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Wisconsin GOP approves transgender sports restrictions, set to outlaw gender-affirming surgery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly signed off Thursday on contentious legislation limiting transgender youth participation in sports teams and was poised to approve another bill that would outlaw gender-affirming surgery for minors despite Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' vow to veto the proposals.GOP legislators across the United States want to limit the rights of transgender youths, sparking fierce pushback from the transgender community and triggering discrimination lawsuits along the way. Now the battle has come to Wisconsin.Assembly passage sends the legislation to the Republican-controlled state Senate. If that chamber passes the package it would go next to Evers, who has already promised the bills will never become law.“We're going to veto every single one of them (the bills),” Evers told transgender youth and their supporters who gathered at the state Capitol last week for packed hearings on the proposals. “I know you're here because you're pissed o...

What to know about the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see a modest increase in benefits this January when a new cost-of-living adjustment is added to Social Security payments.The 3.2% raise is intended to help meet higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of about $54 per month, according to government estimates. That’s a smaller percentage than last year, because consumer prices have eased, and the COLA is tied to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.Still, Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and Disability Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, says increased Medicare premiums will “absorb a disproportionate share of the COLA for most people.” One premium is rising by an estimated 6%, or roughly $9.90 a month.“Seniors and people with disabilities tend to spend a greater share of their incomes on health care, and medical prices are rising faster than overall inflation,” she said, ...

Phyllis Coates, the first actress to portray Lois Lane on TV, dies at 96

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Phyllis Coates, the actress who first portrayed Lois Lane opposite George Reeves’ Superman in the original “Adventures of Superman” television series, died Wednesday at the age of 96, her daughter confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter and People.Coates starred in the first season of the show, but was replaced by Noel Neill for the remainder of the series. ‘Hee Haw’ cast member Buck Trent, who performed on Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene,’ dies at 85 Coates, born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell, had been active in show business for years before landing her role in “Adventures of Superman.” In 1951, a year before the show’s debut, she had even played Lois Lane in the Lippert Pictures film “Superman and the Mole Men,” a film which was later broken into two parts to be aired during the TV show’s first season.Phyllis Coates and George Reeves appear in a promotional shot from "Adventures of Superman." (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)Coates did...

Solar eclipse 2023: What it is and will we be able to see it in Chicago?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

(WTVO) -- On Saturday, the moon will partially obscure the sun in a “ring of fire” solar eclipse. Tens of millions in the Americas will have front-row seats for the rare phenomenon. Unlike the last solar eclipse, which was a total solar eclipse that occurred in August, 2017, Saturday's eclipse will be what's called an annular solar eclipse — better known as a ring of fire. MAP: Where, when and how to get the best view of the 2023 annular eclipse The eclipse will briefly dim the skies over parts of the western U.S., as well as Central and South America.What is a solar eclipse? In general, a solar eclipse takes place when the moon’s orbit places it between the Earth and the sun, either partially or completely obscuring it from view.An annular solar eclipse, however, occurs when an eclipse takes place while the moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Because of this additional distance, it does not fully block the sun, leaving a portion of the sun visible behind it. How to watch ...

These are the glasses everyone is buying for this Saturday’s eclipse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.There’s a solar eclipse on Saturday — are you ready?This Saturday, Oct. 14, a “Ring of Fire” eclipse will be visible across much of the U.S., from Oregon to Texas. Even if you’re not in the eclipse’s direct path, you’ll have a chance to see a partial eclipse — but to view it safely, you’ll need eclipse viewing glasses.According to NASA, a “Ring of Fire” eclipse occurs once a year when the moon reaches the part of its orbit that’s furthest away from Earth. Because the moon is farther away than it would be during a total solar eclipse, it doesn’t block out the entire sun. Instead, it leaves a bright ring of the sun visible during the eclipse — that’s where the name “Ring of Fire” comes from.The “Ring of Fire” will be visible in a narrow path that stretches from Oregon to Texas, as well as parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. But outside of the path, people will still be able to...

How many jobs will Austin's mobility workforce add in the next 20 years?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Findings from Austin's first mobility and infrastructure workforce study released Thursday will help guide the Central Texas area as it gears up for a slew of large-scale mobility projects in development and on the horizon. Over the next two decades, the study found the Austin metro area will increase jobs within the mobility and infrastructure sectors by nearly 97,000 positions, up 39%. However, when factoring in major projects in development -- including the Project Connect light rail system, the Interstate 35 project near downtown and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expansion -- that job creation jumps 81% to 181,000 new jobs, said Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area."Those are eye-popping numbers," she said. "We can come together as a community to build talent pipelines, so that everyone in Austin has access to these jobs."The study outlined some areas the region needs to get more competitive to help attract strong and diverse tal...

APD searching for witness in east Austin death investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying a witness in connection to a death investigation that occurred in east Austin last week, the agency said in a news release Thursday.Police believe the witness may have information regarding the investigation that occurred shortly after 3 a.m., Oct. 8, in the 2300 block of East Seventh Street, the release said.The witness is believed to have driven a newer model white Toyota 4Runner with blacked-out wheels, according to police.Stock file photo courtesy of the Austin Police DepartmentAnyone with information regarding what occurred on Oct. 8 should contact the Vehicular Homicide Unit at (512) 974-5906 or submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling (512) 472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

GOP hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy visits UT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is holding a free speech forum at the University of Texas Austin on Thursday afternoon.Ramaswamy launched his presidential bid in February and has quickly grabbed popularity nationally. According to FiveThirtyEight’s polling data, Ramaswamy ranked third nationally in the primary field on Thursday, surpassed only by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.Contrary to most other GOP candidates, Ramaswamy has openly praised Trump's presidency and has advocated to pardon Trump for the federal crimes for which he has been indicted for.Outlined on his presidential website, Ramaswamy has been outspoken on reviving "American National Identity," which has an emphasis of border security, social media use, and DEI policies.The free speech forum will be held at the recently renovated Hogg Memorial Auditorium at UT Austin at 3:30 p.m.

High school football: Week 7 predictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

Here are some of Friday’s top high school football games in the East Metro and western Wisconsin:Two Rivers (5-1) at Central (5-1), 5:30 p.m.The Northstar-Twin Cities subdistrict championship is on the line, and these two programs look to continue resurgent seasons. Will Central be able to get its potent rushing attack going against a Two Rivers defense that hasn’t allowed more than 13 points in a game this season? OUR PICK: Two Rivers 28, Central 20Eastview (4-2) at Lakeville South (5-1), 7 p.m.Eastview has four wins in a season for the first time since 2018. But now the Lightning get into the most difficult portion of their schedule with the championship-caliber Cougars and Eagan before playoffs. And Lakeville South should be motivated after its narrow loss to Rosemount. OUR PICK: Lakeville South 34, Eastview 14Edina (3-3) at Stillwater (5-1), 7 p.m.This is the caliber of opponent Stillwater will likely need to beat in a second-round playoff matchup when the time comes if th...

Election 2023: Inver Grove Heights School Board (Elect 4)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:31:52 GMT

Voters in the Inver Grove Heights school district will elect four members for their school board on Nov. 7 from a field of four candidates.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Liz NiemiojaLiz Niemioja of Inver Grove Heights, candidate for District 199 School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 45What qualifies you to hold this position? My volunteer and work experiences in 199 provide me the connections with our community that will help our board get the feedback it needs. As a former attorney, I’ve got the skills for analyzing policy with thoughtfulness. I have an extensive history of working on challenges in 199,...