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Illinois DCFS director resigns

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

CHICAGO — The head of Illinois’ child welfare agency announced his resignation during a zoom meeting with staff today, according to participants. Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Marc Smith to lead the Department of Children and Family Services in April 2019. Neither DCFS nor the governor’s office responded to inquiries. Smith’s tenure coincided with a surge in the number of kids being monitored by the agency and a global pandemic that made finding shelter and foster care for kids in crisis extra challenging. WGN Investigates reported in 2019 that an increasing number of kids were sleeping in DCFS offices due to a lack of appropriate placement options.Pritzker called the conditions “unacceptable” and Smith vowed to tackle the problem and open “welcome centers” to accommodate kids. However, in 2022, lawmakers summoned Smith to hearings sparked by WGN Investigates reporting and the director acknowledged nearly 200 kids had spent at least one night in space not licensed as a proper...

Mayor Johnson signs order to establish city's first chief homelessness officer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Johnson announced Tuesday a new executive order establishing a chief homelessness officer for the City of Chicago.It will be the first ever position of its kind in the city."It’s long overdue to provide solutions for stable, permanent and affordable housing for more than 68,000 of our unhoused neighbors,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By establishing a Chief Homelessness Officer for the City of Chicago, we will have a critical point of contact to coordinate efforts and leverage the full force of government to provide shelter for all people."Johnson said the new position will be responsible for addressing the complexities of homelessness and housing insecurity in Chicago, fostering greater policy and operational coordination across city departments and sister agencies and providing strong leadership to effect improvements."Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness is so pleased to partner with Mayor Johnson to create the first-ever Chief Homelessness Officer positio...

A new communications tool helps to prepare for floods

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Flooding continues to be the most frequent severe weather-related threat in Central Texas and across the country. It's not just a major threat but a costly one as well.The National Weather Service has a new tool designed to help emergency and water managers be better prepared for and respond to flooding. This new feature being added to the NWS' suite of products will work to support flash flood watch information and warnings. It's a product that will provide near-real-time, high-resolution street visualizations showing when, where, and how much flood waters are forecast. It's the first of its kind.Proper and timely communication is essential because lives are at stake in a flooding situation. This new modeling will provide more pertinent information for emergency managers, so they can be better prepared to mitigate and reply to flood impacts.A spokesperson for NOAA's National Weather Center says it will, among other things, assist emergency management officials to p...

Emergency drill this afternoon at Glens Falls Hospital

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This afternoon, first responders from around the city will be at Glens Falls Hospital, going through a safety drill. Locals who pass by and notice a police presence don't need to worry about an actual emergency taking place. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! From 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, members of the Glens Falls Police Department, Warren County Sheriff's Office, and New York State Police will be at the hospital, joined by other local first responders. The organizations will be onsite in order to carry out an Incident Response Drill.Incident Response Drills are often used to test safety systems and ensure that buildings can be evacuated or shelter reached in case of emergency. Drills are recommended on an annual basis.

VT man charged with attempted murder in domestic incident

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

ORWELL, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Vermont man was arrested on Sunday and faces several charges, including attempted murder. Daniel Richland, 32, had been sought after by police since September 19. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police asked the public for help in finding Richland following a domestic incident. He was taken into custody on Sunday night in Orwell, Vermont. Charges:Attempted murderKidnappingUnlawful restraintBurglaryOccupied dwelling Forest Rangers, State Police respond to fatal ATV crash Richland was arraigned Monday in Bennington District Court. The Manchester, Vermont Police Department released a statement regarding the apprehension of Richland. "The successful apprehension of Daniel Richland demonstrates the effectiveness of community engagement and collaboration in maintaining safety and security within our region."

