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Erratic winds challenge firefighters battling two major California blazes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. (AP) — A massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve was spreading rapidly Sunday amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the south that prompted evacuations. The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the preserve was sending up a huge plume of smoke visible nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) away across the state line in Nevada. Flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots have charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to a Sunday incident update. “The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” the update said. No structures were threatened. There was no containment. To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady a...

Denmark seeks to legally prevent burnings of Quran or other religious scriptures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Denmark’s foreign minister said Sunday the government will seek to make it illegal to desecrate the Quran or other religious holy books in front of foreign embassies in the Nordic country.Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in an interview with the Danish public broadcaster DR that the burning of holy scriptures “only serves the purpose of creating division in a world that actually needs unity.”“That is why we have decided in the government that we will look at how, in very special situations, we can put an end to mockery of other countries, which is in direct conflict with Danish interests and the safety of the Danes,” he said.A recent string of public Quran desecrations by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Denmark and neighboring Sweden have sparked angry demonstrations in Muslim countries.Løkke Rasmussen said the Cabinet of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is determined to find “a legal tool” to prohibit such acts without compromising freedom of expressi...

Kansas transgender people find Democratic allies in court bid to restore their right to alter IDs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials who work for the Democratic governor in Kansas are challenging a court ruling that has temporarily halted the state from allowing transgender people to change the gender on their driver’s licenses.The state Department of Revenue says Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, didn’t have legal authority to file a lawsuit that led to a district judge temporarily stopping transgender people from changing their licenses, at least until Nov. 1. The latest court response by Democrats was dated Friday. Kobach argues that allowing people to change their gender identity on state IDs — which the state labels as their “sex” — violates a Kansas law that took effect July 1 and rolled back transgender rights. He sued after Gov. Laura Kelly said the changes would continue despite that new law. Kansas for now is among only a few states that don’t allow any such changes, along with Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The state Department of Revenue oversees d...

Some renters may get relief from biggest apartment construction boom in decades, but not all

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When viewed through a wide lens, renters across the U.S. finally appear to be getting some relief, thanks in part to the biggest apartment construction boom in decades.Median rent rose just 0.5% in June, year over year, after falling in May for the first time since the pandemic hit the U.S. Some economists project U.S. rents will be down modestly this year after soaring nearly 25% over the past four years.A closer look, however, shows the trend will likely be little comfort for many U.S. renters who’ve had to put an increasing share of their income toward their monthly payment. Renters in cities such as Cincinnati and Indianapolis are still getting hit with increases of 5% or more. Much of the new construction is located in just a few metro areas, and many of the new units are luxury apartments, which rent for well north of $2,000. Median U.S. rent has risen to $2,029 this June from $1,629 in June 2019, according to rental listings company Rent, which tracks rents...

Customers want instant gratification. Workers say it’s pushing them to the brink

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Six straight days of 12-hour driving. Single digit paychecks. The complaints come from workers in vastly different industries: UPS delivery drivers and Hollywood actors and writers.But they point to an underlying factor driving a surge of labor unrest: The cost to workers whose jobs have changed drastically as companies scramble to meet customer expectations for speed and convenience in industries transformed by technology.The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes, pushing retailers to shift online and intensifying the streaming competition among entertainment companies. Now, from the picket lines, workers are trying to give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a show that can be binged any time or get dog food delivered to their doorstep with a phone swipe. Overworked and underpaid employees is an enduring complaint across industries — from delivery drivers to Starbucks baristas and airline pilots — where surges in consumer demand hav...

Blue Jays acquiring reliever Jordan Hicks from Cardinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays are acquiring reliever Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.As @CraigMish reported, Blue Jays acquiring Jordan Hicks, per source. https://t.co/jOfcTAhryY— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 30, 2023MLB Network’s Craig Mish was the first to report the trade being done.After an awful start to the season, the hard-throwing right-handed Hicks has bounced back with a Cardinals team playing well below expectations this year. He is 1-6 with a 3.67 ERA this year after posting a 5.23 ERA in April.Hicks, 26, was a third-round pick of the Cardinals in the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his big-league debut in 2018.Hicks, who has Type 1 diabetes, opted out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The weird car issues mechanics are seeing during heat waves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's no surprise that the summer heat can do significant damage to your vehicle. But as cities around the country continue to break temperature records and endure long heat waves, some car technicians are finding unusual vehicle issues.Doc Watson, a national training manager with Bosch Diagnostics, said typical summertime issues include dead car batteries and flat tires. However, he said technicians in Texas and along the West Coast have also been recording more unusual vehicle complications due to the extensive heat waves.In Texas, Arizona and California, technicians are reporting an emergence of "brake fade" cases in cars. When the temperature outside tops 100 degrees for extended periods of time, temperatures under the hood of vehicles during the summer can reach up to 230 degrees. RELATED: The heat and its toll on your car Brake fluids inside the cylinder under the hood of the car can absorb moisture, as the heat causes that moisture to expand within the fluid...

Cardinals trade frenzy begins: Montgomery to Rangers, Hicks to Blue Jays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Playing an unusual role as seller's ahead of this year's MLB trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals are finalizing trades involving three pitchers Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals are trading Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers. The Cardinals are trading Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays. Baseball insiders Jeff Passan, Craig Mish and Ken Rosenthal were among the first to report on both deals Sunday. The Cardinals formally announced the Hicks trade shortly after a 3-0 series finale victory over the Chicago Cubs.Cardinals manager Oli Marmol, addressing the trade reports in his postgame press conference, said "that’s a lot of talent that just walked out of the door." He also expressed he would love a reunion with all three of Montgomery, Hicks and Stratton if they explore free agency this winter. Cardinals will not trade Nolan Arenado before deadline, Mozeliak says Both trades will net the Cardinals a package of prospects. St. Louis will receive...

Woman flags down police after being shot; suspect in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A woman is in critical condition at a local hospital after being shot Saturday evening in south St. Louis.According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened just after 7:40 p.m. in the 3600 block of Bates Street, located in the Carondelet neighborhood.Police claim two officers in the area on an unrelated call when the officers heard a gunshot, then saw a woman get out from the front passenger door of a vehicle parked on Bates. The woman ran toward the officers' vehicle screaming, "He just shot me!"The suspected shooter got out of the driver's side of the car, armed with a handgun. Officers exited their police vehicle, confronted the suspect, and ordered him to drop the gun. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

Missouri State Fair 2023: Tickets, concerts, carnival, exhibits and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:02 GMT

SEDALIA, Mo. - The 2023 Missouri State Fair is just around the corner, bringing carnival rides, fair food, livestock and national acts to Sedalia. This year, the Missouri State Fair runs from Aug. 10-20, and the theme is "Where Traditions Grow." Kansas City Air Show announces 2023 lineup with world-class performers The fairgrounds will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the box office doesn’t open until 9 a.m.Events, concerts and exhibits will all also have various times. Most exhibit buildings, for example, don’t open until 9 a.m., and the midway doesn’t open until 11 a.m. or noon, depending on the day.Want to see everything going on? The Missouri State Fair makes it easy with daily schedules published online for each day of the fair. They’re also printed at several entrances.If you’re planning to travel to Sedalia for the state fair, make sure you’re prepared. Here’s what you need to know:Tickets Prices have gone up this year for the Missouri State Fair, but...