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Bipartisan bill would crack down on organized retail theft

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — A bipartisan plan in Congress aims to help law enforcement crack down on organized retail theft, which has surged nationwide in recent years."This is a problem that we have to deal with," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said at a news conference Thursday."It's happening in every community," Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., added. "It's not a one-off, it's not one person." Retail theft is the worst in these 10 US cities, study finds They are part of a bipartisan group that has introduced a bill that would create a centralized agency to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute retail thieves, even across state lines, with "the same penalties applied whether it happens in California or in Iowa," Grassley said.The National Retail Federation says store theft surged 20% from 2021 to 2022, costing retailers more than $112 billion. Lawmakers acknowledged the increase started during the pandemic, but said they don't believe it's linked to rising prices."Retail...

Most Americans say they’re falling behind on emergency savings: survey

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

(The Hill) -- A majority of Americans say they are behind on their emergency savings, according to a new poll.Thirty-eight percent say they are significantly behind on saving for emergencies and 22 percent say they are slightly behind, while only 18 percent say they are ahead on their savings, the survey from Bankrate found.Thirty percent of respondents said they have about the same amount of emergency savings now compared to the beginning of the year. One in five households, 19 percent, say they have increased their emergency savings in 2023, and 32 percent say they have less than they started the year with. Twenty percent said they had no emergency savings at the beginning of the year and still have none, the survey found.“Despite 60 percent of all Americans feeling behind on their emergency savings, just 19 percent have increased their emergency savings balances since the beginning of the year,” Bankrate chief financial analyst Greg McBride said in a statement. “Rising prices and...

Austin's MetroBike program awarded $11.3M federal grant

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Enhancements are en route to Austin's MetroBike program, following news it was named the recipient of an $11.3 million federal grant.The funding will help expand the MetroBike bike share program and transit it to a completely electric bicycle fleet, per a Thursday city release. Right now, only 43% of the 800-bicycle fleet are electric bicycles, with the remainder classified as traditional bikes.The dollars were awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternative Set-Aside program, funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, the release added.While the city owns the MetroBike bikes and stations, it has entered into an agreement with CapMetro. The transit authority operates and oversees the bike share system as part of that agreement, per the release.Through the new funds, Austin is working to expand the 81-station, 800-bicycle network, enhancing its reach throughout downtown as well as north and east...

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and the pursuit of perfection

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

The result was good. The process was bad. That’s what quarterback Kirk Cousins kept going back to after the Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football earlier this week.There was a particular play before halftime during which Cousins hung in the pocket against a zero blitz, then unleashed a deep pass to rookie receiver Jordan Addison downfield.It probably should have been intercepted as cornerback Charvarius Ward undercut the throw while it was in the air. Instead, Addison ripped it away from Ward at the last second, kept his balance in the open field, and raced toward the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown. He hit the Michael Jordan shrug as he crossed the goal line for good measure.“I thought it was getting picked,” Cousins said of the pass. “I still don’t know how Jordan came away with it.”Looking back on it roughly 48 hours later, as much as Cousins made sure to praise Addison for bailing him out, he couldn’t get over t...

NCAA investigators interview Jim Harbaugh’s staff about sign-stealing scheme, AP source says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

By LARRY LAGE (AP Sports Writer)ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — NCAA investigators interviewed members of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff Thursday about a sign-stealing scheme, a person familiar with the governing body’s visit told The Associated Press.The investigation has rocked the undefeated and second-ranked Wolverines on their march toward a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. The interviews were confirmed by the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no one was authorized to speak publicly about the details. The NCAA inquiry was triggered by an outside firm’s investigation, which turned up videos of and documented plans and budgets for impermissible scouting of opponents. The Washington Post reported the firm obtained computer drives maintained and accessed by multiple Michigan coaches.The firm presented evidence to the NCAA and suggested Connor Stalions, a low-level staffer who has been suspended by Michigan, was...

