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Agencies release plans for moving hotel-dwelling Maui fire survivors into long-term housing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it plans to move thousands of hotel-dwelling survivors of wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui into long-term housing over the next month. The agency expects households living under long-term leases directly funded by FEMA to rise to 1,500 over the next month from 100 currently, TJ Dargan, federal coordinating officer for the Maui fires, said at a news conference. The increase would house a large portion of the 2,400 households who are still living in hotels months after wildfires scorched historic Lahaina on Aug. 8. Many are stuck in hotels because they have been unable to find rentals in Maui’s exceptionally tight housing market. FEMA, the state, county and non-profit organizations have urged owners of Maui’s 27,000 short-term rental properties to make their units, which normally house tourists, available to wildfire survivors. The agency is working with three property managers on Maui and the mayor̵...

Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard departs after big hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard departed Friday night's game against New Jersey after he was leveled by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in the first period.Bedard was selected by Chicago with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. The 18-year-old center has 15 goals and 18 assists in 38 games.Bedard was hit by Smith after he carried the puck into the Blackhawks' offensive zone. Bedard then skated to the bench holding his face as Nick Foligno, Brett Seney and several teammates ignited a skirmish behind the Devils net. Coby White scores 22 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-91 Bedard went straight to the Chicago locker room and did not return.After the All-Star departed, there was a series of skirmishes between the teams.Blackhawks defenseman Jarred Tinordi had words with Smith as the teams were skating off the ice after the first.Foligno and Smith had a prolonged bout early in the second period. Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vl...

Paul Lisnek on Biden's 1st campaign speech of the election year, SCOTUS decision on Idaho's abortion ban & more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss several big stories from the week.The topics include the latest on the Supreme Court's decision on Idaho's abortion ban, Biden's first campaign speech of the election year, the ongoing migrant crisis and more.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesTune in on Sundays for WGN-TV Political Report with Paul Lisnek.

Coby White scores 22 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-91

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Coby White had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and the Chicago Bulls welcomed back Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic with a 104-91 victory over Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for Chicago, which had lost three of four. Andre Drummond grabbed 10 rebounds in his sixth consecutive game with double-digit boards.LaVine scored 15 points while playing almost 30 minutes in his first game since Nov. 28. Vucevic had 11 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes while also playing as a reserve. WATCH: Adam Sandler plays pickup game before No. 10 Arizona faces Colorado LaVine was sidelined for 17 games because of inflammation in his right foot. Vucevic missed the past five games with a strained left adductor.While LaVine and Vucevic returned, Alex Caruso was a late scratch for Chicago because of a sore neck.Bridges scored 28 points for the Hornets, who closed out a 1-5 road trip. Terry Rozier had 15 points on 5-for-17 shoo...

Jarrell salon raises money to pay lunch debts for local students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — Heaven & Hair Salon used its grand opening on New Year's Eve to raise money toward paying off lunch debt for students in Jarrell Independent School District.Jarrell ISD posted on social media Thursday to thank the salon for its $2,480 donation. The district writing in part "Wow! This donation is a fantastic way to start the new year."Salon owner Amanda Christopher said she was inspired to put the fundraiser together after hearing a story about a student receiving a sandwich instead of a typical school lunch because of outstanding debt."It just hurt my heart to think that a baby would be going without, and other peers knowing that they just don't have the money for their lunch that day. I just wouldn't ever want a kid to feel that way," Christopher said.Christopher said the caring efforts goes way beyond the doors of her shop. She said other businesses, churches and community members also participated in the event as well."Our church next door, they came o...

