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Director of troubled Illinois child services agency says he will resign post at end of year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The director of the embattled Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said Wednesday that he will leave his post at the end of the year.The upcoming departure of Marc D. Smith from the agency also known as DCFS was one of three announced Wednesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.Pritzker had named Smith as DCFS director in April 2019. Smith steered the agency during a tumultuous period in which a judge held him in contempt of court several times for failing to adequately house children who had been placed in the department’s custody.Neither Pritzker's office nor DCFS commented on Smith's future plans. Smith, 54, who makes $210,000, came to DCFS from the largest of the private institutions that contract with the agency for services, Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness.“I am incredibly proud of the profound progress we have made,” Smith said in a statement. “DCFS continues making a difference where it matters most — by keeping children safe, creati...

Broncos OLB Baron Browning, safety P.J. Locke practice for first time this season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Reinforcements are on the horizon.Broncos linebacker Baron Browning (knee) and safety P.J. Locke (toe) practiced on Wednesday.Browning, who remains on the reserve/PUP list, has been sidelined since the spring while Locke started the season on the injured reserve after getting carted off the field during training camp. Both players have 21 days to be activated on the 53-man roster or they’ll be out for the remainder of the season.Head coach Sean Payton said Locke is further ahead than Browning in the recovery process. Locke was a full participant at practice while Browning was limited.“We want to be smart,” Payton said. “These guys missed a lot of football reps, so we’ll go day-by-day.”Browning’s return to practice comes on the day that Denver released outside linebacker Randy Gregory.Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | Broncos releasing veteran OLB Randy Gregory, Sean Payton confirms, bailing on five-year contract after just 10 games Denver Broncos | WATCH: W...

Proposition HH supporters have cash to compete, but opposition hopes to fight off property tax measure

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

The campaigns battling over Proposition HH have entered the homestretch on relatively equal financial footing as the property tax relief ballot measure faces growing opposition from local governments and business groups.The question, pitched by Gov. Jared Polis and fellow Democrats in the legislature to deal with expected tax hikes next year due to rising property values, is the biggest measure on Colorado’s ballot this fall. It’s drawing backing from liberal groups and unions as well as the AARP and the League of Women Voters.But the complex measure’s potential impact on local property tax revenue, and next year’s state tax refunds, has drawn fire from the Colorado Municipal League, the National Federation of Independent Business and other groups. The CML represents the interests of cities and towns across the state.That gives the conservative campaign leading the fight more ammunition as it attempts to defeat Proposition HH, putting state officials on the d...

Broncos releasing veteran OLB Randy Gregory, Sean Payton confirms, bailing on five-year contract after just 10 games

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Sean Payton and the Broncos delivered a Week 5 surprise Wednesday by starting the process releasing veteran pass rusher Randy Gregory, head coach Sean Payton confirmed Wednesday.Gregory inked a five-year deal worth up to $70 million in the spring of 2022 but played in just 10 games for the franchise. He had about $28 million guaranteed on his deal.“It’s something we just felt is best for our team right now, timing-wise,” Payton said, adding that the team initiated the decision process rather than Gregory asking to be released. … “You spend a lot of time on decisions like this and, like I said, we felt like it was best for our team.”The former second-round draft pick from Dallas missed 10 weeks with a knee injury last year and had struggled to generate production early on in 2023. On Sunday against Chicago, second-year man Nik Bonitto took his starting spot.Gregory had a guaranteed $14 million base salary for 2023 and a cap hit of $16.1 million. Ac...

LAX finally fixes major traveler gripe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Los Angeles County's largest and busiest airport has reached a major milestone, completing a construction project that fixes a problem that has plagued travelers for years.On Wednesday, Los Angeles World Airports announced that passengers can now go from terminal to terminal -all terminals- without having to leave and re-enter through security.The passenger improvements were made possible by the completion of the connector between Terminal 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.Passengers who catch a connection through LAX will no longer need to leave and re-enter security when getting onto their next flight.The iconic LAX Los Angeles International Airport Sign at Night.The only way to get between terminals is to walk in sequential order, and the walking distance between terminals 1 and 8 is about 2 miles, LAX said.But additional improvements are coming. When the much-anticipated Automated People Mover opens in 2024, pedestrian bridges will create more connectivity between ter...

