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Should you own a pet? Should anyone?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

In today’s Big Story podcast, there are about 28 million pets in Canada. And on any given day, most of them are trapped inside with nothing to do. This doesn’t mean their owners don’t love them, or provide for them, or even try to exercise and stimulate them regularly. It just means that they are animals, mostly or totally confined. So, they’re bored.Kenny Torrella is a staff writer at Vox, focusing on animal welfare. He doesn’t think we shouldn’t own pets, but he does say we could do a better job at taking care of them.“It might seem a little silly on the surface. But boredom is a really, really frustrating emotion. And I think for humans, we’re lucky enough that we don’t really have to experience it as much,” says Torella. “But for cats and dogs and other animals, they are completely dependent on us for their basic needs.”So what do we know about what domesticated animals need, compared to what they get? And how can you i...

Man, 18, shot and killed in Near South Side drive-by, ID'd

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old man is dead after a drive-by shooting in Near South Side Thursday afternoon. The medical examiner's office identified the victim as 18-year-old Cameron D. Rayford According to police, two 18-year-olds were in a car when they were approached by a stolen white Kia and shots were fired. One man was struck on the hand and transported to a hospital initially in good condition. Man, woman dead after shooting at Burbank restaurant Another 18-year-old was struck in the body and was transported to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Kia was found unoccupied near Cermak Road and State Street. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Gap to cut 1,800 jobs, joining growing list of corporate layoffs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

(The Hill) - Gap, Inc. announced on Thursday that it plans to cut about 1,800 jobs, joining the growing list of major U.S. companies engaging in corporate layoffs.The company said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it plans to lay off employees from its “headquarters and upper field workforce,” as part of a “restructuring plan” expected to result in about $300 million in annualized savings.“We are taking the necessary actions to reshape Gap Inc. for the future — simplifying and optimizing our operating model, elevating creativity, and driving better delivery in every dimension of the customer experience," executive chairman and interim CEO Bob Martin said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.Gap had about 95,000 employees as of late January, of which approximately nine percent worked at its headquarters locations, the company said in its latest annual report.The retail giant — which is also the parent company of Old Navy, Banana Repu...

What to know about prescription drugs that promise weight loss

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

Obesity is a major and growing problem around the world, but especially in the U.S., where more than 40% of adults and about 20% of children now meet the criteria for what doctors say has become an intractable chronic disease.Rates of the disease have soared in recent decades, spurred by the complex interaction of genes that make people more likely to store food as fat, a food system that provides easy and cheap access to processed treats explicitly designed to be overconsumed, and social settings that limit access to healthy options and exercise for many people.Obesity is linked to scores of health problems that can lead to disability or even death, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and joint problems.Researchers have long looked for medications that can help people lose weight, mostly with disappointing and, in some cases, dangerous results. In recent years, however, drugs designed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar l...

Meet the cheapest US states to buy a house

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

(The Hill) -- A new study analyzing Zillow data has found that the monthly median sale price of a house last year was over $500,000 in Utah, California and Colorado — and over a staggering $800,000 in Hawaii.The study, conducted by Studio City realtors, found that Hawaii clocked in as the most expensive state in the U.S. for homebuyers. On the island, the average home price was a staggering $805,775 — hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the cheapest state on the list. Studio City realtor Tony Mariotti noted that market turbulence has contributed to a “significant increase” in house prices across the U.S.Home prices went up nationwide in February after months of declines, amid low inventory and a small uptick in demand, and experts have said they expect affordability will continue to be a problem for prospective homebuyers in the months ahead. Here are the priciest and cheapest U.S. states to buy a home:FILE - Kelly Slater surfs in the In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surf co...

Austin musician performing with Parkinson's Disease

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — We’re in the final stretch of Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. In Central Texas, the debilitating disease isn’t holding back 71-year-old Felix Pompa.The Austin-based musician is giving the gift of music to those in hospice care with terminal illnesses."I’ve been playing guitar all my life,” Pompa said. “Played in big bands, small bands and I've played with a lot of people."Back in the 1970s, the U.S. Army veteran avoided being deployed to the Vietnam War because his musical talent helped him a gig in the military, as a chaplain's assistant."I was very lucky with my music,” Pompa said. “It got me through it.”Nowadays, he’s volunteering his time serenading seniors."The most rewarding thing that I have done is volunteered my music and time to the people that need it most,” he said.Pompa volunteers with Blue Water Homecare and Hospice. The Leander-based business provides a wide variety of services for folks with less than six months left to live.Jennifer Pres...

Texas spends less on housing than most states. 5 solutions that could help

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

Investigative Summary: Texas is behind only Nebraska when it comes to how much money the state spends on housing, according to University of Texas researcher. KXAN investigates at what's being done in the legislature this year to provide some relief, what policy experts say lawmakers need to focus on and how Travis County is using federal dollars to make a difference. EXPLORE: Austin voted for more affordable housing. What now? AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just south of the river, Foundation Communities is nearly ready to open the doors of one of its latest affordable housing projects, Zilker Studios. The seven-story building near Oltorf on South Lamar will soon be home to 110 single adults in need of housing and wrap around services. Many of its residents will be coming directly from homelessness. Newly-built Zilker Studios on South Lamar. The Foundation Communities building will be home to more than 100 single adults, many coming from homelessness (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) "The bi...

Two Texas 'Trump Train' participants settle lawsuit claiming they harassed 2020 Biden campaign bus

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Two of the eight Trump supporters accused of participating in a “politically-motivated conspiracy” by closely following, honking at and slowing down a campaign bus for President Joe Biden on a Texas highway in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election have settled with former state Sen. Wendy Davis and three others on the bus.Lawyers representing the plaintiffs announced Thursday they have filed papers to dismiss Hannah Ceh and Kyle Kruger as defendants in the lawsuit. The case against the six other defendants remains pending.The terms of the settlement were not made public, but the two issued formal apologies for their involvement in the “Trump Train,” according to a press release from Project Democracy, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs.“Looking back, I would have done things differently. I do not feel that I was thinking things through at the time, and I apologize to the occupants of the bus for my part in actions that day that frighten...

The best public high schools in Texas, according to Niche

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

(Stacker) – As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in Texas using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses eight weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics and grades, but other factors include culture and diversity, health and safety, clubs and activities, resources, and surveys of parents, teachers and students. School...

3 mount campaigns for Troy City Council President

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:41:36 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Three candidates have now tossed their hats in the ring for Troy City Council President. A Democratic primary is in the works, while Republican Brad Lewis is looking to make his political debut. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Troy City Council Majority Leader Sue Steele is running on the Democratic side. Her campaign will focus on increasing public safety, shoring up the city's workforce, ensuring clean drinking water, facilitating open information exchange, and sensible economic development, she said. “I am running for City Council President because Troy needs an experienced leader with the steel and temperament to ensure public safety,” said Councilmember Steele. “As the current City Council Majority Leader, I am proud of the progress we have made to fund the programs that keep us safe while supporting work to bring greater collaboration and understanding between the community and law enforcement—...