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Champagne expects NextStar to bring in “very few” foreign workers to help build plant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

OTTAWA — Federal Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says he expects NextStar Energy Inc. to bring in “very few” foreign workers to help transfer battery manufacturing technology as Canada establishes a new industry.  Speaking in Ottawa, Champagne says the transfer of technology and knowledge will help set up the electric vehicle battery industry for decades of success.He says he spoke with the CEO of NextStar on Monday, along with the head of Stellantis that co-owns NextStar with LG Corp., and was reassured by their commitments to hire Canadians.Labour groups and politicians raised concerns in recent days after a report from Windsor police that they were helping prepare for a potential 1,600 workers from South Korea to come and help build the plant.NextStar chief executive Danies Lee confirmed Monday that the company still plans to hire about 2,500 Canadians to run the plant, and is also “engaging” up to 2,300 local and regional tradespeople to hel...

Stockholm city hall backs Olympic bid ahead of key IOC meeting for 2030-2034 Winter Games candidates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The Stockholm city council publicly supported Sweden’s latest bid to host the 2030 Olympics ahead of key meetings Tuesday for potential Winter Games hosts.An International Olympic Committee panel is taking online presentations from would-be hosts to prepare for decisions scheduled for next week. The IOC executive board aims to pick preferred candidates for staging the Winter Games in 2030 and 2034 when it meets in Paris over three days through Dec. 1.“All national Olympic committees with a current interest in hosting the Olympic Winter Games have been offered the opportunity for their project leaders to give a virtual update,” the IOC said Tuesday.While Salt Lake City is widely favored for 2034 — 32 years after hosting the 2002 Olympics — the options for 2030 are Sweden, France and Switzerland. The Swiss bid needs to win a vote Friday of national sports bodies to advance.Preferred candidates can then enter exclusive negotiations, known in Olympic jargon ...

TransAlta going greener: Power generator to spend $3.5B on renewables by end of 2028

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

CALGARY — One of Alberta’s largest power generators says more than two-thirds of its profits will come from renewable electricity production by 2028 — a major transformation for a company that once was one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the country.TransAlta Corp. announced an updated capital growth plan at its investor day on Tuesday which will see the company invest $3.5 billion in clean electricity generating and storage capacity by the end of 2028.The Calgary-based company, which has brought online more than 800 megawatts of wind and solar power since 2021 alone, said it will add an additional 1,750 MW of clean power within the next five years.Most of that new generation will be organic growth — developing wind and solar projects from scratch — though the company is also open to growth through mergers and acquisitions if the right opportunity comes along, said TransAlta CEO John Kousinioris in an interview.“What’s interesting about it is just th...

Munster family offers $15K reward after they were bound, robbed during home invasion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

MUNSTER, Ind. — A $15,000 reward has been offered by a Munster family who was targeted in a violent home invasion last month.At around 11:20 a.m. on Oct. 27, officers responded to a home in the 1400 block of Park West Circle on the report of an armed home invasion.A 60-year-old man, his 59-year-old sister and a 47-year-old extended family member were all bound, battered and robbed at gunpoint.Police determined that five male suspects were involved, utilizing two separate vehicles — A Nissan sedan and a gray or tan SUV.All three victims suffered non life-threatening injuries and the woman was transported to a local hospital.Both vehicles were recovered in Chicago.Detectives are asking the public's help identifying two persons of interest.One of the family members has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.Anyone with information can call 219-836-6658.

iPhone users, do you hate texting Androids? It may soon get easier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — You've likely experienced it before: with your iPhone, you try to text someone with an Android and find yourself face-to-face with those less-than-pleasing green text bubbles appearing on your phone. Emojis look different, group texts aren't as smooth, and seamless reactions to messages become "John Smith liked this image."That could soon change — sort of.An upcoming software update will bring Rich Communication Services (RCS) to iPhones, Apple has confirmed to USA Today and 9to5Mac.If you're an iPhone user, you're likely already familiar with how your phone sends texts. When you text another iPhone and you're on Wi-Fi or cellular data, your iMessage is encrypted and appears as a blue bubble. Sometimes, like when texting an Android, your message will be sent as a green bubble, meaning it was sent via SMS (Short Message Service or basic texts) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service, used for photos and videos). What do the orange, green dots on my iPhone mean? Google uses...

Kel Mitchell talks 'Good Burger 2' on WGN Morning News

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

Chicago's very own Kel Mitchell stops by to tell us about his new film, "Good Burger 2" which reteams him with his All That co-star and friend Keenan Thompson. A few others from the original cast also return, along with performances from Kel's real life kids.Find it streaming on Paramount +, starting November 22.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Thomas Lennon is back in town with The State this weekend (and he still has a beef with Dean Richards)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

The StateSaturday and SundayRiviera Theatre4746 N. Racine Ave.www.jamusa.com/riviera-theatre/Before his role in “Reno 911!”, Thomas Lennon, was known for the short-lived improv show “The State” on MTV.  Now he's bringing the hilarious stage show to Chicago with his former castmates this weekend at the Rivieria Theatre.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Texas Tech band to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) -- From Raiderland to the streets of Manhattan, it's a Texas Tech takeover at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.The Texas Tech University Goin' Band is slated to perform at the 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday. They are the only marching band from the Lone Star State scheduled to perform as part of the annual festivities, per the parade lineup. More than three million attendees are expected to line up along the 2.5-mile parade route, kicking off at West 77th Street and Central Park West at 7:30 a.m. CT before concluding at Macy's Herald Square at 11 a.m. CT.Alongside the Texas Tech University Goin' Band, the parade will feature 10 other marching bands, 18 performers, 31 floats, six balloonicles, 25 balloons, 29 clown crews and seven performing groups, per the event lineup.Despite being far from home, the Red Raiders will raid Manhattan. The Texas Tech Alumni Association organized travel packages to and from New York City, in coordination with Music Festiva...

Ken Paxton announces investigation of media group following Elon Musk’s lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.(Texas Tribune) -- Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation Monday evening into Media Matters for possible fraudulent activity in response to the media watchdog group’s report last week that prompted companies to pull advertisements from X, the site formerly known as Twitter.Earlier on Monday, X CEO Elon Musk filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against Media Matters, alleging the organization manipulated information it gathered to defame the social media company.Paxton said his office would investigate allegations that Media Matters — which he referred to as a “radical anti-free speech organization” — had violated Texas laws protecting consumers from fraud.“We are examining the issue closely to ensure that the public has not been deceived by the schemes of radical left-wing organizations who would like nothing more than to limit freedom by r...

Watch classic holiday films at Crandell Theatre for $5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:33 GMT

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Want an opportunity to watch holiday classics on the big screen? Starting on Thanksgiving weekend, Crandell Theatre will host special showings for only $5! Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In addition to the $5 showings, there will also be a free showing of the 2018 version of The Grinch on Saturday, December 9. The full list of showings are:Friday, November 24 10 a.m. - The Polar Express 2004. Rated G. 100 min.Adapted from the award-winning Chris Van Allsburg picture book, The Polar Express is about a skeptical 8-year-old's magical journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas to this special morning show1 p.m. - Gremlins 1986. Rated PG. 106 min.Written by Chris Columbus, Gremlins is a horror-comedy fantasy about cute little creatures who turn into murderous gremlins. Saturday, November 2512:30 p.m. - The Nutcracker: The Motion Picture1986. Rated G. 89 min.This 198...