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Hundreds of Loretto Hospital workers on strike Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

CHICAGO — At least 200 workers at Loretto Hospital on the city's Southwest Side walked off the job Monday morning."The strike will start tomorrow (Monday() morning," said Erica Bland-Durosinmi, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare, the union representing the workers who are prepared to strike. "We've been at the table … proposals have gone back and forth, but we've been unable to reach an agreement at this time."Mental health workers, radiology technicians and housekeepers make up the bulk of the group. The workers claim they're underpaid and understaffed, which is reflected by the turnover rate at Loretto Hospital — a number that stands at nearly 60%."People don't stay because they're not investing in the staff in a real way," Bland-Durosinmi said. "It’s unfortunate that we’ve gotten here, where management is unwilling to bargain in good faith." More from Bronagh: Local Chicago leaders advocate for immigration, work permit reform Bland-Durosinmi told WGN that some pay rais...

Blaze offering free pizza for kids every Tuesday in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Blaze is offering free pizza for kids every Tuesday in the month of August.The company is offering kids one free 11-inch cheese pizza, known as their "Simple Pie," with the purchase of any full-priced pizza.Kids also can collect a Blaze Pizza limited edition sticker while supplies last.There are locations in Tinley Park, Niles, Evanston, Berwyn, Woodfield Mall in addition to four stores in Chicago.

Olive-Harvey College offering free course to prep for aviation career

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Olive-Harvey has partnered with the Chicago Department of Aviation to offer a free course designed on helping students begin an aviation career.The two-hour virtual class, entitled "Chicago Department of Aviation Career Prep," will be taught from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for four consecutive weeks. It begins on August 5 and concludes August 26."This collaboration between the CDA and City Colleges has launched a transformative continuing education program that will introduce students to the multitude of diverse and exciting careers within the aviation sector, empowering our students to reach new heights and promising careers," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.The course will cover the history of the Chicago Department of Aviation, aviation terminology and current trends and career paths in the industry. Video shows crop dusting plane nearly clipping semi-truck in Northwest Indiana The course objectives and outline are below, according to the City Colleges of Chicago.Objecti...

'Whitney at 60': Houston estate announces 2nd annual gala

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday.Houston's estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the second annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer's foundation aimed at helping young people.Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta's St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades.“When I turned 50, Whitney gave me two celebrations — one in Ireland and one in London. I always tell everyone now that one of them was for her,” says Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012 at age 48. “This year is Whitney at 60 — we’re all looking forward to being a part of the power of love in that room.”Founded by the singer in 1989, the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children aims to empower...

Yellow trucking shutdown, bankruptcy? Here's what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Trucking company Yellow Corp. has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports.After years of financial struggles, reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week — as the Nashville, Tennessee-based trucker saw customers leave in large numbers. Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday.In an announcement early Monday, the Teamsters said that the union received legal notice confirming Yellow was ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy.“Today’s news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government,” Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “This is a sad day for workers and the America...

'Eat my food': Dog meat farmers in S. Korea resist push to ban industry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It's neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There's increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.The anti-dog meat cam...

'I have some serious problems with that plan': Mayor Watson talks future of Zilker Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Park Vision Plan has become a hot button topic in Austin.According to the City of Austin's website, the park needs some upgrades.The site said Zilker is in crisis and facing increased ecological degradation, accessibility issues and damage from overuse in certain areas. The Vision Plan looks to address those issues with new parking garages, new pedestrian and bicycle bridges and even an amphitheater, but not all the proposed changes have been welcomed."I have some serious problems with that plan," said city Mayor Kirk Watson.Watson said the park needs to improve on its accessibility, but he's not in favor of the three proposed parking garages."I think we can address the parking issues in ways other than putting a parking garage in one of our crown jewels, or three parking garages," said Watson. "We could get parking nearby, we could get a tram service."Another controversial proposed addition is the amphitheater.The great lawn is a place many people like to...

Texas A&M names Mark A. Welsh III as interim president

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KIAH) -- The board of regents at Texas A&M University named Mark A. Welsh III as the new interim president in a special-called meeting Sunday.Chancellor John Sharp previously named Welsh on July 21 as the acting president of the university. The board’s action was needed to place Welsh into a longer-term role to lead the university.“I cannot think of a better person than Mark Welsh to lead Texas A&M right now,” Sharp said. “He has experience running a large organization, but he also is widely respected and universally well-liked in the Aggie community. General Welsh has earned a reputation as a smart, thoughtful and collaborative leader. We are lucky to have him in the president’s office.”Welsh has been dean of the university’s Bush School of Government and Public Service since 2016, but his time in the academic realm came after a long and decorated career in the United States Air Force.“I am grateful to the Board of Regents and Chancellor Sharp for th...

Palazzo Riggi in Saratoga Springs going to auction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Palazzo Riggi, the "Jewel of Saratoga," is going to auction. The live luxury auction is set for September 8 at 6 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Palazzo Riggi, owned by socialite Michelle Riggi, was listed for sale in September 2022. First listed for $17.9 million, the price was reduced to $12 million but still hadn't sold.A luxury auction is a time-sensitive sale, meaning it will sell that day, said Margie Philo, Broker and Owner of Berkshire Hathaway-Adirondack Premier Properties & Adirondack Realty. With Riggi now living full-time in Lake Placid, she doesn't want to leave the home empty. Cannabis dispensary looking to open in Saratoga Springs The Palazzo Riggi is about 25,000 square feet and has six bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. The home was built in 2003 and has four garage spaces, a finished basement, and an in-ground pool.The luxury auction is without reserve. The auction...

Pittsfield launches applications for Citizens Academy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:28 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The City of Pittsfield has launched applications for a Citizens Academy, slated to begin in late August. The 12-week program aims to help community members understand the operations of local government. Those interested can sign-up online, fill out an application, or grab a paper copy available in the Mayor's Office at City Hall at 70 Allen Street. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! All applicants must be at least 18 years old, live or work in Pittsfield, and must be able to attend each of the 12-week sessions to the best of their ability. Class size will be limited to 25 people, and sessions will be held on Thursdays between August 31 and November 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. The sessions will be held at various locations throughout the city. Topics to be covered in the sessions include the following:- Overview of Municipal Government• City Council and School Committee• Police and Fire Departments• Departmen...