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Greece wins new credit rating boost that stops short of restoring Greek bonds to investment grade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s economy received a substantial vote of confidence late Friday from Moody’s ratings agency, which upgraded the Greek credit rating by two notches but stopped just short of returning the formerly struggling country to formal financial respectability.Moody’s said it was upgrading Greece’s rating from Ba3 to Ba1, with a stable outlook. But that still leaves the country’s bonds one notch shy of investment grade, which would clear the way for purchases by many major global investors.Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said the upgrade was “mainly a proof that the government must remain faithful to a sober fiscal policy,” to be combined with “sensitivity” on social issues.The last time Moody’s upgraded Greece’s rating was in November 2020. It had downgraded the country’s bonds to non-investment, or junk, status in 2010, at the height of the financial crisis that forced three international bailouts in return for s...

Oregon launches legal psilocybin access amid high demand and hopes for improved mental health care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Psilocybin tea, wind chimes and a tie-dye mattress await those coming to an office suite in Eugene to trip on psychedelic mushrooms. For roughly six hours, adults over 21 can experience what many users describe as vivid geometric shapes, a loss of identity and a oneness with the universe.Epic Healing Eugene — America’s first licensed psilocybin service center — opened in June, marking Oregon’s unprecedented step in offering the mind-bending drug to the public. The center now has a waitlist of more than 3,000 names, including people with depression, PTSD or end-of-life dread.No prescription or referral is needed, but proponents hope Oregon’s legalization will spark a revolution in mental health care.Colorado voters last year passed a measure allowing regulated use of psychedelic mushrooms starting in 2024, and California’s Legislature this month approved a measure that would allow possession and use of certain plant- and mushroom-based psychedelics, in...

Over 14,000 without power on the South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 14,000 people are without power on the city's South Side on Friday afternoon, according to ComEd.In a post shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Alderman Matthew O'Shea said the 19th Ward suffered a major power outage impacting several thousand homes and businesses. 10 hospitalized after Salmonella outbreak at Avondale taqueria According to the ComEd outage map, as of 4:15 p.m. on Friday, over 14,600 customers were without power.Ald. O'Shea says ComEd is expected to provide an update on the outage on Friday afternoon.Currently, it is unclear what caused the outage or how long it will take crews to restore service.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Video shows trooper dragged by car during Massachusetts traffic stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

BROCKTON, Mass. (WPRI) — A fugitive allegedly caught on camera dragging a Massachusetts State Police trooper with his car in Brockton, Massachusetts Wednesday evening has been captured, according to authorities.Troopers found Derek Lobo, 31, hiding inside a Union Street home Thursday afternoon. He was arrested by the same trooper he's accused of dragging the night before.Derek Lobo (Courtesy: Massachusetts State Police)Dashcam footage from the initial traffic stop shows two troopers speaking with Lobo, who was sitting in the driver's seat. The driver's side door was open and one of the troopers was leaning into the vehicle when Lobo unexpectedly stepped on the gas and took off, police said.The trooper who was speaking directly with Lobo could be seen clinging to the vehicle as it sped away. He held on for several yards before falling onto the pavement, an oncoming car narrowly missing him.The trooper suffered minor injuries.Lobo is facing nearly a dozen charges, including assault an...

Ashton Kutcher steps down from anti-child sex abuse group after Danny Masterson pushback

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

(The Hill) — Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn – a technology company protecting children from sexual abuse – announced Friday he would resign from the organization’s board amid backlash he received for supporting former co-star and convicted rapist Danny Masterson. “This decision is rooted in the recognition of recent events and ensuring Thorn remains focused on its mission: to build technology to defend children from sexual abuse,” the company, founded by Kutcher and Demi Moore, said in a statement. Biden leads Trump, DeSantis in Michigan: poll On Sept. 7, a Los Angeles judge sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women. Kutcher and his wife, actress Mila Kunis, who both co-starred with Masterson on “That 70’s Show,” wrote character letters to the judge prior to Masterson's sentencing. In his letter, Kutcher described Masterson as a friend he considers a “brother” and a “role model.” Kutcher and Kunis were heavily criticized over their suppo...

