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North Dakota governor outlaws pronoun policies in schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a bill that prohibits public schools and government entities from requiring teachers and employees to refer to transgender people by the pronouns they use, the governor’s office announced Monday.The new law also requires teachers to tell a parent or legal guardian if the student identifies as transgender. It prohibits transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice without prior approval from a parent or guardian.It is effective immediately.Burgum said in a statement that the new law “largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech … balancing the rights and interests of students, parents and teachers.”Opponents countered that the state’s Republican leaders are violating the constitutional rights of students and teachers by compelling the speech of adults and potentially exposing children to dangerous repercussions if an abusive parent doesn’t...

Mexico plans expedition to find endangered porpoises

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican officials and the conservation group Sea Shepherd said Monday that experts will set out in two ships in a bid to locate the few remaining vaquita marina, the world’s most endangered marine mammal. Mexico environment secretary said experts from the United States, Canada and Mexico will use binoculars, sighting devices and acoustic monitors to try to pinpoint the location of the tiny, elusive porpoises. The species cannot be captured, held or bred in captivity.The trip will run from May 10 to May 26 in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, the only place the vaquita lives. The group will travel in a Sea Shepherd vessel and a Mexican boat to try and sight vaquitas; as few as eight of the creatures are believed to remain.Illegal gillnet fishing traps and kills the vaquita. Fishermen set the nets to catch totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is considered a delicacy in China and can fetch thousands of dollars per pound (kilogram). Sea Shepherd ...

Biden would veto House GOP bill on border enforcement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden would veto a House GOP bill that aims to restrict asylum, build more border wall and cut a program that allows migrants a chance to stay in the U.S., including Ukrainian refugees, the White House said Monday. Republicans are looking to capitalize as immigration trouble surges into a national spotlight this week with the ending of COVID-19 restrictions that allowed border authorities to quickly return many migrants who crossed the border illegally.GOP lawmkers aim to vote on their Secure the Border Act on Thursday — the same day the emergency expulsion powers expire. Officials have already seen an increase of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and are bracing for more.The legislation represents the GOP’s first major immigration policy proposal since the Trump era, when immigration opponents controlled the White House. The 213-page bill resurrects a slew of former President Donald Trump’s policies, such as building barriers along hundreds of miles...

MedWatch Daily Digest: AI can have a powerful impact on health — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

For Monday, May 8, WGN’s Medical Reporter Dina Bair has the latest on new information including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Harvard Medical School scientists put AI to the test, spotting those at high risk for pancreatic cancer. Was it a success? How Japanese scientists utilized a tumor’s own bacteria to trigger anti-cancer immune responses.  Why early antibiotics could impact a child’s gut health for a lifetime.

Willson Contreras has a message for Cubs fans in return to Wrigley Field

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

CHICAGO — He was in a different dugout and different gear than he's used to when making his way to the Friendly Confines on Monday.But this is a new era for Willson Contreras - one where he's coming out of the locker room on the right field side of Wrigley Field and wearing the gear of the NL Central-rival Cardinals."It's completely different," said the catcher ahead of his first game at Wrigley Field since signing with St. Louis. "Going back to my first home, the city that gave me an opportunity to become a major league ballplayer." Contreras now gets to have what a few members of the 2016 Cubs have gotten since the team's core has been broken up over the last year-and-a-have: A welcome back from the Wrigley Field fans. Signing with a rival, especially the Cardinals, can make it a little unusual, and some fans haven't been too happy with some of Contreras' comments since joining the St. Louis organization. But the catcher went out of his way to express how much Cubs' fans mean to h...

Actor Scott Baio says he's leaving California after 45 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

(KTLA) - Actor Scott Baio, best known for his roles in "Happy Days" and "Charles in Charge," is leaving the Golden State.In a series of tweets, Baio explained why he was making the decision."After 45 years, I’m making my way to finally 'exit stage right' from California," he tweeted.Underneath that tweet, he attached a screengrab of a newscast by Nexstar's KTLA. He also attached a quote from a KTLA story about homeless encampments in Beverly Hills.“The most recent survey conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority found approximately 69,000 people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County and 41,000 in the city in 2022," his tweet quoted from the article. The tweet then prompted his followers to ask questions. "Yeah, no reason to live in a city where there's homeless people. Your career in LA has been over for years. Superficial folks shouldn't live in CA. Where you headed Chachi?" tweeted one person. Baio, whose last on-screen credit on IMBd is listed as the 2021 film "...

Boy missing for 2 days in Michigan mountains found sheltering under log

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

ONTONAGON, Mich. (WJMN) – Days of searching have come to a happy end as Michigan State Police (MSP) confirms that a missing 8-year-old boy has been found safe and reunited with his family.The boy, from Hurley, Wisconsin, was camping with his family in the Porcupine Mountains, a group of small mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, over the weekend. Saturday afternoon, authorities were called to search for the boy when he didn't return from collecting firewood. MSP called in more than 150 search and rescue personnel from the State Police and other agencies. They canvassed a roughly 40-square-mile area from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation A missing 8-year-old boy, seen here, has been found after spending two days hiding under a log in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains. (Michigan State Police)According to MSP, a volunteer found the boy, who "had braved the elements by taking shelter under a log where he w...

Wettest week in months with periods of heavy rain expected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered heavy downpours are expected at times early this week, then heavy rain becomes more widespread Mother's Day weekend leading to an escalating flash flood threat.A nearly stationary severe thunderstorm prompted a Tornado Warning in Fayette County Monday afternoon, though no tornado was confirmed. More than 2 inches of rain fell in a short period of time in La Grange, where a Flash Flood Warning continues until 7:45 p.m. Most flash flood fatalities happen in vehicles. If you come across a flooded low water crossing, 'Turn Around, Don't Drown!'Additional thunderstorm development is most likely in the Hill Country late this evening, where there is a 1 out of 5 threat of severe weather. Hail and heavy rain are most likely with any storms that do develop.Low risk of strong to severe storms Monday eveningScattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast Tuesday as a low pressure center drifts overhead, then rain chances taper a bit Wednesday betw...

H-E-B announces new store coming to Georgetown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 8, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Beloved Texas grocer H-E-B is set to open a new store in Georgetown next month.A 121,000-square-foot shop will open at 1010 W. University Ave. in the Wolf Lakes Village neighborhood on June 7. It'll replace the 67,000-square-foot store housed at 1100 S. I-35, per a company release. RELATED NEWS: H-E-B opening convenience store in Georgetown The I-35 location will remain open until the Wolf Lakes Village store is operational, per the release. Amenities include a two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant, which will feature indoor seating on both levels. Other elements include H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery services, an extensive wine and beer selection, deli and healthy living departments, a fuel station and car wash as well as a Texas Backyard outdoor living section.“We are thrilled to bring a new H-E-B store to Georgetown, a growing community we’ve proudly been a part of fo...

Texas child care providers call on lawmakers for more money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, child care providers, parents, and families across the country hosted a Day Without Child Care.More than 700 child care providers across the country closed their doors, many of them right here in Texas.The goal is to raise awareness about wages and the challenges providers and parents face as the cost of living and inflation continues to impact the industry.Providers and families are calling on Texas legislators to invest 1% of the state budget in child care facilities.Dozens of providers and parents held a rally outside the Texas State Capitol on Monday, chanting and sharing stories about the challenges they face."Child care providers like me, everywhere, make poverty wages," said a speaker at Monday's rally.Tim Kaminski is the owner of Gingerbread Kids Academy in Richmond, Texas. He says Emergency Care Funding has helped his industry greatly, but if it goes away, there could be issues."The primary reason we are here (state capitol) today is to get the st...