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Poll: Cut federal spending – but not big-ticket programs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the federal budget standoff, the majority of U.S. adults are asking lawmakers to pull off the impossible: Cut the overall size of government, but also devote more money to the most popular and expensive programs.Six in 10 U.S. adults say the government spends too much money. But majorities also favor more funding for infrastructure, health care and Social Security — the kind of commitments that would make efforts to shrink the government unworkable and politically risky ahead of the 2024 elections.These findings from a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research show just how messy the financial tug-of-war between President Joe Biden and House Republicans could be. At stake is the full faith and credit of the federal government, which could default on its obligations unless there is a deal this summer to raise or suspend the limit on the government’s borrowing authority.Biden this month proposed a budget that would trim deficit...

Hawaii authorities say 33 swimmers were harassing dolphins

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities on Tuesday say they have referred 33 people to U.S. law enforcement after the group allegedly harassed a pod of wild dolphins in waters off the Big Island. It’s against federal law to swim within 50 yards (45 meters) of spinner dolphins in Hawaii’s nearshore waters. The prohibition went into effect in 2021 amid concerns that so many tourists were swimming with dolphins that the nocturnal animals weren’t getting the rest they need during the day to be able to forage for food at night.The rule applies to areas within 2 nautical miles (3.7 kilometers) of the Hawaiian Islands and in designated waters surrounded by the islands of Lanai, Maui and Kahoolawe.The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a news release that its enforcement officers came upon the 33 swimmers in Honaunau Bay on Sunday during a routine patrol.Aerial footage shot by drone shows snorkelers following dolphins as they swim away. The department said its video and...

Predators motivated to bring joy to Nashville after shooting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Predators defenceman Ryan McDonagh and his teammates were motivated to do more than just beat the Boston Bruins in their NHL game Tuesday night.The Predators wanted to bring a brief bit of joy to the city of Nashville a day after a fatal grade school shooting that left six dead, including three children.McDonagh said it wasn’t just another game as the Predators beat the NHL-leading Bruins 2-1.“We felt like we needed to go out and do our job the best we could and sacrifice and leave it all out there and just try to maybe bring a little bit of inspiration to the city of Nashville,” McDonagh said.McDonagh has three daughters: Falan, Murphy and Nola — all under 9 years old. The whole incident hit hard.“Quite frankly there are really no words that you can say after what went on yesterday in Nashville,” he said. “Just a tragedy for those families and everybody affected. You don’t really realize it until you have kids of your own and the perspective. It hits you.”He didn’t fl...

Basic training without yelling: Army recruits get 2nd chance

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Last August, Daysia Holiday decided to try one more time to join the Army.She’d taken the academic test and failed three times. So, when she was offered a slot in a new Army prep course to help improve her scores and qualify for basic training, she jumped at the chance.Seven months later, Pvt. 2nd Class Holiday is a proud graduate of Army basic training, and is finishing her advanced instruction at Fort Lee, Virginia, to become a power generation specialist who will maintain engines and other equipment for the service.Holiday is an early beneficiary of the new program, which gives lower-performing recruits up to 90 days of academic or fitness instruction to help them meet military standards. In place for only eight months, it is already making a significant difference for both the Army and those who want to serve in it. So far, 5,400 soldiers have made it through the prep course since it started in August at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. That’s an important boost s...

Senate poised to vote on repeal of Iraq war powers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is poised to vote Wednesday to repeal the 2002 measure that greenlighted the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, which would end more than 20 years of authorization for U.S. presidents to use force in that country and return those war powers to Congress.The Iraq War ended years ago and the repeal is not expected to affect any current troop deployments. About 2,500 U.S. troops remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government and assist and advise local forces.The bipartisan legislation would also repeal the 1991 measure that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War.Lawmakers in both parties are increasingly seeking to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, and some lawmakers who voted for the Iraq War two decades ago now say it was a mistake.Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that Saddam Hus...