IRS releases new income tax brackets for 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

The Internal Revenue Service released this week higher federal tax brackets and standard deductions for 2023 amid soaring inflation.The income thresholds have increased for each bracket, which will apply for tax year 2023 and returns filed in 2024, CNBC reported. IRS will pause taking claims for pandemic-era tax credit due to an influx of fraudulent claims The tax brackets show how much a taxpayer will owe in federal income taxes on each “taxable income” portion, which is calculated by adding up all income sources and then subtracting any standard deductions, according to H&R Block.These are the newly released federal tax brackets for tax year 2023Married$22,000 or less10% of the taxable income$22,001 to $89,450$2,200 plus 12% of the amount over $22,000$89,451 to $190,750$10,294 plus 22% of the amount over $89,450$190,751 to $364,200$32,580 plus 24% of the amount over $190,750$364,201 to $462,500$74,208 plus 32% of the amount over $364,200$462,501 to $693,750$105,664 plus 35%...

Man Dead following Motorcycle Accident on Alvarado Street [Fallbrook, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Rear-End Collision Near Morro Street Kills 33-Year-Old MotorcyclistFALLBROOK, CA (October 4, 2023) – Sunday evening, a motorcycle accident on Alvarado Street near Camp Pendleton claimed the life of one man.According to CHP, the collision happened around 10:00 p.m. on Alvarado St. near Morro Street in Fallbrook.Investigators said a Harley-Davidson motorcycle rear-ended a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck traveling eastbound.Subsequently, the rider collided with several parked vehicles in the area.Responding medical personnel transported the motorcyclist to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. However, his identity remains undisclosed to the public pending notification from the next of kin.No other injuries were reported in the crash. Police do not suspect drugs and alcohol to be a factor in the incident.Those with additional information regarding the Alvarado Street motorcycle crash are encouraged to contact the CHP at 706-643-3400.Sweet James sends out their warm and since...

Driver Pronounced Dead following Head-On Accident on Olive Avenue [Vista, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Two-Vehicle Crash near North Melrose Drive Left One FatalityVISTA, CA (October 4, 2023) – Thursday morning, a head-on accident on Olive Avenue took the life of one person.The fatal collision happened around 7:00 a.m. along Olive Ave. and North Melrose Drive in the city of Vista.According to the police, a Chevrolet traveling north along the 400 block of Melrose drifted into the southbound lanes for unknown reasons.As a result, the Chevy collided with an oncoming Toyota. Despite the life-saving efforts of the paramedics, the Chevy driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene.The Toyota driver did not sustain injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.At this time, the identity of the deceased driver has not been disclosed to the public, pending notification from the next of kin.In the end, authorities closed down the north and southbound lanes between Copper Drive and Olive Avenue as crews cleared the scene.No further details regarding the Olive Avenue head-on crash have been ...

Reinventing Fashion Manufacturing: How ARGYLE Haus and Houman Salem are Transforming LA’s Fashion Scene

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

From its early days as a denim and surfwear hub to its current status as a leading force in contemporary design, Los Angeles has played a pivotal role in global fashion. Today, the city is a melting pot of high-end couture, streetwear, and eco-conscious labels.Yet, it’s not all glitz and glamor – LA’s fashion scene has its challenges, too. Local manufacturers and fashion entrepreneurs constantly wrestle with overseas competition, rising costs, and changing consumer preferences.Conversely, the rise of digital platforms and a renewed appreciation for locally-made goods have presented fresh avenues. ARGYLE Haus of Apparel, the brainchild of entrepreneur Houman Salem, is right in the center of attention.Salem’s foray into fashion was far from conventional. From spearheading a number of brands and owning a lingerie store, Salem dove head first into fashion manufacturing. Reflecting on his early days in the industry, Salem reveals that the intimate apparel sector proved to be cost-e...

Letters: Paying enough | Making good | Security staffing | Republican chaos | Inaccurate picture | Ukraine support

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:59 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Bay Area residentsalready paying enoughRe: “Funding for transit is ‘at a crossroads’” (Page A1, Oct. 3).It comes as no surprise that a recent survey found little enthusiasm for transit subsidies, and much less for tax, toll and fare increases.Over the last several elections, voters in Santa Clara County have passed multiple tax and fee increases including gas taxes, the Caltrain Measure RR tax, two bridge toll increases, three VTA sales taxes, Santa Clara County’s Measure A 1/8-cent sales tax, the state Proposition 30 1/4-cent sales tax and the 2010 Measure B vehicle registration fee of $10. Additionally, we’re on the hook to pay back numerous state bond issues including high-speed rail, the Proposition 1 water bond and the infrastructure bonds of 2006.All these fees contribute to making the Bay Area a horribly expensive place to live; especially for people of modest means, who mu...