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Federal judge strikes down Florida’s ban on Medicaid funding for transgender treatment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday struck down Florida rules championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis restricting Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments for potentially thousands of transgender people.“Gender identity is real” and the state has admitted it, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle wrote in a 54-page ruling.He said a Florida health code rule and a new state law violated federal laws on Medicaid, equal protection and the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition of sex discrimination.They are “invalid to the extent they categorically ban Medicaid payment for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for the treatment of gender dysphoria,” Hinkle wrote. The judge said Florida had chosen to block payment for some treatments “for political reasons” using a biased and unscientific process and that “pushing individuals away from their transgender identity is not a legitimate state interest.”An email seeking comment from the DeSantis’ office wasn’t imm...

Sweet revenge: Austin FC pounds FC Dallas 3-0 for Copa Tejas victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC took advantage of a shorthanded FC Dallas team and was ruthless in a 3-0 Copa Tejas victory late Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium.It was the first-ever victory over FC Dallas during the Major League Soccer regular season for Verde and Black and a tremendous start to the second half of the season. Big week can set tone for Austin FC’s second half FC Dallas was without forward Jesus Ferreira, who scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute the last time the squads played May 13, due to international duty with the United States Men's National Team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. FC Dallas was also without midfielder Paul Arriola who is recovering from a thigh injury suffered in the May 13 match.Two first-half goals provided the hot start Austin FC needed against its Lone Star State rivals, and then Verde and Black decided that wasn't enough. Gyasi Zardes connected on Austin FC's third goal of the match in the 58th minute, the 101st goal of his illustrious MLS ca...

Fans attending concert injured by hail at Red Rocks Amphitheater

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

Thunderstorms rolled across the state on Wednesday, with some storms producing severe weather and hail.West Metro Fire responded to Red Rocks where several people were injured by hail at the Louis Tomlinson concert.WMFR responding to Red Rocks, working with Stadium Medical at this hour. Several people hit by hail and injured at tonight’s concert. The number of potential patients and extent of injuries is not known at this time. pic.twitter.com/OwrguPhJDx— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) June 22, 2023Fans ran for cover at the open-air venue, looking for any shelter they could find.Tonight was the scariest night of my life. It started pelting people with hail at Red Rocks and my sister and I luckily found shelter under a sign. I am bleeding and have huge bumps on my head from the hail. Hoping everyone made it out safely. pic.twitter.com/jong1SBuYd— nicole (@nikkitbfh) June 22, 2023Red Rocks announced multiple weather delays earlier in the evening, and officially postponed t...

Missing crew on Titanic submersible has Bay Area ties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

(KRON) – Three of the five people on the missing Titanic submersible have ties to the Bay Area, KRON4 has learned. The CEO of the Titanic submersible has ties to San Francisco. Another man on board is a board member of a local research institute. KRON4 spoke with the CEO of that research center, who is deeply concerned. Bill Diamond, CEO of the SETI Institute, woke up to the news on Monday about the missing Titanic submersible. Among the five people inside is one of his board of trustees, Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son. California vs. Florida: By the numbers "He was in our last board meeting in April, and he was just telling me personally about this upcoming trip, and he was very excited about it,” Diamond said. “He wanted to bring one of the SETI Institute expedition flags that we have. We have scientists who do work all over the world."The SETI Institute is based in Mountain View. The nonprofit searches for extraterrestrial intelligence.Diamond says a fellow board...

Man, 60, killed while gardening in front of Oakland home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif (KRON) – A neighborhood in Oakland is reeling after a man was shot in his own yard on Monday. Police are still looking for the shooter or shooters involved. In front of the home lies a growing memorial for a 60-year-old man who was killed. David Schneider was doing yard work in the front yard of his home on Camden Street when he was shot to death Monday night just before 6 p.m.  Person shot dead near 26th and Telegraph in Oakland Oakland police say when officers arrived, they tried to perform life-saving measures, but he died. The shooter was nowhere to be found."Absolutely devastated, the fact that someone could just be gardening and be murdered at their own home,” said Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. This happened in Maxwell Park, which is in Jenkins’ district. He says the neighborhood normally feels safe.“It's a wonderful neighborhood, a walkable neighborhood. Neighbors are close and they’re friendly,” he said. Jenkins went to a vigil held Tue...

