Latest news with #Friedman
Chicago Tribune
5 hours ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville D203 board meeting packed with supporters/opponents of transgender student athletes
For the second time in a month, a Naperville District 203 School Board meeting was packed by people supporting and opposed to a transgender student athlete's right to participate in a girl's track meet. For nearly 90 minutes Monday, attendees debated the rights of students to participate in school sports aligned with their chosen gender following a junior high school track meet at which a transgender student reportedly raced alongside girls and won some of the events. Awake Illinois filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights alleging the district violated Title IX safeguards for 'engaging in sex-based discrimination within education programs or activities that receive federal funding.' Members of Awake Illinois and their supporters Monday held bright yellow signs with such messages as 'Stop Exploiting Kids,' 'Freeze Federal Funds' and 'Defend Title IX,' and argued that allowing trans students to participate in girls' sports harms female athletes and their access to fair competition. Shannon Adcock, a Naperville resident who founded Awake Illinois, said the U.S. Department of Education announced it is recognizing June as Title IX Month in honor of the the 53rd anniversary of the law. Title IX provides women protections on the basis of sex in all educational activities, including their rights to equal opportunity in sports and sex-segregated intimate spaces, according to a news release Monday from the U.S. Department of Education. 'Throughout the month (of June), the department will highlight actions taken to reverse the Biden administration's legacy of undermining Title IX and announce additional actions to protect women in line with the true purpose of Title IX,' the release said. June is also Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ supporters, who waved transgender rights flags and carried signs promoting inclusion, told the school board that excluding trans girls hurts an already marginalized community, who are at a greater risk for violence, sexual assault and suicide. 'Nobody voluntarily signs up to be bullied to the level that trans students are by both other children and adults,' said Charlee Friedman, director of operations for Trans Up Front, adding that families in the district asked for the organization's support to advocate for their children. Friedman said 21 trans children in Illinois have committed suicide this year. Bullying 'has become so emboldened since the Trump administration,' she said. 'We are here to protect children, to protect their lives,' Friedman said. Several speakers denounced Awake Illinois for spreading videos of the track meet and the minor student's image on social media. Derek Miller said he was disappointed by the behavior of some adults in the community. 'There were adults sharing photos, videos and the name of this student at the center of the controversy, and this is a child,' he said. '… I want to emphasize these are children who are being attacked.' While he understands points on both sides of the issue, some might be promoting the issue in order to 'go viral' or to appear on cable news stations, Miller said. 'That is disgusting, and it needs to stop,' he said. 'Our kids should not be treated as political pawns.' 'They outed, targeted and doxxed a transgender girl in your district … all because she ran in a track meet and won,' Peter Rivera said. 'Some parents were upset and instead of dealing with it privately like adults, they handed the child over to a hate group. There are good faith arguments about integrating trans athletes in their sports, but this wasn't a discussion. This was a smear campaign, a lynching, a coordinated effort to shame and endanger a teenager.' Diana Piedra said it was shameful Awake Illinois shared videos of the athlete. 'The only way to fight hate is with love,' she said. Other speakers Monday said girls' rights were being infringed by allowing trans athletes to participate in their sports. 'Most of America believes girls sports should be protected,' Adcock said. '… Boys sports. Girls sports. It is that simple.' Laura Hois, a Naperville Central graduate and co-chair of the Downers Grove chapter of Awake Illinois, said 'boys are boys and pretending they are girls is a lie.' Trans rights does not supersede the rights of female athletes,' Hois said. 'I think it's terribly sad and tragic that today this District 203 is allowing boys to intrude in girls sports,' she said. 'District 203 is subjecting itself to liability for violation of girls' constitutional rights, for violation of civil rights laws, for violation of Title IX and violation of common sense.' Some speakers said just because someone was born male doesn't mean they have an automatic physical advantage over girls. 'Exclusion invites gender policing that could subject any girl to invasive tests or accusations of being too masculine or too good at her sport … to be a 'real girl,'' Tim Rhodes said. 'Trans athletes and cis gender athletes all vary in ability as do we all.'
