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Quebec education minister rejects hearings on gender identity, prefers expert panel

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

Quebec’s education minister says he won’t convene a legislative committee on gender identity because he says doing so exposes the sensitive issue to political exploitation.Instead, Bernard Drainville says he’s open to creating a panel of experts to study the issue.Quebec’s political class has been seized with questions about gender identity after several recent reports.A school southeast of Montreal received threats after a nonbinary teacher asked to use the honorific Mx — pronounced Miks — and a school in the province’s northwest planned to provide gender-neutral bathrooms to students for the 2024-25 school year.Drainville says he doesn’t want the topic to be exploited for partisan purposes, which he says is a temptation among political parties when they gather for committee hearings.He says an expert panel could be put in place by Christmas to address the pertinent subjects and look at practices in other countries. On Tuesday, Parti Québécois Le...

Man already charged in killing has also been indicted in a Lyft driver’s slaying

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man already charged with murder has been indicted for the killing of a Lyft driver whose car he allegedly stole in an attempt to escape, authorities announced Wednesday.An Okeechobee County grand jury this week indicted Mathew Flores with first-degree murder and armed robbery for the Jan. 30 slaying of 74-year-old Gary Levin. Police had been seeking Flores, 36, for a killing in a central Florida farming community a week earlier when he had a friend use the Lyft phone app to summon Levin in Palm Beach County.Flores shot Levin inside his 2022 Kia Stinger and then dumped his body near Lake Okeechobee, said Eli Lawson, a special agent in charge with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Flores was arrested in North Carolina three days later after police say he led them on a high-speed chase in Levin’s car.Flores was extradited last week to Florida for the Jan. 24 slaying in Hardee County of Jose Carlos Martinez, 43, who was shot multiple t...

Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — American captives could be exchanged for billions of dollars of frozen Iranian assets, even as critics back in Washington warn against dealing with Tehran. That’s the way it was in 1981 and the way it likely will be in the coming days.The upcoming prisoner swap between Iran and the United States follows the same contours that the countries have been tracing since the resolution of the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis. The limits of this diplomacy remain largely the same as they have been for over the four decades since, with officials in both countries even using similar language to discuss the deals now.However, Iran faces a new challenge from within as the one-year anniversary of the nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody approaches this Saturday. And the West faces a nuclear program within the Islamic Republic now enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and with...

LIVE: Funeral services held for fallen CFD Lt. Kevin Ward

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A fallen Chicago firefighter will be laid to rest Wednesday.The funeral service for Lt. Kevin Ward will begin at 11 a.m. at the The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, located at 126 East Chestnut Street, just off Michigan Avenue.Ward was one of three firefighters injured in a blaze Aug. 11 in the 8300 block of West Balmoral in the city's Norwood Park neighborhood. He died days later.Ward, 59, joined the department in 1996 and worked out of Truck 9, located in the 5300 block of North Cumberland. CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month The Chicago Fire Department will fly flags at half-staff until sunset Wednesday to honor his service.Closures are now in place for the funeral procession for Ward. Michigan Avenue is closed between Oak Street and Chicago Avenue.Closures in place now for the funeral procession for fallen CFD Lt Kevin Ward. Michigan Ave closed btw Oak St and Chicago Ave, additional closures in the area until 2pm.https://t.co/V...

Texas man dies of Vibrio infection after eating raw oysters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

GALVESTON, Texas (WFLA) — A Texas man died of a deadly bacterial infection after eating raw oysters, according to local health officials.Officials with the Galveston County Health District in Texas announced the man's cause of death to be Vibrio vulnificus infection last week."The resident who died in Galveston County was a male, within the thirty-to-forty-year age range and had underlying health conditions that predisposed him to vibrio infection," the department wrote in a news release.Officials said the unusually warm ocean water, seen around states like Texas and Florida, has contributed to an increase in Vibrio infections. Five people in the Tampa Bay Area, for instance, were previously confirmed to have died from Vibrio since January. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had also recently issued an advisory following fatal infections in Connecticut, New York and North Carolina.At the time, the CDC said climate change and rising sea surface temperatures was likely fue...