Duluth’s Essentia Health, Wisconsin’s Marshfield Clinic break off merger talks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

DULUTH, Minn. — A potential merger between two large health care systems has been called off.In a joint news release Friday, Duluth-based Essentia Health and Marshfield, Wis.-based Marshfield Clinic Health System said they were ending merger talks. The two had signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2022 as they mulled a potential merger and then entered a merger agreement in July 2023.In a separate statement, Essentia said Marshfield’s financial situation “was the primary factor in our decision to end discussions.”“To be clear, Essentia’s finances are strong, and it is imperative we maintain that stability so we can continue investing in and enhancing care for our patients,” Essentia said.“Essentia Health and MCHS have engaged in meaningful discussion over the last two years about how our organizations could combine our unique strengths. We have decided that a combination at this time is not the right path forward for our respective organ...

Timberwolves respond to first losing skid in resounding fashion in win over Rockets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

Minnesota hit its first bump in the road this week. Every NBA team will incur those — it’s the nature of an 82-game season in which the games come fast and furious. No team can always be at its best.But these are the moments Timberwolves guard Mike Conley noted in training camp define championship-caliber teams. One trait all great squads have in common, he said, is resiliency.How well do you bounce back when the chips are down?This week — in which the Wolves lost consecutive games for the first time all season after seemingly losing their edge — marked the first adversity the current top team in the Western Conference had stumbled upon all season.“It’s the ability to go on a two- or three-game losing streak, snap out of it and have team meetings, talk to each other. The media is tackling you and trying to split you apart, and you band together and have moments in the season that become those signature moments that you can look back at and say, ‘Hey, this is when they be...

Minnesota law enforcement debut pilot program to test motorists for cannabis impairment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

Minnesota law enforcement is trying out a new tool to test for drivers using legal cannabis, hoping that it could help save lives lost to impaired driving.In August, cannabis became legal for adults 21 and older to use and possess in Minnesota. But it still can’t be used while behind the wheel of a car or boat.A pilot project that began this month involves training law enforcement on how to perform a roadside test for cannabis, according to the State Patrol.The instrument, the SoToxa Oral Fluid Mobile Analyzer, can detect the presence of cannabis or other drugs in a driver. The project will be testing how effective, efficient and accurate the tests are. Another instrument, the Dräger DrugTest 5000, will be tested at a later date.The roadside tests will be like preliminary breath tests that law enforcement officers use to detect drunken driving.The pilot project is voluntary for drivers, so the results won’t be admissible in court, and they will not be used to establish probable caus...

From alleged jailbreak attempt to ankle monitor violations, defendant gets one more chance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A felon accused of shooting his wife reportedly violated his ankle monitor as soon as it was installed. FOX 2 was the only media in the courtroom Friday when the judge threatened to send the suspect back to jail, but gave him another shot at freedom before trial.Authorities say 53-year-old Pierre Kirkwood shot his wife in May 2022. Later, he was accused of attempting a jail break. On Friday, he was in court for violating his ankle monitor.We caught up with Kirkwood after he was allowed to leave court, remaining on his ankle bracelet. How much snow will St. Louis get on Friday or next week? Kirkwood told us the judge, "did his job, you know what I’m saying. I had a bumpy ride coming out the door, but I straightened it out.”Prosecutors allege Kirkwood laughed when his ankle monitor was installed this past November, as he reportedly said, “You might as well take this off me.” The prosecutor said he was then “gone the next three days” from Nov. 28-30. The prosecutor claime...

Frozen funds for some St. Louis County nonprofits amid council-executive clash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Some members of the St. Louis County Council are in a battle with County Executive Sam Page and the head of local nonprofits, including one that helps women in domestic violence situations.Organizations like Journey Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse (JADASA) got a letter on Sept. 20, 2023 telling them they were supposed to get $25,000 in federal ARPA funds from St. Louis County. But then in December, they got another letter telling them they were out of luck and the funds were being frozen. Cynthia Bennett, the head of JADASA, says it’s hard to believe.“It’s disappointing, very disappointing," said Bennett. "I didn’t see it coming, but regardless of what happens, we still have to find creative ways to work with the woman to find resources to get them out of abusive situations." How much snow will St. Louis get on Friday or next week? They’re not alone. About $1.1 million intended for five different organizations has been frozen. Groups like JADASA say losin...