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Railroad union official: Safety compromised by job cuts and time constraints

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

Freight railcar inspections are happening less often and are not as thorough as in years past due to staff cuts, time constraints and regulatory loopholes, a union official testified Friday during a federal hearing to examine the reasons behind a fiery train derailment in Ohio.The National Transportation Safety Board said in its preliminary report that an overheating wheel bearing likely caused the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment that sent a plume of toxic black smoke into the sky near East Palestine, Ohio. Several tank cars were damaged in the crash, and officials decided that five of them containing vinyl chloride needed to be blown open to release the chemical and prevent an explosion.It’s not clear whether an inspector would have been able to catch that the bearing was failing because it is sealed within the railcar’s axle. No inspector was even given a chance.Jason Cox with the Transportation Communications Union testified Friday during the second day of the NTSB hearing tha...

Argentine dictatorship’s ‘death flight’ plane returned home for a historical reckoning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Flying from Florida to Buenos Aires usually takes about 10 hours, but the turboprop landing in Argentina on Saturday was no normal plane. It had been en route for 20 days, and many Argentines eagerly refreshed flight tracking software to keep tabs on its progress.The Short SC.7 Skyvan carried no crucial cargo nor VIP passengers. Rather, the plane will be another means for Argentines to reckon with the brutal history of their country’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship.The plane, which was discovered in the U.S., is the first ever proven in a court to have been used by Argentina’s junta to hurl political detainees to their deaths from the sky, one of the bloody period’s most cold-blooded atrocities.Argentina’s government will add the plane to the Museum of Memory, which is in what was the junta’s most infamous secret detention center. Known as the ESMA, it housed many of the detainees who were later tossed alive from the “death flights” into t...

‘Loud and proud’: Thousands rally for Dyke March in Toronto

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

Pride weekend festivities continued on Saturday with the annual Dyke March taking over the streets of downtown Toronto. Thousands made their way to the intersection of Hayden and Church streets for this year’s march, a rally that focuses on inclusion. “Today’s important because we need to see the visibility of dykes and lesbians in Toronto and worldwide,” said Leszlie Lee Kam. “There are no spaces for dykes and lesbians in Toronto. There are many spaces for gay men, so we are hoping that by being visible spaces will be created for us and we’re also trying to create spaces for ourselves, we are not waiting for people to do it for us. But we need to be working in partnership with people who already have the spaces to make room for us.”Many people said one of the main reasons for attending is because it is a safe space for them to be themselves. “Pride has been important to me since I realized I was bi-sexual when I was a teenager. I went...

Chicago dance studio plans to move to South Side after financial boost

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A dance theater currently in downtown Chicago is about to make a big leap after a financial boost will help make a dream a reality.Deeply Rooter Dance Theater currently operates at Ballet Chicago's downtown studios. 2 Chicago breweries are finalists in a major beer competition – and it’s helping them toward their main goal But they are planning to open a new $15.6 million facility in Washington Park."To have a state-of-the-art building that's going to be beautiful in stature, allow others to come in and dream of the possibilities for themselves," Nicole Clarke-Springer, the theater's artistic director said.Clarke-Springer said this dream has been a long time coming.In January, Makeda Crayton, who has danced on stages around the world, stepped into the role of executive director."I have worked in the industry for a long time and I understand what it feels like to feel like you are just a commodity, to not feel like a human being within this experience," Crayton said. "So ...

Chicago celebrates cultural diversity on World Refugee Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

CHICAGO — With World Refugee Day around the corner, Chicago, a city built on the backs of immigrants, is expected to celebrate cultural diversity. For over 20 years, Chicago has celebrated the day with its own style and a mix of cultures collaborated to promote unity over division. Most pools now open across Chicago after surge of lifeguard applicants "Chicago will always be a city that stands on solidarity and in support of our refugee neighbors," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Though this year's celebration comes with the challenges of today's reality as migrants, many asylum seekers from South America are bussed and flown to Chicago from Texas. "Whether you are coming from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Afghanistan, the democratic republic of Congo, these are just some of the places connected today," Johnson said. The crisis has stretched resources and promoted a clash between public officials and non-profit groups. "I’m proud to lead this city where refugees feel empowered to become a ...

