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Chicago mayoral candidates look to undecided voters ahead of Election Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

CHICAGO -- With the race to be the next Chicago mayor going down to the wire, both candidates are looking for any edge they can get undecided voters on their side.A recently released poll shows about 10% of voters undecided, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas' campaigns are leaning on surrogates to sway voters. WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election On Wednesday, Bishop Drew Sheard, the head of the Church of God in Christ, urged Chicagoans to get to the polls for Brandon Johnson."He is a son of the church and a bright light in a dark season," Bishop Sheard said. "My brothers and sisters, don't forget vote in six days and let's make Brandon Johnson the new mayor of the city of Chicago.A recent WGN-TV/Emerson College/The Hill poll found African American voters overwhelmingly back Johnson over Paul Vallas, but 20% are still undecided.It's not about where we are today, it's where we're going in a couple more days. On April 4, we are all going to the 5th floor...

April checks coming early for Supplemental Security Income recipients, here's why

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

(WJW) — Some Social Security recipients can expect a second payment before the end of the week.Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients have received two benefit disbursements so far this month: the first SSI disbursement on March 1 and the regular Social Security payment on the second, third or fourth Wednesday, depending on their birth date.The third disbursement is due on Friday, March 31, according to the Social Security Administration. Here is where the debate on Social Security and Medicare stands in Congress There's typically only one SSI payment each month, paid out on the first of the month. But if that day falls on a weekend or holiday, it arrives on the last business day before the end of the month. This year, April 1 is a Saturday.This also means there won't be an SSI payment in April.Eligible SSI recipients include adults age 65 and older who have limited income or resources, and also adults and children with a disability or blindness. American IQs rose 30 poin...

Everything you need to know about Apple’s iOS 16.4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Should I upgrade to iOS 16.4?Last year, Apple upgraded its operating system to iOS 16. This allowed you to do things that were never before possible, such as unsend a text. It also let you customize your lock screen, insert emojis with your voice, pin tabs in Safari and more.Two days ago, iOS 16.4 was released. Besides the typical bug fixes, this version has a number of nifty new features with relatively few reported issues. This suggests that it’s a good idea to accept the upgrade for your iPhone or iPad right now. In this article: Apple 2022 Apple TV 4K, Apple 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Apple iPhone 14 (Renewed).What are the standout features in iOS 16.4?BestReviews technology expert Jaime Vazquez is a fan of any gadget or upgrade that makes his life or work easier. His initial impression is that the latest version is a gift for smart home users.“iOS 16.4 rei...

Man allegedly hits, kills 20-year-old after multiple DWI arrests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In August of 2021, police arrested Scott Taylor for manslaughter after crashing into—and killing—20-year-old Colton Roberts, a college student, on Jollyville Road in northwest Austin.Roberts' family, and the attorney now representing them in a civil lawsuit against Taylor, believe he shouldn't have been behind the wheel that day in the first place. Tanya, Roberts' mother, clutches a photo of her son as she leaves the courtroom."The evidence in this case suggests that Mr. Taylor would have been exceeding the speed limit, driving with no headlights on, crossing over into oncoming traffic and admitted to smoking a "Blunt" prior to driving," reads his arrest affidavit from the crash. KXAN dug further into Taylor's case, finding evidence of multiple DWI arrests.According to his Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history report, Taylor has two previous misdemeanor DWIs—one in 2000 and another in 2010. They occurred in Travis and Comal counties, respectively....

Brushy Creek opens brush drop-off site after ice storm cleanup backlash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

BRUSHY CREEK, Texas (KXAN) — The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District recently purchased a wood chipper to help residents clear debris from last month's ice storm.The M.U.D. received backlash several weeks ago after it announced it could not fulfill its original plan to pick up debris in the district. Brushy Creek calls off ice storm damage pickup General Manager Shean Dalton said the M.U.D's Board of Directors approved buying a wood chipper for this clean-up effort and that the site will be open at least through April 7.Money was the main issue cited for the M.U.D's original calling off of debris services.Dalton says because the M.U.D. has outright purchased equipment like the wood chipper, the cost is one that will pay off in the long term."We've been able to record about 700 drop-offs to date. Residents have been very appreciative of this service," Dalton said.The brush drop-off site is right behind the Brushy Creek Community Center at 16318 Great Oaks Drive in Round Rock.We...

