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Kentucky GOP aims for strong matchup versus Dem Gov. Beshear

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

LIBERTY, Ky. (AP) — As Kentucky’s GOP primary campaign sprints toward the finish line, some Republicans are looking ahead to the November election with an eye toward who best can reclaim the governorship — a job that the state’s dominant party has struggled to hold despite its strong showing in other races.With candidates dashing from the hills of Appalachia to the suburbs of Lexington and Louisville and rural communities out west, some of the voters they meet along the way say they are basing decisions in the May 16 primary mostly on which Republican would pose the toughest challenge to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is facing nominal party opposition.The contest, coming a year before national elections will determine control of the presidency and Congress, is expected to send loud signals about whether Democrats can remain competitive in what has become rock-solid Republican territory.Republican voters are handicapping a crowded pack of candidates vying for the gube...

High costs putting farming out of reach for young people, affecting all Canadians

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

MONTREAL — When Myriam Landry started raising goats for their meat in 2018, she started small — because she had to.She opened Chèvrerie aux Volets Verts, in St-Esprit, Que., with two goats; she couldn’t afford a large herd and chose animals small enough that she could handle on her own while pregnant with her third child.“I should have started bigger … but then I would have needed more money, which I didn’t have,” Landry, 33, said in a recent interview from her farm 50 kilometres north of Montreal. “It’s really hard for young people to start … I don’t even have land, I don’t have tractors, even my goats (I paid for) on loans.”The rising cost of land is making it harder than ever for young farmers to enter the business. And those barriers come at a time when a growing number of older farmers are planning to leave the industry. Organizations promoting farm succession worry that if young people are unable to enter the industry, only...

Czech opera singer Soňa Červená dies at age 97

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — Soňa Červená, a Czech opera singer who became known for playing Carmen and more than 110 roles in San Francisco and other opera houses behind the Iron Curtain, has died. She was 97.Červená died Sunday at a hospital in the Czech capital where she was being treated for an unspecified illness, the National Theater in Prague said.Born Sept. 9, 1925 in Prague, Červená was as a guest singer at the Unter den Linden opera and the Berlin State Opera in the Soviet-controlled part of Berlin when she emigrated to West Berlin in January 1962 through the last opened crossing in the newly built Berlin Wall.“I couldn’t live and sing without freedom,” she once told the Czech public radio.The Iron Curtain kept her outside her country for 30 years.In the West, Červená was based at the Frankfurt Opera, but she became known for her guest performances in numerous opera house in Europe and the United States, including in Vienna, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Chicago and festivals at ...

7 people shot in overnight shootings on city's South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Seven people are injured from overnight shootings on the city's South Side in Englewood, Back of the Yards and Hyde Park.Police reported that three men were leaving a business near the 5300 block of South Lake Park Avenue in Hyde Park when an unidentified man fired shots into a crowd. One man suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm and another man was shot in the abdomen.Both men were located to the hospital and listed in good condition. Another man suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and ride side of the hip and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Police said a black charger was seen driving away at a high speed at the same time. Police also confirmed a 22-year-old woman was shot in the upper back when a fight broke out near the 1300 block of West 47th Street around 11:00 p.m. in Englewood. She was transported to the hospital in good condition. CPD: Woman dies after being dragged under mini van in church parking lot An hour later, police reporte...

ELECTION DAY BLOG: Central Texans vote on bonds, propositions, city council races 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today is Election Day. Central Texas voters decided on a number of school bonds, local propositions and elected officials. In Austin, voters decided on two different measures related to police oversight. There were also multimillion-dollar school district bonds on the ballot in Hutto, Leander, San Marcos, Eanes, Dripping Springs and other districts. Latest updates on local elections Election Day resourcesAustin Police oversight propositionsDripping Springs ISD bondEanes ISD bondHays CISD bondHutto ISD bondLeander ISD bondElection resultsTurnout trackerThis live blog will be updated with new Election Day information. Continue to check back with KXAN.com for results.Election Day live blog11:09 p.m.KXAN projects Jarrod 'Buck' Schramek, Troy Brenek, Hale Hentges win Schulenburg ISD Board11:05 p.m.KXAN projects Mirasol Springs MUD Props A-G pass11:05 p.m.KXAN projects North Hays County ESD 1 Prop A passes11:02 p.m.KXA...

