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Firearms industry could face more legal risk under bill approved by Illinois lawmakers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The firearms industry, including gun sellers, could be sued for alleged violations of Illinois law including marketing to young people under legislation Illinois state senators approved Thursday.The House previously approved the bill and it now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, also a Democrat, who said that he will sign it. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, spearheaded the proposal.“Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and those who encourage unlawful use of a firearm or target sales of firearms to minors worsen the scourge of gun violence in our communities," Pritzker said in a statement. “This legislation finally protects Illinoisans from predatory actions by the firearms industry.”Republican lawmakers objected to the proposal during Thursday’s Senate vote, saying it was too broad and would lead to court challenges. Supreme Court lets Illinois keep ban on sale of some semiautomatic guns for now The federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arm...

Lawmakers put on pressure to protect AM radio in vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Lawmakers say the future of AM radio is in jeopardy after companies including Ford and Tesla announced some of their new models will no longer include AM receivers."If Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can certainly afford to include AM radio in his Teslas," Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said.Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) says 8 of the 20 companies he recently asked confirmed plans to leave AM out of future electric vehicles."Automakers may not understand the importance of AM radio, but its benefits are obvious to the 47 million Americans who tune in every week," Markey said.Now, Markey and Gottheimer want to pass legislation requiring automakers to keep AM radios as a standard feature."This is not a question of do people want this. It's a question of again, these companies are trying to save a nickel," Gottheimer said.These lawmakers say AM radios need to stay because the technology is crucial during a disaster."For news, talk s...

Florida traffic sign altered to read 'Kill All Gays'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

ORLANDO (The Hill) — A digital traffic sign in Orlando, Florida, was hacked Wednesday to display a concerning call to "Kill All Gays." Photos of the altered sign, which was placed at a cross-section in Orlando's Lake Nona neighborhood, were posted to social media and reported in the Orlando Sentinel. Disney scraps $1 billion office complex in Florida amid DeSantis feud Orlando Police Department officials confirmed to Nexstar that officers responded to the scene, located at Lake Nona Boulevard and Nemours Parkway around 3:54 a.m., where they found the sign that appeared to be tampered with."Hate has no place in Orlando and this disgusting display is not who we are as a community. To Orlando’s LGBTQ+ residents and visitors: you are respected and valued here," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a tweet. "And we won't be deterred in our efforts to ensure that our city is inclusive for all." Los Angeles Dodgers face blowback after uninviting LGBTQ group from Pride Night Many online poi...

City of New Braunfels provides reminders for tubers ahead of Memorial Day Weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — With the unofficial start of summer just weeks away, the City of New Braunfels wants tubers to stay safe and avoid littering as they float the river this summer.Mayor Rusty Brockman said the busy tourist season is likely to attract thousands of visitors in the next 4-6 months. This adds to the city's economy which has seen continued growth in population and tourism.“We enjoy and have been enjoying 5% to 9% growth over the last 10 to 15 years. Many of them are coming and have never been here before. And so they get to experience a brand new home. That includes a lot of outdoor recreation," Brockman said.The city's Vice President of Tourism Development Mallory Hines said last summer, the city was already seeing pre-pandemic levels of visitors. She expects the same if not better impact this year.With guests likely to flock to the cool Comal and Guadalupe rivers, River and Water Manager Amy Niles reminds guests to stay hydrated.“Make sure you pack plenty of...

Hot, dry weather ends with Friday evening severe thunderstorm risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot, dry weather continues Friday afternoon, but scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected late Friday evening. Some storms may contain hail and wind damage.High temperatures in Austin made it to 91 degrees on Thursday, and we expect hotter weather on Friday. But an approaching storm system and cold front will change the weather Friday night.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms late FridayStorms look most likely after 5 p.m. Friday beginning in the Hill Country, then building into the Austin Metro area by 9/10 p.m. Periods of heavy rain are expected from Austin through the Hill Country overnight, but most rain clears the area in time for your weekend plans.Forecast rainfall amounts through midday Saturday ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summer Behind Friday night's cold front, high temperatures drop to near 80 degrees Saturday and Sunday under mostly cloudy skies. Only a few isolated showers are expected during your weekend plans.FIRST W...

