Feds ramp up probe into PPP fraud, charge 57 people with trying to steal $175M

Canadian police have threatened to arrest trucker-led protesters who have shut down central Ottawa and disrupted cross-border trade in anger at Covid health rules, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lambasted the movement as "unacceptable."

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Alberta students will not have to wear masks in schools come Monday — and parents are split on their feelings about the changes. Breanna Karstens-Smith reports.

During Tuesday’s session of question period, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau what concrete steps the government has taken to help people grapple with the Coutts, Alta. trucker convoy and Ottawa anti-mandate protests.

Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program is no more and soon, other COVID-19 health restrictions will also be lifted. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney joined Gord Steinke to talk about the timing and where the province goes from here.

Edmonton city council is weighing its options when it comes to introducing its own COVID-19 health measures. Councillors voted in favour Wednesday of exploring a municipal proof of vaccination program. Kim Smith explains.

The City of Calgary will not be implementing its own COVID-19 vaccine passport program — at least for now — after a city committee voted against exploring the idea on Wednesday. Adam MacVicar reports.

It was designed to curb spiking COVID-19 case rates and to encourage vaccination, but Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the passport program has done its job. Some businesses are applauding the move while others say it’s far too premature to eliminate the provincial restrictions exemption program.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media on February 09, 2022 at the NFL Network's Champions Field at the NFL Media Building on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Under a baking California sun, Roger Goodell knew the heat was coming.At his annual Super Bowl news conference, the NFL commissioner was grilled on two hot topics that have put the league under heavy scrutiny: racism and discrimination in hiring.

Snoop Dogg of hip-hop supergroup Mt. Westmore performs at Rupp Arena on November 20, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES (AP) - Snoop Dogg has taken over a popular record label that launched his stellar career.The rapper-mogul acquired Death Row Records’ brand from MNRK Music Group, which is controlled by a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, the i nvestment firm announced Wednesday.

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A Central Bucks West High School choir director has been charged with hiding cameras inside a bedroom in his home in order to record a former student as the student undressed.Joseph Ohrt, a Buckingham Township resident, faces one count of interception, disclosure or use of a wire, electronic or oral communications and four counts of possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices and telecommunication identification interception devises, all felonies in the third degree.An investigation began May of 2021 by Central Bucks Regional Police Department and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office after receiving a Childine tip of an alleged sexual assault of a former student by Ohrt.MORE HEADLINES:The victim, a 2016 graduate of Central Bucks West, was a member of the choir. He stated that in his junior year, Ohrt mentored him in music composition.

FILE - Outfielder Jeremy Giambi #7 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a studio portrait during Spring Training Photo Day in Phoenix, Arizona. Former MLB player Jeremy Giambi has died, the Oakland Athletics confirmed on Wednesday.

If U were Kim Kardashian, would you force your daughter to be off Tik Tok to keep Kanye West happy???? This and much more on our latest podcast! CLICK HERE to watch this episode of The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker!

The Big Boost Week is now in full swing with 56,257 booster doses administered across New Zealand yesterday, bringing the total so far to more than 1.7 million.

There was a ton of information to unpack from Tuesday’s COVID-19 announcement by Premier Jason Kenney, including the end of the mask mandates for students.

The city of Windsor is asking for federal and provincial aid to deal with a protest that has stopped incoming truck shipments across the Ambassador Bridge. Seán O’Shea reports.

You might be surprised by this decision that was just made for the 2022 Oscars ceremony on March 27.

Sale stickers on a store shelf. A seven percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI) over the 12 months to December was the highest since 1982.

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer announced it is selling prickly valentines to send to a special ex-someone. "Bolder (and sharper) than your typical bouquet of flowers, each Prickly Valentine comes with a mini-cactus and commemorative card," the seltzer brand revealed in a press release.There is currently a limit of one cactus per customer, and an alcohol purchase is required. You can make a "point" to that lousy person and order here.With a $10 donation this Valentine's Day, The Florida Aquarium will also let you name a roach after an ex.Those who participate will receive a certificate commemorating the occasion and a photo of the roach. Participants will also be able to send a message with "words you wish you had said" or a "funny revenge confession." The aquarium said amusing, family-friendly confessions will be posted with anonymity on The Florida Aquarium’s social media. An, don't worry – they'll never "Hiss & Tell" who sent them! You can get started here.Meanwhile, the San Antonio Zoo will also host its Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser for its third year, where funds raised support the zoo’s vision of securing a future for wildlife. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

COVID-19 decreased slightly on Wednesday as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expired.Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the restrictions exemption program would be lifted at midnight. The REP came into effect in September, and required Albertans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test result to obtain entry to businesses operating under the program.

