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There’s no sign of widespread COVID-19 mandates in the US. Republicans are warning of them anyway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — As Americans fend off a late summer COVID-19 spike and prepare for a fresh vaccine rollout, Republicans are raising familiar fears that government-issued lockdowns and mask mandates are next.It’s been a favorite topic among some of the GOP’s top presidential contenders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters that people are “lurching toward” COVID-19 restrictions and “there needs to be pushback.” South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott posted online that the “radical Left” seeks to bring back school closures and mandates. And former President Donald Trump urged congressional Republicans to stop the Biden administration from bringing back COVID-19 “mandates, lockdowns or restrictions of any kind.”“The radical Democrats are trying hard to restart COVID hysteria,” Trump told supporters in Rapid City, South Dakota, during a recent campaign stop. “I wonder why. Is there an election coming up by any chance?”While some individual schools and colleges have implemented te...

Tamara Lich identified in video as president of ‘Freedom Convoy,’ court hears

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

OTTAWA — “Freedom Convoy” organizer Tamara Lich was identified as the president of the corporation formed to manage donations for the protest in a video played for the court Wednesday.A courtroom scattered with supporters watched recordings of several lengthy press conferences hosted by spokespeople during the protest on Wednesday, though neither of the organizers on trial featured very heavily. In one, Lich identified herself as an organizer of the convoy. A fellow organizer, Ben Dichter, said she was really the “president.” “She’s so modest,” he said. A federal inquiry into the government’s use of the Emergencies Act to end the protests heard last year that a core group of organizers formed “Freedom Corp.” to manage donations under the direction of their lawyer at the time, Keith Wilson. Lich was listed as president of the corporation. She and Chris Barber were among those who organized a convoy of trucks that travelled t...

Anthony Freud to retire as head of Lyric Opera of Chicago at end of 2023-24 season

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Freud will retire as general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago at the end of the season, ending a 13-year tenure.Freud, who made the announcement Wednesday, turns 66 in October and intends to return to Britain after the season. See Lyric Opera’s shows for the 2023-2024 season Freud's tenure included the world premieres of Jimmy López's “Bel Canto” in 2015 based on the 2001 Ann Patchett novel and this year's “Proximity," a triptych composed by Caroline Shaw, Daniel Bernard Roumain and John Luther Adams.Freud was director of the Welsh National Opera from 1994-2005 and the Houston Grand Opera from 2006-11. He is the Lyric Opera's fourth head following Carol Fox (1954-80), Ardis Krainik (1981-97) and William Mason (1997-2011).

NBA announces new rules on resting star players

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

NEW YORK — After many years of debate over the resting of star players by teams, the NBA has announced a new policy to address it.This is being done to ensure that the league's best athletes are available as much as possible. Here is the full Player Participation Policy that will take effect in the NBA in the 2023-2024 season. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/gp8wiCl8hR— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) September 13, 2023This new Player Participation Policy will go into effect at the start of the 2023-2024 season with the focus being on standouts in the league. So what defines a "star player" in this new policy?Anyone selected to an All-NBA team in the last three seasonsAnyone selected to an NBA All-Star Game the last three seasonsA player with two previous All-Star Game appearances who makes the 2024 All-Star Game would be subject to the policy for the rest of this season.For that group of players, there are now guidelines that teams must follow when it comes to playing them throughout ...

Mike Pence to take part in NewsNation town hall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

(NewsNation) — Former Vice President and presidential candidate Mike Pence will answer questions in front of a live studio audience Wednesday during a town hall hosted by NewsNation. "On Balance” anchor Leland Vittert will moderate the event, which will include a remote audience in Des Moines, Iowa, of undecided, independent and Republican voters, at 9 p.m. ET.To find out how you can watch Wednesday night's Town Hall, viewers can see where to watch NewsNation by entering their ZIP code in the NewsNation Channel Finder app. The town hall will also be live-streamed in the player above.Pence has been on the campaign trail in the early primary states Iowa and New Hampshire as he looks to gain support in the 2024 Republican presidential primary race.He also went on the offensive at last month's first GOP debate, touting his experience in the Trump administration and engaging in several back-and-forths with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. He also defended — as he has consistently d...

