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New organic rules announced by USDA tighten restrictions on livestock and poultry producers

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Livestock and poultry producers will need to comply with more specific standards if they want to label their products organic under final rules announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The USDA’s new Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards are being implemented after years of discussions with organics groups, farming organizations and livestock and poultry producers.“USDA is creating a fairer, more competitive and transparent food system,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “This organic poultry and livestock standard establishes clear and strong standards that will increase the consistency of animal welfare practices in organic production and in how these practices are enforced.”The Organic Trade Association pushed hard for the new regulations, which the group said would promote consumer trust and ensure all competing companies would abide by the same rules.“These new standards not only create a more level pla...

What are realistic expectations for the 2023-24 Bulls?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation Bulls joined "9 Good Minutes" to preview the team's 2023-2024 season on WGN News Now.CHICAGO — There is always a bit of hope at the beginning of the season for any team that takes the floor in the NBA. But it's safe to say that Bulls' fans here in Chicago have their hopes a bit tempered - and it's easy to understand why.While other teams in the Eastern Conference made some big splashes in the offseason, executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas chose continuity with his "Big 3" and made only minor acquisitions to fill needs on the roster. This comes as Lonzo Ball, a big part of the team's building of their current core in the summer of 2021, will miss his second full season with more knee trouble. More than likely, a significant improvement on a 40-42 season that ended in the play-in tournament will have to come from within. That will include stronger play from Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, along with increased production from yo...

Woman who allegedly shot at Chicago police charged with attempted murder

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A 41-year-old woman who Chicago police said admitted to firing shots at an officer last month on the East Side now faces multiple felony charges related to the incident. Lynn Resendez was arrested Monday following a Sept. 2 police response that was captured on bodycam. According to police, officers were responding to a report of a person with a gun and encountered Resendez. Man charged with arson after allegedly lighting North Side Halloween decorations on fire Officers can be heard shouting commands at Resendez before allegedly turning and pointing a gun in their direction. As a result, Resendez faces several charges, including first-degree attempted murder of a police officer and aggravated assault.  None of the officers were injured.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Resendez was due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Chicago ranked among worst cities in US for retail theft, study finds

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

(KTXL/WGN) — Retail crime has been on the rise in the U.S., forcing some major retailers to even close locations in response. A new report shows some U.S. cities have been especially hard-hit by organized retail crime.The National Retail Federation (NRF) — the world's largest retail trade association, according to its website — recently released its 2023 Retail Security Survey. The report contains insights from 177 retail brands, which accounted for $1.6 trillion of annual retail sales in 2022 and represent more than 97,000 retail locations across the U.S. ‘Takes your dream away’: Over $100K worth of merchandise stolen after SUV crashes into shoe store Overall, retailers that participated in the survey reported that inventory loss — called shrink — clocked in at an average rate of 1.6 % last year, representing $112.1 billion in losses. That’s up from 1.4% the previous year. The greatest portion of shrink — 65% — came from external theft, including products taken during organized ...

UAW may be nearing deal with Ford that could end strike

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union appears to be edging closer to a tentative contract agreement with Ford that would be critical to ending the union's 6-week-old strikes against the three major Detroit automakers, two people with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday.The people said the union made a counter-offer to Ford that proposes a 25% general wage increase over the life of a new four-year contract and said that negotiations on Tuesday extended well into Wednesday morning. Previously Ford, Stellantis and General Motors had all offered 23% pay increases.A Ford deal would include cost-of-living pay increases that could lift the total pay raises above 30%, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the talks. In addition, workers would still receive annual profit-sharing checks. ‘Sad’: Sears reopened a store in California and shoppers have thoughts It's still possible that the negotiations, despite the meani...

Remarkable Women 2024

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

Fertility options for breast cancer patients

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Cancer treatments can be toxic and can render many women infertile. But there is hope and that gives doctors and breast cancer patients a reason to smile.Gudrun Wu Snyder is a breast cancer survivor and mother of two.But it was just after her first child’s first birthday that she noticed something.“I noticed a dimple in my right breast,” she said.The Chinese medicine practitioner was 32-years-old at the time.“I knew a dimple was a sign of cancer,” she said.Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and began a course of tamoxifen – a drug that dampens estrogen in the body.“My tumor was hormone receptor positive, meaning hormones would make it grow,” she said. “It wasn’t on my top of mind whether or not I was going to have another baby/ On top of mind was whether or not I was going to live.” Breast cancer clinic at Northwestern helping Hispanic women with diagnosis, treatment and support But it was on the mind of her care team; Kristin ...

Bud Light becomes UFC sponsor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

(The Hill) — Bud Light will become the official beer of the UFC next year, the companies announced Tuesday, a major deal for a beer maker that saw sales slow after backlash from its promotional campaign with a transgender influencer.The sponsorship will begin Jan. 1. “Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were UFC’s original beer sponsors more than fifteen years ago. I’m proud to announce we are back in business together,” UFC CEO Dana White said in a statement. “There are many reasons why I chose to go with Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light, most importantly because I feel we are very aligned when it comes to our core values and what the UFC brand stands for.” Have you been tipping wrong at restaurants? What experts advise Financial details of the deal were not disclosed — but, citing a person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that the global agreement marks the UFC's largest sponsorship ever, surpassing a $175 million fight-kit deal signed with Crypto.com back in 2021.Bud...

Christopher Taylor: APD officers testify in fellow officer's murder trial

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top morning headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The state will continue to bring witnesses Wednesday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader is in court covering the trial. Follow her live updates on social media platform X:In the courtroom again today following day 3 of APD Ofc. Christopher Taylor's trial. He's charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos in 2020. Will have a thread of testimony/evidence again today. You can also follow on https://t.co/YjssmHY9zW here🔽 https://t.co/qJcXMLjDWr— Grace Reader (@GraceReaderTV) October 25, 2023 Testimony from APD officers on scene Wednesday, the state put APD patrol officer Dar...

Texas Parks officials confirm cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:06:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials confirmed Monday that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in domesticated swans in Nueces County. HPAI spreads easily between wild and domestic birds. TPWD said it is not surprising the illness is circulating in Texas as waterbirds and fowl have started their fall migration. Since the disease is highly transmittable, the TPWD encourages wildlife rehabilitators to be cautious when handling animals showing clinical signs of the condition. This may also include quarantining animals with signs of influenza to prevent exposure to other animals. TPWD said this risk of transmission to humans is low, but still, people should use protective measures if coming into contact with a wild animal is unavoidable. TPWD advised game hunters to consider the following precautions: Disposing carcasses properlyWearing gloves when processingAvoiding consumption or processing of any sick birdCleanin...