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Cleanup cost for nuclear contamination sites has risen nearly $1 billion since 2016, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The estimated future cost to clean up 19 sites contaminated by nuclear waste from the Cold War era has risen by nearly $1 billion in the past seven years, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.The GAO report urges the Army Corps of Engineers to improve management practices for cleaning up contaminated sites under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, or FUSRAP. The recommendations include improved planning so resources can be better shared among sites and developing more comprehensive cost estimates.Officials say inflation is partly to blame for the cost increase, along with uncertainties about the cleanup. The report found that four sites with “complicated cleanup remedies or large amounts of contamination” are responsible for about three-fourths of the cost increase. Two of those sites are in New York state — one near Niagara Falls and one in Lockport. The others are in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, an...

Government to begin sharing results of federal spending review next month, Anand says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

OTTAWA — Treasury Board President Anita Anand says the federal government will begin sharing the results of its spending review next month, with final calculations coming out at the beginning of March.The Liberals promised in the spring budget to reduce overall government spending by $14.1 billion from 2023 to 2028, and by $4.1 billion annually after that.The Liberals pledged to reduce discretionary spending on government consulting, professional services and travel by 15 per cent or $7.1 billion over five years.The public service is also supposed to find $7 billion in savings over four years on operations and transfer payments.Anand said at a news conference that ministers were tasked to find excess spending in their departments and to re-examine things like outsourcing and executive travel.Anand said those savings will be used to to spend on government priorities, such as the clean economy, affordable housing and supports for the middle class. This report by The Canadian Press was...

OPP identifies man charged in double-fatal crash on QEW near Mississauga

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have identified a 32-year-old man charged in a double-fatal, multi-vehicle crash on the QEW last weekend.OPP said the fatal collision happened on the eastbound portion of the highway between Erin Mills Parkway and Mississauga Road just after midnight on Sunday.Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said four vehicles were involved, two of which caught fire.Sgt. Schmidt said the first vehicle hit had two occupants — a 34-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from Hamilton. That car and the first one that was struck was “consumed by fire.”“The two occupants in that second vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene,” Sgt. Schmidt said. “The driver of the vehicle that struck the second one was able to get out… they were subsequently arrested.”OPP identified the accused as 32-year-old Andy Persaud of Mississauga. He is charged with two counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing death. ...

Trump appealing narrow gag order imposed on him in federal election interference case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers told a court Tuesday that they are appealing a narrow gag order imposed on him in his federal 2020 election interference case. Trump’s lawyers said in court papers that they will challenge an order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan that bars Trump from making statements targeting prosecutors, potential witnesses and court staff. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team sought the order against the Republican 2024 presidential front-runner over a litany of verbal attacks from him on likely witnesses and others. Prosecutors say the attacks were designed to undermine the public’s confidence in the judicial process and taint the jury pool. Trump vowed Monday to appeal the ruling, calling it unconstitutional. During a court hearing on Monday, Chutkan said Trump can criticize the Justice Department generally and assert his belief that the case in Washington is politically motivated. But Chutkan, who was appointed by President B...

Wisconsin Republicans reject eight Evers appointees, including majority of environmental board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to fire eight state board appointees from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration, including a majority of the panel that sets the state’s environmental and wildlife policies.In a series of votes that fell mostly along party lines, the Senate rejected confirmation for four members of the Natural Resources Board, as well as a Democratic elections commissioner who tried earlier this year to prevent the Senate from voting to fire the state’s top elections official, a nonpartisan role. Republicans also rejected nomination of a medical board chair who has supported abortion rights, Evers’ former spokesperson who was reappointed to the Council on Domestic Abuse, and a member of an agricultural board whose appointment was opposed by dairy and business groups.For years, Evers and Senate Republicans have clashed over gubernatorial appointments. GOP lawmakers refused to act on many of the gove...

Tories want House to study CBC editorial choice, despite broadcaster’s independence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

OTTAWA — The official Opposition is attempting to have a House of Commons committee study an editorial decision of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., despite its independence from the government being enshrined in law. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman introduced a motion today to summon the head of CBC and its director of journalistic standards to testify over the broadcaster’s policy not to call Hamas militants “terrorists.”The CBC is defending the policy, saying it uses the words “terrorist” or “terrorism” when they are attributed to someone, but is asking reporters to avoid using the words in their own voice because they are loaded with meaning, politics and emotion that can impede their journalism.Paul Knox, a professor emeritus at the Toronto Metropolitan University school of journalism, says he believes the Tories’ motion is unprecedented, and he thinks it is out of line because it infringes on freedom of the press.He sa...

Israeli airstrike on hospital kills hundreds, ministry says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

BREAKING UPDATE: A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.Abbas was scheduled to join Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesday’s summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the latest Israel-Hamas war with Biden.But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that Hamas health officials say has killed over 500 people.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.Original story:KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.The he...

Suspected arsonist targeting North Side Halloween decorations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A community alert was issued Tuesday for a suspected arsonist targeting some Halloween and fall decorations on the North Side.Chicago police are looking for a suspect described as a white man, 35 to 40 years old, 6' feet tall, balding with a beard and mustache. He has been seen wearing glasses, a black jacket, blue jeans and a messenger bag.The man is accused of targeting Halloween and fall decorations throughout Lincoln Square, North Center and Roscoe Village. CPD said the last three fires were ignited on front porches.courtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policeCourtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policecourtesy Chicago policeA timeline of the incidents is below, per Chicago police.4600 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 4 at 1:50 a.m.2100 block of West Montrose Oct. 4 at 3:48 a.m.4500 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 4 at 4 a.m.4600 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 7 at 4:13 a.m.4000 block of North Lincoln on Oct. 9 at 2:58 a.m.2100 block of West Agatite on Oct. 11 at 3:10...

How recycling can help Chicagoans get a slice of free pizza a day in November

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

CHICAGO — If you want to do something good for the environment while also getting something to eat for lunch or dinner, you're in luck one day this November in downtown Chicago. It's all part of the "Toss In, Take Out" initiative by Coca-Cola in an effort to get people more in the habit of recycling in cities across the country.In Chicago, they'll hold an event on Tuesday, November 7 at Lou Maltani's West Loop location at 1235 W. Randolph Street. From Noon to 8 p.m., customers who visit the location and bring an empty plastic beverage bottle of any kind will receive a free slice of either cheese, pepperoni, or sausage pizza.Coca-Cola is holding the event in celebration of the company's expansion of their 100 percent recycled plastic 20-ounce bottles with a number of their products. "Toss In, Take Out" events are scheduled to be held in two other cities before Chicago's day on November 7.New York City - Tuesday, Oct. 24 - Bleecker Street Pizza - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.Atlanta...

Bears reportedly signing another quarterback this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — With Justin Fields' status for this week and perhaps longer up in the air due to an injury, the Bears are adding another quarterback to their roster. Per a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears will sign free agent signal caller Trace McSorley to their practice squad ahead of their game with the Raiders at Soldier Field on Sunday.The team hasn't confirmed the move as they are scheduled to start preps for Las Vegas on Wednesday at Halas Hall. This comes as Fields is dealing with a thumb injury that he suffered in the third quarter of the Bears' loss to the Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. On Monday, head coach Matt Eberflus said that the starting quarterback is doubtful as the team waits for the swelling around the thumb to reduce. Should he not be able to go, rookie Tyson Bagent would get his first career start against the Raiders with Nathan Peterman serving as his backup. A three-time All-Big Ten second team selection at Penn State, McSorley was ...