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Air quality index rises to high-risk category Thursday as smoky air intesifies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

The air quality across the GTA is expected to worsen before it improves. The hazy air and smell of smoke that has been intensifying since Monday is expected to push the air quality index to one of its highest levels on Thursday. “Thursday and Thursday night we are looking at a 9 and an 8 in the forecast which is also in the high-risk category,” Trudy Kidd with Environment Canada tells CityNews. Most school boards across the GTA are heading the warnings. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says Thursday’s outdoor activities, including athletic events and field trips, will be moved indoors or rescheduled. “We’ve taken steps over recent years, particularly since the the beginning of the pandemic, to upgrade the ventilation and the air quality within our buildings and that fortunately does pay off on days like these which I don’t recall ever happening before,” said TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird. Bird adds a decision on whether to move forward with outdo...

Against the odds, world’s most endangered porpoise resists extinction in Mexico’s Gulf of California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Against all odds, the remaining handful of Mexico’s endangered vaquita porpoises are holding on in their only habitat in the Gulf of California, according to a new research expedition report released Wednesday.Experts on the expedition estimate they saw from 10 to 13 of the tiny, shy, elusive porpoises during nearly two weeks of sailing in the gulf last month.That is a similar number to those seen in the last such expedition in 2021. Because they are so small and elusive, many of the sightings through powerful binoculars are categorized as probable or likely. The animals also emit “clicks” that can be heard through acoustic monitoring devices.Experts from Mexico, the conservation group Sea Shepherd and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they sighted at least one and probably two calves, as immature vaquitas are known, raising hopes for the survival of the world’s most endangered marine mammal. They said there may be more vaquitas out the...

Connecticut to adjourn largely bipartisan session in contrast to rancor in other states

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed protections for abortion providers and gave more power to libraries facing book challenges — and they did it with Republican support.All but 13 Republicans voted for the $51 billion two-year state budget and a handful even voted for a major gun control bill that’s already being challenged in court.Bucking the partisan rancor seen in other legislatures this year, Connecticut lawmakers were poised Wednesday night to wrap up what’s been one of the most bipartisan legislative sessions in recent memory. And they’re crediting old fashioned relationship-building, a willingness for compromise, a healthy budget surplus and a strict adjournment deadline.“ Oregon hasn’t met in a month because the senators have just left the building. Think about that,” Democratic House Speaker Matthew Ritter said hours before Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont was scheduled to address lawmakers in a traditional midnight spee...

6 arrested in alleged scheme to fraudulently collect millions in COVID aid meant for renters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Six people from Washington, Arizona and Texas have been arrested and accused of fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars of COVID-19 aid from an assistance program meant for renters, federal prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Nick Brown, Western District of Washington, on Wednesday announced the arrests and charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The six people are accused of filing hundreds of fraudulent applications seeking more than $6.8 million in government aid and receiving more than $3.3 million, The Seattle Times reported. Most of the alleged fraud was in Seattle’s King County, and focused on federal emergency rental assistance money available to prevent evictions, prosecutors said.Prosecutors allege the scheme also targeted unemployment systems in Washington, California, South Carolina, and Nevada.They are accused of spending the money on luxury cars, vacations, designer clothes, jewelry and plastic surgery.“The participants in this fraud were relentless i...

CPD: Man charged in connection to death of missing Logan Square woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has been charged in connection to the death of Brittany Battaglia, a woman who went missing in Logan Square last Friday.According to the Chicago Police Department, 34-year-old Genesis Silva was charged Wednesday with one felony count of concealing homicidal death, and one misdemeanor count of obstructing a police officer in connection to an incident that happened in the 2000 block of North Kimball Avenue.On Monday night, CPD officers were seen going in and out of an apartment in the 2000 block of North Kimball Avenue, collecting evidence from a crime scene where a woman's body was discovered.Same day, AJ Battaglia — Brittany Battaglia's brother — posted a tweet saying that detectives told their family that Brittany was found deceased in Silva's apartment.On Tuesday, police said a person of interest related to the incident was in custody.CPD has yet to identify the body discovered in the apartment in the 2000 block of North Kimball Avenue.According to her brother, Bri...

Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A southeast Austin apartment complex sent a notice to tenants that a curfew would be implemented from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The complex, Array Apartments, is located on Burton Road between Oltorf Street and East Riverside Drive. "During this period, it is mandatory for all residents to remain indoors and restrict their movements outside their homes, except for emergencies or authorized activities," the notice reads, in part. Kristie Broadaway, who lives there, was shocked to see this show up in her inbox. "We got a notice with no warning, that we have a mandatory curfew," she said. Kristie Broadaway said she tried to get answers about what prompted her apartment complex curfew, but to no avail.The notice states "this decision has been made in response to security concerns and potential public health and safety concerns. It is crucial for the safety and well-being of all residents that we adhere to these measures."While the word "mandatory" was used, the property manager...

Austin's crackdown on unlicensed short-term rentals loses steam due to legal questions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are thousands of unlicensed, short-term rentals, like Airbnb and Vrbo, in Austin, but the city said it's not focusing on a crackdown, anymore, due to legal questions. In September, city staff said there were about 11,000 short-term rentals (STRs) in Austin, but only 1,875 were licensed. In response, city council passed a resolution in December aimed at getting more of them in compliance. The resolution directed the city manager to change city code to make sure properties are licensed before they're posted on the company's platforms. It also directed the city manager to create an online database of licensed STRs. Former city council member Kathie Tovo sponsored the resolution, saying licensing helps the city track rentals better and make sure code is followed.But now, a city spokesperson said they're shifting focus. "The [Development Services Department] Code Division continues to process short term rental license applications. However, due to the evolving law ...

Stillwater’s newest art gallery is in an alley, which has a new name: Union Art Alley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

The transformation of Union Alley in downtown Stillwater started during the pandemic.Business owners searching for novel ways to stay open and adhere to strict COVID-19 restrictions started cleaning up the stinky, dirty stretch between the 100 block of North Main and North Second streets. Locals called it “trash alley” because it was lined with garbage cans and dumpsters.“It was a throw-away part of our beautiful city,” said Sara Jespersen, who helped spearhead the effort to clean it up. “It was something to be hidden, an easy place to throw trash.”Jespersen and other business owners mobilized and came up with a plan to relocate all the garbage receptacles, recycling bins and grease-storage areas to the south end of the alley. They strung lights, set up outdoor dining tables and built an axe-throwing pit.Now the alley is undergoing a second transformation – and is getting a new name.Union Art Alley features a stretch of one- and two-story art murals done by professional regional art...

Rehabbing Chris Paddack visits Twins in Tampa Bay, aims for a September return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chris Paddack has found a way to make Southwest Florida a little bit more like home this summer. Fort Myers, is after all, where the Twins pitcher has spent — and will continue to spend — much of 2023, as he rehabs from his second Tommy John surgery.With Sundays as a designated day off, he’s been heading about 80 miles east to Lake Okeechobee after finishing work on Saturdays to get some outdoors time.“(I’ve been) camping out, getting Western with it. Tent in 90-degree weather is probably not for everybody, but not a worry in the world,” the Texas native said. “Barely any service. … Just hanging out and trying to catch fish.”The trips help break up the monotony of the rehab process. So, too, has a trip from the Twins complex in Fort Myers to St. Petersburg to meet up with his teammates this week. Paddack, who is hoping to make it back in September, started throwing off the mound last week. He threw a bullpen at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, throwing about 20 pit...

Prosecutors urge Minnesota Supreme Court to reject Chauvin appeal in George Floyd case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:47 GMT

State prosecutors have urged the Minnesota Supreme Court to reject former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to reconsider his conviction for murdering George Floyd, saying lower courts already got it right.Chauvin’s attorney asked the state’s highest court last month to hear the case after the Minnesota Court of Appeals rejected his arguments that he had been denied a fair trial. A three-judge panel in April affirmed his conviction for second-degree murder and his 22 1/2-year sentence. In a response filed Tuesday, the attorney general’s office asked the Supreme Court to let that ruling stand.“Petitioner received a fair trial, and received the benefit of a fulsome appellate review,” prosecutors wrote. “It is time to bring this case to a close.”Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on the unarmed Black man’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes. A bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s death tou...