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Ottawa aims to add new limits to controversial use of dry cells in prisons

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

OTTAWA — The federal government says it is changing prison regulations to limit the use of dry cells and improve the process for the search and seizure of contraband in correctional institutions.Dry cells, in which there is no access to running water, are used to closely monitor inmates under bright lighting on the expectation they will eventually pass whatever they might be concealing in their bodies.The proposed regulations would require officials to use body scanner technology more often to identify contraband, and set a 72-hour maximum for detention in a dry cell, with special authorization required for any extension.Correctional Investigator Ivan Zinger has said the practice, in which people are sometimes held for several days in what is essentially solitary confinement, is the most degrading practice in federal corrections.Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino’s office issued a ministerial directive last year that required the Correctional Service of Canada to provide a...

Great Britain to donate $100 million to Brazil’s Amazon Fund

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Britain pledged Friday to give about $100 million to the Brazilian government’s fund to protect the Amazon rainforest, as the South American country beefs up protection of the environment under its new leadership.British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who took office in January, announced the contribution to the Amazon Fund on Friday after meeting in London ahead of Saturday’s coronation of King Charles III.The fund was launched in 2009 to fight against deforestation and build sustainable initiatives in the Brazilian rainforest, a vital natural reserve soaking up fumes from oil, natural gas and coal in South America. The committee that governs it was partially dismantled when rightist President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019, and rebooted by the leftist Lula this year. “President Lula has exhibited great leadership on climate change,” Sunak said on Twitter, adding that he was pleased that Britain would contribute 80 ...

Chicago celebrates Cinco de Mayo with return of Mexico Week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

CHICAGO — Cinco de Mayo celebrations are underway across Chicago, highlighting the impact Mexican culture has had on the city. Warm weather helped the city start its second annual 'Mexico Week,' which runs through May 14. In honor of the celebration, a ribbon-cutting at Navy Pier was held with the presence of state and local leaders.    Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture, not independence The festivities are based on a partnership with the Mexican consulate of Chicago and the government of Jalisco to bring a taste of the culture to the city through dishes, traditional dances, workshops, music and much more.   A mural design was also unveiled on Michigan Avenue to earmark the occasion. The piece, 'The Mexico of the North,' was completed by Chicago artist Robert Valadez.   The large-scale mural inside Michigan Avenue’s Artisan Mexican Goods Store, De Colores, now honor’s the city’s Mexican Americans who call Chicago home. It's part of a group effort between kids in Pilsen...

Skilling: Showers may interrupt sunshine this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

What a day! Temps surged to June levels today reaching 78 at O'Hare—which equals the "normal" temp a month from now (on June 7-8). It was the warmest official temp in the city in 15 days!Today's warm temps were effectively equivalent to those we'd see a month from now.The 70+/- degree temps Friday marked the 10th time in 2023 at O'Hare we've managed a reading topping 70. The reading was 11-deg above normal.Temps were cooler on the lakeshore—having only made it to 52 at Waukegan Harbor versus a few 80-deg highs well inland. That amounts to a near 30 degree temp spread across the area—though warmth prevailed over most of the area. The same east/west spread in temps is likely Saturday with cooler temps on the immediate shoreline than over inland areas. Southwest winds will pump temps up----even at the lakefront Sunday—some some late day lakeside cooling could occur then.Chicago is on the way to its warmest weekend of 2023 and a potential record-tying high temp on Sunday—a weekend which...

Lawmakers and activists call for ethics reform to SCOTUS

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

CHICAGO — Democratic lawmakers and activists coming together today saying enough is enough. They want to expand the Supreme Court and enforce a code of ethics."This is about bodily autonomy, DACA, gun reform this is life or death," Congresswoman Delia Ramirez said. Ramirez is voicing her support for the ‘Just Majority’ campaign, a bus tour pushing to expand the U.S. Supreme Court. Durbin slams Supreme Court’s response to ethics issues as ‘oblivious’    "While I know it’s been a controversial conversation, not if but when and doing it as urgently as possible," Ramirez said. The group also called for ethics reform on the high court in light of allegations surfacing involving Justice Clarence Thomas This comes as the state’s assault weapons ban passed this year following the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting remains in limbo. CPD to launch safety plan ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend After a judge blocked enforcement of the ban Wednesday, a federal appeals court...

