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Speaker Johnson led House passage of Israel aid. But the hard part comes next in confronting Biden

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As new Speaker Mike Johnson grabbed hold of the House gavel, he made a plea for Americans to “give me a chance” before making up their minds about the newcomer’s ability to lead the far-right House Republican majority that elected him to power.What Johnson has shown in his first big test as the House passed a nearly $14.5 billion military aid package to Israel is that the easy-going social conservative is more than eager to lift up the priorities of his right flank rather than reach toward the political center in the name of compromise. By seeking to force the Israel-Hamas war package to be paid for with government spending cuts, something rarely required in emergencies of war or natural disasters, Johnson turned what’s normally an overwhelming bipartisan issue, support for Israel, into one that bitterly split Democrats from Republicans. President Joe Biden threatened a veto. It’s a stark example of what may come — or not. The looming government s...

Israel deports thousands of Palestinian workers back to Gaza’s war zone

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Friday deported thousands of Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip back to the besieged territory, Palestinian authorities said, capping what many described as harrowing weeks trapped in legal limbo since their detention when the Israel-Hamas war erupted.Some workers, streaming by foot through an Israeli crossing that had been sealed shut since Hamas unleashed its brutal attack on southern Israel Oct. 7, told of violent mistreatment by Israeli authorities in detention centers. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations. “We sacrificed and they treated us like livestock over there,” one of the workers, Wael al-Sajda, said from the border, pointing to his ankle fitted with an identification bracelet.Al-Sajda was among the roughly 18,000 Palestinians from Gaza allowed to work in menial jobs in Israel. The permits have been coveted in Gaza, which has an unemployment rate approaching 50%. Israel began issuing ...

City investigating after building reportedly allowed residents into construction area where ceiling collapsed

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

Multiple investigations have been launched looking into why the ceiling of a fitness space in a newly built condo suddenly collapsed, amid evidence the developer allowed residents into the restricted area without permission from the City of Toronto.The ceiling of the small gym area at 1808 St. Clair Ave. West collapsed early Thursday morning when two residents were reportedly inside. Debris could be seen scattered across the fitness room in photos and video shared with CityNews.Many residents had only just moved in to the building this past May and were given notice on Sept. 11 that the gym was open and their key fobs could be used to access the area.According to the city, the celling collapsed in an area of the building that it had not yet approved for the public to occupy and it should not have been accessible by those who lived in the building.However, Diamond Kilmer Developments said they are “in discussions with their construction manager, engineers, architects and city officia...

Burbank woman says father kidnapped, tortured while family escaped bombings in Gaza

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A Burbank woman spoke out on concerns for her family in Gaza amid constant bombardment. Her father who was also taken hostage by Israeli soldiers on Oct. 7, was released from captivity just Friday morning.Ghada Shuraab, born and raised in Southern Gaza, came to Chicago to pursue her education in 2018, but has lived her days in worry for her loved ones in Khan Younis, Gaza — especially after the initial attacks early October."My mom had asked my sister to take a different route to the store because the main street had been bombed. Right after she left, that street had been bombed. Luckily, she took a different route," Shuraab said. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed, 32,000 wounded, and 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes due to Israeli bombings since Oct.7. Trapped in hell: Palestinian civilians try to survive in northern Gaza, focus of Israel’s offensive More than 3,700 Palestinian children have also been killed in 25 days of bombardment. Tho...

Suspect in custody after teen shot 25 times at Joliet playground

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

JOLIET -- A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult after he allegedly shot a Joliet teen 25 times at a playground in May.According to the Joliet Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Warren Sharpe Playground on the 400 block of South Joliet Street on reports of a person shot around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Chicago vet shot, killed in 2021 still under investigation Antoine ShropshirePolice identified the person shot as 16-year-old Antoine Shropshire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Shropshire, who just finished his sophomore year at Joliet West High School, was initially shot in the head and then sustained around 25 gunshot wounds.Upon further investigation, the Joliet Police Department later identified Jaquan Blalock, 17, of Markham, as a suspect in the murder of Shropshire.On Thursday, the U.S. Marshals and Will County Fugitive Task Force arrested Blalock at a Hazel Crest residence two weeks after Joliet detectives secured an arrest warrant.Blalock has been cha...

