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California utility pays $22 million to settle federal claims over 2016 wildfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California Edison and two other companies have paid $22 million to settle U.S. government claims that they caused a 2016 wildfire that burned thousands of acres of national forest, it was announced Friday.The money covers damage from the Rey Fire as well as the costs of fighting the blaze, which was sparked by a fallen Edison power line, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.“This settlement will compensate the public for the expense of fighting the Rey Fire and restoring these federal lands that are enjoyed by all Americans,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally said in a statement. The companies agreed to pay without admitting wrongdoing or fault, according to the DOJ.The Aug. 18, 2016, fire north of Santa Barbara burned more than 50 square miles (129 square kilometers) of land, much of it in Los Padres National Forest.The government said the fire began when a tree fell onto Edison power lines and communications lines owned by Frontier Com...

Investigator with a metro Atlanta prosecutor’s office shot in car by other motorist, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — An investigator with a metro Atlanta county prosecutor’s office was shot and wounded by another motorist while driving Friday evening, police said, and a widespread search was launched for the suspect using helicopters, canines and road patrols. Initial information indicated the investigator with the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office was not on duty at the time and a motive for the shooting was not yet known, Sgt. Michele Pihera, a county police spokeswoman, said.The investigator was apparently shot in the leg at an intersection shortly after 6 p.m., but he was talking with authorities at a hospital and his life was not in danger, Pihera said at a news briefing. Investigators didn’t know whether it may have been “a road rage incident” or he may have been deliberately targeted or shot for some other reason, Pihera said. There were no “overt signs” or markings on the car to suggest he was an employee of the District Attorney’s office, she added.“It doesn’...

Conservatives say parties reach agreement on terms for foreign interference inquiry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

OTTAWA, Ill. — The Conservatives say all parties agreed tonight on the scope for a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada.The agreement appears to break the impasse between the governing Liberals and the Conservatives about how to proceed with negotiations to establish a probe into efforts of foreign governments to interfere in Canada’s elections and governance.Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc was dispatched in June to work with the other parties on a path forward after foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston resigned.Johnston’s initial investigation and recommendation against holding a public inquiry angered opposition parties and the Conservatives accused him of bias in favour of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.The talks seemed close in late June, but the Liberals insisted all parties had to agree on the terms of reference and the name of the commissioner before announcing an inquiry while the Conservatives were adamant an inq...

Review of Guatemala’s vote appears to largely uphold results from June 25 presidential election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A court-ordered review of Guatemala’s June 25 presidential election that included a second look at dozens of precinct tally sheets appears to have upheld the original vote totals, an electoral official said Friday.If candidates Sandra Torres and upstart Bernardo Arévalo remain the two highest vote-getters in the re-examination, it will boost the likelihood that their one-two finish in the first round will stand and that the two candidates will head to a run-off election Aug. 20. Asked about the vote tally review during a news conference Friday, Magistrate Gabriel Aguilera of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal praised the precinct panels of regular citizens responsible for tallying votes and told them not to be discouraged by critics of their work.“In an exercise of civic responsibility, they watched over the vote of each Guatemalan and with the results of the second hearings … they confirm the June 25 results,” Aguilera said. “This has to be emphasized and su...

A gas platform explosion off Mexico kills 2 workers, injures 6 and leaves 1 missing, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — An explosion and fire destroyed an offshore gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico early Friday, while two workers died, six were injured and one was missing, officials said. The state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, said the disaster happened on the Nohoch gas transfer platform that it operates. It said the dead and missing workers were employed by a subcontractor. It did not specify who the six injured worked for.The company’s statement said seven ships evacuated a total of 321 workers from the platform. Photos distributed by the company showed several fire boats pumping streams of water onto the still-smoking platform.Octavio Romero, director of Petroleos Mexicanos, said that the platform “was totally destroyed,” but that several other nearby, linked platforms did not catch fire.There appeared to be little risk of an oil spill, though it was unclear whether the accident might force the company to increase flaring of gas, a process of burning excess ga...

APA! waives adoption fees at Town Lake location through July 12

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Pets Alive! is having a "heat waive" adoption special for all pets at its Town Lake Center location.Adoption fees for all pets at the location will be waived through July 12. APA!'s "heat waive" special runs through July 12. (Photo courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)The shelter said in a release it has dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, and cats of all colors, ages and temperaments. There are also several puppies waiting for homes in the Parvo Puppy ICU. “These puppies are healthy and ready to be adopted,” said Fathom Woods, the Parvo ICU Manager at APA!. “But we don't have enough kennel space available, so they have to stay in our ICU until space clears up. This young age is crucial for them to socialize and train, so we would love for them to find homes instead of staying at the shelter.”Adoptable pets can be previewed online. APA!'s Town Lake Center shelter is open is open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and located at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St.

Tanglewood introduces Boston Symphony Orchestra

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

LENNOX, MA (NEWS10)- It's opening night for the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Nestled in the Berkshire hills, Tanglewood has been around since 1937. The concert venue is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. On Friday night, they took the stage.Music Director, Andris Nelsons, leading a fantastic program that centers on Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony, which is one of the great pieces of the repertoire.Some folks have been coming here for decades.“There is nothing more exciting than opening night at Tanglewood because what it says is summer is here,” said Lew Blaustein. Others coming from Connecticut enjoying the sights and food.“This is our very first time at Tanglewood. The surroundings are beautiful, were celebrating birthdays. It’s a beautiful atmosphere,” said two Connecticut residents. Nick Duffin, customer service manager at the main gate, says Tanglewood is much more than just a music festival. They have yoga Saturdays, activities for the...

Death investigation underway in Rotterdam

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Police in Rotterdam are conducting a death investigation on Fern Avenue. They are being assisted by the New York State Police. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rotterdam Police Department at (518) 355-7397 ext. 289.

Tens of millions of city funds left unused in accounts, Los Angeles Controller says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

An analysis by the Los Angeles City Controller's Office has found more than $51 million worth of unused "idle funds" sitting in the city's various special funds with many having gone untouched for several years.Controller Kenneth Mejia released a 63-page financial report on Friday, announcing that $51 million in idle funds were identified across the more than 200 special funds in the city's treasury.There are 661 different special funds that the city owns with more than $5.43 billion between them, Mejia said. Each department oversees its own funds with each fund having its own set of unique rules. If cash remains in the funds for multiple years, it's considered by the city to be idle.In the analysis conducted by the controller's office, 203 of those funds were found to have had no activity for at least two years, with 62 of them going untouched for more than a decade. Black people disproportionately arrested for violating camping ordinance: report Millions of dollars which were c...

Young cancer patient experiences exclusive World of Barbie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

Soon-to-be sixth grader Grace Garza was in for a special surprise when she got to experience the World of Barbie VIP experience during her time in the hospital while battling cancer. During DHR Health Children’s Hospital’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Starlight Children’s Foundation partnered with Mattel to provide an exclusive World of Barbie VIP experience to 11-year-old Garza from Texas, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age nine. Throughout her cancer treatment journey, Garza has had to spend a lot of time in the hospital, having missed school days and spending time with family and friends. Rachel Garza, Grace’s mother, says she’s also had to endure a lot of pain throughout the process, going through lumbar punctures and chemotherapy. With the help of Mattel and Starlight Children’s Foundation, Garza was able to enjoy a private VIP experience in the 20,000 square foot World of Barbie, one of her favorite toys. Within the immersive experience, Garz...