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George Weston reports Q1 profit up from year ago, raises quarterly dividend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

TORONTO — George Weston Ltd. raised its dividend as it reported its first-quarter profit and revenue rose compared with a year ago.The company, which holds large stakes in Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, says it will increase its quarterly dividend to 71.3 cents per share from 66 cents per share.The increased payment came as George Weston says it earned a profit attributable to common shareholders of $426 million or $3.01 per diluted share for the 12-week period ended March 25.The result was up from a profit of $363 million or $2.45 per diluted share in the same quarter a year earlier.Revenue for the quarter totalled $13.13 billion, up from $12.41 billion in the same quarter last year.On an adjusted basis, George Weston says it earned $1.99 per diluted share, up from an adjusted profit of $1.90 per diluted share a year earlier.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:WN, TSX:L, TSX:CHP.U...

The Covid ’emergency’ is over, but long covid isn’t going anywhere

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

In today’s The Big Story podcast, last week, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 was no longer a “global health emergency” – a declaration that has brought mixed emotions. But while many people have gone “back to normal” or “learned to live” with the virus, enhancing our understanding of ‘long Covid’ remains crucial.Dr. Kieran Quinn, a long Covid researcher at Sinai Health System and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, says unlocking the secrets of long covid could be vital in terms of providing adequate care and support to those suffering with the disease. “It’s really important to get some consensus and establish a definition, as best as we can, to help acknowledge and move things forward for people who are living with this condition,” he says.So, how is long covid diagnosed? Who is most at risk? What are the available treatment options?  And what questions still remain?You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podc...

New Kristin Hannah novel, ‘The Women,’ coming in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The next novel from million-selling author Kristin Hannah is a war story set in the 1960s.St. Martin’s Press announced Tuesday that Hannah’s “The Women” will be published next winter, Feb. 6. The novel follows the life of young nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath, whose traditional upbringing is upended by the Vietnam War, her decision to volunteer and the bitter divisions it creates in the U.S.“’The Women’ is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others,” according to the publisher. “Women whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has all too often been forgotten.”Hannah’s previous works include such best-sellers as “The Nightingale,” “The Great Alone” and “The Four Winds,” one of the most popular releases in 2021.The Associated Press

2 men found dead on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

CHICAGO — A death investigation is underway after two men were found dead on the city's West Side.Police said two men, between the ages of 40-50, were found unresponsive in the 900 block of North Pulaski around 12:23 a.m. Monday. Both were pronounced dead on the scene. 16-year-old boy fatally shot in Glenwood According to police, there was no signs of injury of trauma to either of the men's bodies.Detectives are conducting a death investigation.

17-year-old boy critical after South Side shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

CHICAGO — A 17-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot while inside a vehicle on the city's South Side.The shooting happened around 5:37 a.m. Tuesday in the 0-100 block of East 59th Street. Police said the 17-year-old was inside a car when a red SUV approached, a male offender exited the vehicle and opened fire.The offender then fled down an alley with the SUV following. 16-year-old boy fatally shot in Glenwood The teen was shot on the left side of the head. He was dropped off at St. Bernard Hospital and was then transferred to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, according to police.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.

'Misty of Chincoteague' home saved by fans from around the country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) - The home of the most famous of Chincoteague Island's beloved ponies, Misty, will live on as a museum thanks to donations "from every corner of the country" and beyond.As of Monday, more than $450,000 had been raised to save the Beebe Ranch, which still includes the original home where Misty and her foal Stormy rode out the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 -- in the kitchen, that is.A statue dedicated to Misty from Brian Maughan in downtown Chincoteague (WAVY/Brian Reese)Aside from just saving the physical history, it's also become a refreshing reminder in the pony-centric Virginia town of just how important the 1947 book "Misty of Chincoteague" and subsequent series from author Marguerite Henry means to people of all ages. The book "...is still one of the most sought-after books for kids about horses..." said Cindy Faith, whose Museum of Chincoteague Island will buy the ranch through the fundraiser. The Beebe Ranch, including the original Beebe home (WAVY/Brian...

CPD: Man shot after running away from attempted robbery at Near West Side gas station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was shot after an attempted robbery early Tuesday morning at a Near West Side gas station.Just before 3:45 a.m., police said a 48-year-old man was at a gas station, located in the 2400 block of West Roosevelt Road, when four other males approached with guns.They demanded his property and the man attempted to run. The 48-year-old man was shot in the legs and drove himself to Mt. Sinai. CPD said he is in serious condition. Man wanted after 35-year-old battered, robbed on Blue Line train No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

These are the best (and worst) US states for broadband access

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

(The Hill) -- After the pandemic knocked millions of Americans back home to continue work and school, the importance of broadband access in the U.S. has come under a microscope.While the transition had sweeping effects on our mental health, the struggle was compounded in states and areas with poor broadband access. Federal and state authorities have directed billions toward closing the broadband divide, but many Americans may still have a long wait for high-speed internet in their homes. Read more from The Hill's special coverage on the future of broadband here. Here are the best and worst states for broadband internet in the U.S.Northeast dominates the best states for broadbandThere are two key considerations for how good the broadband infrastructure is in a state — overall coverage and quality of those connections.A February report from BroadbandNow Research, a research firm that conducts comparisons on internet companies using data from the Federal Communications Commission a...

After School Satan Clubs gain popularity amid legal victories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

(The Hill) - After School Satan Clubs have been steadily increasing in popularity and are not likely to slow down as their supporters rack up media attention and legal wins fighting for free speech. The clubs, associated with the Satanic Temple and currently only offered in primary schools, began at the beginning of 2020 and quickly gained attention from parents who wanted an alternative to religious clubs, according to June Everett, campaign director of the After School Satan Club.“That's kind of when things started blowing up. And I anticipate that every year moving forward is going to get busier and busier,” Everett told The Hill. Last Monday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Satanic Temple and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which sued when a Northampton County school district would not allow the club to meet at on its grounds. “In a victory for free speech and religious freedom, a federal court has ...

Daniel Perry to be sentenced for murder in 2020 shooting at downtown Austin protest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Daniel Perry, who was convicted last month of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin in 2020, is set to be sentenced Tuesday at 9 a.m. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death During Perry's trial, a jury was presented evidence including police body camera footage after the incident, interview footage of Perry in the Austin Police Headquarters interrogation room, 3D renderings of how close Foster was to Perry’s car, 911 calls, cell phone records, witness video, photos and more.Over the span of eight days, the jury heard testimony from nearly 40 witnesses: Protesters, Foster’s fiancé, police officers, and the lead detective who investigated the case.After deliberating for around 15 hours, a group of 12 jurors found Perry guilty of murder on April 8. Perry was found not guilty for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.A day after Perry’s conviction, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for his pardon, saying in a&...