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Invasive and ubiquitous, English ivy can hurt trees and plants. Removing it isn’t easy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

English ivy (Hedera helix), a heavy, woody vine with handsome, dark-green, waxy leaves, is believed to have been brought to the New World by European colonists in the 1700s. They likely appreciated its shade tolerance, versatility as both a ground cover and climbing vine, and rapid growth. But today, it’s classified as an invasive species in many parts of the United States, where it grows quickly and can suffocate, starve and weaken trees.If you live in one of those regions, you’ve likely seen it climbing tree trunks. And you might be painfully aware of how difficult it is to eradicate.A MENACE TO TREESThe vine snakes its way up the tree and under its bark, firmly attaching its roots and tendrils as it grows. Simply yanking the ivy would also remove the bark, which serves as the tree’s vital protection from insects, diseases and the elements. In addition, the ivy’s densely packed leaves can block sunlight from reaching the tree, inhibiting photosynthesis, which diminishes the nutrie...

Personal care worker charged, sexually assaulted patient in need of medical care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

A personal care worker from Toronto has been charged after he allegedly sexually assaulted a male patient who attended a local hospital in need of medical assistance.Toronto police responded to a call for a sexual assault in the Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West area of Kensington Market in the early morning hours of May 26, just after 12:30 a.m.It’s alleged that a man attended a hospital for medical assistance, and while in the emergency department, a personal care worker sexually assaulted the man in his room and again in the bathroom.Investigators arrested the personal care worker on August 3.He was identified as 39-year-old Islam Elmajbri of Toronto. The accused has been charged with two counts of sexual assault.He’s scheduled to appear in court on September 26.Authorities said Elmajbri has been employed as a personal care worker in various hospitals within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and police are concerned there may be more victims.They’re urging an...

Conservatives are on a mission to dismantle the US government and replace it with Trump’s vision

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With more than a year to go before the 2024 election, a constellation of conservative organizations is preparing for a possible second White House term for Donald Trump, recruiting thousands of Americans to come to Washington on a mission to dismantle the federal government and replace it with a vision closer to his own.Led by the long-established Heritage Foundation think tank and fueled by former Trump administration officials, the far-reaching effort is essentially a government-in-waiting for the former president’s second term — or any candidate who aligns with their ideals and can defeat President Joe Biden in 2024.With a nearly 1,000-page “Project 2025” handbook and an “army” of Americans, the idea is to have the civic infrastructure in place on Day One to commandeer, reshape and do away with what Republicans deride as the “deep state” bureaucracy, in part by firing as many as 50,000 federal workers.“We need to flood the zone with conservatives,” said Paul Dan...

Jacksonville shootings: What we know about the racist killings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A white man wearing a mask and firing a weapon emblazoned with a swastika gunned down three Black people Saturday in a racist attack in Jacksonville, Florida. The shooter, who had also posted racist writings, then killed himself. Here’s what we know about the killings:WHERE AND WHEN DID THE SHOOTING TAKE PLACE?The shooting happened Saturday afternoon at a Dollar General store in New Town, a predominantly Black neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. The city has almost 1 million residents and lies just south of the Georgia border. About a third of Jacksonville’s residents are Black.Just last week, a city council committee pulled funding for the mayor’s chief of diversity and inclusion — the first time the city would have had such a position.The store where the shootings took place is near Edward Waters University, a historically Black school with about 1,000 students. The school said the man was spotted on campus by a security guard shortly befor...

CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO —A Chicago firefighter with over 25 years on the job has passed away following a house fire earlier this month.Lt. Kevin Ward was one of three firefighters injured in a blaze Aug. 11 in the 8300 block of West Balmoral near O'Hare. A mayday call was issued during the fire and Ward was transported in critical condition.Two days later, CFD said he was making improvements at Loyola Medical Center but remained in serious condition. Previous: 3 firefighters injured following Northwest Side house fire Ward, 59, was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He joined the department in 1996.Ward's death is the third line-of-duty death the department has dealt with in 2023. In the same week in April, CFD lost Jermaine Pelt, 49, and Jan Tchoryk, 55, in separate fires.CFD will escort Ward's body to the medical examiner's office on Tuesday morning.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

8-year-old hits man during attempted abduction on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A child was able to fight off an attempted kidnapper Monday afternoon in Ravenswood.At around 2 p.m., CPD responded to a call of an attempted kidnapping at the intersection of Ainslie and Seeley.Police believe a dark blue Toyota Corolla, described as very dirty, pulled up next to an 8-year-old boy who was walking ahead of their parent.The driver, described as a white man in his late 30s with medium-length dark hair, attempted to pull the boy through the open driver's side window.According to Ald. Andre Vazquez and Ald. Matt Martin, the child hit the driver and ran away safely. The driver fled westbound on Ainslie. He is not in custody.Anyone with information can contact police at 312-744-8261.

Bears make a trade for veteran lineman, Chicago area native, reports say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Dealing with a few injuries on their offensive line, the Bears have reportedly made a move to shore up their depth ahead of roster cutdown day.This move also brings a Chicago area native back to his hometown.Per multiple reports, first from Jason Sarney of Dolphins Wire, the Bears are acquiring offensive lineman and Orland Park native Dan Feeney from Miami. Per Courtney Cronin of ESPN, the Dolphins will receive a 2024 sixth round pick from the Bears.The teams have yet to confirm the transaction, which happens on the day when teams must cut their roster to 53 players by 3 p.m. central time. Free agent QB, former first round pick among Bears’ early cuts Feeney's acquisition comes as the Bears are currently dealing with a few injuries on their offensive line, including starting guard Teven Jenkins. Reported to be a leg injury, head coach Matt Eberflus described it as "week-to-week" before the Bears' final preseason game with the Bills last week.A former standout a...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in mid 80s with afternoon t-storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 80s Tuesday with increasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms are expected. Winds: N 10-15 G20. High: 84. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Partly cloudy tonight. Winds: NNE 10-15 G20. Low: 60.Wednesday Forecast: Morning clouds, decreasing clouds. Winds: NNE 10-15 G20. High: 71/68.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Trump holds 42-point lead in Georgia after indictment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

(The Hill) - Former President Trump is maintaining a comfortable lead in Georgia since being indicted in Fulton County related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state, according to a new poll.The new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found that 57 percent of likely GOP primary voters in Georgia would support the former president, giving him a 42-point lead against his closest challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis came in second-place with 15 percent of the vote, while every other presidential hopeful polled in single digits.Former Vice President Mike Pence received 4 percent of the vote, while GOP presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy. Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and Nikki Haley each received 3 percent. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie received 2 percent while Miami Mayor Francis Suarez received just 1 percent.Fourteen percent of voters also said they were undecided — meaning that the Republican presidential candidates still have time to persuade voters...

Add physical fitness section to the SAT, Ramaswamy says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

(The Hill) - Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday suggested adding a physical fitness section to the SAT standardized test as a “pro-merit solution” after the Supreme Court effectively ended race-based admissions policies at colleges.“Now that the Supreme Court finally ended affirmative action, colleges will only further deprioritize SAT scores in favor of subjective factors because of large racial disparities in test results,” Ramaswamy said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.“There’s a simple way forward that will drive excellence and diversity of talent among incoming college classes: the College Board should add a physical fitness section to the SAT, instead of just math and reading sections,” the presidential contender proposed. Ramaswamy suggested the test could consist of “a 1-mile run, pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, etc.” and serve as means to address ”multiple cultural & health challenges” in the country — though he clari...