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Power outages continue across southern US; triple-digit heat wave grips Texas

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

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More than 100,000 customers in the southern U.S. remained without power Monday following damaging storms, leaving residents searching for relief as sweltering temperatures continued to scorch the region.Power outages for some customers in the piney woods of Texas could stretch late into this week as crews scrambled to make repairs. In some parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, the heat wave has been accompanied by heavy rain, punishing winds, thunderstorms and hail.In Louisiana, officials closed nearly two dozen state offices Monday because of the risks of severe weather. “It’s been unbearable,” Leigh Johnson, a resident of Mount Vernon, Texas, told Dallas television station KXAS. She had not had power for about three days.“It’s been horrible because it’s like, the heat index has been so bad that literally, we’re having to sit in the cold baths to cool ourselves down. Our animals as well, we’re having to stick them in the bathtub just to keep them from having a he...

Fire situation eases slightly, but risks remain as more than 400 wildfires still burn

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

OTTAWA — More than 200 wildfires are still burning out of control in Canada this morning as the country’s record-setting forest fire season continues to raze thousands of square kilometres every day.Rain helped ease the fire situation in parts of Alberta and Quebec over the weekend, but the fire risk remains high in most of the country.As of this morning, 420 fires were burning in nine provinces and two territories, and 207 of those are still considered to be out of control.More than 58,000 square kilometres has burned so far this year, or an area almost twice the size of Vancouver Island.Environment Canada says the air quality is good in most areas, though pockets of moderate risk remain in and around Edmonton and Toronto and in some parts of northeastern British Columbia.The Donnie Creek fire north of Fort St. John, B.C., is now the largest fire that province has ever recorded and is still burning out of control more than a month after it started.This report by The Canadian ...

Trump faces questions about whether he’ll drag down the Republican Party after his indictments

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

Donald Trump’s grip on the Republican faithful was evident from the moment he left the federal courthouse in Miami last week.Fresh off becoming the first former president to face criminal charges levied by the government he once oversaw, Trump’s motorcade moved through a crowd of hundreds of mostly adoring fans. He met more supporters at a Cuban restaurant in Little Havana, a Miami neighborhood that, like much of south Florida, has swung toward Republicans in recent years. A federal indictment on charges of mishandling the nation’s most sensitive national security secrets would doom any other White House hopeful. But Trump’s reception in Miami — and the more than $7 million he raised after the indictment — was a reminder of the central tension coursing through the Republican Party as the 2024 presidential primary gets underway.For now, no one comes close to Trump in his command of the voters who will decide the GOP’s nominee next year. But Trump’s...

Higher airfares are likely upshot of Sunwing-WestJet integration, experts say

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

Experts say WestJet’s decision to shut down Sunwing Airlines and fold it into its main operations will mean less service and higher fares — particularly in Western Canada and smaller cities across the country.Sunwing told employees it was being absorbed by its new owner on Wednesday, less than a week after WestJet announced plans to shutter discount subsidiary Swoop.John Gradek, who teaches at McGill University’s aviation management program, says the latest move is bad news for consumers looking to head to warmer destinations, given the narrower flight options and pricier tickets likely to result from a merger of former competitors.Aviation consultant Rick Erickson says Air Transat and Air Canada will ensure a healthy mix of competition for sun destinations, but that travellers in smaller markets ranging from Saskatoon to St. John’s, N.L., may well have to shell out more.In a report from October, the Competition Bureau said WestJet and Sunwing comprise 37 per cent ...

Fatality ID'd in shooting at Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook that left 22 others injured

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

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — A man who was shot and killed in a shooting that left 22 others injured in Willowbrook Township after a celebration for Juneteenth has been identified.The deceased victim was identified as 31-year-old Reginald Meadows from Willowbrook. He suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, the DuPage County Coroner's Office said.A group of people were peacefully gathering around 12:30 a.m. near Route 83 and Honeysuckle Rose Lane when shots were fired. An unknown number of individuals fired shots from multiple weapons in the crowd, the sheriff's office said.According to Battalion Chief Joe Ostrander with the Tri-State Fire Protection District, 12 ambulances were brought to the scene. In total, 10 people were transported from the scene to area hospitals, with injuries ranging from graze wounds to more serious gunshot wounds.On Sunday afternoon, the sheriff's office said at least 22 were injured were shot and one person was fatally wounded. The identities and conditions of ...

NASCAR makes more Chicago Street Race announcements - including a new food option at the event

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

CHICAGO — As the event gets closer, NASCAR continues to finish up a few details when it comes to their first street race in Chicago. That includes the addition of a few well-known food items in the city. Those who like Lou Malnati’s, Garrett’s Popcorn, and Vienna Beef will be able to get all three inside NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race grounds on July 1 & 2. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/IDwmESO7nH— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) June 15, 2023Ahead of the Chicago Street Race on June 1 and 2, NASCAR announced that they've come to deals with Lou Malnati's, Garrett Popcorn Shops, and Vienna Beef to sell during the event.Food from all three of the vendors will be available at concession stands that will be located around the 2.2-mile oval that includes both grandstands and suites. Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants was named the official food and beverage partner of the Chicago Street Races back in May. Food from a number of their establishments, including the RPM restaurants, will be se...

Search underway for missing submersible that takes people to see Titanic

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

(AP) – A search is underway for a missing submersible that carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic, according to media reports.The U.S. Coast Guard told BBC News that a search was underway Monday off the coast of Newfoundland. OceanGate Expeditions confirmed it owned the missing vessel.“We are exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely,” the company said in a statement to BBC News. “Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families.” Here’s the richest person in your state, according to Forbes The U.S. Coast Guard in Boston did not immediately return messages sent by The Associated Press.In 2021, OceanGate Expeditions began what it expected to become an annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of the iconic ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank in 1912.The company said at the time that in addition to archaeologists and marine biologists, the expeditions also would include roughly 40 paid tourist...

Around Town checks out Sideshow Gelato

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

Sideshow Gelato4819 N Western Ave.Chicago, IL 60625sideshowgelato.com

How to cool your Texas home without an A/C

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

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With triple-digit temperatures and high humidity levels continuing this week, so, too are Excessive Heat Warnings in Central Texas. For those without air conditioning or navigating a broken A/C, here are some tips for cooling your home amid the sweltering heat.Close your drapes, blindsAny sunlight entering your apartment or home will bring heat with it, so keeping your drapes or blinds closed during the summertime can mitigate any excess heat from entering your home. Reporting from the U.S. Department of Energy found medium-colored drapes with white-plastic backings on your windows can reduce heat gains by 33%. TRENDING NOW: Austin senior living facility A/C system not working Run a ceiling fanCeiling fans are your best friend in the Texas summer heat in terms of helping regulate your house or apartment's internal temperature. Pro tip: Experts recommend setting your blades to run counterclockwise in the summer in order to collect and push cool air into the rest of ...

Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on slavery’s end

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

By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS, ED WHITE and ADRIAN SAINZ (Associated Press)DETROIT (AP) — Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America’s often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop parts of that history from being taught in public schools.“Is #Juneteenth the only federal holiday that some states have banned the teaching of its history and significance?” Author Michelle Duster asked on Twitter this weekend, referring to measures in Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama prohibiting an Advancement Placement African American studies course or ...