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Family, friends mourn B.C. firefighter Zac Muise killed while fighting wildfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

VANCOUVER — Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the young firefighter killed in northeastern British Columbia, the fourth fatality in one of the deadliest fire seasons in recent memory.The family of 25-year-old Zak Muise has launched a memorial fundraiser in his name, saying in a statement that he was “loved by many” and that family members ask for privacy during this difficult time.Police say Muise was killed on July 28 in a remote area about 150 kilometres north of Fort St. John when his heavy-duty ATV rolled over a steep drop on a gravel road.Muise’s death is the fourth on the Canadian fire line in July, and the second in British Columbia. Cliff Chapman, operations director at the BC Wildfire Service, says he has never in his 21-year-career at the agency felt the heaviness he and other firefighters are feeling.Chapman says firefighters need continued support from people around the province and across Canada, since crews are “leaving their families&...

Veterans sue U.S. Defense and Veterans Affairs departments to get access to infertility treatments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department and the Department of Veteran Affairs are making it difficult, and sometimes impossible for veterans to get infertility treatments, according to lawsuits filed Wednesday in federal courts in New York and Boston.The lawsuits seek to hold the United States accountable for creating obstacles to health care access for a population that advocates say has a higher rate of infertility than the population at large.Both suits attempt to obtain in vitro fertilization coverage for military service members and veterans who don’t fit the Veterans Affairs definition of infertility, which is limited to married, heterosexual couples.In a release, West Point graduate and Army veteran Renée Mihail said she has seen many friends and colleagues struggle with fertility after serving in the military.“This is not just a coincidence; Our service has seriously impacted our ability to build families,” said Mihail, a law student intern with the Yale Veterans L...

Spin Master sees sales, earnings decline in second quarter amid weaker order volume

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

TORONTO — Spin Master Corp. says it earned US$28 million in the second quarter, down from US$88.1 million a year earlier. The Toronto-based toy and entertainment company says revenue was US$420.7 million, down from US$506.3 million during the same quarter last year. Earnings per diluted share were 26 cents, down from 83 cents. Toy revenue for the company was US$346.3 million, down from US$437.6 million last year. Sales for toy products declined due to lower order volume, as Spin Master says customers reduced retail inventory levels. Chief financial officer Mark Segal said while the company’s results were challenged compared with last year, it’s maintaining its 2023 outlook. This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 2, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:TOY)The Canadian Press

Hundreds of police, soldiers raid illegal logging camps on southern edge of Mexico City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hundreds of police and soldiers raided illegal logging camps on the southern edge of Mexico City Wednesday and seized four illegal sawmills, sparking the anger of local residents.Some residents of the mountain towns blocked highways leading out of Mexico City with burning tires to demand the release of people allegedly detained in the raid.However, prosecutors in the neighboring state of Morelos did not mention any arrests in the raid, which involved at least 300 officers of the state police, the National Guard and the army. Prosecutors said Wednesday the raid targeted logging and sawmills in the pine forests of the township of Huitzilac. They said authorities had seized a large quantity of logs, saws, trucks and stolen vehicles that were apparently used to distribute the wood.Huitzilac is a largely lawless community located in the mountains that separate Mexico City and Cuernavaca, in Morelos state, where kidnap gangs, loggers and other criminals have taken up re...

FBI offers $20k reward after several BMO Harris bank robberies in western, southern suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

CHICAGO — The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward in connection with several robberies at BMO Harris banks in the western and southern suburbs.According to the FBI, the reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the "Bundled Bandits." Multiple hospitalized following South Side shootings The FBI said they are believed to be responsible for the following BMO Harris bank robberies.June 10 in MattesonJune 17 in FrankfortJuly 1 in BolingbrookJuly 19 in NapervilleJuly 21 in AddisonOn July 28, the FBI said the two people knocked out the glass front door around 10 a.m. in the 2400 block of 75th Street in Woodridge because the door was locked and a guard wouldn't unlock it.The two people never entered the bank and left the area, the FBI said.One of the people involved is described as being about 6 feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds, and had on a black hoodie, black mask, dark pants and a black semi-automatic handgun. The other was wearing a black or dark...

