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AG largely praises B.C. COVID-19 tourism supports, cites ‘minor’ shortfalls

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

VICTORIA — B.C’s auditor general says the province’s COVID-19 support program for the devastated tourism industry followed most required guidelines, though he raised some concerns about the way it was documented and monitored.Michael Pickup says there were “minor inconsistencies” with the otherwise well designed and implemented destination development grant program that handed out more than $41 million in 2021 and 2022.He says in his report released Tuesday that the grant came at a time when nearly two-thirds of people in the tourism industry lost their jobs in 2020 and was launched under a compressed timeline, raising the risk of applications being inconsistently assessed. Pickup says 12 of the 106 projects that received money were missing notes from reviewers detailing the rationale for their decision and while due diligence was done, it wasn’t well defined.He found some issues with how the program was monitored because the required progress reports d...

John Hannaford named new clerk of the Privy Council, as Janice Charette retires

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed a new head of the federal public service.John Hannaford, who is currently the deputy minister of natural resources, will become clerk of the Privy Council next month.Janice Charette, the current clerk, is set to retire June 24 after nearly 40 years in the public service, including as Canada’s envoy to Britain.Hannaford was also a deputy minister of international trade and a foreign policy adviser to Trudeau, and served as Canada’s ambassador to Norway from 2009 to 2012. Trudeau says in a statement that Hannaford brings a wealth of experience and a strong reputation to the role. The clerk of the Privy Council Office is tasked with advising the prime minister and cabinet on managing the country from a non-partisan perspective.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2023.The Canadian Press

Charity helping abuse survivors hosting fashion show to raise money after struggle during pandemic

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

A Newmarket-based charity that helps survivors of abuse get back on their feet is throwing their first fashion show fundrasier to raise money for the organization that has struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic.Abuse Hurts has been around for over 30 years that offers several services, programs, and advocates for human rights and was founded by Ellen Campbell.“I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I started the agency when I was with the Starlight Children’s Foundation and thought if I can just help one person and it’s just grown [from there],” said Campbell. “Unfortunately, the need is so great.”Gary and Teresa Kruze have been volunteers with Abuse Hurts since the passing of Gary’s brother Martin.Martin Kruze was a survivor of the Maple Leaf Gardens’ sex abuse scandal and was the first male to step forward with his story. He died by suicide just days after the sentencing of Gordon Stuckless.“It’s 25 years ago that my late b...

Debt limit deal is in place, but budget deficit is still a multi-decade challenge for US government

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even with the new spending restraints in the debt limit deal, the U.S. government’s deficits are still on course to keep climbing to record levels over the next few decades.The projections are a sign that the two-year truce between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., might be only a pause before a far more wrenching set of showdowns over the federal budget. Why is the debt slated to keep rising? It’s due to the growing costs of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.Both Biden and McCarthy ruled out any cuts to Social Security and Medicare, two programs that benefit older voters, before their teams even began their budget talks. That omission reflects the politics around two popular programs as Democrats and Republicans prepare for next year’s presidential election. It also means the agreement finalized on Sunday keeps the risk of ever-escalating debt on the tabl...

Body of avalanche victim in Washington state recovered after being spotted by volunteer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — Search crews have recovered the body of a climber who was one of three killed in an avalanche on Washington’s Colchuck Peak in February.A search-and-rescue volunteer was on a personal trip to the mountain Monday when he saw the remains of 60-year-old Jeannie Lee, of Bayside, New York, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said.The volunteer climbed to the top of Colchuck Glacier and called dispatchers, who sent a helicopter and two other volunteers to assist in the recovery.Lee and two other climbers were killed Feb. 19 as they ascended a steep, snow-packed gulley on the 8,705-foot (2,653-meter) Colchuck Peak, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Seattle, amid risky avalanche conditions. Another member of their party was caught up in the slide, but had minor injuries and was able to hike back down.One of the victims, Seong Cho, 54, a Korean citizen residing in West Hartford, Connecticut, was located days later. But heavy snowfall helped prevent search...

