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FACT FOCUS: Images made to look like court records circulate online amid Epstein document release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

After dozens of previously sealed court documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein were made public on Wednesday, social media users began spreading false accusations about major public figures whose names appeared in the release — and some who hadn’t been named at all.Two people singled out in viral false claims containing images made to look like snippets from court documents were late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who died in 2018. In both cases, the images were used in an effort to tie the men to illicit activities involving Epstein.Here’s a closer look at the facts.CLAIM: Court documents connected to a lawsuit involving Epstein that were released this week include details about Hawking’s “proclivities” and accusations about a sexual encounter with Kimmel.THE FACTS: The images were fabricated to look like part of the court documents. They are not among the records that were released this week. In both cases, the images show what are alleg...

Attorney: Medical negligence caused death of former Texas US Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — The family of former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson said Thursday that the trailblazing Texas congresswoman, who died over the weekend at age 89, passed away after getting an infection and accused a Dallas rehabilitation facility of neglect.Johnson, who was the first registered nurse elected to Congress, died on Dec. 31 at her Dallas home. Les Weisbrod, her family’s attorney and Johnson’s longtime friend, said at a news conference that her death was caused by an infection in her spine that developed after she was left in her own feces at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation following back surgery.Weisbrod said he has given notice to Baylor Scott & White Health System and Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation that the family intends to file a lawsuit for medical negligence over her death. In a statement Thursday, Baylor Scott & White Health called Johnson “an inspiration to all,” and said they are committed to working with...

Kentucky governor backs longer list of conditions eligible for treatment under medical marijuana law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Access to medical marijuana in Kentucky should expand to include a longer list of severe health conditions, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday in advocating a change that would make hundreds of thousands more people eligible for treatment when the program begins next year.The measure passed by the GOP-led legislature in 2023 specified that the eligible conditions include cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea and post-traumatic stress disorder.The Democratic governor said the law is based on “providing relief to Kentuckians with severe medical conditions” and should therefore be expanded. He said the list of qualifying conditions should grow to include ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Chron’s disease, sickle cell anemia, cachexia or wasting syndrome, neuropathies, severe arthritis, hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma and terminal illness.“This is a crucial set,”...

'We’re going to keep it about us': A look ahead to the Bears season finale in Green Bay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears (7-9) travel to play the Green Bay Packers (8-8) at Lambeau Field Sunday in the conclusion of what has been a roller coaster ride of a season for the Bears and those who follow the team.Chicago started off the year 1-5, capitulated by a thumb injury on quarterback Justin Fields' throwing hand that held him out for four weeks. Plucky undrafted DII quarterback Tyson Bagent stepped in and guided the Bears to a 2-2 record in Fields' absence, before the team rode a new wave of momentum fueled by an evolution on the defensive side of the ball.General manager Ryan Poles swung a deal for star defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders, sending a second round pick to Washington in exchange for a player that paid immediate dividends up front. Sweat's acquisition led to more sacks and turnovers on defense during the back half of the season, and fueled a 4-2 run toward the playoffs that came up just short, as they were mathematically eliminated from th...

Skilling: Cloudy, chilly weekend ahead with possible snow coming to Chicagoland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

What a treat.  Though chilly today with a high temp of 35 at O'Hare (still 3-deg above the normal Jan 4th high), the SUN EMERGED!! Chicagoans were bathed in 95% of Jan 4's possible sunshine. And the fact we could see the sun as the day approached its close mean would could saver the 54 sec of additional daylight this day delivers.  Days continue to lengthen—all be is slowly. Tomorrow (Friday) will see nearly a minute of potential daylight tacked onto the---though sun will be less visible because we have a cloudier day ahead.We have an active winter weather pattern starting to come together. It could include some snow—enough to stick modestly commencing in the early hours of Saturday morning and continuing lightly into the day. It's the product of precip and cloudiness beneath the far northern flank of a storm system which is to move from New Mexico eastward through the Gulf States then turn northeastward and potentially turning into a big snow producer from the interi...

MedWatch Digest: Set a good sleep schedule or risk losing your memory — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

For Jan. 4, WGN’s Dina Bair has the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Sleep quality impacts cognition laterThe link between sleep and memory is not new -- what is different is the impact so late in life. People who have disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s are more likely to have memory and thinking problems within 10 years. The Journal of Neurology reports quality sleep has a huge impact on cognition in middle age and beyond. Researchers followed more than 500 people over 11 years. People who slept fewer hours or had disrupted sleep were more likely to suffer cognitive performance problems compared to people who experienced good, sound sleep. Link between waking early, insomnia and anorexia nervosaEarly risers may be at risk for an eating disorder. A new study reveals a genetic link between anorexia nervosa and sleep tendencies. Massachusetts General Hospital doctors connected waking early, insomnia, and anorexia. Previous resea...

Eli Lilly warns against 'cosmetic' use of popular diabetes, obesity drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

(The Hill) – Drugmaker Eli Lilly on Thursday warned against using its diabetes and obesity drugs for “cosmetic” weight loss, as the medications have exploded in popularity, resulting in shortages. In an open letter posted online, the company said its products Mounjaro and Zepbound “are indicated for the treatment of serious diseases; they are not approved for — and should not be used for — cosmetic weight loss.“ Lilly said it does not “promote or encourage” the use of any of its medicines outside of the approved indication. Neither Zepbound nor Mounjaro are approved for anyone who doesn’t have a diagnosis of obesity or type 2 diabetes, among other weight-related conditions. The drugs are meant for long-term use to treat chronic conditions, not quick weight loss. Both of Lilly's drugs are part of an emerging, and expensive, class called GLP-1 agonists, which include also includes Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. They all have a list price of over $1,000 per month and are ...

Christie in new ad says he was 'wrong' about Trump in 2016

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

(The Hill) — Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie said in a new ad that he was “wrong” to support former President Trump, now his rival for the GOP nomination, back in 2016.“I have an admission to make: Eight years ago, when I decided to endorse Donald Trump for president, I did it because he was winning. And I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president. Well, I was wrong. I made a mistake,” Christie tells the camera in the minute-long clip.“And now, we’re confronted with the very same choice again,” Christie said, citing Trump’s lead in the polls.Christie has become an outspoken Trump critic and pitched himself as the top Trump alternative in this year’s race, calling out the former president for not taking part in the party’s debates and sounding alarms about a second Trump term.He said last week that Trump would "burn America to the ground." He's also been firm in saying he wouldn't pardon Trump if he were convicted of a crime,...

Jo Koy talks about hosting Golden Globes with short notice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

Hollywood's awards season is about to kick into full swing with the Golden Globes on Sunday.Long time friend of WGN, comedian Jo Koy is emceeing the broadcast this year.He joined the WGN Morning News to talk about his step into a very different kind of spotlight on very short notice.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.

Groups monitor for compliance, overreach of new Texas anti-DEI law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When students at the University of Texas at Austin return to classes on Jan. 16, they may notice a name change at one of the campus offices. The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement is dropping the word "diversity" to now become the Division of Campus and Community Engagement. This is one of the ways university leaders are working to comply with Senate Bill 17, which was one of 30 new state laws that took effect on Jan. 1. New Texas DEI law closes campus LGBTQ+ centers. Here’s the student impact The law requires public universities in Texas to no longer have offices dedicated to DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, or employees focused specifically on that purpose. Higher education workers and job applicants also can no longer sign any statements dedicated to upholding DEI or attend trainings that reference "race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation," according to the law. Supporters argued last year during the regul...