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Robbins: Like Truman, Biden smart but uncool

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

On Dec. 26, 1972, hours after Harry Truman’s death, Senator-elect Joseph Biden sent Truman’s widow a condolence telegram. The 33rd American president, Biden wrote, had proved a historic leader, one who had “made his mark” for being “purposeful, smart and tough.”Truman had been bitterly attacked by Democrats and Republicans alike, belittled for his charisma-deficit and dull persona. Before the word “cool” entered our lexicon, Truman was uncool personified. Yet historians regularly rate Truman as among our finest presidents. C-SPAN’s surveys of  presidential historians consistently rank him as either our fifth or sixth greatest leader.A half century after Truman’s passing, with a record of achievement that by rights should earn him considerable credit, Joe Biden is sold short in the same way Truman was. The biggest knocks on Biden are that he is 81, has an arthritic spine and as a child had a stutter. In a Tik-Tok world, his crime appears to be that he is all substance and no flash – ...

“Mr. Big Stuff” singer Jean Knight dies at 80

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

By SARA CLINE (Associated Press)BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Jean Knight, a New Orleans born soul singer known for her 1971 hit “Mr. Big Stuff,” has died at 80.Family, friends, fans and veterans of the music world mourned the loss of the Grammy-nominated singer who was considered a musical powerhouse and an integral part of New Orleans’ music legacy.Knight died Wednesday of natural causes in Tampa, Florida, where she was residing, said family representative Mona Giamanco. She confirmed the death to the Associated Press on Monday afternoon. “Jean Knight’s legacy is not just a musical one; it is a testament to the enduring love between an artist, her hometown and the fans who adored her,” the singer’s family said in a statement. Knight got her start in her hometown of New Orleans by singing in her cousin’s bar shortly after graduating from high school. In the 1970′ she recorded “Mr. Big Stuff” — a sassy and soulf...

Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones’ $1.5 billion legal debt for a minimum of $85 million

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

Sandy Hook families who won nearly $1.5 billion in legal judgments against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for calling the 2012 Connecticut school shooting a hoax have offered to settle that debt for only pennies on the dollar — at least $85 million over 10 years.The offer was made in Jones’ personal bankruptcy case in Houston last week. In a legal filing, lawyers for the families said they believed the proposal was a viable way to help resolve the bankruptcy reorganization cases of both Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.But in the sharply worded document, the attorneys continued to accuse the Infowars host of failing to curb his personal spending and “extravagant lifestyle,” failing to preserve the value of his holdings, refusing to sell assets and failing to produce certain financial documents.“Jones has failed in every way to serve as the fiduciary mandated by the Bankruptcy Code in exchange for the breathing spell he has enjoyed for almost a year. His time is up,&#...

Peterborough builds 50 transitional tiny homes, but no similar plan in Toronto yet

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

As Ontario braces for winter, the City of Peterborough is rushing to open dozens of new transitional homes as the municipality — like many others in Ontario — continues to deal with homelessness.However, the 50-unit project on Wolfe Street on the edge of downtown Peterborough is something not typically seen in Ontario. All of the homes are modular and are so-called tiny homes, and it only took six months to build.“This isn’t a replacement for affordable housing, but this is a reaction to really looking from the perspective of people that we’re setting up,” Ward 3 Coun. Alex Bierk said during a tour of the property.“My friend who I grew up with, he got kicked out of the men’s shelter for eating Smarties in bed because that was one of the rules that they had. He just said he would rather stay outside, so a model like this gives people some autonomy.”The homes are located on a municipal permit parking lot next to a City-owned buildi...

Panthers fire Frank Reich after 11 games and name Chris Tabor their interim head coach

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Frank Reich era in Carolina is over after only 11 games.The Carolina Panthers fired their coach on Monday following the team’s NFL-worst 1-10 start in his first year at the helm.Panthers owner David Tepper announced the move hours after several news outlets reported that he used a profanity as he was leaving the locker room following a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.Tepper hired Reich to fix one of the league’s worst offenses over the past few seasons and develop Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick whom he gave up four draft picks and top wide receiver D.J. Moore to acquire this past offseason in the hopes of winning multiple Super Bowls.Instead, the Panthers are assured a franchise-record sixth straight losing season.The Panthers are 30-63 since Tepper bought the team from Jerry Richardson in 2018 for $2.275 billion and have never made the playoffs.Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will take over as interim head coach. Offensive coordina...

