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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call on Democrats to codify ‘Obamacare’ into state law

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will call on state lawmakers this week to pass legislation proactively protecting key provisions in the Affordable Care Act, including no-cost preventive services, as the nation’s health law continues to face legal challenges in federal court.Whitmer, who is in her second term and working for the first time with a Legislature under complete Democratic control, will call for a plan to codify the Affordable Care Act during a speech Wednesday where she will outline her legislative priorities for the second half of the year.It comes as one of the Affordable Care Act’s most popular provisions that requires insurers to cover preventive services faces a threat in federal court.Writing the Affordable Care Act into state law will ensure Michigan residents “aren’t at risk of losing coverage,” due to future threats, Whitmer said in a statement provided to The Associated Press.The plan, according to the governor’s office, mu...

Need to know about lifesaving CPR? A new study says it’s probably wise not to ask Alexa or Siri

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

Ask Alexa or Siri about the weather. But if you want to save someone’s life? Call 911 for that.Voice assistants often fall flat when asked how to perform CPR, according to a study published Monday.Researchers asked voice assistants eight questions that a bystander might pose in a cardiac arrest emergency. In response, the voice assistants said:— “Hmm, I don’t know that one.”— “Sorry, I don’t understand.”— “Words fail me.”— “Here’s an answer … that I translated: The Indian Penal Code.”Only nine of 32 responses suggested calling emergency services for help — an important step recommended by the American Heart Association. Some voice assistants sent users to web pages that explained CPR, but only 12% of the 32 responses included verbal instructions.Verbal instructions are important because immediate action can save a life, said study co-author Dr. Adam Landman, chief information officer at Mass General Brigham in Boston. Chest compressions — pushing down hard and fast on the victim’s c...

As Idalia nears, Florida officals warn of ‘potentially widespread’ gas contamination: What to know

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida officials are warning drivers of potential fuel contamination at dozens of gas stations on the Gulf Coast as residents brace for the landfall later this week of Tropical Storm Idalia.On Monday, Idalia was near the coast of Cuba and on a potential track to come ashore as a hurricane in the southern U.S. in the coming days, the National Hurricane Center said. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said late Sunday that gasoline purchased after 10 a.m. Saturday at some Citgo-supplied stations had a strong likelihood of being contaminated with diesel fuel. Citgo identified 29 affected stations — sold at chains like 7-Eleven, BJ’s Wholesale and other convenience stores — in cities including Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota and more.The contamination was caused by “human error,” the department said. In a Sunday statement, the Houston-headquartered Citgo cited a product routing issue at its Tampa terminal. Those locations with potentially co...

Second man dies following weekend shooting in downtown Louisville

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP) — A second man has died following a weekend shooting near a Louisville, Kentucky, restaurant and bar in which several other people were injured, authorities said.Officers arrived at the scene in downtown Louisville around 3 a.m. Sunday and found one man dead and five people who had been wounded, Police Maj. Shannon Lauder said. One of the wounded — a man — later died at a hospital, Mayor Craig Greenberg said at a news conference.The other four people who were wounded suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and man who wasn’t shot was hurt in a fall, according to media reports.Police haven’t arrested anyone, and Lauder urged anyone with information to come forward.There were 200-300 people in the area at the time of the shooting, which occurred outside the Southern Restaurant & Lounge.Greenberg said he and the building’s landlord have worked together to end the establishment’s lease, which will take effect Thursday.“We will enforce our laws and ord...

Capitals add president of hockey operations to Brian MacLellan’s title along with general manager

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan talks during media availability at the team's NHL hockey training camp, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)(AP/Nick Wass) Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan talks during media availability at the team's NHL hockey training camp, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)(AP/Nick Wass) The Washington Capitals have promoted Brian MacLellan to president of hockey operations to go along with his general manager duties.MacLellan has been the team’s GM since 2014 and previously held the title of vice president. The move announced Monday comes with longtime president Dick Patrick being appointed chairma...

Aurora votes to reinstate reserve police force

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- On Monday evening, Aurora City Council members are expected to cast their final votes on a measure to reinstate the city's reserve police force. Car flipping scam growing in Denver The volunteer police force was originally dissolved in 2005. Council Member Danielle Jurinsky says she brought the proposal forward after hearing from the Aurora Police Department. Under the program, city employees, including medics, former officers from other jurisdictions and retirees in good standing may apply to take part in a six-week training program to become certified as a reserve officer. Videos capture bright meteor falling above Colorado Those for the plan say it could help with staffing and better protect the city from certain liabilities. The city manager noted some medics with SWAT may already carry concealed weapons.The second and final vote on the all-volunteer police force takes place on Monday night. The first vote on the proposal passed nine to one in August.

2 dead, 6 injured after BSO Fire Rescue helicopter crashes in Pompano Beach triplex

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

Police responded to an aircraft emergency after a Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue (BSFR) helicopter went down as it headed to a call in North Lauderdale. Officials said two people onboard have been injured and one other person onboard is dead; four others were transported to the hospital after the chopper crashed on a triplex building. According to officials, around 8:45 a.m. the BSFR helicopter had an engine failure that occurred on the helicopter approximately two minutes after it was deployed from the Pompano Beach Airpark. The chopper ultimately crashed in the area of 1201 NW 6th Ave. In a news release just before 1 p.m., Broward County Sherrif Gregory Tony said Captain/Flight Paramedic Terryson Jackson died in the crash. Another civilian on the ground was also pronounced dead. Video footage showed a trail of smoke coming off the chopper that went down fast. The chopper ultimately landed on a triplex apartment building. Live video footage from 7SkyForce showed several fire ...

Man shot in torso triggers search for shooter in North Miami

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

Authorities are actively seeking information about a shooter after a disturbing incident unfolded near Northeast Second Avenue and 122nd Street, Sunday night. Police officers responded to the scene where they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.Law enforcement officers initiated a search for the perpetrator who fled the scene. Details surrounding the motive for the shooting and the circumstances leading up to the incident remain unclear at this time.Anyone with information is urged to call police.

Western High School’s rising star makes mark on football field

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

The allure of Friday Night Lights football dreams has captivated countless young athletes in the area, but few have risen to the challenge quite like Davi Belfort. Picking up a football for the first time merely six years ago, Belfort, now the quarterback for Western High School, has not only embraced the sport but has proven himself a prodigious talent.“I was born in Brazil and lived there for six years,” said Davi. “[When I] came to America I didn’t even know what a football was.”Not only did Davi fall in love with the sport, but there was something about the quarterback position that really sparked the high school senior’s attention. “[The quarterback] is the leader of the team, he always has the ball in his hand, he always has a chance to make a play,” said Davi. “That position really stood out to me, so after that year when I turned 13, I told my parents that I wanted to play quarterback for the rest of my life. After that, ...

Nazi leaflet overshadows Bavarian state election

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:16:40 GMT

An antisemitic pamphlet circulated at a high school in southern Germany 35 years ago is at the center of a political storm affecting election campaigning in Bavaria — and beyond.Hubert Aiwanger, deputy premier and economy minister of the large and influential southern German state of Bavaria, admitted over the weekend that he was involved in distributing an antisemitic leaflet during his high school years in the late 1980s. Aiwanger now faces growing pressure to answer questions, along with calls for his resignation.Aiwanger is leader of the right-wing Free Voters party, which is active across Germany but particularly successful in Bavaria, where it’s gained increasing popularity over recent weeks — an effort largely attributed to Aiwanger. With elections slated for the state on October 8, any prolonged controversy around the politician could affect not only his party’s popularity, but also Bavaria’s Premier Markus Söder of the center-right Christian Social Union (...