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EPA rule would force clean-up of toxic coal ash dumped in landfills, ponds near power plants

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening a rule aimed at controlling and cleaning up toxic waste from coal-fired power plants. A proposal announced Wednesday would for the first time require safe management of so-called coal ash dumped in hundreds of older landfills, “legacy” ponds and other inactive sites that currently are unregulated at the federal level. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the plan would hold polluters accountable for controlling and cleaning up coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal in that can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water and the air. Coal ash contains contaminants such as mercury, chromium and arsenic associated with cancer and other health problems.“Ensuring the health and safety of all people is EPA’s top priority, and this proposed rule represents a crucial step toward safeguarding the air, groundwater, streams and drinking water that communities depend on,” Regan said in a statement.If finalized, the r...

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky signals focus on family values in closely watched fall race

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) — As Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear prepares for what could be the most hotly contested election of the year, the first-term Democrat insisted on Wednesday that he would not cede so-called family values issues to his Republican opponent.In his first sit-down interview since Tuesday’s primary, Beshear also tried to contrast his steady leadership with the just-concluded bitter GOP campaign in which state Attorney General Daniel Cameron prevailed in a 12-candidate field. The governor told The Associated Press that he intends to make the general election race about helping families and not trying to “rile people up,” and he accused Cameron of doing just that in his victory speech.“I think sadly from the other side, what we saw last night and what we’ll see is name-calling, stoking division, trying to incite fear or anger or maybe even hatred. And that’s not how we’re supposed to run these elections,” Beshear said.Cameron, buoyed by an endorsement from former Presi...

Federal attorneys agree to pause litigation for water violations in Mississippi’s capital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Attorneys for the federal government, Mississippi and the state’s capital city have agreed to request to delay litigation from a complaint filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that said the city wasn’t meeting standards for providing reliable drinking water. In a Wednesday court filing, Government attorneys asked for a six-month stay, which would be the second such order. It’s part of a broader federal push to fix Jackson’s water system, which nearly collapsed last summer and continues to have problems with broken pipes and leaks. In November, the Justice Department filed a complaint on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, arguing that Jackson has failed to provide drinking water reliably compliant with the Safe Drinking Water Act. An agreement between federal officials and the city put that litigation on hold for six months. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate then appointed Ted Henifin, who spent 15 years mana...

Biden says there’s ‘work to do’ on global stage as he heads to Japan; US debt limit standoff looms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said there’s “work to do” on the global stage as he headed to Japan on Wednesday to consult with allies on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertiveness in the Pacific at the same time that a debt limit standoff looms at home.With high-stakes talks to head off a federal default underway in Washington, Biden pledged to remain in “constant contact” with negotiators in the capital city while he conducts international diplomacy.The president departed Washington aboard Air Force One a day after scrapping plans for a historic stop in Papua New Guinea and a key visit to Australia amid the showdown with House Republicans over raising the federal debt limit. The three-nation trip had been meant as a triumphant global leadership showcase, and instead threatened to become a truncated reminder of how partisan disagreements have undercut U.S. standing on the global stage.“I’ve cut my trip short in order to be here for the final negotiations an...

Limo service manager convicted of manslaughter in New York crash that killed 20

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A limousine service manager was convicted of manslaughter Wednesday in a crash that killed 20 people in rural New York, one of the deadliest U.S. road wrecks in two decades. Jurors reached their verdict during their second day of deliberations in the trial of Nauman Hussain, who ran Prestige Limousine. He faces the possibility of up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced May 31. The guilty verdict brought a torrent of emotions from relatives who waited years for someone to be held accountable. Shouts and cries could be heard as the verdict was read. “It’s exhilarating,” Kevin Cushing, who lost his son Patrick Cushing in the crash, told WNYT-TV outside the courthouse. “We had relatively low expectations because this four-and-a-half years has been filled with disappointment.”Packed with birthday revelers, the stretch-style SUV went off the road in 2018 after the vehicle’s brakes failed. The limo hit a parked car and trees before coming to rest in a streambed in...

