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Wisconsin’s Democratic governor rejects GOP’s surprise redistricting plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers shot down as “bogus” a surprise plan Republicans floated Tuesday that would have the Legislature approve new maps drawn by nonpartisan staff, preempting the state Supreme Court from tossing the current GOP-drawn boundaries.The Republican move comes as Wisconsin justices are considering two Democratic-backed lawsuits seeking to toss the current maps, first enacted in 2011, that are among the most gerrymandered in the country and have helped Republicans increase their majority.Republicans have long opposed plans put forward by Democrats to enact a nonpartisan redistricting process. But now, faced with the likelihood that the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court was going to throw out their maps ahead of the 2024 election, Republicans proposed enacting a new system modeled after neighboring Iowa.“If you’re sick of the arguing, if you’re sick of the vitriol, if you want people to work together, this is a better way for us to do...

Filmmakers, celebs ask TIFF to cut ties with sponsor RBC over environmental concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

TORONTO — A group of Canadian filmmakers have joined forces with Hollywood A-listers in asking the Toronto International Film Festival to end sponsorship ties with the Royal Bank of Canada because of the financial institution’s funding of the oil and gas industry.Organizers of the campaign, called RBC Off Screen, say the bank’s track record of investing in fossil fuels runs contrary to the socially progressive values the film festival purports to stand for.Signatories to the group’s open letter to TIFF outlining its concerns include screen stars Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Joaquin Phoenix, alongside filmmakers and producers including Avi Lewis, Elza Kephart and Jose Luis Gutierrez.Kephart and Gutierrez started the campaign, which they say is supported by more than 200 entertainment industry workers. The group’s statement says RBC is one of the largest financiers of oil and gas projects in the world and supports projects that have negatively impacted Indi...

At least 10 Malian soldiers killed in latest attack in hard-hit northern region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — At least 10 government soldiers were killed Tuesday during an attack by armed groups in northern Mali, the nation’s armed forces said, amid ongoing deadly violence in the hard-hit region and as United Nations peacekeepers continue their withdrawal.A coalition of former rebels known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development claimed responsibility for the attack in the city of Bourem in Gao region and said they have captured parts of the city. The development signaled a failure of a 2015 agreement which the former rebels signed with Malian authorities to stop their rebellion.Malian security forces repelled “the attack with booby-trapped vehicles by several terrorists aboard several vehicles and motorcycles in the locality of Bourem,” according to a statement issued by Col. Souleymane Dembelé, a spokesman for the Malian Armed Forces. He said 13 soldiers were wounded in the incident while 46 of the attackers were killed.Claiming respons...

Court docs: 911 call from Lyft driver leads to police interrupting man trying to drown 2-year-old son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

CHICAGO — It was a call to police from a concerned Lyft driver that reportedly played a part in leading officers to interrupting what they suspect was a drowning in progress.Jeremiah Campbell, 29, is charged with attempted murder, child endangerment, and violating an order of protection in connection to a 2021 case.According to court documents filed in Cook County, a Lyft driver called police right after he dropped off a man and child — now identified as Campbell and his son — in the 7700 block of S. South Shore Drive. The driver told authorities he was concerned with what the father was reportedly saying on the ride to the location.A Chicago Police Department arrest report said the driver told police Campbell was talking about conspiracies and drowning his son as a sacrifice to Jehovah.It was around the same time that 911 call was made, that an arrest report shows an anonymous call was made from someone at that same address, who said his two-year-old son drowned in the tub.“It was ...

Libraries in Aurora, Evanston & Addison targeted by bomb threats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Police were called to several libraries in the Chicago area on Tuesday in regard to bomb threats. Police in Aurora continue to investigate the threats but officers in Evanston and Addison say the threats were not substantiated.  Chicago fire truck crashes into home on South Side; 2 displaced Threats in AuroraPolice in Aurora say officers are investigating reports of bomb threats at three Aurora libraries on Tuesday afternoon. Aurora police first notified the public about the threats in a tweet shared around 3 p.m. In a follow-up post, officers asked the public to avoid areas near the 100 block of South River Street, areas near the 500 block of South Eola Road, and areas near the 200 block of South Constitution Drive, while they work to evacuate and shut down roadways. Police have not offered updates regarding how the threats were placed, but say officers are on scene at all three locations.  ‘This is crazy’: Investigation underway after string ...

