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Ontario’s COVID-19 paid sick days program could expire end of March

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

With the Ontario budget set to be unveiled later this week, it appears the days could be numbered for the province’s COVID-19 paid sick program.The program, which allows Ontarians who miss work due to COVID-19 to have up to three days off, is set to expire on March 31, 2023.Under the current guidelines, eligible workers are offered up to $200 a day for up to three days if they need to get tested, vaccinated, receive booster shots, self-isolate, or care for a family member who is ill from COVID.When asked about the future of the program during a press conference, Premier Doug Ford was non-committal on the program’s future.“That was specifically designed for the pandemic to help people out, that’s the reason,” answered Ford. “We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the entire world because we put these programs in and we’ll just have to see over the next few days.”The Ford government originally announced the program back in April of 2021. The province p...

Firefighters battle blaze at home owned by Sen. Warren’s son

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

MEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — Firefighters battled an early morning blaze at a Massachusetts home owned by the son of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.Just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, firefighters received reports of a structure fire in Medford, located about five miles north of Boston.Upon arrival firefighters found the structure fully involved in flames, according to a Facebook post by Medford Firefighters Local 1032.The house sits on top of a hill, which contributed to the challenge of getting enough water to the site to fight the fire, the union added.No injuries were reported, and the home was unoccupied at the time. The house is owned by Alex Warren, a son of the Democratic senator.“I deeply appreciate the efforts of the firefighters who worked through the night to put out a fire at our son’s house,” the senator said in a written statement.“I am grateful that everyone is safe and request privacy for our family,” she said.The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Associated Press

Ottawa needs ‘made-in-Canada’ response to U.S. Inflation Reduction Act: climate group

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

OTTAWA — As the federal government readies its spring budget, a climate group is urging Ottawa to pursue a “made-in-Canada” response to U.S. clean energy incentives. The Canadian Climate Institute published a report today with recommendations for the federal government on how to respond to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act passed last summer.The institute says the federal government shouldn’t try to match the incentives and subsidies offered by the U.S. and instead tailor its measures for Canada.Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has signalled the March 28 budget will include ways to keep Canada competitive as countries transition their economies to cleaner energy and technologies.The institute says Canada should pursue targeted policies that don’t over-subsidize industry but instead support projects to benefit society that the private sector wouldn’t pursue on its own.It also says the Canada Growth Fund, which will invest in clean energy projects using ...

Judge denies CPD officer's request to move Jan. 6 trial out of Washington, D.C.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has denied a request by a Chicago police officer to move his upcoming criminal trial — one that stems from the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection — out of the nation’s capital.Karol Chwiesiuk, a CPD officer who was charged with five misdemeanors after he and thousands of other supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the United State Capitol building two years ago, is scheduled to go to trial on May 1. Last December, federal prosecutors brought charges against Chwiesiuk’s sister, who allegedly joined Chwiesiuk when he entered the Capitol.Last week, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied a motion submitted by the Chwiesiuk siblings that sought to have the trial moved from Washington, D.C. to any other federal court district in the country — except for the Northern District of Illinois. Previous Coverage: Chicago police officer charged with storming US Capitol on Jan. 6 In bringing the motion, the Chwiesiuks’ a...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in low 50s, showers move in later

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Starting partly sunny Tuesday with breezy southwesterly winds. We'll see clouds increase throughout the afternoon and highs climbing into the low 50s. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Rain showers return to the forecast this evening with more widespread showers likely overnight. The wet weather lingers early Wednesday. Another system moves in late Wednesday night and into Thursday which will bring us the potential for showers and thunderstorms.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

Is Blockbuster coming back?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Are Blockbuster nights about to make a return?Fans of the once-ubiquitous video rental store Blockbuster are keeping an eye on the blue and yellow company after its website quietly came back online over the weekend. A visit to Blockbuster.com now directs to a message reading simply, "We are working on rewinding your movie." Rapidly spreading fungus already in 28 states presents ‘urgent’ threat, CDC warns Fondness for Blockbuster has increased over the past couple of years, as 80s and 90s nostalgia has permeated TV and movies. Last year, streaming giant Netflix even released a now-canceled sitcom based on employees of Blockbuster's last store. The company's actual last real-life store, located in Bend, Oregon, has become a popular attraction, and even briefly an Airbnb rental.Given the latest resurrection of the company's website — and reactivation of its Twitter account — many are now abuzz about a potential Blockbuster reboot. Miss Blockbuster? Here’s how you can (k...

Today Is International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

APD: Roommate arrested after man found dead following house fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested and charged with murder and arson after a Sunday night fire at a southeast Austin home, Austin Police said in a release Tuesday.According to APD, 911 got a call at 10:53 p.m. Sunday about someone possibly trapped in a house that was on fire in the 9000 block of Meridian Oaks Lane. That is just east of Interstate 35 and west of Slaughter Lane. Austin firefighters found John Ryan Kern, 36, with apparent stab wounds inside the burning home. Kern died a short time later, APD said. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? During the investigation, APD determined Kern's roommate stabbed him and tried "to burn down the house to destroy evidence," APD said in the release.Zachary Salinas, 31, was booked into Travis County jail on murder, arson and tampering with evidence charges, APD said.Another person was inside of the home and reported the fire, APD said.This case is being considered Austin's 18th homicide of 2023.If you have informati...

Gov. Abbott rallies supporters for 'school choice' at Capitol

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a rally for "parental empowerment" at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, advocating for his plan to subsidize private education in front of supporters his team bussed to Austin from San Antonio and Cypress.Senate Bill 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. That legislation, which Abbott dubs the "parental bill of rights," would create education savings accounts the state would fund with $8,000 per eligible family to send their children to private school.Abbott said Texas would increase funding for public education this session while also lambasting unspecified policies in public schools he claims hurt transparency and teach harmful material."Our children are being taught a radical, woke agenda," Abbott told the crowd. "Listen, there's no reason why any student should have a woke agenda pushed on them. Our schools are for education, not indoctrination."Supporters with children in both private and public schoo...

Dylan Disu peaking at the right time for Longhorns during March Madness run

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns senior forward Dylan Disu ended the regular season averaging 7.6 points per game, but once the postseason hit, he turned into a bucket machine and is a big reason why the team is in the Sweet 16.After three terrific games in the Big 12 Conference tournament to lead the Longhorns to the championship, he was named the tournament's most outstanding player with 44 points, 25 rebounds and a 74% field goal percentage. He wasn't done, though.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersHe helped the Longhorns past Colgate in the first round of the NCAA tournament with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and then erupted for a career-high 28 points on 14-of-20 shooting with 10 rebounds against Penn State in a second-round 71-66 win.Disu, a Pflugerville native and Hendrickson High School grad, is a humble competitor, transferring back home from Vanderbilt before last ...