Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Recent Windows 10 updates have been notably lacking in big, splashy new features, perhaps because several previous attempts, such as My Peopleremember that?never saw much usage. And other would-be flagship features, like the multi-app Sets, never even saw the light of day. Indeed, only diehard Windows watchers likely know of the existence of these once-touted initiatives.

That's just fine with many Windows users, who tend to shun glitzy new changes to their OS and actually gripe about any major changes. In fact, I find some of the more-recent features like Clipboard History and the excellent new screenshot tool indispensable. It's also important to realize that new capabilities occasionally roll into Windows 10 in between these major feature updatesusually things like redesigned icons and updated default apps.

In any case, a new Windows update is upon us, such as it is. This time Microsoft is calling it the October 2020 Update. Most Microsoft pundits and Windows Insider beta testers know it as version 20H2, to signify that it's the second update for 2020, and in fact that's how it appears in the System Info page of Settings.

The update has started rolling out to Windows PCs already, but there's a thorough vetting process for PC hardware to pass in order to receive it. These Windows Updates can take months to propagate automatically to every PC, but you can always open Settings > Update & Securityand tap the Check for Updates button to see whether the October 2020 update is available to your machine.

Aside from a few design tweaks, the biggest change is that the new, more compatible Google-powered Chromium version of the Edge web browser is now built into Windows. It replaces Microsoft's own previous homespun Edge to power not only the default browser, but Windows store apps that need access to web content.

By comparison, Apple has been far more aggressive with adding new features to macOS. The latest version, Big Surnow in previewincludes a new Maps app (Windows 10 has a pretty nice built-in Maps app, too, in case you forgot), rounded window corners, new system sounds, widgets, and more iOS-like functionality in general.

There are even more updates specifically for business and education installations, which require deeper management and security options. You can read more about those on the Microsoft Tech Community site. Finally, less sexy but just as importantly, many security updates that are intended to harden the platform against known vulnerabilities are implemented in the 20H2 version of Windows 10.

Yes, I already mentioned this above, but there's more news for the default Windows browser than just far greater site compatibility compared with the old Edge. After resisting Google's total takeover of the web as evidenced by Microsoft's adopting the search giant's browser-engine code at first, I've been won over by Edge. Its start page is truly useful and appealing, its secure password saving feature is spot on, and the syncing with the mobile phone app versions of Edge is well executed. I've even used the Collections feature, which does a slick job when it comes to web research.

The best new actual feature in Edge is support for Alt-Tab. The key combination now works with websites just as it's always worked on applications: hit the combo and it takes you through your open browser tabs. True, it's a minor feature, and you could always tab through tabs with Ctrl-Tab, but our motor memory is so in tune with Alt-Tab for switching that it just makes sense. Of course, you can turn this off in the main Settings app if you prefer.

The other user updates involve pinning sites and shopping. Now, when you pin a site to the Taskbar, hover the mouse cursor over its icon shows all the open tabs for the site. New for the Collections feature is Price Comparison, which automatically lists other shopping options for an item you added.

This is a fairly superficial change, but the redesign lets the quick-access tiles in the Start Menu take on the color mode you've chosen in Personalization. You can see the light mode version in the top image of this article, and here's the dark-mode version. The new design does have a more consistent appearance and adds a bit of transparency to the menu so you have an idea of what lies beneath it.

The Action Center right-side panel provides a great way to access basic computer settings but also shows notifications from apps you've set up for them. Now a redesign makes them clearer, by placing the app from which the notifications comes in the upper-left corner of the notificationalso known as the toast.

If you have a device such as a Surface Pro tablet or Surface Book convertible, you no longer have to deal with the "Do You Want to Switch to Tablet Mode?" prompt every time you yank off the keyboard. The updated behavior is just to switch to the mode that makes sense. Make sense? But that's not all: Tablet mode sees improvements for touch usage by increasing space between taskbar icons, replacing the search box with a search icon, optimizing File Explorer windows for touch.

Microsoft continues to slowly migrate detailed settings from the legacy Control Panel to the newer Settings app. With 20H2, you can change the refresh rate for your displaysomething gamers will appreciate. You can now copy system info from the Settings page, too.

