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Illinois' new e-cigarette ban takes effect on New Year's Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

ILLINOIS - Starting on New Year's Day, e-cigarette use will no longer be permitted in indoor public spaces in Illinois. It's part of an amendment to the Smoke Free Illinois Act taking effect next year. The new law also bans the use of e-cigarette devices within 15 feet of a public entrance.The Illinois Department of Public Health supports the intent of the new law, one of several taking effect in the new year that will improve public health across the state.“E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals which can be harmful to both those who use them and those who are exposed to them,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Just like smoking, vaping can lead to lung damage and nicotine addiction. We applaud the General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker for their leadership to ensure that public spaces in Illinois are safe, clean environments for everyone.” Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The update to the Smoke Free Illinois Act is just one of several new laws that take effec...

Nikki Haley forced to respond to controversy sparked by Civil War comments

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is fighting back after critics hit her for comments about the Civil War.It was at a town hall in New Hampshire on Wednesday night when Haley's surging presidential campaign hit a snag. During the Q&A portion of the event a voter asked her, "What was the cause of the United States civil War?""Well, don't come with an easy question, right? I mean, I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do," Haley responded. She continued her answer by speaking about government, individual freedom, and capitalism. The voter replied by telling Haley he was astonished she didn't mention slavery. "What do you want me to say about slavery?" Haley asked. "You answered my question. Thank you," the voter said. While Haley moved on to the next question, the exchange sparked backlash. On social media platform X, Pre...

APD officer charged with murder now on paid administrative duty, department says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Senior Police Officer Christopher Taylor, whose case resulted in a mistrial last month due to a hung jury, will now return to work administrative duty at the Austin Police Department, APD told KXAN.The department previously placed Taylor on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of his criminal charges. "This means he will be providing administrative support to our bureau detectives," APD said. PREVIOIS: Austin police officer’s murder trial ends in hung jury, mistrial In November, Taylor stood trial for murder in the 2020 shooting death of Michael Ramos. A judge declared a mistrial declared after jurors could not come to a unanimous decision. Prior to that, a judge also granted a mistrial in May due to various issues during jury selection.Taylor also faces a murder charge for the 2019 death of Mauris Nishanga DeSilva.In response to KXAN's question about the reason behind this decision, APD responded by saying, "This adjustment was made to maint...

Widespread freeze expected overnight

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday morning looks to bring the coldest temperatures of the week with a near-widespread freeze, even across much of Austin.Residents are advised to protect pets, pipes, plants and people Thursday night into Friday morning, as some colder valleys and rural areas fall into hard freeze territory in the 20s.Forecast low temperatures Friday morningGorgeous weather wraps up the year 2023 this weekend as warmer winds blow into the area. High temperatures rise to near 70 or the lower 70s in many areas both Saturday and Sunday.A dry cold front blows through the area New Year's Eve, leading to chilly midnight temperatures in the middle 40s with breezy winds.Chilly, wet start to 2024We are tracking a cold, wet start to the new year next week as a storm system arrives Tuesday into early Wednesday behind the New Year's Eve cold front.Chilly, light rain is likely at times Tuesday into early Wednesday. While rain totals are expected to be light overall, generally under 1/2", it ...

Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effect

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — When Texas college students return to their campuses after the winter break, they’ll discover the lights are still off in their campuses’ diversity offices.That’s because a new law that outlaws such work at the state’s higher education institutions goes into effect, Jan. 1.Another 29 laws also will go into effect in the new year that aim to change the economy, tax codes and the criminal justice system.Many of the new laws seek to streamline tax codes and update property appraisal processes, while others touch on more unique issues like e-cigarette usage in minors and commemorative state license plates. Here are some of the laws:Dissolving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities: Senate Bill 17 requires public universities to end so-called diversity, equity and inclusion work. Universities will also be unable to offer training on diversity and inclusion for its faculty and staff, or require diversity statements in hiring processes. Univ...