Ontario police marks a century since the loss of its 1st officer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is marking the 100-year anniversary of its first officer killed in the line of duty.Sgt. John Urquhart, 33, was shot and killed on May 30, 1923, in North Bay, Ont.Sgt. Urquhart’s killing came following a 14-day-long manhunt for 21-year-old career criminal Leo Rogers who had escaped a courthouse two weeks earlier.Rogers fled the Nipissing District Court on May 16, 1923. He then shot and wounded North Bay Police Force Sgt. William McGovern a day later.Rogers then fatally shot North Bay Const. Fred Lefebvre on May 18.On May 30, 1923, #OPP Sergeant John Urquhart was killed in the line of duty. His life and sacrifice will always be remembered. #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/JszkwJTfPX— Thomas Carrique (@OPPCommissioner) May 30, 2023On May 30, Sgt. Urquhart and another police constable were approaching the rear door of a house in North Bay when Rogers fired shots through the door.Sgt. Urquhart was killed by the gunfire, leaving behind a wife ...

Which virus is causing congestion, coughing in so many? Here's a hint: It's not COVID

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

ALABAMA (WHNT) — It's not a COVID surge, but lately, another respiratory infection going around is leaving many people coughing and checking their temperatures.Excessive chest congestion, horrible coughs, fever and shortness of breath make up the symptoms of the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has similar symptoms to COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Despite the number of COVID and RSV cases falling this spring, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that nearly 19.6% of antigen tests and 11% of PCR tests were positive for HMPV, which was first discovered in 2001. That's a 36% increase from pre-pandemic numbers when the positivity rate was around 7%. RSV v. COVID v. flu: Here’s what you need to know While the warm summer months help cases of cold, flu and other respiratory viruses decline, the number of people suffering from HMPV is still higher than normal.According to the CDC, the virus can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in all ages, especially yo...

Capitol Closeout: A look at what happened, and didn’t happen, on top legislative priorities

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Hours after lawmakers adjourned sine die for the end of the regular legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott called them back to return Monday at 9:00 p.m. — in what he said will be the first of multiple special legislative sessions after chamber divisions got in the way of key Republican legislative priorities like property tax relief.“More must be done for the people of Texas. Many critical items remain that must be passed. Several special sessions will be required,” Gov. Abbott said.The Governor designated two topics for the legislature to address: property taxes and human smuggling. Only the Governor can convene the legislature outside of the regular session period, during which lawmakers may only pass legislation relating to topics the governor defines.A look at what happened and didn’t happen on top legislative priorities Cutting Property TaxesHouse and Senate leaders failed to strike a deal on legislation to lower property taxes after months of tense divi...

Attorneys for Austin officer win emergency court order to record grand jury proceedings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney José Garza must record his presentation of evidence to a special grand jury considering whether there is evidence that several officers used deadly conduct during the racial justice protests in May 2020. The officer's attorneys Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin filed an emergency motion asking the grand jury proceedings be recorded. A district judge signed the request and in a rare move has ordered that the district attorney must record audio of the grand jury proceedings related to the officers accused of deadly conduct. Sources tell KXAN the district attorney presented evidence against at least three Austin police officers accused of deadly conduct. KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorney's Office about the new APD officer cases, but the office told KXAN it could not confirm or provide a comment at this time. RELATED: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protests The new cases being presented Thursday comes day...

Gorillaz, Lil Yachty, others slated to play show at Q2 Stadium this fall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- London-based band Gorillaz has added an Austin show to their tour schedule this fall. Gorillaz will play at Q2 Stadium on Sept. 13 as part of a four-show series called "The Getaway." The Getaway will be the final run of the band's tour of its recent album "Cracker Island" and will feature artists KAYTRANADA, Lil Yachty and Remi Wolf. The Getaway will also make stops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston as well as Austin. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Presale for tickets will start Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m., and general onsale will begin Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. Last time Gorillaz performed in Austin was Sept. 30, 2022 at the Moody Center.