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Texas court dismisses GOP donor’s defamation lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas appeals court on Friday dismissed a billionaire’s defamation lawsuit against Democrat Beto O’Rouke that was brought after O’Rourke criticized a $1 million campaign contribution to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The ruling by the Third Court of Appeals in Austin comes more than a year after O’Rourke repeatedly made critical remarks about the donation during a failed run for governor, at one point saying that it “looks like a bribe to me.” The contribution came from Kelcy Warren, chairman of pipeline company Energy Transfer, which reported about $2.4 billion in earnings related to the catastrophic February 2021 winter storm that sent natural gas prices soaring in Texas. Warren, a major Republican donor, accused O’Rourke of trying to humiliate him and discourage other Abbott supporters from making campaign donations. In the court’s opinion, Chief Justice Darlene Byrne wrote that a reasonable person would view O’Rourke...

Music Review: Jess Williamson’s ‘Time Ain’t Accidental’ spans the American west and human heart

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

“Time Ain’t Accidental” by Jess Williamson (Mexican Summer)Jess Williamson’s fifth solo album “Time Ain’t Accidental” incarnates 2023 through a lyrical road trip that unpacks America, its western landscapes, reckless storms and evanescent roots, transforming country music’s legacy into her own search for redemption.Merging the grit of heartbreak with the lyricism of repair, Williamson’s voice ranges like tobacco smoke ascending into electric sunrises that beam into the full moon as mellow acoustics, brass, beats and sonic twists ground the soundscapes of the winding path. Her lyrics question genres, like the lies behind her dubious love song “now that the love is gone” and they argue with classic norms of the country song, “I’m not a good woman if I leave or if I stay” and her transitions play on each other, “Whatcha take me for?” as she answers “Take me for a ride.” Love is both a delusion and a cure as her lyrics trace her roots in Texas, reinvention ...

David Johnston resigning as special rapporteur amid controversy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

Amid ongoing calls for his resignation, David Johnston has announced he is stepping down as Canada’s special rapporteur on foreign interference.In a letter to the prime minister, Johnston says his objective when he accepted the role was to “help build trust in our democratic institutions.”“I have concluded that, given the highly partisan atmosphere around my appointment and work, my leadership has had the opposite effect,” the letter reads.“I am therefore tendering my resignation, effective no later than the end of June 2023, or as soon as I deliver a brief final report, which I hope to be earlier.”Johnston was appointed special rapporteur by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate alleged meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.Opposition MPs have been calling for his removal due to perceived bias, noting his friendship with Pierre Elliott Trudeau, which included ski trips the current prime minister joined when he was a child.In a vo...

David Johnston quits as special rapporteur on foreign interference

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

OTTAWA — David Johnston says he is stepping down from his role as special rapporteur investigating foreign interference, effective no later than the end of June, citing the highly partisan atmosphere around his work.The former governor general says in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his leadership of the government’s probe into foreign meddling by China has not helped build trust in democratic institutions because of partisanship.The appointment of Johnston, who says he will release a brief final report, has been contentious, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accusing him of being too close to Trudeau’s family. All opposition parties in the House of Commons have called for the government to call a public inquiry into foreign interference, but Johnston recently released a report recommending against that. In his letter, he says a deep and comprehensive review of foreign interference should be an urgent priority for Parliament and reiterates his repo...

With GM and Ford embracing Tesla’s EV charging technology, here’s what it means for consumers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Starting next year, owners of electric vehicles made by General Motors and Ford will be able to charge their EVs at many of Tesla’s charging stations, the largest such network in the country.As part of their move, both Detroit-area automakers have decided to adopt Tesla’s EV charging connector, the plug that links an electric vehicle to a charging station.With GM and Ford joining Tesla’s charging system, the rest of the auto industry may be forced follow suit. If so, it would provide a major victory to Tesla, which would be assured a new and guaranteed revenue stream for years to come.At present, two main types of EV charging plugs exist: Tesla’s North American Charging Standard and CCS, used by nearly all other automakers. It’s not yet clear which other automakers might join Ford and GM.WHAT’S GOING TO CHANGE?With 17,000 charging plugs, Tesla commands the largest network in the United States. Its stations can charge faster than mos...

