Steve Nedved
Author's posts
Feb 08
“Minimum wage increase will be detrimental to Illinois agriculture”
The Illinois Farm Bureau says with the already struggling ag economy, an increase in the state’s minimum wage would be detrimental to farmers. “We are opposed to the minimum wage increase to $15. An over 86% increase in the minimum wage, we feel this is very high and very detrimental to agriculture.” Kevin Semlow, Farm …
Feb 08
Check out the apps that will intercept robocalls and tell you when they’re done
Oleksii Spesyvtsev/iStock(NEW YORK) — Pesky calls from telemarketers may be easier to combat than ever. With new apps like Robokiller, spam calls are automatically intercepted so that your phone may never even ring. ABC News’ Paula Faris demonstrated the app’s functionality on Good Morning America to show that when a robocall was placed, it didn’t …
Feb 08
Paradise residents recall horrifying escape from the Camp Fire
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(PARADISE, Calif.) — Brian Andrews awoke on Nov. 8 to his panicked daughter at his bedside. A fast-moving wildfire that would become the deadliest, most destructive in California’s history was heading straight for Paradise. Andrews, a 52-year-old retired firefighter, had moved into his one-story home in the bucolic Northern California town a decade …
Feb 08
USDA report could spark fireworks
Last month’s government shutdown delayed several important USDA reports. Many market analysts say the lack of information has led to a narrow trading range for corn and soybeans. Fresh news is on the way later today as the department releases a backlog of data, and traders are poised for volatility. Stewart Peterson senior market advisor …
Feb 08
Losing grip on power, Venezuela’s Maduro leans on Cuban security forces: US officials
YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro is increasingly leaning on the protection and support of his Cuban backers, amid mounting global pressure to leave office, according to several senior U.S. officials. Adm. Craig Faller, head of U.S. Southern Command, told U.S. senators on Thursday that Havana “owns the security around Maduro and is deeply …
Feb 08
Ivanka Trump launches Global Women’s Initiative targeting developing nations
ABC News(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Thursday launching a new “Women’s Global Development and Prosperity” Initiative aimed at empowering women in the developing world. The force behind the initiative: the president’s daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump. “It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work but also really the beginning because …
Feb 08
Industries, researchers were ‘essentially blind’ during shutdown data drought
wildpixel/iStock(WASHINGTON) — Though government agencies reopened their doors nearly two weeks ago, experts have warned that the impact of the longest shutdown in history still lingers with continued delays in the release of key federal data. “We are really fortunate,” said Amitrajeet Batabyal, an economics professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. “We are probably …
Feb 08
Arizona’s Hacienda Healthcare closing unit in wake of rape, pregnancy scandal
kckate16/iStock(PHOENIX) — Hacienda Healthcare, the Arizona facility where a nurse allegedly raped and impregnated a vegetative patient, has decided to close the unit where she was housed. The company said it “has come to understand that it is simply not sustainable to continue to operate our Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled” after a …
Feb 08
Authorities seize record-setting 1.7 tons of meth worth $1.29B at LA port
U.S. Customs and Border Protection(LOS ANGELES) — A joint drug bust between Australian and U.S. authorities in mid-January resulted in a record 1.7 tons of methamphetamine being seized at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of the three containers on Thursday, which were intended to be shipped to Australia before …
Feb 08
Alabama executes Muslim inmate who sued to have imam present
Kuzma/iStock(ATMORE, Ala.) — A Muslim inmate in Alabama who sued the state for not allowing his imam by his side at his death was executed Thursday night. The United States Supreme Court voted Thursday to lift a stay for 42-year-old Domineque Ray, allowing the Alabama Department of Corrections to proceed with his execution that evening. …
