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The Feds Have Thousands of Stadium Lights on the Border. Switching Them On Would Devastate Desert Ecosystems.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

The tallest panels of border wall between the U.S. and Mexico stand about three stories high. On the ground, the partitions have a long and troubled record of blocking natural waterways and severing wildlife migration corridors, but the environmental impacts don’t stop there.When the sun goes down, the wall’s ecological footprint expands up and out, with lights reaching into the sky and illuminating cross-border habitats. Most of that illumination is concentrated near population centers and ports of entry, but with the flip of a switch, that could easily change.According to a new survey, federal contractors have placed nearly 2,000 stadium-style lights in southern Arizona alone in recent years, imperiling some of the most ecologically complex and celebrated public lands in the United States. Join Our Newsletter Original reporting. Fearless journalism. Delivered to you. I'm in ...

With Saudi-PGA deal, once-shunned crown prince makes dramatic move to extend kingdom’s influence

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After years of isolation over his human rights abuses, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is elevating his standing in the United States in part by diving into American sports, business and culture. And no example has been as striking as his bold entry into professional golf — the favorite sport of presidents and millions of other Americans.Tuesday’s surprise announcement of a commercial merger between Saudi Arabia’s $650 billion sovereign wealth fund, the PGA Tour and the European tour in the short run looks to end a messy legal battle between Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf and the PGA.But for the Saudis, it’s much more than a major business deal. It’s the latest and perhaps most dramatic move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to wield his kingdom’s oil wealth in reshaping his country’s economy and advancing Saudi influence regionally and around the world, while muting critics. Prince Mohammed has assumed much of the duties and leadership of his aged father,...

Colts keep Rodgers out of practice as NFL investigates gambling allegations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. did not practice with his teammates Wednesday, two days after the team said it was aware of an NFL investigation into gambling allegations about one of its players.Neither the Colts nor the league have publicly identified Rodgers as the target of the investigation.On Monday, Rodgers issued a statement on Twitter saying he made an “error in judgment.” The post came hours after media reports linked him to the investigation.Coach Shane Steichen would not say whether Rodgers will remain out until the matter is resolved. “It’s an ongoing investigation with the NFL right now,” Steichen said. “Beyond that I won’t have much to say.”He repeated the same comment to most of the questions that were asked about Rodgers and the gambling issue.Linebacker E.J. Speed told reporters league officials spoke to Colts players about gambling a few days ago. Steichen said the meeting was part of the league’s annual presentation to all...

Former Loudoun Co. priest sentenced to 8 years for sexual abuse of minor

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

A former Loudoun County priest has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing a minor nearly 40 years ago.On Tuesday, Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Scott Asalone, a former priest at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, has been sentenced to prison on a charge of felony carnal knowledge of a minor.“Today’s sentencing brings long, overdue justice to the brave victim who came forward and told their story. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute child offenders and I encourage anyone who has been a victim of clergy abuse to contact the Virginia State Police or local law enforcement,” said Miyares in a statement.Asalone was convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1985 when he was 29.In 2020, when charges were first brought, D.C. Council member David Grosso came forward and identified himself as the victim in an interview with The Washington Post.In an interview with WTOP after Asalone was convicted in Dec...

Arlington’s AES acquires largest planned solar power and storage project in US

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

Photovoltaic farm as a renewable energy source. Pure energy in the countryside.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Shaiith) Photovoltaic farm as a renewable energy source. Pure energy in the countryside.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Shaiith) Arlington, Virginia-based global utility owner AES Corp has acquired a major solar power project under construction in California, as it moves more of its business to renewable energy.AES acquired the 2-gigawatt Bellefield project in Kern County, California, from developer Avantus LLC for an undisclosed sum.It calls the Bellefield project the largest solar-plus-storage project currently under construction in the country. It is expected to come online in phases from 2025 to 2026, with enough...

Costa Rica intensifica vigilancia sobre el volcán Rincón de la Vieja por constantes erupciones

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

(CNN Español) — Las autoridades de Costa Rica informaron que impulsan varias estrategias ante la constante actividad del volcán Rincón de la Vieja, en el noroeste del país.Solo en mayo, el cráter registró 58 erupciones —casi dos por día— según datos de la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE). Y hasta este 6 de junio ya se contabilizan 14, según el vulcanólogo Javier Pacheco del Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (Ovsicori) de la Universidad Nacional.La CNE informó que el mapa de riesgo se actualizó, así como el proceso de rotulación en zonas aledañas y de peligro. El 26 de mayo, la Comisión declaró alerta verde para cinco comunidades aledañas al volcán: Dos Ríos y Aguas Claras, del cantón de Upala, así como para Cañas Dulces, Mayorga y Curubandé del cantón de Liberia.El presidente de CNE, Alejandro Picado, hizo un llamado al sector turístico para que lleven a visitantes nacionales y extranjeros a zonas seguras.Volcán Rincón de la Vieja en Costa Rica regis...

Officer-involved shooting in Conifer Wednesday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- There was an officer-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon in Conifer, Colorado. Affording to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, an officer was involved in a shooting near Callae Drive and Piano Meadows Drive.Roads were closed nearby but there was no threat to the public as of 1:44 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Tweet from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Marshall Fire investigation has ended, announcement planned Thursday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The investigation into the cause of the Marshall Fire has concluded. Thursday morning, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office will discuss the outcome of its search for the origin of the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.A news conference will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. It will be covered live on FOX31 and KDVR.com.The sheriff's office described the press conference as being about the "investigative outcome," but did not share details on what could be revealed. Sheriff Curtis Johnson and District Attorney Michael Dougherty will be speaking, the sheriff's office said.Beginning on the morning of Dec. 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire destroyed 1,084 residential structures in Boulder County and an additional seven commercial structures. Two people were killed in the fire. 60 bodycam videos released from Marshall Fire (Dec. 2022) High wind fueled the flames to quickly spread. The city of Louisville, town of Superior and nearby portions of unincorporated Boulder Co...

Ways to repel mosquitoes in Colorado

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It's mosquito season again, and this summer could bring a surge of the blood-sucking insects to Colorado.Because of the recent wet weather around the entire state, there could be enough moisture to support a boom in the mosquito population, Alan Polonsky, an environmental analyst with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, told FOX31's Ashley Michels. Mosquito population could boom after recent rain, raising West Nile worries It has even raised concerns about West Nile virus. Colorado had the most cases and deaths last year with 204 cases and 18 deaths, according to the CDC. The state with the second highest number of cases was California, with 168 total cases including 11 deaths.How to keep mosquitoes awayEmpty out standing water weeklyStanding water, both indoors and outdoors, can be hot spots for mosquito eggs and larvae. The CDC recommends emptying, scrubbing, turning over, covering or throwing out any items that hold water, including tires, b...

Lionel Messi says he’s joining Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami after exit from Paris Saint-Germain

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:28:12 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi says he is coming to Inter Miami and joining Major League Soccer.After months of speculation, Messi announced his decision Wednesday to join a Miami franchise that has been led by another global soccer icon in David Beckham since its inception but has yet to make any real splashes on the field.That likely will soon change. One of Inter Miami’s owners, Jorge Mas, tweeted out a photo of a darkly silhouetted Messi jersey shortly before the Argentinian great revealed his decision in interviews with Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport.It was widely believed that Messi eventually would choose to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, following fellow great and his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo to a nation where some clubs now are funded by the state’s sovereign wealth fund. Going back to Barcelona, a storied franchise that he spent most of his career with, was another possibility.https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF/...