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Republicans blast debt ceiling deal between McCarthy and Biden: ‘Bad news’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

Just a day after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy released the text of his compromised deal to prevent a national default, Republicans in and out of Congress were already at odds over the agreement struck between House negotiators and President Biden.The “agreement in principle” to do away with the debt limit until at least 2025 in exchange for nominal cuts to the IRS and a slight alteration of who might qualify for food subsidies championed by McCarthy is apparently not what some Republicans were envisioning when they sent their tenuously appointed speaker to make a deal with Biden.“This #debtceiling ‘deal’ is uncapped – set to expire subject to (Treasury Secretary Janet) Yellen’s discretion… wait for it… in a lame duck (1/1/2025) guaranteed to still have a Dem Senate & Biden White House,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy said via Twitter.This #debtceiling “deal” is uncapped – set to expire subject to Yellen's discretion… wait for it… in a lame duck (1/1/2025) ...

San Diego County's older population has grown over the last decade: census

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County became older, faster over the last decade, according to new census data, following a trend of growth to senior populations nationwide that outpaced any other ten-year period in more than a century.A FOX5SanDiego.com analysis of new figures from the 2020 census released by the U.S. Census Bureau last week estimated that the share of residents in San Diego County aged 65 or older grew over the last decade, while the share of children and adults in their 20s declined.Over the last decade, the population of adults older than 65 in San Diego County jumped about 26%, while the number of children under the age of 9 fell about 10%. Young adults aged 20 to 29 also saw a moderate decrease over the last 10 years, declining about 2%. State Farm no longer offering home insurance in California These trends, combined with a median age jump from 34.6 to 37.1, mirrored nationwide changes across age demographics that is considered the fastest decadal rate of aging in t...

Quebec, Ottawa pledge $300 million for GM electric car battery component plant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

BÉCANCOUR, Que. — The governments of Quebec and Canada have announced $300 million in funding for a factory that will make components for electric vehicle batteries in Bécancour, Que., located about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.The $600-million factory, a joint project between automaker General Motors and South Korean industrial materials maker POSCO Future M, was first announced by the companies last year. The factory will manufacture cathode-active materials, a key component of lithium-ion batteries found in electric cars, and is expected to employ around 200 people when it opens in 2025.Quebec Premier François Legault said the factory, which is already under construction, sends a signal that Quebec is open to investment from international companies as he attempts to make the province a leader in green energy.“We have an exceptional opportunity,” he told reporters in Bécancour. “We have Hydro-Québec, so we have clean energy. We have strategic minerals...

Plan for fate of crumbling 24 Sussex expected by fall, minister tells MPs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek says the Liberal government expects to have a plan for the future of 24 Sussex Drive by the fall. Jaczek appeared today before a House committee on government operations and was pressed by Opposition MPs on when her government intends to make a decision about the official residence of the prime minister. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family have not taken up residence in the mansion, which was closed to staff last fall due to its worsening condition, including a rodent infestation.The National Capital Commission, controller of the property, says contractors recently began removing aged electrical systems and asbestos, which is necessary regardless of any decision on the building’s future. A spokeswoman says the current work is expected to take one year and cost $4.3 million. Jaczek says the government expects the commission to provide a detailed list of options for the property’s future, and the mini...

Debt ceiling takeaways: Biden’s invite to liberal skeptics to ‘talk to me,’ McCarthy’s balancing act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a deal no one in Washington claims to really like. But after weeks of negotiations, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have struck an agreement to raise the debt ceiling and avert a potentially devastating government default.The stakes are high for both men — and now each will have to persuade lawmakers in their parties to vote for it. Biden, in an exchange with reporters on Monday, said he felt good about where things stood, but acknowledged that he wasn’t sure if all Democrats on the left will get on board. Biden called on the liberal wing of his party to hear him out. “Talk to me,” he said. Some progressives have balked at the inclusion of new work requirements in two government assistance programs as well as spending caps. Biden on Monday called on the liberal wing of his party to hear him out.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that the United States could run out of cash to pay the bills and default on its obligations i...