Arab Times
11 hours ago
- General
- Arab Times
Pets can suffer from allergies too, but help is available
NEW YORK, June 3: About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed super uncomfortable. "The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, of Oak Brook, Illinois. "I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr. Friedman, had allergies. It's a common and tricky problem in pets - caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals and food - but veterinarians say there are several ways to ease their suffering. Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things people do, as well as pests like fleas. There are no definitive recent statistics on how many pets have allergies, but research suggests the problem is growing. "I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,' said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. About 90% of allergic pets react to environmental triggers, Woodard said, and the rest have food allergies only. Dog breeds that are especially vulnerable include various types of terriers, boxers, and bulldogs; in cats, it's Persians, Siamese, and Himalayans. Pets can even be allergic to other animals - cats to dogs, dogs to cats, and either to another species. "It's possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,' said Thrive's Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona, immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Allergic cats and dogs aren't as likely as humans to sneeze and cough. More often, they scratch and lick themselves, shake their heads and develop ear infections. Woodard said her Yorkie mix, Teddy, had the classic signs - scratching around his shoulders and getting rashes and ear infections starting as a six-month-old puppy. She lived in the South at the time, and he tested positive for allergies to various trees and grasses there. A common sign of allergies in her feline patients is "overdoing their grooming,' said Woodard, who's on the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's board of directors. "Cats shouldn't be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies.' Even food allergies, often to chicken, beef, lamb or other protein sources, frequently show up on the skin, although pets can have vomiting or diarrhea, too. Rarely, pets can develop life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, perhaps after being stung by an insect. But most allergies are simply miserable for the animals. "It breaks my heart because it gets to a point that not only do I have socks on poor Mr. Friedman - which is humiliating for him - he sometimes gets so bad he has to wear the cone of shame,' Gail Friedman said. "And that's not fair because he can't move around right, he can't sleep right. It's terrible.' The first step is to get a diagnosis from the vet. This could involve allergy testing, or in the case of food allergies, an "elimination diet,' which involves feeding limited ingredients the pet hasn't previously eaten. If the allergy culprit is environmental, there are medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and newer oral and injectable medications for dogs to block chemical signals associated with itchiness. Food allergies may be treated with special diets such as "hydrolyzed' food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces. All this can get expensive. Friedman estimates she's spent about $10,000 on testing, medication, and care for Mr. Friedman and another allergic dog. But vets say there are also ways to help pets at home by cleaning their bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth, and giving them baths. Outdoors, "they're almost acting like little Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,' Schick said. "We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they're allergic.' After she's tried nearly everything, Friedman's dogs are still vexed by allergies. But they're doing better. "I'm going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely,' she said. "All you can do is try.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Insider reveals Rangers GM Chris Drury is actively exploring trade options
The New York Rangers could be making some surprising moves soon. A trusted insider has revealed that things may shift quickly. While nothing is official yet, fans and teams across the league are starting to watch closely. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The situation is developing fast, and one name keeps coming up in connection with upcoming trade talks. Chris Drury is ready for offers and planning big changes for Rangers On Friday, May 31, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman spoke on Sportsnet 590's 'The Jeff Marek Show' and made a clear statement. He said, 'The Rangers are a team to keep an eye on in the next few weeks.' He added that general manager Chris Drury is already talking to other teams and has told them he's 'ready for offers.' This comes just days after the New York Rangers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. After such a strong season, falling short again has raised questions about the current roster. Changes may be on the way, and Drury seems prepared to explore all possible options. According to Friedman, Drury is not only open to offers but also wants to make serious moves that could shape the team's future. The focus now shifts to whether the Rangers will trade key players or bring in fresh talent. While no specific names have been mentioned, the insider hint suggests that something big might happen soon. Elliotte Friedman hints at possible moves after Rangers' playoff exit Friedman's comments came during a live segment on SN590 where he discussed teams likely to be active during the offseason. He made it clear that Drury's mindset is focused on improvement. 'He's listening. He wants to make the team better. He's not just sitting back,' Friedman said on-air. He also noted that this could be one of the busiest off seasons for the Rangers in recent years. This insight has sparked interest among NHL fans and analysts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Many now wonder if the team's core will stay the same or if bold decisions are ahead. Also Read: The Rangers had a strong regular season and finished near the top of the standings, but another early playoff exit has led to pressure on the front office. With Drury now actively working behind the scenes, the next few weeks could bring real change.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs, turmoil, and the VIX: How April 2025 compares to past crises?