This is huge for anyone who's had to do a clean install on a PC but didn't have the requisite disks. You can simply choose "Cloud download" to save yourself from having to hunt down that installation media for Windows.

You can follow all the latest developments on Microsoft's operating system at our Windows 10 landing page. For a feature-by-feature comparison with Apple's OS, you can read Windows vs. MacOS: Which OS Really Is the Best?

Further Reading

Operating System Reviews

Operating System Best Picks

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What's New With Windows? See 6 Top New Features in the October 2020 Update - PCMag

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Babylon Village officials have canceled the annual Halloween parade this year.

As an alternative to the parade, the village will be hosting a trunk-or-treat and costume contest on Oct. 31 in the municipal parking lot behind Swell Taco.

The event will run from noon to 3 p.m. and the costume contest will be split into one hour sessions.

Mary Adams, a village trustee, said participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and there will be judges for the costume contest.

Candy will be handed out to children in individual goodie bags and merchants in the downtown area will have candy outside for the kids as well.

Participants must pre-register for the trunk-or-treat and costume contest by emailing the village at bvrec2020@gmail.com.

So far, the event has around 12 to 15 cars for the trunk-or-treat, and around 40 kids registered to participate.

Face coverings and social distancing will be enforced at the event, and the number of children in each one-hour session will be monitored.

The village has done such a great job in keeping our numbers low and keep everyone healthy, Adams said. I think residents are appreciative of it and I think anything that we could offer the children in a safe environment they will participate in.

In regards to trick-or-treating on Halloween, the village is leaving it up to the discretion of Babylon Village residents.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., select businesses in the village will be giving away candy to trick-or-treaters. Participants will have a pumpkin in their windows.

Mayor Ralph Scordino said he feels that the village must continue to be smart during these times, as the COVID-19 outbreak is ongoing.

Its not going away, we cant let our guard down, and we have to prevent any upswings in cases, and thats the priority we have in Babylon Village, Scordino said.

Be Babylon Village smart.

For more information about the trunk-or-treat event, visit the village website or Facebook page.

Top: Scene from last years Halloween parade in Babylon Village

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Trunk-or-treat event to replace Babylon Village's annual Halloween parade - GreaterBabylon

Gov. Ron DeSantis rallied Florida Republicans on Wednesday with a baseball-themed social media pitch urging them to get out and vote.

Its game time, DeSantis said in a Republican Party of Florida ad. Bottom of the ninth and Florida Republicans are on deck. Florida is the nations most important swing state and the Republican Party is counting on us to deliver a win in November.

The Governors rally cry comes less than two weeks before Election Day and at a time when Republicans dramatically trail Democrats in vote-by-mail ballots.

More than 2.3 million vote-by-mail ballots have been returned to the state as of Wednesday, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Of those ballots, over 1.4 million are registered Democrats, 900,828 are registered Republicans and 589,892 have no party affiliation.

While DeSantis once a Yale baseball captain conceded the difference, he called on Florida Republicans to help turn the tide with early voting.

We know this election will come down to the wire, he added. Liberal Democrats like Michael Bloomberg and George Soros have run up the score on Republicans with vote-by-mail ballots. But our big hitter just stepped up to the plate and thats you.

Florida is widely considered a must-win swing state for President Donald Trump. After being sidelined with a COVID-19 diagnosis, Trump returned to the campaign trail with a particular emphasis on Florida. It was his first campaign stop after leaving Walter Reed Medical Center and he revisited the Sunshine State days later.

The President is expected to hold another Florida rally at The Villages and in Pensacola on Friday. The following day, Vice President Mike Pence is slated to visit Tallahassee and Jacksonville.

Republicans across America are counting on you, DeSantis concluded. With your help, we can even the score and win this ball game. Florida, lets knock this one out of the park.

Link:
Gov. Ron DeSantis swings for the fences with early voting message to Florida Republicans - Florida Politics

Editors note: This is the second in a two-part analysis of Ballot Measure 1 and its potential effects by economists at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The first installment can be found here.

