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Auto workers still have room to expand their strike against car makers. But they also face risks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

Even after escalating its strike against Detroit automakers on Friday, the United Auto Workers union still has plenty of leverage in its effort to force the companies to agree to significant increases in pay and benefits.Only about 12% of the union’s membership is so far taking part in the walkout. The UAW could, if it chose to, vastly expand the number of strikers who could hit assembly plants and parts facilities of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the owner of the Jeep and Ram brands.Yet the UAW’s emerging strategy also carries potentially significant risks for the union. By expanding its strike on Friday from three large auto assembly plants to all 38 parts distribution centers of GM and Ford, the UAW risks angering people who might be unable to have their vehicles repaired at service centers that lack parts.The union’s thinking appears to be that by striking both vehicle production and parts facilities, it will force the automakers to negotiate a relatively quic...

New York City further tightens time limit for migrants to move out of shelters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Beleaguered by a continuing influx of asylum seekers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is further tightening shelter rules by limiting adult migrants to just 30 days in city-run facilities — to help ease pressures on the city’s already struggling shelter system and perhaps dissuade more migrants from coming.The move was immediately criticized by advocates for migrants and homeless people as unnecessary and heartless.But the mayor called the move “another step in our efforts to help asylum seekers take the next step in their journeys.”Adams announced the tightened restrictions on Friday, after the Biden administration said last week it would grant temporary protected status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who had arrived before July 31, a designation that would allow them to more quickly gain authorization to work in the United States.The move by the federal government has long been sought by Adams and other big city mayors, whose shelter systems are...

Ford Canada workers voting on new deal that includes 15% wage increase over three years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

Unionized workers at Ford Motor Co. facilities in Canada are voting on a tentative deal this weekend that will see wages rise 15 per cent over the next three years. The deal includes a 10 per cent wage increase in the first year of the agreement, followed by increases of two per cent and three per cent for the second and third years, in what union officials say is the single largest negotiated general wage increase in Unifor and CAW history. The deal also includes a 2.75 per cent adjustment on top of the 10 per cent wage increase in the first year and a 2.5 per cent adjustment on top of the three per cent increase in year three for skilled trades. There is also a $10,000 Productivity and Quality bonus paid to each full-time employee once the deal is ratified reflecting work done by members over the prior agreement – the largest P&Q bonus the union has ever negotiated. Along with higher wages, the union had said the transition to electric vehicles and pensions and job secu...

Israel strikes Gaza for the second time in two days after Palestinian violence

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli airstrikes hit a militant site in Gaza on Saturday for the second time in as many days, the Israeli army said, after Palestinian militants sent incendiary balloons into Israeli farmland and Palestinian protesters threw stones and explosives at soldiers at the separation fence. There were no reported casualties from the strikes in Gaza. Earlier Saturday, the Israeli military shot and wounded three Palestinians who were rallying at the separation fence along the Israeli frontier with the crowded enclave. It’s a familiar tactic for Palestinians in Gaza protesting a 16-year blockade imposed by Israel with Egypt’s help. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent the ruling Hamas militant group from arming itself.It was the latest in a series of violent protests over the past week that has raised the specter of an escalation for the first time since a brief round of conflict last May between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. I...

Mercedes Cook Fashion Show

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

Mercedes Cook, costume designer of 'The Chi' on Paramount+ joined WGN Weekend Morning News to showcase some style inspiration from the show.We were joined by models Dara McCann who modeled for Sheila Rashid, Kyree Beamon for GREVYI, Ximena Novoa for Igo Igo and Cody Ford for Joe Freshgoods. Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Best queso in Austin, according to KXAN viewers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In queso you're looking to try something new, KXAN has put together a list of our viewers' favorite queso spots in Central Texas. Several commenters said their own queso was the best in town. But if you can't make it to their house for dinner, some popular queso recs were Matt's El Rancho (known for their Bob Armstrong Dip), Torchy's Tacos and Kerbey Lane Cafe. Here's where KXAN viewers recommend to find the best queso in Austin:Amaya'sChuy'sCruztecaDe Nada CantinaDos Salsas Tex-MexEl AlmaEnchiladas Y MasFonda San MiguelFreebirdsFresa's ChickenJardin CoronaKerbey Lane CafeKesos TacosLa Cocina de ConsueloMagnolia CafeManuel'sMatt's El RanchoMaudie'sTorchy's TacosTexadelphiaValentina'sVeracruzWant to find more "grate" recommendations? See some "gouda" suggestions on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook.

PD: Texas man arrested for impersonating Dallas cop in Valley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mansfield, Texas, man was arrested in McAllen this week for pretending to be a Dallas police officer, documents reveal.Shaun Kennedy is charged with interfering with public duties and impersonating a public servant, Hidalgo County Jail records indicate.At 1:18 a.m. Wednesday, Kennedy was outside the 80s Brewery, located at 400 W. Nolana. At the time, a McAllen police officer was speaking to a woman outside the brewery who claimed she had been assaulted and wanted to file a report.Shaun Kennedy/Hidalgo County Jail recordsThe woman told police she had been punched on the left side of her face by a man and did not remember anything that happened afterward.An offense report obtained by ValleyCentral, stated the woman had a welt on her left cheek and she appeared to be highly intoxicated. While speaking to the victim, Kennedy approached the officer and asked, "What's going on?" The officer replied that he was documenting an assault report and Kennedy to...

South Texas border epicenter for crossings of asylum-seekers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

EAGLE PASS, Texas (Border Report) -- As thousands of asylum-seekers stream across the Rio Grande from Mexico into South Texas, Washington is taking note that the region is the epicenter for migration right now. Eagle Pass a ‘war zone’ as thousands cross border illegally Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas plans to visit the South Texas border town of McAllen Saturday, DHS officials announced Friday.And he intends to visit with Honduran President Xiomara Castro.Their visit to the South Texas border comes as over 4,000 migrants have crossed illegally the Rio Grande from the Mexican border town of Piedras Negras this week into the small Texas border town of Eagle Pass.With just 29,000 residents, Eagle Pass is quickly being inundated by migrants and law enforcement, whose presence is in the air, river and on land.International Bridge No. 2 is full of law enforcement and is where thousands of asylum seekers have been processed under in Eagle Pass, Texas, this week. (Sandra S...

Sweet, Spicy, Savory: Texas business creates Mexican candy-flavored apples

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A local shop in Brownsville turned a simple candy apple hobby into a business. Maribel Lopez, owner of Candy Apple Factory, started her business 21 years ago after visiting a local candy apple stand in California. Lopez said during her trips to visit family in California, they would buy apples after running errands, return to her uncle's house and spend time together. This is where her idea of opening her own candy apple shop was born. (Photo by: Gerardo Salinas/ValleyCentral)After trial and error to perfect her recipe, she opened her first location on Palm Boulevard. She started off with cherry candy apples before creating her most popular flavors. Inspired by her culture, Lopez and her mom decided to experiment and create her own recipe, introducing new flavors such as watermelon and pineapple with a kick."One day when I was out of town and my mom was still at it, she called me saying 'We Got It! We Got It!,'" Lopez said.Flavors such as spicy w...

Rockies Journal: Road hitting woes continue — except for Nolan Jones

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:29 GMT

Somebody forgot to tell Nolan Jones that the Rockies can’t hit away from Coors Field.Entering Saturday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the rookie outfielder was slashing .285/.368/.536 with nine home runs on the road. Those numbers are on par with his home numbers: .284/.383/.503, eight home runs.That balance is another reason why Jones gets my vote for Rockies MVP, beating out shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.And while I’m certain that Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will be named the National League rookie of the year, Jones makes a strong case. As my colleague, Kyle Newman, noted recently, Jones ranks second in the majors in average with runners in scoring position, hitting .420. That’s impressive.Unfortunately for the Rockies, Jones’ road success is an aberration. Finding a way to hit away from Coors Field is this team’s Rubik’s Cube.Entering Saturday’s penultimate away game of the season, the Rockies’ road record wa...