Tracking the Tropics: Are above-average hurricane seasons the new normal?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — We're officially past the halfway mark of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, but that doesn't mean we're done seeing storms.Already, Colorado State University Senior Research Scientist and renowned hurricane specialist Phil Klotzbach told WFLA.com there have been about 70% more named storms than the whole season average dating back to 1961. Track Hurricane Lee with WFLA's real-time Wobble Tracker Klotzbach has gained notoriety since becoming the lead author of Colorado State University's Seasonal Hurricane Forecasts in 2006. The forecasts have become a primary source for hurricane season predictions behind the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) due to their accuracy and reliability.CSU's latest hurricane forecast, released Aug. 3, predicted a total of 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The figures were in line with NOAA's calls for an “above-normal” 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.NOAA cited unusually warm sea surf...

Williamson County collaborates with Sam Bass Fire on EMS resources

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved an interlocal agreement Tuesday to authorize expanded emergency medical service resources to certain area stations.The agreement was signed between Williamson County and the Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 2, or the Sam Bass Fire Department in Round Rock. It'll authorize housing county EMS resources and personnel within two of the Sam Bass Fire Department's stations.Under the agreement, the Sam Bass Fire Department agreed to the following obligations:Housing one Williamson County EMS ambulance at Station 2Allocating one office space at Station 2 for oxygen storage and medical supply stowing"Reasonable usage" of common facilities based at Station 2, such as its kitchen, laundry, restrooms and all other amenitiesHousing one Williamson County EMS ambulance at Station 3County use of three bedrooms, one office space, an area for oxygen storage in the vehicle bay and medical supply stora...

Austin enters 'historic' agreement with Florence, Italy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and Florence, Italy entered into a "historic agreement" to facilitate educational, cultural and business collaborations between the two cities, according to a city release Wednesday.The City of Austin's Economic Development Department announced the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation Agreement. Officials noted international collaborations will help "promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and global connectivity" between Austin and communities around the globe."I am thrilled to see the Protocol of Cooperation Agreement between Austin and Florence come to fruition. By building bridges across continents, we are strengthening global connections and paving the way for a brighter future,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in the release. “Together, Austin and Florence will forge a strong and lasting bond, paving the way for a dynamic future of collaboration and friendship."The agreement will help foster representatives from both cities to swap be...

Free 'Capitol Hauntings' return on October 4

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Want to learn about the more mysterious and spooky side of the New York State Capitol? Special tours exploring tales of ghost sightings, folklore, and other strange things connected to the Capitol will run from October 4 to 31. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! “Combining the sensational stories that people crave when Halloween season arrives with the truly extraordinary history of the New York State Capitol is what makes our annual Hauntings Tour one of the most popular of our special themed tours of the Capitol,” said Commissioner Jeanette Moy. Visitors will learn about the night watchman who died in the Capitol fire of 1911, who some believe still makes his rounds today. Guides will lead groups past gargoyle-like carvings and to the location of the Capitol's "secret demon". Tours run from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, from October 4 to 20. From October 23 to 31, tours will run Monday through Friday from 5 to...

Mexican fusion chain opens new location in New Paltz

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:56 GMT

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Bubbakoo's Burritos has opened a new location in New Paltz. The Mexican fusion franchise restaurant opened on September 9 at 260 Main Street. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! The restaurant is locally owned by Hamin Patel and this is his fourth Bubbakoos' location to open. "My ultimate goal is to be able to provide my community with a new go-to dining spot filled with amazing food and an excellent guest experience," said Patel.The menu includes create-your-own burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, taco salads, quesadillas, and nachos. Signature items include the Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito, Sriracha Shredded Pork Nachos, and the Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Burrito. You can view the full menu on the Bubbakoo's website. Sushi and seafood buffet opening in Colonie “Our East Coast footprint has continued to strengthen since the brand’s inception, and we see that as a testament to our ability to capture a consumer fan base w...