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Democrats rally for paid sick, medical leave legislation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – Democrats held a rally on Capitol Hill to push for paid medical leave for all workers and say doing so would put the U.S. on par with every other major nation.Democrats say the U.S. needs to guarantee paid sick days and family leave for all workers.“Paid family leave should be a national priority because our families should be a national priority,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said.Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) added, “at a time of record-breaking corporate profits and exorbitant CEO pay, the idea that the richest country in the history of the world cannot guarantee paid leave for its workers is an international embarrassment.”Democrats are proposing legislation that would guarantee seven paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family medical leave to all American workers. Supporters say the move would benefit the economy and help with employee retention.“No worker should be forced to make an impossible choice between keeping their job and taking care of their...

Indiana man charged with selling gun eventually found during arrest connected to officer's death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

CHICAGO — An Indiana man is facing a federal charge after he allegedly sold a firearm bought in Indiana to a person in Chicago and was recovered during an arrest made in connection with the death of Officer Aréanah Preston.Corey Gray, 21, of LaPorte, was arrested Wednesday morning and is charged with one count of knowingly transferring a firearm to an individual who was neither a licensed dealer nor an Indiana resident, according to court documents. Funeral services held Wednesday for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston According to a federal complaint, one of Gray's relatives bought the Glock 17 from a licensed dealer in April 2021 in Valparaiso and gave it to him.A few months later, Gray told ATF special agents he gave the gun to a person he knew as "Lil' Pooh" for $1,200 in Chicago, according to the complaint.The man Gray sold the gun to is only identified as Lil' Pooh and Individual B in the complaint, but an ATF special agent wrote the man was 19 and died in April.It's not clea...

MedWatch Daily Digest: A common virus could lead to a debilitating illness — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

For Wednesday, May 17, WGN’s Medical Reporter Dina Bair has the latest on new information, including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch The Epstein-Barr virus, which infects more than 90% of people worldwide, can impact a small part of the population in a different and devastating way. Vegan mothers who breastfeed provide the same amount of nutrients to their newborns as those who eat a more expansive diet. People who saw news about kindness immediately after viewing stories of terror attacks and violence felt fewer negative emotions. 

Boebert defends husband amid divorce filing: 'He didn't "sick dogs" on the process server'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

(The Hill) - Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is defending her estranged husband, condemning what she calls “misrepresentations” cited in court documents about their impending divorce.“I have always spoken highly of my marriage. I believe in marriage. I believe in the power our words hold,” Boebert said in a statement posted on Twitter on Wednesday.“Jayson, a man I spent half of my life with, did not sign up to be in the public limelight, and he certainly did not agree to be falsely accused of things he didn't do,” the Colorado Republican added. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rep. Boebert files for divorce from husband In court documents obtained by The Hill, a process server claimed in a sworn affidavit that the congresswoman’s husband, Jayson Boebert, was “drinking a tall glass of beer” and “cleaning a gun that was sitting on a table,” when approached with the paperwork.Describing Jayson Boebert as “extremely angry,” the process server said, “He started yelling and using profanities,...

Pre-K teacher in Austin arrested on charges of possession of child pornography

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Pre-K teacher at Wayside Schools in Austin was arrested Monday night on charges of possession of child pornography, according to Travis County records.Records showed that 33-year-old Irving Perez was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety.KXAN reached out to Wayside Schools for comment. The school confirmed the arrest of the teacher and said the arrest was made offsite.“Parents in this classroom were personally notified [Wednesday,]” the school said.As of Wednesday, Travis County jail records listed Perez in its system on possession of child pornography charges under a $20,000 bond.“This is an active investigation and DPS has shared very little with us at this time but has stressed that this incident did not occur at our school and does not involve any students at our school,” a representative from Wayside Schools said.The school said it was notified of a DPS investigation into Perez Monday afternoon.“We pressed DPS for more details, as Mr. Perez was on ...

