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West Virginia governor signs ban on gender-affirming care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice on Wednesday signed a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, joining at least 10 other states that have enacted laws restricting or outlawing medically supported treatments for transgender youth.The bill outlaws those under 18 from being prescribed hormone therapy and fully reversible puberty blockers. It also bans minors from receiving gender-affirming surgery, something physicians say doesn’t even happen in West Virginia.Unlike measures passed in other states, however, West Virginia’s law contains a unique exemption: It permits doctors to prescribe medical therapy if a teenager is considered at risk for self-harm or suicide. Under the law, which will take effect in January 2024, a patient can be prescribed puberty blockers and hormone therapy after receiving parental consent and a diagnosis of severe gender dysphoria from two doctors, including a mental health provider. Gender dysphoria is defined by medica...

Milley: US has long way to go to build munitions stockpile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military “has a long ways to go” to beef up its munitions stockpiles and ensure the country is ready for any large-scale war, the top U.S. military officer told Congress on Wednesday.Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the war in Ukraine has underscored the heavy use of munitions that is required during any major conflict. He and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced repeated questioning from members of Congress this week about the impact the war is having on the Pentagon, as it supplies Ukraine with much of the ammunition it needs to fend off the Russian forces. They, and senior Army leaders, said the conflict has pushed the U.S. to increase production rates and re-evaluate how much of a stockpile is really needed as tensions with China and Russia continue to rise.“If there was a war on the Korean peninsula or great power war between the United States and Russia or the United States and China, the consumption rates would be o...

Five things to know about Canada’s electricity overhaul as budget spurs clean tech

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

OTTAWA — Clean electricity was one of the stars of Tuesday’s federal budget, with almost $1 in every $8 of new spending the budget anticipates in the next five years targeting Canada’s electricity dreams.That includes a new tax credit worth 15 per cent of investments made to build new renewable energy infrastructure, including wind and solar plants, nuclear reactors, emissions-trapping natural gas plants, new transmission lines between provinces and territories and stationary electricity storage, such as batteries.The tax credit is set to kick in a year from now, be available for 10 years and cost an estimated $25.7 billion by the time it winds down in 2035.And another $3 billion is being added by 2035 to a program that gives grants to companies and provincial and territorial governments that are looking to modernize existing power grids or install new renewable power.Why is all this money necessary?Here’s a snapshot of Canada’s power situation and OttawaR...

Twitter removes tweets about ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twitter says it has removed thousands of tweets showing a poster promoting a “trans day of vengeance” protest in support of transgender rights in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Ella Irwin, Twitter’s head of Trust and Safety, said in a tweet Wednesday that the company automatically removed more than 5,000 tweets and retweets of a poster promoting the event. “We do not support tweets that incite violence irrespective of who posts them. “Vengeance” does not imply peaceful protest. Organizing or support for peaceful protests is ok,” Irwin wrote in the tweet. In removing the tweets, Twitter said it used automated processes to do it quickly at a large scale, without considering what context the tweets were shard in. Because of this, both tweets that were critical of and those that supported the protests were removed.This appeared to anger many conservative Twitter users who said the rules were unfairly applied to them because they were posting the image of the protest...

Why the debate over repealing Iraq War approval matters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving toward doing something it hasn’t done since the Vietnam War — repealing authorizations for the president’s use of military force. For lawmakers, that’s an important gesture toward reclaiming a say over the wars America wages abroad. The Senate voted 66-30 on Wednesday to repeal the 2002 resolution giving President George W. Bush the green light to invade Iraq, an authorization that many now see as a mistake. The measure also would repeal the 1991 resolution authorizing the U.S. military’s combat action against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. Approval by the House, which is less certain, would officially end congressional approval for the U.S. war in Iraq and, symbolically at least, close the U.S.-led war itself.Debate on repealing the 2002 authorization comes nearly 20 years after Bush stood in front of a “Mission Accomplished” banner to declare that U.S. troops had wrapped up major combat in Iraq. ...

