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U of I researchers' Speech Accessibility Project aims to make voice recognition tech more useful

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

Researchers at the University of Illinois are working on a critical project to help make voice recognition technology more useful for people with a wide range of speech patterns and disabilities.It's called the Speech Accessibility Project and researchers are specifically asking for more people with Parkinson’s disease to take part. Due to biometrics laws, residents from Illinois, Washington and Texas are not allowed to participate. But those from Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and others are allowed and received compensation. More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch One of those participants is Ethan Anderson. He's a Parkinson’s Disease Ambassador at the Michael J Fox Foundation and an Illinois alum. He joined the WGN Evening News to talk more about the project.More information about participating can be found here.Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team including latest updates from health org...

Farmers Insurance says it is cutting over 2,000 jobs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Farmers Insurance said Monday it will lay off 11% of its workforce — about 2,400 employees — as part of a corporate restructuring aimed at increasing its efficiency and long-term profitability.The California-based insurer owned by Swiss giant Zurich Insurance Group said the job cuts will impact all lines of its business. Monday was the last working day at the company for most employees impacted by the layoffs, Farmers confirmed to The Associated Press.In a statement announcing the job cuts, Raul Vargas, Farmers Group Inc. president and CEO, alluded to “existing conditions” in the insurance industry.“As our industry continues to face macroeconomic challenges, we must carefully manage risk and prudently align our costs with our strategic plans for sustainable profitability," Vargas said. “Our leaner structure will make us more nimble and better able to pursue opportunities for growth and ultimately make Farmers more responsive to the needs of our insured customers and ...

'Will more students come because of this?' Future of DEI on public vs. private campuses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new Texas law has prompted systems like the University of Texas System to make the call to pause diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. But what about private campuses? Senate Bill 17 bans DEI offices, staff and initiatives at public universities and colleges throughout Texas. That law is set to go into effect in January 2024. Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities Private campuses can still choose to maintain DEI. Concordia University in north Austin said it will. Monday marked the first day of classes of the spring semester for Concordia. Alexis Solis, a sophomore, said she's looking forward to a fresh start, not impacted directly by SB 17. "I feel like I'm just where I need to be," Solis said. "All my friends go to public universities, and I'm the only one that attends private."DEI efforts on public campuses are soon to be shut down.The UT System Board of Regents agreed last week on ...

'Which lane do I use?'; Lamar, W. 6th draw concerns over confusing traffic lanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Confusing traffic lines are causing concerns on one of Austin's busiest roads.Drivers tell us they don't know which lanes to use on a stretch of Lamar Boulevard which is just south of Barton Springs Road."Cars stopping, not knowing where to go, honking at each other, not knowing where to go," said Isaac Rodriguez who lives on Lamar. "A lot of mass confusion there."Confusion over lanes that can be hard to recognize."Do you follow the white lines or the black lines," said Rodriguez."There are a lot of lines along the road that can cause a lot of confusion, especially for people who are not the best of drivers," said Cydney Tutchton, who lives near Lamar.Hunter Leipham, who uses the road, said the lines can be confusing."I drive on it a decent amount and even I don't know which lane you are supposed to be in," said Leipham. $350K in safety upgrades coming to North Lamar, West Koenig intersection Construction on a new building has shifted the lanes in this stretch of ...

CapMetro to install pedestrian crossing at I-35, 4th St. intersection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 28, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's board of directors approved Monday a nearly $430,000 allocation toward the construction of a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Interstate 35 and 4th Street.The CapMetro board approved a contract with Rio Grande Pacific Technology, Inc. for the intersection construction work. The project will add a traffic signal and protected crosswalk for people walking and riding bikes both northbound and southbound along the intersection, per CapMetro backup documents.Officials with CapMetro, the City of Austin and the Texas Department of Transportation all cosigned on the need for improved pedestrian and bike trail crossings at the intersection. "Currently, people riding bikes or walking must cross the frontage roads unprotected; this includes rail passengers who may be accessing the Downtown Station from the Plaza Saltillo area," backup documents read in part. "Therefore, CapMet...