Krispy Kreme celebrates new coffee line with free doughnuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

(WFLA) – Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts to customers who order a beverage from its newest coffee line.The offer is valid now through Sunday, Sept. 17 at participating stores. Customers who purchase one of the chain's new coffee drinks — said to be made with "richer roasts and better beans" — will be treated to a doughnut of their choosing, while supplies last."Krispy Kreme fans expect an awesome doughnut experience that exceeds their expectations. It’s time we delivered coffee worthy of pairing with our iconic doughnuts,” Dave Skena, the global chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme, said in a news release issued this week. New bill could raise Florida teachers’ minimum salary The new coffee line is made with "100% responsibly sourced" beans, according to the company. Drink offerings include hot, iced and frozen beverages, made with classic-roast coffees, medium-roast coffees and espressos.In total, Krispy Kreme says there are more than "two dozen updated coffee bevera...

Austin Public Health could soon test wastewater for influenza, RSV indicators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health (APH) already looks at wastewater to detect the prevalence of COVID-19, and may start to test for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to APH chief epidemiologist Janet Pichette."It would be really great to add things like RSV, norovirus and influenza because then that kind of gives us an idea of when our flu season and other seasons start," Pichette said. "We kind of have an idea with norovirus that we tend to get more gastrointestinal illness occurring in certain months. But we can get an idea of what the background is and kind of monitor the trends over the course of the year." AUGUST: Wastewater data shows increase in COVID, Austin Public Health says Research on the effectiveness of such tests occurred between August 2022 and March 2023 in three Wisconsin cities. The results of that research were published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.""The positive co...

First female Texas DPS Ranger major on new role in Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced the promotion of Texas Ranger Captain Wende Wakeman to the rank of Major. This makes her the first female Ranger Major in the organization's storied 200-year history.Wakeman now serves as the Major of Texas Ranger Company F, which is stationed in Waco. As Ranger Major, Wakeman oversees 27 rangers and three lieutenants across the region - which spans just south of Dallas to south of San Antonio. Texas pharmacist convicted for role in ‘pill-mill’ Wakeman first joined Texas DPS in 1998. She was a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper in Sulphur Springs and New Caney before being a Texas Ranger in Conroe in 2008."I look forward to meeting members of the community here," Wakeman said. "I do know some people here in the Waco area. I look forward to serving the citizens of Texas, of Central Texas, specifically, and working with the Rangers here. And just to make this just a great place to live."Wakeman's first priority is ...

Vikings offensive tackle Oli Udoh lost for the season with torn quad tendon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

The hits keep coming for the Vikings up front.Already without center Garrett Bradbury, who has missed time with a back injury, as well as left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has missed time with an ankle injury, the Vikings have now lost swing tackle Oli Udoh for the rest of the season.Talking to reporters on Friday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that Udoh has suffered a torn quad tendon. He had to be carted off the field after going down late in the primetime game between the Vikings and Eagles on Thursday night.This is a significant loss for the Vikings on the offensive line given how many reps Udoh got in training camp. He was someone the coaching staff felt comfortable playing in any situation.The swing tackle role will likely now be filled by veteran David Quessenberry. He took over for Udoh on Thursday night and performed admirably in relief.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings condemn racist messages sent to running back Alexander Matt...

You can thank St. Thomas coach’s wife and daughter for Tommies’ game at Harvard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:59 GMT

A sizable number of University of St. Thomas alumni, family and friends will gather in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday afternoon to watch the Tommies football team face Harvard. The game represents another seminal moment for the university, as it continues to build its brand, and for a football program eager to climb the competitive ladder.For his part, Tommies head coach Glenn Caruso would like to see an Ivy League school on the schedule every year. Getting the first one might prove to be the most difficult, and along with the diligent work of St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten and his staff, a little serendipity played a role in getting it doneThe Tommies had yet to play their first Division I game in 2021 when Caruso reached out to all eight Ivy League teams about the possibility of setting up a game. Harvard was the only school that left the possibility open for consideration.Discussions between the two athletic programs carried on into the 2021 season. Caruso’s daughter, Ann...