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Saving the farm: Heartland clergy train to prevent agriculture workers’ suicides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

LAKE BENTON, Minn. (AP) — With traces of winter’s unusually heavy snow still lingering, farmers were out dawn to dusk in early May, planting corn and soybeans across southwestern Minnesota fields many have owned for generations.The threat of losing beloved family farms is a growing worry, affecting many farmers’ mental health and raising concerns of another uptick in suicides like during the 1980s farm crisis. Much of the stress stems from being dependent on factors largely outside their control – from the increasingly unpredictable weather to growing costs of equipment to global market swings that can wipe out profits.“You’d be surprised how many people are suffering with depression. Farmers have been a group of people who keep problems to themselves,” said Bob Worth, a third-generation crop farmer near the hamlet of Lake Benton, who credits his wife with saving his life during a bout with depression in the 1980s. “The more you talk about this, the more you realize it can be fixed....

How do you rebuild a broken political party?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

In today’s Big Story podcast, in 2018, the Ontario Liberals lost official party status after a significant defeat by the Ontario Progressive Conservatives. The Liberals were left with only eight seats and a distant third-place finish following 15 years in power. It’s not an exaggeration to say the once-proud party is in a state of disarray.Last week, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, a federal Liberal MP from east-end Toronto, announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. He joined The Big Story to discuss his aim to revive the party through a non-partisan approach.“There’s just a huge opportunity to rebuild bridges, rebuild common ground, and to build a team–focus on those big challenges that we all face,” says Erskine-Smith.How does Erskine-Smith plan to bring the Ontario Liberals party back? Why did he choose to shift from federal to provincial politics? Additionally, why do many Liberals underestimate Doug Ford, and what vision does Erskine-Smith have fo...

Lightspeed Commerce reports US$74.5M Q4 loss, revenue up 26% from year ago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

MONTREAL — Lightspeed Commerce Inc. reported a loss of US$74.5 million in its fourth quarter compared with a loss of $114.5 million in the same quarter a year earlier as its revenue rose 26 per cent.The e-commerce company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says the loss amounted to 49 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31 compared with a loss of 77 cents per diluted share a year earlier.Revenue in the final quarter of the company’s 2023 financial year totalled US$184.2 million, up from US$146.6 million last year.The increase came as subscription revenue increased to US$76.2 million compared with US$70.5 million a year earlier, while transaction-based revenue totalled US$99.6 million, up from US$66.7 million.On an adjusted basis, Lightspeed says its loss amounted to zero cents per diluted share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted loss of 15 cents per diluted share a year earlier.Analysts on average had expected an adjusted loss of three cents p...

Man shot after road rage incident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

CHICAGO — A road rage incident led to a shooting on DuSable Lake Shore Drive.Officers responded to a person shot in the 6600 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive around 2:17 a.m. Thursday.According to police, a 25-year-old man and 44-year-old man got into a verbal altercation following a minor traffic accident. The 44-year-old pulled out a gun, the 25-year-old reached for it and a struggle ensued. Man fatally shot outside violence prevention center on South Side The gun discharged, hitting the 44-year-old twice — in the hand and buttocks. He was placed into custody and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.Area One detectives are investigating.

Multiple armed robberies reported within hour on Northwest Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are searching for multiple individuals involved in armed robberies that took place 20 minutes apart in Logan Square Thursday morning. Police reported that a man was standing outside near the 2400 block of West Cortland Avenue around 4:35 a.m. when three men exited a blue sedan, battered the man and took his belongings. The men then fled in the sedan southbound. The man sustained lacerations and was transported to Saint Mary's Hospital in fair condition. No weapons were observed. Man shot after road rage incident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive Later, around 4:50 a.m. police reported that a 63-year-old man was outside near the 3200 block of West Fullerton when four people inside a red sedan approached, demanding money and displaying firearms. The man gave his personal property and the men fled eastbound. The man was not injured. According to police, a 29-year-old woman was walking near the 2200 block of North California Avene around 4:55 a.m. when a blue sedan approach...

WWE Hall of Famer Billy Graham dies at 79

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

(WKBN) -- A former WWE world champion and pro wrestling legend has died. WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham has died at the age of 79. The WWE announced the news on their website. Graham’s real name was Eldridge Wayne Coleman. According to CBS News, his wife, Valerie, revealed that she refused to take him off of life support. He was battling kidney, heart and lung problems before his death. The Weeknd goes by Abel Tesfaye after announcing he wants to ‘kill The Weeknd’ Graham had a flamboyant interview style and colorful ring attire. His career in the 1970s helped influence future superstars like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. On April 30, 1977, Graham defeated Pittsburgh fan favorite Bruno Sammartino to win the WWE Championship (the title was previously called the WWWF Heavyweight Championship or World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship). Graham later became a commentator and on-screen manager on WWE television. Graham was inducted into the ...

American Lung Association provides free lung screenings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

Jayne Killea, division manager of American Lung Association, joins WGN Weekend Morning News to talk about free lung screenings provided by the American Lung Association.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Austin City Council: 'Safe Place' program, south Austin development up for discussion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are more than 80 items on this week's Austin City Council agenda. Here's some of what we're watching. 'Safe Place' program expansionCouncil Member José Velásquez introduced a resolution that would enroll all city recreation centers and public libraries in the Austin Police Department's 'Safe Place' program and require training of staff at those locations. The 'Safe Place' program was first created in Seattle as an attempt to combat the lack of reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes. It has since expanded to the reporting of all bias crimes. "Businesses that participate place an easily recognizable decal at their entrances. This symbol is a signal for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents that this location has partnered with the police, will call 911 on their behalf and allow them a safe place stay to on the premises until the police arrive," the Austin Police Department's website says. According to council documents, Velásquez hopes expanding the progr...

Climate change not part of LCRA water plan. KXAN investigation may change that

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

Investigative Summary: Central Texas residents trust that when they turn on their faucets, they will have water, even as our population booms and climate change alters weather patterns. KXAN found the Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages the water supply for more than one million residents, is only planning based on the worst drought in our history — not on more severe droughts that the State Climatologist expects in the future. But during our months-long investigation, the LCRA changed course.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Karen Bruett has called Lake Travis home since 1999.“This lake is more than a play thing," Bruett said, of the body of water just northwest of Austin. "This lake is actually our drinking water. We have that visceral experience of turning on our tap and knowing that this is what’s supplying it.” Lake Travis, as seen from Karen Bruett's neighborhood in Spicewood Apr. 11 (KXAN Photo/David Yeomans) In that time, she has seen the populat...

Airport looks to double current contract with design firm for airport expansion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:22:05 GMT

Editor's note: A previous version of this story said city council was set to authorize "the remaining $27 million of its $52 million contract with architectural design firm, HNTB Corporation." The story has been updated to reflect that the $27 million will actually be an increase of the current contract. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin airport is moving on to phase two of its design process in the airport expansion program, and is more than doubling its contract with the design firm. Airport staff will ask city council to increase its current contract with architectural design firm, HNTB Corporation, by an additional $27 million for a total of $52 million. Council authorized the original $25 million contract back in December of 2021. HNTB is consulting the airport on how it can expand, as the city continues to grow and the need for a bigger airport becomes more apparent. The contract with HNTB will run through 2030, according to an airport spokesperson. The airport staff says the i...