Hiker airlifted from Algonquin Peak trail

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

NORTH ELBA, N.Y. (NEWS10) - At the end of September, an injured hiker on an Adirondack mountain required a rescue by air. An aviation rescue was performed along the Algonquin Peak trail. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Forest Rangers received a call at about 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, reporting a hiker with an unstable lower leg injury along the trail. A helicopter with the New York State Police Aviation Unit was called in, and a ranger airdropped to the hiker's position. The 33-year-old Canada resident was stabilized, hoisted, and flown to hospital care. Adirondack landscapes at center of Chapman exhibit The Algonquin Trail provides a route to Algonquin Peak and Wright Peak, both located near Lake Placid. The 8.4-mile hike is considered challenging, with the Algonquin Peak route leading to the second-highest point of elevation in New York at 5,115 feet. Algonquin and Wright are both Adirondack High Peaks mountains.

Attorney general urges Tyson Foods to sell two southern Missouri plants

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wants Tyson Foods to sell two plants at risk of closing doors in southern Missouri. Bailey directed a letter to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie D. King on Tuesday in an effort to prevent plants in small Missouri communities, Dexter and Noel, from closing. Tyson announced plans to close both Missouri plants and two others in August, though the exact timetable for that remains unclear. Alderwoman grabs mic after questions about her absence from meetings In his latter, Bailey cites "serious concern" for working-class families in southern Missouri. "These plants are critical to local communities," said Bailey in the letter. "Closure will have ripple effects that will harm more than just the individuals who would lose their factory jobs. How can a restaurant or grocery store in a town of 2,000 people expect to stay open when 1,500 people lose their jobs? What will chicken farmers and grain growers do if the plants they have lon...

Colo. 93 closed in Arvada due to “serious injury” crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

Colo. 93 in Arvada is closed in both directions due to a crash.The crash happened near the intersection with Colo. 72, Arvada police reported about 8:45 a.m. on X.Officers are responding to a serious injury accident at Hwy 72 and Hwy 93. Hwy 93 southbound is closed at Hwy 72. Hwy 93 northbound is closed at 82nd Ave. Alternate routes advised. Updates posted here as available. pic.twitter.com/VXP4z5HL0C— Arvada Police (@ArvadaPolice) October 4, 2023Police said there were serious injuries at the crash.Colo. 93 northbound is closed at 82nd Avenue, and northbound traffic is being rerouted to Indiana Street.The southbound lanes of the highway are closed at Colo. 72.Police advised drivers to find alternate routes while the highway is closed.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Woman hit, killed in early Tuesday crash near Aurora middle school Crime and Public Safety | 44th, Harlan in Wheat Ridge reopened after crash Crime and Public Safety | ...

Broncos releasing veteran OLB Randy Gregory, bailing on five-year contract after just 10 games

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

Sean Payton and the Broncos delivered a Week 5 surprise Wednesday by releasing veteran pass rusher Randy Gregory, multiple sources confirmed to The Post.Gregory inked a five-year deal worth up to $70 million in the spring of 2022 but played in just 10 games for the franchise. He had about $28 million guaranteed on his deal.Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | WATCH: What Sean Payton, Broncos have learned over first four games and sizing up Nathaniel Hackett, New York Jets Denver Broncos | Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin’s fiery attitude, displayed through touchdown celebration, has him in line for expanded role on offense Denver Broncos | Broncos waive CB Essang Bassey, sign WR Tre’Quan Smith to practice squad as roster churn begins Denver Broncos | Broncos Mailbag: Is Sean Payton’s team going to bounce back? Tank? Or just end up being bad and boring? Denver Broncos | Upon Further Review: Broncos ...

“Tiger King” subject Carole Baskin weighs in on big cat hunting in Colorado

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:16:41 GMT

Big cat hunting in Colorado is not for meatI write to shed light on a subject that is often overlooked in discussions about trophy hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado — consumption of their meat. Proponents of these activities may argue that the meat is used, but the reality is far from it. Mountain lion and bobcat meat is not inspected by the USDA, posing a potential public health risk. The meat could harbor zoonotic diseases, which can transfer from animals to humans, creating untold health risks.Further, you won’t find mountain lion or bobcat meat on the menu in any restaurant that considers itself part of a civilized society. The very notion evokes a sense of disgust because it’s fundamentally at odds with our ethical and social norms. The primary motivations for hunting these animals are not for food but for sport and profit, often leaving families of these beautiful creatures orphaned and vulnerable.The absence of mountain lion and ...