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Shrek’s ‘swamp’ now available to rent on Airbnb

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

(CNN) — A vacation rental that describes itself as a “mud-laden, moss-covered, murky-watered swamp” wouldn’t usually be in demand.But this new Airbnb listing in the Scottish Highlands is an exception to the rule. That’s because it’s a faithful recreation of the home of DreamWorks Animation’s beloved ogre Shrek.Shrek’s “swamp” is located on the grounds of Ardverikie Estate, a 19th-century Scottish mansion in the Scottish Highlands, some 60 miles south of the city of Inverness.One-off experienceIn a special Airbnb promotion, vacationers are invited to register interest in staying at the swamp – which sleeps up to three guests over the age of five – from October 13. Only one group will be lucky enough to secure a two-night stay, earmarked for October 27-29.While vacationers will need to organize their own travel to and from the Highlands location, their sojourn at Shrek’s house will be free. Meanwhile, Airbnb has pledged to make a one-time donation to HopScotch Children’...

Ask the Pediatrician: What are some no-cost, screen-free activities to play with my preschooler?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

Dr. Suanne Kowal-Connelly | (TNS) American Academy of PediatricsMost parents want to provide more for their children than their parents were able to do for them. But have you ever noticed how kids tend to have fun with things as simple as a cardboard box?When it comes to play, which is essential to healthy development, simple toys such as blocks, balls, jump-ropes and buckets are often the best kind for kids. In fact, they’re more effective in allowing children to be imaginative and creative than more expensive toys that may be out of reach for many parents.So why not take that cardboard box and play with them? More than any material gift, YOU are the best toy your child will ever receive.While it may be hard to relax and give yourself over to play, view this time with your child as an adventure. You are not only promoting the many benefits of play, but also getting to know your child better and strengthening the parent-child bond. For starters, your role can actually be quite...

Reporter’s Notebook: John Connolly, ‘Whitey’ Bulger and the murderers among us

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

This addendum to Tuesday’s parole hearing for ex-FBI agent John “Zip” Connolly falls into the category that the past can forever be painful.More than 25 convicts and parolees had their cases reviewed by the Florida Commission on Offender Review before Connolly’s “compassionate release” came up for the ultimate 2-1 vote to allow him to remain at home in Massachusetts. The board, however, will review the matter at the next 90-day medical update. (All the coverage is here…)So what about those other cases? They are the stuff of nightmares. It’s also part of Connolly’s story. These killers and rapists are convicts Connolly may be sent back to bunk with if his parole is reversed.Some Herald readers say he made that choice when he partnered with slain Southie mobster James “Whitey” Bulger; others argue at 83, Connolly should be left alone. As readers asked, here are examples of the other cases the parole board reviewed Tuesd...

What to stream: A grab bag of new releases and returning reality shows

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

Katie Walsh | Tribune News ServiceThankfully, the Writers Guild of America and major Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement over the weekend, ending 146 days of picketing. While pencils are not back up again for the TV and film writers in the guild, it’s a great sign for progress, and new productions will likely begin soon.There’s still an interesting grab bag of new stuff to stream this week, from spinoff miniseries to long-standing reality TV favorites, to other curios available on streamers. So let’s check out what’s new this week.First up, the “John Wick” prequel “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” is a three-part miniseries that premiered last week on Peacock, with Episodes 2 and 3 dropping Friday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Oct. 6, respectively. The miniseries focuses on the mysterious hotel for assassins that features in the Wick movie franchise, and takes place in the 1970s, offering ample opportunity to play in the styles of kung fu and blaxploitation. Colin ...

Hep C’s number comes up: Can Biden’s 5-year plan eliminate the longtime scourge?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

Michelle Andrews | (TNS) KFF Health NewsRick Jaenisch went through treatment six times before his hepatitis C was cured in 2017. Each time his doctors recommended a different combination of drugs, his insurer denied the initial request before eventually approving it. This sometimes delayed his care for months, even after he developed end-stage liver disease and was awaiting a liver transplant.“At that point, treatment should be very easy to access,” said Jaenisch, now 37 and the director of outreach and education at Open Biopharma Research and Training Institute, a nonprofit group in Carlsbad, California. “I’m the person that treatment should be ideal for.”But it was never easy. Jaenisch was diagnosed in 1999 at age 12, after his dad took him to a San Diego hospital because Jaenisch showed him that his urine was brown, a sign there was blood in it. Doctors determined that he likely got the disease at birth from his mom, a former dental surgical assistant who learned she had the viru...