Why Hispanic, Black kids are more likely to have severe asthma than white children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A new study led by a Dell Medical School researcher found that children who participated in a program that allowed them to move into neighborhoods with lower levels of poverty and better access to public resources, like schools and public parks, saw their asthma symptoms markedly improve. In the US, Black and Hispanic children are much more likely than white children to have severe asthma episodes.Hispanic children are 40% more likely to die from asthma than their non-Hispanic white counterparts, per the HHS. Black children are up to three times more likely than white children to have asthma and Black children with asthma are twice as likely to go to the emergency room with asthma-related health concerns than white kids. “We have sort of recognized…these really significant disparities in asthma for many decades, “  said Dr. Elizabeth Matsui, Professor of Pediatrics & Population Health Dell Medical School, who led the study. “And despite the fact that we...

June forecast: Will the wet weather continue?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Coming off a wetter than normal April and a wetter May (so far) we're looking ahead to what is usually the third wettest month of the year.Our wet and severe weather season in Central Texas, which began in March, usually continues through at least the first half of June until we transition to the hotter and drier weather of the summer months.The Climate Prediction Center released its initial forecast for June and it leans a little warmer than normal with near average rainfall.June temperature forecast (CPC)June rain forecast (CPC)June is the month that highs in the 90s become the norm. Average highs June 1 is 91º climbing to 95º by the end of the month.Typical lows in June start at 71º to begin the month before reaching 74º by the end of the month.Average rainfall in June is 3.68" Drought continues, but improvesLast week's drought came before our most widespread and heavy rains with some parts of Mason County picking up eight inches of rain since then.Drought last w...

Man charged in White Bear Lake townhome fire that critically injured mother

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

A man has been charged in connection with a White Bear Lake townhome fire that left his mother critically injured.Christian Thomas Dahm, 45, faces one felony count of starting negligent fire that caused great bodily harm. He remained jailed Thursday.Christian Thomas Dahm (Courtesy of the Ramsey County sheriff’s office)The fire broke out at the fourplex about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the 2600 block of Aspen Court off Glen Oaks Avenue and County Road D.According to the criminal complaint, when responders got on scene, a townhome unit was fully engulfed in flames, which were spreading to adjoining units. Dahm’s father pointed at Dahm, who was on the back patio, and said, “He started the fire.”Firefighters located Dahm’s mother inside her townhome unit. She had a pulse, but was struggling to breathe, and had slight burns. She was transported to Regions Hospital in critical condition.Dahm told police he was in the garage working on his fishing pole over a car hood before the fire started. He...

Bigger, Better Bottle Bill could help returnables market stay afloat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Bottle return redemption sites throughout New York are struggling to stay afloat. NEWS10 has the latest on how the proposed “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill" could save the industry. Advocates propose expanding NY bottle bill Jade Eddy, owner of MT Returnables in Queensbury, has been in the recycling business for nearly 20 years. She says it's tougher than ever, now, to keep her business open.“I might end up closing by the end of winter if we don't get an increase. Places across New York are closing already," said Eddy.New York has not seen a deposit increase in more than a decade when the state incorporated water bottles to list of recyclables. Recyclers went from earning two cents a bottle up to three and a half cents on the return.“Which was a significant amount in 2008, but in 2023 with these expenses it's not cutting it,” said Eddy.Eddy says the industry is suffering.“Businesses like mine all across New York are closing like crazy right now because the ...

Missouri Governor to name Gardner's successor Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Kim Gardner stepped down as St. Louis Circuit Attorney earlier this week. Missouri Governor Mike Parson is expected to name her replacement at 11 a.m. Friday. It appears that the selection is down to a few candidates.Gov. Parson flew to St. Louis for a one-hour meeting Wednesday with prosecutors in the circuit attorney’s office in the aftermath of Kim Gardner’s resignation. He said this required a face-to-face meeting, since he’ll be responsible for appointing Gardner’s successor.Governor Parson has invited U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, City of St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy, 22nd Judicial Circuit Judge Elizabeth Hogan, and City of St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts to participate in the press conference. Gardner abruptly left office Tuesday with a handwritten note to the presiding judge, asking for St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell to take the reins until Gardner’s original Jun...