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US moves to force recall of 52 million air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a big step toward forcing a defiant Tennessee company to recall 52 million air bag inflators that could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday said it has made an initial decision that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., and under license by another company, are defective. The agency scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 5, a required step before seeking a court-ordered recall.In May the agency asked ARC to recall the inflators, which it says are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. But ARC has refused to issue a full-scale recall, setting the stage for the possible court fight.Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from ARC. The company maintains that no safety defect exists, that NHTSA’s demand is based on a hypothesis rather than technical conclusions, and that the agency has no authority to order a part...

Quebec author Kevin Lambert in contention for prestigious Prix Goncourt award

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec author Kevin Lambert is in the running for a prestigious French literary prize.The young writer from Saguenay, Que., is on the list of contenders for the Prix Goncourt for his latest novel, “Que notre joie demeure.”The list will be shortened to eight and then four titles before the prize is awarded in November.Lambert’s third novel centres on the excesses of the ruling class and gentrification in Montreal.The book’s profile — and its sales — have increased in recent months after it sparked an online quarrel between the author and Quebec Premier François Legault.Legault published a short review of the book on social media and was rebuked by Lambert, who accused him of failing to understand the novel’s message at a time when the province is in the midst of a housing crisis.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2023.The Canadian Press

Mark Meadows pleads not guilty to charges in Georgia election case and waives right to arraignment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of participating in an illegal scheme to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and will not appear in court in Atlanta this week.Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had scheduled arraignment hearings for Wednesday for Meadows, former President Donald Trump and the other 17 people charged last month in a sprawling indictment. By midday Tuesday, all of the defendants had pleaded not guilty in filings with the court and waived their rights to an arraignment hearing.During an arraignment hearing, defendants have the right to have the charges against them read and to enter a formal plea. Trump pleaded not guilty in a court filing Thursday and Giuliani entered his plea Friday, with the rest of the pleas trickling in over several days. Meadows and four others are seeking to move the charges against them to federal court. But during a hearing last we...

Ground stoppage lifted for United Airlines after technical outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

CHICAGO — United Airlines flights are back in service after they were briefly halted nationwide on Tuesday because of an “equipment outage,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.One of several FAA bulletins said that United crews were unable to contact airline dispatchers through normal means. The FAA said the issue was limited to United and its subsidiaries.United issued a statement that said, “We are experiencing a systemwide technology issue and are holding all aircraft at their departure airports. Flights that are already airborne are continuing to their destination as planned. We’re currently investigating and will share more information as it becomes available.”Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted that he is aware of the situation and the FAA “is currently receiving more information about the cause and scope of the issue, and DOT will make sure UA meets its obligations to affected passengers.”Passengers are urged to check with fly.faa.gov for the status...

Man, woman dead after being pulled from Lake Michigan in 2 separate incidents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

CHICAGO — A man and woman have died after being pulled from Lake Michigan in two separate incidents.Around 10:30 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a person in the water after a witness observed multiple people jumping into the lake on the 5000 block of South Lake Shore Drive. A 27-year-old man did not resurface. The Chicago Police Department Marine Unit responded and recovered the man who was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. He was later prononced dead.Area One detectives are investigating. ‘It seemed to be the only choice’: Suspect allegedly leaves note inside victim’s car after violent attack Around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said witnesses saw a woman walking with a man near Montrose Harbor and then heard cries for help a short time later.Rescue teams were able to pull her out of the water in very critical condition. According to the medical examiner, the woman was later pronounced dead.

92-year-old man fatally struck by train in Antioch ID'd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

ANTIOCH, Ill. — A 92-year-old man was fatally struck by a train in Antioch.Emergency officials responded around 7:10 p.m. Friday to Route 173 east of Route 83 for a report of a person struck by a train. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man who had been struck by a train at the pedestrian crossing east of Route 83. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The man has been identified as 92-year-old Wayne Blanchette of Antioch. Autopsy results indicate that Blanchette died from blunt force injuries as a result of the incident. 24-year-old man critical after Lincoln Park shooting The accident remains under investigation.

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in low 90s, breezy and warm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the low 90s Tuesday with hot and humid conditions, 20 percent chance of a storm. Winds: S 10-15 G25. High: 92. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight with early morning storm chance. Winds: S 10-15 G25. Low: 73.Wednesday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, humid, rain & storm chance. Winds: SSW 0-15 G25. High: 87.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Bally's temporary Chicago casino could open this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

CHICAGO — The Bally's temporary casino in River North begins an important stretch of tests as it prepares to possibly open to the public this weekend.The media got a first-look inside the reimagined Medina Temple on Tuesday, but cameras were not allowed in.The first-floor has a large bar and about 420 gaming and slot machines. The second and third floors have a mix of table games and machines, as well as two restaurants.In all, there are more than 750 machines and 28 table games. The true capacity inside is about 3,500 people at any given time.According to Bally's, the temporary casino has received 16,000 job applications. From that, they hired 700 people for the Wabash and Ontario location — from security to maintenance staff, food service, and dealers.The tour day is happening before a big test, which happens Wednesday and Thursday, when they will invite friends and family to the casino to do a dry run.If the state signs off during this dry run, the casino could open its doors to ...

MedWatch: Tempers flare due to heat, dangers of 'compassion fatigue' — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

For Tuesday, Sept. 5, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Marijuana linked to mental health issues Marijuana may pose serious risks to mental health. According to researchers in Denmark, chronic use of cannabis raised the risk of major depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis by four times. Those with depression who self-medicate with marijuana may be causing the opposite effect. Researchers also found cannabis was linked to 30% of schizophrenia diagnoses in Danish men in 2021. Stroke risk linked to infertility treatments Women who become pregnant after infertility treatment are at greater risk of having a stroke within a year of giving birth than women who conceive naturally. A new study published in JAMA Network found stroke risk was elevated in the first days after delivery, and the odds continued to rise through the first year. Researchers emphasize that there's no need for alarm. The numbers remain low, with ...

United reports systemwide outage, holding all planes on the ground

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – United Airlines flights are stuck on the tarmac Tuesday due to a "systemwide technology issue," the company confirmed. All flights scheduled to take off were being held at their departure airports, the airline said at 12:38 p.m. Central Time. Flights that were already airborne were allowed to remain in the air and continue toward their planned desitnations.No estimated time for resolving the issue was given. "We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we work on a resolution to get you on your way as soon as possible," United said on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.