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DEA chief grilled over probe into no-bid contracts, hiring

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

Lawmakers grilled U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram on Thursday over millions of dollars in no-bid contracts that are the subject of a watchdog probe into whether the agency improperly hired some of her past associates. Milgram faced a barrage of criticisms from mostly Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee over an Associated Press investigation that the DEA spent $4.7 million on “strategic planning and communication” and other no-bid contracts to hire people Milgram knew from her days as New Jersey’s attorney general and as a New York University law professor — at costs far exceeding pay for government officials.“Everyone is afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. But these reports are pretty strong,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia.Added Rep. Mike Garcia of California: “To make the assertion that you’re doing this job well, or getting the job done, is frankly flagrant and offensive. I don’t think you’re doing a goo...

Chopin museum reopens in Warsaw with new original exhibits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A baroque Warsaw mansion hosting a museum dedicated to one of Europe’s greatest 19th century musicians, Polish pianist and composer Frederic Chopin, is reopening with a new focus on original artifacts after months of pandemic-spurred renovations.“The main reason of this refurbishing was to create a good atmosphere, good air conditions for the … original objects,” Artur Szklener, director of the National Frederic Chopin Institute said Thursday.“And at the same time we wanted to change some ideas of the exhibition itself showing more of the originals,“ he told The Associated Press.The museum, which houses Chopin’s last piano, a Pleyel, and manuscripts of his music, will also display new items including letters he wrote to his companion, writer George Sand, and a satirical drawing she made of him, as well as an oil portrait of Chopin by his friend Teofil Kwiatkowski, a fellow Pole.The focus of the renewed exhibition is on the original manuscripts, whic...

Railroad workers rescue 3-year-old from tracks in New York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — A railroad conductor in New York sprinted to scoop up a 3-year-old boy who had wandered dangerously close to the electrified third rail, officials said this week.Engineer William Kennedy, who was operating a southbound train April 6, was the first to spot the boy on Metro-North Railroad tracks near Tarrytown, north of New York City, and sent out an emergency radio message, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in a news release.“There’s a little kid north of you guys,” someone can be heard saying in a video released by the MTA, addressing the crew of an approaching northbound train. The video shows the northbound train proceeding slowly until the crew can spot the child. Assistant conductor Marcus Higgins jumps down from the train, grabs the boy from a fence on top of the third rail and carries him to safety.Meanwhile, the MTA said, two additional railroad employees on their way to help spotted the child’s sobbing mother and sister on a street c...

PHOTOS: New 'REACH' sculpture opens at O'Hare Multi-modal Facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the installation of a new large-scale sculpture at O'Hare International Airport. The sculpture consists of two arms, approximately 27 and 31 feet long suspended between nine and 34 feet off the ground in the North Escalator Hall of the Multi-Modal Facility."REACH" was created by two New-York based artists, Hank Willis Thomas and Coby Kennedy. CPS looking to hire more nutritional staff “REACH” is just the latest in a series of art installations that have gone up in recent years at the MMF, as part of the expansion and modernization of Terminal 5.The CDA and DCASE are also partnering to commission the largest set of works by artists by the City of Chicago in the last 30 years. City spokespersons say that the $3.5 million project allows the city to invest in artists while giving international visitors a unique and welcoming experience to the city.

Chipotle sweepstakes offers 'Burrito Care Packages' for health care workers: Here’s how to enter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Chipotle is planning to award thousands of “burrito care packages” to health care workers as a thank you for their hard work over the last year.Beginning April 27, health care professionals across the U.S. can enter for a chance to win one of up to 2,000 burrito prize packages, each containing 50 codes for free entrées at Chipotle. Grass-fed beef burgers recalled over possible rubber pieces "Given the demands placed on the healthcare community every day, we know finding time to bond, celebrate, or even eat as a team can be challenging," Chris Brandt, the chief marketing officer at Chipotle, said in a press release issued Thursday. "The Burrito Care Packages offer a convenient opportunity for healthcare units to come together and share a delicious meal on us."Those who qualify can enter the sweepstakes through the end of National Nurses Week, which wraps up on May 12. Chipotle will start notifying winners later that month.In addition to its sweepstakes, Chipotle is also...