She killed a man while he was raping her, and a court in Mexico sentenced her to 6 years in prison.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican woman who killed a man defending herself when he attacked and raped her in 2021 was sentenced to more than six years in prison, a decision her legal defense called “discriminatory” and vowed to appeal Tuesday.The ruling against Roxana Ruiz spurred anger from experts and feminist groups who said it speaks to the depth of gender-based violence and Mexico’s poor record of bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice.“It would be a bad precedent if this sentence were to hold. It’s sending the message to women that, you know what, the law says you can defend yourself, but only to a point,” said Ángel Carrera, her defense lawyer. “He raped you, but you don’t have the right to do anything.”The Associated Press does not normally identify sexual assault victims, but Ruiz has given her permission to be identified and participates in public demonstrations led by activists who support her.While the Mexico State court found Monday that Ruiz had been raped, it ...

Skilling: Cool night ahead warm, mostly sunny Thursday for Chicagoland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

There was a chill in the air today (by May standards) with the day's 61-deg high temp typical of normal highs back on April 20-21---three weeks earlier.Temps rebound big time Thursday surging to within striking distance of 80-deg---a near 20-deg temp increase by Thursday afternoon.But the return of clouds and showery spells Friday will reduce temps Friday and weekend lake breezes likely to put a lid on temps, holding inland readings to modestly below normal levels.There's a hint a Canadian high pressure could strengthen the pressure gradient Sunday afternoon and evening. If true, that's a period to watch for a possible intensification of lakeside cooling.The big weather story looking out over the coming 1 to 2 weeks are growing signs of significant warming beyond Monday next week. Current modeling suggest high temps will surge into the 80s beginning Tuesday next week and hold there the remainder of the week, through the following weekend and into the following week. If so, that sugg...

Teacher arrested for threatening students after finding swastikas in classroom

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

GRAFTON, Wis. (WFRV) - A Wisconsin middle school teacher has been charged for allegedly making threats toward students after finding swastikas in a classroom.According to the Grafton Police Department, on May 12, officers were called to John Long Middle School for a teacher who allegedly made inappropriate and "alarming" statements to his class.The teacher, 46-year-old David Schroeder, has been charged with making terrorist threats, according to online court records. Schroeder, who is Jewish, said in a statement that he became "enraged after he found student artwork and a notebook in his classroom with swastikas drawn on them," Grafton Police reported. Florida teacher under investigation after showing students Disney movie He reportedly went on to admit that he told the class he would "send his daughter to their homes with a baseball bat" and "go scorched Earth on them." Schroeder also reportedly admitted to wishing pain upon the students and their families. According to authorit...

Republicans demand more cooperation from President Biden, Democrats on debt limit talks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- President Joe Biden says he and congressional leaders agree, they will not let the country default."Every leader in the room understands the consequences if we fail to pay our bills," Biden said.But time is running out to avoid the debt limit's June 1 deadline."We still have a lot more work to do between now and the day we bring the legislation to the floor," said Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).A key sticking point is the demand from Republicans to add work requirements for some safety net programs. President Biden says he's not open to major additions."Not anything of consequence," Biden said.Republicans laughed at Biden's statement, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pointed out that "this is the senator who voted for work requirements."McCarthy and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urge the president to work with the GOP."Let's sit down in a sensible, responsible way," McCarthy said."Because it took the president three mo...

Warming trend leading up to late week severe storm risk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:26:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After dodging downpours the last several days, drier skies and sunshine will take over the next couple of afternoons.Mainly sunny skies will stretch areawide today with rain chances less than 10%. Afternoon highs will warm near to just above average this afternoon and again tomorrow, with most areas in the upper 80s to low 90s.Wednesday afternoon forecast high temperaturesFriday looks to be the hottest day of the week ahead our next cold front. This front will spark scattered storms and showers, some of which could be severe late Friday afternoon through evening. Primary threats look to be large hail and damaging winds.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms late FridayThe front passes out of the area Saturday morning leaving a breezy north wind and keeping weekend temperatures cooler and more comfortable. A few showers and thunderstorms will remain possible this weekend into early next week. ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summer FIRST WARNING WE...