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Montana man gets 18 months in federal prison for repeated racist phone calls made to a church

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for making repeated threatening and racist phone calls to a Billings church for two years after he went there seeking help and received a gift card from a Black employee, prosecutors said.Joshua Leon Hiestand, 41, was sentenced Friday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana. Hiestand pleaded guilty in June to making harassing telephone calls. A stalking charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.“When Hiestand, a white man, went to a Billings church looking for help, an elderly African American woman who worked there responded with kindness and assistance,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a statement. “In return and for nearly two years, Hiestand launched a barrage of harassing, hateful and racist calls and voicemails at her and the church. His racist conduct isn’t just abhorrent, it is illegal.”Prosecutors alleged Hiestand went to the Presbyterian churc...

TFI International Inc. reports US$133.3 million net income amid weaker demand

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

MONTREAL — TFI International Inc. says its net income for the third quarter was US$133.3 million, down from US$245.2 million a year earlier.The Montreal-based transportation company says revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was US$1.9 billion, down from US$2.2 billion last year. TFI says the decline in revenues was due in part to a reduction in volumes driven by weaker demand. Earnings per diluted share were US$1.54, down from US$2.72. Chairman, president and CEO Alain Bédard says the company executed well during a stretch of weaker demand.He says the company is well-positioned to capitalize on an eventual pick-up in demand. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:TFII)The Canadian Press

Liberals moving ahead on assault-style gun ban with legislation, regulation: LeBlanc

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberal government is moving ahead with efforts to keep assault-style firearms out of the hands of Canadians, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Monday.LeBlanc, who assumed the portfolio over the summer, told a Senate committee the government will enact regulations to complement gun-control legislation being studied by members of the upper chamber.The government bill includes a ban on assault-style firearms that would apply once the legislation comes into force.LeBlanc said planned regulatory changes will ensure a mandatory physical inspection by the RCMP of all new firearm models before they enter the Canadian market. However, people can still buy many such guns currently for sale in Canada.LeBlanc reaffirmed federal plans to re-establish the Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee to independently review the classification of existing models that fall under the prospective new definition of a prohibited firearm in the bill.He said the exercise would identify gun...

Man shot, critically injured near Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

CHICAGO — A person was shot Monday afternoon near Chicago's Magnificent Mile, according to police.The man, 37, was found with a gunshot wound in the hotel's lobby in the 500 block of North Michigan Avenue, according to the fire department. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Police said the man was near the sidewalk when someone came up to him, pulled out a gun and shot him. He was shot in the abdomen and thigh, police said. He was taken to Northwestern Medical Center in critical condition. No arrests have been made yet.Detectives are still investigating and anyone with information should call them.Additional details haven't been released.

'Superfog' made of fog and marsh fire smoke blamed for deadly multi-car crashes in south Louisiana

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling for prayers for the dead and injured following a series of multi-car accidents that left sections of Interstate 55 near the community of Manchac resembling a junkyard of mangled cars.The Monday morning crashes in south Louisiana were a result of a “superfog” of smoke from marsh fires and dense morning fog. New Trump ad claims Hilary Clinton wanted to brainwash voters Edwards is also asking for blood donations in the wake of the accidents.Officials say at least one person has died. But the final number of fatalities and injuries was still unavailable as of late Monday afternoon.

Where Connor Bedard's home debut stacks up with other Blackhawks' prospects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Thanks to him, it was one of the most anticipated Blackhawks' games in a number of years, with high ticket demand to see the prospect in action against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. While the hosts as a whole didn't have the night they wanted on Saturday against the Golden Knights, Connor Bedard didn't disappoint. Just 1:30 into his first game at the United Center, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft got the first home goal as he fired his first shot of the night past Adin Hill. It got the 19,867 fans fired up as they got their first regular season glimpse of Bedard in a 5-3 loss to Vegas. It's the second goal of the center's career, with his first coming against the Bruins in his second overall game back on October 11.So how did Bedard's first game at home in Chicago compare to other highly-touted Blackhawks rookies? (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)Patrick Kane - October 6, 2007The only other No. 1 pick in Blackhawks' history made his debut against the team that would ...

State lawmakers return to Springfield Tuesday for fall veto session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On the eve of the start of the Springfield veto session — the first meeting in four months for state lawmakers — the race is on to determine what, if anything, legislators can pass. But several controversial topics and another election around the corner could halt action at the Capitol.What they’re likely not going to act on, according to a top Democrat, is an extension of a controversial tax scholarship program and supplemental money for communities struggling to deal with the influx of migrants. "The General Assembly will not do a supplemental budget to fund anything that will support ongoing funding for the migrants in Chicago," said State Rep. LaShawn Ford.MORE FROM TAHMAN BRADLEY: Illinois Congressman rips Texas governor for ‘man-made' migrant crisisFord says if state money is going to flow, it will have to come from funds that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker can use at his discretion. Finding additional cash in the budget is not sustainable."This is almo...

How long do you keep kids home after a Covid diagnosis? — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for Oct 23How long do you keep kids home after a Covid diagnosis?While school recommendations vary, doctors are weighing in on how long kids are contagious.Children infected with the omicron variant of covid are infectious, on average, for three days after testing positive.University of Southern California researchers wanted to give parents some advice about how long to isolate their children following a cCovid infection.And they urge public health and education leaders to consider shorter duration restrictions for children, allowing them to return to school within three days.Noninvasive Colon Cancer TestA noninvasive test may work as well as a colonoscopy for detecting colon cancer.The prep and the invasive nature of the gold standard colon screening prevents many people from getting the potentially lifesaving test.Now a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds RNA stool tests in people 45 years and older are sensitive and accurate at find...

1981 DeLorean with less than 1K miles on it found in Wisconsin barn

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (WTVO) — Talk about a blast from the past. A 1981 DeLorean, popularized by the cult classic "Back to the Future" film series, was recently found with only 977 miles on the odometer in a Wisconsin barn. Michael McElhattan owns the DeLorean Midwest restoration shop, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. USA Today reported that McElhattan recently got a call about a DeLorean DMC-12 car for sale, but he wasn't interested in the vehicle until learning it had less than 1,000 miles on it. The person who made the call was the nephew of the car's original owner, according to WDJT-TV.In early October, McElhattan and his social media coordinator, Kevin Thompson, traveled to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, to meet with the 90-year-old owner, identified only as Dick. Here’s where America’s worst drivers are found: study The duo documented their journey in a video posted on their DeLorean Nation YouTube channel. During their trip, McElhattan purchased the DeLorean, which still had it...

'It was chaotic': Community rallies around burn victims after freak accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The community at Austin High School is rallying around three people who were injured in a freak accident Saturday.According to a post from Austin Travis County EMS, three adult patients were burned "after fuel tanks reportedly caught fire.""It was an accidental explosion that happened at the Austin High School Monster Concert," said Lucy Herrera, who's brother and nephew were injured.Herrera said both her brother, Sam, and nephew Gabriel were big supporters of the event, which raises money to help provide new uniforms and instruments."Sam is fighting for his life in the ICU at the moment with 65% of burns around his body," said Herrera. "Gabriel has second degree burns on arms legs and hands, but he is on the road of recovery." 3 burned at Austin High School after fuel tanks catch fire Shortly after the accident, the Austin High community rallied around those who were injured."We are a family here at Austin High and everyone is truly working together to help us all...