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Nebraska is imposing a 7-day wait for trans youth to start gender-affirming medications

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

Nebraska is requiring transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care to wait seven days to start puberty blocking medications or hormone treatments under emergency regulations announced Sunday by the state health department.The regulations also require transgender minors to undergo at least 40 hours of “gender-identity-focused” therapy that are “clinically neutral” before receiving any medical treatments meant to affirm their gender identities. A new law that took effect Sunday bans gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth under 19 and also required the state’s chief medical officer to spell out when and how those youth can receive other care. The state Department of Health and Human Services announcement that Republican Gov. Jim Pillen had approved the emergency regulations came after families, doctors and even lawmakers said they had largely gotten no response from the department on when the regulations would be in place. They worried that Pillen’s administration wa...

Airbnb guest who rented a room tied up, robbed Georgia homeowner at gunpoint, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — Police say a man who used Airbnb to rent a room in Georgia ended up robbing the home’s owner at gunpoint. A homeowner in the metro Atlanta suburb of Buford called Gwinnett County police saying an armed man who had rented his basement through the room-sharing app had fled after stealing his wallet. According to a police report, the renter checked in late Tuesday and within an hour sent a text message to the owner upstairs saying the toilet was leaking. The homeowner told officers he was checking the toilet when he turned to see renter pointing a gun at him. He said the renter bound his hands and feet with zip ties and fled with his wallet, which contained cash and credit cards, according to police.Officers identified a 26-year-old suspect using the ID the renter had on file with Airbnb, the police report said. Police obtained an arrest warrant for the renter on charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault. No arrests had been reported as of Sunday.The Ass...

Quebec public-sector unions continue to see strong support for strike mandates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

MONTREAL — Members of several Quebec public-sector unions are continuing to vote in favour of strike mandates by large margins.The four unions, which represent around 420,000 education, health care and social service workers, say more than 90 per cent of members who have participated in votes have supported a strike mandate.The unions, which are working together, have been asking their members to back a strike mandate since mid-September, with votes scheduled to continue until Oct. 13. An unlimited strike would be proceeded by several strike days. The workers are seeking wage increases of at least $100 a week this year, with further increases over the next two years.The unions collective agreements expired last March. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2023.The Canadian Press

Man killed after hit and run in Logan Square

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man is dead after he was killed in a hit and run crash in Logan Square overnight. Police said a 42-year-old man was riding motor scooter near the 3900 block of West Fullerton Avenue around 2:20 a.m. when the driver of a silver Honda struck a red light and struck the man near the intersection.Police released surveillance footage of the vehicle involved. It is silver and possibly a 2004 Civic with a missing front bumper cover. It was last seen travelling eastbound on Fullerton Avenue at Pulaski Road. Armed robbery attempt leads to shootout at River North gas station According to police, the man was pronounced dead on the scene and the driver fled. There is no one in custody. If any information is recovered from the incident, contact the Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.Police are investigating the incident and WGN will update as more information is available.

5 options if you’re crushed by student loan and credit card debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

(NerdWallet) - The return of federal student loan payments in October has the potential to derail your finances, especially if you’re already struggling with credit card payments.One in five student loan borrowers have risk factors that suggest they could struggle with student loan payments when they resume, according to a June blog post at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.The impact won’t be as significant during the initial 12-month student loan on-ramp period from Oct. 1 to Sept 30, 2024. You won’t default on student loans or see credit scores plummet after missing payments during that time. But interest will continue to accrue, making the growing debt more difficult to manage. Use the next 12 months to make progress with consistent payments. You’ll save more money over time and pay down debt faster.Here are some strategies to consider as you’re getting started.1. Revamp your budgetAn updated budget clarifies how much money is available to pay down debts. Review your debi...

Passport program to celebrate 'legacy' Austin businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new program aims to support and celebrate some of Austin's oldest local businesses this month.The program, called Legacy Business Month, runs Oct. 1-30. Locals can pick up a free passport book and make stops at each of the 13 featured businesses, make a purchase and get a stamp on their passport, according to program host Preservation Austin. RELATED: The 75-year history of Austin staple Peter Pan Mini-Golf Participants will compete for prizes and can go to a wrap party where more prizes will be given for the most stamps collected, according to a release. One prize available is a stay at the Driskill Hotel. The party will be at The Historic Vicory Grill from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 30. Legacy Business Month passport program (Courtesy Preservation Austin)The businesses participating include: BookPeopleBroken SpokeCarousel LoungeCisco'sDeep Eddy CabaretThe Driskill HotelGreen & White GroceryThe Herb BarThe Paramount TheatrePeter Pan Mini-GolfPlayland Skate CenterQuali...

Austin Energy program revs up electric vehicle tech in 150+ Central Texas schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For nearly five years, Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program has provided access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related technology curriculum to more than 150 schools across Central Texas. Now, AE is gearing up for the rollout of its upgraded program, adapted to meet the changing landscape of EV technology.AE first launched EVs for Schools in November 2018 at four Title 1 schools, in collaboration with the nonprofit EcoRise. The nonprofit's content creation work centers on the intersections of environmental justice and education, with a key focus on climate change and sustainability work alongside science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program helps provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related curricula to more than 150 schools in Central Texas. (Courtesy: Austin Energy)Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program helps provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related curr...

Austin releases demographics map focusing on age trends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin recently released a demographic story map, which focused on age trends seen in Austin.“The demographic story map offers quick facts, interactive map and dashboards, and analysis on the city's greatest asset—its people,” the city said.According to the city, the map analyzed 2020 Census data and focused on age trends, as well as how the changes varied for different communities within Austin. “The Austin metro area is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and the city of Austin is a major driver of that growth. The 2020 Census data shows that Austin’s growth has been substantial with only three U.S. cities (New York, NY, Houston, TX, and Fort Worth, TX) adding more growth during this timeframe,” the city said.According to the report, Austin’s population was relatively young; however, it was aging rapidly.The city said people 65 and older were the fastest-growing age group in Austin, and although the child population grew between 2010...

Gophers football’s ultra-challenging schedule hits peak with No. 2 Michigan up next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

The Gophers football team has had its hands full with four of the five teams it has played so far this season.Minnesota improved to 3-2 overall with a comeback 35-24 victory over Louisiana on Saturday, and its strength of schedule to date ranks 72nd in the nation, according to ESPN.It pales in comparison to what is yet to come for Minnesota.The Gophers’ remaining seven games check in as the nation’s 12th-most-difficult schedule, per ESPN, and October kicks off with arguably the toughest team they will play all year, second-ranked Michigan at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.Instead of “challenging” or “daunting,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck has opted to use the word “opportunistic” when describing a slate which also includes No. 4 Ohio State and arch rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. To start the season, the U was deemed to have the second-hardest schedule, before ESPN revised it down 10 spots as a month’s worth of results have come in.“Is it challenging? Y...

Teen shot and killed during homecoming celebration at Southlands Mall in Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:57 GMT

Aurora police are investigating a Saturday night shooting that left one teenager dead in a Southlands Mall parking lot.Around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in a parking lot outside the mall, according to a Sunday news release from the Aurora Police Department.A large group of teenagers were gathered in the area to celebrate homecoming, including students from both Smoky Hill and Grandview high schools, said Ian Liu, an employee at Mt. Fuji Sushi & Hibachi.Liu said the employees had no idea what was happening until people ran in the door telling them to call 911.“It was chaos,” he said. “People did come in to seek shelter from the incident and we locked the door. We just needed to protect our customers and employees.”When Aurora police officers arrived on the scene, they found a 15-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot, according to a statement from the Aurora Police Department on X.#APDAlert Officers are i...