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Pritzker announces unit of over 30 'peacekeepers' to provide crisis support in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker announced Tuesday the creation of a citywide unit in Chicago that will deploy "peacekeepers" to provide crisis support.The Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU) will have over 30 peacekeepers and street outreach partners to "provide essential assistance in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis support across Chicago."“The most important work we do is keeping our communities safe, and this is another important step towards addressing violence and conflict through research-based, community-focused approaches,” said Gov. Pritzker. “IDHS is creatively utilizing their funding to find high-impact solutions to the current problems facing Chicago, and I’m thankful for their hard work heading into the summer months.”Announced ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the unit is now permanent in Chicago.“The CPRU is an essential tool in keeping our communities safe because these individuals bring invaluable insight and knowledge that allow us to redu...

'I'm worried about wins': Justin Fields makes clear his focus with the Bears in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

LAKE FOREST — For the past two seasons, the Bears' top quarterback hasn't made a habit of looking too far ahead.At Halas Hall on Tuesday, Justin Fields made it clear that he's not changing when asked about the impact the 2023 season could have on a future contract with the Bears."I'm not worried about contracts. I'm worried about wins," said Fields at Halas Hall in response to the impact of the 2023 season on his future with the Bears. This fall and winter, Fields can show enough to the Bears to warrant the team picking up the fifth-year option on his contract or, even better for him, offer a lucrative extension to keep him in Chicago for the long term.But the quarterback dismissed the idea that this third season is more important than his second in 2022 or his first in 2021. "I think every year is a big year," said Fields when asked about 2023 being a critical one for his career and future. "I don't really have anything to expand on that but, for me, every year's a big year and I'm...

Salmonella outbreak in 6 states linked to Papa Murphy's cookie dough: CDC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers after a salmonella outbreak impacting people in six states has been linked to raw cookie dough from Papa Murphy's. In a notice posted Tuesday, the CDC reports at least 18 people contracted salmonella between late February and early May. Half of them reported eating Papa Murphy's take-and-bake raw cookie dough before becoming sick. Papa Murphy's has issued a "Stop Sell order" for its take-and-bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and S'mores Bars, which have portions of the chocolate chip cookie dough, the company said Monday.The CDC and Papa Murphy's warn that if you have any of the take-and-bake doughs mentioned above, you should discard it immediately. The CDC says it has linked a salmonella outbreak affecting at least six states to raw cookie dough sold by Papa Murphy's. (Via the CDC/Papa Murphy's)Six people sickened in the outbreak live in Washington, while four were Oregon residents, CDC investigators s...

Motorcyclist charged after leading police on 150-mph chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. -- A Oswego man was taken into custody Monday after leading Illinois State Police on a high speed chase reaching speeds up to 150 mph on I-88.According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, an Illinois State Trooper allegedly witnessed a motorcyclist traveling at 100 mph heading towards the Washington Street exit on westbound I-88 just after 12:15 p.m. on Monday.The Illinois State Trooper attempted to pull over the motorcycle, but the driver accelerated to 135 mph while weaving in and out of traffic. ISP did not pursue the motorcycle. Suburban man gets stuck waist-deep in Alaska mud flats, drowns as tide comes in Illinois State Police Air Ops then monitored the motorcycle, which allegedly reached speeds of 150 mph on westbound I-88.Almost 30 minutes later, the driver of the motorcycle exited I-88 and parked on Ramm Drive in Naperville where he was taken into custody.Vermain Schaefer, 27, of Oswego, was later identified as the driver of the motorcycle....

Democrats slam Republican 'ransom list' amid debt limit talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – It appears the situation over the debt talks is not moving in a positive direction with Republicans demanding cuts that Democrats say are unreasonable – all under a looming default deadline.On Monday, some of the leaders from both parties on Capitol Hill were trying to sound cautiously optimistic, but on Tuesday it doesn’t seem that the two sides were any closer to reaching a deal.While trying to reassure the country that the U.S. won't default on its debts and obligations, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said, “we have more than enough money to pay the credit card bill.”However, Republicans refuse to increase the debt limit unless their demands are met.“You owe more on the credit card than you make an entire year,” McCarthy added.Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) added, “We're not talking about draconian levels of cuts. These are reasonable levels of spending.”Democrats say the proposed cuts are anything but reasonable.“House Democrats are not going to sign on to devast...

