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'Smokeageddon' was unprecedented. We can expect more of the same.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

(The Hill) - Meteorologists struggled to explain "Smokeageddon," the acrid campfire haze that settled over the East Coast and Midwest last month, and with good reason: It was unprecedented. Before this summer, code purple and code maroon air quality alerts, the two most dire categories, were almost unknown in the eastern United States. The American Lung Association, which collects air data, recorded exactly 10 code purple air days in the East or Midwest between 2000 and 2021, each reported by a single county. In those 21 years, no Eastern county reported a code maroon day. Over three weeks in June, dozens of cities logged purple and maroon alerts, triggered by wildfire smoke that drifted south from Canada. Wildfire smoke has menaced the West in recent years, an era of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, fed by global warming. Yet, until this summer, the smoke had mostly spared the East. Jenna Krall, an assistant professor and air quality expert at George Mason U...

Why is a single senator blocking military promotions? And what does it mean for the Pentagon?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is waging an unprecedented campaign to try to change Pentagon abortion policy by holding up hundreds of military nominations and promotions, forcing less experienced leaders into top jobs and raising concerns at the Pentagon about military readiness.Senators in both parties — including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell — have pushed back on Tuberville’s blockade, but Tuberville is dug in. He says he won’t drop the holds unless majority Democrats allow a vote on the policy.For now, the fight is at a stalemate. Democrats say a vote on every nominee could tie up the Senate floor for months. And they don’t want to give in to Tuberville’s demands and encourage similar blockades of nominees in the future.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that holding up the promotion of military leaders, most of whom have dedicated their lives to protecting the country, “is one of the most abominable and outrageous things I have ever seen in this...

These notable movies, TV shows are on hold because of the actors strike

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When actors joined screenwriters in authorizing a strike last week, it became the first dual strike between the two major unions in about 60 years. As long as the strike lasts, union rules say actors are not to do any part of their jobs. They are not allowed to promote their work on podcasts or at premieres. They are barred from doing any production work including auditions, readings, rehearsals, voiceovers or wardrobe fittings. And of course, they're also not allowed to shoot new content. Naturally, that has many major productions on hold for the time being. While "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning" aired in theaters around the country over the weekend, production on its sequel ("Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two") was delayed by the strike, NBC News confirmed. Filming was supposed to resume after Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, and the film's other actors finished promotion of the "Part One" release, according to NBC. Hollywood actors join screenwrite...

Ben Crump retained by group of Northwestern athletes amidst hazing scandal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — A group of athletes from Northwestern University have retained a prominent civil rights and personal injury attorney in the midst of the hazing scandal within the football program.On Monday morning, Ben Crump along with co-counsel Steven M. Levin of Chicago-based Levin & Perconti announced that they've been retained by eight former student-athletes at the school.In a news release, the lawyers say they were subject to the hazing and are also in conversations with others as well. Crump and Levin say that the players were forced to participate in "humiliating acts and racial bias to punishments that inflicted severe physical discomfort and psychological trauma." WGN's coverage of hazing scandal at Northwestern & Fitzgerald firing “Whether the coaches at Northwestern approved or participated in the harassment of these players or not, they are responsible for allowing and enabling a toxic, disgusting, and damaging culture in their programs," said Crump in a sta...

Florida deputies wrangle alligator found camped out under resident's car

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Deputies in Florida wrangled a young alligator after a resident heard an "odd noise" coming from underneath their car last week. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, two deputies, identified only as Doherty and Smith, helped the resident, who found the alligator under the car. Officials said in a Facebook post on Saturday that the resident "took one look and noped right out of there." VIDEO: Country star Jason Aldean exits concert early after suffering heat stroke mid-performance PCSO said the deputies were able to get the gator's snout taped shut and relocated the reptile to a safe location. "Alligators are everywhere in Florida and it’s not uncommon to find one in your yard, pool, or driveway as they travel from one lake to another. If this happens to you, don’t try to catch, harass, or shoo the gator away. Even a gator minding its own business can bite if you bother it. Most of the time the gator will leave on its own. But if there’s...

