purchased the DeLorean, which still had it...

'It was chaotic': Community rallies around burn victims after freak accident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The community at Austin High School is rallying around three people who were injured in a freak accident Saturday.According to a post from Austin Travis County EMS, three adult patients were burned "after fuel tanks reportedly caught fire.""It was an accidental explosion that happened at the Austin High School Monster Concert," said Lucy Herrera, who's brother and nephew were injured.Herrera said both her brother, Sam, and nephew Gabriel were big supporters of the event, which raises money to help provide new uniforms and instruments."Sam is fighting for his life in the ICU at the moment with 65% of burns around his body," said Herrera. "Gabriel has second degree burns on arms legs and hands, but he is on the road of recovery." 3 burned at Austin High School after fuel tanks catch fire Shortly after the accident, the Austin High community rallied around those who were injured."We are a family here at Austin High and everyone is truly working together to help us all...

Texas music festivalgoers see hourslong traffic, water shortage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas music festival turned sour for some Saturday after traffic issues caused backups for hours and some performances had to be paused for ill festivalgoers.The inaugural Live at the Station Festival was in Burleson County at the Snook Rodeo Grounds—about 18 miles away from College Station. "Something in the Orange" singer Zach Bryan headlined the festival, joined by other country artists like Flatland Cavalry and Treaty Oak Revival. Some social media commenters and KXAN viewers said the performances had to stop several times while sick people in the crowd were taken care of. Some also likened the event to the failed Fyre Festival. Many attendees also called for refunds on social media. In response to these concerns, event organizers said they prepared for the festival for months with local and state agencies and with a traffic engineer for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Anticipating traffic, organizers said they opened the parking lot two hours earlier than plan...

Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bonds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick strongly condemned antisemitism in the Texas GOP on Monday and announced that his campaign is purchasing $3 million in Israel bonds — the same amount that he received this summer from a group that recently hosted prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes.Patrick’s statement comes more than two weeks after The Texas Tribune first reported Fuentes’ meeting with the president of Defend Texas Liberty, a major donor to Texas Republicans including Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Fuentes’ appearance has set off a firestorm in the state, with top Republicans such as House Speaker Dade Phelan calling on their fellow party members to redirect the money they’ve received from the group to pro-Israel charities.The decision to redirect the $3 million is a reversal for Patrick. While a few Republicans followed suit, others — including Patrick — were defiant, framing the scandal as a one-off mistake or, in Patrick’s words, “a serious blunde...

TEA gives schools, parents extra resources related to Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid the Israel-Hamas war, the Texas Education Agency shared optional resources with Texas school systems "to help students talk about war and violence and better understand the conflict in Israel," the state agency said Friday.The TEA said the four optional resources can be used by parents and educators to support lessons and conversations with students about the conflict. "Parents and educators should determine which resources, if any, best fit the needs of their families and community," the state agency said. RELATED: How Texas is supporting Israel They include "How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War" from Common Sense Media; "What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?" for grades 9-12 from the Council on Foreign Relations; "Support for Classroom Discussion on the Hamas-Israel War" for grades 6-12 from the Institute for Curriculum Services; and "10 Ways to Have Conscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinia...

Biden launches 31 technology hubs nationally, including Minnesota MedTech 3.0 in St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

The Biden administration on Monday designated 31 technology hubs spread across the country — including St. Paul — to help spur innovation and create jobs in industries such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and clean energy that have previously clustered on the nation’s coasts.“We’re going to invest in critical technologies like biotechnology, critical materials, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing — so the U.S. will lead the world again in innovation across the board,” President Joe Biden said on Monday. “I truly believe this country is about to take off.”The hubs, chosen through a competitive application process, include “Minnesota MedTech 3.0,” or “MMT3.0,” to be led by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Economic Development Partnership, otherwise known as Greater MSP.Based in downtown St. Paul, Greater MSP plans to boost the state’s profile as a global center for “smart medtech” by...

Twins position breakdown: Third base

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

Royce Lewis’ return from a second knee surgery and subsequent emergence as a star-in-the-making was one of the most promising storylines of the Twins’ past season.Lewis, formerly a shortstop throughout his minor league career, adapted well to third base, and as the Twins look ahead into next season, that’s where they’re penciling him in. Selected first overall in the 2017 draft, Lewis figures to be an important part of the Twins’ core moving forward.2023 recapAfter a productive rookie season, the Twins headed into 2022 with Jose Miranda as their third baseman to begin the year. But Miranda, who was limited during spring training due to a shoulder injury, struggled immensely to begin the season.The Twins ultimately sent him down to Triple-A, only recalling him when they did because Lewis strained his oblique in early July. Miranda would quickly land on the injured list because of the shoulder. The last game he played was on July 9, marking what became a lost season for the 25-y...

Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels agree to long-term extension

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:44 GMT

Jaden McDaniels continued his work post-practice Monday at Mayo Clinic Square in downtown Minneapolis, putting in ample 5-on-0 work as he rehabilitates his calf back into form.Whether or not the 23-year-old wing is able to play in the Timberwolves’ season opener Wednesday in Toronto is still an unknown.Whether or not McDaniels will be in Minnesota for years to come is no longer a mystery.The Timberwolves and the young, defensive-minded wing agreed to a 5-year, $136 million extension Monday afternoon, just hours ahead of the league deadline. The move locks in McDaniels next to Anthony Edwards – who signed a max deal in July – as the youngest pieces of the franchise’s long-term core.Had no agreement been made, McDaniels would have gone to restricted free agency next summer. Minnesota almost certainly would’ve matched any offer another team made to the wing in that setting, but getting this deal done now certifies McDaniels’ long-term future in Minnesota, while avoiding any potential a...