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Atlantic Ocean currents system could collapse this century from climate change: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

(The Hill) – A major Atlantic current could collapse by the middle of the century as a result of climate change, prompting extreme cold in Europe and sea level rise along the eastern coast of the U.S., according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.Researchers from the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute used statistical modeling and over a century of ocean temperature data to predict that, under current greenhouse gas emissions, the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) will collapse between 2025 and 2095.The AMOC is essential to moving warmer water from the tropics through the Gulf Stream and into the North Atlantic Ocean, both delivering cold water off North America and warming the coast of northern Europe. In addition to causing an Ice Age in Europe, its collapse could also significantly cut precipitation in the central and western U.S., the latter of which has already suffered from a once-in-a-millennium drought.  Cli...

Naked woman fires gun at cars on California bridge: CHP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – A naked woman armed with a gun and knife on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge created traffic gridlock for evening rush-hour commuters on Tuesday.The incident began at 4:38 p.m., officials said. Bay Bridge drivers called 911 to report that a woman, who was "completely naked," had fired a gun into the air, and at several cars. She also threatened random victims with a knife, and attempted to get into cars on the bridge, investigators told Nexstar's KRON. Video shows carjacking suspects careen down stairs during attempted getaway The incident prompted the California Highway Patrol to close eastbound lanes on Interstate 80 near the toll plaza, as well as the I-80 connector ramp to I-880 in Oakland. Officers ultimately found the woman walking on the bridge just before 6 p.m. and ordered her to drop her weapons. She was apprehended and taken by ambulance to a local hospital for medical and psychiatric evaluations, according to the CHP. No injuries were reporte...

Florida woman missing after yacht catches fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman is missing after a yacht caught fire early Wednesday morning in the Florida Keys.The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said the 70-foot Viking yacht caught fire around 12:10 a.m. at the Peary Hotel & Marina on Stock Island. A 51-year-old woman from St. Petersburg was nowhere to be found in the aftermath of the fire, authorities said. Deputies said two men, ages 58 and 21, were also on the boat when the fire started. They were both airlifted to a trauma center in Miami. Another family of four that was on board was able to escape the boat uninjured. Teenage girl sets fire to Hilton sofa following fight with mom, Ocala police say The group was in the Florida Keys for lobster mini-season, the sheriff's office said. The two-day season started Wednesday.The Monroe County Fire Rescue said the boat was fully engulfed when they arrived at the scene. They battled the fire for about three hours.The sheriff's office said its dive team and TowBoat U.S. cre...

Travis County to get new department set on easing access to 'effective legal representation'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to create a new holistic defense Community Legal Services (CSL) department.The court said it voted to approve the job description for the county executive for the new CLS department and created a new county executive for Data, Policy and Performance Management from the former Justice & Public Safety Department.“Tuesday’s action is a significant step towards a more fair and equitable criminal legal system - driving action to implement counsel at first appearance, supporting growth of public defender’s office, and implementing and improving diversion efforts,” the court said.Travis County officials said the approval came after a months-long process that engaged the community to receive feedback and develop the descriptions, responsibilities and offices managed by the newly approved positions."It is essential for everyone in Travis County to have access to a criminal justice system that prioritizes ef...

Council member pushes for prompt response from city manager over no AC in AFD vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin City Council member is pressing for a prompt response from the city over a lack of air conditioning in more than 20 Austin Fire Department vehicles. Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who represents District 6, said in a social media post more than 20 fire trucks in Austin lack AC, putting firefighters at risk. Central Texas has been experiencing record-breaking heat this summer and is currently experiencing its seventh-longest streak of triple-digit heat in recorded history. Austin’s streak of consecutive 100° days is the 7th-longest in recorded history Kelly submitted a memorandum to Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, asking him to address the issue immediately. She said in the memo that the lack of AC in the trucks "poses significant health and safety risks to our brave firefighters and jeopardizes the department's ability to respond effectively to emergencies. This is not only a concern for the firefighters but also poses a risk to public safety." The m...

Gophers AD Mark Coyle: “I have not heard” allegations of culture problems under P.J. Fleck

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — Online outlet Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that several former Gophers football players have described an environment of “intimidation and toxicity” within P.J. Fleck’s program.Athletics Director Mark Coyle issued a statement to the Pioneer Press in response to an article written by A.J. Perez.“I always encourage all of our student-athletes, including every member of our football team, to reach out to me directly if they encounter any issues,” Coyle said. “To date, I have not heard from a single football student-athlete about the allegations raised in the reporter’s email.”Perez’s piece granted anonymity to scholarship players and staff members.Fleck and three Gopher players will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday.You’re welcome?Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days that his current coaching staff is the “best” of his whole career. Schiano, in part, the Gophers to thank.Schiano hired away former U offensive coordinat...

Minneapolis considers minimum wage for Uber, Lyft drivers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

By TRISHA AHMED (Associated Press/Report for America)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Drivers for Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies would get a minimum wage in Minneapolis if a city ordinance passes as early as next month, City Council members said Tuesday at a news conference.Under the ordinance, drivers would get at least $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute, or $5, whichever is greater. The rule would only apply for the portion of the ride within the city. Uber and Lyft “cannot continue to collect billions of dollars off the backs of drivers, like the ones here today, while those very drivers struggle to cover their rent, childcare costs, health care bills, and so many other basic necessities,” said Minneapolis council member Robin Wonsley, who identifies as a democratic socialist and is the lead author of the proposed ordinance.Farxan Bedel said he has been driving for Uber and Lyft since 2018 to support his family.“We just want fair compensation,” Bedel sa...

Fort Ticonderoga opens history maze

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This August, Fort Ticonderoga has created new ways to enjoy its historic grounds. Get ready to get a-maze-d. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Fort Ticonderoga's new Heroic Corn Maze opens this Saturday, July 29, spanning six acres. It's divided into two phases, giving visitors a chance at an easier trial run before taking on the bigger, badder maze. The halls of corn are dotted with clues tied to the history of the fort, which visitors can use to march their way through its twists and turns to victory."We look forward to continue welcoming thousands of families this summer where the learning is easy and memories are made of historic proportions,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “New summer offerings bring visitors into Fort Ticonderoga's epic story through hands-on activities, programs and exhibitions that ignite the spark for families and the joy of learning together while gai...

Francis Howell School Board might consider a revised version of anti-racism resolution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The president of the Missouri school board that voted to revoke its anti-racism resolution now says the resolution could be kept, but revised.The Francis Howell School Board in 2020 adopted a resolution against racism at the height of the national reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Control of the board flipped over the past two years, with conservatives winning elections, and it voted 5-2 last week to let the resolution expire.But in a Facebook post Tuesday, board President Adam Bertrand said that although support for the 2020 resolution as written is unlikely, “there may be support of a rewrite or modification.” Bertrand said member Mark Ponder will seek input from other board members and the community, “to move towards a draft that he feels the majority of the current board feels the community could support.”Messages left Wednesday with Bertrand and Ponder were not immediately returned. Stay of execu...

Missouri dispatcher helps dad deliver twins at home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:13 GMT

CAMDENTON, Mo. -- Police say that Communications Officer Amy Hufferd coached a man, whose wife was giving birth prematurely in their home, through the birthing process. She delivered a set of twins. An ambulance arrived at the scene later and the mother and babies were healthy.  “Ecstatic it's probably the best call I have ever taken,” Hufferd said, recounting her experience. She explains this was the first time she ever took a call like that. Hufferd is also a mother of twins. She will receive a dispatcher headset stork lapel pin to wear with her uniform. "Some days all the training kicks in and, as a result, two new babies are delivered safely," said Sergeant Scott Hines.