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Alaska faces new backlog in processing food stamp benefits after clearing older applications

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska state agency faces a new backlog in processing applications for people seeking food stamp benefits, more than a year after it first fell behind in recertifying applicants.The current backlog of new and returning applications totals about 6,000, the Anchorage Daily News reported. It was created after resources were focused on clearing an older backlog in applications from Alaskans who in some cases waited as long as 11 months for benefits from the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, said Deb Etheridge, director of the Alaska Division of Public Assistance. Etheridge said officials from the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service directed her agency to prioritize the older applications, even if meant newer applications might get delayed.The state also has resumed interviews and income verifications that were waived as part of the federal public health emergency related to the pandemic.“We knew that alone would also create probably some...

Plainfield landlord pleads not guilty in brutal killing on 6yo. Muslim-Palestinian boy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

JOLEIT, Ill. — Joseph Czuba, in a red jail jumpsuit, remained silent during his appearance inside Will County Courhouse Monday morning. The 71-year-old Air Force veteran, pleaded not guilty to eight counts against him.Last week, a Will County grand jury indicted Czuba on first-degree murder, attempted murder, battery and hate crime charges.Czuba is accused of fatally stabbing a young boy and seriously hurting his mother who were his tenants in unincorporated Plainfield Township.Prosecutors said 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times.  ‘He was my best friend’: Mother recuperates after 6-year-old boy killed in attack police call a hate crime His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was stabbed at least a dozen times.Joseph Czuba, 71, in Will County Courthouse Monday morning Investigators day Czuba targeted the mother and son because of their Muslim faith, and because of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and wanted them to move out believing that he and his wife “were in dang...

WATCH LIVE: Biden addresses his sweeping executive order on AI

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

President Biden and Vice President Harris are planning to hold an event at 2:30 p.m. ET related to this executive order. It is being livestreamed in the video player above.(The Hill) - President Biden on Monday issued a highly-anticipated sweeping executive order on artificial intelligence (AI), focused on seizing on the emerging technology and managing its risks.The order includes several new actions, which focus on areas like safety, privacy, protecting workers, and protecting innovation. “President Biden believes that we have an obligation to harness the power of AI for good, while protecting people from its potentially profound risks,” a senior administration official told reporters. McConnell, Speaker Johnson headed for shutdown clash over Ukraine The executive order includes new standards for safety, including requiring companies developing models that pose a serious risk to national security, economic security, or public health to notify the f...

See the Bulls' redesigned United Center court for the NBA in-season tournament

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

CHICAGO — The NBA is shaking things up a bit with their schedule in 2023 with the addition of an in-season tournament. To add some more flair to this event, the Bulls along with the other NBA teams are making a change in their home arenas for the event. On Monday, ahead of the start of the tournament this week, the league revealed the new courts that teams will use exclusively for the in-season tournament.(Courtesy: NBA)The Bulls will play their home contests on an all-red floor with the NBA's trophy for this new event being featured in the middle of the court and in the paint.It's arguably the biggest alteration to the design of the court the Bulls have had since moving into the United Center in the fall of 1994.(Courtesy: Chicago Bulls)The new-look floor will debut on Friday when the Bulls face the Nets in the first of four games in Group C of the tournament in the Western Conference at 7 p.m. A week later, the team will play their second group contest against the Magic at the Uni...

Goodwill employees in Wisconsin find 'live cluster bomblet' among donated items

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO) — Police in Janesville, Wisconsin, have yet to identify the person responsible for including a live explosive device in their donation to a local Goodwill outlet.Police were called to the Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Janesville on Friday at 11 a.m., after employees discovered ammunition and a "military grade" explosive device while organizing donated items, according to an alert issued by police.Amid the investigation, officials evacuated nearby businesses while residents were urged to avoid the entire city block. Mick Jagger floats donating song catalog to charity Bomb squad technicians with the Dane County Sheriff's Office ultimately identified the device as "a live cluster bomblet," police said."The device was collected by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and will be destroyed," Janesville Police wrote in an update Friday afternoon.The evacuated area, as well as the Goodwill, were reopened to workers and residents the same day.The per...

