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What happens if you call 911 and get put on hold?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

In many places across Canada, outdated 911 systems are strapped for operators and barely holding on to functionality. That has led to some people calling with emergencies—like a Brampton, Ont. family dealing with a home invasion—not being able to get through to an operator. It should go without saying that if 911 doesn’t work properly, lives are at risk. Yet here we are.Graeme Frisque is a reporter with the Mississauga Guardian and Brampton News, he says that 911 delays have become a hot-button issue in recent years. “People are pretty upset about it, and rightfully so,” says Frisque.So how do we modernize and adequately staff Canada’s most critical phone number?You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

Hunter Biden sues the IRS over tax disclosures after agent testimony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

Hunter Biden has filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, arguing that two agents violated his right to privacy when they publicly aired his tax information as they pressed claims that a federal investigation of him had been improperly handled. The lawsuit filed Monday says that his personal tax details shared during congressional hearings and interviews was not allowed by federal whistleblower protections. The suit escalates the legal fight as a long-running investigation continues to unfold against a sharply political backdrop, including an impeachment inquiry aimed at his father, President Joe Biden.It comes days after Hunter Biden was indicted on federal firearms charges alleging that he lied about his drug use to buy and possess a gun in October 2018. The case could be on track toward a possible high-stakes trial as the 2024 election looms. IRS supervisory special agent Greg Shapley, and a second agent, Joe Ziegler, have claimed there was pattern of “slow-walking i...

Unifor contract with Ford set to expire tonight as negotiations continue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

TORONTO — Unifor’s contract with Ford Motor Co. is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.The union is negotiating with Ford in hopes of reaching an agreement that can be used as a blueprint for workers at General Motors and Stellantis. Unifor has said it is focused on improving pensions, increasing wages and securing good jobs in a future set to be dominated by electric vehicles. Unifor members at Ford have voted 98.9 per cent in favour of a strike if the bargaining committee fails to secure a new collective agreement. The talks continue as autoworkers represented by the United Auto Workers in the United States are on the picket line.Some 13,000 U.S. autoworkers started striking last week, targeting a plant at each of the Detroit Three automakers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published  Sept. 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

Man killed in motorcycle crash on Lake Shore Drive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A 25-year-old man was killed after being struck by a vehicle following a motorcycle crash on Lake Shore Drive.The accident happened around 11:36 p.m. Sunday on the 3600 block of North Lake Shore Drive. Police said the man was traveling northbound on a motorcycle when he lost control and struck a guard rail.The 25-year-old landed in the southbound lanes and was struck by a passing vehicle. He was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. 4 people, including 2 children, found fatally shot in Romeoville The man's identity has not yet been released.The Major Accidents Unit is investigating the crash.

Texas church holds AI-generated service, uses ChatGPT

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — From the classroom to the workplace, artificial Intelligence has made its way into several parts of our lives. But now, it's in the church as well. The Violet Crown City Church in north Austin, Texas, hosted a Sunday service entirely created by AI. Pastor Jay Cooper said he used ChatGPT, whose technology can respond to questions and create a variety of content, such as articles, essays and emails. "ChatGPT kicked out about a 15-minute service, like a shotgun sermon, an outline," Cooper said. "It's very clear that a human element is still needed. I had to fill out the service with additional prompts and add a couple prompts to the sermon to kind of beef it up." ChatGPT: School districts discuss policies addressing Artificial Intelligence in the classroom Cooper said he got the idea after reading more about AI and speaking with members of the congregation who are software developers. "There's so many different applications for AI," he said. "I just had the idea, 'Wh...

5 standout moments from the start of the new school year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

(The Hill) -- The start of the 2023-2024 school year is in full swing as millions of U.S. students have returned to classrooms, but not without some hiccups. Kids across the country have seen some of their first days back canceled due to lack of transportation, extreme heat or insufficient educators to teach. Others saw schools closed over COVID-19 again.The start signals that issues exacerbated by the pandemic will continue to cause trouble for educators and students.Here are the biggest stories nationwide out of the new academic year:School bus driver shortageThe school bus driver shortage alone has affected tens of thousands of students across the country as delays and cancellations plagued their first week back.In Kentucky, Jefferson County Public Schools had a self-proclaimed “transportation disaster,” as some students did not get home until 10 p.m. due to the issue.“I saw some incredible instruction. Kids excited, families excited, new school buildings, and to have it end with...

Troy resident wins $1K a week for life on scratch-off

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Troy resident has won $1,000 a week for life on a scratch-off ticket. According to the New York Lottery, Justine Lanzillo claimed the top prize from the Win $1,000 A Week For Life scratch-off game. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The winning ticket was bought at Hannaford at 9 126th Street in Troy. Lanzillo chose to receive the prize as a one-time lump sum, totaling $456,614 after required withholdings.As of September 15, there were three top prizes remaining on the Win $1,000 A Week for Life scratch-off games. Players can check the status of any scratch-off by downloading the Game Report on the New York Lottery website. $1M winning Mega Millions ticket sold at Glenmont Stewart’s New York scratch-off games generated $4,406,338,198 in total sales during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Officials said school districts in Rensselaer County received $41,932,057 in Lottery Aid to Education funds during that time...

Albany man faces weapon charge after Quail St. incident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a search warrant was executed Saturday morning on Quail Street. Shaquan Canteen, 38, was arraigned Sunday morning in Albany City Criminal Court. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, around 7:50 a.m., officers responded to Quail Street and Second Street for reports of a domestic-related incident. Police say during the investigation, detectives found a loaded revolver inside the residence. He was taken into custody and remanded to the Albany County Jail.

Metro drivers working overtime amid labor shortage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - According to a payroll analysis by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, some Metro drivers made more than $40,000 in overtime pay last year. In 2022, two drivers worked enough extra hours to make more than 40 grand in additional pay. and 32 drivers made more than $20,000 in overtime pay. The CEO of Bi-State Development says the hefty O-T payouts are directly related to labor shortages. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motives Even though overtime pay was significant last year, Metro Transit reported saving about $3 million by having fewer workers. The head of MetroLink's main union says the overtime hours are "mostly voluntary."

St. Louis County owes Missouri more than $500K

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - St. Louis County owes the state of Missouri more than half a million dollars.The county must repay the federal grant money after a county contractor used it improperly, according to FOX 2's partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. PHOTOS: St. Louis Renaissance Festival returns for its 25th year The grants paid for a workforce development program, but officials say it was out of compliance due to poor record-keeping. The contractor that ran the program, the Wellston-based nonprofit Family and Workforce Centers of America,' has received millions in federal grant money over the years but has been scrutinized and accused of fraud and improper record-keeping.