Arby's gets wild with limited-time burger made with venison, elk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK) – A fast food chain that claims to “have the meats” is taking that claim to new heights.Arby’s announced its latest creation Tuesday: a Big Game Burger, which features a patty made of 34% venison, 33% elk, and 33% ground beef. The burger is then topped with fried onions, pickles, Swiss cheese, and a dark cherry steak sauce, the chain said in a press release.To go along with the launch of the new menu item, the company also announced a trip to the Colorado Rockies for the Arby’s Hike-Thru on The Big Game Burger Trail, ending at what the company calls “the most remote Arby’s in the world.” Arby’s just launched its first-ever hamburger, and it’s made with Wagyu beef First-come outdoor enthusiasts were invited to take the trail through the wilderness and enjoy a complimentary Big Game Burger at the end, according to the company.“Arby’s has always been known for our meat expertise, and we’re taking it to the next level — literally — with our new Big Game Burger...

Biden allies fight back as Republicans launch impeachment inquiry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The White House and Democrats are fighting back as Republicans launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced plans to launch the impeachment inquiry on Tuesday, sparking a political firestorm in an already bitterly-divided Congress. White House spokesperson Ian Sams said the move was baseless. "They've failed to turn up any evidence of wrongdoing and that's because there is no evidence of wrongdoing," Sams said. For months, House Republicans have been investigating the president's alleged connections to his son Hunter's business dealings.  House Republican aims to defund Trump prosecutions until 2024 election "Joe Biden has lied to the American people about his knowledge and involvement in his family's foreign business dealings and that he has potentially committed multiple impeachment offenses," Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said. But Biden's allies call the inquiry a waste of time and ...

Tech executives urge Congress to regulate AI

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Executives of the some of the biggest tech companies were on Capitol Hill Wednesday with senators to share their insights about artificial intelligence technology.Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates were some of the big names at the meeting, which was closed to the public. In total, about two dozen executives were invited to speak.Musk, CEO of Tesla, likely delivered the most alarming message. He warns the technology may pose a risk to civilization."There is some chance, above zero, that AI will kill us all. I think it's low, but there is some chance,” Musk said.The remarks came after a closed-door meeting with senators Wednesday. Musk was among the tech leaders there urging Congress to act."I think it's clear that there's a strong consensus, overwhelming consensus that there should be some AI regulation, that it would be in the best interest of the people to do so,” Musk said."This is the hardest thing I think we've ever undertaken,” said Senate Majorit...

Hutto family chosen by Extreme Makeover to receive newly-built home, city says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Sept. 13, 2023HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- A family in Hutto is getting a newly-built home after being chosen by Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the City of Hutto said on social media.Photo of Rev. Fred Warren Jr. at Little Ebenezer Baptist Church (Courtesy: City of Hutto)"Congratulations go to the Warrens! They are the beloved children, widow and mother of the late Rev. Fred Warren Jr," the city said on social media. "Pastor Warren was a beacon of light, love and service in Hutto, and his family is the embodiment of his charitable spirit."City officials said shuttles will run starting at 10 a.m. from Hutto City Hall to the home site for anyone interested in participating in the reveal Saturday.The "Move That Bus!" community filming will start at 2 p.m., according to the city.

Texas drag performance law blocked from taking effect again

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:57:08 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Sept. 13, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — A federal judge has decided to extend a temporary restraining order, blocking a Texas law that would "regulate sexually oriented performances" and that opponents argue could criminalize drag performances. Senate Bill 12 passed in June and would have gone into effect Sept. 1, but a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, or TRO, that prevented it from being enforced. The judge's action came after a hearing in a lawsuit, whose plaintiffs include an Austin-based drag performer and production company. The first restraining order was set to expire 14 days after Aug. 31, but Wednesday's ruling extends it another 14. The judge found "that the grounds for originally granting the TRO continue to exist," namely, that "Based on the evidence and testimony presented at the Hearing, the Court finds there is a substantial likelihood that S.B. 12 as drafted violates the First Amendment...