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US Speaker McCarthy: Russia must pull out of Ukraine

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy emphatically stressed his support for military aid to Ukraine on Monday, blistering Russia’s “killing of the children” and distancing himself from some in his party who oppose additional major U.S. aid to stave off the Russian invasion.In Israel on his first trip abroad as speaker, McCarthy flatly rejected a suggestion at a news conference that he does not support sending military and financial aid to Ukraine — and he amplified his positions on other issues back home, including his demand for debt limit negotiations with President Joe Biden.“I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine,” McCarthy said, responding to a question from a Russian reporter. “I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine, I do not support your killing of the children either.”“You should pull out,” McCarthy told the Russian reporter. “We will continue to support — because the rest of the world sees it just as it is.”McCarthy touche...

Conservative MP says feds did not brief him on alleged threats to his family in China

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

OTTAWA — Conservative member of Parliament Michael Chong says Ottawa should have informed him about potential threats to his family made by China’s government.Chong released a statement after the Globe and Mail reported, citing a top-secret document and an anonymous national security source, that China’s intelligence service sought to target the MP and his family.The former cabinet minister currently serves as the Tories’ foreign-affairs critic and routinely criticizes the regime in Beijing for its human-rights record and its alleged attempts to meddle in Canada’s affairs.Chong says in a statement today that like other Canadians, he has family overseas — and any attempts to threaten them in an attempt to intimidate or coerce people in Canada constitutes a national threat.Chong says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service never briefed him about any threats made against him or his family, adding he believes that is because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau̵...

A look at Alberta elections and governments over the last two decades

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s next provincial election has been called for May 29. The Conservatives held power in the province for more than 40 years before an upset in 2015 led to changes in the political landscape. Here’s a look at Alberta elections over the past two decades:Progressive Conservatives, 2004The PC party, in power since 1971, returns to government under Ralph Klein. Klein, who has been premier since 1992, resigns after a leadership review in 2006. Ed Stelmach becomes party leader and premier.Progressive Conservatives, 2008The PCs are elected under Stelmach. In 2011, Stelmach announces he is not seeking re-election and the party votes in Alison Redford as leader and premier.Progressive Conservatives, 2012The party wins under Redford. The Liberals, who have been the official Opposition since 1993, are replaced by the Wildrose Alliance Party. In 2014, Redford steps down after declining support and a controversy over spending. She is replaced by Dave Hancock on an in...

Economy, crime, health care: A look at top issues in the Alberta election campaign

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

EDMONTON — The Alberta election kicked off Monday with voting day set for May 29, but the two main political parties have already been campaigning for several weeks. Here’s a look at what are expected to be key issues for voters and what leaders have been promising.EconomyThe governing United Conservative Party is surfing into the campaign with a petro-fuelled $2.4-billion surplus, which has allowed for spending hikes virtually across the board, particularly in health and education. The UCP is promising no personal or business tax hikes without a referendum, as well as changes to ensure more surplus dollars are committed to long-term savings.The NDP is adopting recommendations from an economist to use fixed formulas and rules to keep future spending in check while committing more money to long-term savings.  Health Care The NDP is promising the largest health-care recruitment inand the creation of family health teams with physicians and related specialists, including nurses an...

Who will become Alberta’s next premier? A look at Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s provincial election has been called for May 29. Here’s a look at the leaders of the province’s two main parties:Danielle Smith, UCP Leader Age: 52. Born April 1, 1971.Pre-Politics: English and economics degrees from the University of Calgary. Columnist with the Calgary Herald and show host at Global TV. Politics: Elected leader of the Wildrose Party in 2009. Elected to the Alberta legislature as the member for Highwood, becoming leader of the official Opposition to the governing Progressive Conservatives in 2012. Led a mass Wildrose floor crossing to the PCs in 2014. Lost the PC nomination in Highwood in 2015. Won leadership of the United Conservative Party to become premier in October 2022. Won the byelection in Brooks-Medicine Hat in November 2022. Personal: Second of five children. Worked as radio talk-show host before winning the UCP leadership. Married to David Moretta with a stepson. Quote: “This election is about whether we want to keep ...

Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr sues over removal from House floor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr asked a court Monday to allow for her return to the House floor after she was silenced and barred for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.Attorneys for the first-term lawmaker sued in state district court in Helena on behalf of Zephyr, a transgender Democrat who represents a liberal district in the college town of Missoula, and several constituents who the attorneys said were being denied their right to adequate representation.Zephyr, whose comments in the Montana Legislature have made her a prominent figure in transgender rights and in conversations about the muffling of dissent in statehouses, said in a statement Monday that she and her constituents were targeted “because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself.”The legal challenge against House Speaker Matt Regier and statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley...

I-55 closed for 28 miles due to multiple crashes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) - Illinois State Police have reported that all southbound and northbound lanes on Interstate 55 are closed due to multiple crashes with injuries south of Springfield.Police said that Troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to multiple crashes on I-55 near milepost 78 just after 11:00 a.m. ISP is reporting blackout conditions due to wind blowing dirt in the area. Officials said that I-55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 near Farmersville, to milepost 80 near Divernon. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. According to a Facebook post from Springfield Fire Fighters Local 37, hazmat workers have been dispatched to the scene. They say more than 20 cars are involved in the crash. One dead after US Rte. 150 crash near St. Joseph: Police, Champaign Co. Coroner Drivers are urged to take an alternative route.  To reunify family members involved in the crash, Divernon City Hall is being used as a reunification point. ISP s...

WXRT's Terri Hemmert shares harrowing story after friend shot, waiter killed in New Orleans

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

NEW ORLEANS — Chicago radio legend Terri Hemmert described a harrowing story after her friend was shot and a waiter was killed while in New Orleans over the weekend.Hemmert, who is celebrating her 50th year with WXRT this year, was in town to attend the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with nearly 30 friends for her birthday.On Friday, while the group was dining at Mandina's Restaurant — they were interuppted by a "hail of bullets," Hemmert wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday morning."What I did on my spring vacation. I went to New Orleans. I did not go to the Jazz and Heritage Festival. I did not eat Crawfish Monica. I did start my big birthday party. It was interrupted by a hail of bullets. 28 of my precious friends were hitting the floor. I looked to my right. Two very special women were on the floor by my feet. There was blood. And a bullet hole on the wall. Two inches from me. And a bullet in my friend’s back. It was surreal," the start of Hemmert's post reads.A waiter at ...

Illinois lawmakers want to decriminalize rearview mirror air fresheners

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- Illinois drivers may soon be allowed to have items dangling from their rearview mirrors, thanks to a law legislators view as outdated. A bill under consideration in the Illinois capitol would no longer allow law enforcement to pull over someone for having an item like an air freshener, a disability placard or a rosary hanging from their rearview mirror or attached to the windshield. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias believes the current law is discriminatory. “Pulling someone over for merely having an air freshener attached to the rearview mirror is not only archaic, it’s ridiculous,” Giannoulias said. “Amending the law by prohibiting traffic stops that encourage discriminatory practices will ultimately make our streets safer for both motorists and police officers.”Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), who sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives, thinks changing the law will help keep communities safer as it would reduce the number of interactions ...

'May Day' march held downtown for immigrant rights

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:35 GMT

CHICAGO — Local activists are rallying and marching Monday for immigrant rights in Chicago.The "May Day" March is recognized nationally, it's also known as International Workers Day. May Day: World’s workers rally, France sees pension anger May Day protest participants gathered in Union Park Monday morning and made their way to the Federal Plaza.Organizers said they will be in recognition of immigrant workers and to deliver a letter to legislators demanding immigration reform and a path to citizenship.Since last August, Chicago has welcomed more than 8,000 asylum seekers via bus and plane after being vetted in Texas. ‘We simply have no more shelters:’ Lightfoot implores Abbott to stop sending migrants Mayor Lori Lightfoot sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott about the influx of arrivals, saying in part:“I know by your actions that you either do not see or do not care about the trauma these migrants have already faced and continue to suffer under the humanitarian crisis yo...