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AI advances signal massive technological shift but the tech still has biases: Google

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

TORONTO — An artificial intelligence researcher at Google says fixing fairness in the technology “isn’t a simple thing,” but the world has an opportunity to get it right as the software explodes in popularity.“It’s as though we been given a second chance on how we use this technology to dismantle some of the biases we see in society,” Komal Singh, a senior product manager at the tech goliath, said in a Tuesday media briefing in Toronto.Her optimism comes as the tech sector – and nearly every other industry – have spent the year abuzz about AI’s promise and perils. Some see the technology as a game changer bound to disrupt everyday life and bring expediency, efficiency and solutions to some of the globe’s biggest challenges. Others, including Tesla owner Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, warn advances in the technology are moving too fast and guardrails are needed before wide-scale deployments. Geoffrey Hinton, the British-Canadian comp...

Activist calls on Parkland to buy back shares and reduce debt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

CALGARY — An activist investor that had been urging Parkland Corp. to sell or spin off its Burnaby refinery earlier this year is back with a set of new recommendations for the Calgary-based company.In a letter to the Parkland board on Tuesday, New York-based Engine Capital LP said Parkland remains undervalued. It said it wants to see the company take further steps — including refining the company’s capital allocation, improving its approach to executive compensation and simplifying its operations.The hedge fund is also calling on the company to allocate around $800 million to share buybacks in 2024 and 2025, with repurchases front-loaded in 2024 to take advantage of the stock undervaluation.It is also suggesting Parkland pay down about $600 million in debt over the next two years, primarily using proceeds from asset sales.Engine Capital first set its sights on Parkland last March, publicly urging the company to get rid of what it called “non-core assets” and become a pur...

Police: Woman dead after running stop sign, struck by semi in suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

CAMPTON HILLS, Ill. — A suburban woman died after being struck by a semi due to running a stop sign Monday afternoon, police said.At around 4:30 p.m., authorities responded to the intersection of Route 47 and McDonald Road on the report of an accident involving two vehicles.A black Ford Escape and a Kenworth semi-truck hauling mulch were located at the scene.Following a preliminary investigation, police believe the Ford Escape, driven by a 69-year-old woman, failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection — where she was struck by the semi.The woman was transported with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Hospital. Police: 5 injured after distracted driver causes crash in Northwest Indiana The male driver of the semi was not injured, police said.

Man shot by officers during Round Lake hostage situation facing charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

ROUND LAKE, Ill. — A man shot by suburban officers during a hostage incident last week has been charged after being discharged from the hospital.At around 6:35 p.m. on Sept. 19, Round Lake officers were dispatched to a home in the 700 block North Park Road. A 911 caller told police they were needed but hung up before additional questions were asked.Officers at the scene were told a woman in the basement of the home needed help.Round Lake officers approached a basement door, where a 33-year-old man, later identified as Gerzin Ramirez-Perez, and a 30-year-old woman lived in a garden unit, and could hear what sounded like people, according to police.As officers attempted to make contact, a cop outside allegedly saw Ramirez-Perez holding a knife to the woman’s neck from a basement window. Police said they tried to de-escalate the situation, but Ramirez-Perez allegedly continued holding the knife to the woman and refused to let her go.A regional SWAT team was dispatched to the scene. Mem...

WATCH: Biden joins UAW strike picket line, addresses the crowd through a bullhorn while standing on a wood pallet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's decision to stand alongside United Auto Workers pickets on Tuesday on the 12th day of their strike against major carmakers underscores support of labor unions that appears to be unparalleled in presidential history.Experts in presidential and U.S. labor history say they cannot recall an instance when a sitting president has joined an ongoing strike, even during the tenures of the more ardent pro-union presidents such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Theodore Roosevelt invited labor leaders alongside mine operators to the White House amid a historic coal strike in 1902, a decision that was seen at the time as a rare embrace of unions as Roosevelt tried to resolve the dispute.Biden joined the striking autoworkers one day before former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, goes to Detroit to hold his own event in an attempt to woo votes even though union leaders say he's no ally.Lawmakers often...

AFD: Two south Austin homes on fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters responded to a house fire in south Austin Tuesday morning, the Austin Fire Department said on social media.According to a photo shared by AFD, the front of a home in the 500 block of Fort Drum Drive, which is near Stassney Lane and South Congress Avenue, is covered in flames.Firefighters responded to a house fire in south Austin Sept. 26, 2023. Photo: Austin Fire DepartmentAustin firefighters respond to house on fire in 500 block of Fort Drum Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Austin firefighters respond to house on fire in 500 block of Fort Drum Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Austin firefighters respond to house on fire in 500 block of Fort Drum Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Austin firefighters respond to house on fire in 500 block of Fort Drum Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Austin firefighters respond to house on fire in 500 block of Fort Drum Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26 (KXAN Pho...

Fresh fruits, vegetables coming to Albany's Clinton Avenue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Kizzy Williams started Allie B's Cozy Kitchen about 10 years ago in 2014. Now, she's expanding with bringing fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a mac and cheese spot, to the Albany community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Allie B's Fresh Fruits and Vegetables is located at 151 Clinton Avenue. Allie B's Cozy Kitchen serves up soul food and Southern-style American cuisine right down the street at 353 Clinton Avenue.On Sunday, Williams invited the community to come see the new fruits and vegetable store although its not officially open yet. The market will have a variety of fruits and vegetables for all cultures, said Williams, including coconuts, pineapples, papayas, apples, bananas, collard greens, different types of squash, yams, and more. Allie B’s opening second location on Albany’s South End "I grew up eating fresh fruits and vegetables. And living in this community, we don't have that," sai...

Hochul announces expansion of childcare fee assistance for military families

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WWTI) - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 48,000 New York State military families will now be able to receive childcare fee assistance that covers 15,000 state-licensed childcare providers. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The military fee assistance will offset the cost of child care that is not covered by the parent fee as calculated by their total family income up to a maximum child care rate of $1,800 per month per child. New York State has been selected as the first state-approved to qualify licensed/registered childcare providers for participation in this federal military fee assistance program.Child care providers licensed by the state's Office of Children and Family Services will be eligible to participate and receive fee assistance on behalf of a military family under the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUSprogram offered by the U.S. Department of Defense. Thru...

Got plans for the weekend? Head to URBANAIRE: Love, Revolution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS - PROMO is Missouri’s LGBTQ+ public policy and advocacy organization. On Saturday, Sept. 30, there is a big event called URBANAIRE! It will be in the Cortex Innovation Community from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Enjoy music from KD Lang, Ahna Schoenhoff and DJ Jillian, along with drinks from 4 Hands Brewing and food from a variety of local restaurants!URBANAIRE.org

Steve's Hot Dogs new location includes a treat for Blues fans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Steve's Hot Dogs is opening a new location in the Enterprise Center. It will be open tonight for the pre-season game when the Blues take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is located on the plaza level at Portal 8.Their regular menu will have the St. Louis-style hot dog, the Gorilla Mac and Cheese Dog, the Very Veggie Dog (Vegan) and a plain hot dog. They will also offer mac and cheese bowls. Little boy at the center of pizza coupon scam in Illinois Blues hockey fans will be getting a special treat later this year. The Blue Note Dog is only available at regular-season Blues games. It is a smoked all-beef hot dog topped with creamy mac and cheese, St. Louis-style wing sauce and blue cheese on a French bun.“St. Louis has the best sports fans period. We are so honored to be standing shoulder to shoulder with these icons in St. Louis sports - St. Louis City SC, the Battlehawks and now the Blues,” states Steve Ewing, frontman of The Urge and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs.Stev...