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EPA weighs formal review of vinyl chloride, the toxic chemical that burned in Ohio train derailment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says it could soon launch a formal evaluation of risks posed by vinyl chloride, the cancer-causing chemical that burned in a towering plume of toxic black smoke following the fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.The Environmental Protection Agency is set to review risks posed by a handful of chemicals later this year, and is considering chemicals used for plastic production as a key benchmark. Vinyl chloride is among a range of chemicals eligible for review, and “EPA could begin a risk evaluation on vinyl chloride in the near future,” the agency said in a statement to The Associated Press.If selected, EPA would study vinyl chloride to determine whether it poses an “unreasonable risk to human health or the environment,” a process that would take at least three years.Environmental and public health activists cheered the development, saying EPA should have banned vinyl chloride years ago.“If one positive thing can c...

Weekend need to know: Return of Taste of the Danforth, Jays vs. Cubs, National Bank Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

The Taste of the Danforth finally returns to Greektown this weekend after a years-long hiatus due to logistic and pandemic-related issues.The Toronto Blue Jays are playing the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre all weekend, which is where José Bautista is being added the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence.Plus, Canada’s long-standing premier tennis event continues at Sobeys Stadium and on Sportsnet.There are no scheduled subway closures this weekend, but ongoing road closures remain. Scroll below for more details.Here’s what to do this weekend:Top eventsTaste of the Danforth The Taste of the Danforth, one of Toronto’s most beloved street festivals, is back this weekend for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.Last year’s festival was cancelled with the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA at the time, citing streetscape challenges, and adapting to CaféTO patio installations and bike lanes.The festival will have lots of Greek food, local vendors, and performances from Friday to Su...

India to replace British colonial-era sedition law with its own version

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s government on Friday introduced a bill in Parliament that seeks to replace a British colonial-era sedition law with its own version.The provision dealing with sedition — actions aimed at encourage people to be or act against a government— was imposed by the British in 1860 to repress India’s freedom fighters. India won independence from the British colonialists in 1947, but continued to use the sedition law.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s critics accused his government of using the sedition charge to label dissenting citizens as disloyal toward the country. If convicted, a person could be punished with a maximum of life imprisonment.Home Minister Amit Shah said Friday that the new bill would repeal the British offense of sedition and introduce a new provision. Chitranshul Sinha, a legal expert, said the government’s new provision would punish “acts endangering sovereignty unity and integrity of India.” It would carry a punishment range of seven years to...

Ride the new ArieForce One roller coaster at Fun Spot America Atlanta

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

When you think about Fun Spot America, you probably think about go karts and bumper boats. Their location in Atlanta is hoping to change that. They surprised many in the amusement park world when they announced a huge new addition, a massive roller coaster built by Rocky Mountain Construction. They named it ArieForce One after the company's founder, John Arie, Sr. The park says Arie has always had a love of flying, exploration and innovation. ArieForce One incorporates a lot of those themes, leaning heavily into space exploration. A few of ArieForce One's many moments of airtimeArieForce features an 83 degree, 146 foot first drop. There are multiple inversions including a "raven truss dive," that's basically a dive loop where you travel upwards, flip upside down, then head down in the other direction. What makes this different is how you flip while you are inside of the truss of the ride. It's a really fun element with some great floater airtime. ArieForce One's first drop and "Rave...

Friday Forecast: Temps in mid 80s with scattered storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Warm and breezy Friday with the chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Highs today care are expected to reach the mid-80s. Temperatures tonight will fall into the upper 60s under partly cloudy skies. Saturday Forecast: Mostly sunny with a high near 86.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Which school supplies are included in Texas' sales tax holiday?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) -- The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will host the state's annual sales tax holiday Aug. 11-13 in an effort to encourage supporting Texas-based businesses. During that time, customers can make tax-free purchases on many clothing items, footwear, school supplies and backpacks. 76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks With the 2023-24 school year just around the corner, here's a look at which school supplies items made the sales tax-free cut. Only the items listed that are priced under $100 qualify for the sales tax exemption, per the Texas Comptroller.BindersBlackboard chalkBook bagsCalculatorsCellophane tapeCompassesComposition booksCrayonsErasersFolders: expandable, pocket, plastic and manila typesGlue, paste, paste sticksHighlightersIndex cardsIndex card boxesLegal padsLunch boxesMarkers (including dry erase markers)NotebooksPaper: loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board,...

Austin Achieve overcomes academic ineligibility with NCAA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As students get set for school, many young athletes may be missing out on the opportunity to play at the next level.According to Honest Game — an academic compliance software — more than 20% of high school student-athletes in Texas are deemed academically ineligible to play college sports each year.Lizzie Ten Brook is the director of college counseling at Austin Achieve High School, a charter school preparing its students to attend top universities.“NCAA course completion or portal management was assigned to me and I’d never had any experience with the portal,” she said.When Ten Brook took on this task five years ago, her kids were falling through the cracks, as all student athletes at Austin Achieve were academically ineligible to play college sports.“It was a barrier and we're a school that's trying to remove barriers,” she said. “Unfortunately, we were faced with one because we couldn't navigate this process.”Eventually, she sought help from Honest Game. The softw...

Austin ISD discusses plans to add more officers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees heard a recommendation Thursday night to beef up security at campuses district-wide. Dr. Jacob Reach, AISD's Chief of Governmental Relations & Board Services, recommended the board name one school police officer per campus with the discretion for potentially adding two school police officers for some campuses depending on size and student population. Districts across Texas have to comply with House Bill 3. It requires an armed officer on every campus. With the passage of the state’s latest school safety bill, House Bill 3, lawmakers handed districts new requirements to place one armed officer on every school campus and bring campuses up to new safety standards. Texas House passes sweeping school safety legislation AISD already has more than 80 officers for about 116 district schools. It is looking to add 70 more officers ahead of the law taking effect in September.The law allows for school boards to claim...

5 things to know this Friday, August 11

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we'll be ending the work week on a high note with sunshine and very comfortable temperatures around 80 degrees. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $60M investment for the Albany International Airport on Thursday from the airport’s observation deck. The investment is the largest state grant the airport has ever received. Meanwhile, a runaway parolee was apprehended after Glenville Police were called for a domestic violence incident on Spring Road in Glenville. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Gov. Hochul announces $60M investment for Alb. International AirportGovernor Kathy Hochul announced a $60M investment for the Albany International Airport on Thursday from the airport’s observation deck. The investment is the largest state grant the airport has ever received.2. ...

Car flips, one hospitalized in Shaftsbury crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:14 GMT

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. (NEWS10) -- One person was hospitalized after a car crash near White Creek Road and Cold Spring Road in Shaftsbury on Thursday. One driver had minor injuries after a car flipped and landed on its side. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Around 6:23 p.m., police responded to White Creek Road and Cold Spring Road in Shaftsbury for a report of a crash with entrapment after a car landed on its side. Police say an investigation revealed someone driving a tractor on White Creek Road was trying to turn onto Cold Spring Road when the driver of a 2006 Honda CR-V tried to overtake the tractor.The tractor started to make a turn and the CR-V tried to pass it, eventually driving off the road. The driver of the CR-V hit a telephone pole, causing the car to flip and land on its side. VSP: Florida man nabbed in Rutland in stolen car investigation The driver was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center with minor injuries. ...