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Takoma Park toy store focuses on ‘the playful at heart’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

WTOP is proud to spotlight the many small businesses that make up the D.C. region as part of our Small Business September coverage. The Small Business September series is brought to you by EagleBank.Running a local toy store can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, especially when it offers a unique blend of nostalgia, creativity and community engagement.That is the atmosphere at Fair Day’s Play, a toy and game store along Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.“We’re always trying to find different ways for families to come together or for different age groups to come together and have fun,” said Lisa Ripkin, the store’s owner. “We also sell things for an individual to work on themselves, which includes workbooks for kids.”Stepping into Ripkin’s business can transport customers back to their childhood.Seeing both children and adults smile as they explore shelves filled with toys, board games and puzzles is a heartwarming ex...

Broward County prepares for fallen officer’s procession in tribute to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

Broward County stands united in solemn anticipation as it prepares to bid farewell to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The fallen officer’s procession is scheduled to take place following an early morning service on Friday at the LC Pointer Funeral Home. Battalion Chief Jackson, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on August 28, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, honoring his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the community.Amidst the grief and reflection, Broward County officials are moving to acquire a new state-of-the-art helicopter for the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). This decision comes in response to the catastrophic helicopter incident, which not only claimed Battalion Chief Jackson’s life but also that of Lurean Wheaton, a 65-year-old resident living in an apartment complex in Pompano Beach. The county’s resolve to replace the aircraft emphasizes...

Investigation underway after inferno engulfs Miami mechanic shop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

An investigation is underway after a raging inferno tore through a mechanic shop in Miami on Friday morning. At 5:20 a.m., the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue responded to reports of a fire at the scene. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fire raging on the exterior of the mechanic shop located near the intersection of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 78th Street. Video footage from the scene captured the flames shooting out from multiple vehicles parked within the premises. Their fire attack, which included extending hand lines, quickly brought the situation under control. Within minutes, the inferno was contained, and the fire was prevented from spreading to the interior of the structure. The business was closed at the time of the incident. As a result, there have been no reported injuries related to the fire, but fire officials said six vehicles sustained damages due to the fire’s intensity. The Miami Fire Investigation Unit and Miami Police are investigating to det...

NASA’s mega moon rocket is ‘unaffordable,’ according to accountability report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

(CNN) — Senior NASA officials say that the agency’s Space Launch System — the massive rocket designed to propel its ambitious Artemis program to establish a base on the moon — is “unaffordable,” according to a report Thursday from the US Government Accountability Office.The report, which breaks down SLS program expenditures, makes the striking admission that senior NASA officials deem the rocket to be unsustainable “at current cost levels,” and it criticizes what the GAO said is a lack of transparency into the program’s ongoing costs. The report does not name which officials — or how many — at NASA made such claims.A spokesperson at NASA’s headquarters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.However, the GAO report does state that NASA “recognizes the need to improve the affordability.”“With input from NASA management, the SLS program has developed a roadmap outlining short-term and long-term strategies that it hopes will result in future cost savings,” the report ...

The first experiment to produce oxygen on another planet has come to an end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

(CNN) — The first experiment to produce oxygen on another planet has come to an end on Mars after exceeding NASA’s initial goals and demonstrating capabilities that could help future astronauts explore the red planet.The microwave-size device called MOXIE, or Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, is on the Perseverance rover.The experiment kicked off more than two years ago, a few months after the rover landed on Mars. Since then, MOXIE has generated 122 grams of oxygen, equal to what a small dog breathes in 10 hours, according to NASA. The instrument works by converting some of Mars’ plentiful carbon dioxide into oxygen.During the peak of its efficiency, MOXIE produced 12 grams of oxygen an hour at 98% purity or better, which is twice as much as NASA’s goals for the instrument. On August 7, MOXIE operated for the 16th and final time, having completed all its requirements.“We’re proud to have supported a breakthrough technology like MOXIE that could turn local resourc...

Finnish government and top ministers survive confidence votes over racism scandals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

Finland’s government, as well as Finance Minister Riikka Purra and Economy Minister Wille Rydman, survived votes of confidence on Friday after the far-right Finns Party — a governing coalition member — was ensnared in repeated racism scandals this summer.Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government survived the vote of no confidence after 106 MPs continued to express their support, while 65 voted against. Some 21 MPs submitted blank voting forms and 7 MPs were absent during the entire voting session on Friday. Both far-right populist Finns Party ministers — who have been under fire for making racist slurs and xenophobic remarks — also remain in office. Purra won the vote of confidence by 104 to 65 votes, while 23 MPs handed in blank ballots, Finnish media reported. Rydman’s result was similar, the only difference being that he received the support of two more MPs than Purra.The Finnish opposition called for votes of confidence on Wednesday, after fierce discussions on the go...

Police investigating after bicyclist struck on Southampton Street in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

Boston police are investigating after a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Southampton Street in Boston late Thursday night. Officers responding to a report of a cyclist struck at the intersection of Southampton and Ellery streets around 11 p.m. found the bicyclist suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to Boston police.The cause of the crash remains under investigation.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries after being struck on Stuart Street in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

An investigation got underway on Stuart Street in Boston overnight after police say a pedestrian was struck and critically injured by a vehicle.Officers responding to a report of a pedestrian struck around 12:15 a.m. Friday found the victim suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to Boston police.The cause of the crash remains under investigation.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Hurricane Lee barrels through open Atlantic waters as the season’s first Category 5 storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Lee on Friday charged through warm Atlantic waters as the season’s first Category 5 storm, threatening to unleash heavy swells across the northeast Caribbean.The hurricane is not expected to make landfall, but meteorologists warned it would generate dangerous waves of up to 15 feet (5 meters) across the northern coast of Puerto Rico and other nearby islands. While Lee is on a path that would take it a couple hundred miles (kilometers) northeast of the Caribbean, tropical storm conditions are not forecast for the region.“Although the hurricane is incredibly powerful, its wind field is not particularly large,” the National Hurricane Center said.The hurricane was located about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) east of the northern Leeward Islands. It had winds of up to 165 miles per hour (270 kilometers per hour) and was moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph).Lee is expected to keep strengthening and reach winds of up to 180 m...

Dana Evans will debut new Jordan shoes — designed to reflect the Chicago Sky guard’s style — in tonight’s home finale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:48 GMT

Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans remembers when her love of sneakers began.While playing basketball in elementary school, she found herself attracted to “funky colors” that didn’t match her uniform.“I like to stand out on the court. I’ve always been like that,” she told the Tribune. “My favorite pair that started me on the path of being different was probably customizing my Nike Hyperdunks in all pink.”Evans’ love of sneakers will reach a new height in the Sky’s final regular-season home game Friday against the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena. She will debut her Jordan Luka 2 player edition (PE) shoe, “The Intro,” a special colorway made for Evans of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić’s second signature shoe. To celebrate the occasion, the first 400 fans will receive a sky blue T-shirt with Evans’ DE11 logo.For Evans, the shoe is a dream come true.“It means a lot because I like to express...