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WhatsApp launches video messaging

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

(NewsNation) — WhatsApp is now allowing users to record and send video messages, Meta announced. The messages are similar to voice messages that are already allowed, with users being able to record up to one minute of video and send it to their contacts. Users were already able to send video files to contacts, but the new feature allows people to record directly within the app, which facilitates encrypted communication. Raskin calls on Comer to ‘publicly reprimand’ Greene over explicit Hunter Biden photos WhatsApp, owned by Facebook parent company Meta, has introduced a number of new features in recent months, including those meant to protect against spam messages from unknown users. Other new features include the ability to automatically silence calls from unknown users and edit messages within 15 minutes of sending. Meta has also announced it is considering introducing usernames for the service. Currently, accounts are identified by the user's phone number.

McDonald's to test spinoff brand named after forgotten, decades-old alien mascot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - You know McDonald’s for its Golden Arches, golden fries, and its dressed-in-golden-overalls clown mascot. But now, the fast food chain — already riding high from the success of returning a former mascot  — says it is gearing up to test a spinoff restaurant based on a member of McDonaldland. During its second-quarter earnings call Thursday, CEO Chris Kempczinski said McDonald’s will begin testing these spinoff restaurants, called CosMc’s, early next year, CNBC reports. CosMc was a part-alien, part-vehicle character that appeared in McDonald’s advertisements from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. He also reportedly had a brief appearance in the video game "M.C. Kids."He can contract his head, arms, and legs into his vehicle, described as “a round Sputnik like object” in a McDonald’s manual. The character takes things literally, the manual adds, and speaks in a “hip and unique mixture of Earth slang (both old and new)."“CosMc’s fun-loving and wacky,” the manual continues. ...

Bastrop County to update 44-year-old cold case on Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – The Bastrop County Sheriff's Department said officials will hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon to update a case from the 1970s. According to Wednesday's announcement, the case involves a woman's body found on U.S. Highway 290 near FM 696. That is just southeast of Elgin. The department said she was found on June 21, 1979 and authorities were not able to identify her at the time. The department announcement did not mention any new developments regarding the case. The press conference will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the sheriff's office.

$100K budget proposed to contract animal behaviorists for Austin Animal Services

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Animal Services Office proposed a Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget July 21 to contract with animal behaviorists in Texas.According to a memo sent to city leaders, an ordinance was approved in August 2022 to have $143,764 in funding to have a full-time Animal Behaviorist Specialist position in the proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. However, a change was proposed. RELATED: Almost a year later, Austin Animal Center still not doing non-emergency intake “Because of the limited number of people qualified to fill this position, contracting the service was determined to be the best course of action. The proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget includes onetime funding in the amount of $100,000 to contract with animal behaviorists within the state,” the memo said.The memo was sent to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin City Council members from Don Bland, the Chief Animal Services Officer at AAS.Bland said if the proposed budget was approved, the funds would benefit...

Twins seek ‘complementary pieces’ ahead of next week’s trade deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

The Twins are expecting Jorge Polanco back in Kansas City. Caleb Thielbar could be coming back on their upcoming road trip as well. Brock Stewart is making strides towards a return, and Royce Lewis is a few weeks away.As the trade deadline nears, the Twins are on the hunt to make improvements to their roster. But nothing they do will be more impactful than getting that group of injured players back in action.“I don’t think that we’ll match any of that kind of addition, and I don’t think we’re trying to, quite frankly,” Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. “Those are really impactful players.”But the Twins do consider themselves buyers ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline and they’re open for business, as they showed on Wednesday, sending relief pitcher Jorge López to Miami in a trade for another reliever, Dylan Floro.López, along with Tyler Mahle, were the Twins’ two biggest additions at last year’s trade deadline. The Twins sent three prospects away for each play...

Stillwater Lift Bridge to close Tuesday for electrical work

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

The Stillwater Lift Bridge will close during the day on Tuesday, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.The historic bridge across the St. Croix River will close from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews replace an electrical power cable. No pedestrian or bicycle traffic will be permitted, and the bridge will not be lifted to accommodate watercraft.While the bridge will remain in its lower position, smaller boats and watercraft will be allowed to pass beneath.For more information on bridge maintenance and the ongoing closure of Highway 95/Main Street in Stillwater, visit MnDOT’s website.Related ArticlesOutdoors | Southbound I-35W closed from Bloomington to Burnsville this weekend Outdoors | MN 36-Fairview Avenue interchange in Roseville reopens after a month Outdoors | Vikings’ Jordan Addison told trooper he drove 140 mph on I-94 in St. Paul because of dog emergency Outdoors | 1 dead, 8 injured after 2-v...

Bennington's Apple Barn to host inaugural Blueberry Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

BENNINGTON, V.T. (NEWS10) -- The Apple Barn and Country Bake Shop will be presenting their first annual Blueberry Festival. The event is scheduled for July 29. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The festival will feature blueberry picking, live music, food trucks, vendors, family activities, and a plethora of blueberry goods. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Apple Barn is located at 604 US Route 7 S in Bennington. The festival is free to attend and open to the public.

Update on Rail Trail Bridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Albany County Executive's Office, initial removal of the Rail Trail Bridge decking began on Wednesday, with demolition to continue through the rest of the week. Starting on Monday, road work on New Scotland Road (SR 85) underneath the bridge will continue, and as soon as it concludes, one-lane traffic will reopen on SR 85E from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A crane will be on-site Friday to remove the steel girders in order to fully extract the bridge. According to the Albany County Executive's Office, it is expected the temporary bridge will be up and functioning before the original October 31 estimated date.At that time, both lanes on State Route 85 will open. Regarding the bridge buckling on July 12, there is no new information at this time.

Despite recent rainfalls, much of Missouri still dealing with drought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Despite a series of pop-up storms and sporadic rainfall this month, much of Missouri continues to deal with drought conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, around 78% of the state is considered to be in a moderate, severe or extreme drought stage. Roughly another 17% is considered to be abnormally dry. FOX File Photo - Drought Conditions (July 25, 2023)Only around 5% of the state is not dealing with drought concerns right now, and that includes much of St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The National Weather Service reports that St. Louis is slightly ahead of normal precipitation this month with around 4.5 inches of rainfall. Highs in upper 90s Thursday, triple digits on Friday Similar storm systems have formed in Kansas City and Springfield this month, but both are below average in rainfall this year, aiding in regional droughts. In Columbia, Missouri, the largest city under an "extreme drought" rating, it's shaping up to be five consecutive months w...

Excessive Heat Warning for St. Louis until Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:02 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - Dangerous heat is expected Thursday and Friday. We start the mornings warm, in the upper 70s to low 80 in metro St. Louis, and we heat up quickly. Temperature highs will be in the upper 90s to low 100s and peak heat index values of 105-110 in the afternoons. An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued through Friday. You're urged to drink plenty of water. Stay in an air-conditioned space and out of the sun during peak heating hours, noon to 5:00 p.m. Take extra precautions if you work outside.   St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Rain chances are slim, but not zero the next two days. Scattered showers and storms are expected across northern Missouri and central Illinois late in the day Thursday. A few isolated showers may impact especially the northern counties overnight. Watching a cold front Saturday for more widespread rain chances. Temp highs on Saturday depend on when that front arrive...