Aaron Rodgers' injury means the Packers won't get a first-round pick from Jets in next year's draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ torn left Achilles tendon is costing his former team a chance at an extra first-round pick in next year’s draft.That's because the four-time MVP’s inability to play will cost the Green Bay Packers a first-round draft pick.Part of the package the Jets used to acquire Rodgers included compensation in the 2024 draft. Under the terms of the deal, the Packers would get a 2024 first-round pick only if Rodgers played 65% of the Jets’ snaps during the 2023 season.Now that Rodgers’ season is likely over, the Packers will get a second-round pick instead. Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the Jets is over Rodgers had taken just his fourth regular-season snap for the Jets when he was brought down by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd during New York’s 22-16 overtime victory over the Bills. An MRI on Tuesday confirmed Rodgers has a torn Achilles tendon, a person told The Associated Press while speaking on condition of anon...

DePaul, athletic director DeWayne Peevy agree to a contract extension through June 2027

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — DePaul and athletic director DeWayne Peevy have agreed to a contract extension through June 2027, the school announced Tuesday.A longtime college athletics administrator, Peevy was hired in August 2020. The extension comes after the school recently announced plans for an on-campus basketball practice facility that it hopes will lift its long struggling men's program and help its women's team remain successful. The school also plans to give other athletic facilities an extensive makeover. Tickets to see Lionel Messi face Chicago Fire FC are in demand Peevy spent 12 years prior to his arrival at DePaul in Kentucky’s athletic department, going from a role in media relations to deputy athletic director, and oversaw the Wildcats’ powerhouse basketball program. He was the SEC’s media relations director before that.

Illinois man sentenced to probation after wife recorded fight that ended with her found dead near stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A newlywed prison guard was sentenced Tuesday to probation after his wife recorded a fight that ended with her being found dead at the bottom of a parking garage near the stadium where the St. Louis Cardinals play.Bradley Jenkins, of Taylorville, of Illinois, was initially charged with third-degree felony domestic assault after 27-year-old Allissa Martin's 2019 death. Court documents say a video taken on Martin’s phone recorded Martin yelling at Jenkins to stop punching her in the face before she dropped the phone. Jenkins was a lieutenant for the Illinois Department of Corrections at the time.But after a grand jury declined to indict him, he was recharged with a lesser count of misdemeanor assault. He pleaded guilty to that charge before he was sentenced, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.In June 2022, Martin's mother sued a bar, the parking garage operator and Jenkins for the wrongful death of her daughter. She argues that the bar overserved...

Concerns grow as Kim Jong Un meets with Vladimir Putin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — U.S. officials are watching with concern as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit is shrouded in secrecy, but U.S. leaders say Russia may want North Korea to provide them with weapons for the war with Ukraine. Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Tuesday riding aboard a heavily-armored train. As Russia fights to gain ground in its war with Ukraine, its running low on ammunition. George Washington University National Security expert Thom Shanker says while North Korea is one of the poorest nations in the world, it's also one of the most militarized.  Life-saving Naloxone now available over the counter "Putin is looking to Kim, the North Korean leader for weapons," Shanker said. "They have a huge supply of artillery shells for any potential war with South Korea and the U.S. and one can see Kim trading those to Putin."North Korea's Kim Jong Un rolled into Russia on an armored train to see Presiden...

Why Not Petites: Challenging Modeling Industry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:31 GMT

The runway is filled with lots of tall men and women but one organization is asking, "Why Not Petites"? They're challenging the modeling industry and asking agencies and brands to book more petite models. Joining us on Spotlight Chicago is founder and CEO Britney Wittes. She's been modeling since she was 10 years old and has a personal story that started her passion for petite modeling. WhyNotPetites.comInstagram: @WhyNotPetitesFacebook: Why Not PetitesSpotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.