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Lawsuit says Tennessee’s US House and state Senate maps discriminate against communities of color

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is facing its first court challenge over a congressional redistricting map that carved up Democratic-leaning Nashville to help Republicans flip a seat in last year’s elections, a move that the plaintiffs say has unconstitutionally diluted the power of Black voters and other communities of color.The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Nashville says the U.S. House maps and those for the state Senate amount to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering under the 14th and 15th amendments. The plaintiffs include the Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP, the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee, the Equity Alliance, the League of Women Voters of Tennessee and several Tennessee voters, including former state Sen. Brenda Gilmore.By splintering Nashville into three Republican-majority districts that stretch into rural counties, Tennessee’s congressional maps sparked significant pushback and threats of litigation from Democrats ...

Journalists seek regulations to govern fast-moving artificial intelligence technology

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Several news organizations, writers and photographers groups are pushing to be involved in creating standards for the use of artificial intelligence, particularly as it concerns intellectual property rights and the potential spread of misinformation.In an open letter sent on Wednesday, they outlined priorities for setting rules on the technology, which is developing faster than regulators can keep up with.“We … support the responsible advancement and deployment of generative AI technology, while believing that a legal framework must be developed to protect the content that powers AI applications as well as maintain public trust in the media,” the organizations said.The letter was signed by The Associated Press; Gannett; the News Media Alliance, which represents hundreds of publishers; Getty Images; the National Press Photographers Association; Agence France-Presse and others.The organizations want to make sure intellectual property owners maintain their rights ...

Assad blames Erdogan for violence in Syria and insists on a pullout of Turkish troops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad slammed Turkey in comments published Wednesday, blaming Ankara for the uptick in violence in his war-torn country and insisting on the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria. Assad spoke in an interview with Sky News Arabia, his first interview with a foreign media outlet in months. The interview will be fully aired later Wednesday, but Sky News Arabia released some excerpts before the broadcast. Turkey is a main backer of armed opposition fighters who have been trying to remove Assad from power and has carried out three major incursions into northern Syria since 2016. Turkish forces control parts of northern Syria. Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran, has managed over the past few years to retake most of the territory with the help of his allies, and turn the tide of war in his favor. Syrian rebels and Turkey-backed opposition forces now only hold a small northwestern corner of Syria, where fighting and violence have persisted. “Terr...

A Utah district will pay $2 million to the family of a bullied Black girl who died by suicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah school district has agreed to pay $2 million to the family of a Black, autistic 10-year-old girl who killed herself after being harassed by her classmates. The family of Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor blamed her death in 2021 on an inadequate response by school officials to reports that the girl was being bullied over her race and disabilities. The Davis School District announced the settlement on Tuesday. The lawsuit said that Izzy, the only Black student in her class, was bullied by students at North Salt Lake’s Foxboro Elementary School by classmates who called her the N-word, told her she stank and made fun of her for being autistic. The family said they had reported the bullying to teachers and administrators, who hadn’t stopped the harrasment.Tichenor’s death came weeks after the district, which educates 73,000 kids north of Salt Lake City and has a student body that is less than 1% Black, was reprimanded by the U.S. Department of Justi...

Maui mayor says 6 people are dead in devastating Hawaii wildfires. Follow along for live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Follow along for live updates of wildfires that are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. The fires forced evacuations in some areas, including the popular tourist spot of Lahaina Town. The National Weather Service says Hurricane Dora, which is passing south of the island chain at a safe distance, was partly to blame for strong winds driving the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters. MAUI MAYOR SAYS SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN WILDFIRESAt least six people have been killed in wildfires that have raced across parts of Maui, Mayor Richard Bissen said. Bissen confirmed the deaths during a press conference Wednesday, but did not provide details, such as where the people were when they died. Three separate wildfires have been burning on the Hawaiian island of Maui, including one that destroyed much of the historic town ...

