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Biden will nominate a top Harris and Emhoff aide to represent the US at UNESCO

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top aide to both Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is President Joe Biden’s choice to represent the United States at the United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture worldwide. The U.S. recently rejoined the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after a five-year hiatus initiated by Biden’s immediate predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump. The Democratic president’s choice to become the U.S. permanent representative to the Paris-based UNESCO, with the rank of ambassador, is Courtney O’Donnell, according to a White House official, who spoke Monday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the nomination before a formal announcement.O’Donnell currently wears two hats: She’s a senior adviser to Harris and acting chief of staff for Emhoff, and she lends her expertise to a range of national and global issues, including gender equity and countering pre...

Two military officers are arrested in Congo for leading a protest crackdown that killed 43 people

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Two high-ranking military officers in northeast Congo were arrested Monday for taking part in a crackdown on protests last week that left 43 people dead and another 56 severely injured, authorities said. Interior Minister Peter Kazadi said police arrested Commanders Mike Mikombe and Donat Bawili, who respectively headed the Republican Guard unit and the Congolese armed forces regiment in Goma, the eastern city where the violence unfolded.Defense and security forces in the Central African nation used lethal force last Wednesday to repress planned anti-U.N. protests in the city. A government delegation arrived in Goma on Monday to hold hearings and other proceedings “to establish responsibility,” the interior minister said.“We have no interest in hiding anything. The whole truth will be known,”Kazadi said. Authorities called on families of the people killed in Goma to come forward with information for the inquiry. On Aug. 23, Goma’s mayor banned a protest organized ...

Police: 5 killed, 3 others hurt in Labor Day crash on interstate northeast of Atlanta

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

DULUTH, Georgia (AP) — Five people were killed and three more injured in a Labor Day crash along a Georgia interstate northeast of Atlanta, authorities said.The three-vehicle collision happened shortly before 4 a.m. Monday on a ramp to the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 in the Duluth area, Gwinnett County police said in a statement.A vehicle went over a wall of the elevated ramp, falling onto traffic lanes, police said. Five people were found dead at the scene, and three others were taken to local hospitals.The collision led to lengthy roads closures in the area, but they had reopened by mid-day Monday, police said.Police have not yet identified the dead or injured or released other information about the crash.I-85 is a major thoroughfare that connects Atlanta with Charlotte, North Carolina. The crash happened about 23 miles (37 kilometers) northeast of downtown Atlanta.The Associated Press

Why do we celebrate Labor Day in the United States?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

(WHTM) — Labor Day, known as the holiday that marks the unofficial end of summer, is celebrated on the first Monday of September each year. People know it is having an extra day off from work and school, but its meaning goes much further than just the long weekend.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the day is "an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers." The holidays stem from the late 1800s when labor activists wanted a federal holiday to recognize workers' contributions to the country. What stores, restaurants are open on Labor Day? The very first Labor Day was celebrated in New York back in September 1882, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.Labor Day was originally started as a holiday that was only seen in individual states. In 1886, New York was to first state to introduce a bill trying to secure federal legislation, but Oregon was the first to pass the law recognizing the day. Smash Mouth front man Stev...

RECALL: 245+ pounds of Banquet meals may contain plastic bits

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

(WDTN/NEXSTAR) — If you have any Banquet frozen meals in your freezer, you may want to keep reading. Conagra Brands is recalling 245,366 pounds of Banquet chicken strip items (Courtesy of USDA)Conagra Brands is recalling around 245,366 pounds of frozen Banquet chicken strip entrée products. The food could potentially be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic pieces, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Affected products were produced on June 20, and July 11 and 17, 2023. Ohio’s ‘offensive’ national forest name may change The affected products are: 8.9 ounce cartons with one entrée of Banquet Chicken Strips MealBest if used by dates are DEC 11 2024, JAN 01 2025 or JAN 07 2025 Lot numbers (printed on sides of carton) include 5009317120, 5009319220 or 5009319820If you see the establish number of "EST. P-9" on the side of the carton, the product is included in the recall.The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service says it was notified after a custome...

