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Labour shortage in construction adding extra pressure to housing supply gap: experts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

The construction industry is short tens of thousands of workers, and experts say a coming wave of retirements could make the problem worse even as Canada is millions of homes behind what’s needed to reach housing affordability this decade.“That labour shortage is going to remain, and it’s only going to increase,” said Reva Bond, dean of the construction school at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.The job vacancy rate in construction is at a record high with around 80,000 vacancies in the industry, said CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal in a recent note.Those vacancies, which push up building costs and impede productivity, come at a time when the residential construction industry is under pressure to meet the demands of a growing population.The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation forecasts a need for 3.5 million more homes by 2030 than the country is currently on track to build.The number of new homes built, however, has been in decline, from just over 271...

Day 2 of NASCAR in Chicago: Opening delayed due to weather

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

Organizers are hoping the weather cooperates Sunday for Day 2 of NASCAR in Chicago.Gates were scheduled to open at 9 a.m. but officials tweeted that it would be delayed due to weather.#UPDATE on #NASCARChicago per spokesperson: “Due to the threat of severe weather this morning, the opening of gates to the Chicago Street Race will be delayed. NASCAR will provide timing updates as they are available for today’s schedule of events.” @WGNNews— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) July 2, 2023Day one of the first ever street race in Chicago was partially washed away by rain.Saturday’s events started with Xfinity practice and qualifying. Then the checkered flag waved to start the race. But about halfway through, lightning and rain threats forced NASCAR to postpone it until Sunday.The Loop 121 race will resume at 10 a.m. Sunday on lap number 26. What happens if bad weather hits the NASCAR Chicago Street Races? The green flag for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 has been mo...

Flash Flood Warning issued

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

It's a soggy start to Sunday in the Chicago area.A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Cook, DuPage and Will counties until 1:15 p.m.The National Weather Service says between 1 and 2 inches of ran have already fallen and total amount of 1 to 3 inches are possible. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Thunderstorms are likely throughout the day Sunday. Cooler but still muggy. Air quality: Moderate. High of 75.Decreasing clouds Sunday night. Low 63Monday will be mostly sunny, warmer with a slight chance of afternoon showers and storms. High mid 80s inland, lower 80s lakesideExtended outlook calls for partly cloudy skies Monday night with lows near 70.Independence Day this year looks hot with highs near 90 and muggy. A slight chance-- around 20% of showers/storms in the afternoon/evening.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Near 90 on Wednesday with a chance of showers/thunderstorms in the afternoon.More clouds and cooler on Thursday with highs...

Someone paid almost $6M for Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari Enzo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

(Motor Authority) -- A Ferrari Enzo direct from the private collection of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso was sold at a Monaco auction earlier this month.The final price paid, including the buyer’s fee, was a staggering 5.4 million euros (approximately $5.9 million). That’s more that double what Enzos normally sell for, even with today’s inflated prices for classic and specialty cars.The celebrity ownership was no doubt one factor that juiced this particular Enzo’s price at auction. Alonso even left a video message that was played during the sale.“It means a lot to me, and I’ve had a great time with the car…it’s a magic piece of art,” he said in the video. “I know that it’s going to be in good hands…please take care of the car and enjoy it.”Fernando Alonso with his Ferrari Enzo – Photo credit: Monaco Car AuctionsHowever, the car also boasts the first completed Enzo body—Scocca no.1—meaning it’s one of the earliest Enzos built. The provenance is confirmed ...

Schaumburg Boomer offer fun for the whole family

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

The Schaumburg Boomers games offer fun for the whole family.Special theme nights, post-game events and promotions fill their schedule.The team plays at the Wintrust Field located at 1999 S Springinsguth in Schaumburg.More information on their website.

An affirmative reaction: Focus on family income levels and end the legacy boost for connected kids

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

The Supreme Court has spoken, invalidating racial preferences in college admissions as was widely anticipated. The six-justice conservative majority deemed the boost that universities give some applicants purely on the basis of their ethnicity or skin color incompatible with the U.S. Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the laws.There is plenty we disagree with in the reasoning as articulated by Chief Justice John Roberts. He — and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, tapped for the court by George H.W. Bush in part, let’s be honest, because he is Black — gives too-short shrift to the educational benefits of diversity. Colleges seeking to give their students a well-rounded education and mint future leaders have very good reason to go out of their way to admit all types of people from different walks of life and backgrounds, including different racial backgrounds.We cannot, however, dispute that racial preferences that disadvantage Asia...

Lunds and Byerly’s workers poised to strike reach agreement with company

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

Grocery workers who had been poised to strike last week instead “overwhelmingly” agreed to a two-year contract with Lunds & Byerlys that provides “historic wage increases and pay equity” to the 2,500 employees at 22 stores in the west metro, union officials announced Saturday night.Members of UFCW Local 663 will see average raises of $3.00 to $4.00 an hour by the spring of 2024, the union said in a press release.The workers on Tuesday had called off a planned holiday weekend strike after reaching a tentative agreement with corporate leaders to raise wages and preserve worker oversight of health care.The deal cemented Saturday affects full- and part-time employees.One full-time employee quoted in the press release said she was excited for her part-time colleagues.“They work hard and they deserve it,” said Anita Pitcher, a 45-year union member who works full time in the deli at the Maple Grove store. “They are a major part of this team — f...

Real World Economics: High court education decisions raise fairness questions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

Edward LottermanIt is likely that few people were surprised by the 6-3 Supreme Court decision released Friday quashing President Joe Biden’s attempt to forgive all or part of the student loans of some 27 million Americans.Elections have consequences, including the long-run composition of the Supreme Court. Among other factors, progressives bemoaning this decision who felt conscience bound to vote for Ralph Nader in 2000 or Bernie Sanders in 2016 need to look in the mirror.But putting my sympathies with beleaguered student borrowers aside, I stand with many others who were troubled by the Biden program. It stretched the U.S. Constitution’s clear requirement for congressional action to both “authorize” and “appropriate” any U.S. Treasury outlays to the breaking point. It strains credulity to accept that members of Congress who voted for the 2003 HEROS bill intended it to enable a $400 billion student loan forgiveness action two decades later. But that’s what Biden tried to do.Th...

Thousands of L.A. County residents could lose Medi-Cal coverage after pandemic rules expire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

Health officials are raising concerns now that thousands of Los Angeles County residents may lose their Medi-Cal access. According to L.A. Care – a publicly operated health plan in L.A. County – 40,000 residents could be removed from their programs now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, the federal government prevented states from removing people from their programs, which allowed people to keep their coverage without turning in paperwork to prove that they were eligible for the coverage. However, now the paperwork must be submitted to determine if you qualify.  Local hotel worker strike looms amid upcoming holiday weekend “The county sent the annual renewal packet out and requested information from [individuals],” said Medi-Cal Director of Product Management Karla Romero. “[If] they didn’t send it back in time, their Medi-Cal coverage will be discontinued.” The rollback has already pushed 1.5 million people...

LASD seeking public’s assistance in locating critical missing teenager in Palmdale 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:27 GMT

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing teen from Palmdale. According to LASD, 17-year-old Eduardo Alvarez was last seen on Saturday around 4 p.m. in the 37400 block of Silk Tree Lane in Palmdale. Eduardo is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has brown curly hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants. According to LASD, Eduardo may be driving this white newer model Toyota Camry. (LASD)He may be driving a white newer model Toyota Camry. According to his family, he has no history of running away, and they are concerned for his well-being. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Castle or the Palmdale Station Watch Commander at 661-272-2400. Anonymous information can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org