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UAW strike expands against GM and Stellantis; progress reported with Ford

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The United Auto Workers union is expanding its strike against two of the big three automakers.UAW President Shawn Fain made the announcement earlier Friday morning. Fain says there is not enough progress being made in talks with GM and Stellantis, so on Friday, the strike against those two companies will grow to include all of GM and Stellantis’ parts and distribution centers.Those total 38 centers in 20 states.That is significant because distribution centers generally send parts to dealerships for repairs. With workers at those centers on strike, that could cripple the dealerships’ ability to do repairs, which is a profitable part of their business.Fain shares that the progress is being made in talks with Ford, so the strike there will not expand. The original three plants where the UAW strike started last week, including Wentzville, will continue to strike. 38 car parts distributing centers joining UAW strike Here is some of what Fain said at Friday's con...

Officers no longer employed in aftermath of inmate escape from Mercy Hospital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Officers who were responsible for keeping inmate Tommy Boyd in custody have undergone an investigation by the Missouri Department of Correction and have since been no longer employed.According to Karen Pojmann, the Director of Communications, the officers in charge of the escaped inmate, Boyd, have been terminated from the police department.Pojmann stated, 'While the Missouri Department of Corrections has strict protocols in place for transporting and supervising offenders receiving hospital care, our investigation has concluded that departmental protocol was not followed regarding offender Boyd at Mercy Hospital South. Appropriate personnel action has been taken. I can confirm that the officers involved are no longer employed by the department.' 38 car parts distributing centers joining UAW strike The search for inmate Tommy Boyd has ended, and he has been returned to the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections after walking out of St. Louis Mercy Hospital ...

Threatening texts at a daycare lead to employee's arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. - Little Treasures Child Development Center received unsettling text messages on a business phone on September 20, 2023, at approximately 1:10 p.m. These messages did not contain specific threats, and the daycare operates across multiple counties.The following day, on September 21, 2023, at 7:23 am, Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the daycare located on Old Route 13 in Carterville. They had discovered threatening text messages sent to the business phones at two of the center's locations.During the investigation, another message was received at both locations, stating, "Today watch urselfs." As a precaution, law enforcement remained on the scene to trace the source of the messages.At 9:43 am, two more text messages, including a bomb threat, were received. In response, both facilities were evacuated, with personnel and children relocated to secure areas. Fire and EMS teams were nearby, and explosive detection K9 units were deployed. The search...

I-25 reopened in Walsenburg after crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

Interstate 25 has reopened in Walsenburg after a crash shut down both sides of the interstate, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.The interstate was closed from the I-25 Business exit north of Walsenburg to the I-25 Business exit south of the town for about an hour. The interstate reopened just after 10 a.m.#I25 northbound: Roadway reopened to traffic at I-25 Business. https://t.co/2OIWqlC0lF— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) September 22, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Several downtown RTD rail lines to be interrupted by mainentance starting next week Crime and Public Safety | I-25 reopens in Pueblo after tractor-trailer truck rolls over Crime and Public Safety | I-70, U.S. 6 reopen near Eagle after wreck causes 27-acre fire; portion of U.S. 6 still closed Crime and Public Safety | Rail crossing gates fixed after being stuck in down position on Alameda in A...

Here's what the new Universal Studios coaster could look like

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

Hang on for a wild ride. A veteran theme park enthusiast has obtained what appears to be the detailed track layout for the new "Fast & Furious" roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood.  The ride, known only as Project 409 at this point, will begin in the park’s upper lot, descend into the lower lot, and then return to the station after looping around the Starway escalator. That much we already knew thanks to a geotechnical permit obtained by Alicia Stella of Theme Park Stop. Information released by the park itself has been far less specific. "Equipped with a state-of-the-art ride system uniquely created to engulf guests within the dynamic 'Fast & Furious' universe, this all-new roller coaster will benefit from Universal Destinations & Experiences' decades-long expertise in revolutionizing the development of the contemporary roller coaster across its global theme park destinations," Universal Studios said in its July announcement.The area wh...