-- The surge in market volatility during April's tariff-driven panic may have felt extreme, but according to OptionMetrics, it pales in comparison to previous financial crises, at least by the numbers. 'The VIX exploded to a high of 60.13 on April 7th,' OptionMetrics analyst Brett Friedman wrote, 'a level not seen since the pandemic or the 2008 financial crisis.' Yet when measured against past crises, the 2025 tariff panic proved less severe. The firm notes that the VIX peaked at 80.16 during the 2008 crisis and 82.69 during the 2020 pandemic. What made April stand out was speed, according to OptionMetrics. 'It took only five days for the VIX to peak, and another 14 days to revert to the level from which it started,' Friedman noted. That rapid rise and fall may have amplified investor perceptions of severity. Still, other volatility indicators are said to suggest a more muted event. The volatility risk premium was said to be below 2020. Similarly, VIX futures backwardation and implied correlation were less pronounced than in prior crises. But while market volatility normalized quickly, underlying uncertainty has not. 'Since 1985, the EPU index is the highest it has ever been, and by a significant margin,' OptionMetrics found. Using one measure based solely on news coverage, current levels even exceed those seen during World War II and the Great Depression, according to the firm. 'Although the VIX has returned to more 'normal' levels,' Friedman warned, 'this suggests that VIX spikes related to economic policy surprises and general uncertainty are still very possible.' Related articles Tariffs, turmoil, and the VIX: How April 2025 compares to past crises? Jefferies upgrades Rollins on sales hiring surge, sees growth ahead Goldman Sachs now has a more neutral view on the rail sector
3 days ago
- Health
Dogs and cats can also suffer from allergies, but there are ways to help our furry friends
About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed super uncomfortable. 'The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, of Oak Brook, Illinois. 'I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr. Friedman, had allergies. It's a common and tricky problem in pets — caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals and food — but veterinarians say there are several ways to ease their suffering. Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things people do, as well as pests like fleas. There are no definitive recent statistics on how many pets have allergies, but research suggests the problem is growing. 'I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,' said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. About 90% of allergic pets react to environmental triggers, Woodard said, and the rest have food allergies only. Dog breeds that are especially vulnerable include various types of terriers, boxers and bulldogs; in cats, it's Persians, Siamese and Himalayans. Pets can even be allergic to other animals — cats to dogs, dogs to cats and either to another species. 'It's possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,' said Thrive's Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona, immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Allergic cats and dogs aren't as likely as humans to sneeze and cough. More often, they scratch and lick themselves, shake their heads and develop ear infections. Woodard said her Yorkie mix, Teddy, had the classic signs — scratching around his shoulders and getting rashes and ear infections starting as a six-month-old puppy. She lived in the South at the time, and he tested positive for allergies to various trees and grasses there. A common sign of allergies in her feline patients is 'overdoing their grooming,' said Woodard, who's on the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's board of directors. 'Cats shouldn't be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies.' Even food allergies, often to chicken, beef, lamb or other protein sources, frequently show up on the skin, although pets can have vomiting or diarrhea, too. Rarely, pets can develop life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, perhaps after being stung by an insect. But most allergies are simply miserable for the animals. 'It breaks my heart because it gets to a point that not only do I have socks on poor Mr. Friedman — which is humiliating for him — he sometimes gets so bad he has to wear the cone of shame,' Gail Friedman said. 'And that's not fair because he can't move around right, he can't sleep right. It's terrible.' The first step is to get a diagnosis from the vet. This could involve allergy testing, or in the case of food allergies, an 'elimination diet,' which involves feeding limited ingredients the pet hasn't previously eaten. If the allergy culprit is environmental, there are medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and newer oral and injectable medications for dogs to block chemical signals associated with itchiness. Food allergies may be treated with special diets such as 'hydrolyzed' food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces. All this can get expensive. Friedman estimates she's spent about $10,000 on testing, medication and care for Mr. Friedman and another allergic dog. But vets say there are also ways to help pets at home by cleaning their bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth and giving them baths. Outdoors, 'they're almost acting like little Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,' Schick said. 'We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they're allergic.' After she's tried nearly everything, Friedman's dogs are still vexed by allergies. But they're doing better. 'I'm going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely,' she said. 'All you can do is try.'
