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American poet Roger Reeves wins Griffin Poetry Prize for ‘Best Barbarian’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

TORONTO — When Roger Reeves was named the winner of this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize on Wednesday night, his head fell to his hands and his mind went blank. The Austin, Texas-based writer was awarded the $130,000 honour at a ceremony in Toronto for his collection “Best Barbarian,” which jurors praised for charting “ruptures and violences enacted across time and space — particularly against Black humanity.”It took a beat for thoughts to return to Reeves after he heard his book’s name called out, he said. But when they did, he thought of his people.“This is for my people. For my people, and for my people over the centuries, people that have fought, that have bled, that have worked, and people that have danced, that have enjoyed,” he said in a brief interview after the ceremony. “I think the first thing that I would say is this is always for our people: for our people that had helped us get here.”Reeves is also the recipient o...

Replacement plane for diverted Air India flight leaves Russia for San Francisco with all aboard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A replacement plane for an Air India flight diverted to Russia because of an engine problem has left for San Francisco, carrying all passengers and crew.The original Boeing 777, which left New Delhi carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, landed at Magadan airport in Siberia in Russia’s far east on Tuesday. The plane had “developed a technical issue with one of its engines,” Air India said.The replacement plane is expected to arrive in San Francisco at 12:15 a.m. Thursday local time, the airline said in a statement.In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said fewer than 50 American citizens were on the plane and the department was not aware of any of them reaching out to the U.S. Embassy in Russia or other diplomatic posts.Passenger Girvaan Singh Kahma, 16, who was traveling with his uncle and brother, said they were barred from leaving the hostel in Magadan and were unable to use their credit cards because of sanctions over Russia’...

Portland bans daytime camping, imposes other restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland’s city council voted Wednesday to pass an ordinance prohibiting camping during daytime hours in most public places as it, like other places in the U.S., struggles to address a longtime homelessness crisis.The 3-1 vote changes city code to say that people may camp in nonrestricted areas from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., but after that they must dismantle the site until the permitted overnight hours begin again. The ordinance also bans camping entirely near schools, parks and busy streets among other locations. Business and property owners were among those who backed the ordinance, saying campsites are causing them to lose customers and creating safety issues. Advocates for homeless people said it will further burden them, heightening mental and physical distress. Portland has already prohibited camping on city property at all hours. But that measure has rarely been enforced and could be found to violate a state law that takes effect July 1. The new law codif...

In ‘The Blue Caftan,’ Moroccan film director tackles LGBTQ+ love and celebrates embroidery craft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

As Mina gets increasingly sick, her body withering away, her husband dotes on her: He washes her hair, helps her change, brings the sweetness of a fruit to her lips. But underneath the genuinely tender moments shared by this on-screen Moroccan couple simmers a longing — of a forbidden kind.In her latest film, “The Blue Caftan,” Moroccan director Maryam Touzani delicately weaves intricate, overlapping tales of love, both traditional and largely taboo for many in her country and its region as she tells the story of a woman and her secretly gay husband who together run a shop making caftans. The marriage grows more complicated when the couple hires a male apprentice.Wading into socially sensitive subjects is not unfamiliar terrain for Touzani who has won accolades at international film festivals and, just recently, was a jury member at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. “The Blue Caftan,” which had been shortlisted in the international feature film category for the 95th Academy Awards, ...

Company withdraws petition to build industrial park in Deerfield

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A controversial plan to develop a large industrial park in the northern suburbs has been withdrawn.The plan to turn Baxter International's 101-acre site into an industrial park will not be moving forward as planned. The Village announced Bridge Industrial withdrew its petition Wednesday, just one day before a scheduled hearing on the matter.Hundreds of Deerfield and nearby residents protested the proposed development by Bridge Industrial back in April. The company lobbied the village to annex Baxter International's headquarters and rezone it for industrial use. But at the public meeting, neighbors to the large property near the Tri-State Tollway were outraged over the idea. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Thousands sign petition to prevent industrial development in Deerfield "None of us knew that an industrial warehouse equaling 17 football fields would be built across the street from us, sharing the same stoplight that we use," said Barbara Raff, President of the Thorngate H...

