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Alabama medical marijuana licenses put on temporary hold again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A judge said Thursday he will temporarily block Alabama from issuing licenses to grow and distribute medical marijuana as he reviews an allegation that the state commission illegally deliberated in secret before selecting winners. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson said he will issue a temporary restraining order to block the issuance of the licenses for 10 days while he hears the complaint. He scheduled a hearing for later this month. The development is the latest legal skirmish in the battle over who will get the potentially lucrative licenses to grow and distribute cannabis for the state’s developing medical marijuana program.The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission last week nominated and approved companies for the licenses. The public vote came after commissioners met behind closed doors for several hours.Alabama Always, a company that was not among the winners, said the commission violated the Open Meetings Act, which requires deliberations to be do...

Judge rules Florida law banning some Chinese property purchases can be enforced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A new law that bans citizens of China and some other countries from purchasing property in large swaths of Florida can be enforced while being challenged in court, a federal judge ruled Thursday.Judge Allen Winsor denied the American Civil Liberties Union’s request to block the state law as it seeks to overturn it. The group is representing Chinese citizens living in Florida.The law applies to properties within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of military installations and other “critical infrastructure” and also affects citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea. But Chinese citizens and those selling property to them face the harshest penalties. The prohibition also applies to agricultural land.The ACLU argued the law discriminates against potential homebuyers by nationality. The state argued that the law isn’t discriminatory because it addresses security issues posed by those nations.The Associated Press

Hollywood strikes may put spotlight on local talent at TIFF: filmmakers, programmers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

TORONTO — Canadian filmmakers and programmers say homegrown talent could draw more attention at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival as Hollywood strikes disrupt the industry.TIFF brass celebrated the Canadian lineup Thursday at an event in Toronto, where CEO Cameron Bailey acknowledged facing “unique challenges” planning the festival as U.S. labour action continues.Kelly Boutsalis, an associate programmer who focuses on Canadian feature films, said that although she loves a buzzy red carpet, there may be more media and audience spotlight on Canadians this year since the strikes prevent many U.S. actors from doing publicity for their projects.“I love the buzzy films as much as anyone else. I love the red carpet. But I always thought that we should be celebrating our talent more than we have previously,” said Boutsalis after a press event at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. “We have so much content that we should be celebrating and I think we can find the silver l...

Senegalese opposition leader in intensive care nearly three weeks into hunger strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was put in intensive care Thursday, nearly three weeks into a hunger strike to protest criminal charges brought against him by Senegal’s government, his party said.Sonko was put in detention July 31 in advance of a trial in which he faces charges of calling for insurrection, conspiracy against the state and other alleged crimes.Since Aug. 6, he has been at the Main Hospital in downtown Dakar, the capital, because of ill effects from his hunger strike. After fainting during the night, Sonko was rushed into an intensive care unit in the same hospital, where he eventually regained consciousness Thursday, said El Malick Ndiaye, a spokesperson for the now-dissolved Patriots of Senegal party led by Sonko. Sonko had refused medical care the previous five days, and allies are trying to persuade him to change his mind about the hunger strike, Ndiaye said. “We’re doing everything to get him to stop, because it’s a question of ...

Critically endangered African antelope born at Brookfield Zoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Brookfield Zoo is celebrating the birth of a male addax calf, the third born at the facility in just over a year. The unnamed antelope was born Aug. 8 at 15 pounds. The male calf is the first for mother, Ivy, and the fifth for dad, Ishnala.According to zoo officials, the critically endangered African antelope species is at risk of becoming extinct in the wild, with fewer than 100 remaining. Brookfield Zoo named 5th best zoo in new poll A male addax calf with his mother, 4-year-old Ivy. The calf was born at Brookfield Zoo on August 8, 2023. The African antelope is critically endangered in its native Africa due to uncontrolled hunting for their impressive spiraling horns, meat, and hide and disturbance to its habitat for oil exploration. (Photo credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)A male addax calf with his mother, 4-year-old Ivy. The calf was born at Brookfield Zoo on August 8, 2023. The African antelope is critically endangered in its native Africa due to unc...

