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Firefighting foam ban possible as Canada looks at risks of ‘forever chemicals’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

OTTAWA — Firefighting foams, cosmetics and food packaging that contain cancer-causing “forever chemicals” could be limited or outright banned in Canada following a federal government risk assessment of the products that inches closer to declaring them “toxic.”“Only diamonds should be forever, not human-made substances that are polluting our environment,” Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Friday, as his department released a draft report on PFAS chemicals.PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of more than 4,700 chemicals used in dozens of products including lubricants, water and dirt repellents, textiles, foams and packaging.The draft report says there is growing evidence that the chemicals carry significant health risks to humans. These include increased rates of cancers such as kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid problems, infertility, skin issues and vision problems, including blindness.Because they don’t...

Parents want answers after 2 Chicago elementary schools went on lockdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Parents who send their children to two separate schools that share the same building say they’re fed up with how school leaders handled a lockdown earlier in the week. North Kenwood Oakland, also called NKO, affiliated with the University of Chicago and CPS’ Ariel Community Academy, both elementary schools went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon when a gun went off in the building. Parents on both sides say they’re not only frustrated with how lockdown was handled but want to see preventative measures put in action."It was 2 o clock, its Tuesday, they send an email, look my heart is racing" Alisha Harris said. "They send an email (saying) 'hey the school is on lockdown. Don’t come up here. Stay away from the campus until further notice.'"NKO Charter School parent Alisha Harris said when she got that email from the school she admits she got worried and like many parents came up to the campus in the 1100 block of east 46th Street.After that first email, Alisha received two more ...

Skilling: Cooler temps lead towards a beautiful start of week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

Another lackluster day on the precipitation front. Just 0.03" fell at the airports in Chicago in what has been the 10th driest May open of the past 151 years. That places May's opening 19 days among the driest 6% of all May opens on the books--with the monthly rain tally of 0.42" just 16% normal. The month is running 2.66" below normal.Temps topped out at 74 degrees Friday—2 degrees above normal. While May 2023 is running 1.6-deg above normal, the month is running 2.6 degrees cooler than the opening 19 days of May a year ago. The day produced only an estimated 34% of its possible sun, reports veteran Chicago NWS observer Frank Wachowski.A cold front has passed and now a gusty north/northwest flow is to bring cooler air into the air Friday night and lead us into a modestly cooler than normal start to the weekend with temps Saturday predicted to top out a 67—a reading 5-deg below normal. And with winds to blow into the Chicago shoreline off Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon, high temps...

Adidas to start selling stockpile of Yeezy sneakers later this month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Adidas said Friday that it will begin selling its more than $1 billion worth of leftover Yeezy sneakers later this month, with the proceeds to be donated to various anti-racism groups.The German sportswear brand said recipients will include the Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, run by Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd who became a social justice advocate. Adidas to sell some Yeezy shoes and donate proceeds to charities months after Kanye West split “After careful consideration, we have decided to begin releasing some of the remaining Adidas Yeezy products, “ said Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden in a statement. ”Selling and donating was the preferred option among all organizations and stakeholders we spoke to. There is no place in sport or society for hate of any kind and we remain committed to fighting against it. "Yeezy products have been unavaila...

Wildfires causing air quality problems in Illinois Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) - Air quality across the state has been impacted on Friday due to wildfire smoke.The smoke originates from fires that continue to burn out of control in Alberta.The Albertan Government has declared a Provincial Emergency due to the situation. As of Friday Afternoon, the government reported 94 active wildfire with a year total so far of 494. Wildfire smoke from Canada sweeps over Chicago sky Those blazes in recent weeks have created a massive amount of smoke that is causing air quality issues across the United States, according to the EPA.The wildfire smoke has been pulled into the United States thanks to prevailing winds aloft and a strong low pressure system with a cold front sweeping across the plains.Guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a large plume of smoke swirling over the Great Lakes Region, with smoke extending into the Southern Plains. Another large plume of smoke lingers over Western Canada, including over Albe...