Man arrested after allegedly getting into argument with ex-wife, firing gun at McHenry County bar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

MARENGO, Ill. — A man has been arrested after police in Marengo said he allegedly started shooting into the air at a bar after an argument and finding his ex-wife inside.Marengo Police Department officers were called to the bar around 11 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of South State Street. Bears CEO Kevin Warren, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson release statement after meeting During an investigation, officers determined the man found his ex-wife at the bar, got into an argument, went outside, pulled a firearm from his waistband, fired several shots into the air and left, according to a news release.No injuries were reported. Carpentersville structure fire destroys 2 homes, 2 garages A warrant was issued for armed violence, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of an order of protection, unlawful use of a weapon - possession in a liquor establishment and reckless discharge of a firearm, according to the release.Elgin Police Department officers arrested the man on Wednesday.

MedWatch Daily Digest: Cancer drug shortage, cancer survivors experience post-treatment problems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

CHICAGO — For Wednesday, June 7, WGN’s Dina Bair has the latest on new information, including the following. More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Cancer drug shortage updateCancer survivors experiencing post-treatment problemsA new study found a diabetes drug may show promise as medication for alcohol addiction

Rhode Island city gets bus to help house its homeless population

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — One Rhode Island city has found a creative way to combat homelessness in the community.Monday night, the Woonsocket city council approved the purchase of a 45-foot coach bus, which will be turned into a miniature shelter.For months, Woonsocket council members have been working to secure what’s called a "Dignity Bus."The bus was originally found and pursued by the state, but the process was held up.“I was a little bit upset about it," City Council Vice President Valerie Gonzalez recalled. "We had been working on it for quite a bit."Gonzalez was on vacation in Florida when she got the news the bus was falling through, so she took matters into her own hands."When I woke up, I was just, ‘Oh my God, the bus is in Florida and so am I,’" she added. "So I made a few phone calls and was able to meet with the organization ‘The Source.’"She was able to convince the company to sell directly to the city instead of working with the state.She said that will be a huge adva...

Texas decathlete hanging on to small lead after 1st day of competition at NCAAs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas junior Leo Neugebauer has a slim lead halfway through the decathlon after Wednesday's competition at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.Neugebauer, who competed for his native Germany at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the 10-event discipline, tallied 4,591 points through five events, 21 points clear of Georgia senior Kyle Garland. Neugebauer scored 949 points in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.61 seconds and racked up 980 points with a leap of 25 feet, 2.5 inches in the long jump. He scored 954 points with a time of 47.08 in the 400, 868 in the shot put (53-4.5) and 840 in the high jump (6-8.25). Texas women look to run down an NCAA track title in Austin While Neugebauer holds the stadium record in the discipline at 8,478 points, Garland has the NCAA record with 8,720 points. The remaining five events — 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 — are set for Thursday night.The Texas men wil...

Jose Miranda at peace with Saints for now

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:04:25 GMT

Jose Miranda is in a good place. No, he’s not playing one of the corner infield spots or hitting in the middle of the Twins’ lineup, but for someone searching for the swing that made him one of the game’s most dangerous young hitters last season, he’s at peace playing for the St. Paul Saints.Feeling the pressure to reach his potential, to provide for his wife and young daughter, and to secure his future with a long-term contract, Miranda has found the comfort that proper perspective can provide.“There’s a lot of people out there who are having trouble with different things in their life,” he said. “Maybe they’re sick, maybe they’re having a rough time. For me, I got sent down, but it’s not the end of the world.“You’re playing baseball in Triple-A, which is really close to the major leagues. Obviously, we don’t want to be here, we want to be up there, but in the meantime, enjoy the time and put in the work.”Miranda went 1 for 3 with a pair of walks and three RBIs in the Saints’ 11-6 ...