One drink, One stop: Bars, restaurants walking distance from Red Line stations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

CHICAGO -- Summer will soon turn into fall, so it's time to take advantage of the beautiful weather in Chicago.Grab yourself an unlimited ride day pass for the CTA and enjoy the city of Chicago with a drink at a local bar or restaurant at nearly every Red line station.Find a list of "Bars and pubs" and "Restaurants" with a 3.8 rating and above on Google, as well as within a 10 to 15 minute walk to and from the specific CTA Red line station below.HowardGood To Go Jamaican Cuisine -- 4.2 Rating711 W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202Peckish Pig -- 4.5 Rating623 W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202JarvisJarvis Square Tavern -- 4.8 Rating1502 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL 60626R Public House -- 4.6 Rating1508 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL 60626MorseGlenwood -- 4.4 Rating6962 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626Fudy T's -- 4.7 Rating1412-14, W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626Rogers Park Social -- 4.7 Rating6920 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Chicago, according to Yelp L...

Northwestern athletic director blasts football staffers for 'tone deaf' shirts supporting Fitzgerald

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg blasted assistant football coaches and staff members for wearing shirts supporting fired coach Pat Fitzgerald at practice Wednesday, calling them “inappropriate, offensive and tone deaf” given the hazing and abuse scandal engulfing the program and other teams.“Let me be crystal clear,” he said in a statement. “Hazing has no place at Northwestern, and we are committed to do whatever is necessary to address hazing-related issues, including thoroughly investigating any incidents or allegations of hazing or any misconduct.”Gragg said he and the university were unaware that they owned the black shirts with “ Cats Against the World ” and Fitzgerald’s old number “51” in purple type or would wear them at practice. He issued the statement after interim coach David Braun called it a free speech issue and said his focus was on supporting his players and staff rather than whether the shirts were tone deaf.“My purpose and my inte...

As Northwestern players speak, t-shirts cause a stir

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — A month after a hazing scandal erupted and head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired, Northwestern football players had the chance to speak to reporters on Wednesday. Yet another statement may have been made non-verbally through some apparel worn by a few members of the Wildcats staff on Wednesday - and it drew the ire of the school's athletic director.(WGN News)WGN News cameras captured video of offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian wearing a "Cats Against The World" t-shirt during the first open training camp workout in Evanston, one of a few on the staff to sport the shirt. Below that was the No. 51, which is the one that Fitzgerald wore when he was a standout player at the school in the 1990s. One of the first questions asked to interim head coach David Braun at his news conference on Wednesday. was about those t-shirts."My purpose and my intentionality is going to be solely based on supporting these young men, supporting this staff, making sure that my actions align wi...

Federal trial to decide whether ex-chief of staff lied to protect his boss, Illinois House speaker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The trial of a former chief of staff to longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan opened Wednesday with a federal prosecutor arguing that the defendant lied under oath to a grand jury to protect his boss.The 68-year-old Tim Mapes, who served for almost two decades as Madigan’s chief of staff, faces single counts of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice. A conviction on the obstruction count alone carries up to 20 years in prison.Mapes lied repeatedly when he testified in 2021 to a grand jury investigating Madigan and others. In opening statements, the prosecutor told jurors Mapes also lied when he said he couldn’t recall any relevant details about Madigan’s ties to Michael McClain, who is a Madigan confidant, the Chicago Tribune reported.“The defendant lied. Not just once but again and again and again, to prevent the grand jury from finding out” what Madigan, a Democrat, was up to, prosecutor Diane MacArthur said.Federal jurors in May convi...

Robbie Robertson of The Band dies: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

(WGHP) -- Rock guitarist Robbie Robertson has died, according to multiple reports. He was 80 years old. Robertson died in his home in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness, according to his management. Jared Levine, who was Robertson's manager for over 30 years, released the following statement to Variety and Rolling Stone: “Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’ In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Center.”THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1131 -- Pictured: Music...