Peacock bit man after escaping from the Bronx Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

BRONX, N.Y. (WPIX) - A peacock escaped from New York's Bronx Zoo on Wednesday night and bit a man before nestling in a tree to evade capture, according to police and witnesses. Authorities responded to the incident in West Farms at around 8 p.m. police said. First responders could not catch the peacock before it safely perched itself high up on a tree branch above Krystal Community Gardens. The beautiful blue and green bird, named Raul, was still in the tree as of Thursday morning. "They come out all the time, and if you leave them alone, they will go back," said West Farms resident George Rodriguez. New Yorkers could call out NYPD for illegal parking, new bill proposed Several videos showed neighbors chasing the bird and trying to save it from oncoming traffic, but the peacock got away. The animal bit a man on the thigh when he tried to corral it near a fence, witnesses said. He was treated at the scene by EMS. A spokesperson for the Bronx Zoo said the birds are free to roam t...

Cigarette smoking at all-time low among adults, e-cigarette use rises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

(The Hill) - A record-low number of adults reported cigarette use in 2022, while reported usage of electronic cigarette rose among adults. Preliminary survey results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that just 11 percent of American adults — or about one in nine — reported they are smokers, which is a drop from 12.5 percent reported in 2020 and 2021. The new data, which is based on based on responses from 27,000 adults, also captured an uptick of e-cigarette use among adults, from 4.5 percent who reported use in 2021 to 6 percent in 2022.Cigarette use has been declining for decades as more health information has emerged about the health risks of smoking and many places banned smoking. In 2005, about 20.9 percent of adults reported being current smokers, almost double the 2022 figure, according to the CDC. Meanwhile e-cigarette use, especially among adolescents, has been on the rise. The CDC reported last year that 2.55 million U.S. middle and high scho...

Raising Canes raising average hourly wage to $19.50

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

LOUISIANA (KLFY) -- Fast-food chain Raising Cane's is raising its average minimum hourly wage to more than $19, company co-CEO and COO AJ Kumaran told Yahoo Finance last week.It's part of a more than $9 million investment into its workforce, Kumaran explained. Part of the investment is moving all hourly managers to an $18-an-hour minimum pay, bringing the average hourly pay at the company to $19.50, according to details shared with Nexstar's KLFY. Post Malone personally designed this Raising Cane’s restaurant Raising Cane's is also offering hourly employees the chance to make an additional $2 per hour during their first year of employment and for training employees as well as an additional $1 for working past 10 p.m. or during major events, and for completing "crew certifications."Additionally, Raising Cane's is launching a program to encourage experienced employees to travel to a new city -- where they will live rent-free for three to six months -- to help launch new restaurant l...

Sunny and dry today, severe weather returns Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heavy rain has left Central Texas and we'll be dry the rest of the day after a good soaking overnight.24-hour rain totals as of 6AM ThursdayLeft behind will be drier skies and more sunshine with seasonable temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s this afternoon.Yet another threat of severe weather quickly builds late Friday afternoon into Friday evening with a powerful storm again crossing over the state. Rain and storms will be likely Friday after 4 p.m. and continuing through the evening.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms on Friday for most of Central TexasOnce again, large hail and damaging winds will be the primary concerns with severe storm development on FridayNext round of severe weather looks to arrive late Friday afternoon through late eveningMake sure you download the KXAN Weather App and enable your location to receive severe weather alerts for your area.Many areas can expect 1-2" of rain through Saturday morning, with isolated higher totals of 3-...

Texas House unanimously passes marijuana decriminalization bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Wednesday, the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.In addition to marijuana, House Bill 218 also relates to the possession of certain tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), certain synthetic cannabinoids and drug paraphernalia.The bill would reclassify the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana or cannabis concentrate as a Class C misdemeanor, which is a citable offense, but it is not subject to an arrest. There could, however, be a fine of up to $500.HB 218 was approved after its second reading by members of the House, and it passed unanimously.Now that the bill has been passed by the chamber, it will be forwarded to the second house for consideration.