Boomers are moving to these cities for their golden years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

(Stacker) — While many baby boomers have now entered retirement, many more remain in the workforce with retirement upcoming. As this generation transitions into retired life, many may choose to move to a city more suitable for their new cash flows and routines. Some places may offer better tax advantages, lower cost of living, proximity to family, comfortable weather, and other amenities for retirees. Ultimately, the migration of boomers – and their economic power – will impact the local economies they move to and from.With this in mind, SmartAsset examined Census Bureau data for 268 of the largest U.S. cities to see where people between the ages of 55 and 74 are moving. Cities are ranked by the rate at which baby boomers moved in in 2022.Key findingsThese Florida, Arizona, and Nevada cities dominate the top 10. The three states are home to eight of the 10 cities with the biggest boomer inflows, including Clearwater, FL; Reno, NV; Orlando, FL; Cape Coral, FL; Surprise, AZ; Henderson...

Most popular TV shows on Netflix last week

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

(Stacker) — The latest batch of most-watched TV shows on Netflix proves subscribers have been binge-watching some old favorites this Christmas season.In fact, there was one new entry on last week's list: "Trevor Noah: Where Was I." The Netflix stand-up special from the former host of "The Daily Show" came out on Dec. 19. It sees the comedian relaying amusing anecdotes from his recent travels. Ever since leaving "The Daily Show," Noah has been performing all over the world. The comedy special, Noah's fourth for Netflix, was filmed at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.Meanwhile, the live-action anime adaptation "Yu Yu Hakusho" is getting comfortable on Netflix's top 10 TV shows chart after its Dec. 14 premiere. Based on the manga of the same name and the subsequent anime series, "Yu Yu Hakusho" follows a young man named Yusuke (Takumi Kitamura) who dies and is brought back to the world as a paranormal detective. The adaptation heavily condenses the events of the source material, which has ga...

Gophers men’s basketball: Al Nolen shares ‘dark space’ he went through as a player

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

Al Nolen spoke from a place of empathy during the radio broadcast of the Gophers men’s basketball game on Dec. 12.Gophers sophomore guard Braeden Carrington had stepped away from the program earlier that day to address his mental health. And just after tipoff, Nolen, the new KFAN analyst, briefly shared his own struggles playing for the Gophers from 2007-11.“It was just being in a dark space,” Nolen later described to the Pioneer Press in a Dec. 15 interview.Nolen said his issues came to a head during his sophomore season in 2008-09, when he felt acute pressure of being a Minnesotan playing for the home-state Big Ten school.“People want to see you do well, obviously,” said Nolen, who attended Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis. “But at the same time, they have a standard for you and what they want out of you as a Division I athlete.”Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson has been sympathetic and supportive to Carrington’s situation, granting him the space he needs.On Wedne...

Sheriff Russo reflects on 48-year career in law enforcement

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Rensselaer County’s top law enforcement officer is stepping down after decades of service to the county. Sheriff Patrick Russo is hanging up his holster and his badge for the final time after 48 years of law enforcement service. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Friends, family, and government officials came out to show their support for a man who never thought he would spend nearly five decades protecting and serving.“It actually started when I had been working for Niagara Mohawk and they had a couple of layoffs, and I wasn't sure if they were going to do another one," said Russo. "I had taken the police exam and I had some interest in becoming an officer and that's just the way it started.Sheriff Russo began his career with the Troy Police Department in the narcotics unit. He says what he learned on the force was instrumental in creating the Sheriff’s narcotic team. “When I came down here originally as the undersh...

NY Independent Redistricting Commission shares update on process

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--- New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission held a short meeting in Albany to discuss rehiring staff. The meeting was held just weeks after the state’s highest court ruled the commission must redraw New York’s Congressional lines. Commissioners Ken Jenkins and Charles Nesbitt shared an update on the task of coming up with a Congressional map by the end of February.https://www.news10.com/news/national/ap-new-yorks-high-court-orders-new-congressional-maps-as-democrats-move-to-retake-control-of-us-house/"We’re gonna fulfill the outlines of what’s in the state constitution and present pursuant to court order by February 28th, no later than February 28th which is the exact language in there, to the state legislature a set of congressional lines," explained Jenkins.It is unclear whether the IRC will create a totally new map or base it off the map that was court ordered to be drawn by a special master in 2022.Jenkins said the IRC has all the public input and in...