Category: Local Interest,

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign abortion measure he says will make Illinois most ‘progressive’ on issue

On By peanutgallerynhIn Chick Stuff,, Local Interest,Leave a comment

The Illinois measure repeals several decades-old abortion-related provisions in state law. …The Reproductive Health Act includes language that treats abortion as health care.

The Illinois law, effective immediately, repeals the state’s current abortion law, adopted in 1975. In its place is language in which certain elements are removed, such as: spousal consent; criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions; waiting periods; and other restrictions on facilities where abortions are performed. The legislation also clarifies the definitions of viability and health.

…A new provision says abortions can be performed after viability only if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It also defines the viability as the fetus having a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus without extraordinary medical measures.

…The new law also would repeal the Partial Birth Abortion ban, which imposed restrictions on doctors performing abortions on women who were 20 weeks pregnant or later. The ACLU says about 90 percent of all abortions are performed within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Partial-birth abortions remain banned by federal law, except to save the life of the mother. 

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign abortion measure he says will make Illinois most ‘progressive’ on issue – Chicago Sun-Times

hmmmm

Homelessness In Los Angeles County Up 12% In The Last Year

On By peanutgallerynhIn Local Interest,, Money, Class, and Poverty,Leave a comment

Homelessness is up in Los Angeles County for the third time in four years. Numbers released Tuesday show nearly 59,000 people living on the streets or in vehicles — a 12% increase over 2018. That’s despite two voter-approved tax hikes and more than $600 million spent last year by the city and county on social services and new supportive housing.

Officials blame rising rents and evictions, which they say are pushing people into homelessness faster than the city or county can catch them. Since 2000, LA County’s median monthly rent has risen 32%, to $2,471, while household income has stagnated, according to the nonprofit California Housing Partnership.

Homelessness Up 12% In Los Angeles County : NPR

sighhh

Joe Crain: A weatherman slammed his station’s constant ‘Code Red’ warnings

On By peanutgallerynhIn Local Interest,, Media and Culture,, Money, Class, and Poverty,Leave a comment

He acknowledged criticisms of the alert from viewers in the form of “thousands” of comments on social media, in letters to the editor and in calls to local radio shows.

For example, just days before his monologue, a viewer wrote a scathing letter published in The State Journal-Register, the daily newspaper in Springfield, saying he was “sick to death” of the alerts.

“It would appear that any cloud in the sky will warrant a ‘Code Red.’ Indeed, we have three or four for this week alone!” wrote Victor Edwards of Springfield. “This is something like the boy who cried wolf, or Chicken Little, and what it does is make the viewers skeptical of anything the weather people say when not a single one eventuates.”

In his commentary, Crain said he understood the criticism of the name “Code Red” and the seriousness that implies.

“Certainly, when you hear Code Red, you think, as they say, the feces is about to hit the fan,” he said. “So with that being said, we understand your concerns and we want you to know that we take them very seriously, as far as myself goes. I don’t take myself very seriously, but I do take my job seriously and my responsibility to the public.”

…”So, keep in mind, despite the fact that this facility is owned by a corporation, it’s still licensed under the authority by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest, convenience and necessity, so you still have a voice. Keep those cards and letters coming,” he said.
Joe Crain: A weatherman slammed his station’s constant ‘Code Red’ warnings – CNN

Amen.

120 whoopie pies are missing after fairground booth break-in

On By peanutgallerynhIn Local Interest,Leave a comment

Apparently hungry and thirsty vandals have trashed a fairgrounds booth in Maine, stealing 120 whoopie pies and drinking half a gallon of iced tea.

John Youney, a director of the Skowhegan Lions Club, tells the Portland Press Herald that a refrigerator full of cookies was also emptied.

…Youney says whoever is involved can confess and work off their crime by assisting the club with its volunteer work.

120 whoopie pies are missing after fairground booth break-in – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

lololololol

Ortiz back in Boston, taken to local hospital

On By peanutgallerynhIn Boston,, Caribbean,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

A team of surgeons, led by Dr. Abel Gonzalez, operated on Ortiz for six hours and repaired damage done by the bullet to both intestines and his liver. They also had to remove Ortiz’s gallbladder to work on the liver, though the gallbladder itself was not damaged.