John Reynolds: For small employers, current paid-leave proposal is unworkable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

With less than three weeks to go before the Minnesota Legislature adjourns for the year, it’s crunch time for critical legislation that will have a major impact on life and business in our state.No piece of legislation will have as far-reaching consequences as the $1.5 billion government run Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) mandate.The National Federation of Independent Business represents over 10,000 small businesses across the state of Minnesota. The PFML mandate is the most expensive, most complex regulation our members – and small business everywhere – have ever faced.This mandate will upend the relationship between nearly every employee and employer. It comes with a new payroll tax on small business and workers that can increase every year, taking more and more money out of worker paychecks and small business bottom lines. And it will force everyone to deal with a massive new government bureaucracy when workers need to take leave due to a medical condition or the birth of a...

Trudy Rubin: Kevin McCarthy’s embrace of Benjamin Netanyahu ignored his war on Israeli democracy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

JERUSALEM — When Kevin McCarthy visited Israel Monday, he aligned himself with a would-be autocrat who is assaulting Israel’s democracy and splitting the country apart.Not only did the House speaker offer to host Benjamin Netanyahu in Congress, a slap at President Joe Biden who has rightly delayed a White House invitation to the Israeli prime minister because of his stunningly undemocratic actions.Worse, McCarthy ignored the unprecedented grassroots battle waged for the past 17 weeks by hundreds of thousands of Israel’s best and brightest to prevent Netanyahu from gutting the Supreme Court — and empowering violent ultraradical nationalists and religious zealots.Like Donald Trump, Netanyahu has embraced dangerous allies and attacked the courts in hopes of avoiding conviction on corruption charges. Like Trump, he is willing to ally with messianic believers and thugs, if it will help him retain power.True, with a population of 9.3 million people, Israel is a muc...

3 homes heavily damaged in Maryland Heights fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Three homes were heavily damaged after an overnight fire in Maryland Heights.Crews from Monarch, Pattonville, and Robertson arrived just after the Maryland Heights department got the call of the two-alarm fire around 12:30 a.m. The fire broke out in one home, later spreading to a house on the left due to winds. The flames then traveled to a home on the right. Top Story: Two hurt in another shooting on Cherokee Street as festival ends All homes were occupied at the time, and one person was injured in the home that initially broke out in flames. That home is a total loss. The left home's top floor has been severely damaged, while the right home mostly charred. Firefighters eventually stopped the spreading of the in the right home's attic.The cause of the fire is still unknown. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Breezy and humid Sunday, possible storms by Monday afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The complex of storms that we were concerned about for the overnight areas is having minimal impacts on the region. A few of our far Northwest counties (Montgomery/Fayette Cos, IL) may get clipped by non-severe storms if it continues on its current path.Otherwise, Sunday will be warmer and humid, with clouds and some sunshine mixing. Temperature highs will be in the mid 80s. It'll be a bit breezy again Sunday afternoon. There is a slight chance of some showers and storms in the afternoon and evening hours, mainly south and east of St. Louis. If these develop, a storm or two may be strong to severe, but the threat is lower with these. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Overnight into early Monday morning, we're expecting a complex of storms out of Iowa to move south across the region, gradually weakening as it does so. This line of strong storms could produce damaging winds, mainly across our northern counties, before they weaken. This round of storms ...

I-70 lanes closed at Zumbehl Road for weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:58 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - People in St. Charles County are dealing with major delays on Interstate-70 this weekend due to MoDOT crews closing all lanes ofI-70 at the Zumbehl exit.Crews are demolishing the old bridge over the highway. Traffic in both directions is being re-routed over the off-and-on ramps at Zumbehl. Trending: 8 killed in Texas mall shooting, gunman also dead It's expected to re-open at 5:00 a.m. Monday. Drivers are encouraged to take Highway 370 or 364 Sunday.