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Clash over LBGTQ+ decor at Starbucks leads to planned strikes at more than 150 stores in days ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

Workers at more than 150 Starbucks locations across the country are planning to go on strike as the coffee chain and a union representing baristas clash over displays supporting LBGTQ+ causes in stores during Pride month.Starbucks Workers United said in a tweet Friday that 3,500 workers will be on strike over the next week. Starbucks has consistently denied claims by union organizers that it was banning Pride displays in its U.S. stores after brands like Disney, Target and Bud Light suffered a related backlash and negative social media campaigns in some parts of the country. Even brands like Chick-fil-A, which closes on Sundays for a day of “rest and worship,” and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store have been targeted online by anti-LBGTQ+ groups and individuals. The union that represents baristas, Workers United, says that store managers around the country have curtailed or removed displays during a monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ people. In some cases, the union said, managers told w...

Ontario cannabis regulator wants feedback on rules restricting window displays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

TORONTO — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is considering amending regulations that require cannabis stores to ensure pot can’t be seen from the exterior of their shop.The provincial body that oversees the licensing of pot shops says it is collecting feedback on the visibility of cannabis to respond to safety concerns.It says in an email to The Canadian Press that it will be collecting feedback until July 11 and it will notify stores at a later date should it decide to make changes to the regulations.Restrictions limiting the visibility of cannabis from the exterior of stores are meant to ensure minors are not enticed by weed or pot accessories.Most stores comply with the regulations by covering their doors and windows or building an interior wall that blocks the view of people passing by the exterior of the store.A significant rise in robberies prompted Alberta’s cannabis regulator to allow stores to take down window coverings last summer.This report by The Canadi...

AP Election Brief | What to expect in New York’s primaries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York voters will choose candidates in local primary elections held across the state Tuesday.In New York City, a contest featuring a member of the exonerated “Central Park Five” tops the list of 23 City Council primaries throughout the city. The Associated Press will also cover the reelection bids of the incumbent Democratic district attorneys in the Bronx and Queens as well as several mayoral primaries in Oneida and Westchester counties.In central Harlem, three Democrats are facing off to replace 9th District City Council member Kristin Richardson Jordan, a first-term incumbent who announced in May she would not seek reelection after narrowly winning the seat in 2021. Vying to replace her are state Assembly members Inez Dickens and Al Taylor and criminal justice reform activist Yusef Salaam, who was one of five men convicted and later exonerated in the “Central Park Jogger” rape case. As with all New York City Council races this year, this election will use a r...

Victim in Burlington dog attack dies in hospital: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

One of the victims of a dog attack in Burlington earlier this month has died in hospital.Halton police confirm the individual was pronounced dead on June 16. Police are not identifying the victim.Three people were injured in the attack on June 6 where officers responded to a home in the area of Walkers Line and Fairview Street.At the time, police said two adults suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and a third adult suffered minor injuries.The dog was shot and killed at the scene by responding officers.Police say there are no criminal elements to the investigation and Halton Regional Police Service has little involvement.

'Fiddler on the Roof' creator Sheldon Harnick dies at 99

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony- and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who with composer Jerry Bock made up the premier musical-theater songwriting duos of the 1950s and 1960s with shows such as "Fiddler on the Roof," "Fiorello!" and "The Apple Tree," has died. He was 99.Known for his wry, subtle humor and deft wordplay, Harnick died in his sleep Friday in New York City of natural causes, said Sean Katz, Harnick's publicist.Bock and Harnick first hit success for the music and lyrics to "Fiorello!," which earned them each Tonys and a rare Pulitzer Prize in 1960. In addition, Harnick was nominated for Tonys in 1967 for "The Apple Tree," in 1971 for "The Rothschilds" and in 1994 for "Cyrano — The Musical." But their masterpiece was “Fiddler on the Roof.”Bock and Harnick were first introduced at a restaurant by actor Jack Cassidy after the opening-night performance of "Shangri-La," a musical in which Harnick had helped with the lyrics. The first Harnick-Bock musical was "The Body Beau...

Cubs playing their best baseball of 2023 as they arrive in London

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

Cody Delmendo of CHGO joined "9 Good Minutes" on WGN News Now to discuss the Cubs' recent stretch of success ahead of two games with the Cardinals in London.CHICAGO — The Cubs couldn't have picked a better time to step onto the world stage this weekend. That's because the team is playing their best baseball in 2023 heading over to the United Kingdom to face the Cardinals for a pair of games in London. What looked like a season on the brink two weeks ago has flipped thanks to a strong stretch of play by the group.At ten games under .500 on June 8, the Cubs have won 10 of their last 12 games, finishing off a sweep of the Pirates on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Improvement across the board, from hitting to pitching and even the bullpen, has helped to change the outlook of the club for the rest of 2023. Now 3 1/2 games behind the Reds for first place in the National League Central division, Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins could look to be buyers instead of sellers at the trade deadline on Augu...

Dean's Reviews: 'Asteroid City' and 'No hard Feelings'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

Check out Dean's Reviews on the new films coming out "No Hard Feelings" and "Asteroid City."Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

LIVE: Mpox town hall taking place in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local leaders and health experts will hold a mpox town hall Friday morning.They’ll issue a warning on mpox, discussing available vaccines and best practices to stop the spread of the virus.Mpox was previously referred to as monkeypox. The CDC changed the name in November, following a recommendation from the World Health Organization. Austin health officials work to prevent another outbreak of mpox this summer Thus far this year, 20 cases of mpox have been reported in Travis County. Austin Public Health said those at the highest risk include men who have sex with men and people with multiple sex partners.APH director Dr. Desmar Walkes warns that anyone can catch mpox if they're exposed to it.“It's really important that everybody take this seriously,” she said. “At the very least, it's very painful. At the very worst, it can cause death.”With this in mind, Dr. Walkes is encouraging those at risk to get the two-dose vaccine before attend...

City of Austin denies claims from residents impacted by April flood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin denied the less than a dozen claims filed by residents on Mearns Meadow whose homes were damaged during an April 20 flood, and neighbors are deciding what their next step will be. Impacted residents will be holding a neighborhood meeting Friday afternoon and said they will meet with an attorney to talk about possible legal action against the city. Claims denied Ryan Albright, who owns one of the 60 homes that were damaged during the April storm, said he was frustrated when he received his denial from the city's claims investigator. The email Albright received read, "I realize that a flooding event like this certainly causes inconvenience and even distress to you, your neighbors and your family. While I very much empathize with your situation, I must respectfully deny your claim."In his email, which was provided to KXAN by Albright, the claims investigator provides some explanation to the denial. He said in the email, "State law provides that a Cit...

Pflugerville PD rewarding children for 'Cool Moves'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) – Pflugerville Police said Tuesday that officers would be out in force this summer. They will be patrolling the streets looking to reward children who are playing by the safety rules, through the Cool Moves community program. Pflugerville PD said through Sept. 1, officers will reward children for doing things including looking both ways before crossing the street, wearing a helmet while riding a bike or skateboard, using hand signals while riding a bike and using crosswalks.If officers see a child following those rules, the child will receive a Cool Moves ticket, according to police. These tickets reward them with a free treat from Dairy Queen, 7-Eleven, Andy's Frozen Custard and Rollie Rolls Ice Cream.Police said the summer program has rewarded children with hundreds of tickets.