Gonzalez said during a Monday news conference that he anticipates Ortiz making a full recovery with no restrictions. Asked about Ortiz’s qualify of life going forward, Gonzalez replied, “When he overcomes this, the same as before.”

Doctors approved Ortiz’s transfer to Boston on a plane sent to the Dominican Republic by the Red Sox.

Ortiz back in Boston, taken to local hospital

 

So grateful the Red Sox moved so quickly and flew Big Papi home to Boston. They will literally get him the best medical care in the world. It is an immense relief to know that.

So grateful for how quickly Eliezer Salvador got Papi to the hospital. It put a smile on my face to hear that he he apologized for hitting some cars along the way. Boston fans are also Boston drivers. It seemed fitting.

So grateful for the work of Dr. Gonzalez and his entire medical team for saving his life.

…And, the peanut gallery is sure it speaks for all of Red Sox nation in saying:

So appreciative of the folks who caught, beat, and ultimately spared the suspect so he could talk.

David Ortiz flown to Boston after being shot in a bar

On By peanutgallerynhIn Boston,, Caribbean,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

Eliezer Salvador, who was at the scene, said the gunman said nothing, just fired once. Salvador then drove a wounded Ortiz to the hospital, telling reporters they had a brief conversation in the car as he urged the baseball great to stay calm and breathe.

“Do you have any problems with anyone?” Salvador recalled asking him, to which Ortiz replied: “No, my brother, I’ve never wronged anyone.”

Salvador held up Ortiz’s bloody belongings for reporters, along with some of his jewelry. He also apologized for hitting several cars while rushing to the hospital: “That wrongdoing was justified.”

…“He is resting,” the elder Ortiz said. “Big Papi will be around for a long time.”

He added that he is pleased with the medical attention Ortiz has received but that he will be transferred to Boston so he can be with his wife and the Red Sox medical team.

…“In 2013, when we needed David Ortiz the most, he was there for us,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy said Monday. “Our focus is on his health and on getting him back here for treatment.”

David Ortiz flown to Boston after being shot in a bar | fox8.com

Yes, Mr Salvador, I think you are right. It was.

#papistrong

Black Missouri drivers 91% more likely to be stopped, state attorney general finds

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Local Interest,, Race,Leave a comment

The 2018 report comes nearly five years after protesters in Ferguson drew national attention to longstanding concerns about police treatment of black communities following the 2014 police shooting death of Michael Brown, a black, unarmed 18-year-old who lived in the St. Louis suburb.

Data released by Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt show that since then, reports of black drivers being pulled over at a disproportionately high rate compared to their white counterparts have only increased. Last year’s statewide disparity rate between white and black drivers is the highest recorded in the almost two decades since the state first began compiling data.

…In 2015, data show black drivers were roughly 70 percent more likely to be stopped by police compared to white motorists statewide. That disparity climbed to 75 percent in 2016 and up to 85 percent in 2017.

…“If you don’t have any teeth in that law that bans racial profiling, then you won’t get compliance,” said Republican state Rep. Shamed Dogan, of the St. Louis suburb of Ballwin. “We need to get Republicans on board to recognize that it’s a crisis. We have data to prove this has been going on for two decades.”

Missouri law allows the governor to strip state funding from police agencies that don’t comply with the state’s racial profiling law . State Budget Director Dan Haug said at least as far back as 2015, that has not occurred.

Black Missouri drivers 91% more likely to be stopped, state attorney general finds | PBS NewsHour

hmmmmmmm

Leah Chase, whose restaurant Dooky Chase’s helped change New Orleans, dies at 96

On By peanutgallerynhIn Gulf Coast Region,, Media and Culture,, Race,Leave a comment

“African-Americans didn’t have restaurants like that to go to. When I came here, I said, ‘We’ve got to change things,’” said Chase. ”Growing up, mother always kept nice things for company. Nice glasses, nice things. That’s how we look at it here. Everybody who comes through that front door is my company. People deserve that.”

Leah Chase, whose restaurant Dooky Chase’s helped change New Orleans, dies at 96 | Food/Restaurants | theadvocate.com

RIP