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Freedom Mobile unveils first nationwide plan following Rogers-Shaw deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

MONTREAL — Freedom Mobile will offer a $50 plan that includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 40 GB of data usable nationwide and in the U.S. following its acquisition by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron.The $2.85 billion deal was prompted by Rogers Communications Inc.’s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc., which agreed last year to sell Freedom Mobile in an attempt to ease competition concerns as a requirement for the merger. As part of the conditions of federal approval laid out by Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne in March, Videotron must offer plans that are at least 20 per cent lower than its competitors’ plans and spend $150 million over the next two years to upgrade Freedom Mobile’s network.The company says that work is underway, with teams dedicated to upgrading the wireless network to support the upcoming implementation of 5G technology and seamless roaming.Freedom says the new lower-priced plan is its first offering with national coverage.It sa...

Aging America: Baby boomers push nation’s median age to almost 39 as fewer children are born

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

The United States grew older, faster, last decade.The share of residents 65 or older grew by more than a third from 2010 to 2020 and at the fastest rate of any decade in 130 years, while the share of children declined, according to new figures from the most recent census.The declining percentage of children under age 5 was particularly noteworthy in the figures from the 2020 head count released Thursday. Combined, the trends mean the median age in the U.S. jumped from 37.2 to 38.8 over the decade.America’s two largest age groups propelled the changes: more baby boomers turning 65 or older and millennials who became adults or pushed further into their 20s and early 30s. Also, fewer children were born between 2010 and 2020, according to numbers from the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident. The decline stems from women delaying having babies until later in life, in many cases to focus on education and careers, according to experts, who noted that birth rates never rec...

'Speak Meow:' Anti-Cruelty Society to offer $13 cats as Taylor Swift concert nears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

CHICAGO — This is for Swifties and cat lovers all around the Chicagoland area. With Taylor Swift’s heading to Soldier Field next month for her "Eras Tour," the Anti-Cruelty Society is offering $13 cat adoptions in honor of the long-awaited tour. The Anti-Cruelty Society said in a released statement:"Stop by the shelter and SPEAK MEOW to adopt your FUREVER & ALWAYS best friend for $13. We hope you’ll adopt your new LOVER next weekend, we know ALL TOO WELL how much joy & happiness they'll bring to your life!"The adoption promotion ends June 4. To meet their available cats and kittens, visit their locations in River North and the South Loop during their open hours. To make these felines' 'Wildest Dreams' come true, visit: The Anti-Cruelty Society | Home (anticruelty.org)

South Carolina gov. signs 'heartbeat' abortion bill into law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) signed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protections from Abortion Act, S.474, into law on Thursday morning while surrounded by members of the General Assembly.After calling lawmakers back into special session, House lawmakers passed the controversial legislation on May 17 after days of debate. It was later sent to the state Senate, where it also passed.According to Gov. McMaster’s office, the bill prohibits abortion in South Carolina after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, effectively banning most abortions in the state after about six weeks. There are limited exceptions in cases of medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies, and in cases of rape or incest. SC Democrats demand apology from McMaster over ‘hunt them with dogs’ comment Gov. McMaster said the act is effective immediately.“With my signature, the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act is now law and will begin saving the lives of unborn children imme...

Cubs welcome back 'The Professor' on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

CHICAGO — After being spotted at the ballpark at the beginning of the team's series with the Mets, many wondered when "The Professor" would return to the mound.David Ross had that answer on Wednesday evening after the Cubs' 4-2 win over the Mets. "Kyle will pitcher tomorrow," said the manager, as the longest-tenured player on the club gets set to make his return on Thursday.Kyle Hendricks will take the mound in the final game of the series against New York on Thursday night at 6:40 p.m. at Wrigley Field. It will be his first start since July 5, 2022, when he was forced out of the game that night against the Brewers after three innings.It turns out he'd suffered a capsular tear in his right shoulder and wouldn't pitch for the rest of the season. Hendricks didn't have surgery to fix it, opting to rest it during the offseason, and then began rehab work this spring. The pitcher was officially sent to Triple-A Iowa on April 27 and made five appearances with that club, going 2-1 with a 5....