What federal default would mean for schools and universities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

(The Hill) - Higher education is biting its nails watching the debt ceiling timer tick down in Washington.Colleges and universities are working in the background on contingency plans if the U.S. defaults, a scenario that would lead to consequences experts say even they can't fully comprehend. While the schools won't immediately shut down when the debt limit is reached, they will lose significant funding from the federal government, and students will not receive the aid they need, in some cases, to stay in class. “Unfortunately, in the last several years, colleges and universities and financial aid offices have gotten used to a political game of chicken in Washington, D.C., and the potential for federal shutdowns, but this one is just a little bit different,” said Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.“We use the word unprecedented a lot in Washington, D.C., but this truly is one of those unprecedented times, and we would expec...

Texas attorney general calls on House Speaker Phelan to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called on House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign at the end of the legislative session next week. He questioned the conduct of his fellow Republican after claims that Phelan appeared impaired while overseeing debate early Saturday morning on the House floor. Paxton released a statement Tuesday afternoon on social media urging Phelan to step down from his post leading the Texas House Representatives, saying he did so after "much consideration" and with "profound disappointment." No comment from Speaker Phelan on impairment accusations "Texans were dismayed to witness his performance presiding over the Texas House in a state of apparent debilitating intoxication," Paxton said. "His conduct has negatively impacted the legislative process and constitutes a failure to live up to his duty to the public." KXAN reached out Tuesday to Phelan's office for comment about Paxton's statement, but has yet to receive ...

Overnight storms may bring gusty winds, lightning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A complex of thunderstorms expected to develop tonight in West Texas will then sweep through our part of the state overnight into early Wednesday morning. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin After midnight, the complex of strong to severe thunderstorms will enter the northwestern Hill Country. Hail is possible, but gusty winds and lightning appear to be the main things to watch for.This evening's severe storm riskClouds/radar forecast at 4 a.m. with storms in the Hill CountryThe complex of storms will likely weaken below severe criteria as it enters the Austin Metro area, most likely between 4-6 a.m. Wednesday. Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected in some areas. The rain will likely clear by your morning commute.Clouds/radar forecast at 6 a.m. Wednesday with lighter rain from Austin eastwardBehind these overnight storms, we expect another hot and mainly dry day Wednesday, but another round of storms are possible late Wednesday night into ear...

Victim in critical condition after hit-and-run in north Austin, APD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in north Austin last week, which left one person in critical condition, APD said in a news release.Shortly after midnight, May 15, Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a pickup truck-pedestrian crash in the 9000 block of North Interstate 35 in the southbound service road near Rundberg Lane, according to police.The preliminary investigation showed the pedestrian, who was not identified Tuesday, was hit by the pickup truck traveling south on the service road. The driver left the scene and did not call 911, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries in critical condition, the release said.According to police, the victim has undergone several surgeries and remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).The suspect vehicle was described as:Possibly a Chevrolet Silverado or GMC SierraDark in colorDamaged to the front end due to the crashAnyone with any ...

Medical cannabis expansion bill to die in Texas Senate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:00:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 23, 2023. AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Legislation to expand access to medical cannabis for Texans with chronic pain will die if a Texas Senate committee does not pass it by Wednesday.HB 1805 by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, passed the Texas House 127-19 on April 12. It has been awaiting action in the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs since May 3. Wednesday is the last day the Senate can pass bills.Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, has no plans to hold another hearing for that committee this session. Any bills left waiting to be considered are practically dead.“Maybe we’ll have an interim charge. I hope so. We need to have a conversation,” Sen. Perry told Nexstar on Tuesday. Texas House passes bill to expand medical marijuana program The legislation would allow Texans living with chronic pain or other debilitating medical conditions to get a prescription for low-THC medical can...