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West Virginia GOP Legislature passes transgender care ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A bill that would ban evidence-based health care for transgender minors in West Virginia, the state estimated to have more transgender youth per capita than any other in the nation, is headed to the desk of Gov. Jim Justice.The Republican governor has not taken a public stance on the measure and it’s unclear whether he will sign it into law. A spokesperson said he was unavailable for comment Saturday.A 2017 study by UCLA Law’s The Williams Institute estimated West Virginia had the highest per capita rate of transgender youth in the country.Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association, supports gender-affirming care for youths.But lawmakers in West Virginia and other states advancing bans on transgender health care for youth and young adults often characterize gender-affirming treatments as medically unproven, potentially dangerous in the long te...

Iran arrests more than 100 people over suspected poisonings of schoolgirls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

(CNN) — Iran has arrested more than 100 people “in connection with” the suspected poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls across the country, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.Citing a statement from Iran’s Interior Ministry, IRNA said the people had been “identified, arrested and investigated” in several cities, including the capital Tehran.“Initial inquiries show that a number of these people, out of mischief or adventurism and with the aim of shutting down classrooms and influenced by the created psychological atmosphere, have taken measures such as using harmless and smelly substances,” the statement read.Iran has seen a wave of suspected poisonings, carried out almost entirely at girls’ schools, in recent months.While Iranian politicians have suggested the girls could have been targeted by hardline Islamist groups, activists believe that the poisonings may be linked to the nationwide protests that erupted last Septemb...

NYCFC defeats Inter Miami 1-0 on an own-goal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — An own-goal in the first half gave New York City FC a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.Inter Miami (2-1-0) went into the day as one of just four undefeated teams in Major League Soccer.NYCFC, which had a loss and a draw in its first two matches of the season, got a goal in the 36th minute when Miami defender Christopher McVey tried to deflect an NYCFC free kick.Miami had shut out its opponents in the first two games. Only two teams have started the season with three clean sheets: The Sounders in 2009 and the Galaxy in 2010.Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender finished the match with seven saves. But the team was hurt in the 73rd minute when midfielder Gregore was injured and limped off the field.New York City knocked Miami out of the playoffs in the opening round last season.Both teams next play Saturday. Inter Miami travels to play Toronto, while NYCFC will entertain D.C. United.

Wendell Carter’s return fuels Magic’s overtime win over Heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

The Orlando Magic are hoping the return of their starting big man will lead to better defensive performances.Saturday’s 126-114 overtime win over the Miami Heat at Amway Center was a step in the right direction.Wendell Carter Jr. was back in the lineup after missing the previous three games — losses to the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz — because of hip pain.“He does so many little things,” coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “Like his ability to when to roll and where to roll in pick-and-rolls. It’s why he and Franz [Wagner] have such a great connection in the pick-and-roll.“Defensively, that early talk, that early help with the guards; helping them navigate through screens and being in the right position if something breaks down — those are the things that you don’t really pick up on because he’s covering it so fast.”The Magic’s defensive efficiency tanked without Carter in the previ...

NBA official explains why Celtics’ Marcus Smart was ejected after altercation with Hawks’ Trae Young

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

The Celtics ran into some unneeded adversity late in their win over the Hawks on Saturday night.With 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Celtics led by eight when Marcus Smart was ejected after an altercation with Trae Young. Smart was trailing behind Young when the Hawks star rose up for a shot and inadvertently kicked the Celtics guard in the groin. Smart took issue with Young and charged at him. The two went face to face before they both fell to the floor, with Smart seemingly losing his balance and taking Young with him. Young got up and pointed at Smart as the skirmish continued.After a lengthy review, Smart and Young were assessed double technical fouls, but Smart was ejected and Young stayed in the game. Young made both technical free throws to cut the Celtics’ lead to six, but Boston ultimately prevailed with a 134-125 victory.Marcus Smart was ejected after getting into it with Trae Young (via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/9lR5ZsG7yj— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) Marc...