Toronto Police has put in place a number of road closures over rumblings on social media that a protest connected to the Ottawa convoy could come to the city. Erica Vella has more.

Whether you’re heading to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription or doing your groceries, you’ll now be able to pick up a kit of rapid antigen tests for free. It comes as COVID-19 cases across Ontario are on the decline and the province prepares to lift additional public health measures of the coming weeks.

COVID-19, the province is finally implementing the policy.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Wednesday family doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and pharmacists will be required to be vaccinated by March 24, 2022.Henry said there is a process in place for medical exemptions, which can be submitted to her office.“We have been working with the colleges to sort through the details on the notice we put forward in October.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Police in New Castle County arrested two men they say are behind a string of home burglaries. Police say the men chose their victims because of their ethnicity.They say crimes similar to these have been reported to multiple police agencies from outside the state, including as far south as Georgia.Watches, jewelry, designer bags and sneakers.

FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Vacation photos have a new use.The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is asking for vacation photos from Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida.

Man holding a crack pipe. WASHINGTON (AP) - Following outrage on the political right, the Biden administration said Wednesday that a grant program to help prevent additional harm to people who use illicit drugs will not pay for safer pipes to smoke crack or meth."No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House drug policy adviser Rahul Gupta said in a statement.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said separately that was never the intention, complaining that impression was created by "inaccurate reporting."Monday was the deadline for service organizations and state and local governments to apply for a share of $30 million in federal money for "harm reduction" efforts intended to prevent disease, injury and other collateral trauma to people addicted to illicit drugs.RELATED: 93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new recordThe original request for funding proposals from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had listed "safe smoking kits/supplies" among the items that could be purchased with taxpayer money.

As Alberta and Saskatchewan drop most COVID-19 restrictions, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Wednesday there was no plan to drop the proof of vaccination or masking requirements yet as the province is “not in the clear” to do so.

CHICAGO - When friends Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith invited a few Black men to take part in a yoga class in Chicago in 2020, they didn’t know it would spur a nationwide movement.The two men created The Healing, a nonprofit aimed at promoting mental health for Black men and offering resources for improvement. Services include events where participants can share with each other about various struggles or sessions with mental health professionals.Most notably, the organization offers virtual yoga classes for Black men with the next one scheduled to place on Feb.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) ORANGE, Calif. - The Costa Mesa Police Department announced Wednesday the cherished classic car belonging to Green Day’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, has been recovered days after it was reported stolen.Green Day, formed in San Francisco's East Bay Area, is a Grammy award-winning rock band whose biggest hits include "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "When I Come Around," and "Holiday." The band's music is also featured in the musical "American Idiot." On the morning of Feb.

CAMDEN, N.J. - Thousands of KN95 masks, recently donated by Cooper University Hospital, were given out in Camden County Wednesday, by city officials, in an effort to help halt the spread of COVID-19.Last month, the U.S. Government announced it would be handing out 400 million N95 masks to everyone in the country and those masks have started to appear in some stores.

Lanarkshire locals are being encouraged to shake off the winter blues with free health walks throughout the area.

COVID-19: Quebec announces staggered reopening plan through to mid-March Nearly one million infections have occurred since Dec. 31, Boileau said.The government on Tuesday presented a road map to gradually lifting restrictions over the coming weeks, with most expected to be gone by March 14 — except mask mandates and the vaccine passport system.

The global COVID-19 total has passed the 400 million mark early into the third year of the pandemic, with cases last week declining in the world's fourth and biggest surge, fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

PHILADELPHIA - No one was injured after a gunman opened fire on a Philadelphia police officer during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Germantown.Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp told reporters that two plainclothes officers in an unmarked car were patrolling the 4800 block of Keyser Street around 2 p.m. when they came upon a shootout between a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old. The officer in the passenger's seat identified himself as police and ordered both men to drop their weapons when one of the men fired towards the officer, Gripp said. The officer ducked behind cover as the suspect attempted to flee down Keyser Street. According to investigators, the officer that was still inside the vehicle drove after the suspect and fired once through the windshield but missed. Both suspects were uninjured and captured nearby due to a massive police response, Gripp said.Investigators believe something happened between the men before police arrived that involved more than just the two gunmen. Gripp said police are still looking for other suspects, but he did not provide a description. "It just continues to speak to level the gun violence that we're seeing almost every day in this city," Gripp said.

