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White House unveils new efforts to guide federal research of AI

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Tuesday announced new efforts to guide federally backed research on artificial intelligence as the Biden administration looks to get a firmer grip on understanding the risks and opportunities of the rapidly evolving technology.Among the moves unveiled by the administration was a tweak to the United States’ strategic plan on artificial intelligence research, which was last updated in 2019, to add greater emphasis on international collaboration with allies.White House officials on Tuesday were also hosting a listening session with workers on their firsthand experiences with employers’ use of automated technologies for surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and management. And the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology issued a report focused on the risks and opportunities related to AI in education.“The report recognizes that AI can enable new forms of interaction between educators and students, help educators ad...

Court acquits German coronavirus denier of incitement over Israel remarks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — A prominent critic of Germany’s pandemic restrictions who repeatedly spread false information about the coronavirus has been acquitted of incitement to hatred for comments about Jews and Israel.A regional court in the northern town of Ploen ruled Tuesday that Thai-German microbiologist Sucharit Bhakdi didn’t break the law when he described Israel as worse than Nazi Germany.In a video published online in 2021, Bhakdi also said that “the terrible thing about Jews is: they learn well” and described the country of Israel as a “living hell.”The court concluded that it couldn’t be determined without reasonable doubt that Bhakdi had been spreading antisemitic hatred toward Jews rather than criticizing the Israeli government and its policies, German news agency dpa reported.Prosecutors had argued that such comments could lead to Jews in Germany becoming the targets of hatred.Judges also said that Bhakdi’s claims about the COVID vaccine being part of a s...

Democrats sue for West Virginia GOP Gov. Jim Justice’s calendar amid Senate run

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Democratic party’s U.S. Senate campaign arm is asking a Charleston-based judge to order the release of the calendar of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican running to take over the seat held by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in 2024. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee filed a lawsuit against Justice’s office Tuesday in Charleston-based Kanawha County Circuit Court in response to an April 13 rejection of public records pertaining to the state leader’s schedule, according to court records.“Jim Justice cannot hide his work schedule — or lack thereof — from West Virginians, and this is an area which is sure to receive further scrutiny in his nasty primary and in a court of law,” committee spokesperson David Bergstein said in a press release announcing the suit.Justice, whose family owns dozens of companies and The Greenbrier luxury resort near the Virginia border, was the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia when elected gove...

Winning $1 million Lucky Day Lotto ticket sold in Romeoville

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — An Illinois lottery player has matched all five numbers in the Lucky Day Lotto draw, earning them a jackpot prize of $1,050,000.The winning ticket was purchased at the Sunshine Food Mart at 5369 S. Budler Rd. in Romeoville for the May 18 midday drawing. The winning numbers were: 4 - 8 - 22 - 27 - 37. Illinois’ Lotto jackpot nears record amount According to the Illinois Lottery, this is the second million-dollar prize won this month and the sixth lottery player this year to win one-million dollars or more playing Lucky Day Lotto.While a winner has not come forward as of this article's writing, the food mart could also be considered a winner as they will receive a $10,500 bonus for selling the ticket.

Nearly $25K raised on GoFundMe for teen survivor in Wheeling car crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

WHEELING, Ill. — A GoFundMe fundraiser for the teen survivor of a multi-vehicle crash that killed four Buffalo Grove High School students has reached nearly $25,000.Jaime Davila was involved in the fatal crash at the intersection of Dundee and Schoenbeck roads in Wheeling on May 16.Davila survived. Four other teens died and have been identified as: 16-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, 17-year-old Kevin R. Hernandez-Teran and 18-year-old Richard De-lta of Wheeling, and 17-year-old Ricky Barcenas of Arlington Heights.All were students at Buffalo Grove High School. Buffalo Grove High School mourning loss of 4 students killed in Wheeling crash Brenda Davila, Jaime's sister, said he has been in the ICU and has a long recovery ahead of him. No further details have been provided on his current condition.Brenda created the GoFundMe to help cover Jaime's medical expenses. As of noon Tuesday, the fundraiser has raised over $24,500.Anyone who would like to donate, can go to: www.gofundme.com.

