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Alderwoman physically attacked during migrant site construction protest in Brighton Park: Mayor's office

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

CHICAGO -- During a protest against the construction site of a tent camp meant to house newly arrived migrants in Brighton Park Thursday, the mayor's office says Alderwoman Julia Ramirez was physically attacked. The owner of the site located near the intersection of 38th Street and California, the Sanches Group, submitted an application with the city when proposals were released to identify potential properties to house newly arrived migrants. During the protest, Ramirez was chased by people demanding answers and she was then escorted out by police.According to the mayor's office, Ramirez was a victim of a physical attack by area residents and released a statement: "Any violent act against an elected official in our city is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. My office and the Chicago Police Department are currently investigating this incident, and we will provide updates as they become available.” Residents upset by the plan mentioned feelings ...

Fisher-Price recalling thousands of Thomas & Friends toys over choking risk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

(WHTM) – Fisher-Price is recalling about 21,000 Thomas & Friends train car toys due to a choking hazard.A small plastic piece with a high-powered magnet inside can loosen or detach, possibly causing a child to choke or even swallow the magnet, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.The recall involves about 21,000 of the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Troublesome Truck & Crates and Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Troublesome Truck & Paint toys in the U.S. Around 400 more were sold in Canada. Protein powder recalled over potential plastic contamination The Truck & Crates toys (model number HBJ89) are black and gray with brown crates as cargo, while the Truck & Paint toys (model number HBJ90) are gray and black with gray paint cans as cargo.The magnets are used to attach the affected toys to compatible Thomas & Friends train toys. The train cars have faces on them that look like the characters from "Thomas & Friends"...

Giant puppet to visit Austin on cross-country journey raising awareness about immigration

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A giant, 12-foot puppet known as "Little Amal" is making a stop in Austin Friday as part of a cross-country journey. Little Amal is a puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. She has been journeying across the United States this fall, visiting key places in America’s history to raise awareness about immigration and migration, the Associated Press reported. Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee, will travel the US Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights and refugees, her website states. Since 2021, she has traveled over 6,000 miles to 14 different countries. Her latest journey, which started on Sept. 7, is taking her 11,000 miles across the United States and Mexico in "one of the largest free public festivals ever created," according to her website. Before her journey concludes Nov. 26, she'll make a stop in Austin. Amal will be at Huston-Tillotson University Friday, Oct. 20, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Interfaith Action of Ce...

$59 million bond proposition on the ballot for Williamson County parks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One part of a two-proposition bond election for Williamson County voters will determine if $59 million will be allocated for improvements to the county's parks, expo centers, and shared-use path projects.Proposition B of the November 7 bond election would fund the purchase of parkland for the county, facility developments to Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Twin Lakes Park, and the Williamson County Expo Center.The bond election will also bring a $825 million road bond before voters. Proposition A names 38 proposed road projects throughout the county that vary from right-of-way acquisition to designing and construction. $800 million Williamson County road bond on November ballot KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with Williamson County about the road bond last week.Connie Odom, Williamson County communications director, said many of these projects are related to the county's fast-growing population.“And in certain cases, then they can bypass ...

Rep. McCaul: 'We have to prepare for' U.S. troops on ground in Middle East

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul told Nexstar on Wednesday his committee has been asked to consider an Authorization for Use of Military Force relating to the Israel-Hamas war, opening the possibility that American troops may again fight in the Middle East if the war attracts more adversaries through the region."I would not want to see that at all," Rep. McCaul said. "I prefer not see any of our troops on the ground. However, if it escalates to out of control, that's always a contingency that we have to prepare for."Rep. McCaul stressed the urgent need he sees for more U.S. aid for allies facing war and threats overseas, including Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as border security legislation to address threats on the southern border.He urged the House of Representatives to unite behind a leader, as any pending aid requests remain paralyzed while House Republicans struggle to elect a Speaker."It's a very dangerous game to play politically. We ne...