‘There is no place for hate’: Rainbow crosswalk vandalized in Waterloo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

Crews are already hard at work cleaning Uptown Waterloo’s rainbow crosswalk installation – following an unfortunate act of vandalism in that city.Installed on Willis Way to symbolize Waterloo’s commitment to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, city staff report that crosswalk was recently defaced with tire marks.Sharing the news on social media on Friday, city staff made their response clear:“There is no place for hate in Waterloo.”We’re sad to report that the rainbow crosswalk on Willis Way was vandalised with tire marks.There is no place for hate in Waterloo.Crews have been working hard to clean things up and give the crosswalk a fresh shine for now, with a full restoration coming soon. pic.twitter.com/uPFTlkvSp0— City of Waterloo (@citywaterloo) June 9, 2023The rainbow crosswalk will receive a full restoration in the near future.Arguing that there is still work to be done, the post shared by the City of Waterloo also stated that staff will continue to champion the 2SLGBTQ+ community and “hel...

Michigan State University will build memorial to victims of campus shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University said it will use approximately $300,000 in donations to create a memorial to honor students who were killed or wounded in a mass shooting in February.The permanent memorial, to be “planned through a meaningful, respectful and collaborative process,” was disclosed Friday as the university announced what it will do with $2 million given to the Spartan Strong Fund.Three students died and five more were wounded when a gunman fired inside two campus buildings on Feb. 13. Anthony McRae killed himself about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from campus when confronted by police.“We are forever grateful to the thousands of people who have generously helped put our community on a path to healing through the Spartan Strong Fund,” interim President Teresa Woodruff said. Approximately $1 million will support people directly affected by the shooting, especially injured students who want to continue to pursue their education, MSU said.The money will...

Another NASCAR road closure is coming downtown Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

CHICAGO — As will be the case for most of the next month, there is another road closure that will happen in downtown Chicago as NASCAR's race approaches. This week's concerns one road in particular.(Courtesy: Chicago OEMC)According to the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, there will be a full closure of Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday. This also includes the adjacent sidewalks as well. A WGN guide to the Chicago Street Race This closure will remain in place through the running of the event on July 1 and 2, with the scheduled reopening as of Friday set for July 10. Per the CDOT & OEMC, residents are encouraged to use Jackson Drive and Balbo Drive as alternate routes.So far, there have been parking restrictions added to Columbus Drive, which started on June 2 and run through July 15. The next scheduled closer is Balbo Drive, which will be shut down from DuSa...

Warm, sunny start to the week; Showers likely Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

FRIDAY: A second day with nearly 100% of the day’s possible sunshine. A bit warmer, especially inland following a cool start to the day. Winds: NE 4-12 mph. High: 80/71 lakeshore and area beaches.    SATURDAY: Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon, warmer still.  High: 85/mid 70s immediate shoreline. Clouds thicken at night. A chance for showers late. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog SUNDAY:  Mostly cloudy, becoming windy, much cooler. Showery spells, perhaps a clap of thunder.  High: 68/but temperatures falling into the upper 50s by evening. 

Some Metra UP Northwest trains to see construction delays next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:34 GMT

CHICAGO — Some Metra commuters could see some delays next week due to a railroad tie project.Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday - Friday, some riders on Metra's UP Northwest line could see delays up to 30 minutes between Barrington and Crystal Lake. Kennedy Expressway construction: What you should know about adjusting to the delays Union Pacific, which owns and maintains the three UP Metra lines, is replacing 116,000 ties between Chicago and Harvard. Metra said the replacements are essential and are needed to maintain track speeds and service levels.At Main Street in Barrington, Metra said Union Pacific will also be performing a grade crossing renewal.Because there are fewer places for trains to switch between tracks and an older signal system, trains between Barrington and Crystal Lake are expected to have a greater impact.