Ohio farmer known for 'It ain't much, but it's honest work' meme dies at 76

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Ohio farmer whose photo became a widely used meme has died, but not without leaving behind a legacy in the agricultural world alongside his internet fame.On Thursday, 76-year-old Dave Brandt was driving home to his Fairfield County farm after picking up red corn near Champaign, Illinois, when his truck crashed. Emergency crews took him to the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Randall Reeder, a friend and colleague, confirmed to Nexstar's WCMH that Brandt died overnight Saturday."I got the call about 7 a.m. Sunday morning," Reeder recalled.Dave Brandt stands in front of a field of crops in a government photo that would later become an internet meme. (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Department of Agriculture)Called "the godfather of soil health" by Reeder, Brandt also became a staple in internet culture thanks to a 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture article about his farming techniques. A Redditor picked up the attached photo of Brandt four years later and added t...

DeSantis expected to launch 2024 bid on Wednesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is poised to announce his 2024 presidential run on Twitter on Wednesday.According to multiple reports, the Florida governor will make the announcement during a discussion with Twitter CEO Elon Musk. The discussion will be live streamed on Twitter Spaces and moderated by tech entrepreneur David Sacks, NBC News reported. In an email to reporters on Tuesday, DeSantis’s political team announced “a special Twitter Spaces” on Wednesday at 6 p.m. regarding “upcoming plans.”DeSantis is also expected to release a campaign launch video on Wednesday evening before making an initial swing through several early primary and caucus states after Memorial Day on Monday, according to NBC News. 

NFL approves a few rule changes - including one the Bears voted against

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

NEW YORK — Like every year, the National Football League is tweaking a few rules in order to help out a number of aspects of the game. This week, the NFL made three major changes to their rulebook at their meetings in Eagan, Minnesota, doing so on Monday and Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)As far as scheduling goes, the league is allowing flexing for a select number of Thursday Night Football games in the 2023 season. There are a number of stipulations for this move along with only a small window for it to happen. Thursday games can only be flexed from Week 13-17A four-week notice is requiredOnly two Thursday night flexes are allowed in a seasonTeams can't play two away Thursday night games in a seasonAccording to multiple reports, including Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bears were one of eight NFL teams to vote against this change. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)NFL teams can now have an emergency third quarterback without having to waste a spot on the gameday active roster...

FDA approves prescription nasal spray to reverse opioid overdoses

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a prescription nasal spray this week that can reverse opioid overdoses. Opvee is an almefene hydrochloride nasal spray that is the first of its kind to be used to treat opioid overdoses in adults and children over the age of 12. The FDA said that if the product is administered quickly, it can reduce the effects of opioid overdoses, including respiratory depression, sedation and low blood pressure. "The agency continues to advance the FDA Overdose Prevention Framework and take actionable steps that encourage harm reduction by supporting the development of novel overdose reversal products," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement on Monday."On the heels of the FDA’s recent approval of the first over-the-counter opioid reversal agent, the availability of nalmefene nasal spray places a new prescription opioid reversal option in the hands of communities, harm reduction groups and emergency responders," he add...

Storms start earlier tonight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned with a mostly sunny sky. Clouds increased during the morning so that the afternoon will be a blend of clouds and sun. There is no rain in the afternoon forecast. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin The evening may get active for the Hill Country as the next round of showers and thunderstorms looks to get underway between 7:00 and 8:00. Some of the storms may be strong to severe with hail and strong winds. Storms look to increase in coverage and intensity between 8 and 10 p.m.Strong storms for the Hill Country this eveningThere will be a slight risk (category 2 of 5) for those severe storms in the northern and western Hill Country. Sizeable hail and strong potentially damaging winds are the main threats.This evening's severe storm riskMarginal flash flood risk this eveningThe Weather Prediction Center feels that a few heavy downpours are possible for a marginal flood threat to be issued from I-35 westward. A few more showers and ...