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States’ divisions on abortion widen after Roe overturned

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A group of Tennessee Republicans began this year’s legislative session hoping to add narrow exceptions to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, armed with the belief that most people — even in conservative Tennessee — reject extremes on the issue.Tennessee law requires doctors to prove in court that they were saving a woman’s life when they performed an abortion. Surely, the lawmakers thought, they could win concessions that would allow doctors to use their good faith judgment about when abortion is necessary to save a woman’s life. But after a key anti-abortion group stepped in, the lawmakers had to settle for a stricter legal standard that moves the needle very little.Like lawmakers in several GOP-led states who started the year thinking about moderating the nation’s toughest abortion laws, Tennessee’s lawmakers found no appetite among their colleagues for loosening the rules.During the first legislative sessions in most states since the ...

In Ghana, Kamala Harris ‘excited about the future of Africa’

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

Accra, GHANA (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris was greeted by schoolchildren, dancers and drummers as she arrived Sunday in Ghana for the start of a weeklong visit to Africa intended to deepen U.S. relationships amid global competition over the continent’s future.“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on this continent,” Harris said.The children cheered and waved Ghanaian and American flags as she stepped off her plane after an overnight flight. She smiled broadly and placed a hand on her heart as she passed by the dancers.“What an honor it is to be here in Ghana and on the continent of Africa,” Harris said. “I’m very excited about the future of Africa.” She said she wanted to promote economic growth and food security and welcomed the chance to ”witness firsthand the extraordinary innovation and creativity that is occ...

Veto puts Kentucky in thick of fight over transgender rights

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill aimed at transgender health care puts the state in the middle of a national fight, but with more immediate consequences as the state’s looming election offers an early test on the state-by-state assault on gender-affirming care for minors.The veto issued Friday set off competing messages likely to be repeated until the November election — when Bluegrass State voters will decide whether to reward the Democratic governor with a second term or hand over the governor’s office to a Republican. No one seems to know yet how much weight voters will put on the transgender issue with the general election more than seven months away.The legislation in Kentucky is part of a widespread movement, with Republican state lawmakers in other states approving extensive measures that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people this year, from bills targeting trans athletes and drag performers to measures limiting gender-affirmi...

Gap grows between TikTok users, lawmakers on potential ban

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security breaches and possible Chinese surveillance.On the other are some 150 million TikTok users in the U.S. who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos offering makeup tutorials and cooking lessons, among other things. The disconnect illustrates the uphill battle that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle face in trying to convince the public that China could use TikTok as a weapon against the American people. But many users on the platform are more concerned about the possibility of the government taking away their favorite app. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said during a nearly six-hour congressional hearing Thursday that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government, and wouldn’t do so if asked. Nevertheless, lawmakers, the FBI and officials at other agencies continue to raise alarms that Chinese law compels Chinese companies like T...

Planets on parade: 5 will be lined up in night sky this week

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

Keep an eye on the sky this week for a chance to see a planetary hangout.Five planets — Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus and Mars — are scheduled to line up near the moon.WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU SEE THEM?The best day to catch the whole group is Tuesday. You’ll want to look to the western horizon right after sunset, said NASA astronomer Bill Cooke.The planets will stretch from the horizon line to around halfway up the night sky. But don’t be late: Mercury and Jupiter will quickly dip below the horizon around half an hour after sunset.The five-planet spread can be seen anywhere on Earth, as long as you have clear skies and a west view.“That’s the beauty of these planetary alignments. It doesn’t take much,” Cooke said.DO I NEED BINOCULARS?Maybe. Jupiter, Venus and Mars will all be pretty easy to see since they shine brightly, Cooke said. Venus will be one of the brightest things in the sky, and Mars will be hanging out near the moon with a reddish glow. Mercury and Uranus could be ...

Sunday Forecast: Cloudy, chance of rain/snow showers, t'storms

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

Sunday's forecast includes increasing clouds with a chance rain/snow showers, north. Thunderstorms possible south. Some could be strong to severe south of I-80. ENE 5-10 mph. High near 40Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of evening rain. NNE 10-15 mph. Low:32 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Monday's forecast is looking partly cloudy & a bit milder. N 5-10 mph. Highs mid to low 40sFull forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterChilly weather continues Tuesday with some early showers and highs in the mid to low 40s. Some possible showers late Wednesday.  Cubs home opener is on Thursday, soggy but mild with highs in the low 50s and we could see some showers on Friday but temps at or above 60 for the first time this year. 

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle returns to Chicago

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

CHICAGO — The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle returned to Chicago Sunday morning with over 26,000 runners expected to participate. Wheelchair runners started their race a slightly before other runners, followed by a two-mile walk. Many groups, like the 'Green Guy Runners' were excited to participate in the Chicago tradition. The race marks the end of all St. Patrick's Day celebrations and kicks off the official Spring Running Season in Chicago.

Sunday Brunch with Scratchboard Kitchen

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

Check out this morning's Sunday Brunch with Scratchboard Kitchen with their creative and organic brunch food recipes.Scratchboard Kitchen is a breakfast & lunch restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights delivering scratch-made food and drinks using the highest-quality locally sourced ingredients.  Executive Chef Grace Goudie taps into the bounty of the surrounding farmland to showcase local ingredients in seasonally-inspired dishes paired with a selection of beverages including local craft beer, carefully curated wines, and specialty cocktails.  You’ll also find a daily selection of house-made pastries, locally roasted coffee, specialty espresso drinks, kombucha, and cold brew. Not to mention, little ones love Chef Grace’s unique (and sneakily healthy!) spin on the standard kids menu. Scratchboard Kitchen | Brunch in Arlington Heights, IL (scratchboardkitchenah.com)Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox eve...

How much does the average Costco shopper spend per visit? Costco reveals the answer

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — It takes money to save money, apparently.Bargain shoppers have long touted the savings they allege to accrue by purchasing their gargantuan boxes of granola bars or unwieldy packs of toilet paper at Costco. But before Costco members even set foot inside the store, their wallets need to be prepared to bear the immediate burden of buying in bulk — which sometimes means plunking down a more substantial dollar amount. Costco membership fees will increase, CFO says, but when? Recent data from Numerator, a market-research firm headquartered in Chicago, had suggested that the average Costco shopper spends just over $100 per visit for a total of around $3,000 per year, according to updated 2023 data first reported by Business Insider. Numerator data shared with Nexstar also appears to indicate that Costco’s average transaction is approximately double the average Target or Walmart transaction, which hover at around $50 and $54 bucks respectively, per the company’s findings.But ...

What's next for Austin's graffiti park as HOPE Outdoor Gallery plans its permanent home

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin-based Cumby Group LLC purchased the 1.2-acre property at the former home of HOPE Outdoor Gallery and graffiti park moved forward in 2019, HOPE Outdoor Gallery announced plans for a new permanent home, according to the HOPE Outdoor Gallery website. New condos at old HOPE graffiti park to cost $3.6M apiece Future plans for HOPE Outdoor GalleryA 17.7-acre, open-air cultural events center, community art park and technology gallery is expected to open soon in Austin, across from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the website said.Furthermore, there will be ways to feed your mind and soul, the website said. From coffee to cocktails, the new location will have the following:CafeRooftop barArt supplyFood trucksCommunity wallsLocal vendors"The new location will allow us to expand upon our rich foundation of art education classes, community events, and more professional development for Austin creative community," the website said.KXAN reached out to the g...