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Unions score a major win in Wisconsin with a court ruling restoring collective bargaining rights MADISON, Wis. Scott Bauer, The Associated Press Dec 2, 2024 1:37 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - This file photo taken Feb. 17, 2011 shows protestors of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers packing the rotunda at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. Union leaders were overjoyed with the ruling, which affects tens of thousands of public employees. “We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and president of AFSCME Local 1215. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, can not be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings." The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday's ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its workforce that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695. Scott Bauer, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Memorial planned on Dec. 11 for homeless man who died in Windsor, N.S. Dec 2, 2024 1:59 PM S&P/TSX composite down Monday, U.S. stock markets mixed Dec 2, 2024 1:43 PM Intel CEO Gelsinger retires; Zinsner and Johnston Holthaus named interim co-CEOs Dec 2, 2024 1:31 PM Featured Flyerfortune ox free 。

High cholesterol doesn't usually cause any symptoms, but there's one sign you might easily miss (Image: Stock image) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice High cholesterol can be an insidious condition; often silent, it raises the risk of serious incidents like heart attacks or strokes. While there are typically no overt symptoms, if left unchecked the consequences can be deadly. Hence, understanding potential indicators is crucial. The TikTok channel @perfect_wellness cautions on "four signs you might have high cholesterol without knowing it," with one symptom easily overlooked in winter's chill: "numbness or cold extremities". They clarified, "Reduced blood flow due to blocked arteries can make your hands and feet feel cold." As temperatures drop, this is frequently dismissed. The NHS warns that high cholesterol may precipitate peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which occurs when fatty deposits congest arteries and diminish blood flow to leg muscles. Moreover, WebMD notes PAD can obstruct blood circulation to the feet, causing the extremities to cool down due to poor circulation, reports Surrey Live . If left unchecked, the ailment can progress to critical limb ischaemia (CLI), where "blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted". This restriction can lead to "the skin on your toes or lower limbs" turning "cold and numb". Individuals observing these warning signs are advised to seek immediate medical attention from a GP or dial 111. The British Heart Foundation also cautions that those with familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic disorder resulting in elevated blood cholesterol, might notice physical indicators. These signs include swellings on the knuckles, knees, or Achilles tendons, small yellowish growths near the eyes' inner corners, or a pale white arc around the iris. Since high cholesterol generally manifests no overt symptoms, it's essential to get tested by a healthcare provider to ascertain cholesterol levels. Following a diagnosis of high cholesterol, healthcare professionals will provide guidance on managing the condition through dietary alterations or medication. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On NHS

