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Food banks even more critical to address food insecurity as students head back to school

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Food banks have been struggling to keep up since the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation has led to exponential growth in visits across the GTA.As children head back to school, it’s becoming an even more critical service.Foot traffic inside some of the busiest food banks in the greater Toronto area is quickly picking up, including at the North York Harvest Food Bank in Lawrence Heights. They say there has been a 40 per cent increase over last year as more residents struggle to keep up with the cost of living.“With the trend on the rise, this is certainly very concerning,” said Henry Chiu, Director of Development and Marketing at North York Harvest Foodbank.More than 25,000 clients visit this network of food banks with one-third of those clients under the age of 19. Of those children, two-thirds of them are 11 years old or younger.“Among the new clients right now, we’re seeing families more than single-parent households. so that means a lot more childre...

New Mexico governor’s suspension of right to public carry ignites protests, lawsuits and debates

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Some demonstrators defiantly wore holstered handguns on their hips or carried assault rifles in a Tuesday rally by gun-rights advocates, protesting New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s surprise order to suspend the right to carry firearms after two children were recently killed in separate shootings. The rally unfolded on Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza shortly before New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced he cannot defend the governor’s public health order on firearms, exposing a divide between the state’s top-ranked elected Democrats. In his letter to Lujan Grisham, Torrez said that although he agrees a debate is needed on the impact of gun violence, it cannot be rebranded a public health emergency to justify a blanket 30-day prohibition against carrying firearms in and around Albuquerque. He urged the governor to consider whether her time would be better spent on developing comprehensive legislation. “While I understand that fru...

CDC panel recommends new COVID booster: When can you get it?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of experts recommended Tuesday that the updated COVID-19 vaccines be available to nearly all Americans to help combat the spread of the virus heading into fall. But don't rush to the pharmacy just yet. The CDC panel's decision comes a day after the Food and Drug Administration also chose to recommend the new formulation. However, there is one more key step that needs to happen before the vaccines can be administered. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen still needs to give the green light, which could happen as soon as Tuesday evening, NBC News reported. RSV rising in one US region, CDC issues alert Once that happens, the updated vaccines will be available at local pharmacies and vaccination sites in as soon as 48 hours, according to CNN. One Pfizer official said his company expected to have doses available at some U.S. locations as early as Wednesday.Both Moderna and Pfizer have updated their vaccine formula to focus on the o...

Aaron Rodgers has torn Achilles tendon, will miss the rest of the season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(AP) — Aaron Rodgers has a torn left Achilles tendon and the 39-year-old New York Jets quarterback will miss the rest of the season, coach Robert Saleh announced Tuesday.An MRI revealed the four-time NFL MVP's injury, confirming what the Jets feared after their 22-16 overtime win over Buffalo on Monday night. Saleh said Rodgers will have season-ending surgery, but he wasn't certain when that would occur.Torn Achilles tendons typically take several months of recovery due to the extensive rehabilitation needed.On his fourth regular-season snap in a Jets uniform, Rodgers tried to avoid a rushing Leonard Floyd, who wrapped up the quarterback and spun him down to the MetLife Stadium turf. Rodgers stood up after a few moments, looked over to the Jets' sideline and then sat on the turf — seemingly knowing he was seriously hurt.He needed help from trainers to get to New York’s sideline, where he was taken to the blue medical tent to be examined. Rodgers then got on a car...

Austin installing paid parking along South Congress

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beginning Monday, city crews began installing paid parking signage along South Congress Avenue as part of the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District.Austin City Council approved adding paid parking to the strip in March. Under that council item, at least 100 parking spaces on or near South Congress would be designated as paid spots.City crews are expected to finish installing parking signs on South Congress Avenue by early next week before focusing efforts on adjacent side streets. Council documents from March said the item aimed to help with traffic congestion, adding money collected through the paid spots would go toward "proposed improvement projects."Initial South Congress parking regulations (Courtesy: Austin Transportation and Public Works Department)The full signage rollout is estimated to take between four and five weeks, so long as there aren't any weather delays, officials noted in an Austin Mobility newsletter. Parking enforcement pe...