Bears rookie OT Wright ready to settle in, protect Fields

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Darnell Wright was ready to slip into a more normal routine after a wild week and settle into his new job.The offensive tackle from Tennessee has an important task for the Chicago Bears in helping to protect quarterback Justin Fields after being drafted with the No. 10 overall pick last week. And the first rookie minicamp practice Friday was another step as he tries to settle into his new role.“Today has been a better day just mentally, just because I can just play football and do football,” Wright said. Bears select Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with 10th pick in the NFL Draft The Bears are banking on the 6-foot-5, 333-pound Wright to do quite a bit for them after the feisty blocker helped Tennessee re-establish itself as a national power. He was first-team, All-SEC as a right tackle last season after playing left tackle in 2021, and helped the Vols go 11-2 while finishing sixth in the final AP poll.Wright delivered a memorable performance whe...

See when 'Love to Serve' is offering free tennis clinic in May

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

CHICAGO — A three-decade tradition for one organization in Chicago continues in 2023 through the sport of tennis - with a focus on the youth in the city.Once again, Love to Serve will be offering up free lessons in the sport during two separate clinics in May, which is done in conjunction with the United States Tennis Association's National Tennis Month. The first of those is this weekend at the Kroc Center at 1250 W 119th Street in Chicago, as Love to Serve will host free instruction for 13-to-18-year-olds on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A second will be held at the Kroc Center on Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children in the same age range.These clinics continue an effort that was started in Chicago in 1992 by L. Lamont Bryant, who remains the CEO of the organization. Lori James serves as the executive director while Amir James serves as the lead coach. "It's a humbling feeling to know that I'm part of such a grassroots program that goes so deep in the comm...

Man accused of using 'small pickaxe' to hunt, kill 5-foot alligator

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Three Pinellas County, Florida, men were arrested after an anonymous caller reported the group using a "small pickaxe" to hunt an alligator in Holiday, Wednesday evening.According to an arrest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the anonymous caller witnessed the three men harvesting an alligator measuring 5.5 feet. DeSantis signs bill to let board void Disney agreements After locating the individuals, authorities said the men admitted to the "illegal take" of the alligator. Two of the men accused the third of using a "weapon that appeared to be a small pickaxe to dispatch the alligator," the report added.The gator was seized as evidence.All three men were charged with the illegal killing, possessing, or capturing of alligators.In Florida, a license is required to hunt alligators. According to FWC, "the Statewide Alligator Hunt is a highly sought after limited entry hunt; there are often more than 15,000 applicants that wi...

12-year-old Tennessee boy accused of fleeing police in UTV

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 12-year-old boy in Tennessee was taken into custody Thursday after he tried to evade police using a utility task vehicle (UTV), police say.Nexstar's WKRN in Nashville obtained dash camera video from Lebanon Police showing the pursuit.Police were alerted that the boy had run away from a home in Murfreesboro and was allegedly off joyriding with his family's UTV. 2 accused of taking $1.1M in armored truck robbery tracked down using Apple AirTag Authorities said that when the boy entered Wilson County deputies tried to stop the juvenile driver, but the 12-year-old took off "in a reckless manner," according to a Lebanon Police Dept. news release. (Courtesy: Lebanon Police Department) Officers ultimately caught up to the UTV as the boy continued his joyride through the streets of Lebanon, blowing through stop signs and swerving in and out of his lane, police said.Officials said responding officers followed the vehicle at a distance with unmarked vehicles ...

Cedar Park police officer arrested, accused of sexual assault

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:08 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- A Cedar Park police officer was arrested Friday by the Texas Rangers after being accused of sexual assault, according to a news release from the Cedar Park Police Department.The arrest stemmed from an allegation made to the department on Thursday, the release said.CPPD identified the officer accused as Keco Motton, who was with the department for 10 years, according to the release. Motton is no longer employed by the City, the release stated.After the victim came forward, CPPD immediately responded and contacted the Williamson County District Attorney's Office, as well as the Texas Rangers, to investigate the incident independently, the release said."We take allegations of sexual assault seriously and support all victims of crimes," CPPD Chief Mike Harmon said. "It is alarming when those allegations involve a law enforcement officer."CPPD said it expects its officers to set an example and uphold the agency's guiding values of "Community, Empathy, Accounta...