Bassi, Baird, Úlfarsson power Dynamo past Earthquakes 4-1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Amine Bassi and Corey Baird scored two minutes apart in the first five minutes of the match, Thorleifur Úlfarsson scored twice off the bench in the second half after a lengthy weather delay and the Houston Dynamo cruised to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night.Bassi notched his eighth goal of the season when he scored unassisted in the third minute to give the Dynamo (8-7-3) the lead. Bassi and Nelson Quiñónes picked up assists when Baird scored his third of the season for a 2-0 lead.The Earthquakes (7-6-6) cut the lead in half by intermission when defender Carlos Akapo took a pass from Cristian Espinoza in the 41st minute and scored for a second time this season.Houston put the match out of reach after thunderstorms halted play in the 62nd minute on goals by Úlfarsson in 77th and 89th minutes. Héctor Herrera and Bassi had assists on Úlfarsson’s second goal this season and Herrera and Franco Escobar assisted on his third.Steve Clark did...

Kamara gives the Fire a 2-1 victory over the Timbers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kei Kamara scored the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute to give the Chicago Fire a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night. It was Kamara’s 144th career goal, moving him within a goal of Landon Donovan (145), who sits in second on Major League Soccer’s career scoring list. Chris Wondolowski is the league’s all-time leader with 171 goals. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Fire. It was Chicago’s first victory over the Timbers after five losses and five draws. The last meeting was in 2019, a 3-2 Timbers’ victory in Portland. Chicago took an early lead on Fabian Herbers’ goal in the eighth minute. Hebers scored on a late run into the box off a cross by Brian Gutiérrez. Franck Boli scored for the Timbers in the 26th minute to pull into a tie. Chicago (4-6-8) was coming off a disheartening 2-1 loss to Columbus last weekend. The Crew won it on a half-field strike by Lucas Zelarayan in stoppage time after C...

Denver weather: Severe storm risk continues Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Strong to severe thunderstorms will stay in Denver's weather forecast through Wednesday evening and return again Thursday. A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day is in effect.The Front Range to the eastern plains remain under a slight to enhanced risk for thunderstorms becoming severe with the potential to produce large hail, damaging wind gusts, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes. Weather tonight: Thunderstorms continueSevere thunderstorms and tornado watches continue through Wednesday night.During this time there will be the greatest concern in the Denver area will be large hail and strong wind gusts. Even after the watches expire, there will be a risk of thunderstorms. The greatest concern for severe storms will track east through the overnight.Weather tomorrow: Another round of thunderstorms There will be another risk of thunderstorms on Thursday.Some morning sunshine will help to add instability and bring back the risk for strong to severe thunderstorms capable of produc...

Red Rocks hail storm: Nearly 100 concertgoers hurt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

(KDVR) — Concertgoers were pelted by hail Wednesday night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as severe thunderstorms moved across Colorado.An estimated 80-90 people were treated for injuries at the venue, some of whom called 911 for their injuries, according to West Metro Fire Rescue. Seven people were hospitalized. Injuries included cuts and broken bones. Tornado destroys home in Logan County Videos on social media show people screaming and frantically trying to escape the pouring hail that blanketed the venue like snow. A Red Rocks spokesperson said there were several inches of hail in the seating area.Some people were stranded at the venue, likely because of vehicle damage, according to the Denver Police Department.The concert, featuring One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, was delayed twice before it was officially postponed around 10:30 p.m.Hail blankets the ground at Red Rocks Amphitheatre during a Louis Tomlinson concert. (Credit: Briley McAdams)Welts, bruises and 'golf-ball size' hailO...

POLITICO Pro Morning Energy and Climate UK: Pylon politics — PAC’s back — Inflation and net zero

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:49 GMT

Presented by SSE By CHARLIE COOPER and ABBY WALLACE PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— The U.K.’s grid infrastructure needs an overhaul to meet clean power targets. The problem? Pylons aren’t popular. — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is hearing evidence today on the U.K. smart meter rollout.— Inflation ain’t budging. What does this mean for net zero?Good Thursday Morning and welcome to POLITICO Pro Morning Energy and Climate UK. Days are getting shorter again after Wednesday’s solstice— so here’s a sparkling update to try and keep everyone’s mood up. As always, please send all your thoughts, musings, tips and critique to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]. Or talk to us on Twitter: @hargraver; @charliecooper8; @abby_wallace3. If you are not already a Pro subscriber and would like a free trial of this newsletter, sign up here.DRIVING THE DAYWHAT EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT: ...