After heart surgery, Tionna Herron transfers to Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Not even a year removed from open-heart surgery, DeSoto native Tionna Herron is returning to Texas to play basketball for the Longhorns.Herron didn't play for the Kentucky Wildcats while she recovered from her surgery in August 2022 to fix "a structural abnormality." Texas Athletics announced Wednesday that Herron completed her transfer and she'll be on the 2023-24 roster.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"I wanted to move closer to home, especially after having this major heart surgery made me realize I wanted to be closer to family," Herron said. "I also wanted to go somewhere that could help me be better than I was before my surgery, and I felt Texas gave the competitive mindset and the family feel from the team to the staff."Herron was ranked No. 69 overall in the 2022 recruiting class by ESPN and was teammates with Longhorns forward Amina Muhammad, h...

Dr Pepper ice cream? Blue Bell teases new flavor, hints at collab with soda company

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

(KXAN) -- What do Texas, noted author John Green and Blue Bell have in common? An affinity for Dr Pepper, it seems. Blue Bell teased a new flavor in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday, leading to speculation that it has something to do with Dr Pepper. While the ice cream company didn't overtly say it has anything to do with the soda, the video's caption, which depicted a Dr Pepper-colored deep red can of soda being poured, did say, "The sound of 23 flavors."Dr Pepper, John Green's favorite soda company, is a Texas-based company known for having 23 flavors packed into one soda. MORE: Made in Texas: Viewers name the top Texas brands, businesses they love Blue Bell is also a Texas-based company, headquartered in Brenham, which is between Austin and Houston. So, it would make sense for the companies to collaborate, especially considering the love and popularity of ice cream floats. Plus, Whataburger, another Texas company, and Dr. Pepper collaborated earlier this year to release a Dr ...

'It was probably $700': Kyle woman says credit card info stolen 3x at gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) - Texans lose millions each year due to credit card skimmers. The Kyle Police Department said this problem is citywide. Within the first three months of the year, only 15 skimmers were recovered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. That brings the total number to 135 skimmers recovered since January 2022. RELATED COVERAGE: State says crackdown saves millions in losses from credit card fraud It's been so hard to detect them that the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center opened last year to try and combat this growing problem. 'I was just mad'This issue hits close to home for Jodi Gonzalez in Kyle. "All total it was probably $700 or more that was used on my accounts fraudulently," Gonzalez said. She said three different cards had their information stolen. "It was panic, and you just really had anxiety," Gonzalez said. "This last time when it happened, I was just mad."She said her banks notified her of the fraudulent charges. Each time it hap...

As Police Week honors fallen officers, concern over increased assaults on Minnesota cops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

With four law enforcement officers fatally shot in Minnesota and western Wisconsin in a recent one-month span, memorial services this week for fallen officers are taking on more poignancy.National Police Week is when officers who died in the line of duty are honored and remembered. It also comes at a time when assaults against officers in Minnesota have been up: More than double were reported last year compared to 2019, according to state data.“We have observed over the last many years, the amount of vitriol that has been directed toward our officers, deputies throughout the state and the country,” said Todd Axtell, the recently retired St. Paul police chief. “… There are no other professions in public service where you have to wear a bullet-resistant vest when you go to work, so the stakes are high.”People in the field cited various reasons why they believe attacks on officers have increased — worsening tensions, particularly since the killing of...

MN Democrats say these ideas will control health costs, but medical providers opposed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:40 GMT

Minnesota Democrats’ efforts to impose new rules on the health care industry have run into aggressive lobbying by some of the state’s biggest medical groups.Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members want more oversight of nurse staffing levels, drug prices, overall medical costs and health system mergers. Their effort to expand access to MinnesotaCare, the state insurance program for the working poor, also is facing some industry backlash.All of these ideas remain pending as lawmakers scramble to finish the next state budget by Monday, when the Legislature has to adjourn.Hospital and health system leaders say their sector is confronting the worst financial challenges in decades. They say half of Minnesota hospitals are losing money and all health systems face workforce shortages.Caregivers and patient advocates counter that the changes are long overdue and will make health care more affordable and patient-centered. They also argue that the policies will help stop the flood o...