RCMP investigating vehicle thefts in Coalhurst

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

RCMPIn the early morning hours of Oct. 19, three vehicles and a trailer were reported stolen from 6 Street and 4 Street in Coalhurst. The vehicles include:• 2004 Chevrolet Silverado dark blue in colour• 2005 Chevrolet Silverado white in colour• 2007 GMC Sierra white in colour• 2021 Royal enclosed trailer red in colour“It appears that the vehicles were forcefully entered, hot-wired, and driven away,” stated Coaldale RCMP. “There may have been 3 – 5 suspects involved.”If you have any information regarding these thefts, please contact Coaldale RCMP at 403-345-5552. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Letter: Bill C-69 ruling good news for Alberta

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled Bill C-69 – also known as the “no more pipelines law” – unconstitutional. The reversal of this intrusive legislation is a real victory for Alberta. But it’s also a victory for all provinces. And a confirmation of the principles our nation was founded on:provincial rights, respect, and cooperation between all levels of government.Bill C-69 was first introduced in 2018 by the federal government. It was immediately obvious just how harmful it would be to Alberta’s economy. Unfortunately, the premier of the day, Rachel Notley, did nothing to push back and defend Alberta’s best interests.Bill C-69 was a gross overreach of federal power that scared off investors and killed thousand of jobs across Alberta and Canada.Former Premier Jason Kenney understood that this legislation was harmful and unconstitutional. He realized it wasn’t just bad for Alberta, but a threat to the economic wellbeing of all provinces and regions. His government was instrume...

The real people behind the press

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

It’s no secret that thousands of news stories are published in Canada each day. From local community features to national breaking news stories, the people behind the press work tirelessly to ensure readers have access to credible news they can trust.But who exactly are the people behind the press? It could be the person sitting next to you at your favourite coffee shop or the spectator who cheers on your local little league each week; it’s someone in the community just like you!And just like you, the people behind the press care deeply about their community – so much so that they’ve made it their life’s work to keep citizens informed and connected. At the core of every newspaper is a team of real people committed to telling real stories that impact the lives of those in their community.Champions of the truth come in many forms. It could be journalists and photographers who are on the ground capturing these stories as they happen – using the power of words and imagery to make ...

Coalhurst CAO, Operations reports received

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe following are selected briefs from the regular Oct. 17 meeting of Coalhurst town council.CAO ReportCouncil reviewed Jim Patience’s CAO Report for the past month.Highlights from the report include:• Meeting with Oldman River Regional Services Commission staff regarding compliance requests, development permit issues, MSDA agenda and permits• Reviewing resumes and conducting interviews for the Director of Community Services position• Meetings regarding the upcoming budget, recreation master plan and 2022 surplus allocationCouncil received the report for information.Director of Operations ReportCouncil reviewed Kevin Lewi’s Director of Operations report for the past month.Highlights from the report include:• The wetland pathway has been completed. A few deficiency items need to be discussed with the contractor, but contractors will soon be finishing seeding, fencing and clean-up.• The Social Area at Miners Memorial Park was vandalized over the Octobe...

Minister Horner discusses APP proposal during rural media roundtable

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:26 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAlberta’s President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Nate Horner addressed rural media outlets on Oct. 17 during a virtual roundtable.The discussion centred around the Province’s Alberta Pension Plan (APP) idea, and the meeting provided details on the ongoing and upcoming public engagement efforts, citing figures from the Alberta Pension Plan – Analysis of Costs, Benefits, Risks and Considerations Report from LifeWorks, which was made public Sept. 21, 2023.During the roundtable, Minister Horner answered reporter’s questions concerning the transferability of an Alberta Pension Plan, and used Quebec’s provincial pension plan as an example of feasible transferability within the framework of a provincial pension plan.Horner noted, “many Albertans have a lot of questions about a potential Alberta Pension Plan, and many are wondering about how portable an APP would be.”Noting many people, including temporary foreign workers choose to work in Alber...