Alaskans are currently weighing Ballot Measure 1, which would increase taxes on oil production. As the state faces large deficits, proponents argue that Ballot Measure 1 would provide a needed source of revenue. Previous changes to Alaskas oil tax structure amounted to tax cuts in certain cases and a tax increase in others. Ballot Measure 1 is a tax increase in all cases for Alaskas largest producing oil fields.

Currently, oil revenues and the Permanent Fund draw combined are not enough to pay the states bills. This year, Alaska is projected to face a deficit, whether it pays a Permanent Fund dividend under the statutory formula or distributes no PFD at all. With a PFD around the same size as last years, the deficit will be around $1 billion. With a full statutory dividend, the deficit would be around $2 billion.

The amount of revenue Ballot Measure 1 would raise depends on the economics of oil. Prices are the most important factor. At todays price outlook, the measure would raise $200-500 million per year on top of what the state would otherwise collect from oil taxes. If prices were to rise sharply from expectations say, to $75 per barrel the measure might instead raise an additional $1 billion per year on top of what the state would otherwise collect from oil taxes. Add this to the states other revenue from oil, and it would be able to balance the budget and pay close to a statutory PFD.

A key assumption made when estimating revenues from Ballot Measure 1 is that oil companies will not change the levels of production or investment in response to the tax increase. Higher taxes will likely make at least some oil wells unprofitable to operate or drill. A handful of studies have been written by economists trying to measure the effect of taxes on oil drilling and production. An important take-away from these studies is that tax changes dont change the level of oil production today. Instead, they affect a producers decision whether to invest and drill a well today, which provides the source of oil production tomorrow.

Investment decisions are made based on a host of other factors in addition to tax rates. Prices, geology, geography, infrastructure, workforce education, and political risk all matter when committing dollars to a project. While it is safe to say that the proposed tax increase will have some negative effects, based on the existing evidence it is hard to know exactly how much Ballot Measure 1 might affect investment in Alaskas oil fields.

In this way, Ballot Measure 1 creates important tradeoffs: some higher oil tax revenues today against some foregone royalty and tax revenue in the future. Less investment in drilling today will also mean fewer jobs in the oil industry and in other parts of the economy. At the same time, cuts to the states budget through layoffs or smaller PFDs also have negative effects on the economy.

The potential oil resources on the North Slope are vast and could offer many years of future production. However, markets can change quickly, as weve seen with coal production in the United States. Its quickly evaporating as innovations in renewable energy and natural gas have transformed the way we produce electricity.

What is clear is that Ballot Measure 1 is unlikely to generate enough revenue on its own under current conditions to entirely fill the states projected deficit and also provide enough for a large PFD. This means that future budget cuts, changes to the PFD, or additional sources of revenue will be needed to secure a sustainable budget.

Ballot Measure 1 is not the final word in the debate over Alaskas state fiscal problems. And given that Alaskas oil tax structure has been totally redrawn three times in the past 15 years, it is unlikely to be the last word on oil taxes either.

Brett Watson is a Research Professional/Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Alaska Anchorage. This article is based on an ISER working paper, available upon request: bwjordan@alaska.edu.

Link:
On the fence about Ballot Measure 1? Here are some facts to consider. - Anchorage Daily News

The town of Vail is bringing back temporary fencing that was installed last year in East Vail to reduce the potential for motor vehicle collisions with bighorn sheep and other wildlife.

The fencing was first built in April along the north side of the North Frontage Road following the loss of three bighorn sheep over several months.

The town has worked with it partners from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife to return the temporary fencing. Installation will begin the week of Nov. 2, with the fence remaining in place until mid-July 2021. Permit approvals for construction in the right-of-way are in place from the transportation department.

At the Oct. 20 meeting of the Vail Town Council, Town Manager Scott Robson told councilmembers he hopes this is the last season for the temporary fencing. That temporary fence, while effective, drew some complaints from residents who called the fence unsightly.

Were making great progress with (the transportation department) on permanent, well-designed fencing, Robson said. We hope in the next two years well have permanent fencing in East Vail, paid for mostly, if not exclusively by (the transportation department).

