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New California mental health court sees more than 100 petitions in first two months

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An alternative mental health court to compel treatment for people with severe mental illness has received more than 100 petitions since launching in seven California counties in October, state officials said Friday.The state believes between 7,000 and 12,000 people statewide will eventually be eligible for “CARE Court,” which launched on a limited basis before Los Angeles County became the latest and largest county to start the program on Friday.“This is exactly where we want to be,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.Ghaly told reporters he’s optimistic about the early results and that the number of referrals reflects the small population eligible until now. Only those who are at least 18 years old and have schizophrenia or a related disorder would qualify. Severe depression, bipolar disorder and addiction by itself do not qualify.“We’re in good shape. We’re providing the time to our local partners to cr...

Female athletes sue the University of Oregon alleging Title IX violations by the school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

Thirty-two female athletes filed a lawsuit against the University of Oregon on Friday that alleges the school is violating Title IX by not providing equal treatment and opportunities to women. The plaintiffs, who are all either on the varsity beach volleyball team or the club rowing team, are accusing the school of “depriving women of equal treatment and benefits, equal athletic aid, and equal opportunities to participate in varsity intercollegiate athletics.”The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon, seeks correction of the alleged violations and unspecified damages. The lead counsel for the women is Arthur H. Bryant of Bailey & Glasser, who is known for legal efforts to enforce Title IX, the federal law that prohibits gender inequality by educational institutions receiving federal funds.The beach volleyball players say they do not have facilities for practicing or competing. Instead, the team must practice and compete at a public park with inadequate fac...

Klete Keller, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, gets 6 months in home detention for Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist swimmer Klete Keller, who threw his USA team jacket in a trash can after he stormed the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Friday to six months of home detention for joining the mob’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the seat of American democracy.At 6-foot-6, Keller towered over police officers guarding the Capitol and other Donald Trump supporters who breached the building, and he was quickly identified by authorities. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to a felony charge and was one of the first rioters to publicly agree to cooperate with authorities investigating the Capitol attack.Video captured Keller leading profane chants directed at then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, both Democrats. He also joined a chorus of rioters in singing the national anthem in the middle of the Capitol. He resisted efforts to remove him from the Capitol, ripping an elbow away and shaking off a police officer, prosecutors said. U.S. Distri...

Teenage male hospitalized after Scarborough stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

A stabbing in Scarborough has sent a teenage male to hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries.It happened at Lawrence Avenue East and Brockle Drive at around 4:13 p.m., police said.Toronto paramedics found the victim at the scene and transported him to hospital.Police say they are looking for a male suspect with black shoulder length wavy hair who was last seen wearing a light blue jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Court pauses federal policy allowing abortion clinic operators to get grants — but only in Ohio

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

A federal appeals court has paused enforcement of a federal government regulation that allows abortion providers to receive federal family planning money — but only in Ohio, where state health officials said the policy took money away from them. Since 1981, federal policy has changed several times regarding whether programs receiving family planning funds can provide abortions or refer patients to such services. Soon after President Joe Biden took office in 2021, the administration made rules to allow groups with abortion services to receive the funding again.A dozen states with Republican attorneys general challenged the rule.A U.S. District Court judge ruled last year that the Biden administration’s version of the rules could remain in effect while the challenge moves through the court system.A majority of the three-judge panel from the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overruled that in a decision Thursday — but only as it applies to how the federal governm...

Protester critically injured after setting self on fire outside Israeli consulate in Atlanta

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — A protester was in critical condition Friday after setting themself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said. A security guard who tried to intervene was also injured.A Palestinian flag found at the scene was part of the protest, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference.He added that investigators did not believe there was any connection to terrorism and none of the consular staff was ever in danger.“We do not see any threat here,” he said. “We believe it was an act of extreme political protest that occurred.”Authorities did not release the protester’s name, age or gender. The person set up outside the building in the city’s midtown neighborhood on Friday afternoon and used gasoline as an accelerant, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith said. The protester was in critical condition, with burn injuries to the body. A security guard that tried to stop the person was burned on his wrist and leg, Smith said.Schierb...

Truck strikes overpass, causing crash and blocking of all lanes on OB Bishop Ford

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

CHICAGO — All lanes are blocked on outbound Bishop Ford Expressway near 134th Street after a truck struck an overpass, causing an ensuing crash, Illinois State Police said Friday. Traffic is getting by on the right shoulder, however.Just before 4 p.m., troopers responded to the area following reports that a truck tractor struck an overpass and caused an attached shipping container to become dislodged. As a result of the crash, the shipping container is blocking all southbound lanes on the Bishop Ford Expressway. ISP said a pickup truck also struck the shipping container. No injuries were reported.Troopers add that the truck tractor did not immediately stop at the scene but was later located by troopers farther south on  I-94.SEE ALSO: ‘Sick customer’ delays transit on CTA Blue LineMotorists are urged to seek alternate routes. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Florida woman accused of posing as student, assaulting boy she met online

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— A Tampa woman was arrested last week after she allegedly posed as a child and sexually battered a boy she met online, police say. A tip on Oct. 19 accused Alyssa Zinger, 22, of an "inappropriate relationship" with a child, according to Tampa police. What is the ‘card draining’ scam? Beware ahead of holidays The victim was identified by police as a middle school boy between the ages of 12 and 15, according to the arrest report. Zinger was accused of posing as a 14-year-old home-school student when she met the boy on social media. The child reported believing Zinger was 14 during their four-month relationship and "stated she physically seemed much older than her age," according to Tampa police. Detectives also learned Zinger lied to police about her age when the pair was caught shoplifting at Nordstrom in July. The tipster told Tampa police that Zinger sent child exploitation material involving the victim and another middle schooler to several other children on...

Abortion: Where do GOP presidential candidates stand on the issue?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

NewsNation will host the Fourth Republican primary debate on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. E.T. The debate will be aired and streamed live on all NewsNation platforms. Not sure how to find us on your TV? Use our ChannelFinder app. If you have a question for the candidates, submit it here. (NewsNation) — Abortion has become a big motivator at the polls with a record-high number of voters saying they will only vote for candidates who share their stance on abortion. During the two elections since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, voters have shown up in droves when abortion has been on the ballot, both directly and indirectly. In September, 7% of respondents in a NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll said abortion was the most important issue they'd consider while deciding who to vote for in the 2024 general election. Meanwhile, when weighed against other important issues, abortion followed the economy, immigration and climate change. Ahead of the 2024 election, Nexstar's NewsNation is committed to coveri...

More on White Lung Syndrome and the rise of childhood pneumonia cases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:11 GMT

There is a health warning out of Ohio this week after a rise in childhood pneumonia cases. Some are calling it "White Lung Syndrome.”Dr. Todd Florin is an emergency medicine pediatrician at Lurie Children's Hospital. He joined the WGN Evening News to discuss the warning.