Last summer, the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana launched a new fragrance: Fefé, a perfume designed for dogs. Featuring natural and floral notes, the alcohol-free scent aims to convey freshness and cleanliness without overwhelming a dog’s sensitive sense of smell. The polished glass bottle is coated in green lacquer with a red cap, adorned with a 24-karat gold-plated dog paw. Named after Domenico Dolce’s poodle, Fefé is the brand’s first dog perfume, priced at 99 euros. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolce&Gabbana Beauty (@dolcegabbana_beauty) However, many veterinarians have raised concerns about the impact of dog perfumes on their highly developed sense of smell. Dr. Federico Cuccia, a veterinarian from Rome, told Italian media that “dogs recognize themselves and their surroundings through smells. Changing their natural scent may confuse them and interfere with their communication.” Similarly, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in London said that “we would not be surprised to find out that dogs are irritated by the smell of perfume.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by KYLIE💫 KENDALL💫 JENNER 🦋 (@kylie_dolls_kendall) Kendall Jenner walks with a dog in Bottega Veneta's campaign Dolce & Gabbana, known for innovative marketing strategies (they were among the first to seat bloggers in the front row of fashion shows), is tapping into the growing luxury pet market with this move. The trend has seen other brands entering the space, such as Boss, which launched a dog clothing and accessories line inspired by human fashion two years ago in collaboration with the dog accessories brand Kanine. The collection even allowed pet owners to match their outfits with their dogs while walking them or cleaning up after them. 5 View gallery Debbie Harry and a Yorkshire Terrier dog in Gucci's holiday campaign ( Photo: Nan Goldin ) Luxury clothing and accessories for pets are nothing new, and over the past two decades, they have become staples in the repertoire of high-end products. Ornate, diamond-encrusted collars, dedicated carrier bags from Louis Vuitton and Gucci for small dogs, cashmere knitwear and Polo Ralph Lauren bowls are just some examples. In 2020, Prada introduced a collection of dog coats priced at an average of $750 per item, followed a year later by Versace, which launched a luxury dog bed for $1,170. When pet owners spend thousands on purebred dogs and are inspired by social media influencers, buying a Gucci collar for thousands of dollars seems like a natural extension of their lifestyle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @dunhill Dunhill's autumn campaign View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burberry (@burberry) A Pomeranian dog gets "dinner" in a Burberry campaign Now, dogs are making their mark in luxury advertising as loyal companions to the photographed stars. Recent campaigns feature singer Debbie Harry with a poodle and a Yorkshire terrier in Gucci’s holiday campaign; Kendall Jenner leading a Doberman in Bottega Veneta’s summer campaign, which includes a $1,150 braided leather dog collar; and a sleek Weimaraner lending its noble appearance to Dunhill’s autumn campaign. Burberry took it a step further, showcasing Jane, a Pomeranian, in a video campaign where the pampered pup enjoys "dinner" at a dining table complete with a white napkin. The growing trend combining a love of animals with high fashion is gaining momentum. Dogs bring warmth and charm to campaigns, drawing attention while making brands appear more approachable and relatable. 5 View gallery Virtual covers of Vogue magazine starring dogs under the title 'Dogue' ( Screenshot: Vogue.com ) Even Vogue magazine embraced this connection last summer with a dozen virtual covers featuring dogs under the title "Dogue." The magazine noted that the bond between dogs and fashion dates back to the late 19th century, citing a Labrador puppy illustration on its February 1897 cover, followed by a collie in a beret a year later. Iconic designers like Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and Azzedine Alaïa were famously photographed with their beloved dogs. This year, the luxury brand Valentino leaned into the personal side of this trend. Alessandro Michele, the brand's new artistic director, launched his first campaign paying homage to Oliver, the pug of Valentino Garavani, the fashion house’s founder. Campaign images feature pug dogs alongside iconic Valentino designs, including red dresses and black-and-white polka-dot prints. Oliver is treated like a celebrity; five years ago, he was even "interviewed" about his favorite restaurants and movies. 5 View gallery Pre-Spring-Summer 2025 campaign of Louis Vuitton ( Photo: Glen Luchford ) Another notable campaign comes from Louis Vuitton, which highlighted dogs in its Spring-Summer 2025 pre-collection. Under the name "Dandim Dog Handlers," models were photographed leading or posing with dogs accessorized in luxury items: branded carry-all bags, portable water and food bowls, velvet berets and leashes and collars featuring the brand's signature monogram. For interested buyers, a Louis Vuitton dog collar costs 280 euros, while a chic dog carrier bag comes with a "modest" price tag of 2,900 euros. The brand explained that the campaign, directed by Pharrell Williams, highlights dogs as part of the Dog LVers collection. "The campaign celebrates the special bond between people and dogs, with luxury designs and accessories that reflect the cosmopolitan culture of dogs and their handlers," the press release read. To underscore this theme, the brand created a fictional dog show where dogs win prizes, blending fashion, emotion and a winning motif. 5 View gallery Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring-Summer 2025 Campaign ( Photo: Victor Brun ) 5 View gallery Anthropologie's Fall-Winter 2024-25 campaign ( Photo: Yulia Gorbachenko ) The contemporary presence of dogs in fashion campaigns is driven by two factors: image and economics. Fashion companies aim to market pet-specific design lines, expanding their offerings to new customers and needs. Dogs also serve as an opportunity to strengthen brand identity. The Autumn-Winter 2024-25 campaign from Anthropologie, shot in New York by photographer Yulia Gorbachenko, features models Taylor Hill and Barbara Palvin accompanied by dogs. According to writer Mark Whitmer from The Impression, the dogs create a homey, warm atmosphere and foster an emotional connection between the audience and the brand, appealing to customers through a heartfelt approach. Beyond economics, dogs symbolize loyalty, warmth, and reliability. Incorporating them into campaigns strengthens the emotional bond consumers feel toward a brand and lends it a more authentic, approachable image. Dogs also evoke themes of nature and healthy living, values that have gained traction in recent years. For many pet owners, dogs are integral members of the family. Brands recognize this bond and strive to connect with animal lovers by portraying dogs as part of the family or an extension of personal identity. >

