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New book alleges Trump’s ex-chief of staff’s suits smelled ‘like a bonfire’ from burning papers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A former aide in Donald Trump’s White House says chief of staff Mark Meadows burned papers so often after the 2020 election that it left his office smoky and even prompted his wife to complain that his suits smelled “like a bonfire.”Cassidy Hutchinson, who was a prominent congressional witness against former President Trump before the House Jan. 6 committee, described the burning papers in a new book set to be released Tuesday. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the book, “Enough.”Hutchinson was a White House staffer in her 20s who worked for Meadows and testified for two hours on national television about the White House’s inner workings leading up to and including the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trump and Meadows tried to challenge the former president’s election loss in several states. Both are under indictment in Georgia for what prosecutors have called an illegal conspiracy to overturn the results. In her book, Hutchinson wri...

New immigration minister says one-click citizenship oath still worth considering

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

OTTAWA — The new immigration minister is still considering a controversial option to allow new Canadians to take their oath of citizenship with the click of a button, but there are no immediate plans to implement it, he said Monday.The government asked for public feedback in February about the idea to allow new Canadians to skip a virtual or in-person ceremony and opt instead to take the oath with the click of a mouse.Consultation documents posted online say the new regulations were expected to come into force in June 2023, but the government has been mum about its plans since then.The department is still mulling it over, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Monday, and he thinks it’s a good idea.“You don’t want to take these moments lightly, but we do need technological options,” Miller said on his way into Question Period. “The department has been criticized, rightly, for not being adjusted to the 21st century and that option is one I think that we s...

Mel Tucker’s attorney: Michigan State doesn’t have cause to fire suspended coach over phone sex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

Mel Tucker’s attorney said Monday that Michigan State does not have cause to fire its suspended football coach after Tucker acknowledged having phone sex with an activist and rape survivor because he did not “engage in unprofessional or unethical behavior” or violate his contract.Attorney Jennifer Belveal denied in a statement that Tucker’s actions were acts of moral turpitude — “by any stretch of the imagination” — at the university that operates in the shadow of Larry Nassar’s abuse of more than 100 athletes. Belveal also cited Tucker’s “serious medical condition” in stating that the embattled coach reserves his right to fully respond to the university’s planned firing when he’s medically cleared.Michigan State informed Tucker it planned to fire him last week, potentially costing him about $80 million.Activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy said Tucker sexually harassed her during a phone call in April 2022. Several months later, Tracy fil...

Investigation underway after shooting along I-290 in Forest Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

FOREST PARK, Ill. — A portion of I-290 in Cook County was shut down on Monday afternoon after a shooting, according to Illinois State Police.Officers say they were called to the scene to investigate reports of a shooting around 2:20 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 290 at Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park.According to police, a preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was hit by gunfire before the offender fled the scene. Chicago Traffic: Visit the WGN News traffic map for the latest real-time updates Police closed the eastbound lanes of I-290 between 1st Avenue and Harlem Avenue while crews investigated the scene. All lanes have since reopened. Police say nobody was injured in the shooting and an investigation is ongoing.Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Illinois State Police at 847-294-4400. Those with information can also email tips to police at [email protected]. Tips can be left anonymously.

Sen. Menendez refuses to resign as lawmaker pressure grows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Pressure is growing from lawmakers for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign after his indictment Friday."The allegations leveled against me are just that, allegations," Menendez said.In his first event since his indictment, Menendez said he's not stepping down."When all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey's senior senator," he said.Federal prosecutors accuse the senator and his wife, Nadine, of accepting hundreds and thousands of dollars in bribes and gifts from New Jersey businessmen. Menendez said the cash didn't come from anyone else."Now this may seem old-fashioned, but these were monies drawn from my personal savings account," Menendez said.Although Menendez wants to stay in office, some Democrats are calling on the Garden State senator to resign."I do believe that it is in the best interest for Sen. Menendez to resign in this moment," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said.Ocasio-Cortez told CBS...

David McCallum of 'NCIS,' 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' dies at 90

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor David McCallum, who became a teen heartthrob in the hit series "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." in the 1960s and was the eccentric medical examiner in the popular "NCIS" 40 years later, has died. He was 90.McCallum died Monday of natural causes surrounded by family at New York Presbyterian Hospital, CBS said in a statement.“David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away,” said a statement from CBS.THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. -- Pictured: (l-r) Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo, David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. -- "The Deadly Toys Affair" Episode 209 -- Pictured: (l-r) Diane McBain as Joanna Lydecker, David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin -- (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Ge...

A biomarker for long Covid? Plus more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for Sept 25Long Covid BiomarkerTwo new studies hoping to clear up the mysteries of long Covid.The studies are examining the biology behind the chronic condition, with an aim to pin point the hallmarks of it.Experts say long Covid can often be misdiagnosed as depression or a mental condition. But identifying biomarkers would give scientists an objective way to identify who has long Covid and how to treat it. More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Big tobacco may be responsible for junk food additionsA new study claims tobacco companies are responsible for hooking Americans on junk food.In the '80s, tobacco giants Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds acquired Kraft, General Mills, and Nabisco. By the 2000s, they offloaded the companies.But a new study finds during the years of tobacco industry ownership,  junk foods were more likely to contain ingredients that drive people to crave and overeat them than those owned by other companies.In the past 30 years, these foo...

Test of FEMA emergency alert system planned for early October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — If an alarm blares on your phone the first week of October, don't worry – it might just be a test. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said they will conduct a test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.All major U.S. wireless providers participate in the emergency alert system and will transmit the national test to their customers. If your phone is on and within range of an active cell tower, from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test, FEMA and FCC said. New IRS ‘$600 rule’ also applies to resold tickets, side hustles like Etsy According to FEMA, the test will take place at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 4. If there’s widespread severe weather on Oct. 4, the test will be postponed by one week so it doesn’t create confusion between real emergency alerts and the test. The backup test date is Wednesday, Oct. 11. ...

Megan Rapinoe has her USWNT farewell in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

CHICAGO — Fans in the "Windy City" were witness to the end of a remarkable international career in the sport of soccer from one of the greatest players in the history of the United States women's national team. Megan Rapinoe made the most of her final match in the place where he professional career began. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)The midfielder took the pitch for the last time at Soldier Field on Sunday as the USWNT faced South Africa in an international friendly. It was her 203rd and final appearance for the United States, completing a career where she helped the team to two Women's World Cup titles.Rapinoe will end her overall soccer career when her season with the OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League concludes.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Before the match, she was honored with a ceremony that included the presentation of a jersey in tribute to her time with the national team from 2006-2023. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Rapinoe was in the ...

Isolated evening storms after significant Sunday hailstorm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following Sunday night's damaging hailstorm in parts of the Austin Metro area, we expect overall quieter weather through the work week.Sunday night, an intense supercell thunderstorm produced nearly softball size hail in Round Rock, and damaging hail from Georgetown down to East Austin. The largest hailstone reported was 3.75" in diameter in Round Rock, where windshields were shattered. PHOTOS: Large, damaging hail pummels parts of Central Texas Monday evening, heat and humidity remain in place as a cool front moves into the area. This will combine for a chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly from Austin southward, but we do not expect damaging hail like we saw on Sunday.Low risk of severe storms Monday afternoon/eveningFollowing this evening's slight storm chance, dry, unseasonably hot weather returns through the work week and into the first weekend of October. Austin is currently in the midst of its second-hottest September on record. BLOG: El Niño into 2024...