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First meteor shower of 2024 could be the strongest; Quadrantids set to peak Jan. 3-4

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

The Quadrantid meteor showers are set to peak Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, and NASA and the American Meteor Society say it could be the strongest meteor shower of 2024.The AMS says an average of 25 meteors per hour may be seen, while NASA says to expect 120 meteors per hour during the peak.“Predictions for 2024 show a peak for observers viewing from North America between the local hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (Jan. 4),” the AMS states. “Rates could be quite high if observed under clear, transparent skies.”The peak for these showers is relatively short, NASA notes.“The reason the peak is so short is due to the shower’s thin stream of particles and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle,” NASA states.How well they can be viewed will depend on the weather. On Dec. 27, AccuWeather was forecasting partially cloudy skies with a high in the low 40s for southeastern Pennsylvania.Another factor affecting visibility will be the phase of the moon. The less light from the moon, ...

Bomb threats lead to brief lockdowns and the evacuation of multiple state capitols, including Minnesota

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

Multiple state capitols received bomb threats Wednesday morning that led to brief evacuations or lockdowns as police investigated, but no evidence of explosives was found.The warnings came after a spate of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days.Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were among the states that evacuated statehouse offices or buildings. Lawmakers in Kentucky and Mississippi have begun meeting in legislative sessions.Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X, formerly Twitter, that the Capitol was evacuated while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office. He said everyone was safe and officials were aware of similar threats made to other offices across the country. The threat was received as Kentucky lawmakers were meeting in the Capitol annex for ethics training.Public safety officials locked down the Mississippi Capitol Wednesday morning following a bomb threat o...

Lanesborough Police investigate alleged armed robbery on Route 7

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Police are investigating an alleged armed robbery reported on Route 7 on Wednesday morning. The victim told police they stopped to check on what appeared to be a disabled vehicle near the Lanesborough/New Ashford town line. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the victim, there were two suspects involved. One male reportedly exited the vehicle while another approached the victim from behind. The victim believes the second suspect pressed what he believed to be a firearm against his head. Police say the two robbed the victim and departed southbound in a dark-colored pickup truck. The truck is described to be an older model with some rust, a ladder rack, and Vermont license plates.Investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information or possible camera footage of the area is asked to contact the Lanesborough Police Department at (413) 443-4107.

Schenectady IDA to buy old, blighted restaurant building

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is set to buy the former Fireside Restaurant at 1631 Eastern Parkway in Schenectady. The IDA will be buying the building for $110,000. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, the old Fireside building is vacant and blighted. The money used to buy the building will be from fees collected from developers on other projects.“The absentee owner of 1631 Eastern Parkway has never improved the building and the façade is in terrible condition,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair. “Despite code enforcement efforts by the city, the owner based on Long Island never made needed repairs, so we are buying the building to improve the neighborhood and remove this blight.” TGI Fridays closes in Stuyvesant Plaza “We are pleased that the City IDA is taking this action to address a long–vacant and neglecte...

Missouri GOP leaders say LGBTQ+ issues will take a back seat to child care, education policy in 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's five-month annual legislative session began Wednesday, and top Republican leaders say passing more laws directed at LBGTQ+ people is not a priority.Republicans spent much of last session crafting two new transgender-related laws, despite considerable pushback from Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates.One measure outlawed gender-affirming surgeries for minors and instituted a four-year ban on the use of hormones and puberty blockers as a part of gender-affirming health care for minors who were not already receiving those medications. Another law limits athletes to school sports teams based on their sex as assigned at birth, an act that also expires in August 2027.Bills filed this session would repeal the expiration dates for both transgender-related laws, make public drag shows a crime, require teachers to notify parents if students express confusion about their gender, and put limits on what books are available to minors in public and school libraries...

