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German conservative opposition seen winning 2 state elections, with far-right making gains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s center-right opposition was set to win two state elections on Sunday at the halfway mark of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s unpopular national government, according to exit polls, which showed gains for a far-right party.Germany’s national interior minister, who had faced an uphill struggle in a bid to become governor of her home region, appeared headed for a heavy defeat.About 9.4 million people are eligible to vote for the new state legislature in Bavaria and around 4.3 million in neighboring Hesse, a region that includes Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt. Both states are led by the country’s main opposition Union bloc, made up of the Christian Democratic Union and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union.Exit polls for ARD and ZDF public television showed the CSU, which has led Bavaria since 1957, on course to extend that run with support of around 37% — little changed from five years ago and around 20 points ahead of its nearest...

150-year-old Florida Keys lighthouse illuminated for first time in a decade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

ISLAMORADA, Fla. (AP) — A 150-year-old beacon that helped guide ships through the treacherous Florida Keys coral reefs before GPS, sonar and other technology made it obsolete is shining again as part of a national effort to save historic lighthouses that have dotted the U.S. coast for more than a century.An Islamorada community group that is spending $6 million to restore and preserve the Alligator Reef Lighthouse turned on its new solar-powered lights on Saturday to remind the public about the effort.“Alligator Lighthouse was lit in 1873 and it stayed lit until about 2013, and then it went dark for 10 years,” said Rob Dixon, the executive director of Save Alligator Lighthouse, which took over the lighthouse’s title in late 2021. “And now our Statue of Liberty is lit once again.”The lighthouse is named after the USS Alligator, a Navy schooner that ran aground on the reef in 1822 and sank. Alligator and five other aging lighthouses off the Keys were important maritime navigatio...

A workforce crisis is damaging families’ access to therapies for babies with developmental delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Alexander watches Paw Patrol with fervor, bowls his baby brother over with hugs and does everything with gusto.What the 3-year-old West Chicago toddler can’t do yet is speak more than a few words. His balance is wobbly and he isn’t able to let his preschool teachers know when he’s hurt or scared.When his mother, Hilda Garcia, had him tested, the youngster qualified for five therapies through a U.S. program dedicated to treating developmental delays in babies and toddlers — treatment designed to help Alexander develop the tools he needs to thrive. The relief she felt in identifying what he needed was short-lived. The federally mandated Early Intervention program is plagued by chronic staffing shortages nationwide, leaving thousands of desperate parents frustrated: They know their children need support, they’re aware of proven therapies that could make a difference, but they have to wait for months to get the help they need.After 14 months of phone calls, hours of resea...

Sunday Brunch: Del Sur Bakery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

Chef Justin Lerias from Del Sur Bakery joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more on their tasty desserts. Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Kevin Powell on Bears win, Butkus legacy and Chase Claypool to Dolphins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

Kevin Powell joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more on the Bears win, the late Dick Butkus' legacy and the Bears' trade of Chase Claypool to the Miami Dolphins.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Report: Automakers see efficiency rules costing billions in fines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

(Green Car Reports) -- Lobbyists for the Detroit Three automakers claim a proposal for stricter federal fuel economy standards would set the automakers up for billions of dollars in fines, according to a Reuters report.The report is based on a letter from the American Automotive Policy Council, representing General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, to the U.S. Energy Department that said the size of expected penalties for not meeting the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards “alarming.”The letter reportedly claims GM would have to pay $6.5 billion in fines, Stellantis would face $3 billion, while both Ford and the Volkswagen Group would have to pay $1 billion each.Dodge Charger Daytona ConceptIn addition to painting a dramatic picture about potential fines, the letter reportedly asks the Energy Department to reconsider its plan to revise the Petroleum Equivalency Factor (PEF) that governs how EVs are factored into emissions compliance, claiming the current plan w...

Maps: Where fall colors are peaking, and where they will soon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Now that we’re well into fall, you’re likely seeing the leaves on the trees around you changing — if they haven’t fallen already. Depending on where you live, that may be the case. According to new predictions, many parts of the country are already well into peak fall colors. SmokyMountains.com, a travel brand dedicated to promoting the Smoky Mountain region, produces a fall foliage map every year, showing when areas in the U.S. will near, reach, and surpass peak colors. To develop its fall foliage forecast, SmokyMountains.com uses geographical and meteorological data including temperature and precipitation data; forecasted temperature and precipitation; the types of trees known to be in the area; and user-reported information. This is the wealthiest person in your state, new Forbes report shows While it may not be completely accurate, the map does offer insight into how soon the autumn colors will peak. As of October 9, nearly every state — except those in t...

Affidavit: 1 dead, suspect arrested in north Austin homicide Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One man is dead after he was shot in north Austin early Saturday morning, according to an affidavit. A suspect is in custody in connection to the homicide. Edwin Emilson Diaz, 23, was arrested Saturday and charged with murder, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? The affidavit said Austin police officers went to 9200 N. Plaza around 1 a.m. Saturday in response to a shoot/stab call that said a man was shot. Officers saw a victim on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services took the man to the hospital in critical condition. He later died at the hospital, the affidavit stated.The affidavit identifies the victim as 26-year-old Cristian Raudales-Melendez. A witness told police they watched the shooting. According to the affidavit, they saw the victim, Diaz and others drinking in the parking lot and saw a "physical altercation" be...

$360M Mega Millions jackpot ticket sold in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The winning Mega Millions lottery ticket for Friday, Oct. 6's $360 million jackpot was sold in San Angelo at the Stripes convenience store near Sam's Club.According to the Texas Lottery, the ticket was revealed to be the largest jackpot ever won by a Texas Lottery player.The ticket, sold at Stripes No. 5031 located at 5665 Sherwood Way, matched all six numbers drawn, including the Mega Ball. The winning numbers were as follows: 12-24-46-57-66, Mega Ball 22.Texas Lottery stated that the player chose the cash value option at the time of purchase, which was estimated at $156.9 million before taxes prior to the drawing. The winner has 180 days from the draw date to claim the prize.The Stripes location is also eligible to receive a $1 million retailer bonus for selling the jackpot ticket.“We are absolutely thrilled to have a big Mega Millions jackpot winner right here in Texas and we’re eagerly looking forward to meeting and congratulating the...

Hundreds run for Mohawk Hudson River Marathon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:07 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Mohawk Hudson River Marathon is one of the largest in the country, and hundreds gathered to run for the full or half marathon. Jaime Puccioni of Niskayuna decided to run to help raise awareness for a cause.“This year, I’m running to raise awareness about Jaliek Rainwalker,” she said. “Two weeks ago, I did a ride for missing children, and I rode for Jaliek, and once again, I’m going to be running for Jalique.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Michael Newhouse decided to run the half marathon on behalf of Flags 4 Fallen in honor of Stephen LaRochelle, who passed away after a motorcycle accident over the summer.“He raced race cars in Lebanon Valley Speedway,” Newhouse said. “And at Flags 4 Fallen, we keep memories alive and honor those who have passed.”Each rider signed up to run for their own reasons, but everyone made sure they were warm enough during the first half of the run and ready for when things...