'I've just been locked in:' Justin Fields answers questions on thumb injury recovery after Bears practice

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Justin Fields took questions from the media today for the first time since dislocating his thumb late in the third quarter of the Chicago Bears' 19-13 loss against the Minnesota Vikings nearly three weeks ago."I've been mentally preparing like I have been — like I'm going to play," Fields told reporters after practice at Halas Hall. "But we'll just see how it feels on Sunday."Justin Fields is wearing a glove to help w/ grip strength & throwing the ball less than three weeks after dislocating his thumb, which he says is "still in a little bit of pain." Can he return Sunday to face the Saints?More on @WGNNews this evening & @GNSportsTV at 10:30 #Bears pic.twitter.com/tSngphKLOl— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) November 3, 2023Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has been particularly mum when asked by media members about the progress of Fields' injury, opting not to elaborate on the recovery process and answering questions by often saying, "we like w...

New Kids On The Block coming back to Chicago for a 'Magic Summer'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Joey, Jonathan, Jordan, Danny, and Donnie will be heading back to the Windy City this summer!New Kids On The Block, along with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, will bring their "Magic Summer 2024 Tour" to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Saturday, June 15. The Eagles announce second farewell show at United Center due to high demand The New Kids On The Block have been one of the biggest boy bands in the world since they formed in 1985. With over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, the group started to become a household name following the release of their 1986 self-titled debut album.The boys from Boston were nominated for the first and only Grammy Award for their 1988 music video "Hangin' Tough." The group broke up in 1994, but reunited in 2008 and have continued to perform around the globe ever since.Grammy Award winning artist and the original Los Angeles Laker girl, Paula Abdul broke into the main stream with her 1988 debut album "Forever Your Girl" ...

Treasury Department working to freeze Hamas' digital assets

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Some lawmakers are renewing calls to regulate cryptocurrency after the Treasury Department confirmed Hamas used it to fundraise donations.According to the department, donations to Hamas through cryptocurrency spiked after the group's Oct. 7 attack in Israel.Dozens of lawmakers are calling for a crackdown."We should be just as concerned about crypto as we are about Iran," said Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill.Casten is pushing for regulations to prevent terrorist groups from using cryptocurrency to launder money and bypass international sanctions."I think the most important thing we can do right now is push the players in the industry to put protections in place that make it impossible," he said.The Treasury Department says it is working with the private sector to freeze Hamas' digital assets."We intend to use all of our tools to go after each of these financial lifelines that Hamas has," Brian Nelson, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism a...

IDOT to perform litter removal operations along expressways in Cook Co, surrounding counties

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Keep an eye out. Crews from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be out on expressways in Cook County, and surrounding counties, over the next two weeks for a litter removal operation.According to IDOT, crews will be out on the expressways during the weeks of Monday, Nov. 6, and Monday, Nov. 13, as they work to keep roadsides, interchanges, ramps and shoulders clean of trash and debris. Search underway for man missing from home on Northwest Side Officials from IDOT say the crews will conduct litter removal intermittently during that period but locations where it will be conducted are dependent on the weather conditions and subject to change.IDOT provided the following list of expressways where clean ups will be conducted:Interstate 290, (Eisenhower Expressway), from Wells Street to Higgins Road (Illinois 72), including the Army Trail extension.Interstate 55 (Stevenson Expressway), from DuSable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41) to Reed Road.Interstate 80, from I...

Americans who qualify for Medicare, Medicaid must re-enroll to ensure savings

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:19:52 GMT

WASHINGTON, (Nexstar) – Each year, Americans must renew their health insurance plans, but some could miss out on savings or lose health coverage altogether if you don't take action.With open enrollment for Medicare and Medicaid underway, officials say it's especially important for Medicaid recipients to ensure they still qualify.Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said that during the pandemic, people were automatically re-enrolled in Medicaid. But now, even those who still qualify need to re-enroll.“A lot of folks aren't realizing they have to reapply,” Becerra said. “We don't want them to lose their insurance under Medicaid if they still qualify.”If someone learns they no longer qualify, Becerra said it's likely they will be eligible for a lost-cost, Affordable Care Act plan.“Where they're paying no more than $10 a month in premiums,” he said.Existing Medicare recipients will be automatically re-enrolled. But Dr. Meena Seshamani, the director of the Center for Me...