Illinois attorney general shares how to avoid phone voice-mimmicking AI scams

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill., - Attorney General Kwame Raoul has urged locals in Illinois to avoid scams over the phone that could mimic the voice of a loved one via artificial intelligence.A new ploy has developed that allows scammers to mimic the voice of a target’s family member, which results in the target sending payments or personal information. Attorney General Raoul advises people to hang up and return phone calls with confirmed numbers. Sharing a code word is also an alternative.With these new technological scams come new tactics. Here is a list that Raoul has provided of warning signs to watch out for: Scorched building in Pine Lawn has ties to high-profile federal suspect Scammers come onto you - Beware of unsolicited phone calls, texts, or emailsScammers pressure you to act quickly - The ultimate goal is to send payment before getting chance to think about Scammers want your personal information - IRS, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Postal Service will always be aware of pe...

Uncle Sharkii joins Walmart, offering fast-food poke bowl

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

ST. LOUIS – If you are a fan of poke bowls, then you will be excited to hear that Uncle Sharkii, a fast-food poke bowl service, has teamed up with Walmart. The company will be opening in select Walmart locations and offering a new option for fast food. Uncle Sharkie’s restaurant openings will begin with the rollout of 10 new locations throughout California. A poke bowl is usually a bowl of diced raw fish. It is served with an appetizer or a main course. The company Uncle Sharkii has different types of poke bowls, such as tofu and chicken so it's not all fish. When you order a poke bowl from the restaurant, you get to choose either rice, salad, or both. Then, you choose your preferred main protein, which can be spicy or not. After that, you choose the sauce you would like for your bowl. Scorched building in Pine Lawn has ties to high-profile federal suspect Uncle Sharkie plans to have a Walmart-exclusive menu that is catered to shoppers. The restaurant currently has locations ...

Douglas County Canine Rescue charged with failing to provide timely veterinary care, falsifying records

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

A Douglas County dog rescue is facing the potential loss of its license after a Colorado Department of Agriculture program filed charges against the rescue.The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act program on Dec. 21 filed the charges with the Office of Administrative Courts, alleging Douglas County Canine Rescue failed to provide timely veterinary care to dogs in its care, failing to maintain records, falsifying records and operating without proper licensure, according to a Wednesday news release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.Nine charges were filed against the rescue.Douglas County Canine Rescue could not initally be reached for comment.Pet facilities must appropriately care for the animals in their systems and follow the regulations and requirements of the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act program, a state licensing and inspection program, according to the news release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Experts stress caution during holiday season as...

Northbound I-25 closed north of Mead after crash

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

Both lanes of Interstate 25 northbound are closed north of Exit 245 in Mead due to a crash, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.Traffic could be seen on CDOT cameras driving around the crash on the median. Mountain View Fire Rescue reported on X the crash has caused extensive backups in the area.Photos from the scene show at least two vehicles, a pickup truck and an SUV, involved in the crash.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Two lanes of westbound I-70 near Morrison closed for emergency roadwork Crime and Public Safety | Roads reopen after blizzard conditions on Tuesday caused continued closures Wednesday in eastern Colorado Crime and Public Safety | South Broadway to close at I-25 Friday evening through midday Saturday for Denver bridge project Crime and Public Safety | I-70 westbound reopens at Wolcott after vehicle recovery Crime and Public Safety | I-25 near Pueblo to close for...

Rushil Barri, Nageswararao and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, Naveena Potabathula, Krithik Potabathula, Nishidha Potabathula Killed in Car Crash on County Road 1119 [Johnson County, TX]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:03 GMT

Six Dead after Van vs Pickup-Truck Collision near Highway 67JOHNSON COUNTY, TX (January 3, 2024) – Tuesday, Rushil Barri, Nageswararao and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, Naveena Potabathula, Krithik Potabathula, and Nishidha Potabathula died in a car crash.The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m., near U.S. Highway 67 on December 26th.Officers say a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a van were involved.Law enforcement officials report that the van was occupied by 28-year-old Rushil Barri, 36-year-old Naveena, 10-year-old Krithik, 9-year-old Nishidha, 43-year-old Lokesh Potabathula, 60-year-old Sitamahalakshmi, and 64-year-old Nageswararao.Additionally, behind the wheel of the Chevy was 17-year-old Luke Resecker, accompanied by a teenage passenger.According to accounts, Luke was heading south when he swerved into the northbound lanes, violating a no-pass zone, leading to a head-on collision with the van.Officials declared all van occupants, except Lokesh, deceased at...