Texas librarians alarmed over book review bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate Education Committee on Wednesday is considering a bill that would enforce "local community values" in school library books and could expose librarians to criminal penalties for harmful material in their libraries.Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils tasked with ensuring "local community values are reflected in each school library catalog." Members of each council would be chosen by the school district's board of trustees."The proposed legislation provides increased structure and transparency to the processes andstandards for school library book acquisition and review policies to ensure that school librarycollections are appropriate for their campuses based on state standards relating to grade, age, and developmental appropriateness, as well as community values," the bill's author Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) wrote.The bill also would subject librarians and teachers to criminal penalties for exposing children to harmful mater...

Austin Water talks improvement plans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Over the past few years, Austin has seen quite a few boil water notices which led to major changes in Austin Water.Last year, an Austin boil water notice lasted three days, resulting from an employee operator error. Previous coverage: Austin Water: Employee error led to boil water notice After the boil water notice, Councilmember Alison Alter authored a resolution calling for an external review of Austin Water."We have to make sure there is ongoing accountability for the work that is underway so that we can make sure it doesn't happen again," said Alter.In January, results from an external audit of Austin Water were released, detailing 53 recommendations the company could improve on. External audit of Austin Water completed, report released Austin Water leadership will present their response to the audit and their implementation plan for the recommendations Wednesday afternoon. According to the slideshow which was presented in the meeting, some recommendations h...

Bill comparison: How the MN House and Senate plan to spend $2.21B in new money for education

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

The Minnesota Legislature’s education budget bills call for big increases to general funding formulas, plus dedicated money for school support staff, literacy initiatives, after-school grants and building a more diverse teacher workforce.In budget targets announced last week, top lawmakers said they intend to spend $2.21 billion more on education in the next biennium than in the current one.“We‘ve had over 20 years of underinvestment in our schools. While we cannot change that overnight, or even in one biennium, this is an incredible start,” Rep. Cheryl Youakim, DFL-Hopkins, the house education finance chair, said Wednesday.Differences on spending, policyWhile the majority DFL’s leaders in the House and Senate education committees mostly agree on priorities, their spending bills contain significant differences on spending and policy.The Senate bill unveiled this week would increase per-student state aid by 4 and 5 percent in the next two years, at a cost of $913 million. The House b...

Walz appoints state’s first chief equity officer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced the appointment of the state’s chief equity officer, who will lead an office dedicated to helping shape policy to address racial inequality in Minnesota.Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Stephanie Burrage, a former educator and school district leader, will head the new Equity and Opportunity Office.Burrage worked over the past year with hundreds of Black community leaders to gather input that helped shape the state budget framework recently announced by Walz and fellow Democrats in the Legislature.In what was called the “Mind, Body and Soul” initiative, she met monthly with leaders across the state and heard concerns about issues like affordable housing, the education achievement gap and workforce development. Minnesota has some of the largest disparities between Black and white students.Burrage said her work already started with the sessions and will continue when she assumes her new role.“I will be listening. I want people to reach...

St. Paul Saints slugger Matt Wallner welcomes his robo-ump overlords

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:29 GMT

During clubhouse access before a random game last season, Twins right fielder Max Kepler was asked if he’s in favor of having ball and strikes determined by the Automatic Balls/Strikes System baseball has been tweaking the past few years.He thought about it briefly before answering, “No.”Why?“Because then I won’t have anyone else to blame.”That day is closing fast for major league players because ABS is one step from the bigs, getting one last, season-long test run at Triple-A before MLB decides whether to bring it to the majors.Keep in mind that all the new MLB rules this season — bigger bases, timers for pitchers and batters, and a limit on how many times a pitcher can throw to a base — all had one last, season-long test run at Triple-A last season.Twins prospect Matt Wallner, a slugger from Forest Lake who will start the season in St. Paul, is eager to get another look. He liked ABS when it was used in some parks during the 2021 Arizona Fall League.“That’s my only experience with...