Child drowns in Hutto neighborhood's pool Sunday, city says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Sept. 4, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — A child drowned at a neighborhood's pool in Hutto Sunday, according to a city of Hutto spokesperson.It happened at a pool off Great Western Drive. The only pool in that area, according to Google Maps' satellite view, is associated with a neighborhood called the Park at Brushy Creek. The address of The Park at Brushy Creek matches the area of the pool, according to its website. Photos there also show a pool as an amenity. KXAN has reached out to the neighborhood for comment and will update this story when we receive a response.Hutto police are investigating what the city called a "tragic situation," and said the child did not live in the Hutto area. The city could not provide more information Monday on when exactly it happened, the circumstances surrounding it or the age of the child.A real estate listing for a nearby home shows a photo of a pool with a sign out front that says "Warn...

Battle Creek father faces long recovery after recent hit-and-run while mowing lawn

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

On Sunday, while friends and neighbors were enjoying their Labor Day weekend, Toby Mengistu readied himself, physically and emotionally, to visit his father at Regions Hospital’s intensive care unit. That’s where Gerawork Mengistu, 60, has lived for the past two weeks, kept alive by tubes and wires while undergoing emergency surgeries for broken bones and a severe head injury, ever since a driver jumped the curb of his Battle Creek home on St. Paul’s East Side and sent the elder man hurtling from his lawn and into the street.The family of Gerawork Mengistu, 60, of St. Paul’s Battle Creek neighborhood, has set up an online fundraiser for him on GoFundMe after an Aug. 19, 2023 hit-and-run left him in the intensive care unit at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Mengistu, a facilities worker for the University of Minnesota and originally of Ethiopia, is shown in this family photo with his wife Olga and their sons Toby and Matthew, who are now both in their 20s. (Cour...

Schenectady Police search for missing 13-year-old

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department Youth Aid Bureau is attempting to locate 13-year-old Gabrella Lopez. Lopez was last seen on August 31. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Police say she may still be in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact (518) 382-5256 or (518) 630-0911.

Albany extending spray pad season amid heat wave

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Mayor Kathy Sheehan has announced that the spray pads in Albany will remain open for two additional days due to forecasted high heat indexes. Labor Day usually marks the final day of the spray pad season. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The spray pads will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 5 and September 6. Spray pads can be located at the following parks:Albany Spray Pads• Black Lives Matter Park• Colonie St. Park• Hackett Park• Lincoln Park• North Swan St. Park• Rosemont Park• Sheridan Park• Westland Hills Park Original Power Ranger talks 30 years of hit kids show with NEWS10 “With the heat index rising, it is important residents are aware of the various ways they can stay cool. It is also important to remain hydrated, check in on elderly neighbors, and be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses.” said Mayor Kathy Sheehan. The Krank Park, Ridgefield Park and Swinburne Park pads are c...

Kiszla vs. Gabriel: Has Deion Sanders stolen the Rocky Mountain thunder from the Broncos?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:32 GMT

Kiz: Denver is still a Broncos town. But it’s Deion Sanders’ world now. And Broncos coach Sean Payton is just living in it. From the moment he set foot in Colorado, Coach Prime made everything the Buffs do buzz-worthy in the football universe. And that was before CU upset Texas Christian in the biggest victory for the program since Bill McCartney won a national championship. As Sanders likes to say: We comin’. Should the Broncos be checking for Ralphie in their rearview mirror?Gabriel: If the Labor Day water cooler talk in the Broncos’ media workroom is any indication, the Buffs are the biggest thing going. All Neon Deion, very little NFL Week 1 in the air. I still think if the Broncos get off to a good start or a bad start, the buzz will get loud in a hurry. But if they’re mediocre and boring offensively – can terrific defense still sell in football? – well, the Buffs won’t be that at least. A brusque, game-week Payton on Monday said he didn’t see any college football t...