Demonstrators gather in Chicago as abortion debate continues 1 year after Dobbs decision

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

CHICAGO — On the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, demonstrators on both sides of the debate gathered Saturday in downtown Chicago to make their voices heard.The activists gathered to stage demonstrations at Federal Plaza. One year later, the Supreme Court’s abortion decision is both scorned and praised "I'm here because I believe life should be protected from conception to natural death," Anel, a pro-life demonstrator said.Anti-abortion advocates gathered for a rally, march and had several speakers take the stage.Abortion rights activists, including Chicago for Abortion Rights, Stop Trans Genocide and the Gay Liberation Network, held a counter-protest."We realize the people across the street here are against our right to control our own bodies," Andy Thayer, the co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, said.Since the Dobbs decision one year ago, more than 25 million women are living in states where there are more restrictions on abortion access. Abortions have surged i...

Musical theater review: Guthrie spins some spirited Sondheim with ‘Into the Woods’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

Stephen Sondheim was right. As he and playwright James Lapine placed the finishing touches on their musical “Into the Woods” in 1987, the songsmith remarked that he could see their fairy-tale-based creation enjoying a lengthy shelf life, with productions at professional, community, college and high school theaters into the foreseeable future.And so it is. Add a 2014 film version and it’s certainly the most seen of the 16 musicals for which Sondheim penned the music and lyrics.Madeline Trumble (Baker’s Wife), Robert Knight (Baker) and Suzie Juul (Little Red Riding Hood) in the Guthrie Theater’s production of “Into the Woods,” Stephen Sondheim’s musical inspired by several fairy tales. The show runs June 17 — Aug. 13, 2023 at the Minneapolis theater. (Dan Norman / Guthrie Theater)Yet you’re unlikely to find a more expertly executed production of it than the one currently gracing the Guthrie Theater’s thrust stage. Under the direction of Sarna Lapine, the ...

Summer heat grips St. Louis region, with temps hitting high 90s

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS – We’re just days into summer and high temperatures Saturday made it one of the hottest days of the year thus far. Despite the dangerous heat, there are ways to stay cool.What started as a comfortable morning quickly turned into a scorcher of a Saturday, as temperatures rose to new heights.Those venturing outside will certainly feel the heat. With temperatures rising into the high 90s, summer is most definitely in the air.“I need a shower, but I feel good; feels good,” one runner said. Police share image of teens wanted for questioning in St. Louis mass shooting Whether on water or land, people showed up bright and early to Creve Coeur Park and lake to enjoy their weekend outdoors, with a side of caution.“Come out early, because the sun will take it out of you, even this early in the morning,” said runner Rich Dernec. “As you can see, it’s a sweaty one.”“I’m going to spend the rest of the day in air conditioning, listening to a book, reading a book or something like that...

Man dies after raft overturns in Arkansas River near Salida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

A man died Friday when a raft overturned in the Arkansas River near Salida.The incident happened about 3 p.m. when three people in a private raft entered the Bear Creek Rapid, a Class III rapid, and the raft flipped, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.“All three people were thrown into the swiftly flowing, 60-degree water,” the release said.One person safely made it to shore, and a second person was rescued by an Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area ranger who was patrolling the river.The third passenger and the upside-down raft went missing downriver, triggering a search that included rangers, Parks and Wildlife officers, the Salida Fire Department, Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Valley Ambulance and Howard Fire Department.“The upside-down raft eventually was spotted about 2 miles downstream, just above Wellsville,” the release said. “It appeared ...

Los Angeles Police bust drug lab disguised as a pizza shop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:25 GMT

What appeared to be a pizza shop in North Hollywood was really cooking up illegal THC concentrates, authorities said.The illicit “super lab” was located in the 7300 block of Radford Avenue next to a pet hospital, according to a tweet from LAPD Commanding Officer Lillian L. Carranza.Photos posted to social media by LAPD show what looks to be a functioning commercial kitchen, but instead of pizza, there were batches of THC honey oil in the boxes and on the cooling racks. An illicit THC honey oil extraction lab disguised as a pizza shop was busted in North Hollywood on Thursday. (Twitter/@LAPDCARRANZA)An illicit THC honey oil extraction lab disguised as a pizza shop was busted in North Hollywood on Thursday. (Twitter/@LAPDCARRANZA)An illicit THC honey oil extraction lab disguised as a pizza shop was busted in North Hollywood on Thursday. (Twitter/@LAPDCARRANZA)"We've heard of secret ingredients, but this takes the pie!," LAPD posted to social media. "It seems like criminals are ge...