From L7 to Spoon — the New LA Weekly Playlist is Live

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

From L7 to Spoon: The 175th LA Weekly playlist, reviewing the musicians that we’ve been writing about all week, is live now. There’s electronic music from Apashe, hip-hop from Sugarhill Dot, R&B/funk from the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, punk from L7 and Bikini Kill, and so much more.Find us on Spotify here,or on Soundcloud here.Don’t forget to “Like” the playlists and “Follow” the profiles.Sarah Avrin (Courtesy of Charm School Media)From L7 to SpoonAlso this week:In our Women in Business issue, Sarah Avril of Charm School Media told us that, “My career in the music industry began with me being a DJ at my college radio station and eventually becoming the program director. I switched [my course] to music business, and then did some internships. Through interning at Shorefire Media, and then Girlie Action. I just loved all of the bands that were at Girlie Action. Their roster very much spoke to me and my feminist punk heart. I kept interning there for, I think, alm...

Heart of Oakley Festival on tap this Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

The 11th annual Heart of Oakley Festival will return Saturday at Civic Center Plaza and on Main Street  between Vintage Parkway and Norcross Lane.The open-air market brings local families and community members together to highlight local businesses and artisans selling their handmade crafts and wares. It will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Delta OG and Latin Touch will be the headliners providing live music at the event, which will also feature an array of food vendors, beer and wine.For more information, go to www.heartofoakleyfestival.com.  

UC regents meet, mull, confer and ultimately decide to take more control of Cal, UCLA athletics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

The University of California regents did not finalize the so-called Berkeley tax when they gathered Thursday at UCLA, but they agreed to wade deeper into the world of college sports.Much, much deeper.The regents formalized a special committee designed to “assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for oversight of intercollegiate athletics programs,” according to the regents’ website.Just what the Bruins and Bears need: More bureaucracy!As the schools prepare to enter new conferences next season, their governing board is expected to require UCLA to provide Cal with financial support. The amount has not been determined. Nor have the regents offered a clear timeline for resolution to the controversial issue, which amounts to an unprecedented subsidy between UC athletic departments.The regents met Thursday in closed session to discuss what the agenda described as “UC Berkeley Atlantic Coast Conference Membership.” No details were provided after th...

Bay Area bishop acquitted in first United Methodist court trial of its kind in nearly a century

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

By PETER SMITH | Associated PressA United Methodist Church court acquitted a California bishop Friday of all charges in the first trial of one of the church’s bishops in nearly a century.Bishop Minerva Carcaño, the first Latina bishop in the denomination and a prominent voice on behalf of immigrants, faced four charges of violating church law. They were for alleged harassment, fiscal malfeasance, disobedience to the order and discipline of the UMC and the undermining of another pastor’s ministry. The jury reached its verdict after a few hours of deliberation Thursday evening. It was announced Friday morning.Among other particulars, the prosecution alleged Carcaño retaliated against clergy and staff who challenged her decisions and that she took actions or allowed them to be taken while sidestepping committees and other staff that should have been consulted about decisions.The prosecution also said she benefited from her use of a San Francisco parsonage, which was renovated through a...

Why does Donald Trump attack the Ronald Reagan Library?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:11 GMT

When the Republican National Committee announced that it would hold its second debate in the primary at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, the decision drew ire from former President Donald Trump. He said President Ronald Reagan wouldn’t approve of the leadership of Frederick Ryan Jr., the library’s longtime board chair.Trump threatened to skip the presidential debate altogether.The former president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social in April, “When you’re leading by seemingly insurmountable numbers, and you have hostile networks with angry Trump & MAGA hitting anchors asking the ‘questions,’ why subject yourself to being libeled and abused? Also, the second debate is being held at the Reagan Library, the chairman of which is, amazingly, Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post. No!”The Reagan Library, a sprawling complex of buildings and gardens, has hosted numerous GOP presidential candidate debates. Over the years, it has also welcomed worl...