House and Senate Democrats moved Monday to redirect more than half a billion dollars headed for the state’s long-term savings account and instead use it to close a budget gap and fund some additional spending. Lawmakers surfaced and quickly approved their final plan ( H 5132 ) for closing the state’s financial books on fiscal 2024, sending it to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk minutes before Beacon Hill budget-writers formally kicked off the process of planning for fiscal 2026. The newly approved “closeout” budget has a $701.2 million bottom line, with a projected net cost to the state of $133.6 million after federal reimbursements, according to a House Ways and Means Committee official. The proposed appropriations address accounts underfunded in the annual budget and fill a fiscal 2024 budget gap that materialized in part due to non-income surtax revenue collections that didn’t hit projections, leaving a shortfall of about $233 million. Legislative Democrats moved Monday to bridge the shortfall and fund some spending by using more than half a billion dollars that would have otherwise flowed into a state savings account. Each year, capital gains tax revenues above a certain level are split up with 90% deposited into the state’s “rainy day” stabilization fund, 5% used to fund pensions, and 5% used for other post-retirement benefits. The new spending bill would dramatically change that formula on a one-time basis. It would steer 85% of excess capital gains — about $502 million — to the general fund, and direct only 5% or $29.5 million to the stabilization fund, according to the House Ways and Means official. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits would each receive the same 5% as the traditional formula. That’s a shift from the approach the House and Senate first sought to take. The original House bill directed 47% of excess capital gains revenue to the General Fund and 43% to the stabilization fund. The original Senate bill sought to use 15% of excess capital gains revenue for the General Fund, and would have steered higher shares toward pensions and other post-retirement benefits. Healey proposed navigating the gap by using surtax collections that surpassed projections to backfill education- and transportation-related spending in fiscal 2024, freeing up originally appropriated dollars to plug the hole. But Healey also agreed to use capital gains tax collections as a similar type of backstop in the current cycle. The fiscal 2025 budget she signed in July allows the state to divert up to $375 million in excess capital gains tax revenue from the rainy-day pipeline and instead use it to balance the books for the cycle that runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. After previously drawing scrutiny from ratings agencies for dipping into the rainy day fund, Beacon Hill in recent years has worked to build up a sizable nest egg and resisted calls to spend its more than $8 billion balance. A House Ways and Means committee official said the funding shuffle will also allow about $162 million to be swept into the Student Opportunity Act reserve fund, which helps pay for increases in K-12 state aid outlined in a 2019 law, bringing its balance to about $460 million. Spending in the bill would flow to a range of areas, including $7.3 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program, $8.7 million for the state’s universal school meals program, and $2.5 million to cover start-up costs for online Lottery games. The vast majority of the spending, about $565 million, would go to MassHealth. Senate Democrats previously estimated that line item would carry a $0 net cost to the state after federal reimbursements. Healey will get 10 days to review the bill. Lawmakers were once again weeks late on completing the closeout budget, at least according to deadlines written into statute. The state comptroller by law is supposed to file a key financial report by Oct. 31, but cannot do so until the governor signs into law a closeout budget. Lawmakers have made a habit in recent years of blowing past that date and delaying the comptroller’s work as a result. Michlewitz and Rodrigues have completed a closeout budget before Oct. 31 only once in their six cycles as Ways and Means Committee chairs. Alison Kuznitz and Sam Drysdale contributed reporting.By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

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Okanagan College (OC) has signed partnerships with key tourism organizations to strengthen its programming and create new opportunities for students. These agreements are with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), and Tourism HR Canada (THRC). “The tourism sector across Canada is a major driver of our economy and a major employer, with one in 10 employed Canadians working in the sector,” said Joe Baker, Dean of the OC School of Business. The partnerships will align OC’s tourism and hospitality curriculum with industry standards. They will also provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience and build connections through Work Integrated Learning. Okanagan College will align its programming with Tourism HR Canada’s SMART accreditation program. Members of TOTA, TIABC, and THRC will serve on OC’s program advisory committee, offering valuable industry guidance. The collaboration also opens doors for applied research projects and grant opportunities through OC’s Department of Applied Research and its BC Beverage and Technology Access Centre (BCBTAC). “We are focused on creating programming that fits the needs of our communities, and supporting the food, beverage, and tourism industries is a perfect fit,” said Samantha Lenci, OC Provost and Vice President Academic. “We look forward to having dynamic programming available when our new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism is complete in 2027.” Okanagan College already offers a variety of programs supporting these industries, including its Tourism Management Diploma, Culinary Arts School, and certificates in viticulture, wine sales, winery assistant, landscape horticulture, and hospitality. Future offerings will include a Hotel and Restaurant Management Diploma and an Events Management Diploma. The Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism is currently in the site preparation stage at OC’s Kelowna campus. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with completion expected in 2027. Once finished, the facility will support education and innovation in the food, beverage, and tourism sectors.

Faruqi & Faruqi Reminds ASML Holding Investors of the Pending Class Action Lawsuit with a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of January 13, 2025 - ASMLStreet-style snappers reclaim the heart of Nairobi'I worked a shift with Amazon warehouse robots – it felt like real-life Pac-Man'

Hims & Hers ( HIMS 1.24% ) announced this week that it's getting into the nutrition business with bars and shakes. But are these the right products to add to a pharmaceutical business? Travis Hoium breaks down the news and how this fits into Hims & Hers' business in this video. *Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Nov. 21, 2024. The video was published on Nov. 21, 2024.Belarus Issues New Pardons, But Hundreds Of Political Prisoners RemainNone