1 dead, 8 injured after 2-vehicle crash on U.S. 61 in St. Paul

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

A woman is dead and eight people, including children, are injured after a two-vehicle crash in St. Paul Saturday morning.Seng Xiong, 67, was driving a Subaru Impreza south on U.S. 61 and crashed with a Dodge Journey, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Montanay Monay Adams, 25, was turning left in the Dodge from northbound U.S. 61 to Burns Avenue.Pa Moua, a passenger in the Subaru, died at Regions Hospital. The 61-year-old lived in Maplewood.The eight people injured had non-life threatening injuries, according to the State Patrol.Adams was taken to the hospital, as were four children in her vehicle — an infant, a 1-year-old boy, a 3-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl.Xiong and two passengers in the Subaru were also transported to Regions.Everyone was wearing seatbelts, with the exception of the 3-year-old in the Dodge, the State Patrol said.The State Patrol said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | St. Paul City Coun...

The history of the Saratoga County Fair

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The 182nd Saratoga County Fair runs from July 18 to July 23. The fair features hundreds of exhibitors, live music, animals, special shows, and rides. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Founded in 1841, the Saratoga County Fair is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in New York, and even the United States. This is the history of the Saratoga County Fair, according to fairgrounds website.The fair is run by the Saratoga County Agricultural Society (SCAS), which was also founded in 1841. The SCAS is a non-profit organization with 21 member volunteer Board of Directors. 2023 Capital Region fair season schedule The founding fathers of the SCAS represented each town in Saratoga County. The first President of the Society was Howell Gardiner of Greenfield. Gardiner set the stage for active involvement by politicians, businessmen, educators, and agriculturalists in the SCAS for over 17 decades.In t...

Comedian Akaash Singh performing at Albany Funny Bone

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Funny Bone will be hosting a performance by comedian and actor Akaash Singh. The show is scheduled for July 20 at 7:30 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Singh is best known for his stand-up and for being the co-host of the podcast "Flagrant" alongside fellow comedian Andrew Schulz. He has two comedy specials, and appeared on MTV's "Wild 'N Out" and "Guy Code".The Albany Funny Bone is located within Crossgates Mall. You can purchase Akaash Singh tickets online by visiting the Funny Bone's website.

Weekend of dance coming to west side of Lake George

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Silver Bay YMCA on the west side of Lake George is set to host its annual Evenings of Dance series. Started in 2019, the series welcomes an international range of dancers every year. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “Silver Bay is incredibly meaningful to me," said organizer Cory Steans. "I have experienced and witnessed how impactful it has been on my friends and family’s lives, and I treasure having had the privilege to visit every year of my life. To be able to give back by helping provide high-quality dance at the Auditorium, for free, is both nostalgically rewarding and significantly fulfilling, as I think art is invaluable to the welfare of the public. Having the opportunity to organize Evenings of Dance is an important responsibility, and one I cherish.”This year's evenings are set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. each day. The roster of dancers, hailing from ABT a...

Power problems still plaguing thousands of St. Louis County locals

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Thousands of people in the area are still without power Monday morning after intense storms over the weekend. New damage was found Monday morning in south county from the latest round of storms overnight.On Leonard Drive near Lindbergh Boulevard, there was a large tree that fell onto power lines knocking out power to multiple residents in that area. The tree was completely uprooted by the fierce storms.Locals in the area told FOX 2 that it was around 2:00 a.m. when the tree there came down. Ameren Missouri officials said that they are still assessing the damage from this latest round of storms.An Ameren Missouri spokesperson told FOX 2 that they had some 950 crew members out Sunday restoring power. They anticipate a similar number today.North county was also hit hard from weekend storms. Huge parts of trees were knocked over in Spanish Lake. Some fell onto homes while others toppled power lines. Two St. Louis suburbs named among Top 50 ‘safest cities in the...