Navy ship made with World Trade Center steel in NYC for Veteran's Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

(NewsNation) — The USS New York, forged from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is returning to New York City in honor of Veterans Day. Named in memory of the victims of the terror attacks, the vessel's motto is “Strength Forged through Sacrifice, Never Forget," according to Military.com.The amphibious transport dock ship will participate in New York City's annual Veterans Day celebrations from Nov. 8-12. Ailing veteran gets wish to see B-52 he flew over Vietnam 50 years ago “We are absolutely honored to return to our namesake city and look forward to engaging with the local community during our visit,” said Capt. Benjamin Oakes, commanding officer of USS New York. “It’s especially meaningful to be in our city during Veterans Week where we have the opportunity to thank our nation’s veterans for their service and sacrifice.”The USS New York is one of three amphibious transport dock ships named in honor of the victims of the 9/11 attack...

Rain starting to end but cold air will stick around

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Afternoon temperatures will rise into mostly the low to mid 40s with a biting north wind 15 to 25 mph and gusts as high as 30 to 35 mph. The forecast high for Austin is 45°. If achieved, it will be the coldest high temperature ever at Camp Mabry on this date. The current coldest October 30th is 49° set in 2019.A biting north wind will continue this afternoonRain was widespread during the overnight hours through the morning. There will be a 20% chance of continued mostly light rain this afternoon and evening.There may be some clearing during the overnight hours. Tomorrow will start out partly cloudy with clearing to a mostly sunny sky during the afternoon. Halloween's highs will reach the mid/upper 50s to around 60°. But the more important forecast for Tuesday will be the "Trick-or-Treat" forecast.The sky will be clear. Temperatures will be cool as depicted in the graphic below. The cool air will be made to feel even cooler with a north to northeast wind 10 to 15 mph...

Commission could recommend lowering fees for midwife licenses in Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Those looking for a midwife license in Texas or renewing an existing one in Texas could soon pay less. A recommendation is to reduce the initial license fee from $275 to $195. The renewal fee would also be reduced from $550 to $390, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.The final decision is up to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. It will consider the lowered fees at its Dec. 1 meeting. If approved, a TDLR spokesperson said the change is expected to take effect Jan. 1, which is before midwives renew their licenses in February 2024.  INVESTIGATION: Shortage of Black midwives causing concern In July 2020, KXAN reported on a shortage of Black midwives as advocacy organizations said more women were moving towards home births during the pandemic.Over the last two years, the number of new licenses issued and renewals decreased, according to a staff report. In fiscal year 2022, there were 43 new licenses issued compared t...

Double digits? Gophers look to end nine-game losing streak to Bret Bielema-coached teams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

Illinois coach Bret Bielema and Gophers coach P.J. Fleck talked about a shared opponent during an offseason event: the Iowa Hawkeyes.Bielema reminded Fleck there is a “strategic way to beat” the Hawkeyes. The Illini did it last year with a 9-6 victory, and the Gophers got over the hump with a 12-10 win on Oct. 21.“It’s really hard to do it,” Fleck recalled Bielema sharing. “You got to be willing to commit to it. As tempting as it is and as frustrating as it it can get, you just have to stick with the plan.”It has proven difficult for the Gophers to beat Bielema anywhere at any time. He has a perfect 9-0 record against Minnesota — 7-0 during his years coaching at Wisconsin (2006-12) and 2-0 with the Illini — going into Saturday’s game at Huntington Bank Stadium.Fleck and Bielema didn’t talk about games against each other.“It’s just awkward,” Fleck said of that topic coming up. “One won; one lost. And usually you are being really complimentary. It’s usually just about other games and ...

Vikings confirm quarterback Kirk Cousins has torn Achilles tendon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:27 GMT

Less than 24 hours after it happened, the Vikings confirmed everybody’s worst fear.Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI on Monday morning that revealed he has torn his Achilles tendon.That was the assumption after Cousins was carted off the field on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. He suffered the major injury while trying to step up in the pocket with the Vikings well on their way to a 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers. He hopped off the field without putting any weight on his right foot before eventually making his way to the medical tent.This is devastating news for the Vikings, to say the least, especially considering they had won three games in a row to get themselves back into the NFC North race. Now they are left to pick up the pieces without Cousins at the helm.The details for his upcoming surgery will be determined at some point this week.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings could be turning to rookie quarterback Jaren Hall for fore...