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California law restricting companies’ use of information from kids online is halted by federal judge

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has halted implementation of a California law intended to restrict companies’ use of information gathered from young internet users in order to protect the privacy of minors. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman on Monday granted a preliminary injunction, saying the legislation interferes with firms’ use of the internet in ways the state has failed to justify.The law would require businesses to report to the state on any product or service they offer on the internet that is likely to be accessed by those under 18, and provide plans to reduce any harms minors might suffer. It would also prohibit businesses from collecting most types of personal information about young internet users, including their physical locations.“The State has no right to enforce obligations that would essentially press private companies into service as government censors,” Freeman wrote. The judge wrote that while she is “keenly aware of the myriad harms t...

Sikh community ‘reeling’ on news of India interference in death: B.C.’s AG says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

British Columbia’s attorney general says the community is reeling over news that the Canadian government is investigating a link between the shooting death of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the government of India, although insiders say it’s not a surprise. Niki Sharma says the link is shocking and every B.C. resident has the freedom to express their political views without the threat of violence and harm. She says the province will do everything necessary to make sure that if there are other B.C. residents under threat that they are protected. Mukhbir Singh of the World Sikh Organization says Sikhs have been speaking out against India’s targeting of its community members for years, including allegations of espionage, spreading disinformation and now murder.Singh told an Ottawa news conference that he wants Sikhs at risk to receive more protection, while noting that some members have been told by officials that they need to move away to keep themselves safe. ...

Russia has turned food, energy and even children into weapons against Ukraine, Zelenskyy says at UN

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is “weaponizing” everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine — and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them.“When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there,” he said at the U.N. General Assembly’s annual top-level meeting. “The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you — against the international rules-based order.”The war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices, jolting the global economy and increasing hardship in many developing countries.Decades-old energy supply channels to Europe from Russia, a major oil and gas producer, were halted or severely disrupted by the war due to sanctions, trade disputes, pipeline shutoffs and a major push by Western cou...

2 DuPage County residents die from West Nile virus

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — DuPage County's health department on Tuesday confirmed its first two human West Nile virus-related deaths. County health officials said an Addison resident in their 70s and a West Chicago resident in their 60s both became ill in late August and later died, marking the first casualties linked to the illness this year. Year-to-date, DuPage County health officials state six human cases have been reported."We are saddened to report the first two deaths from West Nile virus in DuPage County for 2023," said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department. "Please make sure to protect yourself and loved ones from mosquito bites and reduce your exposure."Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Officials add that less than 1% of patients will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.People over the age of 60 and those who have serious health ailments - canc...

Police offer warning to Lake View businesses after rash of early-morning break-ins

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning after a rash of burglaries at businesses in the city's Lake View neighborhood last week. According to police, the burglaries happened within half a mile of each other in the early morning hours between Wednesday, Sept. 13, and Friday, Sept. 15.  Suspect in custody after shooting sends Bolingbrook police on manhunt Police say in each instance, a man, who is believed to be between 20 and 30 years of age, broke through the windows and doors of four different Lake View businesses and stole items from inside.Officers say at the time of the burglaries, the man was seen carrying a black backpack while wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a surgical face mask.Chicago police provided the following timeline of the burglaries that took place in the early morning hours between 9/13/23 and 9/15/23:3400 block of North Clark Street at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.3400 block of North Clark Street at 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.1000 block ...

Video shows Alabama police use stun gun on band director who wouldn't stop performance

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Attorney Juandalynn Givan released a video on Monday from a bystander showing the moments that led to Birmingham Police using a stun gun to detain Minor High School Band Director Johnny Mims.Birmingham Police say it happened after the Minor and Jackson Olin High School football game last Thursday. On Monday night, BPD released the body camera footage showing the officer who used the stun gun on Mims.BPD said officers were trying to clear out the stadium when they asked both Minor and Jackson Olin's band directors to stop their performances. Police say Jackson Olin's band stopped while Minor's did not, and Johnny Mims didn't comply.Mims was treated at UAB Hospital and arrested. He was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest. Musk: X, formerly Twitter, ‘moving toward’ monthly fee Following his arrest, Jefferson County Schools released a statement saying they are in the process of gathering all the facts and have no further comment. ...

UT president holds State of the University Tuesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 19, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin's President Jay Hartzell will deliver the school's annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon. Report: UT Austin ranked 9th best public university in the nation The address is set to start at 3 p.m. and will highlight UT's goals, initiatives, opportunities and overall progress, a release said. This will mark Hartzell's fourth State of the University address since he was appointed as the university's president in 2020. The address will be streamed in this story and on KXAN's Facebook page.Where UT stands in latest rankingsIn the U.S. News & World Report 2024 undergraduat rankings released Monday, UT was ranked as the ninth-best public university in the country and No. 1 among public universities in Texas.Overall, UT ranked No. 32 among both public and private schools this year, climbing six places from its 2023 ranking.Within the university, the McC...

San Marcos PD unveils new interview room to support victims, survivors

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- The San Marcos Police Department announced it has a new space aimed at creating compassion, safety and comfort. "Survivors of crime, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and children in traumatic situations will be able to use a 'soft interview room' to get the appropriate help they need," the City of San Marcos' news release said. According to the release, the room features the following: Soft lightingWhite noiseSoft textiles like couches and blanketsToysBean bag chair"Children will be able to play with toys, grab a bean chair and watch a movie, or find a fun book to read," the release said. SMPD unveiled its new soft interview room. It's aimed at creating a more comforting space for victims and survivors. (Photo: SMPD) SMPD unveiled its new soft interview room. It's aimed at creating a more comforting space for victims and survivors. (Photo: SMPD) SMPD unveiled its new soft interview room. It's aimed at creating a more comforting space for victims and survi...

Loons have themselves — not refs — to blame for precarious position for MLS Cup Playoffs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

After Minnesota United lost 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night, manager Adrian Heath and center back Michael Boxall said poor officiating contributed to the result.While it played a role, blaming the referees distracts from MNUFC’s primary issues.The Loons failed to convert multiple scoring chances and a glaring defensive lapse at left fullback led to their latest letdown at Allianz Field this season.Referee Tori Penso didn’t call a foul on Andreu Fountas for impeding Emanuel Reynoso at the 82:04 mark in the second half. On replay, Fountas was not seen grabbing Reynoso, who appears to embellish the amount of contact. Fountas had been booked with yellow card in the first half and a second would have put K.C. down to 10 men, ratcheting up the stakes within the no-call. It wasn’t a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, either, with another K.C. defender within a few yards of the action. More importantly, the no-call did not have a domino effect to the goal conceded.The game ...

Man who punched and bit St. Paul police officer during arrest given probation, returns to home state

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:55:28 GMT

A Virginia man will not serve additional jail time for a violent assault on a St. Paul police officer in 2021.Cuyler Mason Howard, 22, had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in connection with attacking and repeatedly punching officer Michael Ganzel during an arrest in the city’s Summit Hill neighborhood.Ramsey County District Judge Kelly Olmstead on Monday followed a plea agreement that Howard reached with the prosecution in June, staying an 86-day jail sentence for one year and dismissing two felony charges — fourth-degree assault of a peace officer and attempting to disarm a peace officer. Howard had served four days in jail after his arrest.Bruises are seen on the face of St. Paul Police Officer Michael Ganzel after an alleged attack by a man he was trying to arrest Sept. 24, 2021. (Courtesy of the St. Paul Police Department)Ganzel, who was in the courtroom with his wife and her father, experiences headaches, vision issues, ringing in his ears and PTSD as a result of th...