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Heavy winds knock over Christmas tree in front of White House, but it’s back upright

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Christmas Tree in front of the White House fell down Tuesday afternoon amid high winter winds. The tree, a 40-foot Norway spruce from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, had been planted just two weeks ago on the White House Ellipse, an area known as President’s Park. According to the National Park Service, it fell over around 1 p.m. Tuesday amid heavy wind gusts that reached as high at 46 mph at nearby Reagan National Airport.NPS spokeswoman Jasmine Shanti said in an email that after “replacing a snapped cable,” the tree was back upright by 6 p.m. Tuesday. The lighting of the tree is an annual White House holiday tradition with a countdown and musical performances. This year’s tree is a new one, replacing an older tree that, according to NPS, developed a fungal disease known as “needle cast” that caused its needles to turn brown and fall off. The tree was scheduled to be lit Thursday, but there was no indication from the Whi...

US mediators reject attempt by flight attendants to clear the path for a strike at American Airlines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Federal mediators have rejected a union’s request that could have cleared the way for a year-end strike by flight attendants at American Airlines.The National Mediation Board instead directed the airline and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants to keep negotiating over a new contract.“We look forward to continued negotiations with APFA and reaching an agreement our flight attendants have earned,” American said in a statement Tuesday.Union President Julie Hedrick said in a statement that despite the setback, “we are not backing down. We will intensify our pressure on the company.”Hedrick said American “continues to drag out bargaining with contract proposals that do not address the current economic environment.”Flight attendants voted to authorize a strike and picketed outside American’s headquarters, saying that they have not received raises since 2019. The two sides remain far apart in negotiations. The union seeks raises of 35% fol...

Pedestrians injured after being struck by vehicle in Scarborough

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

Two people have been transported to a local hospital after they were struck and injured by the driver of a vehicle in Scarborough.Toronto police said the incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Pharmacy Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East area in Scarborough’s Wexford neighbourhood.Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. The severity of their injuries is unclear.Police said the driver remained at the scene.Two lanes are blocked on Pharmacy Avenue as the investigation continues.

Construction begins on controversial migrant tent camp in Brighton Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Construction has begun on a new winterized tent complex in Brighton Park that will be used to shelter migrants and residents in the area say opposition to the plans remains strong.Late Tuesday morning, a large flatbed truck arrived at the construction site at 38th and California with items marked "tent #1 billeting," a word for temporary shelter.City officials said that construction was expected to start as soon as Wednesday, but WGN News spotted crews working away at the foundation on Tuesday.The plan calls for winterized tents, built on former industrial land in Brighton Park, to house upwards of 1,500 people who are seeking asylum. It is a small fraction of the 22,700 migrants the city says have arrived in Chicago in the last 15 months. Johnson unveils plan to move migrants into churches as tent camp construction to begin Currently, 13,000 of them are in shelters, and 1,250 of them are awaiting placement, sleeping at CPD districts and at O'Hare.While testing shows tha...

Rudy Gobert ‘excited’ to see Chet Holmgren write his own legacy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

Rudy Gobert understands the process for young big men trying to acclimate and find their way in the NBA. He entered the league as a 21-year-old more than a decade ago.Gobert noted he and Chet Holmgren — a new-age unicorn of sorts who can do a bit of everything on the floor — are different players, but he also added it was an adjustment for him to get into the league and battle guys who are much stronger and more physical than he was at the time.“It was a process I told myself. I really had to spend some time in the weight room, and if I wanted to be able to stay on the court. For us seven footers, it’s always a process,” Gobert said. “Your body is not the body of someone at 6-5, so you have to spend more time to make sure you can be on the court, and I think that’s what Victor (Wembanyama) is going through, Chet is going to have to go through, what he went through with that injury last year. I think he’s aware of that, and it seems like he’s feeling goo...

Saratoga Springs homeless shelter recommendation heads to city council

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga Springs City Council is one step closer to addressing the needs of its homeless population. The Saratoga Homeless Task Force voted to recommend a new low barrier homeless shelter.In an unanimous vote, they recommended a location on Lake Avenue near the Northway overpass. The location was controversial for some task force members as the area doesn't have sidewalks, crosswalks or bus stops nearby. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A task force member said some of the difficulty in picking a location was due to homeless shelters not able to be placed within 1,000 feet of a school.Mayor-elect John Safford and the city council will hear from the task force in a council meeting in 2024 to determine the next steps for the shelter.

Santos hit with second effort to oust him this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) moved to force a vote on expelling Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) Tuesday evening, setting in motion the second effort of the day to oust the embattled lawmaker.D'Esposito called the Santos expulsion resolution sponsored by House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) to the floor as a privileged measure, a maneuver that forces the chamber to act on the resolution within two legislative days. California Democrat moves to force vote on expelling Santos after Ethics report D'Esposito moved to force a vote hours after Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) did the same for his resolution to expel Santos, setting the stage for competing efforts to oust the indicted representative.The increased push to expel Santos comes after the Ethics Committee released a scathing report that said Santos "violated federal criminal laws."Shortly before D'Esposito formally introduced the expulsion measure, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was seen huddling on the House floo...

Mississippi River could see near-record low levels due to ongoing drought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – With the lack of recent, beneficial rainfall, drought conditions continue across east Missouri and south-central Illinois. It’s had a large effect on the Mississippi River, which could be headed for a near-record low water level.The current standing for the Mississippi River lies about a foot and a-half below normal value. That level is forecast to reach -5.2 feet by mid-December, which would be the sixth-lowest river level in recorded history.With rain in the forecast by the end of the workweek, the bulk of the incoming rain this weekend will primarily be centered to the south of St. Louis, which will not effectively help in improving water levels for the Mississippi.Mark Fuchs, a senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Service, says in order for improved conditions, rainfall needs to start in the northern basin of the Mississippi River to flow south and relieve southern branches in need of more water.The United States Coast Guard is working with the United S...

WATCH: How did the Broncos mount a five-game winning streak? And who’s got the upper hand in a critical game at Houston?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

In the latest edition of the 1st & Orange Podcast, Denver Post Broncos beat reporters Parker Gabriel and Ryan McFadden recap Denver’s 29-12 win over Cleveland on Sunday, talking through just how Sean Payton’s team went from 1-5 to in the thick of the playoff race in a five-game winning streak.No time to rest now for the Broncos, though. They’ve got a critical game for their playoff hopes Sunday at Houston. What are the keys to the matchup? And who do the guys have winning the game?WatchListenSubscribe to the podcastSoundCloud | iTunes | Stitcher | RSSWant more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

Officer who put Elijah McClain in neck hold returns to Aurora Police Department, will get $212,546 in back pay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:52 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)Nathan Woodyard, one of three police officers indicted in connection with the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, returned to work at the Aurora Police Department and will receive more than $212,546 in back pay after he was acquitted earlier this month of all charges.Woodyard asked to be reintegrated into the police department, which is allowed under the city charter, and he is undergoing training on policies and practices that have changed since he was suspended without pay in September 2021, Aurora spokesman Ryan Luby wrote in an email.Woodyard, for now, is not wearing a uniform, will not have public contact and will not be allowed to enforce laws until he has finished the reintegration process, Luby said.“The length of a reintegration period varies depending on the employee, the length of their extended absence and any other circumstances that may arise before or during that process...