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Michigan judges ordered to honor pronouns of parties in court

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered all judges to address people in court by the pronouns they use or by “other respectful means.”“We serve the entire public and are required to treat those who come before us with civility and respect,” Justice Elizabeth Welch said. “The gender identity of a member of the public is a part of their individual identity, regardless of whether others agree or approve.”The statewide rule was approved, 5-2.Some transgender, nonbinary or gender-fluid people use they, them and their as a gender-neutral singular personal pronoun.“Courts must use the individual’s name, the designated salutation or personal pronouns, or other respectful means that is not inconsistent with the individual’s designated salutation or personal pronouns,” the Supreme Court said.During a public comment period earlier this year, some critics cited religious reasons for not wanting to address someone by a pronoun they use.The rule, which kicks in Jan. 1, will...

Biden vetoes two Republican-led bills to undo protections for prairie chicken and northern bat

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has vetoed Republican-sponsored bills to undo federal protections for two endangered species that have seen their populations plummet over the years: the lesser prairie chicken and northern long-eared bat.The two GOP measures would overturn “science-based rulemaking” that offers important protections for the once-abundant species and would undermine the Endangered Species Act, Biden said. “The lesser prairie-chicken serves as an indicator for healthy grasslands and prairies, making the species an important measure of the overall health of America’s grasslands,” the White House wrote late Tuesday in a veto statement about the prairie bird. It’s a member of the grouse family found in parts of the Midwest and Southwest, including the oil-rich Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas. The bird’s range also extends into parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas.Environmentalists have long sought stronger federal protections for the prair...

See the Haunted Houses in the Chicagoland area in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

CHICAGO - It's that time of year when everyone will dare to be scared - and we've got a few places that can help you find that Halloween spirit.WGN News Now has come up with a list of Haunted Houses in the Chicagoland area that are slated to be opened in late September or early October. 64 Fall Festivals and events coming to Chicagoland this autumn Here are some of the places we've found that you can visit over the 2023 Halloween season.Chicago Nightmare on Clark StreetBamboo Club - 3505 North Clark Street, ChicagoOpen through Oct. 31WebsiteThe Catacombs 6143 W. Irving Park Road, ChicagoOct. 6 - Oct. 29WebsiteNorth SuburbsDungeon of Doom600 29th Street, ZionSept. 29 - Nov. 4WebsiteScream Scene4701 Oakton Street, SkokieOct. 6 - Nov. 4WebsiteFright Fest Six Flags Great America - 1 Great America Parkway, GurneeNow until Oct. 31WebsiteNorthwest SuburbsRealm of Terror421 W. Rollins Road, Round Lake BeachSept. 29 - Oct. 29WebsiteEvil Intentions900 Grace St, ElginSept. 29 - Oct. 31Websit...

Mother of child killed in Uvalde mass shooting visits Highland Park ahead of run for mayor

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — A mother of one of the children killed in the Uvalde mass shooting was in Highland Park Wednesday, looking to gather support from a community that also has scars from a mass shooting, as she runs for mayor in the Texas town."When I heard she was running for mayor, I thought we have to support her in anyway we can," said Stephanie Jacobs, a Highland Park resident. "Our community and her community are tied by tragedy."Jacobs spoke of Kimberly Rubio, whom she met while the two were in Washington D.C., lobbying for change when it comes to gun violence.Rubio's 10-year-old daughter Lexi was one of the 19 children and two school staff members who shot and killed in Uvalde on May 24, 2022. "I lost my daughter, Lexi, she was 10 in the Robb Elementary school shooting," Rubio said. "She was in Mr. Reyes' class, 111, and he was the only survivor so, all 11 students in that classroom died that day." More from Alyssa: ‘We complied’: More North Side armed robberies reported...

