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Conservatives go to red states and liberals go to blue as the country grows more polarized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

STAR, Idaho (AP) — Once he and his wife, Jennifer, moved to a Boise suburb last year, Tim Kohl could finally express himself.Kohl did what the couple never dared at their previous house outside of Los Angeles — the newly-retired Los Angeles police officer flew a U.S. flag and a Thin Blue Line banner representing law enforcement outside his house.“We were scared to put it up,” Jennifer Kohl acknowledged. But the Kohls knew they had moved to the right place when neighbors complimented him on the display.Leah Dean is on the opposite end of the political spectrum, but she knows how the Kohls feel. In Texas, Dean had been scared to fly an abortion rights banner outside her house. Around the time the Kohls were house-hunting in Idaho, she and her partner found a place in Denver, where their LGBTQ+ pride flag flies above the banner in front of their house that proclaims “Abortion access is a community responsibility.”“One thing we have really found is a place to feel comfortable being ours...

Some vehicle updates are better than others and experts at Edmunds fill you in on the top 5 for 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

A few years into a new model’s launch, automakers will often update it with new features to spur interest and sales before it receives a full redesign. This update, which is commonly called a midcycle refresh, can vary in scope from revised styling to new engines and updated technology.These refreshed versions can be more desirable than the model years that preceded them, as they often remedy complaints from previous owners. Features that were once optional can become standard. A polarizing exterior might be given a face-lift to appeal to a wider audience. There’s also an opportunity for greater reliability since the automaker has had the time to fine-tune any issues that might have surfaced over the years. With this in mind, the automotive experts at Edmunds have gathered five noteworthy vehicle updates for 2024. 2024 HYUNDAI SONATA After debuting in 2020, the current Hyundai Sonata gets a face-lift with changes both inside and out. Inside, the Sonata ha...

GTA bracing for another steamy day. Extreme heat won’t relent for days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

The GTA is in for a another day of extreme heat with the sweltering conditions not expected to let up until later this week.It already felt close to 30 C as most Torontonians were waking up on Wednesday morning — it’s expected to feel much hotter later in the day with a high of 32 C expected.A heat warning remains in effect for much of Ontario with humidex values expected to be closer to 40. Thursday will bring much of the same, with a daytime high near 30 C and a chance of severe storms in the evening.Overnight temperatures will continue to hover around 20 C, offering little relief to the daytime heat. The hot and muggy air should relent on Friday when it will likely be several degrees cooler.Young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors are at greater risk during periods of extreme heat. Environment Canada is reminding residents to never leave pets or people in cars unattended, for any amount of ti...

Biden is hosting Sweden’s prime minister at the White House in a show of support for its NATO bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to host Sweden’s prime minister at the White House on Wednesday in a show of solidarity as the United States presses for the Nordic nation’s entry into NATO, a week before the alliance’s summit. Biden and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will “review our growing security cooperation and reaffirm their view that Sweden should join NATO as soon as possible,” the White House said a statement announcing the meeting. The leaders also will discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine and matters involving China.Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their longstanding policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, seeking protection under the organization’s security umbrella. Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile or 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, joined NATO in April. But Sweden, which has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, has seen its ascension delayed by Turk...

EU executive chides Poland, Hungary for democratic deficiencies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive on Wednesday chided Poland and Hungary for democratic deficiencies that have been accerbated by measures taken or left unaddressed by the current governments. While the EU Commission’s annual rule of law report noted a smattering of improvements in the two nations, it also underscored many remaining shortcomings that highlight the standoff between the Brussels-based EU institutions and the two east European nations. It constitutes one of the fundamental problems within the 27-nation bloc that has always sought to be a beacon of Western political liberalism in a world where autocracies sway ever more power. In the 35-page report, Poland came up time and again, specifically on legal issues that haven’t been fully addressed despite years of wrangling between Brussels and Poland, and EU action to deny Poland access to some EU funds. The report said there were still “serious concerns” related to the state institution ...

Several garages damaged in fire on Southwest Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Several garages were damaged in a fire early Wednesday on Chicago’s West Side.Chicago fire officials said the fire started in the 5700 block of West 64th Place around 1 a.m.Police and fire crews responded to the call and found six garages on fire.Firefighters extinguished the fires.No injuries were reported. No homes were damaged.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesOfficials said the fire started in one garage and spread to adjacent garages.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Man dies after being pulled from Lincoln Park lagoon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has died after he was pulled from the lagoon in Lincoln Park on the Fourth of July.According to Chicago Fire Department officials, emergency crews responded to the lagoon at 2200 North Cannon Drive around noon Tuesday. Several robberies reported in Lincoln Park The man was pulled from the water and taken to the hospital in critical condition where he later died.The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the man as 61-year-old Raymond Hopson.No other information has been provided.

Showers, storms possible Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

Sunny start t o Wednesday with hot & humid weather and building clouds. An Air Quality Alert is in place for Chicagoland. High near 90, 80s lakeside.Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon. The biggest threats look to be heavy downpours and strong winds in localized spots. SW 10-15 mph/gusty. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Wednesday night will see scattered showers and thunderstorms tapering off overnight. Low 67Thursday will be mostly cloudy and a few showers with some afternoon clearing. High 74Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Extended outlook delivers more sunshine for Friday with highs getting to near 80. Pleasant on Saturday with highs near 80. Increasing late-day clouds and a chance of showers/t'storms late that last into some showers on Sunday. 

Best chance of rain for a week comes today and tomorrow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We continue our "mini" stretch with highs below 100º that began on Sunday and should continue through the end of the work week.Early clouds will give way to a mix of sun and clouds today as high temperatures push into the upper 90s.Our best chances for rain for at least a week come today and tomorrow with rain chances at 30% both days.GRAF Model at 3pm WednesdayDuring the afternoon showers look to generally be developing and moving from southeast to northwest with the highest rain chances east of I-35. That said, some spotty storms are possible even in the Hill Country. Rainfall amounts will range from nothing to isolated amounts over half an inch or more. We're not looking for widespread wet weather, but it's our best chance of rain in a while.Rain chances wrap by mid-late evening and then we'll do it all over again on Thursday.By Friday, rain chances drop back to near zero as more sunshine pushes us closer to 100.7 day forecast highsTriple digit heat looks set to ...

Construction project causing frustration in east Austin neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A storm water improvement project overseen by the City of Austin's Capital Projects Delivery Department is raising concerns for neighbors who live in the path of the construction site. The neighborhood, located between Manor Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and situated west of Alexander Avenue, is surrounded by new developments and construction. Recently, large dump trucks and construction noises are the typical sights and sounds of the area. For the past month, neighbors said they have dealt with the Boggy Creek & MLK storm water improvements project.Boggy Creek and MLK storm water improvement projectThe City of Austin is digging up 22nd Streets between Alexander and Walnut avenues to install new storm drain pipes, underground units to filter and treat storm water, as well as relocate water and wastewater lines to make room for new storm drain infrastructure, according to a Watershed Protection Department spokesperson. KXAN NEWS TOP STORY: Body of e...