For this seasons project, the town has contracted with Strategic Fence & Co. for the approximately $22,000 project, which the town is funding. The fence will run from the East Vail Interchange along the north side of the North Frontage Road west to Katsos Road. During construction, the westbound Frontage Road shoulder will be closed for one to two days.

For more information, email Vail Environmental Sustainability Director Kristen Bertuglia, kbertuglia@vailgov.com.

Original post:
East Vail wildlife fence returns for the coming winter - Vail Daily News

October 22, 2020 - By Ron Allen (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) - Fall is the time to plant California natives. The weather is cooler, the first soaking rains are imminent, and yet there is still plenty of good sunlight. These factors make for good initial foliage growth and root development.

The motivation for adding native plants comes down to one thing: water. Mariposa County enjoys a somewhat hot, but generally Mediterranean climate; we have cool winters, wet springs, and dry summers. California natives are adapted to our long, dry summers. Filling your garden and landscape with natives saves on irrigation expenses once the plants are established. Also, native plants are adapted to local soil types and are resistant to local plant pathogens, insect pests, and herbivores. By gardening with native plants, you will save again on insecticides, soil amendments, deer screens, rodent traps, etc.

(Pictured) Toyon, with red berries.

Its easy to get started growing California natives. First, make a survey of your site. Take an inventory of plants already present and try to figure out how to complement them. Choose plants that are adapted and grow well in your local ecological niche. This can depend upon your aesthetic and goals. Do you want attractive ornamental natives? Do you lean toward supporting pollinators? Maybe fire resistance or bank stabilization is key? Please feel free to call our UC Master Gardener Helpline in Mariposa County for suggestions.

(Pictured)Narrowleaf Milkweed, with butterfly.

If you want a simple approach, you can scatter native annual wildflower seeds, such as California Poppy. If youre keen on helping pollinators--and the monarch butterfly in particular--then set down some milkweeds in the Asclepias genus. These perennials are the only plants upon which monarchs lay their eggs. Good examples are the Narrowleaf and Showy Milkweeds. A great choice among shrubs is the Toyon, an attractive evergreen that can become a small tree. In the summer it is covered with creamy white flowers, drawing bees and butterflies. In the fall, it produces bright red berries that attract birds. It is very fire resistant, and its one shrub that you can plant close to structures.

(Pictured)Douglas Fir seedlings.

If your landscaping plans are ambitious, and youre at an elevation of 3,000 feet or more, you can try planting Douglas Fir seedlings. An excellent companion for these conifers is the Canyon Live Oak whose roots support an ectomycorrhizal fungus beneficial to young Douglas fir growth.

For assistance, contact our Helpline at (209) 966-7078 or at mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu. We are currently unable to take samples or meet with you in person but welcome pictures.

The U.C. Master Gardener Helpline is staffed;Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Serving Mariposa County, including Greeley Hill, Coulterville and Lake Don PedroPlease contact the helpline, or leave a message by phone at: (209) 966-7078By email (send photos and questions for researched answers) to:mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu

For further gardening information and event announcements, please visit:UCMG website:http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_GardenerFollow us on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/mariposamastergardeners

Master Gardener Office Location:UC Cooperative Extension Office,5009 Fairgrounds RoadMariposa, CA 95338

Phone: (209) 966-2417Email:mgmariposa@ucdavis.eduWebsite:http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener

Visit the YouTube channel atUCCE Mariposa.

Excerpt from:
Over the Garden Fence - Fall is Time to Plant Natives - Sierra Sun Times

A man was found dead near the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Nogales on Thursday morning, authorities said.

The Nogales Police Department was called to the scene at 9:04 a.m. after a body was found in the hills near the border at the end of West International Street, between a quarter- and half-mile west of the DeConcini Port of Entry, NPD Spokesman Oscar Mesta said.

Identification found at the scene indicated that the man was a 29-year-old Mexican national, Mesta said.

Nogales Fire Chief Jeff Sargent said EMTs also responded and determined that the man was dead. Its not clear when the man died, but Sargent said he didnt have signs of trauma from a weapon or blunt force.

