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From emotional support to business advice, winners of I Love My Librarian awards serve in many ways

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s winners of the I Love My Librarian Award, $5,000 honors presented by the American Library Association, took on a lot more than selecting books and fighting bans.Diana Haneski, at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is a survivor of the 2018 shootings, who is committed to emotional support for others. Fred Gitner, of New York City’ Queens Public Library, develops resources for immigrants and asylum-seekers. At the University of Puerto Rico, Gladys López-Soto draws upon her expertise in copyright law to aid aspiring entrepreneurs and inventors.“While much of the national conversation surrounding libraries has fixated on book censorship, and as library workers across the U.S. continue to face historic levels of intimidation and harassment, librarians’ efforts to empower their patrons and provide vital services for their communities shines a spotlight on the enduring value of libraries in our society,” library associatio...

Pakistan is stunned as party of imprisoned ex-PM Khan uses AI to replicate his voice for a speech

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — For the first time, artificial intelligence has been used to deliver a speech by Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to supporters. The stunning development could help his political party to win upcoming elections, analysts said Monday.The replicated voice of Pakistan’s most popular opposition figure was used to address a virtual event on social media watched by more than a million people. The four-minute speech was written by Khan in prison and delivered by AI.It was not immediately clear if Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, violated any laws. The party confirmed the speech was AI-generated. Khan’s public addresses are heavily restricted in Pakistan.Pakistan’s government has not commented.Khan has had almost no contact with the outside world since he was imprisoned in August on a corruption charge. He faces a slew of other legal cases, making it impossible for him to contest the Feb. 8 parliamentary polls. His lawyer says...

Maryland Stadium Authority approves a lease extension for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Maryland Stadium Authority approved a lease extension for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Monday in one of the final steps formalizing a long-term agreement between the team and the state.The deal was set to go before the state’s Board of Public Works — a three-member board chaired by the governor — later in the day.The Orioles’ lease at Camden Yards expires at the end of the year. In September, the team announced a new 30-year deal to stay in the ballpark, and the governor’s office released details of a memorandum of understanding involving the team, the Stadium Authority and Gov. Wes Moore.Bill Ferguson, the president of the state senate, expressed concerns earlier this month over the development rights agreement that was part of the deal. Ferguson supported the new plan ironed out since then.The deal extends the lease for 30 years, with an option to end it after 15 if the team does not receive approval from state officials for development plans...

Attorneys for Kentucky woman seeking abortion withdraw lawsuit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Attorneys for a Kentucky woman who filed a lawsuit demanding the right to an abortion have withdrawn the lawsuit after the woman learned her embryo no longer has cardiac activity.In a court filing Sunday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky told a judge they will “voluntarily dismiss” the lawsuit filed Dec. 8.Lawyers for the woman pointed to a Kentucky Supreme Court decision earlier this year that said abortion providers cannot sue on behalf of their patients, limiting the legal actions to individuals seeking an abortion. The lawsuit had sought class-action status.“The court’s decision has forced Kentuckians seeking abortion to bring a lawsuit while in the middle of seeking time-sensitive health care, a daunting feat, and one that should not be necessary to reclaim the fundamental right to control their own bodies,” The ACLU of Kentucky said in a release Monday. The attorneys said they would continue to look for possible plaintiffs.The case — Jane D...

Hundreds without power after truck strikes power line in Mississauga crash

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

Two people are injured and a number of residents are without power after a crash in Mississauga on Monday morning.Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle crash near Dixie Road and Meyerside Drive around 9:30 a.m.Police say one of the vehicles hit a power line and knocked out power in the area. Images from the scene show a large truck on its side near a damaged utility pole.Two males were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries and the other with minor injuries.Alectra says the outage is impacting around 1,000 homes and businesses in the area bounded by Dixie, Britannia Road, Atlantic Drive and Tomken Road. Crews have been dispatched and they estimate power will be restored around noon.Southbound Dixie is closed from Courtneypark Drive to Shawson Drive for the investigation. Police say the road will be closed for “an extended period.”

Rent expected to drop in several US cities in 2024: What about Chicago?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Renters may finally catch a break next year. Of the 100 cities analyzed in Zumper's Annual Rent Report, which was released this week, 55 have seen rent prices drop since last year. An additional 17 are flat year-over-year. The report predicts rent prices will keep "softening," at least through the first half of 2024. Part of the reason for dropping prices, according to Zumper, is a recent increase in supply, as new apartment buildings and complexes keep opening in fast-growing cities. Real-time data providers like Zillow and ApartmentList also show rent growth for new apartments tumbling.Nationwide, the cost of renting a one-bedroom dropped by a tenth of a percent in 2023, Zumper reports, but is expected to drop by larger margins in 2024 in cities where supply has caught up with demand. Sun Belt cities, from Phoenix to Austin to Orlando, have all seen one-bedroom rents drop between 5% and 11%. Inflation or deflation? These 12 things are actually getting cheaper "...

Man shot, killed at apartment complex in Hoffman Estates

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — A man was shot and killed early Saturday morning at a Hoffman Estates apartment complex.Just after 5:40 a.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Hassell Road on the report of shots fired.At the scene, officers found a 42-year-old man lying in the parking lot of Barrington Lakes Apartments. He was suffering from at least one gunshot wound.The man was pronounced dead at St. Alexius Medical Center.A homicide investigation has been opened. Family of man shot, killed offer $30K reward for information Anyone with information can contact police at 847-781-2869.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor lies in repose at Supreme Court

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is lying in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on Monday.  O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. She died on Dec. 1 at the age of 93.Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court on Monday morning. A private ceremony attended by the current Supreme Court Justices was held before the hall opened to the public.“We are here today to mark the passing of a truly remarkable person. To honor and remember Sandra, not only for her work as a judge, but for her humanity, leadership, determination and vision,” said Justice Sonia Sotomayor.O’Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.She served more than two decades before retiring at age 75.“Sandra was a living example that women could take on any challenge, could more...

Former NBA player Eric Montross dies, family says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WXIN) – Eric Montross, an Indiana prep hoops star who played under legendary head coach Dean Smith at North Carolina before an eight-year NBA career, has died.The University of North Carolina, citing Montross’ family, said he passed away Sunday while surrounded by loved ones at his home in Chapel Hill. He was 52 years old.Montross was diagnosed with cancer in March 2023.Montross was a McDonald’s All-American who played at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. The seven-footer led Lawrence North to a state basketball championship and committed to UNC.At North Carolina, he played under the legendary Dean Smith, helping lead the Tar Heels to an NCAA title in 1993 over Michigan.The Boston Celtics made Montross the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. After two seasons with the Celtics, Boston traded him to the Dallas Mavericks. Montross also had stints with the Nets, 76ers, Pistons and Raptors before retiring from basketball.He served as lead analyst for th...

FAA, NTSB investigating after small plane hits power line, crashes in Burnet

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:42 GMT

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a small plane crash in Burnet over the weekend. A single-engine Beechcraft B36 struck a powerline and then crashed onto U.S. Highway 281 in Burnet around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the FAA. Two people were on board the plane and had serious injuries, according to the FAA crash report. The report stated the plane crashed shortly after takeoff and struck a powerline and a vehicle on the highway. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash.