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Judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over ‘harmful’ materials

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged.The judge also rejected a motion by the defendants, which include prosecuting attorneys for the state, seeking to dismiss the case.The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintif...

Firefighter killed while battling Donnie Creek wildfire in B.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

A firefighter has been killed while fighting the massive Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia, marking the second such fatality in the province this month during this year’s record fire season.The BC Wildfire Service has confirmed that a contract firefighter crew member was killed yesterday in the Prince George Fire Centre area, which includes the almost 6,000-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze.The offices of both B.C. Premier David Eby and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston say the firefighter, who has not been identified publicly, died while fighting the Donnie Creek wildfire.On July 13, 19-year-old Devyn Gale died while she was fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke, B.C., after she was struck by a falling tree.Eby says in his statement that the most recent fatality coming so soon after Gale’s death “has shaken people throughout” the province and devastated the firefighting community.Statistics from the provincial wildfire service show there ar...

8 dogs died from extreme heat in the Midwest during unairconditioned drive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — At least eight dogs died of heat -related injuries after being transported in the back of an uncooled cargo van through northern Indiana Thursday night, authorities said. The dogs that died were among 18 shepherds traveling from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to a training facility in Michigan City, Indiana, police said.The driver, whom police did not name, said he was unaware that the air conditioning in the cargo area failed until he heard dogs barking. Then, he pulled off Interstate 94 at a convenience store and gas station in Lake Station, Indiana. When he opened the back, the driver found several dogs dead and others suffering. Numerous store employees and passersby stepped in to aid the dogs.Jennifer Webber, executive director of the Humane Society of Hobart, responded to the call at 7:40 p.m. and said the dogs displayed signs of heatstroke: Salivating heavily, wobbling, vomiting and convulsing. “There were already several dogs dead on t...

25-year-old wildfire fighter dies battling fire near Fort St. John, B.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

A contract wildfire fighter died Friday while fighting the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John, the BC Wildfire Service confirms.In a statement to CityNews, the BCWS says the member was a working crew member in the Prince George Fire Centre, and was injured while “responding to a wildfire.”“The primary concern of the BC Wildfire Service at this time is the privacy of the individual’s family,” the service said.The RCMP, WorkSafe BC, and the BC Wildfire Service are investigating, the service says.Related Articles:Celebration of life held for B.C. wildfire fighter killed near RevelstokeMemorial planned for B.C. wildfire fighter in RevelstokeHelicopter pilot dies fighting fires near Peace River, Alta.In a release, Premier David Eby says he is devastated to learn “we have lost another wildfire fighter.”“My heart goes out to the family, friends, and colleagues of this front-line hero. On behalf of all British Columbians, we grieve this terrib...

Thousands expected at Chinatown's Summer Fair in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

CHICAGO — More than 40,00 people are expected to attend Chinatown's Summer Fair this weekend. WGN photojournalist Kevin Doellman captured some of the vibrancy of the popular South Side street fair.

More than 20 states in US still suffering from excessive heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News. Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees. Democrat mocks Greene after call for decorum: ‘She showed us a d‑‑‑ pic last week’ “Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.The NWS said cooler temperatu...

Two men sentenced to 15 years in prison for roles in 2018 San Marcos murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Two brothers charged in a 2018 San Marcos homicide have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for their roles in the incident. PREVIOUS: One of three men tied to San Marcos murder found guilty, sentenced to 27 years In 2018, 27-year-old Matthew Jacob Rodriguez Jr. was shot and killed in a San Marcos condo parking lot. Adrian Terrell Rose, 29, and brothers Jacob Portier, 32, and Jason Portier, 30, were all arrested in connection with the death. On April 18, Jacob and Jason Portier pled guilty to the felony charge of capital murder and both were sentenced to 15 years in prison. Brothers Jacob Portier (right), 32, and Jason Portier (left), 30, were all arrested in connection with the death. Rose was convicted on August 12, 2022 and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Everybody’s chasing Lee Hodges at 3M Open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

In its fifth year as a regular PGA Tour stop, the 3M Open at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine has never had a wire-to-wire winner. Last year, Tony Finau entered the final round five shots off the lead before winning by three at 17-under par.Lee Hodges and Tyler Duncan  shake hands on the 18th green after completing the third round of the 3M Open on Saturday in Blaine. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Lee Hodges will try to become the first first-round leader to hold on for a 3M Open victory with the defending champion Finau lurking in familiar position.Hodges shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to finish the third round at 20-under par, the lowest score in tournament history after three rounds.“It’s going to be hard tomorrow,” Hodges said after his round Saturday. “(J.T. Poston’s) going to play great, Tony Finau, unbelievable golfers behind me. Not like I can go shoot even par tomorrow, I’m going to have to keep making birdies. Yeah, I’m just going to stay aggressive lik...

7/29/23: Saying Goodbye to the Humidity!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

Latest Forecast Update from Meteorologist Rob Lindenmuth:Scattered thunderstorms, some turning severe this afternoon and early evening will be exiting the region through the early evening hours. In their wake temperatures will be falling, humidity will be dropping and skies will turn partly cloudy which could lead to patchy dense fog developing.Big area of high pressure will be pushing into the northeast for Sunday. This will bring partly sunny skies, temperatures that will be a bit cooler and much lower humidity for the day on Sunday.Things will still be feeling rather comfortable for Monday, but there will be a slight uptick in the humidity ahead of another cold front. This front will bring in a true taste of early fall for the middle of the week with dewpoint temperatures in the 40s and 50s, daytime highs in the 70s and overnight lows in the 40s and 50s! However, we will see a few storms for Monday afternoon and evening as this front passes the area.Sunday will start out with par...

Winds peak around 80 mph, scattered damage in St. Charles County from storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Winds peaked at nearly 80 miles per hour at the St. Louis Lambert Regional Airport during an intense afternoon storm system Saturday afternoon, one that caused some scattered damages around St. Charles County. FOX 2's extreme weather specialist Chris Higgins describes the winds as some of the worst he has ever seen from a non-tornado or non-hurricane warned storm. He witnessed strong winds and heavy rainfall around 3:30 p.m. near Highway K in St. Charles County. Community officials are currently surveying damages. FOX 2 has learned of more than 100,000 power outages in the St. Louis metro and tens of thousands in St. Charles County. Residents are reporting downed power lines and trees. Two viewers from St. Charles County sent the following photos of damages. Viewer-submitted photos of storm damage in St. Charles County on July 29, 2023. Viewer-submitted photos of storm damage in St. Charles County on July 29, 2023. Viewer-submitted photos of storm damage in St. Charles C...