Mesta said NPD sent the body to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death, but the department isnt currently conducting a criminal investigation.

' + this.content + '

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Man found dead north of border fence in Nogales - Nogales International

More and more car thefts are taking place through breaches in the security fences between Israel and the Palestinian territories, research has found.In the last six months, Iturans sample of about 600,000 vehicles, found that as a result of intensive activity by Iturans security forces and law enforcement units at the Palestinian Authority checkpoints, more and more thieves transferred stolen vehicles through areas of the fence where there is no military enforcement.During this period, 62% of car theft incidents were committed when the thief was in possession of the key, 12% were broken in to violently and then hotwiring the vehicle via the computer system, 14% were started through the OBD socket in the vehicle and 9% of incidents were car theft incidents that took place during the towing process. In 3% of the incidents, the vehicle was stolen from its owner or the vehicle keys were left in the vehicle.During this period, Ituran increased the use of technological means to prevent car thefts among them: deploying drones with the 80 Ituran enforcement squads and using LPR cameras.Nir Sheratzky, CEO of Ituran: During this period, the locating units of Ituran seized 86 gangs of thieves and estimated that the difficult economic situation in the economy and rising unemployment will lead to an increase in the number of car thefts in the coming months, as in all criminal industries.The capture of 86 gangs of thieves during this period will prevent thefts of about 5,644 vehicles in the coming year worth about NIS 450 million,In analyzing the thieves favorite areas, Gush Dan continues to lead the theft table in Israel with 33% of all theft attempts, followed by the Sharon area with 22%, the southern area with 14%, the Jerusalem district with 8%, the Shfela area with 10%, the northern area with 8% and Judea and Samaria with 5%.

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Car-theft transfers via security fence breaches on the rise - research - The Jerusalem Post

Justin Gaethje knows the challenge thats in front of him, but believes he can be the one in 28-1 against Khabib Nurmagomedov this weekend.

The highly anticipated battle for the undisputed lightweight title takes place in the main event of Saturdays UFC 254 event on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov has defeated every opponent that has stood in front of himmostly with relative ease due to his heralded wrestling and grappling pedigree.

The Highlight knows that could be a possibility in the octagon on Saturday night. In some ways, hes prepared for that result.

I expect him to believe thats going to happen, Gaethje told reporters at Wednesdays UFC 254 press conference. Ive been telling myself thats going to happen and it drives me every single day. Im a performer. I always show up under the lights and Ive been doing this as long as he has. This is ingrained in us. On Saturday night I will leave everything, give everything and be proud of my performance.

Gaethje became the interim lightweight champion with an outstanding performance against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May, capping it off with a fifth-round stoppage via TKO. After dropping back-to-back fights to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier, the 31-year-old has finished his last four fights en route to this opportunity to do what no man has done before.

Nurmagomedov became champion with a decision win over Al Iaquinta at UFC 223. The Eagle has gone on to successfully defend the title with consecutive submission wins over Poirier and Conor McGregor.

Admittedly, Gaethje is a fan of Nurmagomedovs work, which is why he didnt have to sit down and study a lot of footage on the champion. Hes well aware that he needs to keep things at a distance to be successful.

I didnt watch any tape on Khabib, Gaethje stated. Ive watched his fights throughout his career because Im a huge fan of everything. Ive always focused on being my best self. He hasnt fought someone thats grappled as long as he has, I have. Everyone says theyre ready and I will not allow him to put me on the fence. If I do, then Im screwed.

My plan is if were gonna grapple, lets grapple in the middle at all times. Ive said it 1,000 times; I cause damage. I have dense bones and Im gonna kick his legs. Thats where were gonna start and well go from there.

With a more meticulous approach to his in-octagon chaos, Gaethje is ready to shock the world and trade his interim belt for the undisputed crown. The one thing he wish would be different is that the fight would happen in Nurmagomedovs home country in front of the Russian fans.

If you go back a couple of years ago, I think I said I wanted to go to Brazil and fight their best, Ireland and fight their best, and I wanted to come to Russia and fight Khabib, Gaethje explained. Thats the chaos. They wish ill on youthey dont necessarily want you to die or anythingbut that hostility, I thrive in.

