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Colin Meloy of The Decemberists working on first novel for adults, scheduled for 2025

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists and already a popular children’s author, is now writing a novel for adults.Meloy’s book, which has the working title “Cascadia,” is scheduled for 2025 (in the spring, not in December), G.P. Putnam’s Sons announced Thursday. “Cascadia” features a protagonist named Barnaby Chambers, who sells discarded baby membrane tissue and is otherwise contending with artificial intelligence, climate change and falling birth rates. “This story, the story of Barnaby Chambers in a near-future Oregon wrecked by climate crises and hypercapitalism, is one I’ve wanted to tell for a very long time now,” Meloy said in a statement. The Decemberists are known for such albums as “The Hazards of Love” and “The King Is Dead,” and received a best rock song Grammy nomination in 2011 for “Down By the Water.” Meloy’s previous books include the children’s stories “Wildwood” and “Under Wildwood,” both illustrated by his wife, Car...

Barbie, Oppenheimer ‘leading the charge’ to big profits for Cineplex: CEO

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

TORONTO — Cineplex Inc. says it reaped the rewards of a strong slate of films at the box office last quarter, with smash hits Barbie and Oppenheimer leading the charge since.In the three months ended June 30, the movie theatre company notched net income of $176.5 million, towering over the $1.3 million it earned in the same period a year earlier.Cineplex’s total revenue in its second quarter increased 21 per cent to $423.1 million compared to $349.9 million the year before.But the Toronto-based company says second-quarter box office revenues of $164.5 million remained at only 79 per cent of 2019 levels, which reached $189.4 million.On an adjusted basis, Canada’s largest cinema chain says diluted earnings hit $1.99 per share versus two cents per share a year prior, beating analyst expectations of 21 cents per share, according to financial markets firm Refinitiv.Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob says a compelling batch of films last quarter such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, whic...

Are the federal Liberals cooked? Or not?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, the polls are not looking good for Justin Trudeau and company as they prepare to attempt a fourth straight election win. The Liberals’ recent cabinet shuffle failed to halt their downward slide, and even their territorial advantage in Ontario — a historic stronghold — seems to be waning.David Moscrop is a writer, author, podcaster, and political commentator. He says that after 8 years in power, the Liberal’s may have a steep hill to climb to reach win number four.“Mounting scandals, they tend to weigh on governments over time, and then just general malaise that emerges, there’s probably a whole bunch of things that are going into this, and then at some point governments just start aging like milk in the sun,” says Moscrop.So what might the Liberals do to change the narrative and reverse this trend? And will it even matter if Canadians are just, generally, angry?You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify....

Man found dead after 19-hour police standoff on West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was found dead after a more than 19-hour standoff with police on the city's West Side.The incident started at a home on the 5400 block of West Walton Street in the city's Austin neighborhood around 7 a.m. Wednesday. 4 dead, including suspected ‘aggressor,’ after shooting inside home in Crystal Lake: police A law enforcement source said members of the violent crimes task force served a warrant at a tri-level apartment building in connection with an armed robbery investigation.When officers made contact with the suspect, a shot was fired in their direction. No one was hurt and no one returned fire.The man then barricaded himself inside an apartment for hours. Niles introduces feral cat program for rat control Around 2 a.m. Thursday, police entered the apartment and found the man dead.No other injuries were reported.

Seniors’ medical debt soars to $54 billion in unpaid bills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

(The Hill) - Seniors face more than $50 billion in unpaid medical bills, many of which they shouldn’t have to pay, according to a federal watchdog report.In an all-too-common scenario, medical providers charge elderly patients the full price of an expensive medical service rather than work with the insurer that is supposed to cover it. If the patient doesn’t pay, the provider sends the bill into collections, setting off a round of frightening letters, humiliating phone calls and damaging credit reports.That is one conclusion of a recent report titled Medical Billing and Collections Among Older Americans, from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.The report recounts a horror story from a patient in southern Pennsylvania over a hospital visit, which should have been covered by insurance.“I never received a bill from anyone,” the patient said in a 2022 complaint. Then came a phone call from a collection agency. “The woman on the phone started off aggressively screaming at me,” sayi...

Texas lawmakers passed safety bill after Uvalde. How schools are paying for it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) – After a mass shooting killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, a school district four hours away in Jarrell started the process of getting shatterproof film on the windows of its high school.The invoice, according to the superintendent, was $50,000. Jarrell Middle School campus (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)With the passage of the state’s latest school safety bill, House Bill 3, lawmakers handed districts new requirements to place one armed officer on every school campus and bring campuses up to new safety standards. But some districts KXAN spoke with are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect Sept. 1. “Everybody recognizes safety for our children is the number one priority. We all say it — but to prove that, the dollars have to follow,” Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. The price of safetyThe original bill authored by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, ...

AFD: Grass fire in east Austin 100% contained after burning 100 acres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department responded to a brush fire in east Austin, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, AFD said it responded to the fire at Decker Lake Road and Hog Eye Road. As of around 7 a.m. Thursday, the fire is 100% contained after burning approximately 100 acres, according to AFD. The Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy Austin Fire DepartmentThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy Austin Fire DepartmentThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy David MarshallThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy David MarshallTwo vacant structures were caught in the fire, AFD said. No evacuations were needed, but AFD urged people to avoid the area.AFD said crews...

Taylor ISD finds success with Samsung internship program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The second-floor library at Taylor High School provides a great view of the largest building in the city. The skyline is covered in cranes as the new Samsung Semiconductor plant, located just down the street from the school, gets bigger everyday. The proximity of the two buildings mirrors the type of relationship the South Korea-based company has made with the town and the school district. Samsung has committed to taking two dozen incoming seniors, 12 from Taylor High School and 12 from Legacy Early College High School, and placing them in a summer internship program. The second class of 24 students just recently finished the summer program and the school district said it has been an extraordinary success. Rachelle Fink, the director of guidance and counseling at Taylor Independent School District, said over the past two years the district has seen excitement and competition for the program grow substantially. Last school year, Fink said she received between ...

Williamson County elections administrator resigns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Williamson County Election Commission immediately accepted the resignation of election administrator Chris Davis on Wednesday, according to a county announcement. “We thank him for his service to Williamson County,” said County Judge Bill Gravell.  According to the agenda for the Wednesday Election Commission meeting, members were to, "discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding acceptance of resignation, suspension with or without pay, or termination, if any, for the Elections Administrator." The agenda gave no reason for any action. The county said the Election Commission will meet on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to discuss appointing an interim elections administrator.

Planning to visit Hawaii? Here’s what you need to know about the wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:45 GMT

Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes Wednesday. The fast-moving flames have scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted a series of evacuation orders, road closures, and power and cellphone service outages. At least six people have died.The fires are most intense along the western coast of Maui, according to local news reports, with the historic town center of Lahaina severely damaged.Declaring a state of emergency in all counties, the Hawaiian state government has asked travelers to leave west Maui as soon as possible and is discouraging travel to the affected areas.Here’s what travelers need to know.Where are the fires?According to the local news outlet Hawaii News Now, at least three wildfires are burning on Maui, including one in Lahaina, a major tourist destination on Maui, and the upcountry section of the island. There are at least th...