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Civil rights groups warn tourists about Florida in wake of ‘hostile’ laws

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state’s largest job sectors.The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP’s board of directors tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida “devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis’ office seek...

‘Fast X’ speeds to No. 1; knocks ‘Guardians 3’ to 2nd

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

The 10th installment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise was off to the races this weekend, knocking “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” out of first place and easily claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office. “Fast X” earned $67.5 million in ticket sales from 4,046 North American theaters, according to estimates from Universal Pictures on Sunday.It’s on the lower end of openings for the series which peaked with “Furious 7’s” $142.2 million launch, the sole movie in the series to surpass $100 million out of the gates. “Fast X’s” domestic debut only ranks above the first three. The last movie, “F9,” opened to $70 million in 2021. But this is also a series that has usually made the bulk of its money internationally. True to form, overseas it’s on turbo drive. “Fast X” opened in 84 markets internationally, playing in over 24,000 theaters, where it earned an estimated $251.4 million. The top market was China with $78.3 million, followed by Mexico with $16.7 million. And it adds up to a $31...

Two people killed, two injured in New Orleans shootings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police are investigating after apparently related shootings Saturday night left two people dead and two injured.Officers responded around 9 p.m. after getting calls about shootings at two locations in the city minutes apart, police said in a news release. Investigators believe the shootings were related, and they’re working to establish a motive and find the person or people responsible.Police said they believe it began with gunfire in the 6000 block of Beechcraft Street, where they found a 17-year-old boy who’d been shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.A few blocks away, they found a 31-year-old woman who had been shot inside her car. police said. The woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. A two-month-old baby who was also in the car was taken to the hospital but was found to be uninjured, police said.Two other people who’d been shot — aged 13 and 20 — showed up at local hospitals. Police believe...

North Chicago man dead, 18-year-old injured in alleged targeted shooting: docs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — An 18-year-old man was injured and another man is dead after they were shot in an alleged targeted shooting, police say. According to police, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 1400 block of Cypress Avenue around 7:35 p.m. Saturday. ‘I need you one time only and I pay nice:’ Bond set for woman attempting to send narcotic-soaked paper to boyfriend in Cook County Jail Officers transported a 42-year-old man of North Chicago to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 18-year-old man was transported to another hospital in stable condition. Police said the shooters fled from the scene and police are still investigating the incident. The Lake County Coroner’s Office is scheduling an autopsy for the 42-year-old. 

Saturday Night Forecast: Clear & a bit chilly in the low 50s

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

Saturday Night:Mostly clear & a bit chilly. Lows near 50 in the city, upper 40s outlying areas. Sunday: Partly to mostly sunny & milder. ENE 5-10 mph. High: 77, lower 60s by the lake. Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for much more May sunshine ahead. High temps all week in the upper 70s and low 80s with temps still in the 60s by the lake. 

Senate Republican: 'I don't think Trump can win a general election'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

(The Hill) – Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Sunday said he does not believe former President Trump can win another general election as he campaigns for the GOP nomination in 2024.CNN’s “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper highlighted comments from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to launch his own 2024 bid later this week, that only he, Trump and President Biden are "credible" candidates — but that only he and Biden have a chance of getting elected in the upcoming race. “I don't think Trump can win a general election,” Cassidy said. He added that the Florida governor’s remarks are “a nice way for him to diss people like Tim Scott who’s a pretty formidable candidate,” in reference to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) who made his 2024 bid official last week.“So you just have to take this as a competitor trying to diss others,” Cassidy said of DeSantis’s comments. But the senator then highlighted that, during 2022 midterms, many of the candidates Trump endorsed for the U.S. Senate...

Survey reveals best 'secret beaches' in US

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A recent survey asked families which hidden beaches they want to visit most this summer, and more than a dozen states made the list.Familydestinationguide.com surveyed 3,000 adults in the United States across ages, genders, and geography. It's no surprise that a Hawaii beach took the top spot – as well as two other spots in the top 10. Florida and California, with their massive coastlines, were also well represented. Surf’s up! Florida beach named nation’s best in annual ranking Further down the list, inland states were even recognized for their hidden spots. Oklahoma, Iowa, Vermont and Tennessee aren't exactly known as beach destinations, but – according to survey respondents – all have idyllic lakeside beaches worth a visit. The top 25 "secret beaches," according to the poll, are: Hawaii – Awahua BeachFlorida – Shell Key PreserveHawaii – Lanikai BeachHawaii – Kauapea BeachNew Jersey – Sedge IslandFlorida – Lovers Key State ParkCalifornia – Salt Creek B...

If SCOTUS blocks student debt relief, 1965 law could be 'Plan B'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

(NerdWallet) - The Supreme Court might strike down President Joe Biden’s sweeping student debt relief plan in the coming weeks — but the more than 40 million borrowers eligible for up to $20,000 in loan cancellation could still have hope if the White House pursues a “Plan B.”The Higher Education Act, or HEA, could unlock an alternate route for broad student debt cancellation. Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, the landmark legislation laid the foundation of the modern U.S. college funding system. It established and governs grants, federal loans and other programs to help students pay for school, and it empowers the secretary of education to “compromise, waive, or release” federal student loans.The HEA “has changed over time to reflect the needs of society,” says Twinette Johnson, a law professor and interim dean at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law. But even as the HEA has expanded, Johnson says, it must continue to serve its core purpose: “to make...

Robert Downey Jr.’s “Downey’s Dream Cars” turns classics into EVs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

(Motor Authority) -- Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. loves cars, especially classic American muscle. However, in an effort to get away from relying on fossil fuels, he is turning some of the cars in his collection into hybrids and electric vehicles.He will soon feature it all on the new series “Downey’s Dream Cars,” which is set to launch on the HBO Max streaming service.A trailer for the series has been released and features cars such as a C2-generation Chevrolet Corvette, a Volkswagen Microbus, and a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro convertible, among others.The trailer also features the crew from The Electrified Garage, a company famous for performing electric conversions on classic cars, and whose co-owner, Rich Benoit, runs the popular YouTube channel Rich Rebuilds. One of Benoit’s many previous builds is a Tesla-powered 1970 Plymouth Satellite.Judging from the trailer, “Downey’s Dream Cars” won’t necessarily focus on the technical aspects of electrifying classic c...

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2020 Cedar Park shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man pleaded guilty to manslaughter May 8 before his case was given a retrial setting, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.The DA’s office said 40-year-old Kelly Lawrence Schernik's murder case was originally presented to a Travis County jury Feb. 13, but the judge declared a mistrial Feb. 17 when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. PAST COVERAGE: Cedar Park murder trial ends in a hung jury Schernik was arrested by the Cedar Park Police Department in March 2020. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting 39-year-old Jason Sean Robinson. The charge was upgraded to murder when Robinson died three days after the incident.