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Congress is moving into crisis mode to avoid a government shutdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With a government shutdown five days away, Congress is moving into crisis mode as Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means curtailing federal services for millions of Americans.There’s no clear path ahead as lawmakers return with tensions high and options limited. The House is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a package of bills to fund parts of the government, but it’s not at all clear that McCarthy has the support needed to move ahead. Meanwhile, the Senate, trying to stave off a federal closure, is preparing its own bipartisan plan for a stopgap measure to buy some time and keep offices funded past Saturday’s deadline as work in Congress continues. But plans to tack on additional Ukraine aid have run into trouble as a number of Republicans in both the House and Senate oppose spending more money on the war effort. Against the mounting chaos, President Joe Biden warned the R...

Stock market today: Wall Street opens lower, a day after a rare gain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is back to falling on Tuesday, even as pressure from the bond market relaxes a bit. The S&P 500 was 0.7% lower in early trading, coming off a rare gain and on track for its fifth drop in six days. The Dow pulled back 176 points and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.8%. Stocks have tumbled this month, which is on track to be their worst of the year, as the realization sets in that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates high for a long time as it tries to push inflation lower. Treasury yields were stable. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street is poised to open lower ahead of a possible U.S. government shutdown and as the realization sets in that interest rates may remain elevated for a long time. Futures for the Dow Jones industrials fell 0.4% before the opening bell Tuesday and S&P 500 are off 0.5%. With the jobs market still hot markets still boisterous, the Federal Reserve will likely keep interest rates hig...

As climate change and high costs plague Alaska’s fisheries, fewer young people take up the trade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — Lane Bolich first came to work in Alaska for the freedom and excitement that comes with being a fisher.A self-described adrenaline junkie, Bolich moved from his hometown in rural Washington state because he loves being on the ocean even in cold winter weather and it gave him the chance to make more money than back home. After working as a deckhand for two years on a family friend’s boat, Harmony, he took the wheel as captain this year at just 20 years old. Bolich is a rarity in an aging industry with high barriers to entry — equipment and access rights are costly — and increasing unpredictability as human-caused climate change alters marine habitats. As some fish populations dwindle and fewer people pursue the trade, fishers and conservation groups are actively working to bring in and retain the next generation of fishers through grants and training even as the industry continues to shrink in Alaska.For the young people who do become commercial fishers, many se...

Musk’s X is the biggest purveyor of disinformation, EU official says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A top European Union official said Tuesday that the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, is the biggest source of fake news and urged owner Elon Musk to comply with the bloc’s laws aimed at combating disinformation. Ahead of upcoming elections, Google, TikTok, Microsoft and Meta also have more to do to tackle disinformation, much of it coming from Russia, which is using social media to wage a “war of ideas” against democracy, European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said. Moscow’s disinformation operation “is a multimillion-euro weapon of mass manipulation aimed both internally at the Russians as well as at Europeans and the rest of the world,” she said at a press briefing in Brussels. With elections scheduled in Slovakia and Poland in the coming weeks and a bloc-wide vote next year, big online platforms must address the risk of online meddling, she said. The Kremlin and other malicious actors “will try to use the design features of the...

How climate change could affect where and when people travel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

Travelers encountered many weather surprises this summer, from wildfires in Europe to knee-deep mud at Burning Man. Indeed, it was the hottest summer on record around the globe, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.“The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in a prepared statement published Sept. 6. “Our planet has just endured a season of simmering — the hottest summer on record. Climate breakdown has begun.”Shifting weather patterns are raising questions about where, when, how and whether tourists will travel.For example, does it still make sense to visit Italy in July, despite high temperatures, large crowds and minimal air conditioning? Or should “peak” travel season move to the more hospitable autumn or spring months?Tourism destinations are starting to take note — and get worried — about the toll climate change could take on this enormous industry.HOT DESTINATIONSEscaping to the Sp...