Doctor, retired music teacher team up to bring healing music to suburban hospital

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — A retired music professor and a cardiologist have formed an usual, but popular duo at Edward Hospital in Naperville.At the hospital, there's a volunteer music program called, Music from the Heart, which makes what unfolded in the lobby this year even more poignant.Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, Philip Spencer's fingers dance across the piano keys in hopes it brings a little joy to the patients and medical staff passing by. More from Erin: Suburban choir shares joy of music by giving ukuleles to kids in hospitals "Playing here really demonstrated the power of music to do more than entertain,” he said. "How music can help them celebrate, help them grieve. It can help them learn.”During one day’s performance, a cardiologist by the name Dr. David Kim found himself drawn to that piano."I mustered up enough courage to go up to him and ask him if he knew a song in a certain key," he said.And that was beginning of perhaps the most unusual musical duo the hospital h...

RV destroyed in fire at suburban gas station

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

STICKNEY, Ill. — Emergency crews are on the scene of a fire at the gas station in the southwest suburbs.Fire trucks and EMS responded to the gas station in the 3800 block of South Cicero in Stickney near the border of Cicero and Chicago around 3:30 p.m.Southbound Cicero Avenue is shutdown at Pershing as crews continue to investigate. Heavy delays are reported in both directions. No other details are available at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

3 Illinois sheriff's deputies suffer burns in dynamite disposal operation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Three northern Illinois sheriff's deputies injured while disposing of dynamite in neighboring Wisconsin remained hospitalized with burns Monday, authorities said.The deputies are being treated for burns described as non-life-threatening, said Cori Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.The deputies were called out Saturday morning to help the Rock County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin on a report of dynamite in a trailer in Beloit, the Winnebago sheriff's office said. An Abe Lincoln photo made during his 1858 ascendancy has been donated to his museum in Illinois The property where the dynamite was found had been sold at auction and was in the process of having its ownership transferred, Capt. Josh Lund, of the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, said.The dynamite had been on the property “for quite some time,” Lund said.It wasn't clear how the deputies sustained the burns.

Unseasonably hot weather for the last few days of September

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated thunderstorms brought a few communities heavy rainfall on Wednesday, mainly in the Hill Country. One LCRA rain gauge tallied 0.81" of rain 12 miles northwest of Fredericksburg.Thursday, dry weather returns as a heat dome influences our weather from northern Mexico. Unseasonably hot, mainly dry weather persists this weekend including for the Texas home football game on Saturday when high temperatures reach 95 degrees in Austin.Preliminary data shows that Austin is currently in the midst of its hottest year to date on record, tied with 2011.Wetter weather possible next weekWe are expecting a large trough of low pressure, a stormy weather pattern, to move onto the West Coast early next week. While it won't be in a hurry to get to Texas, its slow approach next week will gradually increase the chance of rain locally.Rain and storms may become more likely late next week into part of Austin City Limits Music Festival weekend one. A cold front is possible at the en...

Water reuse in Hill County imperative to combat water scarcity, report says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  In a new report, the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) detailed the importance of utilizing water reuse, or recycled water, to combat water scarcity in the booming Hill Country counties. The Texas Hill Country region, due to its unique environment, is already vulnerable to water shortages caused by drought and water contamination from water disposal practices. On top of this, the region has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, prompting officials to come up with solutions for challenges brought on by population growth and water scarcity, as well as preserving existing water supplies.  MORE: Texas Hill Country water crisis may be approaching ‘tipping point,’ experts warn “Water reuse – using reclaimed and treated wastewater – is an integral step in ensuring that counties in the Hill Country will have the water supplies they need to ensure the health, safety, and quality of life of residents in the years to come,” the GEAA wrote in a ...

As more migrant buses arrive, Gov. Abbott visits New York City to talk border policy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

NEW YORK (Nexstar) — On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to the city that Texas has sent the largest number of migrants to, part of his signature policy he said helps border communities dealing with illegal immigration.The Texas Republican visited New York City to speak about the ongoing border crisis in a fireside chat with the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, on Wednesday. More buses arrived from the state during Abbott's visit, according to a source familiar with the matters in the governor's office. "What you're dealing with in New York, what you are seeing and witnessing in the state is a tiny fraction of what is happening every single day in the state of Texas," he said. Since starting the busing initiative in April 2022, Texas has sent more than 15,800 immigrants to New York City — and sending more than 25,000 immigrants to Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles total. According to a August 2023 poll from the Texas Politics Project a...