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New wildfire near Spokane, Washington, prompts mandatory evacuations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire that ignited near Spokane Monday is prompting mandatory evacuations, Washington state officials said. The West Hallett Fire started about 1:30 p.m. about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) southwest of Spokane and had high potential for growth, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said.At least 20 homes are threatened. Some people in the area were told to evacuate immediately, with others warned to be set to leave, KREM-TV reported. Fourteen planes were dropping water and retardant on the flames, which had burned more than 200 acres (81 hectares) by about 5:30 p.m., DNR officials said. No structure loss has been reported, officials said.The American Red Cross opened a shelter Monday afternoon at Cheney High School.The Associated Press

Hearing on hot-button education issues signals Nebraska conservatives’ plans for next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Just two months after one of Nebraska’s most contentious legislative sessions, lawmakers signaled Monday that more angry debate is likely next year over legislation to determine how schools deal with race, LGBTQ+ issues and other hot-button issues that have proved divisive in other Republican-controlled states like Florida.Sen. Dave Murman, the conservative chairman of the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee, held a hearing that mostly discussed the use in schools of social-emotional learning, or SEL, that has become a lightning rod among conservatives who say schools use it to promote progressive ideas about race, gender and sexuality, and that a focus on students’ well-being takes attention away from academics.The decades-old concept seeks to teach students how to manage their emotions, make good decisions, share and collaborate. But several witnesses invited by Murman made far-fetched claims that it’s being used to teach critical race...

Man gets 40 years for prison escape bid months before expected release date from 7-year sentence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

PEARL, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man was sentenced Monday to 40 years in state prison for breaking out of a correctional facility and holding two people at gunpoint last year, just months before he was to have completed a seven-year sentence. Shunekndrick Huffman, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping and a circuit court judge sentenced him to 40 years in state prison, Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Monday. Huffman, who escaped from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in August 2022, had nearly completed the seven-year sentence for aggravated assault with an expected release date in December of that year.After Huffman fled the prison, he broke into a nearby home and held three people at gunpoint for hours, according to authorities. They said Huffman then stole a car from one of those held hostage before crashing it and fleeing on foot. He was later found hiding in a trash can and captured two miles (3.2 kilometers) from the prison, WLBT-TV re...

Brightly flashing ‘X’ sign removed from the San Francisco building that was Twitter’s headquarters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A brightly flashing “X” sign has been removed from the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter just days after it was installed.The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection said Monday it received 24 complaints about the unpermitted structure over the weekend. Complaints included concerns about its structural safety and illumination. The Elon Musk-owned company, which has been rebranded as X, had removed the Twitter sign and iconic blue bird logo from the building last week. That work was temporarily paused because the company did not have the necessary permits. For a time, the “er” at the end of “Twitter” remained up due to the abrupt halt of the sign takedown. The city of San Francisco had opened a complaint and launched an investigation into the giant “X” sign, which was installed Friday on top of the downtown building as Musk continues his rebrand of the social media platform.The chaotic rebrand of Twitter’s building ...

Oklahoma parents, faith leaders and education group sue to stop US’s first public religious school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A group of parents, faith leaders and a public education nonprofit sued Monday to stop Oklahoma from establishing and funding what would be the nation’s first religious public charter school.The lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court seeks to stop taxpayer funds from going to the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 last month to approve the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to establish the school, and the board and its members are among those listed as defendants.The vote came despite a warning from Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general that such a school would violate both state law and the Oklahoma Constitution.The Rev. Lori Walke, senior minister at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said she joined the lawsuit because she believes strongly in religious freedom.“Creating a religious public charter school is no...

Cubs make a second deal ahead of MLB trade deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Less than an hour after getting the team some help in the infield and at the plate, Jed Hoyer made an addition to the team's pitching staff.This one helps bolster the bullpen as the team tries to make a run at the National League playoffs.Another Cubs Trade Ahead of the Deadline..The team has acquired reliever Jose Cuas from the Royals for outfielder Nelson Velazquez..Cuas has a 4.54 ERA in 45 games with four holds, 52 strikeouts compared to 21 walks. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/Q7VmTppl5R— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) August 1, 2023Just after acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals, the Cubs made a deal with the Royals to get relief pitcher Jose Cuas in exchange for outfielder Nelson Velazquez.This is the second move by the club since they decided to acquire assets to make a run at the postseason after winning nine of their last 11 games. Entering their game against the Reds on Monday night, the Cubs trailed Cincinnati by four games in the Nationa...

Luke Bryan invites Colorado girl with terminal cancer backstage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Country artist Luke Bryan invited a Denver-area girl backstage after he heard her story. Mary Stegmueller, 7, has been battling terminal brain cancer since she was 4 years old. She's a serious Luke Bryan fan, and she really wanted to see his show in Denver on Saturday. Northglenn girl with terminal cancer hoping for chance to meet Luke Bryan But she is immunocompromised and cannot stand for long durations, so her family thought the concert was off the table until an anonymous donor gave them a private suite for the show.Her family said they’re unbelievably grateful to the anonymous donor. Mary got a quick hug from the country star back in 2021 after a concert, but this time, she was hoping for another chance to have a conversation with him.Country artist Luke Bryan invited a local girl backstage after he heard her story. (Kristin Stegmueller)Country artist Luke Bryan invited a local girl backstage after he heard her story. (Kristin Stegmueller)Country artist Luke...

Harvest Season 2023: Texas vineyards race to pull grapes in scorching heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) — Right now is the critical time to pick grapes in wine-producing regions across Texas.        Susan Johnson, owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard, surveys grapes. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington)Susan Johnson, owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard, surveys grapes. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington)West Texas produces the most, but Central Texas pumped out close to 2,000 tons just three years ago.The Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredericksburg said its workers are trying to move fast this harvest season due to the heat.Just as the sun comes up, a machine shook grapes off vines at Texas Heritage Vineyard. Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)"We have a total of about 15 acres of grapes," said Susan Johnson, the owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard.The industry brought in about $20 billion for the state in 2022. And there are more than 400 win...

Austin needs more than 1,200 hotel workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Looking for a job in the hospitality industry?Now is the time to apply as Austin hotels are gearing up for a busy fall."For our food and beverage we are looking for front-of-house and back-of-house staff," said Allison Josefowitz, Hotel Ella general manager.Hotel Ella is looking to hire about 20 people to fill a number of positions."I think the industry as a whole is very competitive right now, so there are a lot of different properties that are looking to fill positions," said Josefowitz.According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Austin area has about 1,200 openings for hotel jobs.In a recent study the AHLA put out, they found more than 80% of hotels experience staffing shortages. Hoteliers are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies. Austin’s leisure and hospitality industry booming, 13.4% increase from last year Seventy-five percent of respondents are increasing wages, 64% are offering greater flexibility with hours, and...

Two records to end July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:14:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The month ended Monday with a record-setting high temperature of 107° at Camp Mabry. The previous record of 106° stood for 103 years. The last 24 days of July (8th to 31st) had an average high temperature of 105.1°. Those 24 days are also in second place for most consecutive three-figure highs.It was thought that this July would not be as hot as July 2022 because of fewer 100°+ days. Last year's July had 29 highs in triple-digits. This year? 25. Still, the average temperature at Camp Mabry this July turned out to be a full degree hotter than last July. Thus, July 2023 will go down in history as the hottest July ever.July 2023 is the hottest July everA record high was also set at Austin-Bergstrom where the high was 104°. The former record was 103° first set in 1998 and tied in 2013.Every city with a high Tuesday exceeding 100°An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday for 11 of our counties, including Travis. This is for air temperatures at or above ...