Ex Starbucks CEO to defend union opposition before Senate

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

Longtime Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will face sharp questioning Wednesday when he appears before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to defend the company’s actions during an ongoing unionizing campaign.U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent who has been a vocal supporter of Starbucks labor organizers, has been seeking Schultz’s testimony for months. Schultz had tried to sidestep the hearing, suggesting that others in the company were more deeply involved in the union effort, which Starbucks opposes. But Sanders had argued that Schultz — a longtime leader who stepped down as interim CEO last week but remains on the company’s board — was instrumental in setting the company’s policies. Under threat of a subpoena, Schultz agreed to testify.“Let’s be clear. In America, workers have the constitutional right to organize unions and engage in collective bargaining for higher wages and better working conditions,” Sanders said in a statement...

Indigenous history, climate change books nab Shaughnessy Cohen Prize nominations

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

Books about government intervention in Inuit and Indigenous communities, so-called smart cities and climate change have been nominated for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing.The winner of the $25,000 award, administered by the Writer’s Trust of Canada, will be announced May 10 at the Politics and the Pen gala in Ottawa.Norma Dunning was nominated for “Kinauvit?: What’s Your Name? The Eskimo Disc System and a Daughter’s Search for her Grandmother,” while Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) made the shortlist for “Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation.”Dale Eisler is in contention for “From Left to Right: Saskatchewan’s Political and Economic Transformation.”Also nominated are Josh O’Kane for “Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy” and Chris Turner’s “How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World.”The five...

Police search for tiger stolen from home in northern Mexico

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Northern Mexico has developed such a habit of exotic animals and violence, that people not only keep tigers as pets, they steal them. Prosecutors in the violent northern state of Sonora said Tuesday they are searching for a full-grown Bengal tiger named Baluma. They said the 5-year-old male tiger was stolen Monday from a home in the state capital, Hermosillo. They said the owners had the proper paperwork needed to keep the animal. Prosecutors distributed photos of the big cat resting in its cage alongside a dog, hoping residents will phone police if they see the tiger.Mexico has long had a problem with people keeping — and occasionally losing control of — large cats, which are sometimes found at drug traffickers’ residences and are occasionally seen wandering loose.The Associated Press

Skilling Report: Snow Showers to 60°+ Temps and Potential for Severe Weather Ahead this Week

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

FROM BRIEF SNOW SHOWERS WEDNESDAY TO 2023's FIRST 60+ DEG TEMP FRIDAY WITH POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER, THIS WEEK IS TO DISPLAY THE METEOROLOGICAL WARES OF TWO SEASONSChicagoans have yet to see a 60-degrees or warmer temp this year. That's to change later this week—but not before a cold front sends brief snow showers through parts of the area in the 9 a.m. to noon time frame Wednesday.We're overdue for some warmth. Chicago had recorded six days above 60-degrees; three of them in the 70s as March was winding down a year ago. But to date--with just two days remaining in March—it appears the final day of the month on Friday will break the chilly spell.We're late for some warm air. Since 1942, the year Midway Airport became the city's official observation site (81 years ago), the average first date for a 60-degree temp has been on or about Feb 27; on or about March 26th for our first 70-degree high and on or about April 21st for the first 80. It appears temps are to surge well into the...

Officials approve over $72 million to tackle homelessness in San Bernardino County

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:57 GMT

County officials approved $72.7 million to fight homelessness in San Bernardino County on Tuesday.The funds were unanimously approved by county supervisors to leverage federal, state and county resources to support the 2022 Homeless Strategic Action Plan approved in June.The Homeless Initiatives Spending Plan will allocate funds towards six initiatives that aim to address the “root causes of homelessness by increasing the supply of housing opportunities for at-risk populations,” officials said.“As a board, we are leveraging all of the resources at our disposal and thinking outside the box by linking housing and other services to give people who are struggling a foundation of stability," said Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman. "This approach enables people to break through the challenges they are facing and get back on their feet and off the streets."The six initiatives benefitting from the funds include:-The Pacific Village Phase II expansion ($29.7 million) will provide reside...