Sea lion that ingested over 100 rocks returns to ocean

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- SeaWorld San Diego named a young male sea lion they rescued earlier this year "Rocky" for a reason.In early January, the sea lion pup was rescued at La Jolla Cove after ingesting over 100 rocks and suffering from a potentially lethal bacterial disease, Tracy Spahr with SeaWorld San Diego told FOX 5.During the rescue, the sea lion pup was found isolated and lethargic, prompting crews to send him to the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Center and Hospital for examination, officials said.The veterinary team confirmed the sea lion tested positive for leptospirosis, a potentially lethal zoonotic disease that can be found worldwide in soil and water. Spahr says it was the first positive case for the center in about eight years. Slice of heaven: San Diego-area shop has best pie in CA, according to Yelp Another shocking find took place during the sea lion's rehabilitation when the medical team discovered through x-rays the sea lion pup had ingested over 100 rocks that needed to be r...

Scientists: Hawaii’s Kilauea not erupting, reversing warning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s second-largest volcano is not erupting, scientists said in an update to a previous warning.The U.S. Geological Survey said in a statement late Saturday that seismic activity beneath the summit of Kilauea “has returned to background levels, ground deformation has stabilized, and no lava has been observed at the surface.”The statement cautioned “another intrusion or resumption may occur in the near future with little or no warning.”The agency previously said a shallow earthquake storm signaled “resumption of eruptive activity at Kilauea summit is likely imminent.” Scientists said Tuesday that lava had stopped flowing after 61 days of volcanic activity. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanos, erupted from September 2021 to last December. A 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 700 residences.For about two weeks last December, Hawaii’s biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, also was erupting on Hawaii’s Big Island.The dual eruptions of...

Blue Jays introduce $20 general admission tickets for outfield areas at Rogers Centre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays are introducing new $20 general admission tickets for outfield areas of Rogers Centre.Toronto’s downtown ballpark has undergone major renovations this off-season, including the creation of five new “neighbourhoods” within the stadium.#BlueJays announce they'll be selling a $20 general admission ticket this season to all home games. Fans who buy the ticket won't have an assigned seat, but can watch the game (and/or muck a few drinks) in the following areas: pic.twitter.com/63S2v4HMuI— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 11, 2023Blue Jays single game tickets provide fans with a reserved bowl seat but the new $20 outfield district tickets will give them access to the new outfield areas.Those new sections include Park Social, a space on the 500 level overlooking left field.At the same level but above right field is the Corona Rooftop Patio. Directly below that is The Catch, a bar space perched above the visitors’ bullpen, w...

Argentina’s initial fervor for Pope Francis has faded

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — When Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina became Pope Francis, much of his home country celebrated as if it had just won a soccer World Cup championship. A decade later, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church generates divided opinions and much less fervor.Francis, who still likes to listen to tango, left Argentina in February 2013 to attend the conclave that elected him as the successor to Benedict XVI on March 13. He never returned. “It’s clear, there are people who are angry at him,” said Argentine journalist Sergio Rubin, who recently co-wrote a book about Francis, “El Pastor,” with Francesca Ambrogetti. It includes interviews with the pope. Rubin and some other analysts agree that the pope is keeping his home country at arm’s length to avoid being drawn into the political polarization that has divided Argentines over the past two decades.“Ninety percent of the reason he doesn’t come is because of the divide,” said Rubin, who writes for Arg...

Chilly weekend ahead after St. Patty's parade in Chicago, snow ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:47 GMT

Saturday's forecast is looking cloudy and chilly with winds up to 10-15 mph. The high is near 40 but a bit cooler by the lake ahead of the St. Patrick's Day parade. Developing snow is expected Saturday night with a low of 32. Sunday: Steady snow tapers into snow showers. Chance of PM rain/snow showers. SSW 5-10 mph. High: 37 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Extended outlook calls for a return to chillier weather for the work week. Mostly cloudy on Monday with a high of 34 is about ten degrees below normal. The chill in the mid 30s continues on Tuesday with a bit more sunshine. Mostly sunny on Wednesday and highs getting back towards the normal of mid 40s. Thursday looks like the mildest day of the week with highs near 50 and a chance of rain. St. Patrick's Day next Friday looks like a rain/snow mix is possible and high in the lower 40s. Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center