Michigan man faces federal charges for dredging river inside Sleeping Bear Dunes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A northern Michigan man faces federal charges for allegedly dredging the Platte River last summer in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.Mark Totten, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan, announced Wednesday that 62-year-old Andrew Howard, of Frankfort, has been charged with one count of tampering and one count of vandalism.“These allegations of tampering and vandalism by a man-made diversion of water at Platte River are disturbing,” Totten said in a statement. “The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Great Lakes are national gems, and my office takes preserving our natural treasures very seriously.”The incident came in the wake of a debate over the river. According to a report from northern Michigan affiliate 9&10 News, the National Park Service decided to stop dredging the Platte River in 2017. Many people opposed the decision, saying it was difficult for boats and rescue vessels to get through.Scott Tucker, the ...

Tastykake product recalled due to undeclared allergen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

(WHTM) -- Flower Foods Inc. announced Wednesday that it is recalling some of its Tastykake products because they contained undeclared peanuts.According to the Georgia-based company, certain packages of Tastykake Chocolate Kandy Kakes are being voluntarily recalled after it was discovered they contained Tastykake Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes. If consumed, an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts can cause a life-threatening reaction. So far, no illnesses or incidents have been reported. Trader Joe’s coffee product recalled due to potential glass The recalled product was distributed on May 11, 2023, in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia. The packages have an “Enjoy By” date of June 5, 2023, on the side of the package and UPC 0 25600 00225 4.Consumers should throw away the affected product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Simply the best: A look back at Tina Turner's Texas performances

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- She was simply the best: Legendary R&B, rock and soul singer Tina Turner passed away Wednesday at the age of 83. A staple whose multi-decade career led to more than 100 million records sold, 12 Grammy Awards and a two-time membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Turner also graced Austin several times throughout her illustrative career.Turner performed with then-husband Ike Turner at the Austin Coliseum on July 1, 1968, according to archived tour documents. Ike & Tina Turner performed as a duo between 1960 to 1976 before the pair divorced, in part due to alleged abusive behavior inflicted on Tina by Ike. Throughout the two's joint career, they performed at least a dozen times throughout Texas, with additional concerts held in El Paso, Waco, University Park, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio. The two also played a set at the 1st annual Central Texas Music Fes...

Best Buy posts mixed 1Q results but gadget slump will bottom out as shoppers replace their devices.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO (AP Retail Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — Best Buy turned in a first-quarter profit that beat Wall Street expectations, while the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain continued to wrestle with weak consumer demand for gadgets.But the Minneapolis-based chain predicted on Thursday that the slump in consumer electronics will bottom out by year-end as customers who bought gadgets at the onset of the pandemic will start to update their devices.For now, Best Buy reaffirmed its cautious financial outlook, underscoring continued economic uncertainty. Best Buy’s sales during the depths of the pandemic were fueled by oversized spending by Americans who splurged on gadgets to help them work from home or help their children with virtual learning. Government stimulus checks drove a lot of that spending. But more than a year ago, consumers began to pull back from items that were popular during the pandemic like TVs and casual clothing as they became mor...

Keith Ellison’s new book recounts the George Floyd case and Derek Chauvin’s conviction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

Minnesota prosecutors were so worried a judge would move the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin out of the city where he killed George Floyd that they conducted a mock trial in a deep red rural county to test their strategy, Attorney General Keith Ellison reveals in a new book.It worked. Ellison was pleasantly surprised that even the mock jurors in Stearns County of central Minnesota would have convicted Chauvin and three co-defendants of manslaughter, and almost all would have convicted them on the top charge of second-degree murder. Two simulated juries in Hennepin County, where the case ultimately stayed, came back guilty on all counts.“Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence,” will be released Tuesday by Twelve, an imprint of the Hachette Book Group, two days ahead of the third anniversary of Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on the Black man’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes. A bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t b...