Woodbury: Boy hospitalized after being pulled from pond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

Woodbury police say a boy was taken to St. Paul Children’s Hospital after he was pulled out of a pond near a new apartment complex Monday afternoon.A 911 caller who was hiking on a trail near Corn Silk Lane reported seeing what appeared to be a body floating facedown in a pond near the Orville Commons apartment complex, located at 4290 Radio Drive, just after 12:40 p.m., said Cmdr. John Altman of the Woodbury Public Safety Department.The boy’s age was not immediately available, but Altman said he appears to be younger than 10 years old. The boy was taken to Children’s St. Paul, and his status is unknown at this time, he said.The boy’s family was located inside the apartment complex, and Altman said police do not suspect any foul play.The pond is located south of Jerry’s Foods on Hargis Parkway between Benjamin Drive and Radio Drive.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Oak Park Heights city administrator retiring after 20 years: ‘He has the answers...

Bruce Yandle: Tariffs kiss up to special organized interests. At the expense of the common good

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

Here we go again. Another week and another set of efforts by the Biden administration to protect the U.S. economy from competition and combat climate change.But those looking for hard evidence that it will consistently serve the common good are sure to be disappointed. That, as country singer Johnny Lee sang, is “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Special interests — those influential folks seeking a boost at the expense of others — are the ones finding comfort.Yes, raw election politics seems to trump the public interest, whether it’s a cleaner climate or lower grocery bills, nearly every time. Fortunately, all hope is not lost.Beginning with the pessimistic side, a few days ago, the administration announced a new round of tariffs on solar panels exported to the United States from Southeast Asian countries that have been putting the final touches on Chinese components. After delays meant to give American industry time to adjust, Biden officials...

Massive police response brings mall safety into question

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Mayhem broke out last night at Crossgates Mall on National Cinema Day. Multiple agencies responded to the scene after several verbal and physical fights were reported involving roughly 80 people. No serious injuries were reported. Chaos spilled over from the mall into the parking lot around at approximately 7:34 P.M. Pyramid Management Group, the company that operates the mall, has attempted to stop fights at the mall with a Parental Escort Policy. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Over seven law enforcement agencies responded to the scene Sunday night, including UAlbany police and both Albany and Saratoga County Sheriff's Departments.In a statement the Guilderland Police Department said it responded to a report of fighting at Regal Cinema inside the mall. It read, in part: “Upon arrival a large group of juveniles ran outside of the mall from the cinema area. Several smaller fights were reported in a few l...

Man admits aiding in armed robbery at St. Louis County phone store

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man appeared in federal court Monday and admitted his involvement in the robbery of a St. Louis County Boost Mobile store in 2021.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Damonta Bridges, 31, took a deal to plead guilty to a robbery charge and being a felon in possession of a firearmAs part of the plea, federal prosecutors and Bridges' lawyer will request a sentence of 137 months in prison. Bridges will be sentenced on Nov. 28.Bridges told the court he was present at a Boost Mobile store on Bellefontaine Road on Aug. 9, 2021, when Kadijah McFadden held the place up at gunpoint. McFadden stole $630 from the business. Both McFadden and Bridges stole several phones. Five new Missouri laws to know that become official Monday Bridges also admitted being a passenger in a stolen Jeep Cherokee on Sept. 5, 2021. McFadden had carjacked the vehicle earlier in the day.Around noon the same day, St. Louis County police spotted the stole...

Zach Bryan's 2024 Quittin' Time Tour to stop in St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Country music artist Zach Bryan will be playing the Enterprise Center during his Quittin' Time Tour. The St. Louis stop will be on May 22, 2024. Tickets go on sale on September 8, 2023.Bryan's Burn, Burn, Burn Tour ends Wednesday in Kansas City. Many of the shows on that tour sold out several months in advance.Zach Bryan’s The Quittin Time Tour 2024 Dates:March 06          Chicago, IL                    United Center *^March 07          Chicago, IL                    United Center *^March 09          Pittsburgh, PA               PPG Paints Arena *^March 10      &...