Chicago mayoral candidates look to undecided voters ahead of Election Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

CHICAGO -- With the race to be the next Chicago mayor going down to the wire, both candidates are looking for any edge they can get undecided voters on their side.A recently released poll shows about 10% of voters undecided, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas' campaigns are leaning on surrogates to sway voters. WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election On Wednesday, Bishop Drew Sheard, the head of the Church of God in Christ, urged Chicagoans to get to the polls for Brandon Johnson."He is a son of the church and a bright light in a dark season," Bishop Sheard said. "My brothers and sisters, don't forget vote in six days and let's make Brandon Johnson the new mayor of the city of Chicago.A recent WGN-TV/Emerson College/The Hill poll found African American voters overwhelmingly back Johnson over Paul Vallas, but 20% are still undecided.It's not about where we are today, it's where we're going in a couple more days. On April 4, we are all going to the 5th floor...

April checks coming early for Supplemental Security Income recipients, here's why

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

(WJW) — Some Social Security recipients can expect a second payment before the end of the week.Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients have received two benefit disbursements so far this month: the first SSI disbursement on March 1 and the regular Social Security payment on the second, third or fourth Wednesday, depending on their birth date.The third disbursement is due on Friday, March 31, according to the Social Security Administration. Here is where the debate on Social Security and Medicare stands in Congress There's typically only one SSI payment each month, paid out on the first of the month. But if that day falls on a weekend or holiday, it arrives on the last business day before the end of the month. This year, April 1 is a Saturday.This also means there won't be an SSI payment in April.Eligible SSI recipients include adults age 65 and older who have limited income or resources, and also adults and children with a disability or blindness. American IQs rose 30 poin...

Everything you need to know about Apple’s iOS 16.4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Should I upgrade to iOS 16.4?Last year, Apple upgraded its operating system to iOS 16. This allowed you to do things that were never before possible, such as unsend a text. It also let you customize your lock screen, insert emojis with your voice, pin tabs in Safari and more.Two days ago, iOS 16.4 was released. Besides the typical bug fixes, this version has a number of nifty new features with relatively few reported issues. This suggests that it’s a good idea to accept the upgrade for your iPhone or iPad right now. In this article: Apple 2022 Apple TV 4K, Apple 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Apple iPhone 14 (Renewed).What are the standout features in iOS 16.4?BestReviews technology expert Jaime Vazquez is a fan of any gadget or upgrade that makes his life or work easier. His initial impression is that the latest version is a gift for smart home users.“iOS 16.4 rei...

Man allegedly hits, kills 20-year-old after multiple DWI arrests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In August of 2021, police arrested Scott Taylor for manslaughter after crashing into—and killing—20-year-old Colton Roberts, a college student, on Jollyville Road in northwest Austin.Roberts' family, and the attorney now representing them in a civil lawsuit against Taylor, believe he shouldn't have been behind the wheel that day in the first place. Tanya, Roberts' mother, clutches a photo of her son as she leaves the courtroom."The evidence in this case suggests that Mr. Taylor would have been exceeding the speed limit, driving with no headlights on, crossing over into oncoming traffic and admitted to smoking a "Blunt" prior to driving," reads his arrest affidavit from the crash. KXAN dug further into Taylor's case, finding evidence of multiple DWI arrests.According to his Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history report, Taylor has two previous misdemeanor DWIs—one in 2000 and another in 2010. They occurred in Travis and Comal counties, respectively....

Brushy Creek opens brush drop-off site after ice storm cleanup backlash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:47 GMT

BRUSHY CREEK, Texas (KXAN) — The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District recently purchased a wood chipper to help residents clear debris from last month's ice storm.The M.U.D. received backlash several weeks ago after it announced it could not fulfill its original plan to pick up debris in the district. Brushy Creek calls off ice storm damage pickup General Manager Shean Dalton said the M.U.D's Board of Directors approved buying a wood chipper for this clean-up effort and that the site will be open at least through April 7.Money was the main issue cited for the M.U.D's original calling off of debris services.Dalton says because the M.U.D. has outright purchased equipment like the wood chipper, the cost is one that will pay off in the long term."We've been able to record about 700 drop-offs to date. Residents have been very appreciative of this service," Dalton said.The brush drop-off site is right behind the Brushy Creek Community Center at 16318 Great Oaks Drive in Round Rock.We...