Oshkosh and Dutch firms awarded a $342 million contract to produce equipment trailers for US Army

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — An Oshkosh-based company and a Dutch firm have been awarded a $342 million contract to produce equipment trailers for the U.S. Army. Oshkosh Defense announced Monday that it will partner with Broshuis, B.V., to produce an estimated 557 Medium Equipment Trailers. The six-axle trailer and its tractor can transport military equipment weighing up to 60 tons. The five-year contract includes an option for two additional years. The Army awarded Oshkosh Defense a $263.2 million contract last year to produce an estimated 466 heavy equipment trailers, which can transport up to 90 tons of equipment. The Associated Press

Montana man intends to plead guilty to threatening US Sen. Jon Tester

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man intends to plead guilty to threatening to kill Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester under the terms of a deal filed Monday by federal prosecutors.Anthony James Cross of Billings faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing if the plea agreement is accepted by the court. A second charge based on allegations that Cross also threatened to kill President Joe Biden would be dismissed at sentencing, according to a court filing by his defense attorney.A court date has not yet been scheduled.Cross, 30, has been jailed since late April, when he was arrested on a state charge for allegedly threatening a neighbor with a pellet gun. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge and was scheduled to go on trial in late October but the proceeding has been delayed, according to court records.Threats against public officials in the U.S. have been steadily climbing in recent years, including against members of Congress and their spouses, election workers and local elected ...

Minnesota Wild fire coach Dean Evason, assistant Bob Woods after losing 14 of first 19 games

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild fired coach Dean Evason and assistant Bob Woods on Monday after losing seven straight games and 14 of their first 19 to start to the NHL season.General manager Bill Guerin announced the moves without confirming Evason’s replacement. According to multiple reports, former New Jersey and Nashville coach John Hynes will take over. The Wild planned a news conference with Guerin and the next coach for Tuesday, prior to their game against St. Louis.Evason, 59, had three full seasons in charge of the Wild, who gave him his first head coaching job in the NHL on Feb. 14, 2020, when Bruce Boudreau was fired and he was promoted from his assistant role. He went 147-77-27 in 251 regular season games and 8-15 in the postseason without winning any series.During the pandemic break, Guerin decided to drop the interim tag and give Evason the job once the Wild resumed practice. They lost a best-of-five series to Vancouver in the qualifying round that year, the...

Campaign 2024: Illinois election filings begin

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —  Ready or not, Campaign 2024 officially kicked off Monday in Illinois.Bright and early, at the Board of Election office in Springfield, candidates in local, state and judicial races turned in petitions to get on the ballot. Pate Philip, towering figure in Illinois Republican politics, dies Among the candidates who spoke with WGN News was Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, who filed to maintain her seat. There's also a marquee matchup in the Republican primary in Illinois’ 12th Congressional district, which covers 34 southern counties: Former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is challenging veteran Congressman Mike Bost. On Monday, both men turned in their petitions and spoke about their reasonings for running."People’s voices are not being heard and opportunity has been lacking," Bailey said. "You need someone to understand how policy works and how the rules work," Bost added.Also filing on day one was Democratic Congressman Da...

Migrants awaiting shelter placement face frigid temperatures as winter weather sets in

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:17:36 GMT

CHICAGO — Migrants across the city are feeling the impact of the frigid temperatures as winter weather sets in around Chicagoland.Many, not knowing what to expect, arrived in the city in sandals and shorts and are grateful for organizations and volunteers who have dropped off winter gear.Jacie Sanghil, a migrant who was sleeping outside up until only a few days ago, said the cold weather is horrible, adding that she and her daughters are more accustomed to the heat. Gov. Pritzker, IDHS announce plans to get migrants off the streets, into shelters They have since been moved to an indoor shelter and said it is something they are grateful for.The same can not be said for more than 1,300 people currently awaiting placement and 1,198 people who are waiting at Chicago police districts.A number of volunteers and organizations have stepped in to help, like New Life Centers."It’s super cold. They’re not used to this weather. Those at the police stations are trying to stay indoors, go to Mc...