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Chicago Bears’ stadium move remains at an impasse as lawmakers want impact studies — and team wants legislation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

Two of Arlington Heights’ Democratic state lawmakers wanted to talk about full-day kindergarten and affordable housing, but a good chunk of the people who attended a town hall meeting Thursday wanted to hear about one thing: the Chicago Bears’ proposed move to the suburbs.Residents asked a series of questions: When will a Bears bill pass in Springfield? What else would be a good option? Would Amazon be a better neighbor?“Any legislation is a bit premature,” state Rep. Mary Beth Canty said. “Without the impact studies … we’re just not going to have concrete numbers.”The Bears have purchased the Arlington International Racecourse property with the intent of building a new stadium on the site. But last week, team officials said plans to move to Arlington Heights are “at risk.” Team president Kevin Warren met with Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli about a possible move to that city and later with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to di...

Top free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins set to visit Patriots, per report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

The possibility of DeAndre Hopkins joining the Patriots is picking up steam.The veteran wide receiver and the premier free agent on the market is traveling to Foxboro to visit the Patriots next week, according to a report on Friday from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Hopkins is also reportedly visiting the Titans, and will stop with the Patriots after.The 31-year-old Hopkins was released by the Cardinals two weeks ago after three seasons in Arizona. His availability is obviously intriguing for the Patriots, as the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro could serve as the elite pass-catcher and weapon that third-year quarterback Mac Jones hasn’t had in the league. Hopkins would bolster and lead a group that includes Juju Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker.Hopkins was also coached by Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who was the wide receiver’s head coach with the Texans for six seasons, so a potential reunion would be fascinating. Reports suggest the ...

Here’s a quick glance at unemployment rates for May, by province

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s national unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in May. Here are the jobless rates last month by province (numbers from the previous month in brackets):_ Newfoundland and Labrador 10.2 per cent (10.1)_ Prince Edward Island 7.2 per cent (7.1)_ Nova Scotia 5.7 per cent (6.3)_ New Brunswick 6.1 per cent (6.1)_ Quebec 4.0 per cent (4.1)_ Ontario 5.5 per cent (4.9)_ Manitoba 4.8 per cent (4.8)_ Saskatchewan 4.4 per cent (4.8)_ Alberta 5.7 per cent (5.9)_ British Columbia 5.0 per cent (5.0)This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023.The Canadian Press

National employment numbers for May from Statistics Canada, at a glance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

OTTAWA — A quick look at Canada’s May employment (numbers from the previous month in brackets):Unemployment rate: 5.2 per cent (5.0)Employment rate: 62.1 per cent (62.4)Participation rate: 65.5 per cent (65.6)Number unemployed: 1,093,000 (1,058,200)Number working: 20,112,900 (20,130,200)Youth (15-24 years) unemployment rate: 10.7 per cent (9.6)Men (25 plus) unemployment rate: 4.3 per cent (4.4)Women (25 plus) unemployment rate: 4.2 per cent (4.0)This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023.The Canadian Press

Republican Rep. Gallagher won’t run for US Senate in Wisconsin, leaving open field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher announced Friday that he won’t run for U.S. Senate in 2024 against Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, leaving an open GOP field with no declared candidates in the battleground state.Gallagher was the highest profile Republican said to be considering a run against Baldwin, who is seeking a third term after an 11-point win in 2018. Baldwin is viewed as a formidable opponent due to her strong showing six years ago, her high profile across the state and her ability to raise money.Democrats, including Baldwin, are defending 23 seats in the U.S. Senate in 2024, including two held by independents who caucus with Democrats. That’s compared with just 10 seats that Republicans hope to keep in their column.Wisconsin’s other senator, Republican Ron Johnson, narrowly won reelection to a third term in November. Baldwin will be on the ballot in a presidential year in a state where four of the past six presidential elec...

Man pleads guilty to helping 2 others accused in the fatal shooting of rapper Young Dolph

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man pleaded guilty Friday to helping two other men charged with fatally shooting rapper Young Dolph in a daytime ambush at a Memphis bakery.Jermarcus Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact. Judge Lee Coffee approved a plea deal with prosecutors, allowing him to avoid trial.Johnson acknowledged helping the two alleged shooters communicate after the killing while they were on the run from authorities and helped one of the alleged shooters communicate with his probation officer after the killing.The Associated Press

Texas businessman tied to impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton to appear in federal court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A businessman at the center of the scandal that led to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s historic impeachment is set to make an initial appearance in federal court Friday morning following his arrest by the FBI.Nate Paul, 36, was taken into custody and booked into an Austin jail on Thursday afternoon, according to Travis County Sheriff’s Office records. Federal prosecutors are yet to reveal what charges led to his arrest, but the records showed he was being held on a federal detainer for a felony.The Austin real estate developer’s arrest followed a yearslong federal investigation. Paxton involved his office in that probe, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to his impeachment and suspension from office last month.A lawyer for Paul, David Gerger, said his client may comment after his court appearance. One of Paxton’s defense attorneys, Dan Cogdell, said he had no additional information on the arrest.FBI agents examining Paul’s troubled real ...

OPP searching for 3 missing kids from First Nation in Muskoka

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

Provincial police in Bracebridge are looking for three children who went missing in Muskoka earlier this week.The three were last seen in the Wahta Mohawk Territory on June 5. The First Nation is just west of Bala Ont. and about halfway between Barrie and Parry Sound.Police are looking for 15-year-old Josiah, 12-year-old Winter, and seven-year-old Summer, who all have brown hair.An Amber Alert has not been issued.Anyone with information is being asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.#MISSING: #BracebridgeOPP attempting to locate 15-year-old Josiah, 12-year-old Winter, and 7-year-old Summer. Last seen June 5, 2023 in the Wahta Mohawk Territory. Any information, please call the #OPP at 1-888-310-1122 ^am pic.twitter.com/zmXWJpyG0p— OPPCommunicationsCR (@OPP_COMM_CR) June 9, 2023    

Missouri Supreme Court declines to halt August execution of man convicted of killing child

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

The Missouri Supreme Court has turned aside an appeal by a man scheduled to be executed in August for killing a 6-year-old girl.Johnny Johnson, 45, was convicted of first-degree murder in in the 2002 death of Casey Williamson in suburban St. Louis. He faces execution Aug. 1 unless the courts intervene or Republican Gov. Mike Parson grants clemency.Johnson’s lawyers said in the appeal that he is incompetent to be executed because his schizophrenia prevents him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. The appeal said Johnson has delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.The Missouri Attorney General’s Office challenged the credibilty of the psychiatric evaluation and said medical records indicate that Johnson is able to manage his mental illness through medication. The state Supreme Court, in a 6-1 ruling, agreed.Johnson was staying with friends in Valley Park, Missouri, in July 2002, when Casey went missing. Doz...

Reports: Former Italian Premier Berlusconi readmitted to hospital 3 weeks after release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:53:27 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been admitted to a Milan hospital where he spent 45 days this spring being treated for a lung infection and chronic leukemia, Italian media reported Friday.The 86-year-old media mogul and former three-time premier was readmitted to San Raffaele Hospital, where he was expected to spend at least one night, Italian news agency LaPresse reported, citing anonymous sources. Berlusconi spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation. Berlusconi was discharged from San Raffaele exactly three weeks ago. His Forza Italia Party is part of Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition but currently has no Cabinet posts. Berlusconi holds a seat in the Italian Senate.The Associated Press