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BC High renames campus building after research reveals founder’s ties to slavery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Boston College High School is renaming its original building on Morrissey Boulevard to remove the name of the school’s founder.The original building was named for Father John McElroy, but research revealed McElroy owned slaves in the early 19th century. The school’s president said the building will be renamed to St. Ignatius Hall this fall.

Police investigating after shooting at Ottawa wedding leaves two dead, six injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Ottawa police say a shooting at a wedding has left two men dead and six people injured. They say shots rang out at 10:21 on Saturday night outside the Infinity Convention Centre, where the victims were attending the wedding.Residents living nearby reported hearing between 20 and 25 gunshots around the time police were called. The force has not released the victims’ names or shared details about the conditions of the injured.  There have been no arrests made so far, and no suspect information is currently available. Police are asking anyone with video footage of the scene or information on the shooting to come forward, saying the incident has left the city shaken. “This violence is tragic and unacceptable. It is disturbing for our entire community,” the force said in a Sunday morning news release. “Police are reaching out to community leaders to ensure the families of the victims are supported.”This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. ...

Nova Scotia ceremony marks 25th anniversary of deadly Swissair crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

INDIAN HARBOUR, N.S. — A delegation of Canadian military veterans, RCMP officers and first responders have gathered in Nova Scotia today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Canada’s military response to the deadly crash of Swissair Flight 111.Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor told participants she wants to thank soldiers, police, firefighters and community members who rushed to help after the crash.The MD-11 passenger jet plunged into the waters near Peggy’s Cove, N.S., on Sept. 2, 1998, during a flight from New York to Geneva, Switzerland, killing all 229 people on board.Steven Harris, assistant deputy minister of Veteran’s Affairs, told the commemorative ceremony at the Peggy’s Cove Swissair Memorial in Indian Harbour, N.S., that the lives of those who sought to help, comfort and understand the tragedy were changed forever. Family members of some of the crash victims are also participating in the ceremony.Petitpas Taylor led a candlelight...

For small biz reliant on summer tourism, extreme weather is the new pandemic — for better or worse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For small businesses that rely on summer tourism to keep afloat, extreme weather is replacing the pandemic as the determining factor in how well a summer will go. The pandemic had its ups and downs for tourism, with a total shutdown followed by a rush of vacations due to pent-up demand. This year, small businesses say vacation cadences are returning to normal. But now, they have extreme weather to deal with — many say it’s hurting business, but more temperate spots are seeing a surge.Tourism-related businesses have always been at the mercy of the weather. But with heat waves, fires and storms becoming more frequent and intense, small businesses increasingly see extreme weather as their next long-term challenge. For Jared Meyers, owner of Legacy Vacation Resorts, with eight locations, including four in Florida, Hurricane Idalia’s landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm led to a loss in revenue as he temporarily closed one resort and and closed another to ...

Students transform their drab dorm rooms into comfy living spaces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — From $300 studded headboards and $100 coffee table books to custom-made cabinets to disguise your mini-fridge, students are spending big bucks to decorate their dorm rooms, adding yet another layer to the soaring costs of college.Some are even going so far as to hire interior designers to beautify their 12 feet by 20 feet of space. Lesley Lachman, 18, planned her furnishings for her dorm room with her roommate immediately after deciding to attend the University of Mississippi back in May. The Rye, New York resident scoured websites like Pinterest and designed her room herself — with hues of pink, purple and green culled from a mix of pricey brands like Essentials with Eden as well as less expensive items from Ikea and Facebook Marketplace. Total cost for the design? About $3,000, covered by her parents.“There’s so much work that had to be done because it felt lackluster. It didn’t feel homey,” said Lachman, who posted a “before” and “after” video of her r...

Sunday Forecast: Mostly sunny, mid 90s, breezy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Sunday: Mostly sunny, hot & breezy. SW 10-15, G25 mph. High: 94Sunday Night: Mostly clear & warm. SW 5-10 mphMonday: Mostly sunny, hot & muggier. SW 5-15 mph. High 93, heat index near 100.Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for temps to stay hot and conditions quite muggy for Tue/Wed with a chance of isolated showers/t'storms. Cooler by the end of the week with temps closer to the normal of 80 for this time of year. 

What stores, restaurants are open on Labor Day?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — The unofficial end of summer is upon us: Labor Day weekend. If you're on the road or need an extra bag of chips for your barbecue, here's what is and isn't open on Labor Day. As you may have guessed, you won't be getting any mail on Monday — the U.S. Postal Service observes Labor Day and will have the day off. Most FedEx services, except FedEx Office and FedEx Office Custom Critical, will be closed for Labor Day. You likely won't receive any FedEx deliveries on the Sunday before Labor Day either, as only Home Delivery and Office will be available. Labor Day is also an observed holiday for Amazon and UPS.However, most retailers will be open for Labor Day. That includes: AlbertsonsBig LotsDollar GeneralKroger storesSproutsTargetTrader Joe'sWalmartWhole FoodsHours may vary by location; be sure to check your local store's hours online or call ahead. Aldi, for example, has already confirmed its stores will operate under limited hours on Labor Day, closing at 6 p.m. local time...

Burning Man: Death under investigation as flooding strands thousands at Nevada festival site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Authorities in Nevada were investigating a death at the site of the Burning Man festival where thousands of attendees remained stranded Saturday night as flooding from storms swept through the Nevada desert.Organizers closed vehicular access to the counterculture festival and attendees trudged through mud, many barefoot or wearing plastic bags on their feet. The revelers were urged to shelter in place and conserve food, water and other supplies.The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said the death happened during the event but offered few details as the investigation continued, including the identity of the deceased person or the suspected cause of death, KNSD-TV reported. Entrance to Burning Man in Nevada closed due to flooding, festivalgoers urged to shelter in place Vehicle gates will not open for the remainder of the event, which began on Aug. 27 and was scheduled to end Monday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the Black Rock Dese...

$3 million federal grant going to early childhood center at former Pease campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District said its board of trustees approved a partnership Thursday between the district and United Way for Greater Austin to open an early childhood education center at the former site of Pease Elementary School in downtown Austin.District leaders shared more information Friday morning about the expected federal funding allocation for the Pease campus saying the center would be responsive to the needs of the community.U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) took part in Friday's announcement along with AISD Interim Superintendent Matias Segura, AISD Trustee Lynn Boswell, United Way for Greater Austin CEO David Smith and AISD Director of Real Estate and Asset Management Jeremy Stiffler, according to the district.Doggett shared he secured initial approval for $3 million of federal funding toward the renovation of the facility.The project at the site on 1106 Rio Grande St. would "help strengthen childhood development and workforce par...

Over 4,000-acre fire near Houston 40% contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

WALKER COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to an over 4,000-acre fire blazing in Walker County near Houston, officials said in a social media post Saturday.Officials said the fire — dubbed the Game Preserve Fire — is 4,254 acres in size and 40% contained as of Sunday morning. The Forest Service noted the flanks and head of the fire remain active, with aircraft and engine crews helping to protect nearby structures from the blaze.Officials added a temporary flight restriction is now in place for the Game Preserve Fire, with people asked to avoid the area "to create a safe space for firefighting aircraft."