Cellphone store in Lincoln Park latest target in string of armed robberies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

CHICAGO — More armed robberies in Chicago overnight as residents on the North and West sides are voicing their concerns.In one of the latest incidents, a cellphone store was targeted in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.Police said it happened at an AT&T store on the 1700 block of West Fullerton just before 8 p.m. Monday. Two armed males entered the store and stole multiple phones and other devices — as well as money. According to police, the victims in the incident had their hands restrained.The offenders were able to get away in a white SUV and no one was injured.Another string of armed robberies occurred after midnight Tuesday. Police said in the four incidents, two to three male offenders would exit vehicles and demand property from the victims at gunpoint. The incidents happened at the following locations: 3500 North Kimball Avenue400 North Aberdeen Avenue3000 West Carroll Avenue1100 West Van Buren StreetSo far, no one is in custody in any of the robberies.Multiple alder...

'It's just devastating': Families in shock after train hits vehicle, killing 6 in Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – While briefly off sedation, Guillermo Gama III grabbed his mother’s hand.Doctors say he does not need brain surgery. To his family, these are the glimmers of hope in an otherwise dark time.“We’re extremely blessed and grateful that he’s here with us still,” said Jennifer Cantu, his aunt.Gama, 23, was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health in Florida after the vehicle he was riding in collided with a train in Plant City on Saturday evening.Gama's family was waiting for him to arrive at a quinceañera celebration. He was riding in a car with others planning to go to the party, and he had just texted his family that he was almost there. Then his family heard about an accident and thought Gama was stuck behind it.“When he didn’t answer and he wasn't responding to none of us, we all just kind of felt it inside. My mom, which is his grandma, she took off down there,” Cantu said.Gama is the sole survivor in the crash that claimed the lives of six people: Jose G. Hernande...

Prosecutor shares 'serious concerns' with motion to allow broadcast cameras in courtroom of Delphi murders court proceedings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. -- Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland has filed a motion opposing a request to broadcast the trial for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen, citing "serious concerns." Defense attorneys representing Allen filed a motion on Sept. 13 to allow broadcast cameras in courtrooms, citing an amendment to Rule 2.17 of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct which regulates broadcasting, televising, recording and photographs in courtrooms. Richard Allen files motion to allow broadcast cameras in courtroom of Delphi murders court proceedings The defense referenced an amendment to the rule that would have allowed the judge to allow the broadcasting of the legal process in their courtroom at their own discretion. This amendment took effect in May and would allow broadcasting as long as the means of recordings wouldn't distract participants or affect the dignity of the proceedings. The defense argued that since the Delphi investigation had reached national attention, t...

'Probably Haunted': Sign outside Massachusetts property makes mysterious claim

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When moving into a new home, it’s customary that the previous occupants move out. But that’s not necessarily the case at one spacious property for sale in Millbury, Massachusetts, at least according to a sign posted on the lawn.“Probably Haunted,” reads the sign, which is situated directly above the listing agent’s placard.(Erika Kristal Eucker/Media Realty)The property’s online listing, on the other hand, makes no mention whatsoever of any paranormal activity at the address. But it does mention that the property was originally built as a single-family home in 1850 before being converted for use as a funeral parlor around 75 years ago.“If you're a homeowner looking for a home with extraordinary presence and space, this could easily be converted back to a single-family home,” reads a description of the home, which is currently listed for $769,000. A real estate agent hid 'Michael Myers' in every photo of this New Hampshire home Listing agent Erika Kristal Eucker, with M...

Must-see video shows sharks swimming near fisherman: 'The guy fishing has no idea'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:31 GMT

CALADESI ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) - Nurse sharks were seen crowding a fisherman's boat Monday morning at Caladesi Island in Florida. Drone operator John Yanchoris captured "awesome footage" of "lots" of nurse sharks swimming near a fisherman and his boat. Yanchoris said he saw the spectacular sight around 9 a.m. "The guy fishing in the video has no idea what is behind him," Yanchoris said in an email to Nexstar's WFLA. Travis Kelce jersey sales increase nearly 400% after Taylor Swift attends Chiefs game: report National Geographic described nurse sharks as "slow-moving bottom-dwellers and are, for the most part, harmless to humans." They can grow up to 14 feet and have "very strong jaws filled with thousands of tiny, serrated teeth, and will bite defensively if stepped on or bothered by divers who assume they're docile," the publication added.Yanchoris is a former firefighter who has done drone work for local fire departments, according to a description on his YouTube channel. He al...