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Air quality alerts extend for third day as smoke from Canadian wildfires pushes south

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Officials warned residents to stay inside and limit outdoor activities Thursday as a thick, hazardous haze of wildfire smoke loomed over daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada for a third day and was expected to persist as long as the weekend. In a Canadian fire season that is just getting started but could well become the worst on record, more than 400 blazes — over a third of them in Quebec — burned Thursday. The smoke billowing from the fires sent plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe.The weather system driving the great Canadian-American smokeout — a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia — extended “Code Red” air quality alerts in some places as forecasts showed winds continuing to push smoke-filled air south.U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said that means the smoke will probably be hanging around for a few days.“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at leas...

CPS student earns district's first-ever scholarship for women's flag football

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A Solorio Academy High School senior is the first Chicago Public Schools student to ever earn a college scholarship for women's flag football. "I'm just really excited to continue the journey and I'll be glad to keep on working hard and go even further," said Karla Martinez, who had her own 'Signing Day' ceremony at the school Wednesday morning. Martinez committed to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. She will be the first person in her family to go to college. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesMartinez was the captain of the flag football team this year. CPS' flag football league just finished its third season and has more than 50 teams. 

Can the Cubs prevent a third-straight 'June Swoon'?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

ANAHEIM — It's something that's become a little familiar to Cubs' fans over the last few years, and the feeling it could happen again might have crept in the last three games. "June Swoon" was a term used for teams on the north side decades ago when early hope would fade as summer begins. But lately, it's come back, and there are hints of it early in 2023.After losing the series finale to the Padres 5-0 on Monday, they watched as the Angels pulled away for a 7-4 victory on Tuesday then a 6-2 triumph on Wednesday. It drops the Cubs to 26-35, a season-high nine games under. 500, as they've gotten off to a 2-4 start in the month of June, which hasn't been kind to the Cubs over the last two seasons. Last season, any hope to make something of the season tumbled in the third full month of the season as the Cubs went 10-17, adding to what had already been a difficult first half. Back in 2021, the Cubs entered June in first place in the National League Central division, but the season colla...

Birthday celebration held for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Family and friends on Wednesday celebrated the life of fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston on what would have been her 25th birthday.    A balloon release was held on Chicago's Southeast Side in Calumet Heights. Joining Chicago police in the remembrance of fallen officer Preston was her mother, Dionne Moon, who spoke about her daughter's passing.SEE ALSO | ‘She lived her life fearlessly’: Fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston laid to rest"I went back (and read) all my posts that I had sent her on her birthday and I was just so full because I had always told her that I was so proud of everything that she did and that gave me some peace today," Moon said. Preston's family announced a new foundation to keep her memory alive called "Peace for Preston," which focuses on helping families who've lost loved ones to gun violence. Loved ones hope to raise money to provide programs for Chicago’s youth at a community center in Preston's honor...

Climate change makes flights bumpier, researchers find

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you have noticed increasingly bumpier flights over the years, new research suggests you may not be imagining it. Scientists have shown that as the earth has warmed airplane turbulence has intensified, and their research suggests that is only going to get worse. In a study published Thursday, scientists found that a type of air turbulence has increased by 55% from 1979 to 2020. Further, the researchers suggest that this type of turbulence -- clear-air turbulence -- will intensify in response to a worsening climate. What causes turbulence? “There are [several] causes of flight turbulence. One is things like clouds that you can see, and they create turbulence. There are also waves created by mountains when wind floats over them, and they create turbulence,” said professor Ramalingam Saravanan, head of the Texas A&M Department of Atmospheric Sciences. “The last two types, you cannot see it as you can a cloud. You see clear air, and a plane flies thr...

APD to hold press conference on sex assault investigation Thursday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide details on a sexual assault investigation.Police said they're now asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect. However, they offered no other information at this time. Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it? The press conference will start at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. You can watch it live in this story and on Facebook.This developing story will be updated with more information.

100 Club of Central Texas expands to include Milam County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

MILAM COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The 100 Club of Central Texas unanimously voted this week to include Milam County in its area of coverage. The club was founded in 1983 and supports law enforcement officers, emergency communications operators, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and correctional officers by providing immediate financial and emotional assistance to first responders and their families when there has been a death of critical injury in the line of duty. It also provides scholarships for active-duty first responders and support for K9 and Mounted Patrol officers.The 100 Club of Central Texas covers Bastrop, Bell, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties as well as now Milam.“We are extremely pleased to be including Milam County in our coverage area and are thankful to have the support of local and county officials," said Billy Bryan, board chair for the 100 Club of Central Texas. “Our mission is to serve first responders and we are honored to officially exte...

Ravens free agency tracker 2023: Laquon Treadwell addition gives Baltimore 5 receivers that were former 1st-round picks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

Welcome to the Ravens’ free-agency tracker, which will be updated throughout the offseason.As of the start of the NFL’s new league year on March 15 at 4 p.m., teams can officially announce signings and trades. Here’s a rundown of who the Ravens have agreed to sign, who they’ve lost and who’s still on the open market:Free agent additionsWide receiver Laquon Treadwell: The Ravens continued to address their weakest position from last season with the signing of the 27-year-old Treadwell. His addition gives Baltimore five receivers that are former first-round picks.Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, Treadwell played for the Seahawks last season, appearing in six games and catching six passes for 42 yards in 138 offensive snaps. He also played 41 on special teams.Treadwell was on the New England Patriots’ and Arizona Cardinals’ practice squads last season before joining the Seahawks’ in November and being promoted to the active roster...

Appeals court overturns Daniel Nellis murder conviction

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, an appeals court overturned the 2019 murder conviction of Daniel Nellis. Nellis was initially sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of Michaela MacVilla in September 2018. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Appellate Division, Third Department, ruled for a retrial. According to findings from the appeals court, there were several errors during the trial in 2019. Before the trial, the prosecution requested to introduce evidence from prior convictions and bad acts committed by Nellis. County Court ruled the prosecution could present evidence of one bad act during the trial.During the direct case, the prosecution used a prior bad act that they did not include in their motion. The prosecution introduced three witnesses who claimed that Nellis had allegedly told them he had shot someone off a motorcycle. Man sentenced to 40 years to life for the murder of Michaela MacVil...

Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: June 9-11

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:02:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The weekend is almost here! From monster trucks to Dock Dogs to the Capital District Renaissance Festival, there are quite a few things happening on June 9, 10, and 11. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! With the Canadian wildfires causing poor air quality around New York, some events have been canceled or moved indoors. Make sure to check for updates before going to an outdoor event this weekend.Friday, June 9Coeymans 350th Anniversary Celebration, Joralemon Park, 5 p.m.Collar City Pop, Riverfront Park, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Eventbrite website.Watervliet City-Wide Garage Sale, around Watervliet, Menands, Maplewood and Green Island, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find the participant map on the Watervliet website.Versus Monster Trucks, Saratoga County Fairground in Ballston Spa, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Saratoga County Fair website.Dock Dogs, Benson's Pet Center in Cl...