Chicago-based groups help with Maui relief efforts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Several local groups are working together to show their support for the wildfire victims in Maui.Isabel Lee, the owner of Aloha Eats, has been serving up Hawaiian-style plate lunch food in Lincoln Park for almost 20 years. Maui residents fill philanthropic gaps while aid makes the long journey to the fire-stricken island After hearing about the deadly wildfires on the island of Maui, she was left in disbelief."Even though we're technically 4,000 miles away, it still hits close to home," Lee said. "My friends and family are predominately in O'Hau. But that doesn't mean the hurt kind of stops because I don't know anyone personally.With her roots in Hawaii, she still feels connected to the tragedy. Lee, determined to provide support, is donating 20% of her sales from Tuesday to Sunday to help efforts in Maui.As the devastation in Maui continues, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Lutheran Disaster Response in Chicago is working with a Maui bishop in their congregation...

FEMA support arrives in Chicago, provides update for flooding victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- Mayor Brandon Johnson along with state and federal leaders provided an update on Thursday to those impacted by July's flooding on how they can access federal relief funding.President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that federal funding is now available to Cook County residents, after record setting rain and storms hit the Chicago area more than a month ago.Biden approved Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois disaster declamation, opening up low cost loans for uninsured property losses, and grants for temporary housing and home repairs. Federal disaster declaration made for Cook County FEMA conducted damage assessments on the west side, as well as west suburban Cicero and Berwyn, where nine inches of rain fell on July 2 and $25,000 homes were damaged by flood water.There are three ways residents can apply for assistance: by going to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 16.After residents apply, an inspec...

MedWatch Daily Digest: Exercise in a shot — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

For Thursday, Aug. 17, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Injection of specific blood factor can replicate benefits of exercise in the brain University of Queensland researchers found platelets, the tiny blood cells critical for clotting, secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons. Physical activity also increases the production of new neurons in the brain critical for learning and memory. Platelets are involved in that process circulating in the blood after exercise. Now, scientists say by injecting those platelets, they can achieve the same exercise-induced response in the brain that includes cognitive improvement. Study: New breast cancer genes could identify women at increased riskNew breast cancer genes may help give more women an indication of their enhanced risk for the disease. For years, doctors have been able to test for BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genes. But these only account for a small number of breast cancer c...

Tim Anderson apologizes to team, fans for fight vs Guardians

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

NEW YORK — Nearly two weeks after his fight in a game against the Guardians in Cleveland, Tim Anderson found out the verdict on his appeal of a lengthy suspension.In the end, he got a minor reduction - and came out with an apology.On Thursday afternoon, Major League Baseball announced that Anderson's suspension has been reduced one game, and he will now have to sit out five games after throwing punches with Cleveland's Jose Ramirez at Progressive Field on August 5.It's unknown if the fine he received in the fight was either reduced or rescinded.After that announcement, Anderson took to his Instagram account to apologize for the fight and suspension."I want to apologize to the entire White Sox organization, my teammates, manager and coaches and to the fans for my part in the altercation which took place in Cleveland," said Anderson in a statement posted to his Instagram story. "This has been an incredibly disappointing season for me personally and for our team. I will not get into th...

NOAA releases fall weather predictions for Chicago, Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:57 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Sick of the summer heat? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has got some bad news for you. The agency released its 90-day forecast Thursday, predicting the broad weather conditions we expect to see around the country between September and November. For the vast majority of the country, it's looking like a hot summer will transition into a warm fall. The Northeast and Southwest have the highest chances of seeing above-average temperatures this fall, according to NOAA. Odds of a ‘strong’ El Niño grow again: Will you feel it locally? No states are expecting a colder-than-average fall season, but a swath of the Midwest and Plains states have equal chances of warm or cool weather. For some states, those hot temperatures are expected to be paired with clear skies – or at least few rain clouds. Only the Southeast and Alaska are expecting above-average precipitation. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes and part of the Southwest are expected to ...