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Canadian man whose family remains in Gaza pleads government to help 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

It’s been a rollercoaster for the Canadians stuck in Gaza as they continue to waiting for that window to exit the war zone, and families are overwhelmed with fear, telling CityNews every minute that passes is a matter of life and death for their loved ones. Nael Alhalees calls it a living hell, knowing his wife, two children and their extended family are trapped under a rain of air strikes, struggling for food and water. Their only chance at reaching safety is the hands of the Canadian government“I don’t know if words can describe the atrocity the disastrous that the Palestinian people are facing,” Alhalees said. “My daughter, she said, ‘We are in total starvation.’ My daughter, Layan, tells me, … [They] only eat one meal a day.”Alhalees’ family lives in the Gaza strip while he splits his time between Ontario and the Middle East for business reasons. He was at their home here in Burlington when the war began.&n...

Starbucks increases US hourly wages and adds other benefits for non-union workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

Starbucks is increasing pay and benefits for most of its U.S. hourly workers after ending its fiscal year with record sales.But the company said Monday that unionized workers won’t be eligible for some of those perks, a sign of the continuing tension between the Seattle coffee giant and the union trying to organize its U.S. stores.At least 366 U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since 2021, according to the National Labor Relations Board. But Starbucks and the Workers United union have yet to reach a labor agreement at any of those stores. Starbucks has 9,600 company-operated stores in the U.S.Starbucks said Monday it will increase wages — which currently average $17.50 per hour — starting Jan. 1. Employees at both union and non-union stores who have worked four years or less will get raises of 3% or 4% depending on years of service. Employees who have worked five years or more will be eligible for a 5% increase, but since that’s a new benefit, it must be negoti...

Trump testimony wraps in New York civil fraud case: Recap

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

Former President Trump clashed frequently with the judge overseeing his New York fraud trial as the former president spent hours on the witness stand in Manhattan on Monday.Trump's highly anticipated testimony grew chaotic, with the judge asking Trump's attorney to take control of his client. The former president also ticked off his political grievances from the witness stand, to which the judge responded that the court hearing was "not a political rally."The trial puts Trump's long storied career as a real estate mogul and business executive in major jeopardy. At stake are Trump's business licenses and the potential for him to lose control of some of his most famed properties. Follow below for live updates from The Hill's Ella Lee in New York.

Iron Maiden heading back to Chicago next fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

CHICAGO -- One of the biggest bands in heavy metal for the past four decades will return to the Windy City for yet another legendary performance.Iron Maiden will bring their "The Future Past World Tour 2024" to Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Thursday, Oct. 24. Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins to play at Wrigley Field next summer The Grammy Award winning rock band from East London broke into the main stream with their 1982 hit song "The Number of the Beast." With nearly 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" and "Run to the Hills" have over 330 million streams individually.Iron Maiden last performed in Chicago at the United Center during their "Legacy of the Beast Tour" in 2022.The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.Tickets on sale now. For ticket information, click here.

Purple Heart returned to Illinois veteran's family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that a Purple Heart awarded to a late Will County Marine has been returned to his only daughter.A State Treasurer news release states that this is the 10th medal returned as part of a mission to return Purple Hearts to rightful owners.Marine Corps Private First-Class Charles John Alexander was an infantryman with the Marines in the Pacific Theater during WWII. A bullet tore through his knee in combat while advancing during Operation Forager. School bus driver on leave after Halloween candy cannabis scare Alexander had a limp for the rest of his life.“Private First Class Alexander served his country nearly 70 years ago, but it is never too late to honor his sacrifice,” Frerichs said.Debbie Ernest is Alexander's oldest living daughter, and she and her husband accepted the medal at a private ceremony.“Having my Dad’s Purple Heart in my hands means more than words can say,” Ernest said. “I am very proud of my Fa...

