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GOP subpoenas FBI for Biden records; WH denounces ‘innuendo’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top House Republican subpoenaed FBI Director Chris Wray on Wednesday for what he claimed are bureau records related to President Joe Biden and his family, basing the demand on newly surfaced allegations he said an unnamed whistleblower made to Congress.The White House said it was the latest example in the yearslong series of “unfounded, unproven” political attacks against Biden by Republicans ”floating anonymous innuendo.”Kentucky Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee and Accountability, is seeking a specific FBI form from June 2020 that is a report of conversations or interactions with a confidential source. Comer, in a letter to Wray with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, said that “it has come to our attention” that the bureau has such a document that “describes an alleged criminal scheme” involving Biden and a foreign national “relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions” when Biden was vice president and includes ...

Gildan sees sales decline in first quarter, affirms full-year outlook

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

MONTREAL — Gildan Activewear Inc. says it earned US$97.6 million in the first quarter of 2023, down 33.3 per cent from US$146.4 million a year earlier. The Montreal-based company, which reports in U.S. dollars, says net sales for the quarter ended April 2 were US$702.9 million, down 9.3 per cent from US$774.9 million in the first quarter of 2022. Diluted earnings per share were 54 cents U.S., down 29.9 per cent from 77 cents a year earlier. Gildan president and CEO Glenn Chamandy said in a press release that the company met its sales expectations for the quarter.He said the company remains comfortable with its full-year outlook despite an uncertain economic environment. Gildan says the decline in sales reflects anticipated demand headwinds as well as strong comparative periods in 2022. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GIL)The Canadian Press

'ComEd Four' to appeal federal bribery conviction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Lawyers for the "ComEd Four" are expected to appeal Tuesday's conviction after being found guilty in the federal bribery trial.Federal jurors on Tuesday convicted all four defendants of bribery conspiracy at their trial in Chicago that provided an inside look at pay-to-play politics in Illinois that prosecutors said involved the state’s largest electric utility and, at the time, one of its most powerful politicians. Teamsters oust suburban board after more than $1M in questionable expenses During a month and a half of testimony, prosecutors sought to prove two former ComEd executives, a former utility consultant and a longtime government insider arranged contracts, jobs and money for associates of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan — once one of the nation’s most powerful legislators — to ensure proposed bills boosting ComEd profits became law.Madigan, 81, has been indicted in the case, though his own trial is scheduled for next year. He was...

Senate marks May 3 as Illinois Bacon Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Illinois General Assembly has ba-con-sidered a measure that would honor Illinois's pig farmers. A resolution advocated by the Illinois Pork Producers Association has officially designated May 3 as Illinois Bacon Day. The pork industry supports more than 57,000 jobs across the state. Olive Garden owner buys Ruth’s Chris Steak House for about $715 million "The hardworking hog farmers who raise this high-quality product deserves our support," Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) said. "Whether it's plain or applewood-smoked, where the store-bought or artisan-made, bacon is a meat for any meal."Illinois is the fourth largest pork producing state in the U.S. and contributes an estimated $13.8 billion to the economy. Pig farmers in Illinois produce approximately 6 billion slices of bacon each year. These are the best restaurants for breakfast in Chicago, according to Tripadvisor "It is the best day in Illinois," Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said. "Republi...

When was the last time Central Illinois had a dust storm?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- Central Illinois experienced a weather phenomenon rare for the region: a dust storm. After a dust cloud caused dozens of cars on I-55 to crash Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued a blowing dust warning for Sangamon, Christian, and Shelby Counties. At least six people died in the crash, and more than 30 people were hospitalized. I-55 was closed until Tuesday morning, as crews were still clearing cars from the interstate. A dust storm warning was issued Tuesday afternoon. 72-car crash caused by dust cloud kills 7, closes I-55 for miles In order for the NWS to issue a dust storm warning, visibility must be lower than half a mile due to winds stronger than 30 mph picking up dirt or dust. They are most common in the southwestern United States. While this is the first time east of the Mississippi River the National Weather Service has issued a Dust Storm Warning, it isn't the first severe dust storm in the area. Three previous dust st...

