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Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple-digit temperatures and fire risk to California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, California’s summer was in full swing Thursday as a heat wave that’s been scorching much of the U.S. Southwest brings triple-digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.Blistering conditions will build Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of the state, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned.Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100 degrees (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120 (48.8 C), forecasters said. Little relief was expected overnight, when temperatures could remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C). Excessive heat warnings and watches were posted or set to take effect for much of the state through the weekend.Across California, public libraries, senior centers and police department lobbies were being prepared to open as cooling centers while the heat worsened, especially in the d...

B.C. residents urged to conserve water as worsening drought conditions parch province

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

British Columbia residents are being asked to do their part to conserve water as drought conditions parch the province.Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma called on residents, farmers, businesspeople and industrial plant operators to take urgent steps to cut water use.She highlighted a report from B.C.’s River Forecast Centre that said the combination of record heat in May followed by early snow melt and persistently low levels of precipitation have created historic drought conditions across the province.“Water is a precious resource and we are fortunate to have some of the best water in the world,” Ma said at a news conference. “Every drop counts and that’s why everyone needs to do their part.”The report by hydrologist Jonathan Boyd said most of B.C. has received rainfall over the past year between 40 per cent and 85 per cent of annual average precipitation.It said stream flows measured this week at some rivers on Vancou...

Founder of failed crypto lending platform Celsius Network arrested on fraud charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network was freed on $40 million bail Thursday after pleading not guilty to federal fraud charges alleging that he schemed to defraud customers by misleading them about key aspects of the business.Alexander Mashinsky, 57, of Manhattan, was charged with securities, commodities and wire fraud in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court. He was also charged with illegally manipulating the price of Celsius’s proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices.Mashinsky left the court without commenting after an attorney, Benjamin Alee, told a magistrate judge that Mashinsky was pleading not guilty. When the judge asked if that was his plea, Mashinsky said it was. The $40 million personal recognizance bond is secured by property and the signatures of his wife and a second person.Another Mashinsky attorney, Jonathan Ohring, said in an email that his clien...

Gary police K-9 shot, killed during traffic stop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

GARY, Ind. — A Gary Police Department K-9 was shot and killed by a suspect during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon, officials said.During a traffic stop in the 1000 block of East 35th Court, Chief Anthony Titus said the K-9, Falco, and an officer were running after a suspect when the suspect fired shots at them.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesTitus said Falco was fatally wounded. The suspect was taken into custody.During his time with the Gary Police Department, Falco was deployed more than 1,000 times and has helped federal and local agencies, found several guns and has helped find several missing kids and adults.

Chicago police: Person trapped under car after being hit by hit-and-run driver dies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A person who was trapped under a car after being hit by a hit-and-run driver Thursday afternoon in Garfield Park has died, according to Chicago police.Just before 1 p.m., the male, who hasn't been identified, was struck by the driver of a white Chevy Malibu in the 800 block of South Pulaski Road. Police: 21-year-old Mariano’s employee shot, killed inside Evergreen Park store The person was trapped under the car as the hit-and-run driver kept driving southbound and left the area, police said.The person who was hit was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital and died.No one has been arrested yet, police said. The incident is still under investigation.

WHO: Aspartame soda sweetener officially 'possible' cancer cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

(AP) — The World Health Organization's cancer agency has deemed the sweetener aspartame — found in diet soda and countless other foods — as a “possible” cause of cancer, while a separate expert group looking at the same evidence said it still considers the sugar substitute safe in limited quantities.The differing results of the coordinated reviews were released early Friday. One came from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a special branch of the WHO. The other report was from an expert panel selected by WHO and another U.N. group, the Food and Agriculture Organization.The Lyon, France-based cancer agency periodically reviews potential cancer hazards, but doesn't determine how likely they are to cause cancer in their evaluations which range from “possibly” carcinogenic to “probably” to cancer-causing.Aspartame joins a category with more than 300 other possible cancer-causing agents, including things like aloe vera extract, Asian-style pickled vegetables and carpentry w...

Police looking for utility truck driver who struck bicyclist in Lincoln Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Police in Chicago are seeking the public's help in identifying a utility truck driver who allegedly struck a bicyclist. The hit-and-run incident occurred July 11 in the 2700 block of N. Lincoln Ave., in Lincoln Park, just before noon.According to police, the female cyclist was struck by a white and black utility truck hauling a trailer. SEE ALSO: Person trapped under car after being hit by hit-and-run driver dies, police sayThe vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Diversey Parkway. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe cyclist suffered severe injuries, but police did not elaborate on her ailments. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (312) 745-4521.

North Carolina community to require US flags on all homes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

(NewsNation) — A new neighborhood in North Carolina will require all of its homes to have American flags flying outside.The rule applies to homes in 1776 Gastonia, a 55+ housing development in Gastonia, N.C. The community, around 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, will feature 43 new homes for retirees. Each home will come with its own American flag.“While the governing documents of each community promote American traditions and values, the only visible standard homeowners must follow is flying the American flag on their front porch throughout the year,” a news release from Great American Homes said. Farmers forced to dump excess milk due to oversupply “The goal of 1776 is to create a community with the American dream at its core,” said Brock Fankhauser, founder of Great American Homes. “For many, owning a home in our great country is the American dream. 1776 Gastonia offers seniors, who have worked and sacrificed for the dream, to celebrate their accomplishments in a community that...

FDA approves first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – Women around the United States should soon have easier access to birth control after the Food and Drug Administration approved the first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill.Advocates say the approval of the over-the-counter birth control pill – Opill -- comes at a critical time as states around the country are banning abortion.They're hopeful that millions of additional women will now be able to access more reliable birth control.“It's a really historic decision,” Kaiser Family Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Michelle Long said. “What this means is increased access for many people, who will no longer need to visit their health care provider to get a prescription and could instead walk into their corner pharmacy.”Long says the approval is especially important for the uninsured.“It can cost a lot of money out of pocket to go and visit the doctor and get a prescription,” Long explained.Dr. Stephanie Sober, who works for Perrigo -- the manufacturer of ...

Llano County brush fire grows to 150 acres, at least 10 agencies responding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:32 GMT

LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 150 acres and is 10% contained as of just before 5 p.m.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. Crews also have CR 307 shut down right now due to the ongoing response. Initially, first responders told KXAN the fire began on a ranch property. As of 2 p.m., the growing fire caused no evacuations. Air support from the Texas Forest Service is currently assisting with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.At last check, there are no structures currently in danger, according to Llano officials.Moore Peak Fire near Llano, Texas, on July 13, 2023. (Courtesy: Alan Jensen)As of July 10, Llano County had a burn ban in place.