Chicago City Council committee holds hearing on Peoples Gas rate hike request

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A hearing was held on Monday morning by a Chicago City Council committee to discuss a recently requested rate hike by Peoples Gas.Representatives from the Peoples Gas and consumer advocates appeared before the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy as it sought an explanation on why the utility provider has requested the rate hike after six years of record profits.  Cubs hiring Craig Counsell to replace David Ross as manager According to Ald. Bill Conway (34th Ward), who introduced the resolution, Peoples Gas requested that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approve a $402 million rate hike, which would result in residential gas bills climbing by about $11.83 per month. Conway said the natural gas utility's parent company, WEC Energy Group, credited late fee revenue as the primary driver of yearly profit increases in a 2023 report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).According to the alderman, Peoples Gas provides gas to 884,000 customers in Chic...

Dog adopted after 7 years in Pennsylvania shelter -- and a shocking discovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -- A woman in Pennsylvania gave a longtime rescue dog named Ella a new home in what a Bloomsburg shelter called "an extremely special adoption." Saying "you might want to grab a tissue real quick for this one," the Animal Resource Center stated that Ella had been at the shelter for the last seven years, making her the center's longest resident. Recently, a woman identified only as Kaitlyn emailed the adoption center about her interest in adopting Ella. Katlyn told the center that her dog, Jo, had passed away a few months prior and that she was ready for another dog. According to the center, when Ella saw Kaitlyn, the staff knew Ella had found her "person." Ella, who had a history of fear and aggression, usually needed multiple visits for her to get comfortable with strangers. That was not the case with Kaitlyn."She immediately walked over to Kaitlyn with no hesitation, allowing her to give Ella scratches and pets right away," the center said. Photo: Animal Re...

San Marcos City Council set to vote on vision plan for next 20 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Tonight, the San Marcos City Council is set to vote on its comprehensive plan called Vision SMTX ++. This plan will serve as a roadmap for the city's next 20 years. According to the plan, San Marcos has grown at a faster rate than Hays County over the past two decades. RELATED TOPIC: Demand at San Marcos Airport grows, record number takeoffs and landings "Due to the location of San Marcos at the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor and presence of Texas State University, the City is expected to continue growing at a relatively rapid rate," the plan said. With that growth, comes the need for a plan to address it. The current plan, Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us, was adopted back in 2013. "Although it has only been approximately ten years since the current Comprehensive Plan was written, many changes have occurred within the city; populations, land area, and the number of students at Texas State University have all continued to increase," ...

Man arrested, accused of hitting woman with vehicle in northeast Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified the suspect and victim in a deadly vehicle-pedestrian crash that happened in October in northeast Austin. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? Shortly after 5 a.m., Oct. 22, officers responded to the 700 block of East Braker Lane for the crash, police said.Romel A. Diaz George, 24 | Courtesy Austin Police DepartmentThe victim was identified as Jessica Adams, 37. The man accused of hitting Adams was identified as Romel A. Diaz George, 24, according to police.Police arrived on the scene and found Adams but could not find the vehicle involved in the crash, the release said.During the investigation, police identified Diaz George as a suspect in the crash. Then, on Oct. 29, he was arrested and charged with failure to stop and render aid, according to police.Attorney information for Diaz George wasn't available as of Monday afternoon.APD said this crash is being investigated as Austin's 74th fatal crash, result...

East Austin’s Green and White Grocery could get historical protection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A longtime east Austin business could get historical protection soon. The Historic Landmark Commission voted Wednesday to initiate the historic zoning. It was brought forward by two commissioners as a committee-initiated process. The owner of Green and White Grocery, John Cazares, sent a letter supporting the move. Green and White Grocery is at 1201 E. Seventh St. in east Austin.“I believe the historical zoning will greatly benefit the store and property as well as maintain a portion of the [area’s] original character,” Cazares wrote to the commission. During the meeting, city staff said a historic zoning public hearing would be held next month, and notification letters would be sent out. Commissioner Jaime Alvarez wrote in his request that the store “served as a fixture to the East Austin Mexican American community” since it opened in the 1930s. According to the business, it opened as a grocery store and meat market. Norberto Lopez started the bu...