Chicago, IL

Indiana, Florida, other states challenge CDC’s face mask rule for public transit

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2022

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Twenty-one states with Republican attorneys common sued Tuesday to halt the federal authorities’s requirement that individuals put on masks on planes, trains, ferries and different public transportation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit, introduced by Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis and Lawyer Basic Ashley Moody and filed in federal court docket in Tampa, Florida, contends that the masks mandate exceeds the authority of the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

The mandate in its present type could also be in impact just a few weeks extra. The CDC just lately prolonged it till April 18 whereas additionally indicating it’s weighing scaling again the foundations for a extra focused method.

Nonetheless, Florida and the opposite states are urgent on with the lawsuit, which comes amid a partisan divide over the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and points of presidency management versus particular person rights.

“It’s nicely previous time to eliminate this pointless mandate and get again to regular life,” mentioned DeSantis, a Republican who has persistently challenged federal masks mandates together with these involving cruise strains, faculties, personal companies and different entities.

The CDC rule, efficient Feb. 1, 2021, requires “the sporting of masks by folks on public transportation conveyances or on the premises of transportation hubs,” in response to the company web site. The rule has been relaxed considerably, to finish necessities for sure buses, however was just lately prolonged till at the least April 18 for home and worldwide journey typically.

Moody, a Republican and former Tampa choose, mentioned in a information launch that the journey masks mandates “are irritating vacationers and inflicting chaos on public transportation.”

That seemed to be a reference to a spate of well-publicized confrontations between flight attendants and passengers over the masks requirement on business plane. It isn’t clear if these incidents are remoted or widespread, and if masks are the one concern. Some are clearly alcohol-related or a psychological well being drawback.

Additionally, maybe underscoring the partisan divide on masks, each DeSantis and Moody talked about Democratic President Joe Biden a number of instances of their statements towards the journey mandate.

The Atlanta-based CDC didn’t instantly reply to a cellphone name and e mail requesting touch upon the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks to right away halt the CDC journey masks rule and asks for prices and attorneys’ charges. There have been comparable lawsuits filed in particular person states earlier than this newest one.

In addition to Florida, the states submitting the brand new journey masks lawsuit as of Tuesday have been:

– Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.