Feds’ cash stream supports Colorado River conservation — but the money will dry up

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

Matt Vasilogambros | Stateline.org (TNS)Despite a megadrought, states in the West have been able to avoid drastic cuts to their allocations of Colorado River water this year not only because of surprising storms but also thanks to generous financial incentives from all levels of government that have encouraged people to conserve.The temporary Colorado River water-sharing agreement that Arizona, California and Nevada announced in May depends on an injection of $1.2 billion from the federal government. Some of the 30 tribal nations in the river basin also are getting federal dollars. The Gila River Indian Community, for example, will receive $233 million from the feds over the next three years, mostly to conserve water.Fueled by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the feds will spend a total of $15.4 billion for drought resiliency programs over the coming years, mostly for large-scale projects for water storage and recycling but also to persuade people t...

Man selling shoes robbed at gunpoint; 3 arrested

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

ENCINITAS, Calif. -- Two teens and one adult were arrested after a man who was selling shoes was robbed at gunpoint in Encinitas, authorities said.The robbery occurred on the afternoon of Sept. 14 in the 2100 block of Carol View Drive, Sgt. Heather Bruton with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) said in a news release Tuesday. The victim, who was selling several pairs of shoes, met with another man and woman in a parking lot when a third man joined the group and pointed a gun at the victim, according to law enforcement."Fearing he may be injured, the victim ran to his vehicle and got into the driver's seat. The woman and two men ran away together with the victim's shoes," Bruton said.During the investigation, authorities used the victim's Tesla cameras to identify the suspects. Body found on sidewalk; SDPD investigating On Sept. 15, the sheriff's department found and arrested two 16-year-old suspects. One was a boy wearing a pair of shoes stolen from the robbery...

Suspects sought in Gaslamp Quarter assault

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating suspects they say assaulted two men and a woman back in August. The attack took place in the Gaslamp Quarter on Sunday, Aug. 6 around 1 a.m., Mark Herring with the San Diego County Police Department explained in a news release.Authorities say four friends were walking on the 700 block of 6th Avenue, and two unknown suspects were walking on the same block. Abandoned boat washes up on Torrey Pines State Beach The first suspect (S1) accidentally bumped shoulders with the first victim (V1), police said. As the victims continued walking, S1 and suspect 2 (S2) reportedly turned around and confronted them.According to SDPD, S1 placed both of his hands around V1’s neck and strangled him multiple times. When V2 attempted to stop the fight, S2 began strangling V2 and pushed him to the ground.While V2 was on the ground, S1 attempted to kicked him in the face but V2 was able to block his foot," police explai...

A judge found Trump committed fraud in building his real-estate empire. Here’s what happens next

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge’s ruling that Donald Trump committed fraud as he built his real-estate empire tarnishes the former president’s image as a business titan and could strip him of his authority to make major decisions about the future of his marquee properties in his home state.The Tuesday order rescinds business licenses as punishment, which could make it difficult or impossible for some of Trump’s companies to operate in New York if not successfully appealed.Trump’s attorney vowed to appeal, calling the decision “un-American” and part of a campaign to thwart his second bid for the presidency.Here are some of the key points of the case, and what happens next:WHAT DID THE JUDGE SAY? Trump and his company massively overvalued his assets, creating “a fantasy world” on the financial statements he gave to banks and others, Judge Arthur Engoron found in a lawsuit brought by the New York attorney general. Trump’s Florida Mar-a-Lago club, for example, was over...

Montana judge temporarily blocks enforcement of law to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:59 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors is temporarily blocked, a state judge ruled Wednesday, just four days before it was to take effect.Legislative debate over Montana’s bill drew national attention this spring after Republicans punished Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr — the first transgender woman elected to the state’s Legislature — for admonishing lawmakers who supported the bill.District Court Judge Jason Marks agreed with transgender youth, their families and health care providers that the law passed by the 2023 Montana Legislature is likely unconstitutional and would harm the mental and physical health of minors with gender dysphoria, rather than protect them from experimental treatments, as supporters said it would.The judge noted the same Republican-controlled legislature passed a law saying patients, including minors, have a right to receive treatment with experimental drugs — as long as it’s recommended by a hea...