Mayoral front runner Olivia Chow plans a ‘modest’ property tax increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

While there’s no question who’s leading the polls in the race for Toronto mayor, there have been questions about how high taxes in the city might rise if Olivia Chow is elected as mayor.The former Toronto city councillor and NDP Member of Parliament has announced increases in the city’s land transfer tax and a new vacant home tax as part of her campaign platform but hasn’t committed to an amount for property taxes to this point.“I’m not going to say this is the percentage,” Chow said in a one-on-one interview. “We don’t know what the rate of inflation is. We don’t know whether the federal and provincial government will come to the table and by how much. So, there’s a lot of uncertainty for next March. I can’t predict what it’s going to be.”Former Mayor John Tory made a point of saying he would keep property tax increases taxes at or below the rate of inflation throughout his nine years in the positio...

Parliament votes down Conservative motion against safe supply of drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has failed to persuade the House of Commons to condemn the Liberal government’s approach to fighting drug addiction.In a vote of 209 to 113 today, MPs defeated a motion presented by Poilievre.It took aim at the federal government’s harm reduction policies, but focused mainly on its decision to fund the supply of pharmaceutical alternatives as a replacement for certain illicit drugs.  The government has pointed to experts who say that a poisoned drug supply is one of the main reasons so many Canadians are dying from unintentional overdoses, and that providing access to other drugs as a substitute saves lives. Poilievre has criticized that approach as fuelling addiction instead of offering treatment and argues it has led to wider access to dangerous drugs by users.Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett has told MPs that his criticisms are not based on evidence, with her office adding in a statement today that Hea...

Marcus Stroman pitches 1-hitter as Cubs beat major league-leading Rays 1-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Stroman pitched a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the major league-leading Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Monday.Stroman (5-4) dazzled in his fourth complete game and second shutout in nine major league seasons. His only other one shutout was against the Cubs during his 2014 rookie season with the Toronto Blue Jays.He set a season-high with 105 pitches and matched his high with eight strikeouts. The right-hander walked one in winning his third straight start and helping the Cubs bounce back from a weekend sweep by Cincinnati.The only hit Stroman allowed was when Wander Franco delivered a clean single to left leading off the seventh. Stroman walked Brandon Lowe and got out of that jam by getting Randy Arozarena to fly out and Josh Lowe to ground into a double play.The only other Rays runner to reach base was when Luke Raley was hit by a pitch leading off the third. Chicago pitched its sixth shutout of the season.Stroman raised both arms and got a big ovation when h...

Skilling: Back-to-back 90-degree days in Chicagoland on the horizon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

FIRST, THE MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY) WEATHER HEADLINES---Good Memorial Day all! It's been a warm one over all but immediate shoreline locations. Check out the spread in temps.--AN AIR QUALITY ALERT HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGH TUESDAY BY THE ILLINOIS EPA into Tuesday night and it wouldn't be surprising to see this extended deeper into the coming week. The air mass stalled over us is growing a bit "dirty". More on that to come.AMONG THE WARMER READINGS at mid-afternoon Memorial Day (Monday) across the Chicago area:88 Oswego87 Joliet86 Montgomery86 Plainfield86 Peotone86 Poplar Grove85 Lake Barrington85 Hebron, Indiana85 Geneva84 KankakeeON THE IMMEDIATE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE at mid-afternoon Memorial Day (Monday):56 Waukegan Harbor56 Winthrop Harbor56 Wilmette buoy57 Harrison-Dever Crib (3 miles off Chicago's North Side)59 Michigan City, IN buoy63 Calumet Harbor63 Burns Harbor, IndianaThat's as much as a 32-deg spread across the Greater Chicago area. But the coverage of the coolest temps ...

Illinois lawmakers approve $50.4 billion budget, await Gov. Pritzker's signature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:50 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP/WGN) — Illinois lawmakers finally approved a new state budget early Saturday, sending it to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature with just over a month to spare before it takes effect with the new state fiscal year July 1.In a vote along party lines, Illinois lawmakers approved a $50.4 billion spending plan that includes health care for undocumented residents, $250 million to fund Governor Pritzker’s early childhood program, $350 million for K-12 evidence-based school funding and $400 million to attract businesses and jobs to the state.  Illinois bill to allow law enforcement use drones for public safety almost law The General Assembly delivered the budget to Pritzker more than a week late after lawmakers failed to meet a self-imposed May 19 deadline to adjourn despite Democrats controlling both chambers.The budget makes “transformative investments” in early childhood and higher education, public safety, workforce development and mental health servic...