One in four older adults in Austin still working, online study says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to a new study conducted by ChamberofCommerce.org, Austin ranks 12th in the nation for cities with the most working seniors. The report said more people 65+ are delaying retirement or unretiring and going back to work. "Specifically, among adults ages 65 to 74, the workforce participation rate is expected to grow from 25.8% to 30.7% by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics," the report said. The study shows one in four Austin seniors are still working."About 27%, which is higher than the national average, which is about one in five or 21% nationwide," said researcher with ChamberofCommerce.org Colin Czarnecki.Top 15 cities with most working seniors: Alexandria, VirginiaTallahassee, FloridaDallas, TexasIrvine, CaliforniaWashington, DCPlano, TexasAnchorage, AlaskaMinneapolis, MinnesotaOverland Park, KansasMadison, WisconsinArlington, TexasAustin, TexasOmaha, NebraskaFort Collins, ColoradoNashville, TennesseeOccupations with h...

Austin unveils new signs along Red River Cultural District

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Red River Cultural District in downtown Austin is debuting a new look this week.The City of Austin's Economic Development Department collaborated with the Red River Cultural District on new signs and banners adorning the downtown corridor. The elements aim to pay "tribute to local artists and venues, enhancing the exploration for district visitors as they experience its vibrant landscape," per a release.“The revitalization of the Red River Cultural District through initiatives like our street banners and custom street signs demonstrates our dedication to local districts,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, director of the economic development department, in the release. “These visual landmarks not only enhance navigation but also weave the fabric of culture and commerce, making our city an even more alluring destination.”The customized signs and banners were designed by Bart Kibbe. Part of the wayfinding upgrades are intended to elevate phrases and representations of the ...

Metro Transit workers authorize potential strike in advance of next contract bargaining session

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Bus and light rail operators, mechanics, call center workers, farebox collectors, station cleaners and other front-line staff employed by Metro Transit voted this week to authorize a strike for higher wages, a salvo in advance of bargaining sessions with the public transit authority scheduled for Sept. 22 and Oct. 5.That does not mean a strike is imminent: under state law, an actual strike would first require mediation and a 10-day strike notice.Members of Amalgamated Transit Union 1005 approved the strike authorization by 94 to 6 percent, according to ATU 1005 President Ryan Timlin. The union represents some 2,000 Metro Transit employees whose contract expired a month ago.“We are not anticipating any immediate service impacts at this time,” said Terri Dresen, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Council, the metro’s regional planning agency, which oversees Metro Transit. “Our employees are integral to serving those who rely on transit and we look forward to r...

Charges: St. Catherine student physically and sexually assaulted by boyfriend over three days in dorm room

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

A St. Catherine University student was beaten, “waterboarded” and raped in her dorm room by her boyfriend over three days last week, charges say.Keanu Avery Labatte, 19, of Granite Falls, Minn., was arrested Sunday in the woman’s dorm room and charged Monday with three counts of first-degree sexual conduct, domestic assault by strangulation and threats of violence in connection with the alleged assaults at the St. Paul university.Keanu Avery Labatte (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)Labatte appeared in Ramsey County District Court on the charges Tuesday, when a judge set his bail at $80,000. Labatte, who remains jailed, was granted a public defender, who has not returned a call for comment.According to the criminal complaint:The woman reported to campus security at 10:50 a.m. Sunday that she had been physically and sexually assaulted multiple times Thursday, Friday and Saturday in her room by Labatte, her boyfriend of two months. She said he was...

Man arrested in connection with Forest Lake runaway case faces new kidnapping, solicitation charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

The Dalbo man accused of helping a Forest Lake teen run away this summer and hiding her in a tent in rural Pine County now faces felony charges of kidnapping and soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct.Prosecutors in Pine County have amended a criminal complaint against Shawn Bellach, 37, to include the more serious charges; Bellach was originally charged with a felony count of deprivation of parental rights-causing a child to be a runaway.Shawn Patrick Bellach. (Courtesy of the Pine County Sheriff’s Office)Bellach was arrested on July 21 after the girl, 14, was located on a property north of Grasston, Minn., where she had been living in a tent. The girl, who was found on July 21, had been missing since May 19. She left her Forest Lake house that morning on her bicycle that had a yellow bike trailer attached to it and took her cat and $3,000 in cash from her babysitting money, according to the criminal complaint.The girl’s mother told the Pioneer Press that the girl lef...