Will Canada commit to ending tuberculosis?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

While there has been a reduction in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnoses in 2020 and 2021, this apparent decline does not signify a shrinking TB problem as mentioned in the recent report of the World Health Organization. Instead, it points to a concerning issue – a growing population of undiagnosed and untreated individuals, leading to an alarming rise in TB-related death.Among the estimated 10.6 million people affected by TB annually, a staggering 4.2 million are left unaccounted for by healthcare systems. This means they do not receive both diagnosis and essential care.Fortunately, there is part of a solution at hand. By ensuring equitable access to non-sputum-based diagnostic tests in TB-affected regions, there is an opportunity to prevent countless cases from remaining untreated.To make this vision a reality, it’s imperative that Canada actively participates in the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. Furthermore, if Canada commits an impactful 0.15 per cent of its annual resea...

Fair trade products gain recognition despite price premiums

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

October is Fair Trade Month, a period dedicated to spotlighting fair-trade products, even amid the backdrop of escalating food costs. This naturally raises the question: Why commemorate fair trade when many of its products bear a higher price tag, rendering them less budget-friendly for consumers wrestling with rising food expenses?Indeed, Fairtrade-certified products frequently bear price tags anywhere from 20 to 50 percent higher than their conventional counterparts. Nevertheless, it remains crucial for us to discuss fair trade, given our collective concerns regarding sustainability and social justice for farmers globally.While Fairtrade food products may not have yet attained widespread popularity, their recognition and credibility have undeniably surged. According to a recent survey by Globe Scan, over 57 percent of Canadians have encountered Fairtrade logos while grocery shopping. The primary products that receive certification include coffee, chocolate, tea, and bananas, with ...

Alberta Fire Training Conference this week in Lethbridge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

By Heather CameronSunny South NewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterThe 18th Annual Alberta Fire Training Conference will take place from Oct. 19-21 at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre.“It’s aimed at firefighters from all different levels, so right from chiefs to right down to the frontline guys that are on the hose line,” said Nathan Coté, President of the Fire Training Planning Committee and Regional Fire Chief at M.D. of Taber Regional Fire Services. “The idea is to bring good solid training and speakers to those guys, so they can learn and grow as firefighters and take that information back to their departments and hopefully everybody improves.”Coté says that the conference will include both training and speakers, with this year’s keynote speakers being John Ceriello, a Captain with New York City Fire Department (FDNY); Sean Gray, a Captain with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services; and Derek Alkonis, Research Program Manager with UL’s Fire Safety Research I...

CFIB launches new contest in October

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

By Heather CameronSunny South NewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterThe Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFID) has launched a new the “Big Thank You” contest as part of the #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign in 2023 to help promote the growth of small businesses.“The contest invites Canadians to take a moment to send a thank you note to their favourite small businesses, and CFIB (then) shares the messages with the businesses,” Andrew Sennyah, Alberta senior policy analyst, said. “The entrant and they thank are entered into draws to win amazing cash prizes and a Big Thank You box of small business goodies from every province and territory.”Sennyah said that business owners can get involved by encouraging their customers to take part in the contest using the free contest toolkit found at: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/celebrate-small-business/toolkits and more information about the contest and enter here: https://www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca/big-thank-you-contest.According to ...

Low tax rate pays dividends for Alberta business

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:07 GMT

By Heather CameronSunny South NewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterAccording to a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Alberta currently has the lowest effective payroll tax rate in Canada.Andrew Sennyah, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), says the report examined the effective payroll tax rates based on a typical salary of $50,000 in a business with a payroll of $2.5 million. Sennyah says that payroll taxes included in this analysis are Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and parental benefits, workers’ compensation, and provincial payroll taxes (when applicable).Taking the above-mentioned taxes into account, Alberta has the lowest effective payroll tax rate compared to other provinces. This means that an employer in Alberta pays 9.1 per cent ($4,538) on top of a $50,000 salary,” Sennyah said. “Nationally – the rate is 10.1 per cent or $5,067.”Sennyah says that businesses across ...