Trailer: Sanctuary of Sin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

The U.S. Catholic Church has been rocked by reports of childhood sexual abuse, dating back decades and involving priests throughout Chicago and the country. While the church made changes to curb the crisis, the accusations continue to pour in, many involving serial abusers.So, where do the credibly accused, the worst of the worst, end up?Often, it’s a rustic retreat, at the end of a road, in the middle of America.Hiding in plain sight.WGN Films presents “Sanctuary of Sin”, a look at a little-known religious order and the role it played in the Catholic church sex abuse crisis. We reveal how the Servants of the Paraclete started, how it grew and where it is today.Beginning Monday May 22, WGN News will present “Sanctuary of Sin” during the WGN News at 9. The three-part series will culminate in a half-hour special hosted by WGN’s Larry Potash on Friday, May at 26 p.m.

17-year-old found dead in between 2 homes in Fuller Park, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A homicide investigation is underway in Chicago's Fuller Park after police say a 17-year-old was shot to death and found between two homes. Shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of W. 51st Street. Officers located the male juvenile with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesNo additional information was made available by Chicago police.Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.An investigation is ongoing.

U.S. Energy Secretary announces $1.67 million for 10 electric vehicle carsharing hubs in St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

By the end of this summer, the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis will have installed 70 electric car-charging stations that serve as pick-up sites for HourCar’s nonprofit car-sharing services.Mayors of both cities call the burgeoning Evie Spot network a strong start toward encouraging carbon-free transportation, but they’re aware that the existing network favors some of the more densely populated areas of the Twin Cities, leaving out some diverse and high-poverty neighborhoods at the edges.With underserved communities in mind, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm arrived in St. Paul on Friday to announce a $1.67 million grant to the American Lung Association and the Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition, who together will fund an additional 10 Evie Spot charging hubs throughout St. Paul’s East Side by 2025.Several of those stations will be situated along Metro Transit’s future Gold Line bus rapid transit corridor, while other East Side locations will be det...

TV for summer 2023: Despite the Hollywood writers strike, the season continues with new premieres. Our list of 15.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

Nina Metz | Chicago TribuneThe big news in TV right now is the Hollywood writers strike, which began earlier this month. For many, it’s no longer a profession that pays a living wage. Here’s hoping the studios, networks and streamers — which are boasting profits and paying their CEOs hundreds of millions — work out a fair contract in the coming days or weeks. But it’s possible they could delay, confident that the strike won’t affect their summer rollout of scripted series.If the strike lasts for months? The network lineup — all those cop shows and sitcoms — will not be ready to premiere in the fall as usual. We’ll cross that bridge if and when we get to it. For the time being, writers have not yet asked audiences to boycott TV altogether or cancel their streaming subscriptions, but a number of shows in production have been paused.Before we get to your summer preview, there’s one other minor change to the TV landscape worth noting: HBO Max and Discovery+ will no longer be separate st...

Óscar Mercado shines in first Cardinals start, 10 years after St. Louis drafted him

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Every once in awhile, you'll witness the success story of a baseball player who had an unusually long journey in the minors leagues, but kept their big dreams alive and eventually earned a call to the majors. Last year, James Naile debuted for his home state St. Louis Cardinals after seven years in the minor leagues. This year, 34-year-old infielder Drew Maggi made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates after 13 years in the minor leagues, one of the longest waits in quite some time. The St. Louis Cardinals promoted another player this week who sort of follows that narrative. Óscar Mercado made his St. Louis Cardinals debut Wednesday evening as a defensive replacement. He earned his first start with the Cardinals on Thursday, and it was quite impressive. Three hits, three runs scored, two stolen bases and four putouts between the corner outfield spots. RELATED - Cardinals slug 7 HRs, set two new records at Busch Stadium III Perhaps it was a bit overshadowe...