Today Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the agency is working on updating and evaluating its mask guidance, but said COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates were still high throughout the country, and the recommendation of masking in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status remains in place.

Kim 'Darlene' Ezell (Family Handout) NEWARK, Del. - The body of a missing Philadelphia woman has been found weeks after she was reported missing when authorities found her roommate dead inside their home, family members tell FOX 29.The family of Kim Ezell says authorities informed them that they identified a body that was found in a vehicle at the Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus in Newark as their mother. Ezell, 59, was also known as Darlene. Family members say Ezell last spoke to her daughter on the phone on Jan.

Quebec judge suspends unvaccinated man’s visitation rights with child With the suspension due to end Tuesday, the child’s mother had asked the court for it to be extended.The father, who described the suspension of his parental rights as “draconian,” argued that he is not a conspiracy theorist and that while he does not plan to be vaccinated, he will respect all public health regulations during visits with his son, who is vaccinated against COVID-19.Paquette ruled that the man, who has not had any parenting time with his son since Dec.

announced on Wednesday that it will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 each week for eight weeks to various pharmacy and grocery store locations across the province.Over 2,300 locations will provide the tests while supplies last with a limit of one box of five tests per household. Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Some participating retailers include Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Food Basics, Rexall, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Longo’s, Walmart, among others.There are at least 34 locations in Guelph that are offering the tests.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported zero deaths and 139 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, compared with two deaths and 190 cases last Wednesday. Wednesday marks only the second day this month that no new deaths were reported, the other being Monday.LHSC is caring for 116 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 116 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday, raising the death toll in the area to 381, including the 22 victims announced so far in February.“Today we are reporting four deaths in our community related to COVID-19: one female in her 90s, 2 females in their 80s, and one male in his 80s,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health, stated.“I wish to express my deep sympathy to the families of these individuals.” Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit All four were residents of long-term-care homes in the area, which each have been under outbreak status for over a month.

Alberta has announced the end of the restrictions exemption program, and reaction to the news is divided. Jackie Wilson reports.

Portrait of American Funk, Soul, and R&B singer singer Betty Davis (nee Mabry), New York, New York, 1969. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES - Funk icon Betty Davis has died, Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday.

FILE - People watch the coverage of North Korea's latest missile launch in Seoul Station, South Korea on Jan. 31, 2022.

SEATAC, Wash. - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after crews from nearly two dozen flights reported getting hit with a laser near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week. This comes after four flights reported being struck by a green laser near SEA on Jan. 28.FOX 13 News reached out to the FAA about the most recent strikes. Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.On Tuesday, Feb.

Twitter today to share the “disgusting” way she was trying to draw out toxins from her body.The Countryfile star shared a video of herself taking off a patch that she had left on the sole of her foot overnight for a “body detox”.In the clip, she can be seen pulling on the sticky material as she shows what looks like a brown residue left inside.Alongside the video, she explained: “How much fun did you have in bed last night?“I tried out these Body Detox foot patches to 'draw out toxins overnight'“How disgusting does this look?“They promise an array of benefits inc:improvements to your metabolism, immune system, insomnia, fatigue, migraines etc etc!”The unconventional method sparked a series of mixed reactions, with curious fans announcing they would try it, while others appeared more sceptical.Julia also used the social media platform to thank a fan for his support during her breast cancer battle.Twitter user Garycrisp1943 penned: “I know I don't know you, and I don't normally pour my heart out to strangers, but I've always admired your enthusiasm for the outdoors & nature.“I just want to send you & family well wishes in the hope you will find all the strength you need.” (sic)The TV star responded: “Thank you so much Gary,” alongside a tree branch and a green love heart emoji.Julia last week said her "healing is going very well" during an appearance on This Morning.Speaking to hosts Rochelle Humes and Alison Hammond from the This Morning Forest, Julia said it was "lovely to be back" in front of the camera.She also revealed she was recovering and undergoing physiotherapy following her double mastectomy.Julia said: “First of all, thanks to the whole This Morning team."You’ve been checking in regularly to check how I’m

Coronavirus infection rates have continued to fall across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

A prospective cohort study of US children diagnosed as having COVID-19 reveals that certain demographic characteristics, preexisting chronic diseases, and initial vital sign and lab values may portend disease severity, a finding that the researchers said could help improve outcomes.The University of Colorado-led study involved 167,262 COVID-19 patien

Alberta’s education minister said school boards can’t enforce their own mask mandates after the province-wide one is dropped next week. Kendra Slugoski has reaction.