WATCH: Photos, videos of dust cloud pile-up on Illinois interstate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- Illinois State Police, along with people who were in the massive pile-up, are sharing images and photos with WCIA of their experiences on-scene on Interstate 55. WCIA's Kevin Lighty was also on the scene and able to capture drone footage.Illinois State Police closed Interstate 55 Monday morning after responding to multiple crashes with injuries. Police said that Troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to multiple crashes on Interstate 55 between mileposts 76 and 78 just before 11:00 a.m. ISP is said there were blackout conditions due to wind blowing dirt in the area between Divernon and Farmersville. 7 dead, more than 30 hospitalized in I-55 crash ISP has shared photos from the crash, including aerial images that show the large scale of the event.Courtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceCourtesy: Illinois State PoliceOther people shared ...

Republicans push back against new mortgage rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — If you're buying a home this year, you could see lower mortgage fees.That's because the federal government recently tweaked how it prices federally-backed mortgages. Republicans on Capitol Hill call the change unfair, because it raises prices for other borrowers.Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Miss., slammed the new federal rule. He said it will lower mortgage fees for Americans with bad credit scores at the expense of Americans with good credit."This new mortgage rule is straight-up socialism,” said Schmitt. "Now they're going to have to pay thousands of dollars more."In a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Schmitt and more than a dozen Senate Republicans called the pricing adjustment on new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed mortgages 'shortsighted' and 'counterproductive.'But the agency calls those attacks inaccurate.Michael Shemi, a principal advisor at FHFA, confirmed some lower-income borrowers will see cheaper mortgage fees, while those of other borrower...

Skilling: Sunny, breezy weekend ahead for Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

Temps surged 11 degrees higher today, likely to reach 61-deg before daytime warming comes to an end. And the sun emerged Wednesday in what has been a very cloudy open to May—with just 31% of the month's possible sun in its opening 3 days. (Mays typically host 54% of their possible sun)The slow moving spring storm, which has dominated Chicago's weather with lots of clouds, sporadic showers, gusty winds and sub-part temps, has finally excited! The sun emerged Wednesday and the impact of strong May sunlight can't be overstated.The upper air pattern across North America is undergoing a sea change which will warm area temps and ultimately lead to wetter conditions late this weekend and at times next week. We're switching jet streams—moving from a northern jet to a southern jet stream. This will send warmer temps over he area. In fact, each of the coming 15 days is modeled to produce an above normal temp.Temps in Chicago, which came in 5-deg below normal last week are predicted to miss no...

Liam Hendriks discusses his battle with cancer for the first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Over the last few months, fans have only been able to hear from the closer through his social media as he fought cancer for the first part of 2023.On Wednesday, Liam Hendriks is speaking publically for the first time about his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The White Sox closer is holding a news conference at 4:30 p.m at Guaranteed Rate Field to talk about his battle with the disease as he continues to work to return to the club. Hendriks revealed his diagnosis on Instagram on January 8 and began treatments the next day. On April 5, he announced that he'd completed those chemotherapy sessions, and on April 20th announced that he was cancer-free. Hendriks has already begun throwing again as he's taken part in some extended spring training games in Arizona as he looks to return to the White Sox bullpen sooner than later. Hendriks was officially placed on the White Sox 15-day IL on Opening Day. Whenever he makes his return, he'll be starting his third season with the Whi...

Michigan school district bans backpacks over safety concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

FLINT, Mich. (NewsNation) — Public schools in Flint are enforcing a policy banning backpacks, including those made of clear plastic material, amid concerns over firearms, weapons and threats.The Flint Board of Education voted 7-0 to ban backpacks for the remainder of the school year. The new policy allows small purses for personal items, clear plastic bags for gym clothes and lunchboxes "within reason." They'll also be subject to searches. Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones said, "Things have changed," and it's the only way to move forward. “For the most part, the majority of our families are putting in measures before something happens," he said. Student misbehavior spikes since return of in-person classes Jones said backpacks make it easier for students to hide weapons.This new policy comes amid the ongoing debate and discussions of how to keep kids safe while in school was reignited after a gunman shot and killed six people, including three 9-year-olds, at a p...