Skilling: Hazy, warm continues into Thursday night before possible showers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

It's been another hazy, warm summer day with warm BUT SEASONABLE TEMPS in Chicago. EPA reports the air quality here has been moderate—not unusual this time of year but with the added presence of some Canadian wildfire smoke aloft. The agency cautions moderate air quality which could affect folks with respiratory challenges on Thursday. Low and mid 60-degree dew points indicate atmospheric moisture levels in the "MODERATE" range—enough to notice, especially leaving an air conditioned room—but not enough to cause major distress outdoors unless exercising real exertion. A gentle easterly lake breeze has reduced temps modestly along Lake Michigan. We're beyond the point, given the warming which has gone on with water temps, that MAJOR COOLING ISN'T OCCURRING. The Chicago shoreline water temp has reached a seasonal high of 74-deg on city beaches. At mid afternoon, Greater Chicago area air temps ranged from 77 on the lakeshore at Wilmette and Lake Forest and 75 at Kenosha—but in the ...

Group protests Oak Lawn police commission meeting, calls for officers to be fired after teen's 2022 arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

OAK LAWN, Ill. — Members of the Arab American Action Network are holding a protest Wednesday night outside of the Oak Lawn Police Department before a police commission meeting.The protest comes a little over a year since Hadi Abuatelah, 17, was beaten by Oak Lawnb police. Advocates applaud charges against Oak Lawn police officer in filmed beating of teen Officers pulled the teen over after they said they smelled marijuana coming from the car and the car was missing the front license plate.As they searched Abuatelah, he ran from officers, who then tackled him to the ground, kicked him and beat him.The incident was captured on cell phones by witnesses.During the arrest, police said Abuatelah reached for a shoulder bag with a gun it in. The teen spent a week in the hospital with injuries to his brain, pelvis and face.One of the three officers involved, Patrick O'Donnell, was charged earlier this year and was in a Cook County court Wednesday morning for a status hearing. Teen arrest...

Contraceptive recalled for potentially causing unexpected pregnancy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

TOPEKA (KSNT) - National officials are warning the public of a recall involving two lots of contraceptive over concerns of an increased risk of pregnancy while using the product.The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling Tydemy, an estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy.Tydemy was recalled due to out-of-specification results and testing low for ascorbic acid and high for a known impurity, according to the FDA. Lots of Tydemy were distributed nationwide to U.S. wholesalers, drug chains, mail-order pharmacies and supermarkets, according to the FDA. ProductLot numberExpiryNational Drug CodeUPCDistribution datesTydemyTML200183Jan. 202468180-904-71(1 Blister of 28 tablets each)368180904731June 2022 to May 2023TydemyTML201560Sep. 202468180-904-71(1 Blister of 28 tablets each)368180904731June 2022 to May 2023Patients taking Tydemy are advised to stop taking the medication and contact a pharmacist, phy...

Woman accused in plot to kill husband is granted bail after he doesn't object: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

NASSAU, BAHAMAS (WDHN) — A former pageant queen has reportedly been given bond after her estranged husband, the intended target of an alleged murder-for-hire plot, did not object, according to the New York Post. The Post reported on Wednesday that prosecutors in the Bahamas originally objected to bond for 36-year-old Lindsay Shiver of Thomasville, Georgia, withdrew the objection after speaking with her estranged husband, Robert Shiver.Lindsay Shiver was given a $100,000 bond, but ABC News reports that Shiver cannot have her bail signed until Wednesday, August 9, because the court needs an address for her while she is out. According to Bahamas Court News, Shiver allegedly plotted to kill her husband and hired her lover, Terrance Bethel, and Faron Newbold, to carry out the murder. All three have been in custody since last week, CNN reports. FBI finds 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing kids Bethel, 28, of Abaco, Bahamas, and Newbold, 29, were each given a $20,000 bon...

APD: 17-year-old arrested, charged with murder of 14-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:42 GMT

Note: The video in this story originally aired on June 6, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department (APD) officers arrested a man on Tuesday in connection to a June 6 shooting in North Austin, according to a press release.Micah Marshall, 17, is charged with one felony count of first-degree murder. According to APD, the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. at The Bridge at Harris Ridge Apartments, which is located in the 1500 block of East Howard Lane. 911 callers reported hearing multiple gunshots.When officers arrived, they found Mikalah Franklin, 14, with multiple gunshot wounds. She was brought to a hospital, where she died. GoFundMe launched for 14 year old killed in north Austin shooting APD asks for anyone with information about the case to contact its Homicide unit at 512-974-TIPS, or submit an anonymous tip through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program online or at 512-472-8477.