I cant wait for there to be people back up. If there was 100,000 people wanting me to die it would be fantastic. It would be such a great feeling.

Continued here:
Justin Gaethje plans to cause damage, stay off the fence against Khabib Nurmagomedov: If I dont, then Im - MMA Fighting

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been under pressure to defund the Chicago Police Department ever since the death of George Floyd triggered civil unrest and a racial reckoning that swept the nation.

In her second budget address, Lightfoot threw several political bones to those activists, even as she declared police officers are not the enemy and ignored broader calls to dramatically reduce CPDs $1.6 billion budget.

The first and most tangible concession is the mayors decision to eliminate 618 police vacancies, nearly all of them sworn officers, at a time when the pace of retirements has escalated and disgruntled police officers are walking off the job, fearing the mayor doesnt have their backs.

The second was her promise to test what she called a co-responder model that begins the painstaking process of building the infrastructure for an alternative means of response instead of requiring police to be the first and only responders on every call for help.

Lightfoot warned such a system must be tested on the streets and built over time. There are no magic wands to wave, no snapping of fingers or catchy slogans to get it done. It must address Chicagos urban realities and not those of some other city that does not reflect our diversity.

The third and more symbolic concession was Lightfoots decision to openly acknowledge what she called the complicit role police departments have historically played in brutally enforcing racist, Jim Crow laws, depriving Black and Brown people of their full rights as citizens.

She added: These are not just ancient times, but recent history, right here in Chicago. And so, in breaking down these barriers, we must also continue to closely scrutinize all policing practices and policies to eliminate any and all bias, she said.

But the mayor argued vociferously that having fidelity to this essential work of bias-free policing does not require dismantling our police department.

In this moment in Chicago, we cannot responsibly enact any policies that make communities less safe, she said, without mentioning the 50% spike in homicides and shootings that has Chicago on pace to top 750 murders in 2020.

While we will slow the rate of growth, with a resulting $80 million in corporate fund savings, on my watch we will never make cuts or policy changes that inhibit the core mission of the police department, which is to serve and protect.

During an hour-long budget address 20% of it devoted to police issues Lightfoot argued that literal defunding means cutting officer positions and making CPD less diverse.

Pointing to seniority requirements in police contracts, she said cutting current jobs means we would be compelled to cut the youngest, most diverse and well-trained officers in the department. That is not in anyones interest.

Lightfoot is a former Police Board president who co-chaired the Task Force on Police Accountability appointed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the furor that followed the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video.

The task forces scathing indictment of the Chicago Police Department prompted the U.S. Justice Department to do the same, setting the stage for federal court oversight over CPD and the consent decree that, as she put it, requires continued funding of training and accountability initiatives.

On Wednesday, the mayor tried to straddle the political fence, delivering an emotional defense of Chicago Police officers, who have endured two rounds of looting that ravaged giants swath of downtown, River North and Lincoln Park along with commercial corridors on the South and West Sides.

The mayor noted Chicago Police officers have been shot at 67 times this year, and 10 of them were struck by bullets. She said that remarkable statistic does not include times theyve been stabbed, fired upon with injury-causing fireworks or suffered broken limbs and other injuries after being attacked by crowds that came to our city armed for a fight.

To underscore the point, Lightfoot recounted the harrowing heroics of four Chicago Police officers in recent incidents.

Her voice broke as she recalled how Officer Kristian Walker tried and failed to save a 7-year-old girl with a bullet hole in her forehead and an exit wound in the back of her skull.

Our police officers are not our enemies. They are someones sons or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister. They are as complicated and imperfect as all of us. They are our neighbors and an important part of who we are as Chicagoans, Lightfoot said.

Well aware the police budget will become a focal point for contentious hearings on her 2021 budget, Lightfoot told aldermen: As you ... appropriately scrutinize how dollars are allocated toward public safety, I urge you to look beyond the hashtags and think about the men and women who courageously report for duty every day on our behalf to keep us safe.

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Lightfoot wont defund CPD; defends department and efforts to reform it - Chicago Sun-Times