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Book Review: ‘Soldier of Destiny’ traces Ulysses S. Grant’s complicated route before the White House

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

Ulysses S. Grant’s standing among the presidents has improved in recent years, with critically acclaimed biographies by Ron Chernow and others offering a new perspective on his time in the White House.But the 18th president who led the Union armies to victory in the Civil War still leaves a complicated legacy, especially when it comes to his relationship to slavery. That relationship is the centerpiece of John Reeves’ enlightening “Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant.” Reeves’ book isn’t a comprehensive biography, and it doesn’t cover Grant’s time in the White House. But it gives readers an enlightening look at how he benefited from slavery years before he helped end the institution.Reeves traces the evolution of Grant from someone who “actively participated in the slave culture of St. Louis” before the Civil War. Reeves is fair and blunt in depicting the role slavery played in Grant’s life as he tri...

Tories have ‘successfully’ scapegoated carbon price in affordability crisis: Trudeau

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Conservative party has been successful at “scapegoating” the carbon price as the reason everything is more expensive.Trudeau says in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press that the carbon price is not to blame for the cost-of-living crisis, and eliminating it will neither lower prices nor make climate action cheaper.He says cancelling it, as the Conservatives are demanding, would also eliminate rebate cheques that are worth between $240 and $386 every three months for a family of four in most provinces.The federal Liberals have struggled to get their message about carbon pricing across to Canadians, and recent polls suggest support for the policy is fading amid a heavy push from the Conservatives that it is the main cause of inflation.The Liberals believe the last two elections were a mini-referendum on carbon pricing, having included it as a main tenet of their platform.Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said he intends...

AI systems ‘can be weaponized,’ warns top U.S. cyber official in promoting safeguards

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Top cybersecurity officials are urging technology firms to bake safeguards into the futuristic artificial intelligence systems they’re cooking up, to prevent them from being sabotaged or misused for malicious purposes.Without the right guardrails, it will be easier for rogue nations, terrorists and others to exploit rapidly emerging AI systems to commit cyberattacks and even develop biological or chemical weapons, said Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA.Companies that design and develop AI software must strive to dramatically reduce the number of flaws people can exploit, Easterly said in an interview. “These capabilities are incredibly powerful and can be weaponized if they are not created securely.”The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security recently joined CISA and Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, as well as 20 international partner organizations, in announcing guidelines for secu...

Man shot near Near North Side car wash; critical condition

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was shot while driving on the Near North Side on Monday morning and his car was found at a car wash.At around 11:35 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block North Orleans on the report of a shooting. Police believe a 42-year-old man was driving when a gray vehicle, with two males inside, approached. One suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire at the 42-year-old's vehicle.He was transported to Northwestern in critical condition. Man dead after fire in laundry room of Rogers Park apartment building At this time it's unknown if the shooting took place at the car wash or if the man drove there after being shot.No one is in custody.

Inmates leaving Cook County Jail will receive free state ID cards

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. – As of Monday, inmates leaving Cook County Jail will receive free state identification cards.On Monday, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a partnership to provide state ID cards for inmates being released from Cook County Jail.The idea started as a pilot program about two years, but only on the state level with state prisons. The partnership announced Monday is the first of its kind for a county jail – not just in Illinois, but around the country – and officials say it's a "game-changer" that will help former detainees rebuild their lives.Officials say government-issued IDs are like a "golden key," critical for steps like enrolling in educational programs, onboarding for jobs and obtaining housing and government benefits.But individuals in custody may have lost their ID cards or had them expire, making it difficult to renew them after returning to the community upon release. Dart estimates about half of ...

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe begins Monday

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. — Monday is the first day of the annual Catholic feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.Over the next two days, thousands of pilgrams will make the trek to Des Plaines to visit the shrine of the Virgin Mary.Many pray for help, others thank Our Lady of Guadalupe for blessings received.This year's theme is "praying for peace and unity throughout the world."The following statement was released Monday by Cardinal Blase Cupich:As the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Archdiocese of Chicago prepares to welcome thousands of pilgrims on its grounds for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I extend my deepest gratitude to its Rector, the staff, and volunteers for all their hard work to make this wonderful ministry possible.During this 2-day celebration I invite all people of faith to join together in "Praying for Peace and Unity throughout the world," which is the theme for this year’s celebration. What a fitting theme for prayer and reflection for all of us at this moment in h...

Get a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for $1 on Tuesday

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

(WJW) - On Tuesday you can treat your coworkers – or just yourself – to a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for only $1.The sweet holiday deal is called “Day of the Dozens”(Think: 12-12-12.)According to a press release, customers can get one dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $1 with the purchase of any dozen or a 16-count of Minis at regular price. Man’s potato peeling method goes viral The deal can be found at participating locations in-store, drive-thru, or online. According to Krispy Kreme, customers who order in-store or via drive-thru are limited to two redemptions, while customers who order online are limited to just one redemption by using the promo code "DOZEN." Click here to find participating locations.Krispy Kreme isn't the only chain with a deal this week – through Tuesday you can get money off your Taco Bell order in a deal celebrating the return of a beloved item, the Double Decker taco.

Biden travels to Philadelphia, announces $22.4 million grant for firefighters

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Joe Biden announced a $22.4 million grant for firefighters in Philadelphia on Monday.“You know when the worst happens, when the alarm goes off, when everything and everyone you love is in danger, there’s no better sight in the world than a firefighter ready to go to work,’ the President said.The White House says the money will allow the reopening of three fire companies. Engine 6, Ladder 1 and Ladder 11 were all decommissioned during the Great Recession.During the event, a group of firefighters lifted a ladder onto a firetruck to symbolize Ladder 1 officially returning to service. The grant will also pay for 72 firefighters’ salaries and benefits for three years.“The only thing that protects firefighters is more firefighters,” President Biden said.The money comes from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It was made available through last year’s b...

Special Counsel asks SCOTUS to rule in Trump case

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – On Monday, Special counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to intervene on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results.Trump’s defense lawyers appealed a federal court ruling that allowed the case to proceed. Most viewed the appeal as a delay tactic intended to disrupt the timing of the trial, currently set for March 4th.Jack Smith and his team are hoping to skip the lengthy appeals court process and get the go-ahead from the Supreme Court directly.“This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy: whether a former President is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution when he has been impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin,” prosecutors wrote.If the Supreme Court concurs with the federal court ruling, Trump will likely have to stand trial a d...

The week starts cold and ends wet

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:34:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The afternoon will be bright with mild air as highs reach the low to mid 60s. A south wind will help warm the area after the frigid start we had this morning.Seasonably mild highs todayLow temperatures fell to the upper 20s to low 30s today. Camp Mabry had its first freeze of the season when the temperature fell to 31°, 13° below normal. The low at the airport was 24°, tying the record first set in 1978.Very cold this morning areawideThe lowest low we found was 21° at the Willow Creek station in Mason.There was some good news this morning for those who have a cedar allergy. Cedar was lower than it was during the weekend, back in the low category.Good news on the cedar frontMorning lows tomorrow will fall to the middle to upper 30s for most of the area. Tuesday will start out with sun and scattered clouds followed by increasing clouds for the afternoon and highs in the mid to upper 60s.Mid-to late week rainAn upper-level low is forecast to be in Arizona Wednesday, th...